Genasys Inc. - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

 

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-K

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☒   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021

or

 

☐    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number 0-24248

 

 

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GENASYS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware	87-0361799
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
16262 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego, California	92127
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (858) 676-1112

 

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SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.00001 par value per share	GNSS	NASDAQ Capital Market

 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None

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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  ☒     No   ☐  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  

 

	Large accelerated filer   ☐		Accelerated filer	☐
			Smaller reporting company	☒
	Non-accelerated filer     ☒		Emerging growth company	☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by a check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

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Indicate by check mark, whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestations to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of March 31, 2021 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $191,676,200 based upon the closing price of the shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market on that date. This calculation does not reflect a determination that such persons are affiliates for any other purpose.

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

36,482,197 shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, as of November 19, 2021.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the registrant’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed subsequent to the date of this report, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report. The definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the conclusion of the registrant’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.

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PART I

Forward Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements relating to future events or the future performance of our company. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the only means of identifying forward-looking statements. Such statements are predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating such statements, you should specifically consider various factors identified in this report, including the matters set forth below in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements.

For purposes of this Annual Report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” “Genasys” and the “Company” refer to Genasys Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Overview 

Genasys is a global provider of critical communications hardware and software solutions designed to alert, inform, and protect. Our unified platform receives information from a wide variety of sensors and Internet-of-Things (IoT) inputs to collect real-time information on developing and active emergency situations. Genasys uses this information to create and disseminate alerts, warnings, notifications, and instructions through multiple channels before, during, and after public safety and enterprise threats, critical events, and other crisis situations.

Background 

Genasys entered the critical communications arena following the October 2000 attack on the USS Cole, which prompted the development of the Long Range Acoustic Device® (“LRAD®”), an Acoustic Hailing Device (“AHD”) capable of communicating with and determining the intent of potential threats from a safe distance. The Company’s LRADs are capable of broadcasting clear voice messages and attention-commanding alert tones in a focused 30° beam over long distances to specific targets. LRADs were quickly embraced by the U.S. Navy and then other military branches, federal agencies, and police departments, nationally and throughout the world. The LRAD represented a new solution for potentially hostile situations, using communication to limit the escalation of force.

With a device capable of broadcasting clear and intelligible alerts and messages, other applications for Genasys’ communication technology became apparent. Genasys engineers utilized this technology to create mass notification speaker systems with 60° and 360° broadcast coverage. Realizing that integrating software with the mass notification speakers could add technology options and more functionality, Genasys engineers developed Genasys' Emergency Management (“GEM”) command-and-control software. In addition to remotely activating and controlling Genasys advanced speaker systems, which feature satellite connectivity and solar power options, GEM facilitates the dissemination of alerts, warnings, notifications, information and instructions through multiple channels, including location-based Short Message Service (“SMS”), Cell Broadcast Center (“CBC”) mobile push, text, email, social media, TV, radio, and digital displays. These systems are used by local governments, schools and universities, and businesses to relay emergency information and instructions.

As the world has become more digital and mobile, so have methods of communication. Often, the most direct way to share important information is through cell phones and computers. With that in mind, Genasys expanded GEM into software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) solutions, which include Zonehaven™ and Integrated Mass Notification Systems (“IMNS”). Genasys also created National Emergency Warning System (“NEWS”), a software application that works with mobile carriers to send emergency communications to the public. These software-based solutions are capable of sharing critical messages and alerts through text message, email, voice call, push notification, social media, and various other platforms.

Through both software and hardware, Genasys’ systems and solutions are designed to provide customers the ability to notify and share critical information.

Genasys’ Principal Characteristics  

Looking Forward: Growth Company  

Products

GEM 

Genasys Emergency Management (“GEM”) is Genasys’ software-based product line. The GEM lineup consists of GEM Software, IMNS, and Zonehaven.

GEM Software

GEM Software is an interactive, cloud-based SaaS solution that sends at-risk individuals or groups critical information when an emergency occurs. GEM Software acts as both a communications input and output, receiving information from state-of-the-art sensors and emergency services, and quickly relaying notifications, alerts, and instructions to at-risk populations and first responders. GEM Software customers can create and send critical, verified, and secure notifications and messages using emails, voice calls, text messages, panic buttons, desktop alerts, television, social media, and more. Additionally, Genasys is a certified provider of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (“IPAWS”) notifications. IPAWS is the United States’ federal public notification platform, which GEM Software customers can use to deliver critical communications in multiple languages to specific populations. GEM Software sends targeted messages based on geographic location or group/team status, permitting relevant information and instructions to be sent to the appropriate populations. This functionality permits GEM Software customers to create groups using contact data from HR systems, active directories, visitor management and building control systems, and various other sources. Auto-Discovery, an innovative GEM Software feature, locates and connects with anyone on a wired or wireless network in a fixed area with no opt-in required. When discovered, GEM Software anonymizes all recipient information and data. When an emergency occurs, these tools allow at-risk groups or individuals to be notified as quickly as possible without sacrificing their privacy.

In addition to disseminating alerts and notifications. GEM Software uses two-way communication tools, including polls and check-ins to receive feedback from targeted populations and first responders. With direct feedback, operators can survey the safety and status of at-risk populations, learn about developments, update notifications and/or instructions in response to new information, and more.

GEM Software Case Study

With 300 community centers across 13 states, a prominent nonprofit organization needed a way to coordinate its COVID-19 response. The pandemic’s continued growth meant that resources had to be optimized and directed to specific hot spots. Changing requirements and conditions caused by the pandemic highlighted the need for efficient information exchange with personnel and volunteers. To handle these new challenges, the nonprofit instituted GEM Software to ensure critical communications were quickly and reliably delivered.

IMNS

The Integrated Mass Notification Systems (IMNS) product line is Genasys’ comprehensive emergency response solution, uniting GEM Software and Genasys speaker system hardware in a multi-use solution. IMNS gives operators the ability to communicate critical notifications across platforms using a command and control interface that can be accessed from an emergency operations center, authorized computer, or smart phone. This ensures critical messages can be relayed to the public as quickly as possible no matter the time or place.

To control notifications, IMNS relies on the interactive, cloud-based GEM SaaS solution. When an emergency occurs, IMNS operators, using information received through external data, sensors, and warnings via GEM Software, can create and send notifications and alerts to specific populations using targeted delivery systems while ensuring all recipient information and data is anonymized. Notifications can be sent using text messages, emails, IPAWS, desktop alerts, television, voice calls, social media, and Genasys speaker systems. By providing several digital, software-based notifications and audible voice alerts through speakers, IMNS creates layered redundancy that ensures the maximum number of people receive critical communications.

IMNS Case Study

Faced with potential wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other severe weather and public safety threats, a California city decided to install a city-wide emergency warning system capable of delivering critical notifications and instructions to its 23,000 residents and 6 million visitors in the event existing power and telecom infrastructure failed. City officials contracted Genasys and set up 21 IMNS installations throughout the city. These installations are capable of notifying via desktop alerts, text messages, voice calls, social media, and outdoor speaker systems equipped with solar power, battery backup, and satellite connectivity.

Zonehaven

Zonehaven is a multipronged SaaS application that serves both first responders and the communities they protect. Zonehaven can function as a standalone application or be integrated with a GEM integration.

When preparing for natural and man-made disasters, emergency organizations can utilize Zonehaven to develop evacuation plans that map routes, shelters, traffic control locations, and road closures using Zonehaven's extensive public safety resources and mapped zones. This information is easily shared with the public and reduces the time it takes to execute emergency evacuations and orderly repopulations.

When an incident occurs, it is immediately tracked by Zonehaven which maps the incident, simulates the speed and direction of the incident, and determines which Zones (geographic areas) are at risk and/or need to be evacuated. As an incident develops, Zonehaven provides real-time updates to help ensure emergency organizations have the most up-to-date information. In turn, emergency organizations use this information to augment evacuation plans and share critical communications with community members through alerts, messages, and community-facing mapping applications. Notifications can be sent using Zonehaven and a variety of other channels including local GIS departments and other agencies, traffic applications, including Waze, and more.

In addition to communicating to members of their own community, emergency organizations can also use Zonehaven to communicate with different organizations in other towns, cities, and counties. Zonehaven’s network exists across jurisdictions to facilitate multi-agency collaboration. By having access to the shared Zonehaven knowledgebase, emergency organizations can work together across jurisdictions to prepare plans, take responsive action, and coordinate timely evacuations and orderly repopulations.

Zonehaven Case Study

Spurred by a geographic and environmental susceptibility to wildfires and recent conflagrations, first responders and emergency services in 13 California counties entered into multi-year Zonehaven software services and evacuation management contracts to better protect the more than 6.9 million residents they serve.

NEWS

The National Emergency Warning System (“NEWS”) provides multichannel public safety notifications and instructions to designated areas, groups, or agencies when a crisis occurs. The NEWS platform is cloud-based, geo-redundant, and end-to-end encrypted. NEWS is a SaaS product that requires mobile telecom services for installation and integration.

Genasys partners with mobile telecom networks to provide the channels to deliver NEWS SMS and CBC alerts and notifications that can be sent to anyone, anywhere, with no recipient opt-in, registration, or download required. By partnering with government and mobile telecom networks, NEWS provides precise geolocation capabilities (dynamic maps, traffic information, weather forecasts, and environmental sensor data) which allow NEWS operators to receive accurate information, send hyper-specific notifications, and monitor evacuation progress. NEWS can locate recipients and deliver messages in near real time, compared to other SMS alert providers that can take up to 15 minutes. Despite NEWS’ reach and scope, all data is anonymized, ensuring individuals stay safe and informed without sacrificing their privacy.

NEWS has a GEM-based user interface and an easy-to-use dashboard that can be controlled by operators through a cloud-based command console, or a mobile app. NEWS receives alerts and warnings from multiple sources, which then appear in the dashboard. Operators interpret this information and use it to create, activate, and broadcast notifications to the appropriate targets via TCP/IP, satellite, Wi-Fi, GPRS/GSM, fiber radio, text message, email, social media, television, speakers, sirens, and more. NEWS has many capabilities and options, including smart messaging, integration with other communication channels, and geo-fencing. With access to numerous channels and partnerships with mobile carrier networks, NEWS helps ensure at-risk populations are alerted when a local, regional or national emergency occurs.

NEWS Case Study

In the aftermath of devastating bushfires that killed and injured hundreds of citizens and burned thousands of homes in 2009, Australia’s government decided to create a location-based public warning system that could reach more than 95% of the population affected by bushfires, flooding, severe storms, and other disasters.

Beginning in particularly susceptible areas and then expanding to cover the entire country, government officials worked with Genasys, major telecom providers, and other companies to develop a location-based SMS public warning system that met the government's public safety warning expectations and national authorities’ operational and functional system requirements. Since going live in 2013, NEWS has delivered more than 180 million location-based SMS emergency alerts to many of the country’s 25 million residents and 9 million annual visitors.

LRAD

The LRAD is the world’s leading AHD. LRADs project alert tones and audible voice messages with exceptional vocal clarity in a 30° beam from close range to 5,500 meters. LRADs are used throughout the world in multiple applications and circumstances to safely hail, warn, inform, direct, prevent misunderstandings, determine intent, establish large safety zones, resolve uncertain situations, and save lives. LRADs have been deployed on military vehicles, at corporate headquarters, in hostage negotiations, aboard private yachts, and in numerous other situations where clear and intelligible voice communications are essential.

Several LRAD models are available, varying in coverage, reach, output, and size. A variety of accessories (cameras, searchlights, mounts, etc.) are also available to augment LRAD capabilities.

All LRADs are defined by their unparalleled audio output and clarity. LRADs use Genasys' proprietary XL driver technology, which generates higher audio output in a smaller and lighter form factor. The technology also helps ensure voice messages and alert tones cut through background noise and are clearly heard and understood. These competitive advantages, and constant innovation, have made LRAD the de facto standard of the AHD industry.

LRAD Case Study

SWAT teams respond to dangerous situations where communication is vital. Previously, SWAT teams used bullhorns and other public address (“PA”) systems to communicate with violent suspects. Because of the poor intelligibility and limited broadcast range of bullhorns and vehicle PA systems, SWAT team members often had to closely engage with suspects, putting themselves, the suspects, and bystanders in harms way.

Many SWAT teams now use LRAD systems for serving high risk warrants, during hostage and barricaded suspect negotiations, active shooter situations, and other SWAT operations. LRAD systems are portable and adaptable in most any situation to provide clear voice broadcasts over long distances. By effectively communicating from safe standoff distances, LRAD helps resolve uncertain situations, safeguards operators and protects the public.

Applications

Government

LRAD systems extend safety zones between operators and the public to safely communicate critical information to individuals and groups from distance. LRAD systems deliver messages and notifications to people inside vehicles and buildings and can be mounted on boats, ships and helicopters to provide ship-to shore and air-to-ground communications.

Enterprise

GEM provides full redundancy and high resilience in workforce safety and messaging during everyday duties and critical business events. GEM’s accountability and real-time situational awareness translates to effective communications that can be delivered via voice calls, SMS messages, emails, desktop alerts, WhatsApp, and other corporate communication channels to reach workers, on-premises visitors, and contractors with no opt-in required.

GEM can be operated and controlled via a single dashboard that includes two-way polling, duress buttons, field check-ins and recipient locations. GEM enterprise solutions integrate with data sources, including active directories, human resources, visitor management and building control systems to find and reach employees, staff, contractors, temporary workers and visitors.

Gas, Oil, Utilities

GEM integrates with a variety of industrial technologies, including gas leak sensors, 'man down' alarms, access control systems, and badge scanners for workforce accountability. GEM delivers notifications to employees, contractors, visitors, and guests in corporate offices and at field sites. When integrated with human resources systems, GEM provides employee notifications, guest management systems for contractors and visitors, auto discovery to notify anyone present on-site, and SMS opt-in for a temporary enrollment.

Non-Profit

GEM can be used to assign tasks, monitor progress, and send alerts when tasks exceed assigned parameters. GEM can deliver multilingual alerts to workers, volunteers, and staff anywhere in the world, including automatic translations and localization into any language. Alerts are delivered locally or throughout the world over SMS, email, push, voice calls, social media and website postings.

Campuses

IMNS unifies software emergency alerting and highly intelligible indoor/outdoor speaker systems to provide multiple channels to deliver notifications, instructions and information to students, staff, faculty, and employees. Alerts can be delivered campus-wide across several channels, or to specific areas and populations using select channels.

Counties, Cities, and Towns

GEM’s scalable notification software is used in communities of all sizes to reach residential populations quickly and directly. GEM is used to issue emergency alerts, provide important instructions, and receive community feedback.

IMNS serves communities by providing digital communications through SMS, email, social media, and other channels, and broadcasting audible messages through speaker system installations. During wildfires, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and other emergencies, power and telecom outages frequently disrupt legacy community and county emergency warning systems. Genasys’ speaker systems are made with rugged, military-grade materials that can withstand the elements, and feature solar power, satellite connectivity, and battery backup, enabling emergency managers to disseminate critical information even when power and telecom infrastructure fails.

Zonehaven is also used by several communities to create disaster response plans, track emergency events, and execute timely emergency evacuations and orderly repopulations. Zonehaven allows emergency services to effectively collaborate across jurisdictions to respond quickly and efficiently to disasters. Zonehaven emergency services include notifications, alerts, and instructions sent directly to community members through several channels including SMS, email, Waze, and more.

Industrial Facilities

When integrated with software and/or hardware sensors, IMNS provides facility managers actionable data and information to either remotely or automatically initiate critical safety notifications. These notifications can be delivered throughout a facility or only in areas affected by industrial accidents, hazmat incidents, unauthorized entries, and other life-safety events.

National & Regional Public Warning Systems

Many national and international organizations are now seeking public warning systems to reach their citizens in case of emergency. For example, Article 110 of the European Electronic Communications Code (“EECC”) requires every European Union (“EU”) member state to have a mobile phone-based public warning system in place by June 2022. NEWS, which is designed for these types of applications, can alert all populations within a specified area without requiring an opt-in, and is capable of two-way communication that records messages sent and responses received in multiple languages. These qualities meet the requirements of Article 110, and NEWS has several other capabilities that provide additional communication capabilities. Genasys is working in the EU and with national and regional organizations to make NEWS their public warning system of choice.

Defense

LRADs broadcast audible warning tones and voice messages with exceptional clarity from close range out to 5,500 meters. This allows LRAD operators on the ground, in vehicles, on ships, or in helicopters to increase the decision time and distance to differentiate between security threats and non-combatants, resolve uncertain situations, safely respond, and limit the escalation of force.

First Response

Police and fire departments can use LRAD and IMNS systems in everyday duties and elevated risk operations to issue warnings, commands, and notifications that are clearly heard and understood. Rugged, reliable, and easy to operate, LRAD and IMNS systems resolve uncertain situations, safeguard the public, and protect first responders.

Wildlife & Assets

Certain facilities and buildings face challenges from local wildlife populations that can threaten assets or pose a health risk to employees and/or the local population. LRADs are easily programmed to broadcast a near infinite variety of tones and predator calls to safely deter and protect wildlife from potential hazards and help prevent habituation. When integrated with cameras, motion sensors, night vision, and radar, LRAD systems can be automated and remotely operated across an IP network to provide critical asset operators a completely unmanned perimeter protection solution capable of safely deterring wildlife and human incursions.

Strategy

Our products, systems and solutions continue to gain worldwide awareness and recognition through media exposure, product demonstrations, and word of mouth as a result of positive responses and increased acceptance. We believe we have a solid global brand, technology, and product foundation, which we continue to expand to serve new markets and customers for greater business growth.  We believe we have strong market opportunities for our product offerings throughout the world in the defense, public safety, emergency warning, mass notification, critical event management and law enforcement sectors as a result of increasing threats to government, commerce, law enforcement, homeland security and critical infrastructure. Our products, systems and solutions also have many applications within the fire rescue, maritime, asset protection, and wildlife control and preservation business segments.

Genasys has developed a global market and an increased demand for LRAD AHDs and advanced mass notification speakers. We have a reputation for producing quality products that feature industry-leading broadcast area coverage, vocal intelligibility and product reliability. We plan to continue building on our AHD leadership position by offering enhanced voice broadcast systems and accessories for an expanding range of applications. In executing our strategy, we use direct sales to governments, militaries, large end-users, system integrators, and prime vendors. We have built a worldwide distribution channel consisting of partners and resellers that have significant expertise and experience selling integrated communication solutions into our various target markets. As our primary AHD sales opportunities are with domestic and international governments, military branches, and law enforcement agencies, we are subject to each customer’s unique budget cycle, which leads to long selling cycles and uneven revenue flow, complicating our product planning. 

The proliferation of natural and man-made disasters, emergency events and civil unrest require technologically advanced, multichannel solutions to deliver clear and timely critical communications to help keep people safe during crisis situations. Businesses are also incorporating critical communication and emergency management systems that locate and help safeguard employees when crises occur.

By providing the only SaaS platform that unifies sensors and IoT inputs with multichannel, multiagency alerting and notifications, Genasys seeks to deliver reliable, fast, and intuitive solutions for creating and disseminating geolocation-targeted warnings, information and instructions before, during, and after public safety and business threats, critical events, and other crisis situations.

While the mass notification market is more mature with many established manufacturers and suppliers, we believe that our advanced technology and unified platform provides opportunities to succeed in the large and growing public safety, emergency warning and critical communications markets.

In fiscal 2022, we intend to continue to pursue domestic and international business opportunities with the support of business development consultants, key representatives, and resellers. We plan to grow our revenues through increased direct sales to governments and agencies that desire to integrate our communication technologies into their homeland security and public safety systems. This includes building on fiscal 2021 domestic defense sales by pursuing further U.S. military opportunities. We also plan to pursue emergency warning, enterprise and critical event management, government, law enforcement, fire rescue, homeland and international security, private and commercial security, border security, maritime security, and wildlife preservation and control business opportunities.

Our research and development strategy includes incorporating further innovations and capabilities into our GEM, IMNS, Zonehaven, NEWS and LRAD products, systems, and solutions to meet the needs of our target markets.

Our GEM, IMNS, Zonehaven and NEWS software solutions represent more complex, integrated offerings. We are pursuing certain certifications, which are often required when bidding on government and mass notification opportunities. We intend to invest engineering resources to enhance our GEM, IMNS, Zonehaven, and NEWS software solutions to compete for larger emergency warning and critical communications business opportunities. We are also configuring alternative solutions to achieve lower price points to meet the needs of certain customers or applications. We also engage in ongoing value engineering to reduce the cost and simplify the manufacturing of our products.

We intend to continue operating with financial discipline in order to create value for our shareholders.

Manufacturing and Suppliers

Manufacturing

As an ISO 9001:2015 manufacturer, we believe maintaining quality manufacturing capacity is essential to the performance of our products and the growth of our business. Our technologies are different from mass-produced designs, and our manufacturing and assembly involves unique processes and materials. We contract with third-party suppliers to produce various components and sub-assemblies. The Company moved to a new facility with expanded engineering and manufacturing capacity in 2018 to support current and expected business growth. In our facility, we complete the final assembly, test, and ship our products. We have refined our internal processes to improve how we design, test, and qualify products. We continue to implement rigorous manufacturing and quality processes to track production and field failures. We also perform third-party testing and certification of our products to ensure that they meet rigorous military and commercial specifications. We implement design and component changes periodically to reduce our product costs and improve product reliability and manufacturability. 

Suppliers

We minimize inventories and maximize the efficiency of our supply chain by having a large number of components and sub-assemblies produced by outside suppliers mostly located within 50 miles of our facility. The Company relies on one supplier for compression drivers for its LRAD products and is working to obtain alternative suppliers to reduce such reliance. The Company’s ability to manufacture its products could be adversely affected if it were to lose this sole source supplier and was unable to find an alternative supplier. We also purchase several key components and sub-assemblies from foreign suppliers. Consequently, we are subject to the impact that supply chain issues and economic conditions can have on such suppliers. The fluctuations of foreign currency exchange rates could also impact our lead times and product costs. We have developed strong relationships with a number of our key suppliers. If these suppliers experience supply chain issues, quality problems or part shortages, our production schedules could be significantly delayed, or our costs could significantly increase. 

Sales and Marketing

We market and sell products and services through our salesforce based in California, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, Canada, France, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the U.A.E., as well as through a full-time business consultant in Germany. Our corporate and administrative offices are located in San Diego, California. 

We sell directly to governments, militaries, large end-users, and commercial companies. We use independent representatives on a commission basis to assist in our direct sales efforts. We also use a channel distribution model, in which we sell our products directly to independent resellers and system integrators around the world, who then sell our products (or our products integrated with other systems) to end-user customers. We are focusing our internal business development resources on building relationships with governments and other large direct customers. In addition, we utilize part-time consultants with expertise in various government and defense sectors to advise us on procedures and budgetary policies in an effort to be successful in these areas. 

We have a global reputation for providing high quality, innovative voice broadcast systems and mobile alert solutions that have made Genasys and LRAD internationally recognized product brands. We actively promote our brands and products through our website, trade shows, and advertising. We intend to increase the use of our trademarks throughout our product distribution chain and believe growing brand awareness will assist in expanding our business. We believe our reputation for technological expertise, quality products, and strong service and support provide us competitive advantages.

Customer Concentration

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, one customer accounted for 58% of revenues, with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of revenues. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, one customer accounted for 63% of revenues, with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of revenues.

Our revenues to date have relied on a few major customers. The loss of any customer could have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. We have made progress diversifying our revenues and expect to continue to do so in future periods. 

Backlog

Our order backlog for products that are deliverable in the next 12 months was approximately $36.0 million as of September 30, 2021, compared with $16.6 million as of September 30, 2020. The amount of backlog at any point in time is dependent upon scheduled delivery dates to our customers and product lead times. Our backlog orders are supported by firm purchase orders. 

Warranties

We generally warrant our products to be free from material and workmanship defects for a period up to one year from the date of purchase. The warranty is generally a limited warranty, and in some instances imposes certain shipping costs on the customer. We generally provide direct warranty service, but at times we may establish warranty service through third parties.

We also provide repair and maintenance agreements and extended warranty contracts at market rates, with terms ranging from one year to several years, as an additional source of revenue and to provide increased customer satisfaction.

Competition

Our technologies and products compete with those of other companies. Our LRAD AHDs and advanced mass notification speakers are part of commercial and government audio industry and mass notification markets that are fragmented and include numerous manufacturers with products that vary widely in price, quality, and distribution channels. Present and potential competitors have, or may have, substantially greater resources to devote to product development. We believe we compete primarily on the originality of our products, the uniqueness of our technology and designs, and our responsiveness to customers and the ability to meet their needs. We believe the quality, reliability and superior performance of our products, which have been developed by incorporating feedback from our customers and our desire to provide the highest quality products, also provide us competitive advantages.

Our LRAD product line includes the leading long-range voice broadcast systems for military and other applications. Our AHD competitors include Ultra Electronics/USSI, IML Sound Commander and others. We do not believe these competitors have achieved significant global market penetration in the AHD market to date. We believe our LRAD product line has demonstrated acceptance, has performed extremely well in harsh environments, and can continue to compete on the basis of technical features, performance, ease of use, quality and cost. As we continue to grow this market, future competitors may enter, which could impact our competitiveness. 

Our advanced mass notification speakers compete against several domestic and international companies, including Federal Signal, Whelen Engineering Company, Hoermann, and others. We believe our industry-leading voice intelligibility and area coverage, as well as our satellite connectivity and solar power options, provide key advantages that distinguish us from our competitors. When integrated with our GEM command-and-control software to provide multiple remote activation and control options, we believe our mass notification speakers are among the most technologically advanced and easiest to operate in the world.

In the more mature and established critical communications and event management markets, we compete against several competitors, including Everbridge, OnSolve, Rave Mobile Safety, and others. We believe our ability to unify sensors and IoT inputs with the multichannel, multiagency dissemination of geolocation-targeted alerts, notifications and instructions before, during, and after public safety and business threats, critical events, and other crisis situations, gives us significant competitive advantages against these established organizations. Our reliable, fast, and intuitive solution for sending warnings and information via location-based SMS, CBC, mobile push, text, email, social media, TV, radio, digital displays, sirens and speaker arrays, and our platform’s compatibility with major emergency warning protocols, including IPAWS, WEA, and others, provide additional competitive advantages. We believe the domestic and international markets for public safety, emergency warning, and critical communications are substantial and growing. 

Seasonality 

Because our sales are primarily to domestic and international government departments or agencies, our selling cycles tend to be long and difficult to forecast. We have not experienced any significant seasonality trends to date, but we may experience increased seasonality in the future. 

Government Regulation 

We are subject to a variety of government laws and regulations that apply to companies engaged in international operations, including, among others, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.S. Department of Commerce export controls, local government regulations and procurement policies and practices (including regulations relating to import-export control, investments, exchange controls and repatriation of earnings). We maintain controls and procedures to comply with laws and regulations associated with our international operations. If we are unable to remain compliant with such laws and regulations, our business may be adversely affected. 

Our products are produced to comply with standard product safety requirements for sale in the U.S. and similar requirements for sale in Europe and Canada. We expect to meet the electrical and other regulatory requirements for electronic systems or components we sell throughout the world. 

Financial Information about Segments and Geographic Areas 

Financial information regarding our segments and the geographic areas in which we operate is contained in Note 19, Segment Information, and Note 20, Major Customers, Suppliers and Related Information to our consolidated financial statements.

Intellectual Property Rights and Proprietary Information

We operate in an industry where innovation, investment in new ideas, and protection of resulting intellectual property rights are important drivers of success. We rely on a variety of intellectual property protections for our products and technologies, including patent, trademark and trade secret laws, and contractual obligations. We pursue a policy of vigorously enforcing our intellectual property rights. 

In addition to such factors as innovation, technological expertise, and experienced personnel, we believe strong product offerings that are continually upgraded and enhanced will keep us competitive, and we will seek patent protection on important technological improvements that we make. We have an ongoing policy of filing patent applications to seek protection for novel features of our products and technologies. Prior to the filing and granting of patents, our policy is to disclose key features to patent counsel and maintain these features as trade secrets prior to product introduction. Patent applications may not result in issued patents covering all-important claims and could be denied in their entirety. We also file for trade name and trademark protection when appropriate. We are the owner of several registered trademarks, many of which have earned worldwide brand recognition. 

Our policy is to enter into nondisclosure agreements with each employee and consultant or third party to whom any of our proprietary information is disclosed. These agreements prohibit the disclosure of confidential information to others, both during and subsequent to employment, or the duration of the working relationship. These agreements may not prevent disclosure of confidential information or provide adequate remedies for any breach. 

Research and Development

The software and sound reproduction markets are subject to rapid changes in technology and design with frequent improvements and new product introductions, as well as customized solutions for specific customer applications. We believe our future success will depend on our ability to enhance and improve existing technologies and to introduce new technologies and products on a competitive basis that meet the needs of our customers. Accordingly, we are continuing to invest in significant research and new product development activities. 

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we spent approximately $4.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively, on company-sponsored research and development. Future levels of research and development expenditures will vary depending on the timing of further new product development and the availability of funds to carry on additional research and development on currently owned technologies or in other areas. 

Executive Officers 

The current executive officers of Genasys Inc. and their ages and business experience are set forth below. 

Richard S. Danforth, age 62, was appointed Chief Executive Officer in August 2016. Mr. Danforth formed the strategic business consulting firm, RsD Aero, Ltd., in 2014, which provided consulting services for the Defense, Aerospace, Space and Transportation sectors, with an emphasis on M&A and Transatlantic trade. He served at DRS Technologies as Group President of DRS Integrated Defense Systems & Service (2013 – 2014); Chief Executive Officer, President and Board Member of DRS Defense Solutions (2008 – 2012); President, Command Control & Communication (2005 – 2008); President, Navy Electronics & Intelligence Systems (2004 – 2005); and Executive Vice President, Electronics Systems Group (2002 – 2004). He began his career at Raytheon in 1982 and held various manufacturing, quality assurance and program manager positions until 1996. Mr. Danforth was then appointed Vice President of Operations for Raytheon Aircraft Company (1996 – 2000). In 2000, he was named Senior Vice President of Raytheon Aircraft Company’s Commercial Aircraft Business division, where he led a staff of 370 sales, marketing and customer service personnel. Mr. Danforth holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Masters in Engineering Management from Western New England College.

Dennis D. Klahn, age 63, was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer in August 2017 and promoted to Chief Financial Officer in September 2017. Mr. Klahn has more than 30 years of accounting, finance and operations experience, which includes serving as Controller or CFO at publicly traded companies. He was most recently a Group Controller at Teledyne RD Instruments, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, between 2011 and August 2017. Prior to that role, he served as Controller or CFO at several companies including, ISE Corporation, Overland Storage, Inc., Anacomp, Inc., and International Lottery & Totalizator Systems, Inc. Mr. Klahn is a certified public accountant in Illinois and began his career as a Staff Accountant at Coopers & Lybrand after receiving his B.A. in Accounting from St. Ambrose University.

Human Capital

As of September 30, 2021, we employed a total of 148 full-time employees, of which 79 were located in the United States and 69 were located internationally. Our full-time employees include, 70 in engineering, 21 in production, quality assurance and materials control, 14 in general and administrative and 43 in sales and marketing. We contract technical and production personnel from time to time on an as needed basis and use outside consultants for various services. In addition, we have an extensive worldwide network of independent representatives and resellers who actively market and sell our products. We have not experienced any work stoppages and are not a party to a collective bargaining agreement.

We are dedicated to preserving operational excellence and remaining an employer of choice. We provide and maintain a work environment that is designed to attract, develop and retain top talent through offering our employees an engaging work experience that contributes to their career development. We recognize that our success is based on the collective talents and dedication of those we employ, and we are highly invested in their success.

COVID -19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or operations results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, we monitor the developments and assess areas where there is potential for our business to be impacted. A portion of our sales force is either working remotely, or in geographical areas that have been subject to frequent lockdowns, which could, among other things, negatively impact our ability to engage in on-site sales-related initiatives or efficiently conduct day-to-day operations. Other businesses and governments with which we engage are likely operating under similar restrictions and experiencing disruptions, which may create obstacles in the coordination of business activities, including the negotiation and fulfillment of orders. Disruptions in the supply chain have affected our ability to source certain materials for some of our hardware products. We have managed these supply disruptions by sourcing comparable materials or redesigning product modules using more readily available parts. While we do not currently anticipate a material reduction in demand for our commercialized products, we could experience a decrease in new orders, which could negatively impact our revenues and reduce our liquidity and cash flows. Growth in revenue could also be impeded by these factors. The financial markets have been subject to significant volatility that could impact our ability to enter into, modify, and negotiate favorable terms and conditions relative to equity and debt financing activities. We have $13.2 million in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2021, which we believe provides sufficient capital to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months and withstand the anticipated near-term consequences of the pandemic, although liquidity constraints and access to capital markets could adversely impact our liquidity and warrant changes to our investment strategy. The full magnitude of the pandemic cannot be measured at this time and, therefore, any of the aforementioned circumstances, as well as other factors, may cause our results of operations to vary substantially from year to year and quarter to quarter.

Based on various standards published to date, we believe the work our associates perform is critical, essential, and life sustaining. We are taking a variety of measures to promote the safety and security of our employees while ensuring the availability and functionality of our critical infrastructure. We are following Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants. CDC and other national, state, and local orders, guidelines, policies, and initiatives could impact our operations. In addition, the following events related to the COVID-19 pandemic could result in lost or delayed revenue to the Company: limitations on the ability of our suppliers to meet delivery requirements and commitments; limitations on the ability of our employees to perform their work due to illness caused by the pandemic or local, state, or federal orders requiring employees to remain at home; limitations on the ability of carriers to deliver our products to customers; unforeseen deviations from customers or foreign governments restricting the ability to do business; and limitations on the ability of our customers to pay us on a timely basis, if at all.

Available Information 

Our shares of common stock trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “GNSS”. Our address is 16262 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego, California, 92127, our telephone number is 858-676-1112, and our website is located at www.genasys.com. We make available, free of charge through our website, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, reports filed by our directors, executive officers and certain significant shareholders pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act, and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practical after the reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report nor is it part of this report.

An investment in our company involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information included in this report, you should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating an investment in our company. You should consider these matters in conjunction with the other information included or incorporated by reference in this report. Our results of operations or financial condition could be seriously harmed, and the trading price of our common stock may decline due to any of these or other risks.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Global economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact our financial conditions and results of operations.

We are monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a significant uncertainty and disruption to global financial markets and supply chains, beginning in early calendar year 2020. The significance of the operational and financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will depend on how long and widespread the uncertainty and disruption continue. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our financial conditions and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the outbreak and the actions being taken to contain and treat it. Uncertainty around the duration and broader impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore, the effects it will have on our financial results and operations. If economic or market conditions in key global markets deteriorate, we may experience material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results from operations.

Factors deriving from the domestic and international response to the COVID-19 pandemic that may negatively impact sales and gross margin in the future include but are not limited to: limitations on the ability of our suppliers to meet delivery requirements and commitments; limitations on the ability of employees to perform their work due to illness caused by the pandemic or local, state or federal orders requiring employees to remain at home; limitations on the ability of carriers to deliver products to customers; limitations on the ability of our customers to conduct their business and purchase our products and services; and limitations on the ability of our customers to pay us on a timely basis.

General economic and political conditions may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition

Our operations and performance depend significantly on worldwide economic and political conditions and their impact on levels of capital investment and government spending. Global economic and political uncertainties and foreign currency rate fluctuations could adversely influence demand for our products leading to reduced levels of investments, reductions in government spending and budgets and changes in spending priorities and behavior.

We may need additional capital for growth.

We may need additional capital to support our growth. While we expect to generate these funds from operations, we may not be able to do so. Principal factors that could affect the availability of our internally generated funds include:

Should we require additional funds, general market conditions or the then-current market price of our common stock may not support capital raising transactions and any such financing may require advance approval of our stockholders under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Our ability to obtain financing may be further constrained by prevailing economic conditions. We may be required to reduce costs, including the scaling back of research and development into new products, which could have a negative impact on our ability to compete and to innovate. If we raise additional funds by selling additional shares of our capital stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock (assuming we are able to obtain additional financing), the ownership interest of our stockholders will be diluted, which could have a material negative impact on the market value of our common stock.

We have historically had a high concentration of revenues from a limited number of customers. We expect to continue to be dependent on a limited number of customers.

In fiscal year 2021, we had one customer that accounted for 58% and no other customers accounted for more than 10% of revenues. Historically, our revenues have been dependent upon a limited number of customers, and we expect that we will continue to have some significant customers in future years. We do not have long-term purchase commitments with these or other significant customers, and our customers have the right to cease doing business with us at any time. Military contracts that we have been awarded have terms of indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity during the term of the contract, so there are no guaranteed purchases under these contracts. No assurance can be given that these or other customers will continue to do business with us or that they will maintain their historical levels of business. If our relationship with any material customer were to cease, then our revenues would decline and negatively impact our results of operations. Any such decline could result in us increasing our accumulated deficit and a need to raise additional capital to fund our operations. If our expectations regarding future sales are inaccurate, we may be unable to reduce costs in a timely manner to adjust for sales shortfalls.

Disruption and fluctuations in financial and currency markets could have a negative effect on our business.

Financial markets in the U.S., Europe and Asia have experienced extreme volatility and uncertainty in recent years. Governments have taken unprecedented actions intended to address these market conditions. It is difficult to assess the extent to which these conditions have impacted our business, and the affect this has had on certain of our customers and suppliers. These economic developments affect businesses such as ours in a number of ways. Any tightening of credit in financial markets may adversely affect the ability of commercial customers to finance purchases and operations and could result in a decrease in orders and spending for our products as well as create supplier disruptions. Reductions in tax revenues, rating downgrades and other economic developments could also reduce future government spending on our products. There can be no assurance that there will not be a further volatility and uncertainty in financial markets, which can then lead to challenges in the operation of our business. We are unable to predict the likely effects that negative economic conditions will have on our business and financial condition.

We purchase a number of key components and sub-assemblies from foreign suppliers. Consequently, we are subject to the impact economic conditions can have on such suppliers and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Increases in our cost of purchasing these items could negatively impact our financial results if we are not able to pass these increased costs on to our customers.

We have current government contracts, and our future growth is dependent, in large part, on continued sales to U.S. and international governments and businesses that sell to governments.

In fiscal year 2021, direct and indirect sales to the U.S. government accounted for approximately 68% of our total net sales, compared with 64% of our total net sales in fiscal year 2020 and 65% in fiscal year 2019. Changes in defense spending could have an adverse effect on our current and future revenues. Sales of our products to U.S. government agencies and organizations are subject to the overall U.S. government budget and congressional appropriation decisions and processes which are driven by numerous factors, including geo-political events and macroeconomic conditions, and are beyond our control. Even awards granted may not result in orders due to spending constraints. Similar issues apply to sales to international governments. We have no assurance that military interest in communication devices to minimize unnecessary force will continue or will provide future growth opportunities for our business.

We must expand our customer base in order to grow our business.

To grow our business, in addition to continuing to obtain additional orders from our existing customers, we must develop relationships with new customers and obtain and fulfill orders from new customers. We are competing against a number of large competitors in the mass notification market, and we need to establish our product offerings as viable competitors in this market to allow us to win awards against these competitors, increase our customer base and gain market share. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to increase our customer base. Further, even if we do obtain new customers, we cannot guarantee that those customers will purchase from us enough quantities of our product or at product prices that will enable us to recover our costs in acquiring those customers and fulfilling those orders. Whether we will be able to sell more of our products will depend on a number of factors, including:

We may not be able to successfully integrate acquisitions in the future, and we may not be able to realize anticipated cost savings, revenue enhancements, or other synergies from such acquisitions.

On January 18, 2018, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Genasys Holding S.L. (“Genasys Spain”), on October 2, 2020, we acquired substantially all of the assets and business of Amika Mobile Corporation (“Amika Mobile”) and on June 7, 2021, we completed the acquisition of Zonehaven Inc. (“Zonehaven”). Our ability to successfully implement our business plan and achieve targeted financial results and other benefits including, among other things, greater market presence and development, and enhancements to our product portfolio and customer base, is dependent on our ability to successfully identify, consummate and integrate acquisitions, including Genasys Spain, Amika Mobile and Zonehaven, as well as other businesses we may acquire in the future. We may not realize the intended benefits of the Genasys Spain, Amika Mobile or Zonehaven acquisitions or the acquisition of other businesses in the future as rapidly as, or to the extent, anticipated by our management. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate the Genasys Spain, Amika Mobile or Zonehaven businesses or any other acquired businesses, products or technologies without substantial expenses, delays or other operational or financial problems. Acquisitions, including our acquisition of Genasys Spain, Amika Mobile and Zonehaven, involve a number of risks, some or all which could have a material adverse effect on our acquired businesses, products or technologies. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Genasys Spain, Amika Mobile and Zonehaven businesses or any other acquired business, product, or technology will be profitable or achieve anticipated revenues and income. Our failure to manage our acquisition and integration strategy successfully could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The process of integrating an acquired business involves risks, including but not limited to:

Failure to successfully integrate Genasys Spain, Amika Mobile, Zonehaven or any other acquired business in the future may result in reduced levels of anticipated revenue, earnings, or operating efficiency than might have been achieved if we had not acquired such businesses.

In addition, the acquisition of Genasys Spain, Amika Mobile, Zonehaven and any future businesses could result in the incurrence of additional debt and related interest expense, contingent liabilities, and amortization expenses related to intangible assets, as well as the issuance of our common stock, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flow.

The growth of our product revenues is dependent on continued acceptance of our products by government, military and developing emergency response agencies. If these agencies do not purchase our products, our revenues will be adversely affected.

Although our products are designed for use by both government and commercial customers, the government market represents a significant revenue opportunity for our products. Revenues from government agencies, including military and emergency response agencies, fluctuate each year depending on available funding and demand from our government customers. While acceptance of our products has been increasing, there are many more prospective customers within this market that could provide future growth for us, as well as international government markets which often follow the lead of the U.S. Furthermore, the emergency response market is an emerging market that is changing rapidly. If our products are not widely accepted by the government, military and the developing emergency response markets, we may not be able to identify other markets, and we may fail to achieve our sales projections.

Perceptions that long-range hailing devices are unsafe or may be used in an abusive manner may hurt sales of our products, which could cause our revenues to decline.

Potential customers for our products, including government, military and emergency response agencies, may be influenced by claims or perceptions that long-range hailing devices are unsafe or may be used in an abusive manner. These claims or perceptions, which we believe are unsubstantiated, could reduce our product sales.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from our core product category.

We are dependent on our core directional product category to generate our revenues. While we have expanded our product offering to include omnidirectional products and Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) systems and solutions, no assurance can be given that our core directional products will continue to have market acceptance or that they will maintain their historical levels of sales. The loss or reduction of sales of this product category could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

We may not be successful in penetrating the mass notification market.

The mass notification market is substantial in size and is projecting growth over the next five years to help provide public safety and communication during natural disasters and emergency situations. There are a number of large, credible companies already established in this market. We believe our unique SaaS systems and solutions, the clear, intelligible voice capability of our Genasys speaker products, and our unified software and hardware platform make us very competitive in this market. We have added selling resources to focus on this market and we have invested and plan to invest additional resources in tooling and software development to become successful in this market. However, we are competing in a market with established competitors that have greater resources and presence in this global market.

Our margins could be impacted as we expand into the emergency response and mass notification market.

Our sales strategy for fiscal year 2022 and beyond is to increase our market share of the growing emergency response and mass notification market with our LRAD, GEM software, and IMNS solutions. A number of large companies compete in this market and dominate the market share. We believe we have a strong product platform that can successfully compete against these larger players, but we expect to confront pricing pressures, given this highly competitive environment, which may negatively impact our overall margins.

We may incur significant and unpredictable warranty costs.

Our products are substantially different from proven, mass produced sound transducer designs and are often employed in harsh environments. We may incur substantial and unpredictable warranty costs from post-production product or component failures. We generally warrant our products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period up to one year from the date of purchase. We also sell extended repair and maintenance contracts with terms ranging from one to several years, which provide repair and maintenance services after expiration of the original limited warranty. As of September 30, 2021, we had a warranty reserve of $0.1 million. While our warranty experience with our product line has been favorable, as we build more complexity into the product, and as we expand our supplier base, issues could arise that could affect future warranty costs, which could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and business prospects.

System disruptions and security threats to our computer networks, including breach of our or our customers’ confidential information, could have a material adverse effect on our business and our reputation.

Our computer systems as well as those of our service providers are vulnerable to interruption, malfunction or damage due to events beyond our control, including malicious human acts committed by foreign or domestic persons, natural disasters, and network and communications failures. We periodically perform vulnerability self-assessments and engage service providers to perform independent vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. However, despite network security measures, our servers and the servers at our service providers are potentially vulnerable to physical or electronic unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses, malicious code, organized cyberattacks and other security problems and system disruptions. Increasing socioeconomic and political instability in some countries has heightened these risks. Despite the precautions we and our service providers have taken, our systems may still be vulnerable to these threats. A user who circumvents security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in operations.

Additionally, the confidential information that we collect subjects us to additional risks and costs that could harm our business and our reputation. We collect, retain and use personal information of our employees, including personally identifiable information, tax return information, financial data, bank account information and other data. Although we employ various network and business security measures to limit access to and use of such personal information, we cannot guarantee that a third party will not circumvent such security measures, resulting in the breach, loss or theft of the personal information of our employees. Possession and use of personal information in our operations also subjects us to legislative and regulatory burdens that could restrict our use of personal information and require notification of data breaches. A violation of any laws or regulations relating to the collection, retention or use of personal information could also result in the imposition of fines or lawsuits against us.

Sustained or repeated system failures or security breaches that interrupt our ability to process information in a timely manner or that result in a breach of proprietary or personal information could have a material adverse effect on our operations and our reputation. Although we maintain insurance in respect of these types of events, available insurance proceeds may not be adequate to compensate us for damages sustained due to these events.

We could incur additional charges for excess and obsolete inventory.

While we strive to effectively manage our inventory, rapidly changing technology and uneven customer demand may result in short product cycles. The value of our inventory may be adversely affected by changes in technology that affect our ability to sell the products in our inventory. If we do not effectively forecast and manage our inventory, we may need to write off inventory as excess or obsolete, which in turn can adversely affect cost of sales and gross profit.

We have previously experienced, and may in the future experience, reductions in sales of older generation products as customers delay or defer purchases in anticipation of new product introductions. We have established reserves for slow moving or obsolete inventory of $0.8 million at September 30, 2021. The reserves we have established for potential losses due to obsolete inventory may, however, prove to be inadequate and may give rise to additional charges for obsolete or excess inventory.

Many potential competitors who have greater resources and experience than we do may develop products and technologies that make ours obsolete or inferior.

Technological competition from larger, more established electronic and loudspeaker manufacturers and software providers is expected to increase. Most of the companies with which we expect to compete have substantially greater capital resources, research and development staffs, marketing and distribution programs and facilities, and many of them have substantially greater experience in the production and marketing of products. In addition, one or more of our competitors may have developed or may succeed in developing technologies and products that are more effective than any of ours, rendering our technology and products obsolete or noncompetitive.

Adverse resolution of disputes, litigation and claims may harm our business, operating results or financial condition.

We may become a party to litigation, disputes and claims in the normal course of our business. Litigation is by its nature uncertain and unpredictable and there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of such claims will not exceed the amounts accrued for such claims, if any. Litigation can be expensive, lengthy, and disruptive to normal business operations. An unfavorable resolution of a legal matter could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial condition.

Our competitive position will be seriously damaged if we cannot protect intellectual property rights and trade secrets in our technology.

We rely on a combination of contracts, trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect our proprietary rights in our technology. However, we may not be able to prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property, and our competitors may be able to independently develop competing technologies, or the agreements we enter into may not be enforceable. A competitor may independently develop or patent technologies that are substantially equivalent to, or superior to, our technology. If this happens, our competitive position could be significantly harmed.

We may face personal injury and other liability claims that harm our reputation and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

While our products have been engineered to reduce the risk of damage to human hearing or human health, we could be exposed to claims of hearing damage if the product is not properly operated. A person injured in connection with the use of our products may bring legal action against us to recover damages on the basis of theories, including personal injury, negligent design, dangerous product or inadequate warning. We may also be subject to lawsuits involving allegations of misuse of our products. Our product liability insurance coverage may be insufficient to pay all such claims. Product liability insurance may also become too costly for us or may become unavailable for us in the future. We may not have sufficient resources to satisfy any product liability claims not covered by insurance which would materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. Significant litigation could also result in negative publicity and a diversion of management’s attention and resources.

Our international operations could be harmed by factors including political instability, natural disasters, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and changes in regulations that govern international transactions.

We sell our products worldwide. In fiscal years 2021 and 2020, revenues outside of the U.S. accounted for approximately 19% and 24% of net revenues, respectively. The risks inherent in international trade may reduce our international sales and harm our business and the businesses of our customers and our suppliers. These risks include:

These and other risks may preclude or curtail international sales or increase the relative price of our products compared to those manufactured in other countries, reducing the demand for our products. Failure to comply with U.S. and foreign governmental laws and regulations applicable to international business, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or U.S. export control regulations, could have an adverse impact on our business with the U.S. and foreign governments.

Current environmental laws, or laws enacted in the future, may harm our business.

Our operations are subject to environmental regulation in areas in which we conduct business. Our product design and procurement operations must comply with new and future requirements relating to the materials composition of our products, including restrictions on lead, cadmium and other substances. We do not expect that the impact of these environmental laws and other similar legislation adopted in the U.S. and other countries will have a substantial unfavorable impact on our business. However, the costs and timing of costs under environmental laws are difficult to predict.

Errors or defects contained in our products, failure to comply with applicable safety standards or a product recall could result in delayed shipments or rejection of our products, damage to our reputation and expose us to regulatory or other legal action.

Any defects or errors in the operation of our products may result in delays in their introduction. In addition, errors or defects may be uncovered after commercial shipments have begun, which could result in the rejection of our products by our customers, damage to our reputation, lost sales, diverted development resources and increased customer service and support costs and warranty claims, any of which could harm our business. Third parties could sustain injuries from our products, and we may be subject to claims or lawsuits resulting from such injuries. There is a risk that these claims or liabilities may exceed, or fall outside the scope of, our insurance coverage. We may also be unable to obtain adequate liability insurance in the future. Because we are a smaller company, a product recall would be particularly harmful to us because we have limited financial and administrative resources to effectively manage a product recall and it would detract management’s attention from implementing our core business strategies. A significant product defect or product recall could materially and adversely affect our brand image, causing a decline in our sales, and could reduce or deplete our financial resources.

Costs associated with our multi-year maintenance contract with a foreign military customer could be higher than expected.

We are obligated under a five-year repair and maintenance agreement with a foreign military. We have contracted with a third party service provider to administer the required services under the terms of the maintenance agreement. The revenue from the maintenance agreement with our customer is fixed and paid annually upon completion of each year through May 2024. It is possible that the cost to repair and maintain the products and the cost to contract with our third party service provider could exceed the revenue generated by the maintenance agreement.

We rely on outside manufacturers and suppliers to provide a large number of components and sub-assemblies incorporated in our products, and the ability of these manufacturers and suppliers to deliver components to our manufacturing facilities, and our ability to manufacture without disruption, could affect our results of operations.

Our products incorporate a wide range of materials and have a large number of components and sub-assemblies (including semiconductors and other electronic components) produced by numerous outside suppliers around the world. Because not all of our supply arrangements provide for guaranteed supply and some key parts may be available only from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers, we are subject to supply and pricing risk. Our operations and those of our suppliers are subject to disruption for a variety of reasons, including COVID-19-related supplier plant shutdowns or slowdowns, transportation delays, work stoppages, labor relations, labor shortages, price inflation, governmental regulatory and enforcement actions, intellectual property claims against suppliers, financial issues such as supplier bankruptcy, information technology failures, and hazards such as fire, earthquakes, flooding, or other natural disasters. For example, we expect to continue to be impacted by the following supply chain issues, due to economic, political and other factors largely beyond our control: increased input material costs and component shortages; supply chain disruptions and delays and cost inflation, all of which could continue or escalate in the future. The effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, long-term changes in temperature levels, water availability, increased cost for decarbonizing process heating, supply costs impacted by increasing energy costs, or energy costs impacted by carbon prices or offsets may exacerbate these risks. If these disruptions occur, or if we experience quality problems with suppliers, then our production schedules could be significantly delayed or costs significantly increased, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, results of operation and financial position.

Although we assemble our products internally, we have some sub-assemblies and components produced by third party manufacturers. We may be required to outsource manufacturing if sales of our products increase significantly. We may be unable to obtain acceptable manufacturing sources on a timely basis. In addition, from time to time we may change manufacturers and any new manufacturer engaged by us may not perform as expected. An extended interruption in the supply of our products could result in a substantial loss of sales. Furthermore, any actual or perceived degradation of product quality as a result of our reliance on third party manufacturers may have an adverse effect on sales or result in increased warranty costs, product returns and buybacks. Failure to maintain quality manufacturing could reduce future revenues, adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations.

Material supply disruptions and delays in deliveries, along with other factors such as price inflation, can also result in increased pricing. While many of our customers permit quarterly or other periodic adjustments to pricing based on changes in component prices and other factors, we may bear the risk of price increases that occur between any such repricing or, if such repricing is not permitted, during the balance of the term of the particular customer contract.

We derive revenue from government contracts and subcontracts, which are often non-standard, may involve competitive bidding, may be subject to cancellation with or without penalty and may produce volatility in earnings and revenue.

Our sales to government customers have involved, and are expected in the future to involve, providing products and services under contracts or subcontracts with U.S. federal, state, local and foreign government agencies. Obtaining contracts and subcontracts from government agencies is challenging, and contracts often include provisions that are not standard in private commercial transactions. For example, government contracts may:

Securing government contracts can be a protracted process involving competitive bidding. In many cases, unsuccessful bidders may challenge contract awards, which can lead to increased costs, delays and possible loss of the contract for the winning bidder.

Our success is dependent on the performance of our executive team, and the cooperation, performance and retention of our executive officers and key employees.

Our business and operations are substantially dependent on the performance of our current executive team including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. We do not maintain “key person” life insurance on any of our executive officers. The loss of one or several key employees could seriously harm our business. We cannot assure that employees will not leave and subsequently compete against us.

We are also dependent on our ability to retain and motivate high quality personnel, especially sales and skilled engineering personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may not be able to attract, assimilate or retain other highly qualified managerial, sales and technical personnel in the future. The inability to attract and retain the necessary managerial, sales and technical personnel could cause our business, operating results or financial condition to suffer.

Risks Related to Our Financial Statements and Operating Results

We do not have the ability to accurately predict future operating results. Our quarterly and annual revenues are likely to fluctuate significantly due to many factors, most of which are beyond our control and could result in our failure to achieve our revenue expectations.

We expect our proprietary acoustic products, software products and integrated solutions will be the source of substantially all our revenues for at least the near future. Revenues from these products and solutions are expected to vary significantly due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Any one or more of the factors listed below or other factors could cause us to fail to achieve our revenue expectations. These factors include:

Some or all of these factors could adversely affect demand for our products or technologies, and therefore adversely affect our future operating results.

Most of our operating expenses are relatively fixed in the short term. We may be unable to rapidly adjust spending to compensate for any unexpected sales shortfalls, which could harm our quarterly operating results. We do not have the ability to predict future operating results with any certainty.

Changes in laws or regulations or the manner of their interpretation or enforcement could adversely impact our financial performance and restrict our ability to operate our business or execute our strategies.

New laws, regulations and standards, or changes in existing laws or regulations or the manner of their interpretation or enforcement, could increase our cost of doing business and restrict our ability to operate our business or execute our strategies. This includes, among other things, compliance costs and enforcement under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd Frank Act”), XBRL interactive SEC filings, new SEC regulations and NASDAQ Stock Market rules. For example, under Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC has adopted additional disclosure requirements related to the source of certain “conflict minerals” for issuers for which such “conflict minerals” are necessary to the functionality or production of a product manufactured, or contracted to be manufactured, by that issuer. The metals covered by the rules include tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, commonly referred to as “3TG.” Our suppliers may use some or all of these materials in their production processes. The rules require us to conduct a reasonable country of origin inquiry to determine if we know or have reason to believe any of the minerals used in the production process may have originated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. If we are not able to determine the minerals did not originate from a covered country or conclude that there is no reason to believe that the minerals used in the production process may have originated in a covered country, we would be required to perform supply chain due diligence on members of our supply chain. Global supply chains can have multiple layers, thus the costs of complying with these new requirements could be substantial. These new requirements may also reduce the number of suppliers who provide conflict free metals and may affect our ability to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Compliance costs and the unavailability of raw materials could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We continually evaluate and monitor developments with respect to new and proposed rules and cannot predict or estimate the amount of the additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices.

Our disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all acts of fraud.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Our management expects that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by an unauthorized override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and we cannot assure that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in a cost effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could harm stockholder and business confidence in our financial reporting, our ability to obtain financing and other aspects of our business.

Maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC require us to include in our Form 10-K a report by management regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The report includes, among other things, an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the respective fiscal year, including a statement as to whether or not our internal control over financial reporting is effective. This assessment must include disclosure of any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting identified by management. While our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2021, it is possible that material weaknesses will be identified in the future. In addition, components of our internal control over financial reporting may require improvement from time to time. If management is unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective in any future period, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s stock price.

Risks Related to Our Capital Stock

Sales of common stock issuable on the exercise of outstanding options, may depress the price of our common stock.

As of September 30, 2021, we had outstanding options granted to our employees, consultants, advisors, and directors to purchase 2,745,384 shares of our common stock and we had 399,469 restricted stock units outstanding. As of September 30, 2021, the exercise prices for the options ranged from $1.31 to $8.03 per share. The issuance of shares of common stock upon the exercise of outstanding options and the release of outstanding restricted stock units could cause substantial dilution to holders of our common stock, and the sale of those shares in the market could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. The potential dilution from these shares could negatively affect the terms on which we could obtain equity financing.

We may issue preferred stock in the future, and the terms of the preferred stock may reduce the value of your common stock.

We are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Our board of directors may determine the terms of future preferred stock offerings without further action by our stockholders. If we issue preferred stock, it could affect the rights or reduce the value of our common stock. In particular, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with or sell our assets to a third party. These terms may include voting rights, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemption rights, and sinking fund provisions.

Our stock price is volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future.

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly to date. In the future, the market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to general market conditions and in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in:

The stock market in recent years has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many technology companies, and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies.

None.

Our executive offices, sales, research and development and production facilities are located at 16262 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego, California. The lease of 55,766 square feet commenced July 1, 2018 and expires August 31, 2028. The aggregate monthly payments, with abatements, are $79 thousand, $81 thousand, $84 thousand, $86 thousand, $89 thousand, $92 thousand and $94 thousand per month for the fourth through tenth years of the lease, plus other certain costs and charges as specified in the lease agreement, including the Company’s proportionate share of the building operating expenses and real estate taxes.

We may at times be involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business. We will also, from time to time, when appropriate in management’s estimation, record adequate reserves in our financial statements for pending litigation.

Not applicable.

PART II

Market Information

Our common stock is traded and quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “GNSS.” The market for our common stock has often been sporadic and limited.

The following table sets forth the high and low reported sales prices for our common stock for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

The above quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail markup, markdown or commission and may not represent actual transactions.

Holders

We had 36,478,397 shares issued and outstanding held by 1,017 holders of record of our common stock as of November 15, 2021.

Dividends

There were no dividends declared and paid during the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. The declaration of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on the Company’s earnings, if any, capital requirements and financial position, general economic conditions and other pertinent conditions. It is our present intention not to pay any cash dividends in the near future.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

No securities were sold within the past three years that were not registered under the Securities Act and not previously reported.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In December 2018, the Board of Directors approved a share buyback program beginning January 1, 2019 and expiring on December 31, 2020, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $5 million of its outstanding common shares exclusive of any fees, commissions or other expenses related to such repurchases. As of September 30, 2021, $4.1 million was available for share repurchase under this program.

During the year ended September 30, 2020, 156,505 shares were repurchased for $0.4 million under this program. During the year ended September 30, 2021, zero shares were repurchased under the Company’s share repurchase programs. As of September 30, 2021, all repurchased shares were retired.

Item 6.         Selected Financial Data

Information requested by this Item is not included as we are electing scaled disclosure requirements available to Smaller Reporting Companies.

Item 7.         Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 

The discussion and analysis set forth below should be read in conjunction with the information presented in other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Item 1. Business,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” This discussion contains forward-looking statements which are based on our current expectations and industry experience, as well as our perception of historical trends, current market conditions, current economic data, expected future developments and other factors that we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested in the forward-looking statements. 

Overview 

Genasys is a global provider of critical communications hardware and software solutions designed to alert, inform, and protect. Our unified platform receives information from a wide variety of sensors and Internet-of-Things (IoT) inputs to collect real-time information on developing and active emergency situations. Genasys uses this information to create and disseminate alerts, warnings, notifications, and instructions through multiple channels before, during, and after public safety and enterprise threats, critical events, and other crisis situations.

Our products, systems and solutions include:

GEM Software is an interactive, cloud-based SaaS solution that sends at-risk individuals or groups critical information when an emergency occurs. GEM Software acts as both a communications input and output, receiving information from state-of-the-art sensors and emergency services, and quickly relaying notifications, alerts, and instructions to at-risk populations and first responders. GEM Software operators can create and send critical, verified, and secure notifications and messages using emails, voice calls, text messages, panic buttons, desktop alerts, television, social media, and more.

IMNS is Genasys’ comprehensive emergency response solution, uniting GEM Software and Genasys speaker system hardware in a multi-use solution. IMNS gives operators the ability to communicate critical notifications across platforms using a command and control interface that can be accessed from an emergency operations center, authorized computer, or smart phone. Notifications can be sent using text messages, emails, IPAWS, desktop alerts, television, voice calls, social media, and Genasys speaker systems. By providing several digital, software-based notifications and audible voice alerts through speakers, IMNS creates layered redundancy that ensures the maximum number of people receive critical communications.

Zonehaven is a multipronged SaaS application that serves both first responders and the communities they protect. Zonehaven can function as a standalone application or as a GEM integration. When an incident occurs, it is immediately tracked by the Zonehaven platform, which maps the incident, simulates the speed and direction of the incident, and determines which Zones (geographic areas) are at risk and/or need to be evacuated. As an incident develops, Zonehaven provides real-time updates to help ensure emergency organizations and at-risk populations have the most up-to-date information.

Our critical communications systems are being used in more than 100 countries throughout the world in a range of diverse applications, including public safety, emergency warning, mass notification, defense, law enforcement, critical event management and many more. We continue to develop new communication innovations and believe we have established significant competitive advantages in our principal markets. 

Recent Developments 

In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, we accomplished the following: 

Business Outlook 

Our products, systems and solutions continue to gain worldwide awareness and recognition through media exposure, product demonstrations, and word of mouth as a result of positive responses and increased acceptance. We believe we have a solid global brand, technology, and product foundation, which we continue to expand to serve new markets and customers for greater business growth.  We believe we have strong market opportunities for our product offerings throughout the world in the defense, public safety, emergency warning, mass notification, critical event management and law enforcement sectors as a result of increasing threats to government, commerce, law enforcement, homeland security and critical infrastructure. Our products, systems and solutions also have many applications within the fire rescue, maritime, asset protection, and wildlife control and preservation business segments.

Genasys has developed a global market and an increased demand for LRAD AHDs and advanced mass notification speakers. We have a reputation for producing quality products that feature industry-leading broadcast area coverage, vocal intelligibility and product reliability. We intend to continue building on our AHD leadership position by offering enhanced voice broadcast systems and accessories for an expanding range of applications. In executing our strategy, we use direct sales to governments, militaries, large end-users, system integrators, and prime vendors. We have built a worldwide distribution channel consisting of partners and resellers that have significant expertise and experience selling integrated communication solutions into our various target markets. As our primary AHD sales opportunities are with domestic and international governments, military branches, and law enforcement agencies, we are subject to each customer’s unique budget cycle, which leads to long selling cycles and uneven revenue flow, complicating our product planning. 

The proliferation of natural and man-made disasters, emergency events and civil unrest require technologically advanced, multi-channel solutions to deliver clear and timely critical communications to help keep people safe during crisis situations. Businesses are also incorporating critical communication and emergency management systems that locate and help safeguard employees when crises occur.

By providing the only SaaS platform that unifies sensors and IoT inputs with multichannel, multiagency alerting and notifications, Genasys seeks to deliver reliable, fast, and intuitive solutions for creating and disseminating geolocation-targeted warnings, information and instructions before, during, and after public safety and business threats, critical events, and other crisis situations.

While the mass notification market is more mature with many established manufacturers and suppliers, we believe that our advanced technology and unified platform provides opportunities to succeed in the large and growing public safety, emergency warning and critical communications markets.

In fiscal 2022, we intend to continue to pursue domestic and international business opportunities with the support of business development consultants, key representatives, and resellers. We plan to grow our revenues through increased direct sales to governments and agencies that desire to integrate our communication technologies into their homeland security and public safety systems. This includes building on fiscal 2021 domestic defense sales by pursuing further U.S. military opportunities. We also plan to pursue emergency warning, enterprise and critical event management, government, law enforcement, fire rescue, homeland and international security, private and commercial security, border security, maritime security, and wildlife preservation and control business opportunities. In addition to the matters above, we are authorized for the performance of services and provision of goods pursuant to Delaware General Corporation Law.

Our research and development strategy involves incorporating further innovations and capabilities into our GEM, IMNS, Zonehaven, NEWS and LRAD products, systems and solutions to meet the needs of our target markets.

Our GEM, IMNS, Zonehaven and NEWS software solutions represent more complex, integrated offerings. We are pursuing certain certifications, which are often required when bidding on government and mass notification opportunities. We intend to invest engineering resources to enhance our GEM, IMNS, Zonehaven and NEWS software solutions to compete for larger emergency warning and critical communications business opportunities. We are also configuring alternative solutions to achieve lower price points to meet the needs of certain customers or applications. We also engage in ongoing value engineering to reduce the cost and simplify the manufacturing of our products.

A large number of components and sub-assemblies manufactured by outside suppliers within our supply chain are produced within 50 miles of our facility. We source a small amount of component parts from suppliers in China. It is also likely that some of our suppliers source parts in China. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted worldwide supply chains and the ability to obtain sufficient amounts of component parts, including semiconductor chips and integrated circuits, resins, coating and other equipment and components. Negative impacts on our supply chain could have a material adverse effect on our business. We are in contact with our suppliers and evaluating what impact, if any, may result from COVID-19.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and to understanding our results of operations. Our accounting policies are more fully described in our consolidated financial statements and related notes located in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and throughout “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” when such policies affect our reported and expected financial results.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., have a significant impact on the results we report in our financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates affect the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue Recognition. On October 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and its amendments. We adopted the new standard using the full retrospective approach.

Topic 606 outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized:

Topic 606 requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

We derive our revenue from the sale of products and services to customers, contracts, license fees, other services and freight. The Company sells its products and services through its direct sales force and through authorized resellers and system integrators. The Company recognizes revenue for goods, including software, when all the significant risks and rewards have been transferred to the customer, no continuing managerial involvement usually associated with ownership of the goods is retained, no effective control over the goods sold is retained, the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transactions will flow to the Company and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. Software license revenue, maintenance and/or software development service fees may be bundled in one arrangement or may be sold separately.

Product Revenue

Product revenue is recognized as a distinct single performance obligation when products are tendered to a carrier for delivery, which represents the point in time that our customer obtains control of the products. A smaller portion of product revenue is recognized when the customer receives delivery of the products. A portion of products are sold through resellers and system integrators based on firm commitments from an end user, and as a result, resellers and system integrators carry little or no inventory. Our customers do not have a right to return product unless the product is found defective and therefore our estimate for returns has historically been insignificant.

Perpetual licensed software

The sale and/or license of software products is deemed to have occurred when a customer either has taken possession of, or has the ability to take immediate possession of, the software and the software key. Perpetual software licenses can include one-year maintenance and support services. In addition, the Company sells maintenance services on a stand-alone basis and is therefore capable of determining their fair value. On this basis, the amount of the embedded maintenance is separated from the fee for the perpetual license and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period to which the maintenance relates.

Time-based licensed software

The time-based license agreements include the use of a software license for a fixed term, generally one-year, and maintenance and support services during the same period. The Company does not sell time-based licenses without maintenance and support services and therefore revenues for the entire arrangements are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term.

Warranty, maintenance and services

We offer extended warranty, maintenance and other services. Extended warranty and maintenance contracts are offered with terms ranging from one to several years, which provide repair and maintenance services after expiration of the original one-year warranty term. Revenues from separately priced extended warranty contracts are recognized on a straight-line basis over the warranty period and maintenance contracts are recognized based on time elapsed over the service period. Revenue from other services such as training or installation is recognized when the service is completed. Warranty, maintenance and services are classified as contract and other revenues.

Multiple element arrangements

The Company has entered into a number of multiple element arrangements, such as when selling a product or perpetual licenses that may include maintenance and support (included in price of perpetual licenses) and time-based licenses (that include embedded maintenance and support, both of which may be sold with software development services, training, and other product sales). In some cases, the Company delivers software development services bundled with the sale of the software. In multiple element arrangements, the Company uses either the stand-alone selling price or an expected cost plus margin approach to determine the fair value of each element within the arrangement, including software and software-related services such as maintenance and support. In general, elements in such arrangements are also sold on a stand-alone basis and stand-alone selling prices are available.

Revenue is allocated to each deliverable based on the fair value of each individual element and is recognized when the revenue recognition criteria described above are met, except for time-based licenses, which are not unbundled. When software development services are performed to customize the functionality of the software, the Company recognizes revenue from the software development services on a stage of completion basis, and the revenue from the software when the related development services have been completed.

We currently disaggregate revenue by reporting segment (Hardware and Software) and geographically to depict the nature of revenue in a manner consistent with our business operations and to be consistent with other communications and public filings. Refer to Note 19, Segment Information and Note 20, Major Customers, Suppliers and Related Information for additional details of revenues by reporting segment and disaggregation of revenue.

Share-Based Compensation. We account for share-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”) which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees, consultants and directors based on estimated fair values. ASC 718 requires the use of subjective assumptions, including expected stock price volatility and the estimated term of each award. We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. This model also utilizes the fair value of our common stock and requires that, at the date of grant, we use the expected term of the share-based award, the expected volatility of the price of our common stock over the expected term, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield of our common stock to determine the estimated fair value. We determine the amount of share-based compensation expense based on awards that we ultimately expect to vest, reduced for estimated forfeitures. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Allowance for doubtful accounts. Our products are sold to customers in many different markets and geographic locations. We estimate our bad debt reserve on a case-by-case basis due to a limited number of customers. We base these estimates on many factors including customer credit worthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends and changes in customer payment terms. Our judgments and estimates regarding collectability of accounts receivable have an impact on our financial statements.

Valuation of Inventory. Our inventory is comprised of raw materials, assemblies and finished products. We must periodically make judgments and estimates regarding the future utility and carrying value of our inventory. The carrying value of our inventory is periodically reviewed and impairments, if any, are recognized when the expected future benefit from our inventory is less than its carrying value.

Valuation of Intangible Assets. Intangible assets consist of technology, customer relationships, trade name portfolio and non-compete agreements acquired in the acquisition of Genasys Spain, and patents and trademarks that are amortized over their estimated useful lives. We must make judgments and estimates regarding the future utility and carrying value of intangible assets. The carrying values of such assets are periodically reviewed and impairments, if any, are recognized when the expected future benefit to be derived from an individual intangible asset is less than its carrying value. This generally occurs when certain assets are no longer consistent with our business strategy and whose expected future value has decreased.

Derivatives. We use derivative financial instruments to manage risk related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We do not hold derivative financial instruments of a speculative nature or for trading purposes. We record all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value using available market information and other observable data. See Note 6, Fair Value Measurements for further discussion.

Accrued Expenses. We establish a warranty reserve based on anticipated warranty claims at the time product revenue is recognized. This reserve requires us to make estimates regarding the amount and costs of warranty repairs we expect to make over a period of time. Factors affecting warranty reserve levels include the number of units sold, anticipated cost of warranty repairs, and anticipated rates of warranty claims. Warranty expense is recorded in cost of revenues. We evaluate the adequacy of this reserve each reporting period.

We use the recognition criteria of ASC 450-20, “Loss Contingencies” to estimate the bonus amount when it becomes probable a bonus liability will be incurred and we recognize expense ratably over the service period. We accrue bonus expense each quarter based on estimated year-end results, and then adjust the actual in the fourth quarter based on our final results compared to targets.

Deferred Tax Asset. We evaluate quarterly the realizability of the deferred tax assets and assess the need for a valuation allowance. We record valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. Realization is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the loss carryforwards. Utilization of the net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards in future years could be substantially limited due to restrictions imposed under federal and state laws upon a change in ownership or control. Included in the NOL carryforwards are deductions from stock options that, if recognized, will be recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital rather than through our results of operations. In determining taxable income for financial statement reporting purposes, we must make certain estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments are applied in the calculation of certain tax liabilities and in the determination of the ability to recover deferred tax assets. The Company will continue to evaluate the ability to realize its net deferred tax assets on an ongoing basis to identify whether any significant changes in circumstances or assumptions have occurred that could materially affect the ability to realize deferred tax assets and will adjust the valuation accordingly.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New pronouncements issued for future implementation are discussed in Note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, to our consolidated financial statements.

Segment and Related Information

We are engaged in the design, development and commercialization of critical communications hardware and software solutions designed to alert, inform and protect. The Company operates in two business segments: Hardware and Software and its principal markets are North and South America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. As reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, the Company evaluates the performance of each segment based on sales and operating income. Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, deferred tax assets, goodwill and intangible assets are primary assets identified by segment. The accounting policies for segment reporting are the same for the Company as a whole and transactions between the two operating segments are eliminated in consolidation. Refer to Note 19, Segment Information, in our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Comparison of Results of Operations for Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

The following table provides for the periods indicated certain items of our consolidated statements of operations expressed in thousands of dollars and as a percentage of net sales. The financial information and discussion below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in this Annual Report.

Revenues

Revenues increased $4.0 million, or 9.3%, in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Current fiscal year AHD revenue was $42.2 million, software revenue was $2.8 million and IMNS revenue was $2.1 million. This represented increases of $4.5 million, or 12%, for AHD and $1.2 million, or 71%, for software offset by a decrease of $1.6 or 44%, for IMNS revenue compared with the prior year. The receipt of orders is often uneven due to the timing of government budgets or approvals. The increase in software revenue in this fiscal year is largely due to fiscal year 2021 acquisitions and professional services revenue from new software contracts. As of September 30, 2021, we had aggregate deferred revenue and prepayments from customers in advance of product shipment of $10.1 million. The receipt of orders will often be uneven due to the timing of customers’ approval or budget cycles.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the year ended September 30, 2021, increased $0.8 million or 3.5% compared with fiscal year 2020. This was primarily due to higher sales volume offset by increased costs associated with continued investment in personnel to support the growth of our software products, including the addition of engineering personnel from acquisitions in the current fiscal year. This will continue to reduce total company gross margins until annual software revenue has grown enough to achieve its expected gross margin percentage. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 49.8% this year, compared with 52.6% in the prior year.

Our products have varying gross margins, so product mix may affect gross profits. In addition, our margins vary based on the sales channels through which our products are sold in a given period. We continue to implement product updates and changes, including raw material and component changes that may impact product costs. With such product updates and changes we have limited warranty cost experience and estimated future warranty costs can impact our gross margins. We do not believe that historical gross profit margins should be relied upon as an indicator of future gross profit margins.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $5.4 million, or 44.7%, over the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $3.8 million increase in personnel related costs, largely associated with our 70% increase in sales and marketing personnel over the prior year to support future business and revenue growth opportunities. This includes new sales offices in the U.A.E., Canada, Singapore and Puerto Rico. Largely due to acquisition activity this fiscal year, amortization expense increased $0.9 million and professional services fees increased $0.5 million over the prior year.

Included in these employee related expenses was non-cash share-based compensation expenses allocated to selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2021 and 2020 of $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

We may expend additional resources on the marketing and selling of our products in future periods as we identify ways to optimize potential opportunities. Commission expense will fluctuate based on the nature of our sales.

Research and Development Expenses

R&D expenses increased by $364 thousand, or 8.0%, primarily due to increases of $148 thousand and $208 thousand in hardware and third-party services, respectively, for development of new or improved hardware and software products.

Included in R&D expenses for the year ended September 30, 2021 was $40 thousand of non-cash share-based compensation expenses, compared to $21 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2020.

Other Income

Other income decreased by $73 thousand primarily due to a $76 thousand loss on a foreign currency forward contract.

Net Income

The net income of $0.7 million for fiscal 2021 was a decrease of $11.2 million compared to fiscal year 2020. Pretax income in fiscal year 2021 was $5.0 million less than the prior year primarily due to a $5.7 million increase in operating expenses. Income tax expense increased in fiscal year 2021 primarily due to the release in fiscal year 2020 of a $7.1 million valuation allowance. For additional details, refer to Note 14, Income Taxes, in our consolidated financial statements.

Other Metrics

We monitor a number of financial and operating metrics, including the following key metrics, to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans and make strategic decisions. Our other business metrics may be calculated in a manner different than similar other business metrics used by other companies (in thousands):

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA represents our net income before other income, net, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization expense and stock-based compensation. We do not consider these items to be indicative of our core operating performance. The items that are non-cash include depreciation and amortization expense and stock-based compensation. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure used by management to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends and to generate future operating plans, make strategic decisions regarding allocation of capital and invest in initiatives that are focused on cultivating new markets for our solutions. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating adjusted EBITDA facilitates comparisons of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). We believe that adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Nevertheless, use of adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are: (1) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the intangible assets that are amortized and property and equipment that is depreciated, will need to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacement or for new capital expenditure requirements; (2) adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; (3) adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the potentially dilutive impact of equity-based compensation; (4) adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments or receipts that may represent a reduction or increase in cash available to us; and (5) other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures differently, which reduces the usefulness of the metric as a comparative measure. Because of these and other limitations, you should consider adjusted EBITDA alongside our other U.S. GAAP-based financial performance measures, net income and our other U.S. GAAP financial results.

The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, for each of the periods indicated (in thousands):

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2021 was $13.2 million, compared with $23.3 million at September 30, 2020. In addition, we had $5.7 million in short-term marketable securities as of September 30, 2021, compared with $4.3 million as of September 30, 2020, and long-term marketable securities of $1.9 million and $3.8 million at September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We also had restricted cash of $1.4 million as of September 30, 2021 and $0.7 million as of September 30, 2020. In addition, we have a $10 million line of credit with MUFG bank. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had no outstanding balances against the line of credit. The credit agreement requires the Company to comply with various financial and operating covenants and as of September 30, 2021, the Company was in compliance with these covenants. Other than cash and expected future cash flows from operating activities in subsequent periods and the line of credit, we have no other unused sources of liquidity at this time.

Principal factors that could affect the availability of our internally generated funds include:

Principal factors that could affect our ability to obtain cash from external sources include:

In December 2018, the Board of Directors approved a share buyback program beginning January 1, 2019, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $5 million of its outstanding common shares. Based on our current cash position, our order backlog, and assuming the accuracy of our currently planned expenditures, we believe we have sufficient capital to fund planned levels of operations for at least the next twelve months. However, we operate in a rapidly evolving and often unpredictable business environment that may change the timing or amount of expected future cash receipts and expenditures. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we may not be required to raise additional funds through the sale of equity or debt securities or from credit facilities. Additional capital, if needed, may not be available on satisfactory terms, if at all.

Cash Flows

Our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows, are summarized in the table below (in thousands):

Operating Activities

Net income of $0.7 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, included $4.6 million of non-cash items including share-based compensation expense, deferred income taxes, operating right of use lease amortization, unrealized loss on a foreign currency forward contract, depreciation and amortization, inventory obsolescence and a provision for warranty. Cash provided by operating activities reflected a $0.6 million increase in accounts payable and a $4.9 million increase in accrued and other liabilities, which included customer deposits, accrued payroll, deferred revenue and operating lease liabilities. This was partially offset by a $1.6 million increase in prepaid expenses and other, which includes deposits paid on inventory purchases, prepaid rent and prepaid insurance, a $2.1 million increase in accounts receivable that resulted from higher current year fiscal fourth quarter shipments, and a $0.8 million increase in inventory.

Net income of $11.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, included $2.8 million of non-cash items including share-based compensation expense, deferred income taxes, operating right of use lease amortization, unrealized loss on a foreign currency forward contract, depreciation and amortization, inventory obsolescence and a provision for warranty. Cash provided by operating activities reflected a $0.5 million increase in accounts payable and a $0.9 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other, which includes deposits paid on inventory purchases, prepaid rent and prepaid insurance, offset by a $1.8 million increase in accounts receivable that resulted from higher current year fiscal fourth quarter shipments, a $0.5 million increase in inventory and a $1.2 million decrease in accrued and other liabilities, which included customer deposits, accrued payroll, deferred revenue, and operating lease liabilities.

We had accounts receivable of $7.7 million and $5.4 million as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Terms with individual customers vary greatly. We often offer net thirty-day terms to our customers. Our receivables can vary dramatically due to overall sales volume and quarterly variations in sales and timing of shipments to and receipts from large customers.

As of September 30, 2021 and 2020, our working capital was $18.0 million and $29.8 million, respectively. The decrease in working capital was largely the result of cash used in acquisitions.

Investing Activities

In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, we used $5.1 million of cash to purchase short and long-term marketable securities, compared with using $8.1 million to purchase short and long-term marketable securities in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, we had proceeds from maturities of available for sale marketable securities of $5.6 million, compared with $5.1 million in fiscal year 2020.

In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, we used $15.8 million in cash to complete the Amika Mobile asset purchase and Zonehaven acquisition in the first and third quarters respectively, of fiscal year 2021.

We also used cash in investing activities primarily for the purchase of product tooling, computer equipment and leasehold improvements for our operating facility. Cash used for capital expenditures was $0.2 million and $0.1 million in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We anticipate additional expenditures for capital expenditures in fiscal year 2022 as we continue to invest in new products and technologies.

Financing Activities

In the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we received proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $0.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

In December 2018, the Board of Directors approved a new share buyback program beginning January 1, 2019, under which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $5 million of its outstanding common shares. In December 2020, the Board extended this program’s expiration date to December 31, 2022. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 156,505 shares at an average price per share of $2.54 for a total cost of $0.4 million. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, no shares were repurchased. As of September 30, 2021, $4.1 million was available for share repurchase under this program and all repurchased shares were retired.

Commitments

We are committed for our facility lease through August 30, 2028, as more fully described in Note 13, Leases, in our consolidated financial statements.

The Company has a bonus plan for employees, in accordance with their terms of employment, whereby they can earn a percentage of their salary based on meeting targeted objectives for orders received, revenue, operating income and operating cash flow. All of the Company’s key employees are entitled to participate in the bonus plan. During the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company accrued $2.6 million and $1.6 million respectively, for bonuses, and related payroll tax expense in connection with the bonus plans. Bonus related expense is included in “Accrued liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company entered into an employment agreement with our chief executive officer that provides for severance benefits including twelve months’ salary and health benefits, a pro-rata share of his annual cash bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs to which he would have become entitled had he remained employed through the end of the fiscal year and vesting of a portion of stock options held by him that are subject to performance-based vesting. The agreement also has a change in control clause whereby the chief executive officer would be entitled to receive specific severance and equity vesting benefits if specified termination events occur.

There were no other employment agreements with executive officers or other employees providing future benefits or severance arrangements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, financings or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons.

Information requested by this Item is not included as we are electing scaled disclosure requirements available to Smaller Reporting Companies.

The financial statements required by this item begin on page F-1 with the index to financial statements followed by the consolidated financial statements.

There have been no disagreements or any reportable events requiring disclosure under Item 304(b) of Regulation S-K.

We are required to maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information related to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act Reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act Reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2021 and, based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021, based on the guidelines established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2021.

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Pursuant to rules of the SEC, such attestation is not required for smaller reporting companies, which permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting since June 30, 2021, in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Our process for evaluating controls and procedures is continuous and encompasses constant improvement of the design and effectiveness of established controls and procedures and the remediation of any deficiencies, which may be identified during this process.

None

Not Applicable

PART III

Certain information required by this Part III is omitted from this report and is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2022 (the “Proxy Statement”).

Item 10.         Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The information with respect to our executive officers is set forth in the section entitled “Executive Officers” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The information required by this item with respect to our directors and corporate governance matters is incorporated by reference to the information under the captions “Election of Directors”, “Board and Committee Matters and Corporate Governance Matters” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” contained in Proxy Statement.

Item 11.         Executive Compensation.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Executive Compensation.”

Item 12.         Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information.”

Item 13.         Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Certain Transactions” and “Independence of the Board of Directors.”

Item 14.         Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement, under the heading “Principal Accountant Fees and Services.”

PART IV

Item 15.         Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

The financial statements required by this item are submitted in a separate section beginning on page F-1 of this annual report.

Financial Statement Schedules:

None.

Exhibits:

The following exhibits are incorporated by reference or filed as part of this report.  

*         Filed herewith.

+         Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Genasys Inc.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Genasys Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Genasys Inc. (the Company) as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the Company’s Audit Committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

AMIKA MOBILE AND ZONEHAVEN ACQUISITIONS – FAIR VALUE OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Critical Audit Matter Description

As described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company completed the acquisitions of the assets and business of Amika Mobile Corporation (“Amika Mobile”) for total consideration of $8.4 million and Zonehaven Inc. (“Zonehaven”) for total consideration of $22.6 million during the year ended September 30, 2021.  The acquisitions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed to be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Auditing the accounting for these acquisitions were complex due to the significant estimation uncertainty in determining the fair values of identified intangible assets and liabilities.

We identified the valuation of intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisitions as a critical audit matter. The fair value estimates were based on underlying assumptions about future performance of the acquired business which involves significant estimation uncertainty. The significant assumptions used to form the basis of the forecasted results included revenue growth rates, earnings metrics, and discount rates. These significant assumptions were forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:  

/s/ BAKER TILLY US, LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2007.

San Diego, California

November 22, 2021

Genasys Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)

See accompanying notes

Genasys Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Genasys Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes

Genasys Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)

See accompanying notes

Genasys Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes

Genasys Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

Genasys Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)

1. OPERATIONS

Genasys Inc. is a global provider of critical communications hardware and software solutions designed to alert, inform, and protect. The Company's unified platform receives information from a wide variety of sensors and Internet-of-Things (IoT) inputs to collect real-time information on developing and active emergency situations. The Company uses this information to create and disseminate alerts, warnings, notifications, and instructions through multiple channels before, during, and after public safety and enterprise threats, critical events, and other crisis situations.

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The Company has eight wholly owned subsidiaries, Genasys II Spain, S.A.U. (“Genasys Spain”), Genasys Communications Canada ULC (“Genasys Canada”), Genasys Singapore PTE Ltd, Genasys Puerto Rico, LLC, Zonehaven LLC, and Genasys Inc. (branch) in the United Arab Emirates and two currently inactive subsidiaries, Genasys America de CV and LRAD International Corporation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of these subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and accounts.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions (e.g., share-based compensation valuation, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventory and intangible assets, warranty reserve, accrued bonus and valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets) that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Company sells its products to a large number of geographically diverse customers. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers. It is customary for the Company to require a deposit as collateral. As of September 30, 2021, accounts receivable from two customers accounted for 66% and 18% of total accounts receivable with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance. As of September 30, 2020, accounts receivable from two customers accounted for 36% and 24% of total accounts receivable with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance.

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by depositing its cash with high credit quality financial institutions. The Company also invests cash in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in the Company’s policy guidelines such as money market funds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds and Certificates of Deposit. These guidelines also limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer or type of instrument. It is generally the Company’s policy to invest in instruments that have a final maturity of no longer than three years, with a portfolio weighted average maturity of no longer than 18 months.

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2021 and 2020, the amount of cash and cash equivalents was $13,167 and $23,319, respectively.

The Company considers any amounts pledged as collateral or otherwise restricted for use in current operations to be restricted cash. In addition, the Company excludes from cash and cash equivalents cash required to fund specific future contractual obligations related to business combinations. Restricted cash is classified as a current asset unless amounts are not expected to be released and available for use in operations within one year. As of September 30, 2021 and 2020, the amount of restricted cash was $1,361 and $677, respectively, which is included in “Restricted cash” and “Long-term restricted cash” in the consolidated balance sheet.

MARKETABLE SECURITIES

The Company accounts for investments in debt instruments as available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of such securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. Marketable securities are reported at fair value with the related unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The realized gains and losses on marketable securities are determined using the specific identification method.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

The Company carries accounts receivable at historical cost, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses considering the following factors when determining if collection of a receivable is probable: customer credit-worthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends and changes in customer payment terms. If the Company has no previous experience with the customer, the Company may obtain reports from various credit organizations to ensure that the customer has a history of paying creditors. The Company may also request financial information to ensure that the customer has the means of making payment. If these factors do not indicate collection is probable, revenue is deferred until collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of cash. There was no deferred revenue as of September 30, 2021 or 2020 as a result of collection issues. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, adversely affecting their ability to make payments, additional allowances would be required. The Company determines allowances on a customer specific basis. As of September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $127 and $130, respectively.

CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS

The Company employs contract manufacturers for production of certain components and sub-assemblies. The Company may provide parts and components to such parties from time to time but recognizes no revenue or markup on such transactions. During fiscal years 2021 and 2020, the Company performed assembly of products in-house using components and sub-assemblies from a variety of contract manufacturers and suppliers.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using a standard cost system whereby differences between the standard cost and purchase price are recorded as a purchase price variance in cost of revenues. Inventory is comprised of raw materials, assemblies and finished products intended for sale. The Company periodically makes judgments and estimates regarding the future utility and carrying value of inventory. The carrying value of inventory is periodically reviewed and impairments, if any, are recognized when the expected net realizable value is less than carrying value. The Company has inventory reserves for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory, which is equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. The Company increased its inventory reserve by $183 during the year ended September 30, 2021 for parts and demo equipment that may not be utilized. The Company increased its inventory reserve by $37 during the year ended September 30, 2020 for parts and demo equipment that may not be utilized.

EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION

Equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation on machinery and equipment and office furniture and equipment is computed over the estimated useful lives of two to seven years using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease. Upon retirement or disposition of equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed, and a gain or loss is recorded.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires the Company to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date and to refine those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which the Company may adjust the provisional amounts recognized for a business combination).

Under the acquisition method of accounting the Company recognizes separately from goodwill the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed generally at the acquisition date fair value. The Company measures goodwill as of the acquisition date as the excess of consideration transferred, which the Company also measures at fair value, over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Costs that the Company incurs to complete the business combination such as investment banking, legal and other professional fees are not considered part of consideration and the Company charges them to general and administrative expense as they are incurred.

Under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, if the Company identifies changes to acquired deferred tax asset valuation allowances or liabilities related to uncertain tax positions during the measurement period and they relate to new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, those changes are considered a measurement period adjustment and the Company records the offset to goodwill. The Company records all other changes to deferred tax asset valuation allowances and liabilities related to uncertain tax positions in current period income tax expense. Refer to Note 4, Business Combinations for information regarding business combinations during the year ended September 30, 2021.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS          

Identifiable intangible assets, which consist of technology, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, patents, tradenames and trademarks, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, based on a number of assumptions including estimated periodic economic benefit and utilization. The estimated useful lives of identifiable intangible assets have been estimated to be between three and fifteen years. The carrying value of intangibles is periodically reviewed and impairments, if any, are recognized when the carrying value exceeds fair value.

Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the acquired net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in our fiscal fourth quarter or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a single reporting unit below the carrying amount. The Company assesses qualitative factors in order to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. The qualitative factors evaluated by the Company include: macro-economic conditions of the local business environment, overall financial performance, and other entity specific factors as deemed appropriate. If, through this qualitative assessment, the conclusion is made that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, a two-step impairment test is performed. Management does not consider the value of goodwill to be impaired as of September 30, 2021. Refer to Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets for more information.

LEASES

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“Topic 842”) in the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019. In accordance with the guidance in Topic 842, the Company recognizes lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use-assets for all leases with terms of greater than 12 months. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for in a manner similar to the guidance for operating leases prior to the adoption of Topic 842. Refer to Note 13, Leases for more information.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS

Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of revenues. Shipping and handling costs invoiced to customers are included in revenue. Actual shipping and handling costs were $232 and $259 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Actual revenues from shipping and handling were $266 and $241 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

ADVERTISING

Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred and were $193 and $263 for the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

WARRANTY RESERVES

The Company warrants its products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. The warranty is generally limited. The Company currently provides direct warranty service. Some agreements with OEM customers, from time to time, may require that certain quantities of product be made available for use as warranty replacements. International market warranties are generally similar to the U.S. market. The Company also sells extended warranty contracts and maintenance agreements.

The Company establishes a warranty reserve based on anticipated warranty claims at the time product revenues are recognized. Factors affecting warranty reserve levels include the number of units sold, anticipated cost of warranty repairs and anticipated rates of warranty claims. The Company evaluates the adequacy of the provision for warranty costs each reporting period. The warranty reserve was $146 and $126 as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

INCOME TAXES

The Company determines its income tax provision using the asset and liability method. Temporary differences are differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. A valuation allowance is recorded by the Company to the extent it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Significant management judgment is required in assessing the ability to realize the Company’s deferred tax assets. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon generation of future taxable income and the tax rates in effect at that time. Additional information regarding income taxes appears in Note 14, Income Taxes.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

Long-lived assets and finite-lived intangibles held for use are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an intangible asset exceeds the fair value, or if changes in facts and circumstances indicate impairment, an impairment loss is measured and recognized using the asset’s fair value. There was no impairment of long-lived assets for the years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020. Refer to Note 6, Fair Value Measurements and Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets for information related to impairment of long-lived assets.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company is a global provider of critical communications hardware and software solutions designed to alert, inform, and protect. The Company operates in two business segments: Hardware and Software and its principal markets are North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. As reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, the Company evaluates the performance of each segment based on sales and operating income. Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, deferred tax assets, goodwill and intangible assets are primary assets identified by segment. The accounting policies for segment reporting are the same for the Company as a whole and transactions between the two operating segments are eliminated in consolidation. Refer to Note 19, Segment Information, for additional information.

NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution of securities that could occur if outstanding securities convertible into common stock were exercised or converted. Refer to Note 18, Net Income Per Share, for additional information.

DERIVATIVES

The Company does not hold derivative financial instruments of a speculative nature or for trading purposes. The Company records all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value using available market information and other observable data. See Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

The Company’s reporting currency is U.S. dollars. The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of Genasys Spain is the Euro and the function currency of Genasys Canada is the Canadian dollar. The Company translates the assets and liabilities of Genasys Spain and Genasys Canada at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. The Company translates the revenue, costs and expenses of Genasys Spain and Genasys Canada at the average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The Company includes translation gains and losses in the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Transactions undertaken in other currencies are translated using the exchange rate in effect as of the transaction date and any exchange gains and losses resulting from these transactions, are included in the statements of operations. The translation gain for the period was $260 resulting from transactions between Genasys U.S. and Genasys Spain and Genasys Communications Canada ULC, the timing of transactions in relation to changes in exchange rates and the fluctuation in the exchange rate between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to qualified and non-qualified stock options issued to employees, directors and consultants over the expected vesting term of the stock-based instrument based on the grant date fair value. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of the grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates or if the Company updates its estimated forfeiture rate. Refer to Note 16, Share-based Compensation, for additional information.

IMMATERIAL CORRECTION OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, Company management identified an immaterial error in the previously issued September 30, 2020 consolidated balance sheet. This error resulted in an overstatement of prepaid expenses and accrued liabilities of $5,205 related to a foreign currency forward contract which was presented on a gross basis rather than on a net basis. There was no impact to the consolidated statement of operations or the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2020, as a result of this misstatement. Further, there was no impact to the consolidated financial statements as of, and for the year ended September 30, 2021, as the forward contract was settled during the first quarter of fiscal 2021.  SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin: No. 99 – Materiality and No. 108 – Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements were used by management to evaluate the impact of the misstatement. Management concluded that this misstatement had no material impact on either the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2021, or the previously issued consolidated balance sheet for the year ended September 30, 2020, and therefore the misstatement was corrected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for the year ended September 30, 2020. All financial information contained in the accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements has been revised to reflect the correction of this error.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

Where necessary, the prior year’s information has been reclassified to conform to the fiscal year 2021 statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or accumulated deficit.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management evaluates events subsequent to September 30, 2021, through the date the accompanying consolidated financial statements are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. And noted that there have been no events or transactions which would affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2021.

3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

New pronouncements pending adoption

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which supersedes current guidance by requiring recognition of credit losses when it is probable that a loss has been incurred. The new standard requires the establishment of an allowance for estimated credit losses on financial assets including trade and other receivables at each reporting date. The new standard will result in earlier recognition of allowances for losses on trade and other receivables and other contractual rights to receive cash. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) and Leases (Topic 842), which extends the effective date of Topic 326 for certain companies until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The new standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023, and early adoption is permitted. The Company has not completed its review of the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. However, based on the Company’s history of immaterial credit losses from trade receivables, management does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU No. 2020-04 provides optional guidance, expedients and exceptions for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments in this update apply to all entities, subject to meeting the criteria, which participate in contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU No. 2020-04 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Scope, which refines the scope of Topic 848 and permits optional expedients and exceptions when accounting for derivative contracts and certain hedging relationships. The amendments of these updates are available to all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company will adopt this standard when LIBOR is discontinued. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

New pronouncements adopted

In  August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which improves fair value disclosure requirements by removing disclosures that are not cost beneficial, clarifying disclosures’ specific requirements and adding relevant disclosure requirements. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The new guidance is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 on October 1, 2020, with no impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which modifies the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Under Topic 350, entities should now calculate any goodwill impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge to the goodwill for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-04 on a prospective basis on October 1, 2020, with no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Zonehaven

On June 7, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Zonehaven Inc. (“Zonehaven”) pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, ZH Acquisition I Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, merged with and into Zonehaven, with Zonehaven surviving the merger. Immediately following such merger, ZH Acquisition II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, merged with and into Zonehaven, with ZH Acquisition II LLC, changing its name to Zonehaven LLC and continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and with all the properties, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Zonehaven vesting in such subsidiary, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Zonehaven, becoming the debts, liabilities and duties of such subsidiary. As a result of the transaction, the Zonehaven business is operated through Zonehaven LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

Zonehaven provides planning, training, and resources to first responders, public safety agencies, and communities to manage evacuations and repopulations successfully. The Company believes the acquisition of Zonehaven will expand the Company’s enterprise software solutions and enhance the Company’s unified multi-channel critical communications platform.

The Zonehaven acquisition was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805. As the acquirer for accounting purposes, the Company has estimated the purchase consideration, assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, with the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired recognized as goodwill. The estimated fair value of assets purchased, and liabilities assumed, in certain cases may be subject to revision based on the final determination of fair value.

The consideration consisted of the following:

The Company funded the cash portion of the total consideration with available cash on hand. The Company also issued 2,165,824 shares of the Company’s common stock to the former owners of Zonehaven. The fair value of the Company’s stock on the closing date was $5.05, resulting in the addition of $10,938 to additional-paid-in-capital. The shareholder representative reserve payable is a current liability and recorded in the current portion of accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2021.

The Company incurred $140 in expenses related to this transaction through September 30, 2021. These expenses were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations as follows: $40 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, $98 in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and $2 in the second quarter of fiscal 2021.

Purchase price allocation

The estimated fair value of the identifiable intangible assets acquired and their estimated useful lives are as follows:

Identifiable intangible assets consist of certain technology, trade name and customer relationships purchased from Zonehaven. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives based upon several assumptions, including the estimated period of economic benefit and utilization. The weighted average amortization period for identifiable intangible assets acquired is 6.7 years. These intangible assets are classified as Level 3 in the ASC topic 820 three-tier fair value hierarchy.

The goodwill for Zonehaven is attributable to combining the Company’s existing emergency communications solutions with the software and software development capabilities of Zonehaven to enhance product offerings. Goodwill is also attributable to the skill level of the acquired workforce. The Company will continue to analyze the transaction and refine its calculations, as appropriate during the measurement period, which could affect the value of goodwill. Goodwill from the Zonehaven acquisition will not be deductible for tax purposes.

Amika Mobile Asset Purchase

On October 2, 2020, the Company completed the purchase of the assets of Amika Mobile Corporation (“Amika Mobile”) pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement. Amika Mobile is a leading provider of integrated emergency and enterprise critical communications based in Ottawa, Canada. The Company believes the Amika Mobile asset purchase will expand the Company’s enterprise software solutions and enhance the Company’s unified multi-channel critical communications platform.

The Amika Mobile asset purchase was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method pursuant to ASC Topic 805. As the acquirer for accounting purposes, the Company has estimated the purchase consideration, assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, with the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired recognized as goodwill.

The consideration consisted of the following:

Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company was required to deposit a holdback liability in the amount of CAD$1,000 into an interest-bearing account as security for potential indemnification claims against the seller. The holdback amount will be released three years from the closing date subject to amounts withheld for actual, pending or potential claims. The Company also agreed to issue 191,267 shares of the Company’s common stock to the seller of the Amika Mobile assets on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing date. The total number of shares of common stock the Company is obligated to issue is 573,801. The fair value of the Company’s common stock on the closing date was $5.98, resulting in an addition of $3,431 to additional paid-in-capital. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2021, the Company accelerated the issuance of 365,109 of such shares of common stock to a former owner of the Amika Mobile assets. 208,692 shares of the Company’s common stock remain subject to issuance under this obligation. The cash portion of the purchase price was funded from cash on hand.

The Company incurred $264 in expenses related to this transaction through September 30, 2021. These expenses were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations as follows: $22 in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, $10 in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, $132 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and $100 in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

The estimated fair value of the identifiable intangible assets acquired and their estimated useful lives are as follows:

Identifiable intangible assets consist of certain technology and customer relationships purchased from Amika Mobile. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives based upon a number of assumptions, including the estimated period of economic benefit and utilization. The weighted average amortization period for identifiable intangible assets acquired is 7 years. These intangible assets are classified as Level 3 in the ASC topic 820 three-tier fair value hierarchy.

The goodwill for Amika Mobile is attributable to combining the Company’s existing emergency communications solutions with the software and software development capabilities of Amika Mobile to enhance product offerings. Goodwill is also attributable to the skill level of the acquired workforce. Goodwill from the Amika Mobile asset purchase will not be deductible for tax purposes.

Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions have not been presented because they are not material to the consolidated results of operations, either individually or in the aggregate.

5. REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and its amendments on October 1, 2018. The Company adopted the new standard using the full retrospective approach.

Topic 606 outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized:

Topic 606 requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

The Company derives its revenue from the sale of products to customers, contracts, license fees, other services and freight. The Company sells its products through its direct sales force and through authorized resellers and system integrators. The Company recognizes revenue for goods including software when all the significant risks and rewards have been transferred to the customer, no continuing managerial involvement usually associated with ownership of the goods is retained, no effective control over the goods sold is retained, the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transactions will flow to the Company and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. Software license revenue, maintenance and/or software development service fees may be bundled in one arrangement or may be sold separately.

Product Revenue

Product revenue is recognized as a distinct single performance obligation when products are tendered to a carrier for delivery, which represents the point in time that our customer obtains control of the products. A smaller portion of product revenue is recognized when the customer receives delivery of the products. A portion of products are sold through resellers and system integrators based on firm commitments from an end user, and as a result, resellers and system integrators carry little or no inventory. Our customers do not have a right to return product unless the product is found defective and therefore our estimate for returns has historically been insignificant

Perpetual licensed software

The sale and/or license of software products is deemed to have occurred when a customer either has taken possession of, or has the ability to take immediate possession of, the software and the software key. Perpetual software licenses can include one-year maintenance and support services. In addition, the Company sells maintenance services on a stand-alone basis and is therefore capable of determining their fair value. On this basis, the amount of the embedded maintenance is separated from the fee for the perpetual license and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period to which the maintenance relates.

Time-based licensed software

The time-based license agreements include the use of a software license for a fixed term, generally one-year, and maintenance and support services during the same period. The Company does not sell time-based licenses without maintenance and support services and therefore revenues for the entire arrangements are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term.

Warranty, maintenance and services

The Company offers extended warranty, maintenance and other services. Extended warranty and maintenance contracts are offered with terms ranging from one to several years, which provide repair and maintenance services after expiration of the original one-year warranty term. Revenues from separately priced extended warranty and maintenance contracts are recognized based on time elapsed over the service period and classified as contract and other revenues. Revenue from other services such as training or installation is recognized when the service is completed.