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MobileSmith, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2005 March (Form 10-Q)

Smart Online, Inc. Form 10-Q




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

_________________

FORM 10-Q
_________________

(Mark One)
[X]    Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

OR

[  ]    Transition report pursuant to Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number: 333-119385

_________________

SMART ONLINE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_________________


Delaware
95-4439334
(State of other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)



2530 Meridian Parkway, 2nd Floor
Durham, North Carolina 27713
(Address of principal executive offices)

(919) 765-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_________________

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 [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as described in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes [ ] No [X]

As of March 31, 2005, there were approximately 12,286,832 million shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.








Smart Online, Inc.

INDEX


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   
Page No.
     
Item 1.
3
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
Item 2.
 16
Item 3.
 50
Item 4.
 50
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
 52
Item 2.
 52
Item 3.
 53
Item 4.
 53
Item 5.
 53
Item 6.
 53
 
 54





PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Smart Online, Inc.
Balance Sheets


Assets
   
March 31,
2005
(unaudited)
   
December 31,
2004
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,386,783
 
$
173,339
 
Marketable securities
   
-
   
395,000
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
12,189
   
30,904
 
Other accounts receivable
   
-
   
43,455
 
Prepaid expenses
   
69,318
   
24,850
 
Total current assets
   
1,468,290
   
667,548
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
   
115,956
   
75,636
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
   
16,473
   
16,623
 
OTHER ASSETS
   
16,114
   
13,894
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
1,616,833
 
$
773,701
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
             
Accounts payable
 
$
222,336
 
$
186,382
 
Accrued payroll
   
122,299
   
110,079
 
Accrued payroll taxes, penalties and interest
   
49,341
   
574,827
 
Deferred revenue
   
673,861
   
721,689
 
Total current liabilities
   
1,067,837
   
1,592,977
 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
             
Deferred compensation, notes payable and interest
   
-
   
1,091,814
 
Total long-term liabilities
   
-
   
1,091,814
 
Total liabilities
   
1,067,837
   
2,684,791
 
               
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
   
-
   
-
 
               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):
             
Common stock, $.001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding:
March 31, 2005 - 12,286,832; December 31, 2004 —11,631,832
   
12,287
   
11,632
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
37,563,408
   
34,809,832
 
Accumulated equity (deficit)
   
(37,026,699
)
 
(36,732,554
)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)
   
548,996
   
(1,911,090
)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
$
1,616,833
 
$
773,701
 


See Notes to Financial Statements


SMART ONLINE, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
   
Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2005
 
Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2004
 
REVENUES:
             
Integration fees
 
$
129,522
 
$
103,819
 
Syndication fees
   
92,040
   
30,621
 
OEM revenue
   
12,000
   
14,686
 
Web services
   
15,159
   
16,714
 
Other revenues
   
4,517
   
1,375
 
Related party revenues
   
-
   
82,513
 
Total revenues
   
253,238
   
249,728
 
               
COST OF REVENUES
   
31,727
   
57,019
 
               
GROSS PROFIT
   
221,511
   
192,709
 
               
OPERATING EXPENSES:
             
General and administrative
   
519,036
   
449,257
 
Sales and marketing
   
294,732
   
98,399
 
Development
   
255,227
   
164,378
 
               
Total operating expenses
   
1,068,995
   
712,034
 
               
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
   
(847,484
)
 
(519,325
)
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
             
Interest income (expense), net
   
5,998
   
(107,652
)
Gain on debt forgiveness
   
547,341
   
27,548
 
               
Total other income (expense)
   
553,339
   
(80,104)
 
NET LOSS
   
(294,145
 
)
 
(599,429
 
)
Preferred stock dividends and
accretion of discount on
preferred stock
   
-
   
(2,215,625
 
)
Accretive dividend issued
in connection with registration
rights agreement
   
-
   
(3,225,410
)
Net loss attributed to
common stockholders
 
$
(294,145
 
)
$
(6,040,464
)
NET LOSS PER SHARE:
             
Net loss attributed to
common stockholders -
Basic and Diluted
 
$
(.02
)
$
(0.83
)
               
SHARES USED IN COMPUTING NET LOSS PER SHARE:
             
Basic and Diluted
   
11,829,610
   
7,321,707
 

See notes to financial statements.







SMART ONLINE, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
   
Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2005
 
Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2004
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
             
Net loss
 
$
(294,145
)
$
(599,429
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
             
used in operating activities:
             
Depreciation
   
11,093
   
10,104
 
Common shares or options issued in lieu of compensation
   
-
   
161,000
 
Common shares issued for extension of loan
   
-
   
75,000
 
Issuance of warrants
   
19,231
   
-
 
Gain on debt forgiveness 
    (547,341   (27,548
Changes in assets and liabilities:
             
Accounts receivable
   
18,715
   
58,226
 
Related party receivable
   
-
   
33,057
 
Other accounts receivable
   
-
   
(18,333
)
Prepaid expenses
   
(44,468
)
 
(25,675
)
Other assets
   
41,235
   
-
 
Deferred revenue
   
(47,828
)
 
(183,720
)
Accounts payable
   
57,809
   
(342,694
)
Accrued payroll
   
12,220
   
1,372
 
Accrued payroll taxes payable
   
-
 
 
(990,858
)
Accrued interest payable
   
-
   
(138,164
)
Deferred compensation, notes payable, and interest
   
(1,091,814
)
 
111,992
 
Net cash used in operating
   
(1,865,293
)
 
(1,875,670
)
Activities
             
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
             
Purchases of furniture and equipment
   
(51,263
)
 
(644
)
Redemption of marketable securities
   
395,000
   
-
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
343,737
   
(644
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
             
Repayments on notes payable
   
-
   
(350,000
)
Repayments from stockholder
   
-
   
(86,480
)
Issuance of common stock
   
2,735,000
   
2,288,499
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
2,735,000
   
1,852,019
 
NET INCREASE IN CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
   
1,213,444
   
(24,295
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
173,339
   
101,486
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
END OF PERIOD
 
$
1,386,783
 
$
77,191
 
               
Supplemental disclosures:
             
Cash payment during the period for interest:
 
$
154,288
 
$
164,055
 
               
Non-cash financing activities:
             
Non-cash accretion of preferred stock redemption value
 
$
-
 
$
2,215,625
 
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock
 
$
-
 
$
19,724,839
 

See notes to financial statements.


 
Smart Online, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements - Unaudited

1.  Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation- The accompanying balance sheet as of March 31, 2005 and the statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 are unaudited. These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes, together with management’s discussion and analysis of financial position and results of operations, contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited statements in the Form 10-Q include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s statement of financial position as of March 31, 2005, its results of operations and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.
 
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.  As such, they do not include adjustments relating to the recoverability of recorded asset amounts and classification of recorded assets and liabilities.  The Company had accumulated losses of approximately $37,036,699 at March 31, 2005 and will be required to make significant expenditure in connection with continuing development and marketing efforts along with general and administrative expenses.  The Company's ability to continue its operations is dependant upon its raising of capital through equity financing in order to meet its working needs.
 
These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, and if substantial additional funding is not acquired or alternative sources developed, management will be required to curtail its operations.
 
The Company may raise additional capital by the sale of its equity securities or other financing avenues.  Management believes that actions presently being taken to obtain additional funding provides the additional opportunity for the Company to continue as a going concern.
 
Description of Business - Smart Online, Inc. (the "Company" or "Smart Online") was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1993. Smart Online develops and markets Internet-delivered Software-as-Service (SaS) software applications and data resources to start, run, protect and grow small businesses (one to fifty employees). Smart Online's subscribers access Smart Online's products through the portal at www.SmartOnline.com directly and through the web sites of private label syndication partners that include major companies and financial institutions.

Fiscal Year - The fiscal year ends December 31. References to fiscal 2005, for example, refer to the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.
 
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management include the determination of the provision for income taxes, the fair market value of stock awards issued and the period over with revenue is generated. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segments - The Company operates in one segment.
 
Revenue Recognition- We recognize revenue in accordance with accounting standards for software and service companies including United States Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”), Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 “Revenue Recognition” (“SAB 104”), the Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (“EITF 00-21”),and related interpretations including American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Technical Practice Aids. We also utilize interpretative guidance from regulatory and accounting bodies, which include, but are not limited to, the SEC, the AICPA, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and various professional organizations.




We recognize revenue when all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (2) the service has been provided to the customer; (3) the collection of our fees is probable; and (4) the amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable. EITF 00-21 states that revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet the following criteria: (1) the delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis; (2) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item; and (3) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, deliver or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in control of the vendor. Smart Online’s syndication and integration agreements typically include multiple deliverables including the grant of a non-exclusive license to distribute, use and access the Smart Online platform, fees for the integration of content into the Smart Online platform, maintenance and hosting fees, documentation and training, and technical support and customer support fees. Smart Online cannot establish fair value of the individual revenue deliverables based on objective and reliable evidence because the Company does not have a long, consistent history of standard syndication and integration contractual arrangements, there have only been a few contracts that have continued past the initial contractual term, the Company does not have any contracts in which these elements have been sold as stand-alone items, and there is no third-party evidence of fair value for products or services that are interchangeable and comparable to Smart Online’s products and services. As such, Smart Online can not allocate revenue to the individual deliverables and must record all revenues received as a single unit of accounting as further described below. Additionally, Smart Online has evaluated the timing and substantive nature of the performance obligations associated with the multiple deliverables noted above, including the determination that the remaining obligations are essential to the on-going usability and functionality of the delivered products, and determined that revenue should be recognized over the life of the contracts due to such factors as the length of time over which the remaining obligations will be performed, the complex nature of integrating and maintaining customer content with Smart Online’s platform, which services are unavailable from other vendors, and the timing of payment of a portion of the contract price such as monthly hosting payments.
 
Syndication fees consist primarily of fees charged to syndication partners to create and maintain a customized private-label site and ongoing support, maintenance and customer service. The syndication agreements typically include an advance fee and monthly hosting fees. We generally invoice our customers in annual or monthly installments and typical payment terms provide that our customers pay us within 30 days of invoice. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue and the revenue is recognized ratably over the specified lives of the contracts, commencing on the date the site goes on-line. In general, we collect our billings in advance of the service period. The hosting fees are typically billed on a monthly basis. Our contract and support contracts are non-cancelable, though they typically provide for early termination upon a material breach by either party that is not cured in a timely manner. We continue to evaluate and adjust the length of these amortization periods as we gain more experience with implementation schedules and contract cancellations. Should the contract terminate earlier than its term then we recognize the remaining deferred revenue upon termination. At present, Smart Online has insufficient historical data to determine if the relationship with its existing customers will extend beyond the initial term with the customer continuing to benefit from the advance fee. If Smart Online determines that existing and/or future contracts are expected to extend beyond the initial term whereby the customer continuing to benefit from the advance fee, Smart Online will extend the revenue recognition period accordingly to include the extended term. Based on that experience, it is possible that, in the future, the estimates of customer lives may change and, in such event, the period over which such syndication revenues are amortized will be adjusted. Any such change in specified contract lives will affect our future results of operations. Additionally, the syndication contracts typically include revenue sharing arrangements whereby syndication partners typically charge their customers a monthly fee to access the private-label site. In most cases, the syndication agreement provide for Smart Online to receive a percentage of these fees. Fees derived from such revenue sharing arrangements are recorded when earned. To date such revenue sharing fees have been negligible.

Integration fees consist primarily of fees charged to integration partners to integrate their products into the Smart Online syndication platform. Integrating third-party content and products has been a key component of Smart Online’s strategy to continuously expand and enhance the platform offered to its syndication partners and its own customer base. We generally invoice our customers in advance of the service period in annual or monthly installments and typical payment terms provide that our customers pay us within 30 days of invoice. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue and the revenue is recognized ratably over the specified lives of the contracts, commencing on the date the site goes on-line. We continue to evaluate and adjust the length of these amortization periods as we gain more experience with implementation schedules and contract cancellations. At present, Smart Online has insufficient historical data to determine if the relationship with its existing customers will extend beyond the initial term with the customer continuing to benefit from the advance fee. If Smart Online determines that existing and/or future contracts are expected to extend beyond the initial term whereby the customer continuing to benefit from the advance fee, Smart Online will extend the revenue recognition period accordingly to include the extended term. Our contract and support contracts are non-cancelable, though they provide for early termination upon a material breach by either party that is not cured in a timely manner. Should the contract terminate earlier than its term then we recognize the remaining deferred revenue upon termination. Based on that experience, it is possible that, in the future, the estimates of customer lives may change and, in such event, the period over which such syndication revenues are amortized will be adjusted. Any such change in specified contract lives will affect our future results of operations. Additionally, integration agreements typically include an upfront fee and a revenue sharing component. Fees derived from such revenue sharing arrangements are recorded when earned. To date such revenue sharing fees have been negligible.



Both syndication and integration fees are recognized on a monthly basis over the life of the contract, although a significant portion of the fee from integration is received upfront. Our contract and support contracts are non-cancelable, though customers typically have the right to terminate their contracts for cause if we fail to perform. We generally invoice our customers in annual or monthly installments and typical payment terms provide that our customers pay us within 30 days of invoice. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue or revenue depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met. In general, we collect our billings in advance of the service period. Online marketing, which consists of marketing services provided to our integration and syndication partners have in the past generated additional revenue. In addition, certain users have requested that Smart Online implement online marketing initiatives for them, such as promoting their products through Google or Overture Services. Online marketing has not been a material source of past income. We intend to seek an increase in the level of online marketing services in the future.

Web Services revenues are comprised of e-commerce sales directly to end-users, hosting and maintenance fees, e-commerce website design fees and online loan origination fees. E-commerce sales are made either on a subscription or a la carte basis. Subscription, which is access to most Smart Online offerings, is payable in advance on a monthly basis and is targeted at small companies or divisions of large companies. We will seek to grow our monthly subscription volume dramatically over the next 24 months as new versions of Smart Online’s platforms (OneBiz ConductorSM) are released.

Additionally, Smart Online receives a portion of third-party sales of products and services through revenue sharing arrangements, which involves a split of realized revenues. Hosting and maintenance fees are charged for supporting and maintaining the private-label portal and providing customer and technical support directly to our syndication partner’s users and are recognized on a monthly basis. E-commerce website design fees which are charged for building and maintaining corporate websites or to add the capability for e-commerce transactions are recognized over the life of the project. We have discontinued our third-party arrangement for online web design. We expect to resume this service after a new partner is under contract. Online loan origination fees are charged to provide users online financing option by which Smart Online receives payments for loan or credit provided. We intend to become more aggressive about promoting this line item in the future.

Subscription revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription period (usually one year). Third-party premium products are shared with integration partners.

OEM revenues are recorded based on the greater of actual sales or contractual minimum guaranteed royalty payments. Smart Online records the minimum guaranteed royalties monthly and receives payment of the royalties on a quarterly basis, 30 days in arrears. To the extent actual royalties exceed the minimum guaranteed royalties, the excess is recorded in the quarter Smart Online receives notification of such additional royalties.

Barter Transactions- Barter revenue relates to syndication and integration services provided by Smart Online to business customers in exchange for advertising in the customers’ trade magazines and on their Web sites. Barter expenses reflect the expense offset to barter revenue. The amount of barter revenue and expense is recorded at the estimated fair value of the services received or the services provided, whichever is more objectively determinable, in the month the services and advertising are exchanged. Smart Online applies APB 29, Accounting for Non-Monetary Transactions, the provisions of EITF 93-11, “Accounting for Barter Transactions Involving Barter Credits” and EITF 99-13 “Accounting for Advertising Barter Transactions” and, accordingly, recognizes barter revenues only to the extent that Smart Online has similar cash transactions within a period not to exceed six months prior to the date of the barter transaction. To date, the amount of barter revenue to be recognized has been more objectively determinable based on integration and syndication services provided rather than based upon the value of advertising received. For revenue from integration and syndication services provided for cash to be considered similar to the integration and syndication services provided in barter transactions, the services rendered must have been in the same media and similar term as the barter transaction. Further, the quantity or volume of integration or syndication revenue received in a qualifying past cash transaction can only evidence the fair value of an equivalent quantity or volume of integration or syndication revenue received in subsequent barter transactions. In other words, a past cash transaction can only support the recognition of revenue on integration and syndication contracts transactions up to the dollar amount of the cash transactions. When the cash transaction has been used to support an equivalent quantity and dollar amount of barter revenue, that transaction cannot serve as evidence of fair value for any other  barter transaction. Once the value of the barter revenue has been determined, Smart Online follows the same revenue recognition principals as it applies to cash transactions with unearned revenues being deferred as described more fully above. At the time the barter revenue is recorded, an offsetting pre-paid barter advertising asset is recorded on Smart Online’s balance sheet. This pre-paid barter advertising asset is amortized to expense as advertising services are received such as when an advertisement runs in a magazine. Where more than one deliverable exists, such as when the barter partner is to provide advertising in four issues of a magazine, the expense is recognized pro-rata as the advertising deliverable is provided. Barter revenues totaled $3,333 and $107,665 in the first quarter of 2004 and 2005, respectively.

 

 
Cash and Cash Equivalents- All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

Marketable Securities- Management determines the appropriate classification of investments in marketable securities at the time of purchase in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities and reevaluates such determination at each balance sheet date. Securities, which are classified as available for sale at December 31, 2004, are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Fair value is determined based on quoted market rates. There were no unrealized gains or losses at December 31, 2004. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on securities available for sale are included as a component of interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific-identification method. Interest on securities classified as available for sale is also included as a component of interest income.

Software Development Costs- Smart Online has not capitalized any direct or allocated overhead associated with the development of software products prior to general release. SFAS No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed, requires capitalization of certain software development costs subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility. Based on the Company’s product development process, technological feasibility is established upon completion of a working model. Costs related to software development incurred between completion of the working model and the point at which the product is ready for general release have been insignificant.

Impairment of Long Lived Assets- Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Property and Equipment- Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method as follows:

Office equipment
5 years
Furniture and fixtures
7 years

Intangible Assets- Intangible assets consists primarily of trademarks and are being amortized over their estimated useful lives.

Fair Values- The fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and notes payable approximate the carrying values due to the short period of time to maturity.

Accretion of Redemption Value of Redeemable Preferred Stock- The Company accreted the redemption value of redeemable preferred stock ratably over the minimum period such stock was outstanding. In addition, accrued but unpaid dividends were recorded to increase the carrying value of the redeemable preferred stock to the redemption value at maturity.



Advertising Costs- Smart Online expenses all advertising costs as they are incurred. The amount charged to expense during the first quarter of 2005 and 2004 were $136,335 and $(10,525), respectively. The 2005 period included $135,000 of barter advertising expenses and the 2004 period reflected a credit related to prior advertising activities.

Net Loss per Share- Basic loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. Diluted loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the periods. Common equivalent shares consist of redeemable preferred stock, stock options and warrants that are computed using the treasury stock method. The Company excluded shares issueable upon the exercise of redeemable preferred stock, stock options and warrants from the calculation of common equivalent shares as the impact was anti-dilutive.

Stock-Based Compensation- Smart Online accounts for its stock-based compensation plans in accordance with the intrinsic value provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Stock Options are generally granted at prices equal to the fair value of Smart Online’s common stock on the grant dates (see Note 9). Accordingly, Smart Online did not record any compensation expense in the accompanying financial statements for its stock-based compensation plans. Had compensation expense been recognized consistent with the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” Smart Online’s net loss attributed to common stockholders and net loss attributed to common stockholders per share for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 would have been changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

   
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2004
 
Net loss attributed to
             
common stockholders:
             
As reported
 
$
(294,145
)
$
(6,040,464
)
Add:   Compensation cost
   
-
   
161,000
 
recorded at intrinsic value
             
Less:   Compensation cost using
   
(34,052
)
 
(268,825
)
the fair value method
             
Pro forma
 
$
(328,197
)
$
(6,148,289
)

 

 
   
Three months ended
March 31, 2005
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2004
 
           
Reported net loss attributed to
             
common stockholders:
             
Basic and diluted
 
$
(0.02
)
$
(0.83
)
               
Pro forma net loss per share:
             
Basic and diluted
 
$
(0.03
)
$
(0.84
)





The fair value of option grants under Smart Online’s plan and other stock option issuance during the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions were used:

   
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2005
 
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2004
Dividend yield
 
0. 00
%
   
0. 00
%
Expected volatility
 
0.00
%
   
0.00
%
Risk free interest rate
 
4.23
%
   
4.23
%
Expected lives (years)
 
9.0
 
   
5.0
 

 
New Accounting Standards
 
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”). SFAS 123(R), a revision of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. SFAS 123(R) is effective for the beginning of the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2005. Therefore the Company plans to adopt SFAS 123(R) on July 1, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the two fair value pricing methods permitted by SFAS 123(R) and has not selected a final fair value pricing model nor determined the impact such model will have on the Company’s financial statements.
 
2. Balance Sheets Accounts
 
Marketable Securities

At December 31, 2004, marketable securities consisted of the following:

     
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
 
Municipal bonds - redeemed February 2005
 
$
395,000
 
$
395,000
 

Smart Online did not hold any marketable securities on March 31, 2005.

Receivables

Smart Online evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically identified amounts that management believes to be uncollectible. Management also records an additional allowance based on certain percentages of its receivables over 90 days old, which are determined based on historical experience and management’s assessment of the general financial conditions affecting its customer base. If actual collections experience changes, revisions to the allowance may be required. Based upon the aforementioned criteria, management has determined that no provision for uncollectible accounts is required as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following at:
 
     
March 31,
2005 
   
December 31,
2004 
 
Office equipment
 
$
16,187
 
$
16,187
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
7,125
   
7,125
 
Computer software
   
420,656
   
393,629
 
Computer equipment
   
687,030
   
663,723
 
Automobiles
   
29,504
   
29,504
 
     
1,160,502
   
1,110,168
 
Less accumulated depreciation
   
(1,044,546
)
 
(1,034,532
)
Property and equipment, net
 
$
115,956
 
$
75,636
 

Depreciation expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 was $11,093 and $10,104, respectively.


Deferred Compensation
 
Certain officers of Smart Online deferred a portion of their compensation, including commissions and interest charges on previously earned but unpaid compensation, from the second quarter of 2001 until September, 2003. In October 2003, these salary deferrals plus interest were converted to promissory notes (the “2003 Notes”) in the aggregate amount of $1,049,765. These notes were payable on or before May 31, 2004 and bore interest at a rate of 15% per annum. During the fourth quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004, these officers deferred an additional $141,771. Additionally, during this period $50,135 of the original notes payable were repaid. In April 2004, the holders of the 2003 Notes agreed to exchange the existing notes for new promissory notes payable on or before December 31, 2005. The principal amount of the new notes, $1,141,401, included the unpaid principal from the original notes plus the subsequent deferrals. Subsequently during 2004, $160,904 was repaid against the successor notes and an additional $2,302 of compensation was deferred. The successor notes bore interest at a rate of 15% per annum through June 1, 2004 at which time the holders voluntarily reduced the rate to 8% per annum. On April 30, 2004, the 2004 Notes were extended until May 31, 2005, but later during 2004 the officers entered into standstill agreements not to demand payment until June 30, 2006. The standstill agreement was again amended on December 22, 2004, to provide that demand for payment could be made upon the earlier of June 30, 2006 or the closing after January 1, 2005 of a financing with gross proceeds to Smart Online of $2,000,000 or more. After Smart Online raised $2,500,000 from a sale of securities to a foreign investor in February 2005, Smart Online paid in full the $949,777 of deferred compensation, plus all accrued interest of $154,288, and cancelled the related promissory notes to these officers.

3. Stockholders’ Deficit 
 
Common Stock and Warrants
 
During February and March 2005, Smart Online sold 580,000 shares of common stock and a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock resulting in gross proceeds of $2.9 million to foreign investors in sales exempt under Regulation S. A portion of those funds were used to repay deferred compensation, including interest thereon, as more fully discussed in Note 2. In connection with this financing, the Smart Online incurred stock issuance costs of $290,000. During March 2005, Smart Online raised an additional $125,000 in gross proceeds from the sale of 25,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share in a private placement. The aforementioned warrant was issued in consideration for the investor agreeing to certain restrictions on their ability to sell the shares. These warrants have an exercise price of $5 per share and terminate on January 1, 2007.

During February 2005, a consulting firm that was issued 350,000 warrants in November 2003, acquired 50,000 shares of Smart Online’s Common Stock as a result of the cashless exercise of warrants. Warrants to purchase 67,568 shares of Common Stock were cancelled in this cashless exercise. The fair market value of Smart Online’s Common Stock at the time of exercise was $5.00.

As an inducement to an investor who purchased shares of Common Stock during the first half of 2004, an officer of Smart Online and a shareholder entered into a Put Agreement dated March 10, 2004 with the investor. Smart Online was not a party to this agreement, but the agreement was entered into at the time of the investment into Smart Online to provide comfort to the investor that Smart Online would fulfill its obligation to cause its Common Stock to be publicly traded. As a result of Smart Online registering its Common Stock, this Put Agreement was cancelled in March 2005.

Stock Option Plans
 
Smart Online maintains three equity compensation plans. During the first quarter of 2005 there were no stock option grants.

The following is a summary of the status of the plan and stock option activity:

   
 
Shares
 
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
            
BALANCE, December 31, 2004
   
1,768,900
 
$
2.78
 
Forfeited
   
(30,500
)
$
5.00
 
BALANCE, March 31, 2005
   
1,738,400
 
$
4.69
 




The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at March 31, 2005:

       
Currently Exercisable
Exercise
Price
Number of
Shares
Outstanding
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(Years)
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$ 1.30 - $ 1.43
870,000
3.8
$ 1.37
870,000
$ 1.37
$ 3.50
514,000
9.1
$ 3.50
150,250
$ 3.50
$ 5.00
354,400
0.7
$ 5.00
354,400
$ 5.00
$ 1.30 - $ 5.00
1,738,400
4.7
$ 2.74
1,374,650
$ 2.54

Dividends

Smart Online has not paid any cash dividends through March 31, 2005.

4. Major Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk

Smart Online derives a significant portion of its revenues from certain customer relationships. The following is a summary of customers that represent greater than ten percent of total revenues:

       
3 Months Ended March 31, 2005
 
       
Revenues
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
Customer A
   
Integration/Barter
 
$
41,250
   
16.3
%
Customer B
   
Syndication/Barter
   
26,727
   
10.6
%
Customer C
   
Syndication/Barter
   
34,688
   
13.7
%
Customer D
   
Syndication
   
30,625
   
12.1
%
Others
   
Various
   
119,948
   
47.3
%
Total
       
$
253,238
   
100.0
%

       
3 Months Ended March 31, 2004
 
       
Revenues
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
Customer E
   
Integration
   
82,513
   
33.0
%
Customer F
   
Integration
   
25,000
   
10.0
%
Customer G
   
Integration
   
25,000
   
10.0
%
Others
   
Various
   
117,215
   
47.0
%
Total
       
$
249,728
   
100.0
%


Smart Online had one customer that accounted for 100% of receivables at December 31, 2004 and substantially all of the accounts receivable at March 31, 2005.

5. Related Party Transactions

American Investment Holding Group, Inc., which is wholly-owned by two officers of Smart Online, owns approximately 23% of the outstanding Common Stock of Smart Online as of March 31, 2005. The same officers also own a controlling interest in other companies.
 


An officer of Smart Online and a trust established by this officer for the benefit of his children have from time to time provided loans to Smart Online. As of January 1, 2004, Smart Online owed these parties $47,798 related to outstanding loans. During the first six months of 2004, the Company borrowed an additional $186,335 and repaid the entire remaining outstanding balance of $186,335. As of September 30, 2004 all borrowings from and loans to the officer and the trust were repaid in full. Until October 2003, the Company did not pay any interest on these loans, thereafter the loans accrued interest at a rate of 15.0%.
 
During 2004 and 2005, Smart Online contracted with a consulting firm owned by an individual who was an officer of the Company at the time to provide strategic international sales and marketing services. Smart Online paid consulting fees of $17,500 during both the first quarter of 2005 and 2004 related to these services. Additionally, Smart Online paid the same consulting firm $2,500 related to the sale of certain shares of Common Stock during the first quarter of 2004.  
 
On August 13, 2002, Smart Online entered into an integration agreement with SIL, a company owned by a shareholder of Smart Online, to incorporate its products into Smart Online’s platform. As part of this agreement, SIL paid Smart Online $300,000 for such integration, and the parties agreed to share future revenues generated from the sales of the products. On August 30, 2002, the parties signed an amendment to the original agreement, in order for Smart Online to provide SIL certain co-development services, which includes instant messenger and video conferencing. In exchange, SIL paid Smart Online an additional sum of $300,000. The parties further agreed that the products developed as a result of both companies’ efforts will be owned by both parties. On April 30, 2003, Smart Online and SIL signed a new amendment and restated the integration program agreement. According to this new amendment and restated agreement, Smart Online agreed to fund the future development of the products. In exchange, SIL agreed to limit future amounts payable by Smart Online under the original shared revenue agreement to $1.7 million.
 
In addition to the above agreements, on August 30, 2002, Smart Online and SIL also entered into a reseller agreement whereby SIL paid the sum of $200,000 for the right to distribute Smart Online’s products in the territories of Israel, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain, in exchange for Smart Online’s marketing support and a twenty percent commission from the gross sales generated by SIL. On March 17 and 27, 2003, the parties subsequently modified the original re-seller agreement to restrict the territory to only Israel and Netherlands. Additionally, on December 22, 2003, Smart Online signed a private label syndication agreement with SIL to provide website development for SIL’s website.  
 
Smart Online also paid SIL $90,000 pursuant to their contract dated December 20, 2003 for technical co-development work on a monthly payment of $15,000 starting in December of 2003 and ending in May of 2004.

In March 2004, SIL ceased further development of its technology and laid-off its employees.  SIL is currently seeking opportunities to license or sell its technology. The Company continues to support this technology on behalf of SIL. The revenues derived from this agreement with SIL were recognized as income on a straight line basis over the life of the agreement. Smart Online recognized $330,051of revenue related to the aforementioned integration, co-development and reseller agreements during 2004.
 
During the first half of 2004, Smart Online paid $158,384 to the Small Business Lending Institute (SBLI), of which an officer of Smart Online is also an officer and in which another officer of Smart Online is a minority shareholder, because SBLI paid Smart Online’s employees during the first quarter of 2004 while Smart Online was dealing with a tax matter with the Internal Revenue Service.
 



The following is a summary of related party revenues for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:
 

 
 
 
Quarter ended
March 31,
2005
 
Quarter ended
March 31,
2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Smart II, Ltd. ("SIL"), formerly
   known as Smart Revenue Europe Ltd.
 - Integration fees
 
$
-
 
$
82,513
 
Total Related Party Revenues
 
$
-
 
$
82,513
 
 
The following is a summary of related party expenses for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
March 31,
2005
 
Quarter ended
March 31,
2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nen, Inc. - consulting fees included
   in sales and marketing expense
   related to strategic international sales
   and marketing services
 
$
17,500
 
$
17,500
 
Nen, Inc. - consulting fees included
   in general and administrative
   expense related to assisting Smart
   Online with obtaining additional
   equity financing
   
-
   
2,500
 
Small Business Loan Institute -
consulting fees included in general
and administrative expense
   
-
   
30,000
 
Smart II, Ltd. - Moving expenses,
   reseller payment, and technical co-
   development work
   
-
   
45,000
 
Interest expense incurred on
loans from officer 
   
-
   
3,123
 
Total Related Party Expenses
 
$
-
 
$
98,123
 

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Smart Online is subject to other claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business including claims asserted by two former commercial business partners. The first claim asserted that Smart Online owed $92,204 for advertising which Smart Online asserted was faulty. Smart Online settled this claim in April 2005 and paid the other party $50,000 and the case was dismissed with prejudice. As a result of this settlement, Smart Online recorded a gain on legal settlements of $42,293. In the second claim, Smart Online was being sued for breach of contract, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and punitive damages, alleging that Smart Online improperly refused to refund a $32,500 integration fee. Smart Online settled this claim in May 2005 by paying $30,000 and the case was dismissed with prejudice.



Smart Online did not pay its payroll taxes for the period of the fourth quarter of 2000 through the fourth quarter of 2003. In March 2004, Smart Online notified the Internal Revenue Service of its delinquent payroll tax filings and voluntarily paid the outstanding balance if its payroll taxes in the amount of $1,003,830 plus accrued interest of $122,655 to the Internal Revenue Service. The Internal Revenue Service notified Smart Online that it owed penalties plus accrued interest related to the above matter. At December 31, 2004, Smart Online had recorded a liability for accrued penalties and interest of $573,022. On February 18, 2005, the Internal Revenue Service agreed to accept Smart Online’s offer in compromise (Form 656) in settlement of all of Smart Online’s outstanding federal tax liabilities. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Smart Online, Inc. agreed to pay $26,100, surrender all credits and refunds for 2005 or earlier tax periods, and remain in compliance with all federal tax obligations for a term of five years. Smart Online paid $26,100 to the Internal Revenue Service on February 25, 2005, as required under the settlement terms. As a result of the settlement, Smart Online recorded a gain on legal settlement of approximately $547,000 during the first quarter of 2005.

7. Subsequent Events

Stock Option and Warrants
 
During April 2005 Smart Online granted options to purchase 180,000 shares of Common Stock to a consultant, 34,000 shares of Common Stock to new Board members, 25,000 shares to an officer, and 2,500 shares to an employee. All options were granted under Smart Online’s 2004 Equity Compensation Plan at an exercise price of $5.00 per share.

Also during April 2005, a holder of warrants to purchase Common Stock exercised warrants to purchase 500 shares of Smart Online’s Common Stock.

Commencement of Trading of Smart Online’s Common Stock

Smart Online’s Common Stock began trading on the Over-the-Counter Electronic Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) on April 15, 2005.

Legal Settlements

During April 2005 the Company reached a settlement with U.S. News & World Report and paid $50,000 to resolve all outstanding claims and the case was dismissed with prejudice.  During May 2005, Smart Online settled for $30,000 claims made by Infopia, Inc. and the case was dismissed with prejudice.

New Integration Agreement

During April 2005, the Company signed an agreement with Capital One. Commencing with the second quarter of 2005, we anticipate that greater than 10% of our total revenue will be derived from this agreement.

Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (including Risk Factors)

The following discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition as Results of Operations (“MD&A”) and elsewhere in this report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 12E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements consist of, among other things, trend analyses, statements regarding future events, future financial performance, our plan to build our business and the related expenses, our anticipated growth, trends in our business, the effect of foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations on our business, the potential impact of current litigation or any future litigation, the potential availability of tax assets in the future and related matters, and the sufficiency of our capital resources, all of which are based on current expectations, estimates, and forecasts, and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as “expects, “ “anticipates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are also intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to risks and uncertainties identified below, under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report, for factors that may cause actual results to be different than those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.





Overview

Smart Online develops and markets Internet-delivered or Software-as-Services (SaS) software applications and data resources to start, run, protect, and grow small businesses. Many of our users are provided free use of our products. In addition, we reach small businesses through our own website www.smartonline.com and through private-label syndication arrangements with large corporations that private-label the Smart Online offering through their corporate web sites. Our syndication relationships provide a cost- and time-efficient way to market to the extremely large and diverse small business sector.

Smart Online has developed numerous sources of revenue as its business plan has changed to adapt to changing business circumstances. These sources of revenue include syndication partners, integration partners, OEMs, subscriptions from small businesses, one-time purchases by small businesses and barter transactions with media companies. Currently, each of these revenue streams is small. Our business plan is designed to utilize existing and future relationships in each revenue source to ratchet up the amount of revenue we derive from all sources. We have described in this prospectus the key elements of how we plan to achieve this.

Incorporated in Delaware in 1993, Smart Online pioneered the market for small business software applications. Our initial offerings were sold as shrink-wrapped products through major retail chains such as Staples, Office Depot and Egghead Software. Since 2000, our products have been primarily offered through an Internet-based platform. Smart Online also pioneered the syndication or private-label distribution model to more efficiently and effectively reach the large and diverse small business sector. Market analyst firm Summit Strategies says, “Smart Online’s proprietary distribution platform enables the vendor to quickly customize for and integrate with its partners’ services, making their joint services accessible to customers via a single sign-on.”

Smart Online is currently developing the next generation of its services portal, called OneBiz ConductorSM, which will include significant enhancements to the technology platform and add additional applications to our product offerings. We plan to accomplish this through a combination of internal development, joint development, licensing from other companies, and acquisitions. One Biz ConductorSMwill be released in three versions. The first version was released during the first quarter of 2005. The second and third versions are expected to be released at the end of the third quarter of 2005 and the end of the fourth quarter of 2005, respectively.

Our objective is to be a leading provider of on-demand business software application services for small businesses. We also believe that, when we complete development of OneBiz ConductorSM later this year, our products may be more attractive to middle size companies with up to 500 employees. At that time, we intend to begin marketing to such middle size companies. To address the significant market opportunity, our management team is focused on a number of short and long-term challenges, including strengthening and extending our service offerings, converting our registered users to paying customers, beginning when we release the second version of OneBiz ConductorSM, which we expect will occur before the end of the third quarter of 2005, and expanding our sales efforts by focusing on the specific need of our customers. Since 2000, Smart Online’s major focus has been on developing and validating our online content, applications, services, delivery platform and user interface. To validate the platform, services, and products, many customers received access to the Smart Online products and portal free-of-charge in exchange for their evaluation and feedback. We have also used a number of different marketing approaches to test and validate the best techniques to acquire and retain small business customers.

With this validation and analysis nearly complete, we intend to increase our focus on revenue generation. Smart Online has recently begun to develop targeted programs to market and sell the Smart Online offerings. These efforts are targeted to direct customer acquisition and retention, recovery of former customers and closing on new syndication partnerships.

 


During fiscal 2004, Smart Online entered into several new syndication and integration agreements totaling approximately $1.2 million, including $640,000 of barter transactions. During the first quarter of 2005, Smart Online continued its efforts to expand its syndication and integration partnership reach. These efforts resulted in the Company signing an agreement with Capital One during April 2005. We are planning to substantially increase our advertising and marketing in future years. We have started to enter into new syndication partnerships that target strategic partners for bartering arrangements for advertising and joint marketing programs to take advantage of discounted advertising rates and to provide an opportunity for us to share in the revenue generated by our syndication partners from use of our platform. We began targeting small business media companies during the first quarter of 2004, such as Inc. Magazine, FastCompany Magazine, and BusinessWeek, which have small-business customer bases. Smart Online anticipates the revenue share arrangements with the media companies will enable it to increase web services revenue for both Smart Online and its private label syndication partners as we begin to share in the revenue our partners generate from their websites. We expect to create these arrangements in the future with media companies which offer the ability to reach small-business customers and assist in off-setting Smart Online’s cash expenditures for print and online advertising and marketing. While we intend to derive a majority of our syndication revenue from traditional non-barter transactions, we will evaluate barter transactions on a case-by-case basis when we believe such transactions make economic or strategic sense. Pursuant to the requirements of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) No. 93-11, “Accounting for Barter Transactions Involving Barter Credits,” and EITF 99-13, “Accounting for Advertising Barter Transactions,” Smart Online recognized approximately $107,665 and $3,000 of barter revenue in the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively.

To increase our revenues and take advantage of our market opportunity, we will need to add substantial numbers of paying subscribers. We define paying subscriptions as unique user accounts. We plan to re-invest earnings for the foreseeable future in the following ways: hiring additional personnel, particularly in marketing and sales; expanding marketing and sales activities; increasing our research and development activities to upgrade and extend our service offerings and to develop new services and technologies; adding to our infrastructure to support our growth; and formalizing our operational and financial systems to manage a growing business.

We expect sales and marketing costs to increase substantially in dollars and as a percent of total expenses commencing with the second half of 2005 as we prepare for the launch of the second and third versions of OneBiz ConductorSM later this year and as we seek to add and manage more paying subscribers, build brand awareness and increase the number of marketing and sales programs implemented. We expect we will have to increase marketing and sales expenses before we can substantially increase our revenues from sales of subscriptions.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on December 31. References to fiscal 2005, for example, refer to the calendar year ending December 31, 2005.

Sources of Revenue

Smart Online currently derives revenues from the following sources:

·  
Syndication Fees - fees consisting of:

o  
Fees charged to syndication partners to create a customized private-label site.

o  
Barter revenue derived from syndication agreements with media companies.

·  
Integration Fees - fees charged to partners to integrate their products into the Smart Online syndication platform. Integrating third-party content and products has been a key component of Smart Online’s strategy to continuously expand and enhance its platform offered to syndication partners and its own customer base.

·  
Web Services fees - comprised of the following:

o  
E-commerce sales directly to end-users:

·  
Subscription

·  
Multiuser subscription paid by enterprises for their business customers

·  
A la carte

·  
E-commerce revenue sharing with integration partners



·  
One Biz ConductorSM licensing

·  
Contextual integration (“CI”) advertising fee

o  
Hosting and maintenance fees

o  
E-commerce Website Design and Build

o  
Loan origination fees

o  
Online marketing to our syndication/integration partners

o  
Marketing fee for loan request through the integrated platform

·  
OEM agreements with third-party computer manufacturers for various individual Smart Online applications.

·  
Other Revenues - Includes revenues generated from consulting fees and the sale of legacy shrink-wrapped products.

Smart Online also plans to seek new sources of revenue, including the following sources:

·  
Technology Platform Licensing Revenue - We plan to seek to generate revenue from licensing our technology platform.

·  
Advertising Revenue - We plan to add direct advertising revenue in the future.

During 2004, we entered into several new syndication and integration partnerships with targeted strategic partners, whereby we will receive a percentage of the revenue generated by our partners from their websites. During the first quarter of 2005, Smart Online continued its efforts to expand its syndication and integration partnership reach. These efforts resulted in the Company signing an agreement with Capital One during April 2005. Certain of these agreements also included bartering arrangements for advertising and joint marketing programs to take advantage of discounted advertising rates and to provide an opportunity for revenue sharing. With these new partnerships more than 4 million small businesses utilize the websites of our syndication partners for various purposes. We intend to focus our future marketing and sales efforts on selling our products to the users of the websites of our syndication partners. Smart Online embarked on this program based on the success of the revenue share strategy, illustrated by Google, Overture, and Career Builder, where media companies provide these services to their customers to increase revenue for both companies. Smart Online began targeting small business media companies during the first quarter of 2004, who have small business customer bases. We estimate our revenue share arrangements with the media companies will enable us to increase web services revenue for both Smart Online and our private label syndication partners while creating an advantage over potential competitors. Smart Online expects to create certain types of these arrangements in the future with media companies who offer the ability to reach small business customers and will assist in off-setting Smart Online’s outlay of cash for more costly print and online advertising and marketing. While we intend to derive a majority of our syndication revenue from traditional non-barter transactions, we will evaluate barter transactions on a case-by-case basis when we believe such transactions make economic or strategic sense. During 2004, Smart Online signed syndication contracts with Inc. Magazine, FastCompany Magazine, and BusinessWeek. In addition we have embarked on a telesales effort to upsell current users to additional Smart Online services and to bring former users back to Smart Online.

Both syndication and integration fees are recognized on a monthly basis over the life of the contract, although a significant portion of the fee from integration is received upfront. Our contract and support contracts are non-cancelable, though customers typically have the right to terminate their contracts for cause if we fail to perform. We generally invoice our paying customers in annual or monthly installments and typical payment terms provide that our customers pay us within 30 days of invoice. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue or revenue depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met. In general, we collect our billings in advance of the service period. Online marketing, which consists of marketing services provided to our integration and syndication partners have in the past generated additional revenue. In addition, certain users have requested that Smart Online implement online marketing initiatives for them, such as promoting their products through Google or Overture Services. Online marketing has not been a material source of past income. We intend to seek an increase in the level of online marketing services in the future.



Web Services revenues are comprised of e-commerce sales directly to end-users, hosting and maintenance fees, e-commerce website design fees and online loan origination fees. E-commerce sales are made either on a subscription or a la carte basis. Subscription, which is access to most Smart Online offering is payable in advance on a monthly basis and is targeted at small companies or divisions of large companies. We will seek to grow our revenue, including monthly subscription volume, substantially over the next 24 months as new versions of Smart Online’s platforms (OneBiz ConductorSM) are released. To date, most of our users have been given free use of our products. We plan to change that policy when we release the second version of OneBiz ConductorSM, which is planned to occur at the end of the third quarter of 2005. We expect monthly subscription fees will typically be $29.95 to $49.95 for new subscribers direct through www.smartonline.com after a free trial period.  We expect lower fees from subscribers at the private label syndication websites of our partners.  Currently, most of our syndication agreements call for us to receive 50% of revenue generated. A la carte pricing, which allows customers to purchase one-time use of a specific software or content service, ranges from $10 to $300, which can include third-party charges when applicable, such as state and federal fees associated with incorporating a business or additional fees associated with having a press release written and revised.

Additionally, Smart Online receives a portion of third-party sales of products and services through revenue sharing arrangements, which involves a split of realized revenues. Hosting and maintenance fees are charged for supporting and maintaining the private-label portal and providing customer and technical support directly to our syndication partner’s users and are recognized on a monthly basis. E-commerce website design fees which are charged for building and maintaining corporate websites or to add the capability for e-commerce transactions, are recognized over the life of the project. We have discontinued our third-party arrangement for online web design. We expect to resume this service after a new partner is under contract. Online loan origination fees are charged to provide users online financing option by which Smart Online receives payments for loan or credit provided. We intend to become more aggressive about promoting this line item in the future.

Technology Platform License Revenue: Smart Online is in the process of determining whether its technology platform can become a licensable product for applications and content providers interested in creating their own syndication and online delivery business model. It is too early in our evaluation process to determine whether this will develop into another source of revenue.

Revenues from OEM arrangements are reported and paid to Smart Online on a quarterly basis based on actual sales, subject to certain contractual minimum volumes.

Other revenues consist primarily of traditional shrink-wrap sales, which are not a core revenue source for Smart Online. We expect that consulting fees, which in the past have generated significant revenues, will not be a material revenue source in the future.

Revenue From Related Parties

Approximately 33.0% of total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 were from a single customer, Smart IL Ltd. (“SIL”), formerly known as Smart Revenue Europe Ltd., an Israeli based software company that specialized in secured instant messaging products. During March 2004 SIL ceased further development of its technology and laid-off all employees after SIL completed development of, and delivered to us, its instant messenger product. SIL is currently seeking to license or sell its technology, however, we do not expect to receive substantial revenue from SIL in the future. SIL is owned by Doron Roethler, a shareholder of Smart Online. Smart Online did not derive any revenue from related parties during the first quarter of 2005.



The following is a summary of related party revenues for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:
   
 
Quarter ended
March 31,
2005
 
Quarter ended March 31,
2004
 
           
Smart II, Ltd. ("SIL"), formerly known as Smart Revenue Europe Ltd.
- Integration fees
 
$
-
 
$
82,513
 
               
Total Related Party Revenues
 
$
-
 
$
82,513
 



Smart Online does not expect revenue from related parties to be a significant part of Smart Online’s future revenues. If Smart Online fails to replace revenue from related parties with revenue from unrelated parties, Smart Online’s revenue will decrease.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of Revenues. To date Smart Online has not capitalized any costs associated with the development of its products and platform. Smart Online has not capitalized any direct or allocated overhead associated with the development of software products prior to general release. SFAS No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed”, requires capitalization of certain software development costs subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility. Based on the Smart Online’s product development process, technological feasibility is established upon completion of a working model. Costs related to software development incurred between completion of the working model and the point at which the product is ready for general release have been insignificant. Cost of revenues is comprised primarily of salaries and related employee expenses associated with employees who provide maintenance and support services.

Operating Expenses

During the first quarter of 2005 and fiscal 2004 our efforts were primarily focused on product development and integration. During 2004 and the first quarter of 2005, Smart Online added 5 additional members to its development team and had 21 full-time employees as of March 31, 2005. Smart Online had 16 employees at March 31, 2004. Most employees performed multiple functions. As noted below, during the first quarter of 2004, Smart Online’s employees were transferred to another entity and leased back.

Research and Development. We have historically focused our research and development activities on increasing the functionality and enhancing the ease of use of our on-demand application service. Because of our proprietary, scalable and secure multi-user architecture, we are able to provide all customers with a service based on a single version of our application. As a result, we do not have to maintain multiple versions, which enables us to have relatively low research and development expenses as compared to traditional enterprise software business models. We expect that in the future, research and development expenses will increase substantially in absolute dollars as we upgrade and extend our service offerings and develop new technologies. We expect this to be particularly true during 2005 as we incur expenses to develop our next generation services portal, OneBiz ConductorSM. OneBiz ConductorSM will include significant enhancements to the technology platform and add additional applications to our product offerings. We plan to accomplish this through a combination of internal development, joint development, licensing from other companies, and acquisitions. OneBiz ConductorSM will be released in three versions. The first version was released during the first quarter of 2005. The second and third versions are expected to be released at the end of the third quarter of 2005 and the end of the fourth quarter of 2005, respectively. We had 8 development team members at March 31, 2004 and 13 development team members at March 31, 25005. During the second quarter of 2005 we expect to hire 1 to 3 new developers, and to add 2 to 5 additional development team members during the second half of 2005.



Marketing and Sales. During 2004 and the first quarter of 2005, Smart Online has spent limited funds on marketing, advertising, and public relations. We expect these expenditures to increase significantly starting in mid-2005 and expect this trend to continue as we strive to grow our revenue. Smart Online has also embarked on an effort to develop programs similar to marketing efforts by Google, Overture, and Career Builder where media companies provide Smart Online’s Private Label Syndication services to their small business end users. Smart Online began targeting small business media companies in the first quarter of 2004, such as Inc. Magazine and FastCompany Magazine, who have small business customer bases. The strategy has been to implement Private Label Syndication platforms in exchange for advertising and joint marketing programs with these companies. Smart Online estimates the revenue capabilities from its back-end revenue share arrangements with these contracts will enable it to increase web services revenue for both Smart Online and its partners beginning after we release the second version of OneBiz ConductorSM, which is planned to occur before the end of the third quarter of 2005. Smart Online expects to create certain types of these arrangements in the future with media companies who offer the ability to reach small business customers and will assist in off-setting Smart Online’s outlay of cash for print and online advertising and marketing while providing reduced advertising prices. Media companies are requesting such services to assist in driving additional revenue.

Generally, we expect we will have to increase marketing and sales expenses before we can substantially increase our revenue from sales of subscriptions. We plan to continue to invest heavily in marketing and sales by increasing the number of direct sales personnel and increase penetration within our existing customer base, expanding our domestic and international selling and marketing activities, building brand awareness and participating in additional marketing programs. During the second quarter of 2005 we expect to hire 3 to 5 new sales people, and to add 5 to 10 additional sales people during the second half of 2005. As a result, we expect that in the future, marketing and sales expenses will increase in absolute dollars and will be a significant cost.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and related expenses for executive, finance and accounting, human resources, and management information systems personnel, professional fees, and other corporate expenses, including facilities costs. We expect that in the future, general and administrative expenses will increase as we add administrative and finance personnel and incur additional professional fees and insurance costs related to the growth of our business and to our operations as a public company.

Stock-Based Expenses. Our operating expenses include stock-based expenses related to options and warrants issued to employees and non-employees. These charges have been significant and are reflected in our historical financial results.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. “Critical accounting policies and estimates” are defined as those most important to the financial statement presentation and that require the most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Under different assumptions and/or conditions, actual results of operations may materially differ. We periodically re-evaluate our critical accounting policies and estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, provision for doubtful accounts and sales returns, expected lives of customer relationships, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, provision for income taxes, valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and contingencies and litigation reserves. We presently believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition- We recognize revenue in accordance with accounting standards for software and service companies including the United States Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin 104 “Revenue Recognition” (“SAB 104”), Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (“EITF 00-21”),and related interpretations including American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Technical Practice Aids. We also utilize interpretative guidance from regulatory and accounting bodies, which include, but are not limited to, the SEC, the AICPA, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and various professional organizations.



We recognize revenue when all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (2) the service has been provided to the customer; (3) the collection of our fees is probable; and (4) the amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable. EITF 00-21 states that revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet the following criteria: 1) the delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis; 2) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item; and 3) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in control of the vendor. Smart Online’s syndication and integration agreements typically include multiple deliverables including the grant of a non-exclusive license to distribute, use and access the Smart Online platform, fees for the integration of content into the Smart Online platform, maintenance and hosting fees, documentation and training, and technical support and customer support fees. Smart Online cannot establish fair value of the individual revenue deliverables based on objective and reliable evidence because Smart Online does not have a long, consistent history of standard syndication and integration contractual arrangements, there have only been a few contracts that have continued past the initial contractual term, Smart Online does not have any contracts in which these elements have been sold as stand-alone items, and there is no third-party evidence of fair value for products or services that are interchangeable and comparable to the Smart Online’s products and services. As such, Smart Online cannot allocate revenue to the individual deliverables and must record all revenues received as a single unit of accounting as further described below. Additionally, Smart Online has evaluated the timing and substantive nature of the performance obligations associated with the multiple deliverables noted above, including the determination that the remaining obligations are essential to the on-going usability and functionality of the delivered products, and determined that revenue should be recognized over the life of the contracts, commencing on the date the site goes on-line, due to such factors as the length of time over which the remaining obligations will be performed, the complex nature of integrating and maintaining customer content with Smart Online’s platform which services are unavailable from other vendors, and the timing of payment of a portion of the contract price such as monthly hosting payments.

Syndication fees consist primarily of fees charged to syndication partners to create and maintain a customized private-label site and ongoing support, maintenance and customer service. Our syndication agreements typically include an advance fee and monthly hosting fees. We generally invoice our customers in annual or monthly installments and typical payment terms provide that our customers pay us within 30 days of invoice. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue and the revenue is recognized ratably over the specified lives of the contracts, commencing on the date the site goes on-line. In general, we collect our billings in advance of the service period. Our hosting fees are typically billed on a monthly basis. We continue to evaluate and adjust the length of these amortization periods as we gain more experience with implementation schedules and contract cancellations. At present, Smart Online has insufficient historical data to determine if the relationship with its existing customers will extend beyond the initial term with the customer continuing to benefit from the advance fee. If Smart Online determines that existing and/or future contracts are expected to extend beyond the initial term whereby the customer continuing to benefit from the advance fee, Smart Online will extend the revenue recognition period accordingly to include the extended term. Our syndication contracts and support contracts typically provide for early termination only upon a material breach by either party that is not cured in a timely manner. If a contract terminates earlier than its term, we recognize the remaining deferred revenue upon termination. Based on that experience, it is possible that, in the future, the estimates of expected duration of customer contract lives may change and, in such event, the period over which such syndication revenues are amortized will be adjusted. Any such change in specified contract lives will affect our future results of operations. Additionally, the syndication contracts typically include revenue sharing arrangements whereby syndication partners typically charge their customers a monthly fee to access the private-label site. In most cases, the syndication agreements provide for Smart Online to receive a percentage of these fees. Fees derived from such revenue sharing arrangements are recorded when earned. To date, such revenue sharing fees have been negligible.

 


Integration fees consist primarily of fees charged to integration partners to integrate their products into the Smart Online syndication platform. Integrating third-party content and products has been a key component of Smart Online’s strategy to continuously expand and enhance its platform offered to syndication partners and its own customer’s base. We generally invoice our customers in advance of the service period in annual or monthly installments and typical payment terms provide that our customers must pay us within 30 days of invoice. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue and the revenue is recognized ratably over the specified lives of the contracts, commencing on the date the site goes on-line. We continue to evaluate and adjust the length of these amortization periods as we gain more experience with implementation schedules and contract cancellations. At present, Smart Online has insufficient historical data to determine if the relationship with its existing customers will extend beyond the initial term with the customer continuing to benefit from the advance fee. If Smart Online determines that existing and/or future contracts are expected to extend beyond the initial term whereby the customer continuing to benefit from the advance fee, Smart Online will extend the revenue recognition period accordingly to include the extended term. Our integration contracts and support contracts typically provide for early termination only upon a material breach by either party that is not cured in a timely manner. If a contract terminates earlier than its term, we recognize the remaining deferred revenue upon termination. Based on that experience, it is possible that, in the future, the estimates of expected implementation periods and customer lives may change. In such event, the period over which such syndication revenues are amortized will be adjusted. Any such change in specified contract lives will affect our future results of operations. Additionally, integration agreements typically include an upfront fee and a revenue sharing component. Fees derived from such revenue sharing arrangements are recorded when earned. To date, such revenue sharing fees have been negligible.

Both syndication and integration fees are recognized on a monthly basis over the life of the contract, although a significant portion of the fee from integration agreements is received upfront. Our syndication and integration contracts and support contracts typically provide that customers have the right to terminate their contracts only for cause if we fail to perform. We generally invoice our customers in annual or monthly installments and typical payment terms provide that our customers are required to pay us within 30 days of invoice. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue or revenue depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met. In general, we collect our billings in advance of the service period. Online marketing, which consists of marketing services provided to our integration and syndication partners have in the past generated additional revenue. In addition, certain users have requested that Smart Online implement online marketing initiatives for them, such as promoting their products through Google or Overture Services. Online marketing has not been a material source of revenue in the past. We expect to increase our online marketing services revenue in the future.

Web Services revenues are comprised of e-commerce sales directly to end-users, hosting and maintenance fees, e-commerce website design fees and online loan origination fees. E-commerce sales are made either on a subscription or a la carte basis. Subscription, which provides users with access to most of our products is payable in advance on a monthly basis and is targeted at small companies or small divisions of large companies. At present, we provide free access to our subscribers. We will seek to grow our monthly subscription volume substantially over the 24 months after new versions of Smart Online’s platforms (OneBiz ConductorSM) are released and we have time to market and invest more in marketing and sales. We expect monthly subscription fees will typically be $29.95 to $49.95, for new subscribers at www.smartonline.com, although to date we have given free access to our web services to most users. We expect lower fees from subscribers at the private label syndication websites of our partners.  Currently, most of our syndication agreements call for us to receive 50% of revenue generated. A la carte pricing, which allows customers to purchase one-time use of a specific software or content service, ranges from $10 to $300, which includes third-party charges when applicable, such as state and federal fees associated with incorporating a business or additional fees associated with having a press release written and revised.

Additionally, Smart Online receives a portion of revenue from third-party sales of products and services through our website and websites of our syndication partners from revenue sharing arrangements, which involves a split of realized revenues. Hosting and maintenance fees are charged for supporting and maintaining the private-label portal and providing customer and technical support directly to our syndication partner’s users and are recognized on a monthly basis. E-commerce website design fees, which are charged for building and maintaining corporate websites or to add the capability for e-commerce transactions, are recognized over the life of the project. We have discontinued our third-party arrangement for online web design. We expect to resume this service after a new partner is under contract. Online loan origination fees are charged to provide users online financing options. Smart Online receives payments for loans or credit provided. We intend to become more aggressive about promoting this service in the future.

Subscription revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription period (usually one year). Third-party premium products are shared with integration partners.



OEM revenues are recorded based on the greater of actual sales or contractual minimum guaranteed royalty payments. Smart Online records the minimum guaranteed royalties monthly and receives payment of the royalties on a quarterly basis, thirty days in arrears. To the extent actual royalties exceed the minimum guaranteed royalties, the excess is recorded in the quarter Smart Online receives notification of such additional royalties.

Barter Transactions- Barter revenue relates to syndication and integration services provided by Smart Online to business customers in exchange for advertising in the customers’ trade magazines and on their Web sites. Barter expenses reflect the expense offset to barter revenue. The amount of barter revenue and expense is recorded at the estimated fair value of the services received or the services provided, whichever is more objectively determinable, in the month the services and advertising are exchanged. Smart Online applies APB 29, Accounting for Non-Monetary Transactions, the provisions of EITF 93-11, “Accounting for Advertising Barter Transactions Involving Barter Credits” and EITF 99-13, “Accounting for Advertising and Barter Transactions” and, accordingly, recognizes barter revenues only to the extent that Smart Online has similar cash transactions within a period not to exceed six months prior to the date of the barter transaction. To date the amount of barter revenue to be recognized has been more objectively determinable based on integration and syndication services provided. For revenue from integration and syndication services provided for cash to be considered similar to the integration and syndication services provided in barter transactions, the services rendered must have been in the same media and similar term as the barter transaction. Further, the quantity or volume of integration or syndication revenue recorded in a qualifying past cash transaction can only evidence the fair value of an equivalent quantity or volume of integration or syndication revenue recorded in subsequent barter transactions. In other words, a past cash transaction can only support the recognition of revenue on integration and syndication contracts barter transactions up to the dollar amount of the cash transactions. When the cash transaction has been used to support an equivalent quantity and dollar amount of barter revenue, that transaction cannot serve as evidence of fair value for any other barter transaction. Once the value of the barter revenue has been determined, Smart Online follows the same revenue recognition principals as it applies to cash transactions with unearned revenues being deferred as described more fully under the caption “Revenue Recognition” above. At the time the barter revenue is recorded, an offsetting pre-paid barter advertising asset is recorded on Smart Online’s balance sheet. This pre-paid barter advertising asset is amortized to expense as advertising services are received such as when an advertisement runs in a magazine. Where more than one deliverable exists, such as when the barter partner is to provide advertising in four issues of a magazine, the expense is recognized pro-rata as the advertising deliverable is provided. Barter revenues totaled $3,333 and $107,665 in the first quarter of 2004 and 2005, respectively.

Marketable Securities- Management determines the appropriate classification of investments in marketable securities at the time of purchase in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities and reevaluates such determination at each balance sheet date. Securities, which are classified as available for sale are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Fair value is determined based on quoted market rates. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on securities available for sale are included as a component of interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific-identification method. Interest on securities classified as available for sale is also included as a component of interest income.

Impairment of Long Lived Assets- Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

 


Income Taxes. We are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This involves estimating our current tax liabilities in each jurisdiction, including the impact, if any, of additional taxes resulting from tax examinations as well as making judgments regarding our ability to realize our deferred tax assets. Such judgments can involve complex issues and may require an extended period to resolve. In the event we determine that we will not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets, an adjustment would be made in the period such determination is made. We recorded no income tax expense in any of the periods presented, as we have experienced significant operating losses to date. If utilized, the benefit of our total net operating loss carryforwards may be applied to reduce future tax expense. Since our utilization of these deferred tax assets is dependent on future profits, which are not assured, we have recorded a valuation allowance equal to the net deferred tax assets. These carryforwards would also be subject to limitations, as prescribed by applicable tax laws. As a result of prior equity financings and the equity issued in conjunction with certain acquisitions, we have incurred ownership changes, as defined by applicable tax laws. Accordingly, our use of the acquired net operating loss carryforwards may be limited. Further, to the extent that any single year loss is not utilized to the full amount of the limitation, such unused loss is carried over to subsequent years until the earlier of its utilization or the expiration of the relevant carryforward period.

Overview of Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004

Revenue totaled $253,238 for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $249,728 for the first quarter of 2004. These revenues reflect a 24.8 percent increase in integration revenues and a 200.6 percent increase in syndication revenues. During the first quarter of 2005, no revenues were derived from related parties as compared to $82,513 for the comparable 2004 period. Gross margin improved from $192,709, or 77.2 percent of revenues, during the 2004 period to $221,511, or 87.5 percent of revenues, for the 2005 primarily as a result of a decrease in stock based consulting expenses.

Operating expenses increased from $712,034 during the first quarter of 2004 to $1,068,995 for the first quarter of 2005. As discussed below, the principal factors resulting in the increase in operating expense were (1) an increase in legal and professional fees included in general and administrative expenses, (2) increased barter advertising, consulting fees, and additional sales staff in sales and marketing, and (3) additional programming, database management, quality assurance, and project management resources in the development function to support the on-going development of the OneBiz ConductorSM product.

Net loss decreased from $6,040,464 in the first quarter of 2004 to $294,145 in the first quarter of 2005. In addition to the revenue and expense factors noted above, the decrease in net loss was also attributable to $520,000 increase in one-time gains resulting from debt forgiveness. Additionally, the first quarter 2004 net loss included $2,215,625 of expense related to preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount on the preferred stock prior to its conversion to Common Stock later during the same quarter and $3,225,410 of expense related to an accretive dividend issued in connection with a registration rights agreement.

The above net losses equated to a loss per share of $0.02 during the first quarter of 2005 and a loss per share of $0.83 during the first quarter of 2004 based on 11,829,610 and 7,321,707 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively.

The following tables set forth selected statements of operations data for each of the periods indicated.

Revenues
 
   
 For the quarters ended March 31: 
 
     
2005 
   
2004 
 
Integration fees
 
$
129,522
 
$
103,819
 
Syndication fees
   
92,040
   
30,621
 
OEM revenue
   
12,000
   
14,686
 
Web services
   
15,159
   
16,714
 
Other revenues
   
4,517
   
1,375
 
Related party revenues
   
-
   
82,513
 
Total Revenues
 
$
253,238
 
$
249,728
 




Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004

Total revenues were $253,238 for the first quarter of 2005 compared to $249,728 for the first quarter 2004 representing an increase of $3,510 or 1.4 percent.

During fiscal 2004 the Company focused on entering into integration and syndication agreements with third parties who have significant small-business customer bases as it prepares for the launch of its OneBiz ConductorSM product. This focus resulted in Smart Online entering into agreements with two new integration partners during the first quarter of 2004. During the first quarter of 2005, Smart Online continued its efforts to expand its syndication and integration partnership reach. These efforts resulted in the Company signing an agreement with Capital One during April 2005. As more fully described under “Significant Accounting Policies”, Smart Online recognizes revenue from syndication and integration agreements over the expected service period of the related agreement.

At March 31, 2005, Smart Online had nine integration agreements and six syndication agreements. At March 31, 2004, Smart Online had eight integration agreements and three syndication agreements.

Substantially all of the integration and syndication revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, was derived from six integration partners and three syndication partners.

Substantially all the integration and syndication revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, was derived from seven integration partners and two syndication partners.

Integration revenues for the first quarter of 2005 totaled $129,522 as compared to $103,819 for the same period in 2004 representing an increase of $25,703 or 25%. Approximately 70.5% of the 2005 revenues were from three integration agreements each of which accounted for greater than 10% of total first quarter revenues. The 2005 and 2004 periods included $46,250 and $3,333 of revenue derived from barter transactions, respectively.

Syndication revenues for the first quarter of 2005 totaled $92,040 as compared to $30,621 for the same period in 2004 representing an increase of $61,419 or 200%. All of the 2005 revenues were from three syndication agreements each of which accounted for greater than 10% of total first quarter revenues. The 2005 and 2004 periods included $61,415 and $0 of revenue derived from barter transactions, respectively.

Web services and other revenues increased by $1,587 in the first quarter 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004.

Smart Online did not derive any revenue from related parties during the first quarter of 2005. During the first quarter of 2004, revenues from related parties accounted for $82,513, or 33.0%, of total revenue. Management does not expect related party revenues to be a significant source of income going forward.

Cost of Revenues
 
   
 Three months ended 31: 
 
     
2005 
   
2004 
 
               
Cost of Revenues
 
$
31,727
 
$
57,019
 

Three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004

Cost of revenues is comprised primarily of salaries and the cost of an external hosting facility associated with maintaining and supporting integration and syndication partners. Cost of revenues decreased 44% from $57,019 in the first quarter 2004 to $31,727 in the first quarter of 2005 primarily as a result of consulting stock based expenses totaling $21,979 in the first quarter of 2004 which were $0 in the first quarter of 2005. Salaries and wages increased from $8,806 in the first quarter of 2004 to $14,417 in the same period of 2005 and are expected to grow in the future commensurate with growth in integration and syndication partners and as users are added following the 2005 release of OneBiz ConductorSM. In addition, Smart Online had a first quarter 2005 external hosting expense totaling $8,919 as compared to $0 for the same period in 2004. During the third quarter of 2004, Smart Online migrated certain of its hosting services from its in-house operations to a third party that has a global reach and provides superior data hosting, data access, security, and back-up capabilities.



Operating Expenses

   
For the months ended March 31
 
   
 
2005
 
2004
 
Operating Expenses
             
General and administrative
 
$
519,036
 
$
449,257
 
Sales and marketing
   
294,732
   
98,399
 
Development
   
255,227
   
164,378
 
Total Operating Expenses
 
$
1,068,995
 
$
712,034
 

Three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004

General and Administrative- General and administrative expenses increased by $69,779 from $449,257 in the first quarter of 2004 to $519,036 in the same period of 2005 primarily as a result of increased legal and professional expenses. Legal and professional services totaled $175,924 in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $66,371 in the same period of 2004. The $109,553 increase was a result of expenses associated with preparing to become a public company in the first quarter of 2005 and fees such as conducting financial statement audits.

Smart Online anticipates hiring additional administrative and finance staff during the remainder of 2005. Management anticipates that the incremental cost of these additions will be partially offset by a reduction in legal and professional fees and certain consulting expenses. However, certain costs, such as compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which totaled $61,700 in the first quarter of 2005, and other public company-related expenses including investor relations, public relations, shareholder related expenses and insurance will increase general and administrative expenses during the remaining fiscal 2005 as compared to the 2004 period.

Consulting fees totaled $10,500 in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $72,808 for the same period in 2004. Consulting fees during the 2004 period included $30,000 paid to Small Business Lending Institute (SBLI), of which an officer of Smart Online is also an officer and in which another officer of Smart Online is a minority shareholder. SBLI paid Smart Online’s employees during the first quarter of 2004 while Smart Online was dealing with a tax matter with the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, Smart Online paid $11,750 to a financial consulting firm to assist with restructuring our capitalization, evaluating financing alternatives and assisting Smart Online to raise additional capital.

During the first quarter of 2004, Smart Online accrued $24,378 for penalties owed to the Internal Revenue Service. There was no similar accrual during the first quarter 2005 as on February 18, 2005, the Internal Revenue Service agreed to accept Smart Online’s offer in compromise (Form 656) in settlement of all of Smart Online’s outstanding federal tax liabilities. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Smart Online, Inc. paid $26,100 to the IRS.

The 2004 period included $66,288 of stock based compensation expense related to the issuance of stock options to certain officers, as compared to $0 of stock based compensation in the 2005 period.

Sales and Marketing- Sales and marketing increased from $98,399 in the first quarter 2004 to $294,732 in the first quarter of 2005, an increase of approximately $196,333. The first quarter 2005 increase was primarily attributable to barter advertising, consulting fees, and additional sales staff. Barter advertising expense totaled $136,335 during the first quarter of 2005 compared to a ($10,525) during the first quarter 2004. The 2004 period reflects a credit related to prior advertising activities. Consulting fees increased to $42,333 in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $17,500 from the same period in 2004 due to the engagement of three consultants to assist the company with syndication and integration prospects, small business customer prospects, and identification of additional sales opportunities. Salary related expenses totaled $54,667 in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $45,455 in the same period in 2004 primarily as a result of compensation adjustments and personnel changes.



Generally, we expect we will have to increase marketing and sales expenses before we can substantially increase our revenue from sales of subscriptions. We plan to invest heavily in marketing and sales by increasing the number of direct sales personnel and increase penetration within our existing customer base, expanding our domestic and international selling and marketing activities, building brand awareness and participating in additional marketing programs. During the second quarter of 2005 we expect to hire 3 to 5 new sales people, and to add 5 to 10 additional sales people during the second half of 2005. This increase is being timed to coincide with the planned release of the second version our Next Generation Platform, OneBiz Conductorsm.

Development- Development expense increased from $164,378 in the first quarter of 2004 to $255,227 in the first quarter of 2005. The 2004 period included approximately $41,077 of stock based compensation expense related to stock options issued to an officer as compared to approximately $0 included in the first quarter of 2005. Excluding stock based compensation expense, development expense increased by approximately $90,849 from first quarter 2004 to first quarter 2005 as Smart Online added additional programming, database management, quality assurance, and project management resources to support the on-going development of the OneBiz ConductorSM product.

Smart Online expects development expenses to increase significantly during the last three quarters of 2005 as a result of anticipated hiring of additional development, database management, and project management resources.

Other Income (Expense)

   
 2005
 
 2004
 
Other Income & Expenses
             
Interest expense, net
 
$
5,998
 
$
(107,652
)
Gain from debt forgiveness
   
547,341
   
27,548
 
Total Other Income & Expenses
 
$
553,339
 
$
(80,104
)

Three months end March 31, 2005 vs. 2004

Smart Online incurred net interest expense of $5,998 and $(107,652) during the first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The 2004 interest expense amounts included $75,000 of interest related to the issuance of 150,000 shares of common stock to a relative of one of Smart Online’s officers in consideration for extending the term of a loan and loaning additional funds to the corporation. The remainder of the 2004 interest expense is primarily attributable to interest due on deferred compensation owed to officers of Smart Online and interest related to unpaid payroll tax obligations. Both the deferred compensation and income tax obligations were relieved during the first quarter of 2005, therefore, management expects that interest expense will be significantly lower in 2005. The first quarter 2005 interest income totaling $5,998 was issued from interest earned on money market account deposits.

During the first quarter of 2005, Smart Online realized a gain of $546,922 compared to a gain of $27,548 during the first quarter of 2004, from negotiated and contractual releases of outstanding liabilities. The gains from debt forgiveness resulted from unrelated third parties. During the first quarter of 2005, the gain resulted from a settlement of Internal Revenue Service claims for penalty and interest. During the first quarter of 2004, the gain resulted primarily from trade creditors who had performed services for Smart Online, agreeing to accept as payment in full a lesser amount than the stated liability in consideration for timely payment of the negotiated settlement. Smart Online does not expect gains from debt forgiveness to be material in future periods.


Provision for Income Taxes

We have not recorded a provision for income tax expense because we have been generating net losses. Furthermore, we have not recorded an income tax benefit for the first quarter of 2005 or fiscal 2004 primarily due to continued substantial uncertainty regarding our ability to realize our deferred tax assets. Based upon available objective evidence, there has been sufficient uncertainty regarding the ability to realize our deferred tax assets, which warrants a full valuation allowance in our financial statements. Smart Online has approximately $29,000,000 in net operating loss carryforwards, which may utilized to offset future taxable income.



Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2005, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents totaling $1,386,783 and accounts receivable of $12,189. We do not have a bank line of credit.

At March 31, 2005, we had working capital of approximately $400,000. Our working capital is not sufficient to fund our operations beyond the end of July 2005, unless we substantially increase our revenue, limit expenses or raise substantial additional capital.

Our primary source of liquidity during 2004 and the first quarter of 2005 was from sales of our securities. During 2004, Smart Online generated net cash from financing activities, including the sales of common stock, of approximately $4.2 million. During the same period Smart Online consumed approximately $3.7 million of cash in operations, including payment of $1,126,485 paid related to outstanding payroll tax liabilities. During the first quarter of 2005, Smart Online raised an additional $2,735,000 of proceeds, net of stock issuance costs of $290,000, through the sale of additional shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock. Approximately $1.1 million of the proceeds were used in the first quarter of 2005 to pay deferred compensation to our officers and related accrued interest amounts. Additionally, during February 2005, Smart Online reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service, paid $26,100, surrendered all credits and refunds for 2005 or earlier tax periods, and agreed to remain in compliance with all federal tax obligations for a term of five years to resolve all outstanding federal tax issues.

As a result of the 2005 cash infusion from stock sales, payment of the deferred compensation and accrued interest, settlement of various claims and lawsuits, and based upon current cash-on-hand and contracts signed to date, management of Smart Online believes the Company has funds sufficient working capital to fund operations through July 2005. Management is actively evaluating additional financing options through existing and new shareholders for 2005, signing additional syndication partners, signing additional integration partners, and continuing to grow its base of subscription customers.

Deferred Revenue. At March 31, 2005 Smart Online had deferred revenue totaling $673,861, net of offsetting amounts receivable. Deferred revenue represents amounts collected in advance of the revenue being recognized. Based upon current conditions, Smart Online expects that approximately 70% of this amount will be recognized in 2005 with the remainder expected to be recognized during 2006.

Going Concern. Our auditors have issued an explanatory paragraph in their report included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 in which they express substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts or classification of liabilities that might be necessary should Smart Online be unable to continue as a going concern. Smart Online’s continuation as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meets its obligations on a timely basis, to obtain additional financing as may be required and ultimately to attain profitable operations and positive cash flows. As is discussed below, management has plans which it believes will enable Smart Online to raise capital and generate greater cash flows from operations. However, there can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful. If our efforts are unsuccessful, we may have to cease operations and liquidate our business.

Recent Developments. In April 2005, Smart Online settled for $50,000 claims made by U.S. News & World Reports and the case was dismissed with prejudice. In May 2005, Smart Online settled for $30,000 the claims made by Infopia, Inc. and the case was dismissed with prejudice.

Future Capital Raising and Acquisitions. Although we are currently not a party to any agreement or letter of intent with respect to potential investments in, or acquisitions of, complementary businesses, services or technologies, we may enter into these types of arrangements in the future, which could also require us to seek additional equity or debt financing. Additional funds may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all. If we cannot raise the capital we need, we may be forced to liquidate our business and investors could lose their entire investment.


Anticipated Increases in Expenses to Fund Growth In Revenue. With the release of our OneBiz ConductorSM next generation platform and the expenses associated with becoming a public company, we believe our capital requirements in 2005 and beyond will be greater than in past years. As such, our historical cash flows may not be indicative of future cash flows. The following is a discussion of factors that we consider important to our future capital requirements and which will affect the amount of additional capital we need to raise.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our rate of revenue growth, the expansion of our marketing and sales activities, the timing and extent of spending to support product development efforts and expansion into new territories, the timing of introductions of new services and enhancements to existing services, and the market acceptance of our services.

Primary drivers for future operating cash flows include the commercial success of our existing services and products and the timing and success of any new services and products. Smart Online will continue to seek additional integration and syndication customers who typically pay an upfront fee and to increase revenues generated from small business end users.

Integration, Syndication and Other Contracts. Upfront payments totaling approximately $330,000, primarily related to new integration and syndication contracts, positively impacted operating cash flows for the year-ended December 31, 2004. We are devoting greater efforts to enter into syndication and integration agreements as we release our Next Generation Platform, OneBiz ConductorSM. Smart Online is in discussions with several potential integration and syndication partners that, if successful, could result in positive cash flow from operations, including greater upfront payments, although there can be no assurance that our efforts will result in signed new contracts.

Receivables. If we are successful in signing new contracts, we anticipate our receivables and collections from integration, syndication, and end-user licensing opportunities to increase significantly starting during the first quarter of 2006. Smart Online’s receivables are primarily from major companies or banking institutes, and not end users. Management has evaluated the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts and determined that no provision for uncollectible accounts is required as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004.

Media and Barter Transactions. Smart Online expects to create arrangements in the future with media companies who offer the ability to reach small business customers and will assist in off-setting Smart Online’s outlay of cash for more costly print and online advertising and marketing. While we intend to derive a majority of our syndication revenue from traditional non-barter transactions, we will evaluate barter transactions on a case-by-case basis when we believe such transactions make economic or strategic sense.

End User Customer Revenue. We currently allow many users of our web-based products to access our products without charge. Our primary marketing strategy to date has been price-based promotions, which gains us users, but limits our revenue. For example, CD-ROM products are provided to OEMs for a nominal charge. In addition, Smart Online has permitted many customers to use its web-based products for free, either by offering free initial service or by allowing users that fail to pay our monthly subscription fees to continue to access our web-based products. We plan to continue to offer free or discounted pricing on our products until we introduce the second version of our Next Generation Platform, OneBiz ConductorSM, which is expected to occur at the end of the third quarter of 2005.  We will seek to grow our monthly subscription volume substantially over the 24 months following the release of later versions of OneBiz ConductorSM, although we expect substantial increases only after we have sufficient time to sell our new product and after we invest substantially greater amounts in marketing and sales.  We expect monthly subscription fees will typically be $29.95 to $49.95 for new subscribers at www.smartonline.com, although to date we have given free access to our web services to most users. We expect lower fees from subscribers at the private label syndication websites of our syndication partners.  Currently, most of our syndication agreements call for us to receive 50% of revenue generated.  A la carte pricing, which allows customers to purchase one-time use of a specific software or content service, ranges from $10 to $300, which includes third-party charges when applicable, such as state and federal fees associated with incorporating a business or additional fees associated with having a press release written and revised. However, here can be no assurance that we will be successful in attracting new customers or that customers will pay for our products after we introduce our Second Generation Platform.



Marketing and Sales Expense Increases. At the end of the third quarter of 2005, we plan to invest heavily in marketing and sales by increasing the number of direct sales personnel and increase penetration within our existing customer base, expanding our domestic and international selling and marketing activities, building brand awareness and participating in additional marketing programs. This increase is being timed to coincide with the planned release of the second version of our Next Generation Platform, OneBiz ConductorSM which we anticipated will occur at the end of the third quarter of 2005.

Gains From Debt Foregiveness. During the first quarter of 2005 and 2004 Smart Online realized gains totaling $547,241 and $27,548, respectively, resulting from negotiated and contractual releases of outstanding liabilities. The 2005 gain was primarily from the settlement with the Internal Revenue Service. The 2004 gains were primarily related to unrelated third parties, primarily trade creditors who had performed services for Smart Online, agreeing to accept as payment in full a lesser amount than the stated liability in consideration for timely payment of the negotiated settlement. Had Smart Online been unable to reach agreement with the Internal Revenue Service and these creditors, Smart Online’s liabilities and future cash flow requirements would have been higher by the amount of the debt foregiven.

Public Company Expenses. As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. We will incur costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. We also anticipate that we will incur costs associated with recently adopted corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as new rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NASD. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. Any unanticipated difficulties in preparing for and implementing these reforms could result in material delays in complying with these new laws and regulations or significantly increase our costs. Our ability to fully comply with these new laws and regulations is also uncertain. Our failure to timely prepare for and implement the reforms required by these new laws and regulations could significantly harm our business, operating results, and financial condition. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these new rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs. We estimate this will add approximately $500,000 to our expenses during our first year as a public company.

Legal Claims. Smart Online is subject to other claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. While management currently believes that resolving these matters, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on Smart Online’s financial position or results of operations, the litigation and other claims noted above are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future. Were an unfavorable final outcome to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on Smart Online’s financial position and the results of operations for the period in which the effect becomes reasonably estimable. See “Part II - Item 1. Legal Proceedings” for a description of current litigation.

Risk Factors
 
An investment in Smart Online involves significant risks.  You should read the risks described below very carefully before deciding whether to invest in Smart Online.  The following is a description of what we consider our key challenges and risks.
 
 
We operate in a dynamic and rapidly changing business environment that involves substantial risk and uncertainty and these risks may change over time. The following discussion addresses some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause, or contribute to causing, actual results to differ materially from expectations. In evaluating our business, readers should pay particular attention to the descriptions of risks and uncertainties described below and in other sections of this document and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 


 
We have organized these factors into the following categories below: 
 
·     
Our Financial Condition
 
·     
Our Products and Operations
 
·     
Our Market, Customers and Partners
 
·     
Our Officers, Directors, Employees and Shareholders
 
·     
Regulatory Matters that Affect Our Business
 
·     
Matters Related to The Market for Our Securities
 
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
(1) We Have Had Recurring Losses From Operations Since Inception, and Have Deficiencies in Working Capital and Equity Capital. If We Do Not Rectify These Deficiencies, We May Have to Cease Operations and Liquidate Our Business. Because We Have Only Nominal Tangible Assets, You May Lose Your Entire Investment.

Through March 31, 2005, we have lost an aggregate of $37.0 million since inception on August 10, 1993. During the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004, we suffered a net loss of approximately $0.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively. At March 31, 2005, we had a $0.4 million surplus in working capital. However, our working capital is not sufficient to fund our operations for the next year, unless we substantially increase our revenue, limit expenses or raise substantial additional capital. At March 31, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $1,386,783 and we had only nominal tangible assets. If we do not rectify these deficiencies, we may have to cease operations and liquidate our business. Because we have only nominal tangible assets, you may lose your entire investment.

(2) Our Independent Registered Public Accountants Have Indicated That it has Substantial Doubts That Smart Online Can Continue as a Going Concern. Our Independent Registered Public Accountants’ Opinion May Negatively Affect Our Ability to Raise Additional Funds, Among Other Things. If We Fail to Raise Sufficient Capital, We Will Not Be Able to Implement Our Business Plan, We May Have To Liquidate Our Business and You May Lose Your Investment.

BDO Seidman, LLP, our independent registered public accountants, has expressed substantial doubt, in their report included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, about our ability to continue as a going concern given our recurring losses from operations and deficiencies in working capital and equity, which are described in the first risk factor above. This opinion could materially limit our ability to raise additional funds by issuing new debt or equity securities or otherwise. If we fail to raise sufficient capital, we will not be able to implement our business plan, we may have to liquidate our business and you may lose your investment. You should consider our auditor’s comments when determining if an investment in Smart Online is suitable.

(3) We Will Require Additional Financing To Fund Our Operations Or Growth. If Financing Is Not Available, We May Have To Liquidate Our Business and You May Lose Your Investment.

In the future, we will be required to seek additional financing to fund our operations or growth. Factors such as the commercial success of our existing services and products, the timing and success of any new services and products, the progress of our research and development efforts, our results of operations, the status of competitive services and products, and the timing and success of potential strategic alliances or potential opportunities to acquire technologies or assets may require us to seek additional funding sooner than we expect. We cannot assure you that such funding will be available. If sufficient capital is not raised, our ability to achieve or sustain positive cash flows, maintain current operations, fund any potential growth, take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop or enhance services or products, or otherwise respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited. If we fail to raise sufficient capital, we will not be able to implement our business plan, we may have to liquidate our business and you may lose your investment.


(4) If We Are Able To Raise Capital, But Are Not Able To Obtain Terms That are Favorable To Us, Existing Shareholders and New Investors May Suffer Dilution Of Their Ownership Interests in Our Company Or Otherwise Lose Value In Our Securities.

If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities or debt convertible into equity securities, the percentage of stock ownership by our existing stockholders would be reduced. In addition, such securities could have rights preferences and privileges senior to those of our current stockholders and new investors in this offering, which could substantially decrease the value of our securities owned by them.

(5)  We Will Rely Heavily On Successful Development and Market Acceptance of Our Next Generation Platform, OneBiz ConductorSM.

Since 2000, we have generated substantially all of our revenues from our current Internet-based services, content and software applications. Internet-based products are growing in sophistication and customer expectations are rising as new products are introduced. In March 2005 we released the first version of OneBiz ConductorSM, our Next Generation Product, but we do not expect to see substantial revenue increases until after we release and have time to sell the third installment of One Biz ConductorTM, which is scheduled to occur at the end of 2005. Our future financial performance and revenue growth will depend upon the successful development, introduction, and customer acceptance of OneBiz ConductorSM. We plan to introduce OneBiz ConductorSM directly to our existing customer base through our online business solution site at www.SmartOnline.com. If OneBiz ConductorSM has been accepted and modified based on customer feedback on www.SmartOnline.com, it will then be integrated into our private label syndication partners sites so Smart Online can leverage both channels to generate revenue while minimizing our direct marketing expenses.

(6) We May Not Successfully Develop or Introduce the Next Two Installments of Our Next Generation Product, OneBiz ConductorSM, and Other New Products or Enhancements to Existing Products, Which Could Harm Our Business.

Our future financial performance and revenue growth will depend, in part, upon the successful development, introduction, and customer acceptance of our next generation product, OneBiz ConductorSM. Thereafter other new products and enhanced versions of our web-native business applications will be critically important to our business. Our business could be harmed if we fail to deliver enhancements that customers desire to our current and future solutions. From time to time, we have experienced delays in the planned release dates of our software (including OneBiz ConductorSM) and upgrades, and we have discovered software defects in new releases both before and after their introduction. New product versions or upgrades may not be released according to schedule, or may contain certain defects when released. Either situation could result in adverse publicity, loss of sales, delay in market acceptance of our services and products, or customer claims against us, any of which could harm our business. If we do not deliver new product versions, upgrades, or other enhancements to existing services and products on a timely and cost-effective basis, our business will be harmed. We are also continually seeking to develop new offerings. However, we remain subject to all of the risks inherent in product development, including unanticipated technical or other development problems, which could result in material delays in product introduction and acceptance or significantly increased costs. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully develop new services or products, or to introduce in a timely manner and gain acceptance of such new services or products in the marketplace.

(7) We Have Experienced Delays in Developing Our Next Generation Platform, OneBiz ConductorSM. Existing Factors May Result in Further Delays Which Could Harm Our Business.

We had planned to release the first version of our Next Generation Platform during the fourth quarter of 2004. Testing by some customers of the first version began at the end of 2004, but commercial release was delayed until March 2005. In addition to the factors that may delay or prevent completion of any new product development project, some existing factors may further delay or prevent development of our next generation product, OneBiz ConductorSM. These factors include the following. OneBiz ConductorSM requires both enhancing our existing technology platform and adding many new software applications. Integrating so many new applications at the same time is difficult. Another factor that might delay or prevent development of OneBiz ConductorSM is that we have to hire, train and manage new development personnel to complete internal development on time. In addition, for many of the most important new applications of OneBiz ConductorSM, such as sales automation, we intend to rely on third party sources, whether through licensing, joint development or purchase. The willingness of third parties to enter into agreements with us and the ability of third parties to perform agreements are totally outside our control. Development of OneBiz ConductorSM is progressing according to schedule as described under “Business-Next Generation Product Development-OneBiz ConductorSM”. Our business could be harmed if we fail to deliver the improved performance that customers want with respect to our current and future offerings. There can be no assurance that our next generation platform will achieve widespread market penetration or that we will derive significant revenues from sales of OneBiz ConductorSM.



(8) Our Products Might Not Keep Pace with Technological Change, Which Could Harm Our Business.

We must continually modify and enhance our services and products to keep pace with changes in hardware and software platforms, database technology, and electronic commerce technical standards. As a result, uncertainties related to the timing and nature of new product announcements or introductions, or modifications by vendors of operating systems, back-office applications, and browsers and other Internet-related applications, could harm our business.

(9) Our Business Is Difficult To Evaluate Because Our Business Models and Operating Plans Have Changed As A Result of Forces Beyond Our Control. Consequently, We Have Not Yet Demonstrated That We Have a Successful Business Model or Operating Plan.

We incorporated in 1993 with a CD-ROM based business model. In 1999, we commercially introduced our Internet based Software-as-Service (SaS) business model, when it became clear that the developing Internet world offered a better delivery platform. We began to enter into syndication partnering arrangements during year 2000 primarily as a result of the need to leverage the marketing and sales resources of others. Our business models and operating plans have evolved as a result of changes in our market, the expectations of customers and the behavior of competitors. Today, we anticipate that our future financial performance and revenue growth will depend, in large part, upon our Internet based SaS business model and syndication partnering arrangements, but these business models may again become ineffective due to forces beyond our control that we do not currently anticipate. Consequently, we have not yet demonstrated that we have a successful business model or operating plan. Our evolving business model makes our business operations and prospects difficult to evaluate. Investors in our securities should consider all the risks and uncertainties that are commonly encountered by companies in this stage of business operations, particularly companies, such as ours, that are in emerging and rapidly evolving markets.

(10) It Is Important For Us To Continue To Manage Changing Business Conditions. Failure To Do So Could Harm Our Business.
 
Our future operating results will depend, in part, on our ability to manage changing business conditions, including such conditions as the general economic slowdown, reduced investment in information technology by customers and prospective customers, and reduced business travel and entertainment budgets. If we are unable to manage changing business conditions effectively, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Failure to manage our operations with reduced staffing levels may strain our management, financial, and other resources, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
 
(11) The Success of Our Business Depends on The Continued Growth and Acceptance of the Internet as a Business Tool. If These Positive Trends Do Not Continue To Develop, Our Business Could Be Harmed.

Expansion in the sales of our service depends on the continued growth and acceptance of the Internet as a communications and commerce platform for enterprises. The Internet could lose its viability as a business tool due to delays in the development or adoption of new standards and protocols to handle increased demands of Internet activity, security, reliability, cost, ease-of-use, accessibility and quality-of-service. The performance of the Internet and its acceptance as a business tool has been harmed by “viruses,” “worms” and similar malicious programs, and the Internet has experienced a variety of outages and other delays as a result of damage to portions of its infrastructure. If for any reason the Internet does not remain a widespread communications medium and commercial platform, the demand for our service would be significantly reduced, which would harm our business.


(12) We Sell Third-Party Software and Web Services That May be Difficult to Replace. If We Are Not Able to Replace Third Party Software And Web Services, Our Business May Be Harmed.

We rely on software licensed from third parties to offer some of our services and software offerings, including merchant services, incorporation services, on-line direct mail services and loan referrals. During 2004, approximately 6% of our revenue was derived from such third party software and services. During 2003 and 2002 approximately 16% and 17%, respectively, of our revenue was derived from such sources. These software and services may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. We plan to increase our reliance on third party software when we introduce OneBiz ConductorSM by licensing sales automation software from third parties. The loss or inability to maintain any of these arrangements could result in delays in the sale of our services or software offerings until equivalent technology or services are either developed by us, or, if available, are identified, licensed, and integrated. Any such delay could harm our business.

(13) If We Acquire Companies, Products, or Technologies, We May Face Risks Associated with Those Acquisitions. These Risks Include, But Are Not Limited to, Difficulty of Integrating, Dilution of Stockholder Value and Disruption of Our Business, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Operating Results.

In the future, we plan to acquire products or technologies. We may not realize the anticipated benefits of our future acquisitions or investments to the extent that we anticipate, or at all. We have had discussions with several companies, but have not yet entered into any purchase agreements. We may have to issue debt or issue equity securities to pay for future acquisitions or investments, the issuance of which could be dilutive to our existing stockholders and investors in this offering. If any acquisition or investment is not perceived as improving our earnings per share, our stock price may decline. In addition, we may incur non-cash amortization charges from acquisitions, which could harm our operating results. Any completed acquisitions would also require significant integration efforts, diverting our attention from our business operations and strategy. We have made limited acquisitions to date, and therefore our ability as an organization to make acquisitions or investments is unproven. Acquisitions and investments involve numerous risks, including:

·    
difficulties in integrating operations, technologies, services and personnel;

·    
diversion of financial and managerial resources from existing operations;

·    
risk of entering new markets;

·    
potential write-offs of acquired assets;

·    
potential loss of key employees;

·    
inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition or investment costs; and

·    
delays in customer purchases due to uncertainty.

In addition, if we finance acquisitions by issuing convertible debt or equity securities, our existing stockholders and investors in this offering may be diluted which could affect the market price of our stock. As a result, if we fail to properly evaluate and execute acquisitions or investments, our business and prospects may be seriously harmed.

(14) We Rely on Third-Party Hardware and Software That May Be Difficult To Replace or Which Could Cause Errors or Failures of Our Service. Such Events May Harm Our Business.

We rely on hardware purchased or leased and software licensed from third parties in order to offer our service. We use commercially available hardware and software from vendors like Oracle, Sun Microsystems, IBM, Microsoft, Verisign, Dell, Apple, HP, Cisco, Nokia, Adobe, Macromedia, Checkpoint, Symantec, Appligent and Quest. We have purchased or licensed all the equipment and software and we have not leased or borrowed to acquire any of them. These software and hardware systems will need periodic upgrades in the future as part of normal operation of business, which will be an added expense.




We also use certain software from leading opensource communities like Sun Microsystems, Apache Group, GNU, Suse (Novell) that are free and available in the public domain. The OneBiz ConductorSM product will use additional public domain software, if needed for successful implementation and deployment. Using such software does not guarantee us support and upgrades of the software, and therefore could cause disruption in our service, if certain critical defects are discovered in the software at a future date.

The hardware and software we use may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or upgrades may not be available when we need them. We are not currently aware of any problems, but any loss of the right to use any of this hardware or software could result in delays in the provisioning of our services until equivalent technology is either developed by us, or, if available, is identified, obtained and integrated, which could harm our business. Any errors or defects in, or unavailability of, third-party hardware or software could result in errors or a failure of our service, which could harm our business.

(15) Interruption Of Our Operations Could Significantly Harm Our Business.

Significant portions of our operations depend on our ability to protect our computer equipment and the information stored in such equipment, our offices, and our hosting facilities against damage from fire, power loss, telecommunications failures, unauthorized intrusion, and other events. We back up software and related data files regularly and store the backup files at an off-site location. However, there can be no assurance that our disaster preparedness will eliminate the risk of extended interruption of our operations. In connection with our subscription and hosting services, we have engaged third-party hosting facility providers to provide the hosting facilities and certain related infrastructure for such services. We also retain third-party telecommunications providers to provide Internet and direct telecommunications connections for our services. These providers may fail to perform their obligations adequately. Any damage or failure that interrupts our operations or destroys some or all of our data or the data of our customers, whether due to natural disaster or otherwise, could expose us to litigation, loss of customers, or other harm to our business.

(16) Defects in Our Service Could Diminish Demand for Our Service and Subject Us to Substantial Liability, Damage Our Reputation, Or Otherwise Harm Our Business.

Because our service is complex, it may have errors or defects that users identify after they begin using it, which could harm our reputation and our business. Internet-based services frequently contain undetected errors when first introduced or when new versions or enhancements are released. We have from time to time found defects in our service and new errors in our existing service may be detected in the future. Since our customers use our service for important aspects of their business, any errors, defects or other performance problems with our service could hurt our reputation and may damage our customers’ businesses. If that occurs, customers could elect not to renew, or delay or withhold payment to us, we could lose future sales or customers may make warranty claims against us, which could result in an increase in our provision for doubtful accounts, an increase in collection cycles for accounts receivable or the expense and risk of litigation.

(17) Security and Other Concerns may Discourage Use of Our Internet Based Software-as-Service (SaS) Model, Which Could Harm Our Business.

Our service involves the storage and transmission of customers’ proprietary information, and security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss of this information, litigation and possible liability. If our security measures are breached as a result of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, and, as a result, someone obtains unauthorized access to one of our customers’ data, our reputation will be damaged, our business may suffer and we could incur significant liability. Because techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of our security occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed and we could lose sales and customers. If customers determine that our services offerings do not provide adequate security for the dissemination of information over the Internet or corporate extranets, or are otherwise inadequate for Internet or extranet use or if, for any other reason, customers fail to accept our products for use, our business will be harmed.


As part of our operations, we receive credit card, employee, purchasing, supplier, and other financial and accounting data, through the Internet or extranets. Although we have security systems in place, there can be no assurance that this information will not be subject to computer break-ins, theft, and other improper activity that could jeopardize the security of information for which we are responsible. Any such lapse in security could expose us to litigation, loss of customers, or other harm to our business. In addition, any person who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary or confidential customer information or cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to incur significant costs to protect against security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by breaches. Any general concern regarding security in the marketplace could deter customers or prospects from using the Internet to conduct transactions that involve transmitting confidential information. Our failure to prevent security breaches, or well-publicized security breaches affecting the Internet in general, could significantly harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Risks Associated With Our Market Customers and Partners

(18) If Our On-Demand Application Service is Not Widely Accepted, Our Operating Results Will Be Harmed.

Historically, we have derived a small percentage of our revenue from subscriptions to our on-demand application service, but our business plan requires us to substantially increase this source of revenue in the future. As a result, widespread acceptance of our service is critical to our future success. Factors that may affect market acceptance of our service include:

·    
potential reluctance by businesses to migrate to an on-demand application service;

·    
the price and performance of our service;

·    
the level of customization we can offer;

·    
the availability, performance and price of competing products and services; and

·    
potential reluctance by businesses to trust third parties to store and manage their internal data.

Many of these factors are beyond our control. The inability of our service to achieve widespread market acceptance would harm our business.

(19) The Market for Our Technology Delivery Model and On-Demand Application Services Is Immature And Volatile, and if It Does Not Develop or Develops More Slowly Than We Expect, Our Business Will Be Harmed.

The market for on-demand application services is new and unproven, and it is uncertain whether these services will achieve and sustain high levels of demand and market acceptance. Our success will depend to a substantial extent on the willingness of businesses to increase their use of on-demand application services. Many businesses have invested substantial personnel and financial resources to integrate traditional business software into their businesses, and therefore may be reluctant or unwilling to migrate to on-demand application services. Furthermore, some businesses may be reluctant or unwilling to use on-demand application services because they have concerns regarding the risks associated with security capabilities, among other things, of the technology delivery model associated with these services. If businesses do not perceive the benefits of on-demand application services, then the market for these services may not develop at all, or it may develop more slowly than we expect, either of which would significantly adversely affect our operating results. In addition, because this is an unproven market, we have limited insight into trends that may develop and affect our business. We may make errors in predicting and reacting to relevant business trends, which could harm our business.


(20) We Do Not Have an Adequate History With Our Subscription Model To Predict the Rate of Customer Subscription Renewals and the Impact These Renewals Will Have on Our Revenue or Operating Results.

Our small business customers do not sign long-term contracts. Our customers have no obligation to renew their subscriptions for our service after the expiration of their initial subscription period and in fact, customers have often elected not to do so. In addition, our customers may renew for a lower priced edition of our service or for fewer users. Many of our customers utilize our services without charge. We have limited historical data with respect to rates of customer subscription renewals for paying customers, so we cannot accurately predict customer renewal rates. Our customers’ renewal rates may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including when we begin charging for our services, their dissatisfaction with our service and their ability to continue their operations and spending levels. If our customers do not renew their subscriptions for our service, our revenue may decline and our business will suffer.

(21) We Depend on Small Businesses for Our Revenue. Small Businesses are Often Financially Unstable, Have High Rates of Attrition and can be Expensive Customers to Which to Market Products.

Substantially all our revenue is from small business customers with fifty or fewer employees, whether directly or indirectly from our partners who do business with small businesses. Although this is a large market, it can be very expensive to penetrate this market. Each customer results in only a small amount of revenue. In addition, small businesses are often financially unstable, which can cause them to go out of business. Our small business customers, typically have short initial subscription periods and, based on our experience to date, have had a high rate of attrition and non-renewal. If we cannot replace our small business customers that do not renew their subscriptions for our service with new paying customers quickly enough, our revenue could decline. This adversely affects our ability to develop long-term customer relationships. We must continually attract new customers to maintain the same level of revenue.

(22) If We Fail to Develop Our Brand Cost-Effectively, Our Business May Suffer.

We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of the Smart Online brand in a cost-effective manner is critical to achieving widespread acceptance of our existing and future services and is an important element in attracting new customers. Furthermore, we believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our market develops. Successful promotion of our brand will depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and on our ability to provide reliable and useful services at competitive prices. In the past, our efforts to build our brand have involved significant expense. Brand promotion activities may not yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incurred in building our brand. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand, or incur substantial expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to promote and maintain our brand, we may fail to attract enough new customers or retain our existing customers to the extent necessary to realize a sufficient return on our brand-building efforts, and our business could suffer.

(23) We Depend on Corporate Partners to Market Our Products Through Their Web Sites and OEM or Integration Relationships Under Relatively Short Term Agreements. Termination of These Agreements Could Cause A Substantial Decline in Our Revenue and a Substantial Increase in Customer Acquisition Costs.

Approximately 92% of total revenue during the first quarter of 2005, 93% of total revenue during year 2004, and approximately 83% of total revenue during year 2003 was derived from syndication, integration and OEM agreements with large companies whereby our content, software applications and technology platform are integrated into the web sites of our syndication partners and the software and services of our integration partners is sold on our website, and our CD-Rom products are bundled with the products of others through our OEM relationships. Under these agreements we both derive revenue and we utilize the resources of our partners to reduce our customer acquisition costs. As of April 15, 2005, we have six syndication agreements, where we currently or will have our content and software on the website of large corporate partners. As of April 15, 2005, we have nine integration partnership agreements where we integrate the content or services of our partners into our technology platform. As of April 15, 2005, we have one OEM relationship through our distributor, PC Treasures. Not all these agreements generate revenue for us at this time. These agreements typically have initial terms of from one to three years. In the event these agreements were to terminate or not be renewed, or their terms substantially renegotiated, we expect that our revenues would decline and our customer acquisition costs would increase. Although our partners are important to our business on a collective basis, no single partner is material to our business. The syndication, integration, and OEM agreement revenue described above includes revenue from an integration agreement between Smart Online and Smart IL, a related party owned by a shareholder of Smart Online. Smart IL accounted for approximately 0% our total revenues in the first quarter of 2005, 27.2% of our total revenue in 2003, and approximately 32.9% of total revenue during 2004. We do not expect to receive revenue from Smart IL after 2004. Our dealings with Smart IL are described under “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Revenue From Related Parties.”



(24) It is Important for Us to Continue to Develop and Maintain Strategic Relationships. Failure to Do So Could Harm Our Business.

We depend on syndication and integration partners, OEM relationships and referral relationships to offer products and services to a larger customer base than we can reach through direct sales, and other marketing efforts. Approximately 81% of our total revenue during 2002 and approximately 83% of our total revenue during 2003 and approximately 93% of our total revenue during 2004 was derived through such relationships. If we were unable to maintain our existing strategic relationships or enter into additional strategic relationships, we would have to devote substantially more resources to the distribution, sales, and marketing of our products and services. Our success depends in part on the ultimate success of our syndication and integration partners, OEM relationships and referral partners and their ability to market our products and services successfully. Our partners are not obligated to provide potential customers to us. In addition, some of these third parties have entered, and may continue to enter, into strategic relationships with our competitors. Further, many of our strategic partners have multiple strategic relationships, and they may not regard us as significant for their businesses. Our strategic partners may terminate their respective relationships with us, pursue other partnerships or relationships, or attempt to develop or acquire products or services that compete with our products or services. Our strategic partners also may interfere with our ability to enter into other desirable strategic relationships. One of our syndication partnership agreements with Gruner + Jahr USA Publishing, pursuant to which we syndicate our platform and applications to the websites www.Inc.com and www.FastCompany.com, contains a prohibition against our syndicating our platform and applications to two competitors of Gruner + Jahr. All of our integration partnership agreements limit our ability to integrate products or services onto our website that compete with the products or services being provided through our website by our integration partners.

(25) Our Lengthy Sales Cycle with Syndication, Integration Partners and OEM Relationships Could Adversely Affect Our Financial Results.

Our syndication and integration partners and OEM relationships typically commit significant resources to an evaluation of available solutions and require us to expend substantial time, effort, and money educating them about the value of our services and software. Our sales cycle, which is the time between initial contact with a potential partner and ultimately signing a contract, is often lengthy and unpredictable. As a result, we have limited ability to forecast the timing and size of new specific partnering and OEM relationships. In addition, revenue may not begin to flow from such contracts until long after they are signed due to delays in implementing the contracts or the failure of our partners to devote the resources required to promote our products to small businesses. Any delay in signing or implementing syndication, integration and OEM contracts or other strategic agreements could cause our operating results to vary significantly.

(26) We Face Significant Competition, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Business.

The market for our solutions is intensely competitive and rapidly changing. The direct competition we face depends on the market segment focus and delivery model capabilities of our competitors. We also, at times have to overcome customer reluctance to move away from existing paper-based systems. We have two primary categories of competitors: companies that offer a broad range of software applications for small businesses and companies that offer one or two applications that compete with our broad range of applications. Our principal direct competition primarily comes from large companies, such as Microsoft, Oracle, Intuit, SAP and Yahoo!, who provide multiple software products used by many small businesses. In addition, we face competition from other competitors who sell single applications. Salesforce.com is an example of one of the many companies that fall within this second category of competitors. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater financial, technical, marketing, and other resources, greater name recognition, and a larger total number of customers for their products and services than we do. Some of our competitors sell many products to our current and potential customers, as well as to systems integrators and other vendors and service providers. These competitors may also be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, or to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, and sale of their products, than we may be able to do. In addition, we anticipate new competitors will enter the market in the future. Increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced gross margins, and change in market share and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.  New product announcements by competitors may make it difficult to sell our products even before the competitor releases the product.  For example, in May 2005 Microsoft announced that it intends to introduce a new small business accounting application in September 2005, which is before Smart Online's planned release of its own accounting application at the end of 2005.

 


(27) We Depend on Nonrecurring Revenue, Which May Cause Our Revenue to Fluctuate Substantially From One Quarter to Another or to Decline Permanently as Market Conditions Change.

We depend on nonrecurring revenue. Nonrecurring revenue is primarily derived from integration fees and other up-front payments received upon signing syndication and integration agreements with corporate partners for which we charge a one-time fee. This revenue is recognized on a monthly basis over the initial term of the integration and syndication contracts and may fluctuate substantially from one quarter to another. All of our integration revenues were from nonrecurring sources during the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004. Approximately 68% of our syndication revenues for 2004 and 48.1% of our syndication revenues for 2003 were from nonrecurring sources. In addition, such revenue may substantially decrease on a permanent basis due to market conditions over which we have little or no control, including competitors introducing new products to the market or reducing the price of competing products.

(28) We Depend on Web Services Revenues; Our Future Growth is Substantially Dependent on Customer Demand for Our Subscription Services Delivery Models. Failure to Increase This Revenue Could Harm Our Business.

Revenues from small businesses for our Web Services, which include subscriptions, revenue share, e-commerce fees, hosting fees, loan origination fees and marketing fees, represented approximately 6.0% of our total revenue for the first quarter of 2005, 6.2% of our total revenue for 2004, and approximately 16.5% of total revenue for fiscal 2003. We anticipate that Web Services revenues will continue to represent a significant percentage of our total revenues and that our future financial performance and revenue growth will depend, in large part, upon the growth in customer demand for our outsourced services delivery models. As such, we have invested significantly in infrastructure, operations, and strategic relationships to support these models, which represent a significant departure from the delivery strategies that other software vendors and we have traditionally employed. To maintain positive margins for our small business services, our revenues will need to continue to grow more rapidly than the cost of such revenues. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain positive gross margins in our subscription services delivery models in future periods. If our subscription services business does not grow sufficiently, we could fail to meet expectations for our results of operations, which could harm our business.

Any delays in implementation may prevent us from recognizing subscription revenue for periods of time; even when we have already incurred costs relating to the implementation of our subscription services. Additionally, customers can cancel our subscription services contracts at any time and, as a result, we may recognize substantially less revenue than we expect. If large numbers of customers cancel or otherwise seeks to terminate subscription agreements quicker than we expect, our operating results could be substantially harmed. To become successful, we must cause subscribers who do not pay fees to begin paying fees and increase the length of time subscribers pay subscription fees.

(29) There are Risks Associated with International Operations, Which We Expect Will Become a Bigger Part of Our Business in the Future.

We currently do not generate substantial revenue from international operations, but we plan to conduct greater international operations in the future. Our international operations will be subject to risks associated with operating abroad. We expect international operations will become an important component of our business. These international operations are subject to a number of difficulties and special costs, including:

·    
costs of customizing products for foreign countries;

·    
laws and business practices favoring local competitors;

·    
uncertain regulation of electronic commerce;

·    
compliance with multiple, conflicting, and changing governmental laws and regulations;

·    
longer sales cycles; greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable;




·    
import and export restrictions and tariffs;

·    
potentially weaker protection for our intellectual property than in the United States, and practical difficulties in enforcing such rights abroad;

·    
difficulties staffing and managing foreign operations;

·    
multiple conflicting tax laws and regulations; and

·    
political and economic instability.
 
Our international operations will also face foreign currency-related risks. To date, most of our revenues have been denominated in United States Dollars, but we believe that an increasing portion of our revenues will be denominated in foreign currencies. We currently do not engage in foreign exchange hedging activities, and therefore our international revenues and expenses are currently subject to the risks of foreign currency fluctuations.

We must also customize our services and products for international markets. This process is much more complex than merely translating languages. For example, our ability to expand into international markets will depend on our ability to develop and support services and products that incorporate the tax laws, accounting practices, and currencies of applicable countries. Since a large part of our value proposition to customers is that our products have been developed with the peculiar needs of small businesses in mind, any variation in business practice from one country to another may substantially decrease the value of our products in that country, unless we identify the important differences and customize our product to address the differences.

Our international operations also increase our exposure to international laws and regulations. If we cannot comply with foreign laws and regulations, which are often complex and subject to variation and unexpected changes, we could incur unexpected costs and potential litigation. For example, the governments of foreign countries might attempt to regulate our services and products or levy sales or other taxes relating to our activities. In addition, foreign countries may impose tariffs, duties, price controls or other restrictions on foreign currencies or trade barriers, any of which could make it more difficult for us to conduct our business in international markets.

We intend to continue to expand our international sales and marketing activities and enter into relationships with additional international distribution partners. We are in the early stages of developing our indirect distribution channels in markets outside the United States. We may not be able to attract and retain distribution partners that will be able to market our products effectively.

(30) Historically Substantial Amounts of Our Revenue Was Derived From Transactions with Related Parties, Which Means That Our Revenue May Not Reflect the True Commercial Viability of Our Business and That Our Revenue May Decline If We Cannot Replace this Revenue With Revenue From Unrelated Third Parties.

During 2004, approximately $330,000 of our total revenue, constituting approximately 32.9% of total 2004 revenue, was derived from related party transactions. During 2003, approximately $513,057 of our total revenue, constituting approximately 40.7% of 2003 total revenue, was derived from transactions with parties in which our officers, directors and stockholders have a direct or indirect interest. For year 2002, related party transactions provided approximately $140,149 of our revenue, constituting approximately 10.1% of 2002 total revenue. None of our revenues during the first quarter of 2005 were derived from related parties.

Because our officers, directors and stockholders derive a benefit from promoting the success of our business, these transactions may have been entered into by these related parties to promote our business. Consequently, revenue derived from these transactions may not be as indicative of the true commercial viability of our business as revenue derived from transactions with unrelated parties.

Our officers, directors and stockholders have limited resources and will not be able to enter into the same dollar volumes of transactions in the future as in the past. Having high amounts of revenue from related party transactions, therefore, means our revenue will decrease, if we are not able to replace this revenue with revenue from transactions with unrelated parties. Specifically, one related party, Smart IL, which accounted for approximately 32.9% of our total revenue during 2004 and approximately 27.2% of our total revenue during 2003, is not expected to contribute to our revenue in the future. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Revenue from Related Parties,” for a description of our dealings with Smart IL.




Risks Associated With Our Officers, Directors, Employees and Stockholders

(31) Any Failure to Adequately Expand Our Direct Sales Force Will Impede Our Growth, Which Could Harm Our Business.

We expect to be substantially dependent on our direct sales force to obtain new customers. We believe that there is significant competition for direct sales personnel with the advanced sales skills and technical knowledge we need. Our ability to achieve significant growth in revenue in the future will depend, in large part, on our success in recruiting, training and retaining sufficient direct sales personnel. New hires require significant training and may, in some cases, take more than a year before they achieve full productivity. Our recent hires and planned hires may not become as productive as we would like, and we may be unable to hire sufficient numbers of qualified individuals in the future in the markets where we do business. If we are unable to hire and develop sufficient numbers of productive sales personnel, sales of our services will suffer.

(32) Because Competition for Our Target Employees Is Intense, We May Not Be Able to Attract and Retain the Highly Skilled Employees We Need to Support Our Planned Growth, Which Could Harm Our Business.

To execute our growth plan, we must attract and retain highly qualified personnel. Competition for these personnel is intense, especially for engineers with high levels of experience in designing and developing software and Internet-related services and senior sales executives. We may not be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel. We have from time to time in the past experienced, and we expect to continue to experience in the future, difficulty in hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. Many of the companies with which we compete for experienced personnel have greater resources than we have. In addition, in making employment decisions, particularly in the Internet and high-technology industries, job candidates often consider the value of the stock options they are to receive in connection with their employment. Significant volatility in the price of our stock may, therefore, adversely affect our ability to attract or retain key employees. Furthermore, proposed changes to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States relating to the expensing of stock options may discourage us from granting the size or type of stock options awards that job candidates require to join our company. If we fail to attract new personnel or fail to retain and motivate our current personnel, our business and future growth prospects could be severely harmed.

(33) Our Growth Could Strain Our Personnel and Infrastructure Resources, and if We Are Unable to Implement Appropriate Controls and Procedures To Manage Our Growth, We May Not Be Able to Successfully Implement Our Business Plan.

We plan to have a period of rapid growth in our headcount and operations, which has placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on our management, administrative, operational and financial infrastructure. We anticipate that further growth will be required to address increases in our customer base, as well as our expansion into new geographic areas.

Our success will depend in part upon the ability of our senior management to manage this growth effectively. To do so, we must continue to hire, train and manage new employees as needed. If our new hires perform poorly, or if we are unsuccessful in hiring, training, managing and integrating these new employees, or if we are not successful in retaining our existing employees, our business may be harmed. To manage the expected growth of our operations and personnel, we will need to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures. The additional headcount and capital investments we are adding will increase our cost base, which will make it more difficult for us to offset any future revenue shortfalls by offsetting expense reductions in the short term. If we fail to successfully manage our growth, we will be unable to execute our business plan.


(34) Our Executive Management Team is Critical to the Execution of Our Business Plan and the Loss of Their Services Could Severely Impact Negatively on Our Business.

Our success depends significantly on the continued services of our management personnel, including Michael Nouri, who is our chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer, and Henry Nouri, our Executive Vice President, Research and Development. Losing any one of our officers could seriously harm our business. Competition for executives is intense. If we had to replace any of our officers, we would not be able to replace the significant amount of knowledge that they have about our operations. We do not maintain key man insurance policies on anyone.

(35) Officers, Directors and Principal Stockholders Control Us. This Might Lead Them to Make Decisions that do not Benefit the Stockholder Interests.

At April 15, 2005, our officers and directors beneficially owned approximately 4,783,995 (approximately 34%) of our outstanding stock, which includes approximately 730,000 shares which can be acquired upon exercise of options within sixty (60) days after April 15, 2005. These shares included approximately 3,892,658 shares beneficially owned by Michael Nouri and Henry Nouri, who are brothers and Ronna Loprete, who is Michael Nouri’s wife.  In addition, 95,000 shares are subject to issuance upon exercise of options owned by the officers and directors, which options cannot be exercised within sixty days after April 15, 2005, and therefore are not counted as being beneficially owned at that date. As a result, these persons, acting together, will have the ability to control substantially all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval (including the election and removal of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) and to control our management and affairs. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us or discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the market price of the common stock.
 
(36) Sales by Officers and Directors Could Adversely Affect of Our Stock Price.

Sales of significant amounts of shares held by our directors and executive officers after their contractual lock-up provisions expire, or the prospect of these sales, could adversely affect our common stock price, both because significant sales could depress prices, and because sales by management could provide a negative signal to the market about our prospects.

(37) All of the Shares of Common Stock Owned by Our Officers, Directors and Consultants Will be Registered Later in a Registration on Form S-8 and May be Resold by Them, Which May Have a Negative Impact on Their Interest in Smart Online’s Future.

We intend to register all of the shares of our outstanding common stock, including all of the shares held by our officers, directors and consultants. This will allow our officers, directors and consultants to more easily sell all of their Smart Online stock after their contractual lock-up restrictions expire, which may have a negative impact on their interest in the future success of Smart Online. Shares owned by officers and directors are deemed to be “control” securities and, until Smart Online meets certain criteria, resales by officers and directors pursuant to a Form S-8 registration statement are subject to the volume limitations of Rule 144(e), which means that an officer or director would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed (i) 1% of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, or (ii) the average weekly trading volume of the common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale.

Regulatory Risks

(38) Our Revenue Recognition Policy May Change And Affect Our Earnings, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Stock Price.

We believe our current revenue recognition policies and practices are consistent with applicable accounting standards. However, revenue recognition rules for software and service companies are complex and require significant interpretations by management. Changes in circumstances, interpretations, or accounting guidance may require us to modify our revenue recognition policies. Such modifications could impact the timing of revenue recognition and our operating results. See “Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations” regarding our current revenue recognition policies.



(39) Compliance With New Regulations Governing Public Company Corporate Governance and Reporting is Uncertain and Expensive. Our Difficulties in Complying with Public Company Reporting Obligations Are Greater, Because Our Chief Financial Officer Does Not Have Prior Experience with a Public Company.

As a public company, we have incurred and will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. We will incur costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. We also anticipate that we will incur costs associated with recently adopted corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as new rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NASD. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. Any unanticipated difficulties in preparing for and implementing these reforms could result in material delays in complying with these new laws and regulations or significantly increase our costs. Our ability to fully comply with these new laws and regulations is also uncertain. Our failure to timely prepare for and implement the reforms required by these new laws and regulations could significantly harm our business, operating results, and financial condition. Our current chief financial officer does not have public company experience. Consequently, we will have greater difficulty complying with public company reporting requirements than most public companies. We also expect these new rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these new rules. We estimate this will add approximately $500,000 to our expenses during our first year as a public company, but there can be no assurance that costs will not be higher.

(40) Our Reported Financial Results May Be Adversely Affected By Changes in Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States, Which Could Adversely Affect the Price of Our Stock.

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results, and could affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement of a change.
 
For example, we are not required to record stock-based compensation charges, if the employee's stock option exercise price is equal to or exceeds the deemed fair value of our Common Stock at the date of grant.  Some companies have recently elected to change their accounting policies and have begun to record the fair value of stock options expense.  However, in December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123(R)").  SFAS 123(R), a revision of SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and amends SFAS No. 95, "Statement of Cash Flows." SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their vair values.  SFAS 123(R) is effective for the beginning of the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2005.  Therefore the Company plans to adopt SFAS 123(R) on July 1, 2005.  The Company is currently evaluating the two fair value pricing methods permitted by SFAS 123(R) and has not selected a final fair value pricing model nor determined the impact such model will have on the Company's financial statements.

(41) Privacy Concerns are Increasing, Which Could Result in Regulatory Changes that may Harm Our Business.

Personal privacy has become a significant issue in the United States and many other countries in which we operate or plan to operate. The United States and various other countries have recommended limitations on, or taken actions to limit, the use of personal information by those collecting such information. For example, in 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which contains provisions protecting the privacy of consumer non-public personal information collected by financial institutions. Any new or existing privacy laws, if applicable to our business, could impose additional costs and could limit our use and disclosure of such information. If such privacy laws were deemed to apply to us, we may be required to change our activities and revise or eliminate our services, which could significantly harm our business.



(42) Evolving Regulation of the Internet May Harm Our Business.

As Internet commerce continues to evolve, increasing regulation by federal, state or foreign agencies becomes more likely. For example, we believe increased regulation is likely in the area of data privacy, and laws and regulations applying to the solicitation, collection, processing or use of personal or consumer information could affect our customers’ ability to use and share data, potentially reducing demand for our services and restricting our ability to store, process and share data with our customers. In addition, taxation of services provided over the Internet or other charges imposed by government agencies or by private organizations for accessing the Internet may also be imposed. Any regulation imposing greater fees for Internet use or restricting information exchange over the Internet could result in a decline in the use of the Internet and the viability of Internet-based services, which could harm our business.

(43) Our Ability to Protect Our Intellectual Property is Limited and Our Products may be Subject to Infringement Claims by Third Parties.

Our success depends, in part, upon our proprietary technology, processes, trade secrets, and other proprietary information, and our ability to protect this information from unauthorized disclosure and use. We rely on a combination of copyright, trade secret, and trademark laws, confidentiality procedures, contractual provisions, and other similar measures to protect our proprietary information.

We do not own any issued patents or have any patent applications pending. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary, and third parties may attempt to develop similar technology independently. Policing unauthorized use of our products is difficult, particularly because the global nature of the Internet makes it difficult to control the ultimate destination or security of software or other data transmitted. While we are unable to determine the extent to which piracy of our software products exists, software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem.

In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States, and we expect that it will become more difficult to monitor use of our products as we increase our international presence. Over the past several years, we have made numerous changes in our product names. Although we own registered trademarks in the United States and have filed trademark applications in the United States and in certain other countries, we do not have assurance that our strategy with respect to our trademark portfolio will be adequate to secure or protect all necessary intellectual property. There can be no assurance that our means of protecting these proprietary rights will be adequate, or that our competitors will not independently develop similar technology.

The software and Internet industries are characterized by the existence of a large number of patents, trademarks and copyrights and by frequent litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. As the number of entrants into our market increases, the possibility of an intellectual property claim against us grows. Our technologies may not be able to withstand any third-party claims or rights against their use. Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming and expensive to litigate or settle, and could divert management attention from executing our business plan. In addition, our agreements often require us to indemnify our syndication partners for third-party intellectual property infringement claims, which would increase the cost to us of an adverse ruling in such a claim. An adverse determination could also prevent us from offering our service to others. No third party has asserted any intellectual property claims against us.
 
(44) Anti-Takeover Effects of Charter Documents and Delaware Law Could Discourage or Prevent a Change in Control, Even If a Change of Control Would Be Beneficial to Shareholders and Investors.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as amended and restated, as well as provisions of Delaware law may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management even if a change of control would be beneficial to our shareholders and investors. These provisions include the following:

·    
Our board of directors is divided into three classes whenever the number of Directors is six or more, in which case, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. This delays the ability of shareholders, including any acquiror, to change our board of directors.




·    
Our board of directors has the right to elect directors to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors.

·    
Cumulative voting in the election of directors is not authorized by our certificate of incorporation. This limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates.

·    
Stockholders must provide advance notice to nominate individuals for election to the board of directors or to propose matters that can be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting. This requirement may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.

·    
Our board of directors may issue, without stockholder approval, shares of undesignated preferred stock. The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire us.

As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to certain Delaware anti-takeover provisions. Under Delaware law, a corporation may not engage in a business combination with any holder of 15% or more of its capital stock, unless the holder has held the stock for three years or, among other things, the board of directors has approved the transaction. Our board of directors could rely on Delaware law to prevent or delay an acquisition of us even if a change of control would be beneficial to stockholders and investors. For a description of our capital stock, see “Description of Capital Stock.”

Risks Associated With The Market For Our Securities

(45) Our Common Stock Began Being Quoted for Trading on the Over-the-Counter Electronic Bulletin Board in April 2005, but There Is No Assurance Volume Trading Will Develop. Therefore You may be Unable to Sell Your Shares.
 
A market maker received approval in March 2005 to quote our common stock for trading on the Over-the-Counter Electronic Bulletin Board (“OTCBB” or “Bulletin Board”), and trading started during April 2005. There is no assurance that volume trading will develop. Other public markets, such as NASDAQ or a national securities exchange, have qualitative and quantitative listing criteria that we do not currently meet. These criteria include operating results, net assets, corporate governance, minimum trading price and minimums for public float, which is the amount of stock not held by affiliates of the issuer.

To remain eligible to have our securities quoted on OTCBB, we must file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1933 and we must remain current in our periodical reporting obligations. A broker/dealer must also file a Form 211 with the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) to allow our common stock to be quoted on the OTCBB. For more information on the OTCBB see its web site at www.otcbb.com.

There can be no assurance our market maker will continue to quote our stock. If for any reason, our securities are not eligible for continued quotation on the Bulletin Board or a public trading market does not develop, purchasers of the shares may have difficulty selling their securities should they desire to do so. If we are unable to satisfy the requirements for quotation on the Bulletin Board, any trading in our common stock would be conducted in the over-the-counter market in what are commonly referred to as the “pink sheets.” The “pink sheets” are operated by a private company and are not affiliated with the NASD. However, a broker-dealer must file a Form 211 and undergo NASD review before it can quote securities on the “pink sheets.” Companies quoted on the “pink sheets” need not file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Trading volume for securities traded only on the “pink sheets” is generally lower than for securities traded on the OTCBB. If our securities quoted for trading only on the “pink sheets,” an investor may find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the price of, the securities offered hereby.



The above-described rules may materially adversely affect the liquidity of the market for our securities. There can be no assurance that an active trading market will ever develop or, if it develops, will be maintained. Failure to develop or maintain an active trading market could negatively affect the price of our securities, and you will be unable to sell your shares. If so, your investment will be a complete loss.
 
(46) If Securities Analysts Do Not Publish Research or Reports About Our Business or If They Downgrade Our Stock, the Price of Our Stock Could Decline.

The trading market for our common stock will rely in part on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business. If we do not succeed in attracting analysts to report about our company, most investors will not know about our company even if we are successful in implementing our business plan. We do not control these analysts. There are many large, well established publicly traded companies active in our industry and market, which may mean it will be less likely that we receive widespread analyst coverage. Furthermore, if one or more of the analysts who do cover us downgrade our stock, our stock price would likely decline rapidly. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the market, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline. Lower trading volume may also mean that you could not resell your shares.

(47) Our Quarterly Revenues and Operating Results may Fluctuate in Future Periods and We may Fail to Meet Expectations of Investors and Public Market Analysts, Which Could Cause the Price of Our Common Stock to Decline.

Our quarterly revenues and operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. If quarterly revenues or operating results fall below the expectations of investors or public market analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Factors that might cause quarterly fluctuations in our operating results include:

·    
the evolving demand for our services and software;

·    
spending decisions by our customers and prospective customers;

·    
our ability to manage expenses;

·    
the timing of new product releases;

·    
changes in our pricing policies or those of our competitors;

·    
the timing of execution of large contracts;

·    
changes in the mix of our services and software offerings;

·    
the mix of sales channels through which our services and software are sold;

·    
costs of developing new products and enhancements; and

·    
global economic and political conditions.

In addition, due to a slowdown in the general economy and general uncertainty of the current geopolitical environment, a existing and potential customer may reassess or reduce their planned technology and Internet-related investments and defer purchasing decisions. Further delays or reductions in business spending for technology could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and operating results.

(48) Our Stock Price is Likely to be Highly Volatile and May Decline.

The trading price of our common stock is expected to fluctuate widely as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control, such as:

·    
variations in our actual and anticipated operating results;

·    
changes in our earnings estimates by analysts;




·    
the volatility inherent in stock prices within the emerging sector within which we conduct business;

·    
and the volume of trading in our common stock, including sales of substantial amounts of common stock issued upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants.

In addition, Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, administered by the NASD, on which our stock is quoted has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the trading prices of many technology and computer software companies, particularly Internet-related companies. Such fluctuations have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. These broad trading fluctuations could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

Further, securities class action litigation has often been brought against companies that experience periods of volatility in the market prices of their securities. Securities class action litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources. If such a suit is brought against us, we may determine, like many defendants in such lawsuits, that it is in our best interests to settle such a lawsuit even if we believe that the plaintiffs’ claims have no merit, to avoid the cost and distraction of continued litigation. Any liability we incur in connection with this lawsuit could materially harm our business and financial position and, even if we defend ourselves successfully, there is a risk that management’s distraction in dealing with this type of lawsuit could harm our results.

(49) Shares Eligible for Public Sale After this Offering Could Adversely Affect Our Stock Price.

At April 15, 2005, 12,286,832 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and 2,552,010 shares may be issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants and options that are exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2005. Of these shares, 1,925,265 shares registered on Form S-1 are freely tradable, except for any shares purchased by our “affiliates” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining shares are “restricted securities,” subject to the volume limitations and other conditions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

We cannot predict if future sales of our common stock, or the availability of our common stock held for sale, will materially and adversely affect the market price for our common stock or our ability to raise capital by offering equity securities. Our stock price may decline, if the resale of shares under Rule 144, in addition to the resale of registered shares, at certain time in the future, exceeds the market demand for our stock.

Unless a trading market for our shares develops, you will not be able to resell your stock, and, market makers may influence the stock price. Market conditions and market makers may cause your investment in our common stock to significantly diminish and may become very illiquid.

(50) Our Securities May Be Subject to "Penny Stock" Rules, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Stock Price and Make It More Difficult for You to Resell Our Stock.

The Securities Exchange Commission has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on NASDAQ, provided that reports with respect to transactions in such securities are provided by the exchange or quotation system pursuant to an effective transaction reporting plan approved by the Commission.)

The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the Commission, which:

·    
Contains a description of the nature and level of risk in the market for penny stocks in both public offerings and secondary trading;

·    
Contains a description of the broker’s or dealer’s duties to the customer and of the rights and remedies available to the customer with respect to a violation to such duties or other requirements;




·    
Contains a brief, clear, narrative description of a dealer market, including “bid” and “ask” prices for penny stocks and the significance of the spread between the bid and ask price;

·    
Contains a toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary actions;

·    
defines significant terms in the disclosure document or in the conduct of trading penny stocks; and

·    
Contains such other information and is in such form (including language, type, size, and format) as the Commission shall require.
 
The broker-dealer also must provide, prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock, the customer:

·    
with bid and offer quotations for the penny stock;

·    
the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction;
 
·    
 
the number of shares to which such bid and ask prices apply, or other comparable information relating to the depth and liquidity of the market for such stock; and

·    
Monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account.

In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules; the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks, and a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements will have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our stock because it will be subject to these penny stock rules. Therefore, stockholders may have difficulty selling those securities.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Foreign currency exchange risk

During 2004, 2003, and 2002, all of our contracts and transactions were U.S. dollar denominated. As a result our results of operations and cash flows are not subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Interest rate sensitivity

We had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents totaling $173,339, $101,486, and $26,940 at December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. These amounts were invested primarily in demand deposit accounts and money market funds. The unrestricted cash and cash equivalents are held for working capital purposes. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe that we do not have any material exposure to changes in the fair value of our investment portfolio as a result of changes in interest rates. Declines in interest rates, however, will reduce future investment income.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Attached as exhibits to this Form 10-Q are certifications of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), which are required in accordance with Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). This “Controls and Procedures” section includes information concerning the disclosure controls and procedures evaluation referred to in the certifications. This section should be read in conjunction with the certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.
 



Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our Board of Directors approved disclosure controls and procedures (“Disclosure Controls”) based on the evaluation and recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in connection with preparation of financial statements for the period covered by this Form 10-Q. Disclosure Controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also designed to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The evaluation of our Disclosure Controls included a review of the controls’ objectives and design, our implementation of the controls and the effect of the controls on the information generated for use in this Form 10-Q. This type of evaluation will be performed on a quarterly basis so that the conclusions of management, including the CEO and CFO, concerning the effectiveness of the Disclosure Controls can be reported in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K. The overall goals of our evaluation activities are to monitor our Disclosure Controls, and to modify them as necessary.
 
Based upon the Disclosure Controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, our Disclosure Controls were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC, and that material information relating to Smart Online is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
 
Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item. 1.  Legal Proceedings

U.S. News & World Report v. Smart Online, Inc. - U.S. News instituted this action against Smart Online in January 2003 in New York (Case No. 102959/03) for breach of contract, due to Smart Online’s refusal to pay the sum of $92,204.17 for an advertising insert, which Smart Online asserts was faulty. On October 27, 2003, the New York action was dismissed by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, because the State of New York had no jurisdiction over this suit. On February 6, 2004, U.S. News filed a similar claim in the District Court of Durham County, North Carolina (Case No. 04-CVD-00575). On April 7, 2005, the parties entered into a settlement agreement in consideration for Smart Online paying $50,000.00 and dismissing its counterclaims. The suit has been voluntarily dismissed with prejudice.
 
Infopia, Inc. v. Smart Online, Inc.- Infopia instituted this action against Smart Online on August 6, 2003 in District Court, Wake County, North Carolina (Case No. 03-CVD-10567) for breach of contract, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and punitive damages, alleging that Smart Online improperly refused to refund the $32,500 integration fee paid by Infopia to Smart Online for Smart Online’s integration of Infopia’s products into Smart Online’s platform. On May 10, 2005, the parties entered into a settlement agreement in consideration for Smart Online paying $30,000 and dismissing its counterclaims. The suit has been voluntarily dismissed with prejudice.

Smart Online, Inc. v. Genuity, Inc.- Smart Online instituted this action against Genuity on May 22, 2001, in the Superior Court of Wake County, North Carolina, Civil Action No. 01-CVS-06277. Smart Online brought claims against Genuity for breached of contract, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, breach of warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, conversion, unfair and deceptive trade practices, negligent misrepresentation and fraud arising from Genuity’s failure to perform properly under contracts between the parties, from Genuity’s failure to return certain property belonging to Smart Online, and from certain representations made by Genuity with regard to the services needed by Smart Online under the contracts. On or about July 23, 2001, Genuity filed its answer to the complaint along with counterclaims against Smart Online. In its counterclaims, Genuity brought claims for breach of contract alleging that Smart Online failed to pay for the services rendered by Genuity. On October 22, 2002, the court denied Genuity’s request to dismiss Smart Online’s breach of contract claim, allowed Smart Online to amend its complaint to restate its claim for breach of contract, and dismissed Smart Online’s claims for breach of implied warranties. The parties were completing discovery and preparing for trial when the case was automatically stayed as a result of Genuity’s filing for bankruptcy. This case is still subject to the automatic stay.

Internal Revenue Service Claim.- Smart Online, Inc. resolved a federal employment tax liability of approximately $560,000 relating to the periods beginning December 31, 2000 and continuing through December 31, 2003. On February 18, 2005, the Internal Revenue Service agreed to accept Smart Online, Inc.’s offer in compromise (Form 656) in settlement of all of Smart Online’s outstanding federal tax liabilities. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Smart Online, Inc. paid $26,100, and agreed to surrender all credits and refunds for 2005 or earlier tax periods, and remain in compliance with all federal tax obligations for a term of five years.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 
        (1) During February 2005 through April 2005, Smart Online sold 580,000 shares of its common stock for a price of $5.00 per share, for an aggregate of $2,900,000. Concurrently, Smart Online issued a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of its common stock for an exercise price of $5.00 per share, in consideration for an investor agreeing to certain restrictions on the ability to sell the shares.
 
This offering was conducted pursuant to Regulation S in an offshore transaction (as defined in Regulation S). None of the investors are U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S). A legend was placed on the stock certificates stating that the securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and cannot be sold or otherwise transferred except pursuant to Regulation S or pursuant to an effective registration or exemption from registration.
 


 

 
During February and March 2005, Smart Online used a portion of the proceeds from this offering to pay in full $949,777 of deferred compensation, plus all accrued interest of $154,288, owed to certain officers of the Company. The remainder of the proceeds will be used to fund Smart Online’s working capital requirements.

       (2) From the end of March through April 2005, Smart Online sold 25,000 shares of its common stock to investors in a private placement for a price of $5.00 per share, for an aggregate of $ 125,000.
 
This offering was conducted pursuant to Rule 506 under Regulation D. All the investors are accredited investors. All the investors have prior experience investing in start-up technology companies. All the investors were provided access to all the information they deemed relevant to their investment decisions. All the investors had prior business dealings with one another or with Smart Online. Neither Smart Online nor any person acting on its behalf offered or sold the securities by any general solicitation or general advertising. A legend was placed on the stock certificates stating that the securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and cannot be sold or otherwise transferred without an effective registration or exemption from registration.

The proceeds from this offering will be used to fund Smart Online’s working capital requirements.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
By written consent dated January 1, 2005 the stockholders approved the election of four members of the Board of Directors in lieu of the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. Proxies were not solicited. Stockholders who owned 6,750,286 of the 11,631,832 shares eligible to vote executed the written consent.

Item 5.  Other Information
 
None.
 
Item 6.  Exhibits
 
Exhibits 

The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index are incorporated herein by reference.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: May 15, 2005


 
Smart Online, Inc.
   
 
          /s/ Michael Nouri
 

          Michael Nouri
 
          Principal Executinve Officer
   
   
   
 
Smart Online, Inc.
   
 
          /s/ Scott Whitaker
 

          Scott Whitaker
 
          Principal Financial Officer and
 
          Principal Accounting Officer
   





SMART ONLINE, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
Form
File
Number
Exhibit
Filing
Date
Filed
Herewith
3.1
Amended and Restated
Certification of Incorporation
SB-2
333-119385
3.1
9/30/04
 
3.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws
SB-2
333-119385
3.1
9/30/04
 
10.1
2004 Equity Compensation Plan
SB-2
333-119385
10.1
9/30/04
 
10.2
2001 Equity Compensation Plan
SB-2
333-119385
10.2
9/30/04
 
10.3
1998 Stock Option Plan
SB-2
333-119385
10.3
9/30/04
 
10.4
Form of Reorganization Lock-up Proxy and Release Agreement dated 1/01/04 between Online and stockholders of Smart Online
SB-2
333-119385
10.4
9/30/04
 
10.5
Form of Lock-up Agreement dated 01/01/04, between Online and stockholders of Smart Online
SB-2
333-119385
10.5
9/30/04
 
10.6
Form of Subscription Agreement with lock-up provisions between Smart Online and investors
SB-2
333-119385
10.6
9/30/04
 
10.7
Form of Registration Rights Agreement dated as of 02/01/04 between Smart Online and investors
SB-2
333-119385
10.7
9/30/04
 
10.8
Employment Agreement dated 04/01/04 with Michael Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.8
11/24/04
 
10.9
Employment Agreement dated 04/01/04 with
Henry Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.9
11/24/04
 
10.10
Employment Agreement dated 04/01/04 with Ronna Loprete
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.10
11/24/04
 
10.11
Employment Agreement dated 05/01/04 with Jose Collazo
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.11
11/24/04
 
10.12
Employment Agreement dated 05/01/04 with Anil Kamath
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.12
11/24/04
 



10.13
Security Agreement dated 10/13/03 with Smart Online as the Debtor and Michael Nouri, Henry Nouri, Thomas Furr, Ronna Loprete and Eric Nouri as the Secured Parties
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.13
11/24/04
 
10.14
$418,749.93 Promissory Note dated 04/30/04 from Smart Online as the Debtor to Michael Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.14
11/24/04
 
10.15
$64,602.90 Promissory Note dated 04/30/04 from Smart Online as the Debtor to Michael Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.15
11/24/04
 
10.16
$398,383.27 Promissory Note dated 04/01/04 from Smart Online as the Debtor to Henry Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.16
11/24/04
 
10.17
$116,507.60 Promissory Note dated 04/30/04 from Smart Online as the Debtor Thomas Furr
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.17
11/24/04
 
10.18
$92,500 Promissory Note dated 04/30/04 from Smart Online as the Debtor to Ronna Loprete
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.18
11/24/04
 
10.19
$47,740.18 Promissory Note dated 04/30/04 from Smart Online as the Debtor to Eric Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.19
11/24/04
 
10.20
Standstill and Interest Modification Agreement dated 12/22/04 with Michael Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 2
333-119385
10.20
12/23/04
 
10.21
Standstill and Interest Modification Agreement dated 12/22/04 with Henry Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 2
333-119385
10.21
12/23/04
 
10.22
Standstill and Interest Modification Agreement dated 12/22/04 with Thomas Furr
SB-2
Amendment 2
333-119385
10.22
12/23/04
 
10.23
Standstill and Interest Modification Agreement dated 12/22/04 with Ronna Loprete
SB-2
Amendment 2
333-119385
10.23
12/23/04
 
10.24
Standstill and Interest Modification Agreement dated 12/22/04 with Eric Nouri
SB-2
Amendment 2
333-119385
10.24
12/23/04
 
10.25
Amended and Restated Integration Program Agreement for Vmail and Internet Messenger Engine dated 04/30/03 with Smart IL, Ltd.
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.25
11/24/04
 


 
10.26
Amendment to Amended and Restated Integration Program Agreement dated 10/29/03 with Smart IL, Ltd.
SB-2
Amendment 1
333-119385
10.25
11/24/04
 
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)        
 X
31.2 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
       
 X
32.1 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
       
X
32.2 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
       
X
 
 
 
 
 
57