Annual Statements Open main menu

Symbolic Logic, Inc. - Annual Report: 2018 (Form 10-K)

Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

x      Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

 

OR

 

o         Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File Number: 001-34261

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

84-1010843

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

9800 Pyramid Court, Suite 400, Englewood, Colorado

 

80112

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(303) 802-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 Per Share

 

The Nasdaq Capital Market

(Title of Class)

 

(Name of exchange on which registered)

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

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

 

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

 

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 o

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Smaller reporting company x
Emerging growth companyo

 

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

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the last sale price of the Common Stock reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market, was approximately $17,708,979 as of June 30, 2018.

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding was 12,161,176 as of April 3, 2019.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) is incorporated by reference to portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the 2018 year. Except as expressly incorporated by reference, the Proxy Statement shall not be deemed to be a part of this report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS, INC.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

For the year ended December 31, 2018

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1

Business

1

Item 1A

Risk Factors

8

Item 1B

Unresolved Staff Comments

19

Item 2

Properties

20

Item 3

Legal Proceedings

20

Item 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

20

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

Item 5

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

20

Item 6

Selected Financial Data

20

Item 7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

21

Item 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

31

Item 8

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

33

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

33

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

34

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

35

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income

36

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

37

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

38

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

39

Item 9

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

65

Item 9A

Controls and Procedures

65

Item 9B

Other Information

65

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

Item 10

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

66

Item 11

Executive Compensation

66

Item 12

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

66

Item 13

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

66

Item 14

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

66

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

Item 15

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

67

Item 16

Form 10-K Summary

69

 

Signatures

70

 


Table of Contents

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Except for the historical information contained in this document, this report contains forward-looking statements that have been made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results and assumptions. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believes,” “goals,” “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “strategy,” or “plan,” and variations of these words and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions regarding product, services, and customer support revenue; the expectations associated with our business, our subsidiaries’ operations and our short- and long-term cash needs and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the sections entitled “Business,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Evolving Systems provides real-time digital engagement solutions and services to more than 100 customers in over 65 countries worldwide. Our portfolio includes market-leading solutions and services for real-time analytics, customer acquisition and activation, customer value management and loyalty for the telecom industry promoting partnerships into retail and financial services.

 

Our acquisitions in 2017 of BLS Limited (“EVOL BLS”) and four Lumata Holdings subsidiaries, Lumata France SAS, Lumata Spain S.L., Lumata UK Ltd and Lumata Deutschland GmbH (collectively, “Lumata Entities”), along with the acquisition of RateIntegration d/b/a Sixth Sense Media (“SSM”) in 2015 ushered our entry into the high value digital engagement space and also initiated our adoption of a recurring revenue business model based on managed services and Software as a Service (SaaS).

 

We have transitioned from offering traditional software technology licensing, focused on cost savings, to offering business solutions focused on revenue growth and efficiency gains for the carrier. Our business model has moved from classic capital expenditure license and services to operating expense models based on managed services, including transaction and performance fees.

 

We offer real-time, interactive digital engagement solutions and services that drive increases in customer lifetime value for our enterprise clients:

 

·                  Acquisition and Activation Solutions that increase new subscriber enrollments through multiple channels and dealer networks, electronically authenticate customer identity and activate complex bundles of traditional telecom services (voice, messaging and data) and value-added network services;

·                  Retention and Loyalty Solutions that extend the duration of customer contracts by engaging them with the brand, interacting and rewarding them with personalized offers through loyalty and partner programs; and

·                  Analytics and Value Management Solutions that analyze consumer behavior in real-time and enable marketing departments to innovate, create and manage highly-personalized and contextually-relevant interactive campaigns that engage consumers with event-triggered offers that result in higher take-rates and increased customer revenue.

 

The combination of these offerings increases customer activations and activity, extends their lifecycle and increases customer spend resulting in increased customer lifetime value.

 

COMPANY BACKGROUND

 

Evolving Systems was founded in 1985 to provide software and services to the U.S. telecommunications industry. During our early years we focused on providing solutions that supported number management and number porting. In November 2004, we expanded our product set and geographical reach with the acquisition of Tertio Telecoms Ltd. (“Evolving Systems U.K.”), a supplier of Operations Support Systems (“OSS”) software solutions for service activation and mediation to communication carriers throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. With this acquisition we not only expanded our markets beyond North America, we also added service activation and mediation solutions to our product portfolio. The acquisition significantly expanded our product and service capabilities, allowing us to address a larger portion of our customers’ OSS application needs with a balanced mix of products

 

1


Table of Contents

 

as well as services. We focused primarily on the wireless markets in the areas of subscriber activation, SIM card management and activation, self—service mobile applications, data enablement solutions, connected device activation and management of services.

 

On October 24, 2013 we acquired privately held Telespree Communications (“Telespree”), now known as Evolving Systems Labs, Inc. (“Evolving Systems Labs”), for an initial payment of approximately $1.6 million comprised of approximately $0.8 million in cash and approximately $0.8 million in stock. The acquisition included technology used in the delivery and management of mobile data services and a portfolio of SaaS based solutions. We were not required to make the additional contingent payments potentially payable by us under the acquisition agreement and we recognized other income in 2016 and the three months ended June 30, 2018.

 

On September 30, 2015, we acquired privately held SSM, now known as Evolving Systems NC, Inc. (“Evolving Systems NC”) for an initial cash payment totaling approximately $9.75 million, plus customary working capital adjustments, and we agreed to make a payment of $250,000 on the one-year anniversary of the transaction, with such payment being available to secure SSM’s representations and warranties under the acquisition agreement. This payment was offset against other obligations during 2018 and was not made. The acquisition included SSM’s software solution, RLM, a platform which enables carrier marketing departments to innovate, execute and manage highly-personalized and contextually-relevant, interactive campaigns that engage consumers in real-time as well as a platform for Customer Loyalty and Retention.

 

On July 3, 2017, BLS Limited (“EVOL BLS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the purchase of Business Logic Systems Limited (“BLS”), a provider of customer value management solutions and data driven marketing solutions. EVOL BLS and BLS are both companies incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement(the “Purchase Agreement”), BLS sold substantially all of its assets and transferred certain liabilities relating to BLS’s business for £1.2 million ($1.6 million) in cash, plus (a) an additional sum of £0.1 million ($0.1 million), reduced by any sums paid by EVOL BLS for certain employee severance obligations (collectively, the “Cash Payments”); (b) a percentage of collections on certain receivables over a 24-month period; and (c) an earnout equal to 50% of BLS based revenue over defined threshold levels for a period of 3 years after the closing date. We made the earn-out payment in November 2018 of approximately $0.8 million. No future payments are expected at this time. BLS specializes in data-driven customer value management and customer engagement solutions that have been implemented in over 20 mobile operators in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean. BLS solutions turn customer data into actionable insights and personalized contextual offers. Customer engagement occurs through in-bound and out-bound offers and is further extended through a suite of loyalty and retention solutions.

 

On September 7, 2017, Evolving Systems Holdings Limited (“EVOL Holdings”) acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of four (4) Lumata Holdings (“Seller”) subsidiaries, (“Lumata Entities”), in exchange for a cash payment totaling €4.0 million ($4.8 million), subject to certain adjustments. In connection with the acquisition, EVOL Holdings entered into a Term Loan Facility Agreement, a Debenture and a Subordination Deed with East West Bank as lender in the amount of $4,730,000 (collectively, the “Loan Facility Agreements”).

 

The Lumata Entities are a leading global provider of real-time, next generation loyalty and customer lifecycle management software and services that allow businesses to analyze customer data for relevant and contextual insights that will support additional services. Its customers are mobile operators including Orange, Telefonica and other Tier-1 and emerging operators in Europe and around the world.

 

We are now a leading supplier of real-time digital engagement solutions and services that drive growth in customer acquisition and activation, extend customer lifetime and increase customer value and revenue in the converging mobile, entertainment, financial and retail services eco-system. Our platforms, together with our team of experienced industry experts, help service providers increase their customer lifetime value (“CLV”) over the course the customer lifecycle.

 

INDUSTRY DYNAMICS

 

The market for digital engagement to increase customer lifetime value is growing. Several key factors are driving carrier demand for next generation solutions, supporting growth for specific products within the sector:

 

·                      Carriers are seeking to further monetize their customer relationships and associated demographic, behavioral, location and contextual information to up-sell their network services and open new channels for optimized and personalized third-party service revenues;

·                      Rapid adoption of smart phones and network-attached devices has resulted in increased usage of mobile data;

·                      On-going network investment in 5G and Internet of Things (“IoT”) networks is driving increased demand for digital engagement solutions;

 

2


Table of Contents

 

·                      Carriers are experiencing pricing pressure driven by relatively flat subscriber growth, network upgrade costs, subscriber churn and increased competition from traditional and new market entrants such as Over-the-Top (“OTT”) services both in the developed and emerging markets; and,

·                      Adoption of the Enterprise Mobility and Machine to Machine (“M2M”) requirements are driving further demand.

 

Today, carriers are compelled to offer a growing array of services to deliver personalized and differentiated user experiences, reduce subscriber churn and maintain or grow market share. These value-added services have to be delivered to the market in ever shorter windows as competitive pressure has increased the velocity at which carriers deliver new products and services. To achieve these objectives, operators are increasingly reliant on flexible service enablement solutions that offer a myriad of options for their subscribers.

 

As network migrations to 5G, IoT and M2M accelerate, the SIM card and embedded SIM (eSIM) have emerged as vital links in the end-to-end value chain. Evolving Systems’ full life cycle management of SIMs and eSIMs from ordering, dynamically activating and managing the SIM card is becoming an important component in the service provider’s infrastructure, both to reduce operating costs associated with the provisioning of SIM cards, as well as to improve the end-user experience. We are a pioneer and leader in this market and believe we are well-positioned to maintain our leadership role in this growth segment. To date our Subscriber Activation solution has activated over 700 million SIM cards, providing enhanced functionality and significant operator savings.

 

In a market where consumers perceive their telecom services as a commodity, maintaining or growing customer value and retaining valuable customers is a persistent challenge. Customers are demanding ever greater incentives for their loyalty, attracted by disruptive OTT alternatives and competitive offers on data, airtime, and SMS. This can lead to a spiral of price-driven value destruction unless a truly differentiated approach is used to stand out from the crowd and deliver superior value.

 

The digital revolution offers unparalleled opportunities to generate new revenue streams, create highly relevant and differentiated offerings, and deliver more engaging customer experiences to the growing universe of connected consumers. But a digital environment requires a whole new way of interacting with consumers in real-time, via multiple channels such as apps, web, email, as well as traditional SMS, in a highly contextual manner. Having a deep understanding of customer preferences and behavior is critical in this digital environment full of demanding customers.

 

Mobile service is ubiquitous and mobile operators are the digital enablers between consumers and brands, the trusted processors of customer data, uniquely able to bridge the digital and physical world through their technology infrastructure. The mobile industry is going through a transition period. Traditional voice and messaging revenues are in decline due to several factors including the “over-the-top” OTT players. Mobile data demand is growing. Service providers are focused on building upon their brand and their “last mile” connectivity to more actively engage their customers and to increase the customer wallet-share through digital and non-digital partnerships.

 

We help service providers navigate through the digital marketing jungle of fragmented technologies, converging communication channels and managing the data overload through our portfolio of digital engagement solutions. We combine big ideas and a deep understanding of mobile customer behavior with powerful software capabilities and expertise to create digital engagement & loyalty experiences that stand out from the crowd.

 

We sit at the intersection of technology and marketing. Our solutions leverage mechanics such as digital vouchering, digital badges, in-app engagement, etc. to drive a two-sided business model, where we generate value from 3rd party brands, as well as retail customers. It is a continuous circle where customers increase spending and extend tenure in return for perceived high value rewards and experiences, which brands provide in order to access a highly targeted mobile customer base.

 

Connecting brands and consumers, via a digital platform, positions the mobile operator at the center of commerce, content and communication flows in the connected world. Using our solutions, mobile operators have access to accurate data on customer preferences, behavior, spending, etc. While it is critical to ensure customer opt-in for data use, industry research confirms that consumers will allow a trusted mobile operator to use their information in return for highly relevant and attractive incentives.

 

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SOLUTIONS PORTFOLIO

 

Acquisition and Activation

 

Our Subscriber Acquisition and Activation solutions support carriers in adding new subscribers to their network, beginning with the sales and contract process through the allocation of network and service resources and the activation of services to the mobile device.

 

3


Table of Contents

 

·                  Smart Dealer provides SIM retailers with a tool set that enables them to sell SIM cards efficiently and effectively. With Smart Dealer, the operator is able to communicate and guide dealers towards using the latest promotions, enabling instant reactions to competitor activities. Smart Dealer captures subscriber details for “Know Your Customer” prepaid registration, including biometric data, using standard, low cost devices.

 

·                  Dynamic SIM AllocationTM is a SIM/eSIM Activation solution which is integrated into the carrier’s signaling network, enabling new SIM cards or eSIMs that have not been pre-provisioned to be detected on first use in consumer and IoT Markets. This triggers an efficient, dynamic provisioning process and eliminates the need for pre-provisioning, thus lowering the operator’s costs of subscriber acquisition and eSIM bootstrapping. The SIM/eSIM activation occurs only when a SIM/eSIM card is first used. During the activation process, the solution enables an on-device interaction with the end-user, delivering a differentiated user-experience, reducing customer churn and boosting revenue for the carrier.

 

·                  Tertio® Service Activation is used by carriers to activate a new subscriber or to add a new service to an existing subscriber. Our solution provides a flexible operating environment for carriers to manage their voice, data, and content service needs for both their traditional and broadband IP networks. It provides a point of flexibility in the carrier’s OSS/BSS architecture, allowing fast introduction of new network technologies and easing the burden of integration with existing devices and systems. Service providers who use our Tertio solution can better plan, manage and execute the introduction of new services.

 

·                  Number Inventory and Management is a scalable and fully automated solution that enables operators to reliably and efficiently manage their telephone numbers (i.e. eSIMs and eSIM profiles, SIMs, MSISDNs, IMSIs, Integrated Circuit Card Identifiers (“ICCIDs”) as well as other communication identifiers such as Uniform Resource Locators or (“URLs”) and email addresses. Our solution focuses on the automation of all number resource management processes, allowing operators to adhere to regulatory requirements and effectively manage the lifecycle of telephone numbers, as well as benefit from time savings and reduced costs.

 

Customer Analytics and Value Management

 

Our Customer Analytics and Value Management solutions empower marketing departments to create and deploy highly personalized, location and contextually relevant, interactive customer engagement campaigns. Our most recent version of our cutting-edge Evolution platform launched in the first quarter of 2019 enables us to deliver a full-service solution at the client’s site or hosted in our cloud and provided as SaaS subscription. The platform monitors customer events and behavioral patterns in real-time, building a profile of each subscriber. When the right conditions are met, the platform pushes the best match or a personalized offer or ad to the customer.

 

Compared with many other marketing campaign management systems, our solution more accurately targets marketing messages and campaigns that drive incremental revenue more quickly.

 

·                  The Profiling Engine supports static as well as ongoing dynamic profiling of subscribers. It fully supports any real-time or micro segmentation requirements as needed by the business. The Profiling Engine is a rules-driven flexible aggregator of subscriber baseline and usage data. It has been designed to handle any data model, including any data representation that may be available within the carrier’s legacy billing and Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) environment.

 

·                  The Campaign Engine is used to configure and deliver marketing campaigns and offers to subscribers. It includes a business-friendly dashboard that enables rapid configuration, testing and launching of new business campaigns. Through the dashboard the business user can target specific subscribers, define offers and rewards, and create personalized messages per campaign, interaction and subscriber. The dashboard provides a real-time view on each campaign’s effectiveness and impact.

 

·                  Campaign Modules provide predefined templates for specific types of real-time mobile marketing tactics, including marketing for data bundles, digital services such as music, video, movies, gaming, entertainment, and mobile money as well as non-digital services including retail offers.

 

·                  Social Media Integration enables carriers to expand their engagement with subscribers beyond simple network usage and direct channels and can support social marketing campaigns that leverage the subscribers as a part of the marketing network.

 

4


Table of Contents

 

·                  App Promotion engages subscribers when they are first configuring new services or when they are upgrading to mobile devices with new capabilities. It enables carriers to promote the use of their own mobile applications for subscriber care, and also those of third-party app publishers, opening possibilities for new revenue streams.

 

Customer Retention and Loyalty

 

Our Customer Retention and Loyalty solutions help reduce churn, extend the customer lifecycle and generate more revenue from existing subscribers by using the latest innovative programs. Strong subscriber loyalty is created by rewarding subscribers via programs that offer additional carrier services or the services and products of participating partners.

 

Brand partnerships are the true differentiators given the commoditization of typical carrier offers in the market. Some of the examples of digital engagement concepts we have created include the first digital badges concept in the telecom sector with Orange, the largest and most successful film vouchering programs with Orange, & Everything Everywhere, innovative Recharge & Instant Win mechanics in prepaid markets, and two of the most successful loyalty programs in the tough African market. These concepts were designed with specific mechanics that work within the local market in conjunction with brand partners. They are successful solutions which endure, because of key ingredients such as simple customer journeys, perceived high value rewards and innovative engagement mechanics in conjunction with strategic brand partnerships.

 

The key modules include:

 

·                  Loyalty Points and Programs are used to reward mobile subscribers for use of the carrier’s services. Credit is earned in the forms of status points and bonus points. Gamification can be used to encourage the collection of rewards by subscribers and comparison with others in their social group. Loyalty credit is then exchanged for services or discounts from the carrier, or for digital and physical goods from third party businesses and retail partners.

 

·                  Coupon, Voucher and Badges Management covers the whole lifecycle of coupons, vouchers and badges as a medium for delivering rewards. Our solution manages the interface with partners, the delivery of coupons to subscribers, redemption for digital or physical goods, and settlement between carrier and partner.

 

·                  Digital Engagement Engine includes several solution components:

 

·                  Proprietary framework for engagement concept design and partner selection;

·                  Flexible business rules to define tiers to earn, burn or transfer credits;

·                  Multi-variable definition to calculate loyalty, including spend, tenure, social advocacy, brand engagement, digital maturity, etc.;

·                  Intelligent predictive analytics engine and segmentation capability;

·                  Channel agnostic redemption capability with standard partner APIs to connect into Point of Sale retail systems and other redemption networks; and,

·                  Tier 1 carrier grade data capture and configurable provisioning engine.

 

MANAGED SERVICES (MARKETING AND EXPERT IT SERVICES)

 

Our Marketing Services team works through a five-stage approach to assist our clients’ marketing departments in growing their customer base and engaging and retaining their valuable customers:

 

·                  Engage: We design engagement plans that map against specific segments based on ‘propensity to participate’ and lifetime value indicators.

·                  Interact: We design the push and real-time trigger-based interactions with customers to attract them into the program and keep them engaged.

·                  Reward: We define a broad range of trigger events and a variety of engagement mechanics (points, badges, instant wins, vouchers, etc.).

·                  Redeem: We work with partners to stitch together a redemption network online and offline, so customers have highly relevant, branded rewards (a key source of differentiation and program longevity) from which to choose.

·                  Optimise/Learn: We use program data, overlay program results from our global customer base, and apply an iterative process to reach the right customers with meaningful incentives.

 

Our experienced IT Services team provides expert consulting services for the customization, integration and deployment of our solutions. Our services cover all aspects of the project lifecycle, including system architecture, design, software development and

 

5


Table of Contents

 

customization, system integration, testing, live deployment and production support, program and project level management, post-implementation maintenance and domain and product expertise.

 

We deliver our Managed Services both on-site at a carrier’s facilities or remotely. Services range from operational support of our software solutions, technical services to expand those solutions with new modules and functionality to support new business value, marketing and customer engagement consultancy that directly drives marketing campaigns for our customers and helps them achieve their business objectives. The Managed Services teams also offer their expertise and experience to create the maximum financial impact to the carrier from using our solutions.

 

Our teams work closely with customers and integration partners and have established long-term relationships with operators in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific regions.

 

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

 

We develop most of our products and services internally in our innovation labs in North Carolina, France, Romania and India. Internal development allows us to maintain competitive advantages that come from product differentiation and closer technical control over our products and services. It also allows us to decide which modifications and enhancements are most important and when they should be implemented. Generally, we also create product documentation internally. We conduct research to identify specific industry and client business needs as well as market requirements and we use that information to determine our investment in product development. We evaluate the market for new products and we leverage our existing product capabilities with enhancements of existing products. We build investment plans for our principal product areas and we make other investments in tools and product extensions to accelerate the development, implementation and integration process for customer solutions.

 

We are currently continuing our on-going investment in our Evolution platform, a combination of software capabilities achieved through each of our acquisitions, which will provide a powerful environment to configure and operate rich Customer Lifecycle Journeys from acquisition to retention through a variety of engagement models, offer and loyalty programs. Primarily designed to address integrated mobile digital engagement needs it can accommodate any type of customer and any type of use case. The platform’s Customer Journey Manager will be responsible for profiling individual engagements to enable better insights and more automation. This approach produces more relevant and engaging predictions and offers for us to present to customers.

 

The platform will provide service providers with unmatched artificial intelligence based on smart data and operational predictive analytics functions enabling to improve efficiency and to maximize revenues, all the while reducing time and effort to execute hundreds of micro-segmented engagements and offers. We intend to take our digital engagement readiness solution for carriers beyond just enabling clients to use their traditional data. The new platform will move beyond its current SQL engine to using a Kafka-engine-powered big data platform. This will enable the real-time processing of multiple data-streams for unlimited flexibility and scalability.

 

Our Evolution platform will be used to operate the most innovative large-scale loyalty programs, as well as to provide unique mechanics enabling gamification, optimization and personalization across a variety of channels. It will enable our clients to engage with their customers at all stage of their lifecycle, providing interactive dialogue and smart recommendations through all available traditional and digital channels. The platform will seamlessly integrate within the service provider’s IT infrastructure, either on-premise or on a private cloud. It will be operated or managed as a service depending on the market needs.

 

SALES AND MARKETING

 

Our sales force is primarily a field organization structured to focus on specific geographical territories around the world including North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (comprised of Russia and other former Soviet Republics), South Asia and Asia Pacific. Our sales activities cover direct sales to enterprise customers as well as sales through partners and resellers. Partners include Ericsson, Gemalto and Idemia who include our products as part of their wider solution offerings and systems integrators such as IBM, Amdocs and Atos, who license our technology to customers as part of their delivery engagements. The resellers include regional or country specific companies that manage our customer relationships in countries where English is not the primary language.

 

Our solutions and our customers’ infrastructures are complex and require a high degree of consultative selling which often results in a long sales cycle in excess of twelve months. In addition, our business relies on incremental revenue from existing customers, which requires regular interaction with customers to discuss enhancements to our existing solutions as well as the introduction of new features and functionality. The sales team is also responsible for making proactive proposals to prospects, as well as managing and delivering responses to competitive tenders. This complex, highly interactive approach, typically results in a long sales cycle, requiring us to invest a considerable amount of time developing business opportunities without guaranteed sales.

 

6


Table of Contents

 

Our marketing organization supports our sales activities by identifying markets for our products and establishing an awareness of our offerings in those markets through a combination of direct marketing, web marketing, and participation in shows, conferences, and industry bodies. The marketing organization is responsible for maintaining our web site and creating electronic and print-based sales collateral to support our sales activities and lead generation.

 

COMPETITION

 

The market for telecommunications OSS products and mobile analytics and advertising is highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change, changing industry standards, regulatory developments and consolidation. We face increasing demand for improved product performance, enhanced functionality, rapid integration capabilities, all in the context of continuing pricing pressure. Our existing and potential competitors include many large domestic and international companies that often have substantially greater financial, technological, marketing, distribution and other resources, larger installed customer bases and longer-standing relationships with telecommunications customers. The market for telecommunications OSS software and services is extremely large and we currently hold only a small portion of total market share. Nonetheless, we believe our work in subscriber acquisition and activation and Digital Engagement Customer Value Management, Retention and Loyalty has resulted in our achieving a measurable and reasonable market share in those areas.

 

Our principal competitors for subscriber acquisition and activation are vendors such as Nokia, Amdocs and Huawei, as well as billing vendors and other vendors such as Ericsson, 6D, HP and a few other smaller regional competitors.

 

Competitors for Digital Engagement Customer Value Management, Retention and Loyalty, include specialist vendors such as Pontis (acquired by Amdocs), CRM software from vendors such as Amdocs Limited, Analytics software from vendors like SAS and a few independent software companies like FlyTxt and Pelatro.

 

For all of our products, our ability to compete successfully depends on a wide range of factors. First and foremost is our ability to deliver both marketing services and expert services based on our solutions platform, which offers a cost-effective way for our customers to benefit from our many years of experience and product investment. We deliver value by offering competitively priced quality solutions, tailored specifically to our customers’ network and IT infra-structure. After a customer implements our products, we often receive subsequent orders for enhancements to add functionality or increase capacity. Complex solutions tailored to customers’ needs are expensive and time consuming to replace, thus providing us with an incumbent advantage. Furthermore, many of our customer relationships span five years or more. We believe all of these factors give us a competitive advantage and can be a barrier to entry for potential competitors.

 

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018 one significant customer accounted for 11% of revenue from operations. This customer is a large telecommunications operator in Europe. For the year ended December 31, 2017 one significant customer accounted for 11% of revenue from operations. This customer is a large telecommunications operator in Europe.

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

We rely on a combination of patents, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements and licensing arrangements, to establish and protect our proprietary rights. We have 9 patents in the U.S. on elements of our DSA and mobile broadband enablement products and patents pending in other countries on elements of our DSA and other products.

 

EMPLOYEES

 

As of December 31, 2018, we employed 280 people including 17 in the United States, 117 in the United Kingdom and European Union and 146 in India. Of our worldwide staff, 78% are involved in product delivery, development, support and professional services, 6% in sales and marketing, and 16% in general administration. The number and mix of our staff stabilized after the integration of the prior year acquisitions, however changes may occur in the coming year related to changes in the business and our market strategies. We also engage with multiple contractors in various countries to allow us to service our global clients.

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

You can find out more information about us at www.evolving.com. In addition, we use social media to communicate to the public. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material to investors. We encourage investors, the media, and others interested in Evolving Systems to review the information we post on the social media channels listed

 

7


Table of Contents

 

on our website. The information on or accessible through our website or on social media is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge on our Internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material with the SEC. Additionally, these reports are available at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

 

General Risk Statement

 

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are driven by factors we cannot control or predict. An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. The risks that we have highlighted here represent the material risks known to us, but they are not the only ones that we face. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows could be negatively affected. You should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties before investing in our securities.

 

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

 

We operate a global business that exposes us to currency, economic, regulatory and tax risks.

 

Our revenue comes primarily from sales outside the U.S. and our growth strategy is largely focused on emerging markets. Our success delivering solutions and competing in international markets is subject to our ability to manage various risks and difficulties, including, but not limited to:

 

·                  our ability to effectively staff, provide technical support and manage operations in multiple countries;

 

·                  fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

 

·                  timely collecting of accounts receivable from customers and resellers located outside of the U.S.;

 

·                  our ability to repatriate cash from foreign locations and manage potential adverse tax consequences in connection with repatriating funds;

 

·                  trade restrictions, political instability, disruptions in financial markets, and deterioration of economic conditions;

 

·                  compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and other anti-bribery laws and regulations;

 

·                  variations and changes in laws applicable to our operations in different jurisdictions, including enforceability of intellectual property and contract rights; and,

 

·                  compliance with export regulations, tariffs and other regulatory barriers.

 

Approximately 60% of our revenue is transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (e.g. British Pound Sterling, Swiss Franc and Euro). As a result, when the U.S. dollar strengthens, our revenue, when converted to U.S. dollars, is reduced. At the same time, approximately 96% of our operating expenses are incurred overseas. The strengthening dollar, conversely, lowers expenses outside of the U.S. Although this has provided some defense against currency fluctuations for our bottom-line results, we may not be able to maintain this ratio of revenue to expense in the future. In addition, we may not be able to repatriate cash without incurring substantial risks involving floating currency exchange rates, or to recover or apply withholding taxes remitted to foreign governments.

 

There is additionally considerable uncertainty about the economic and regulatory effects of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (commonly referred to as “Brexit”). The UK is one of our largest markets in Europe, but we also presently provide services to UK customers from EU countries. Brexit may result in greater regulatory complexity surrounding the services we provide to our UK customers and financial results could be negatively impacted.

 

Any of the foregoing factors may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We conduct business globally and, as a result, Evolving Systems, Inc. or one or more of our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Throughout the world, in the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities up until, two years in the U.K. and Europe and four years in India,

 

8


Table of Contents

 

following the end of the accounting period. As of the date of this report, three of our income tax returns in India are under examination and we do not expect the results of the examination will have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

We face intense competition for our products and services, which may lead to lower revenue or operating margins.

 

Our competitors range in size from diversified global companies with significant research and development resources to small, specialized firms. Many of the areas in which we compete evolve rapidly with changing and disruptive technologies, shifting user needs, and frequent introductions of new products and services. Our ability to remain competitive depends on our success in making innovative products, devices, and services that appeal to businesses and their customers.

 

Our revenue, earnings and profitability are affected by the length of our sales cycle, and a longer sales cycle could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our business is impacted by the length of our sales cycles. Our customers have relatively complex businesses and the purchase of large communications solutions used for enterprise-wide, mission-critical purposes, involve significant capital expenditures and lengthy implementation plans. Prospective customers often take a long period of time to evaluate our products and services and require us to spend substantial time, effort and money educating them about our solutions. The purchase of the types of products and services we offer typically also requires coordination and agreement across many departments within a customer’s organization. This process often results in a lengthy sales cycle, typically ranging between three and twelve months. Mergers and acquisitions of large communications companies, as well as the formation of new alliances, have also resulted in purchasing delays. Further lengthening of our sales cycle could hinder growth in our revenue and result in increased cost of sales, thereby reducing our profitability.

 

We incurred debt in connection with our recent acquisitions of Lumata and SSM which could adversely affect our financial condition and restrict our operating flexibility.

 

In connection with our acquisition of “Lumata Entities” completed on September 4, 2017, we entered into a Term Loan Facility Agreement with East West Bank as lender in the amount of $4.7 million (the “Lumata Facility”) and we used the full amount of the Lumata Loan Facility to fund the acquisition. The Lumata Facility requires us to make monthly principal payments of approximately $0.1 million, which commenced July 31, 2018 and interest at the greater of (a) 3.5% or (b) the variable rate of interest that appears in the Wall Street Journal on a monthly measurement date, plus in either case 1.5%. The Lumata Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets. The unpaid balance of the Lumata Facility is due on August 16, 2021.

 

In connection with our acquisition of SSM in September 2015, we increased our revolving credit facility with East West Bank from $5.0 million to $10.0 million (the “Revolving Facility”) and we used the full amount of the Revolving Facility to fund the acquisition. On February 29, 2016, we retired the Revolving Facility and we entered into a term loan agreement with East West Bank (“Term Loan”) for $6.0 million. The Term Loan bears interest at a floating rate equal to the U.S. Prime Rate plus 1.0% and is secured by substantially all of our assets, including a pledge, subject to certain limitations with respect to stock of foreign subsidiaries, of the stock of the existing and future direct subsidiaries of the Company. Interest accrues and is payable monthly. We are required to repay the Term Loan in 36 equal monthly installments, which commenced on January 1, 2017. The Term Loan matures on January 1, 2020.

 

Both in the Lumata Facility and the Term Loan (collectively, “Loans”), require us to maintain a minimum current ratio, a specified ratio of Total Liabilities to EBITDA and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the Term Loan. The Loans also include negative covenants that place restrictions on our ability to, among other things: incur additional indebtedness; create liens or other encumbrances on assets; make loans, enter into letters of credit, guarantees, investments and acquisitions; sell or otherwise dispose of assets; cause or permit a change of control; merge or consolidate with another entity; make negative pledges; enter into affiliate transactions; limits the amount of cash distributions to our stockholders; and change the nature of our business materially. Outstanding amounts under the Loans may be accelerated by East West Bank upon the occurrence and continuance of certain events of default, including without limitation: payment defaults, breach of covenants beyond applicable grace periods, breach of representations and warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency defaults, and the occurrence of a material adverse effect (as defined). Acceleration is automatic upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy and insolvency defaults.

 

The Loans and related obligations, including interest payments, covenants and restrictions, could have important consequences, including the following:

 

·                  reserving cash in order to satisfy the obligations relating to the Loans could adversely affect the amount or timing of investments to grow our business, impairing our ability to invest in and successfully grow our business;

 

·                  the Loans could limit our ability to obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms to fund our working capital

 

9


Table of Contents

 

·                  requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt obligations and other general corporate requirements;

 

·                  the Loans may increase our vulnerability to general economic downturns, competition and industry conditions and we may be unable to take advantage of opportunities that our leverage prevents us from exploiting, placing us at a disadvantage to our competitors that are less leveraged; and,

 

·                  the Loans impose restrictions on the manner in which we conduct our business, including restrictions on our ability to pay dividends, incur additional debt and sell assets.

 

The obligations under the Loans could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows. In addition, our failure to comply with the covenants under the Loans could result in an event of default and acceleration of the outstanding balance, which could significantly harm our business and cause our stock price to decline. We did not comply with the fixed charge ratio covenant for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. We received a waiver of the non-compliance from East West Bank and we are negotiating new quarterly ratios for 2019. We may fail to meet the covenant requirements in future periods and may be unable to obtain additional waivers or modifications.

 

We recently completed a number of acquisitions in support of our new strategy based on recurring managed services. Acquisitions present many risks and we cannot guarantee that we will realize the financial and strategic goals that were contemplated at the time of a transaction.

 

We have recently entered into acquisitions that we believe have accelerated and will continue to accelerate our pivot to the customer acquisition and customer value management (“CVM”) domains. We expect to continue making acquisitions or entering into strategic alliances as part of our long-term business strategy. We cannot be sure that these transactions will ultimately enhance our products or strengthen our competitive position. These transactions involve significant challenges and risks: they may not advance our business strategy, we may not get a satisfactory return on our investment, we may have difficulty integrating operations, new technologies, products and employees, and they may distract management and employees from our other businesses. The success of these transactions will depend in part on our ability to leverage them to enhance our existing products and services or develop compelling new ones. It may take longer than expected to realize the full benefits from these transactions, such as increased revenue, enhanced efficiencies, or increased market share, or the benefits may ultimately be smaller than we expected.

 

Furthermore, we may fail to identify or assess the magnitude of certain liabilities, shortcomings or other circumstances prior to acquiring a company or technology, which could result in regulatory exposure, unfavorable accounting treatment, unexpected increases in taxes due, a loss of anticipated tax benefits or other adverse effects on our business, operating results or financial condition. In addition, future acquisitions could result in dilutive issuances of equity securities, impact employee stock options, reduce our cash available for operations and increase our debt. All of these factors associated with acquisitions could result in unexpected litigation from employees and stockholders. The occurrence of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, particularly in the case of a large acquisition or several concurrent acquisitions.

 

An impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets could negatively affect our consolidated operating results.

 

Goodwill is the excess of acquisition cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but tested for impairment annually or whenever indicators of impairment exist. These indicators may include an other than temporary decline in our market capitalization that is calculated as our common stock’s market price multiplied by the number of shares of common stock outstanding, a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, sale or disposition of a significant portion of the business or other factors. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to the reporting unit, and determination of the fair value of the reporting unit. In 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, annual or interim goodwill impairment testing will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge will then be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.

 

Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates and market factors. Estimating the fair value of our business and indefinite-lived intangible assets requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, as well as industry and economic conditions. These assumptions and estimates include projected

 

10


Table of Contents

 

revenues and income growth rates, terminal growth rates, competitive and consumer trends, market-based discount rates, and other market factors. If current expectations of future growth rates are not met or market factors outside of our control, such as discount rates, change significantly, then goodwill or intangible assets might become impaired in the future. As goodwill and intangible assets associated with recently acquired businesses are recorded on the balance sheet at their estimated acquisition date fair values, those amounts are more susceptible to an impairment risk if business operating results or macroeconomic conditions deteriorate. Additionally, recently impaired intangible assets can also be more susceptible to future impairment as they are recorded on the balance sheet at their recently estimated fair values. An impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets could negatively affect our operating results or net worth.

 

We depend on a limited number of significant customers for a substantial portion of our revenue, and the loss of one or more of these customers, or a delay in a large order, could adversely affect our business.

 

We earn a significant portion of our revenue from a small number of customers in the communications industry. The loss of any significant customer, delays in delivery or acceptance of any of our products by a customer, delays in performing services for a customer, or delays in collection of customer receivables could harm our business and operating results to a greater degree than other companies with a broader customer base.

 

Customers’ budgetary constraints and internal acceptance reviews may cause potential clients to delay or forego a purchase, making it difficult for us to forecast the timing and size of our contracts. In addition, our sales opportunities in any given quarter and year typically include a few high value opportunities. The delay or failure to close one or more large orders could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and cause our results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year.

 

Our managed services offerings and our cloud strategy, or Software as a Service (“SaaS”), may not be successful.

 

We offer some of our products as a managed service or a SaaS implementation and we intend to offer more of our solutions in this manner in the future. Even as we transition more of our business software-as-a-service business model and managed services, the license-based proprietary software model generates a substantial portion of our software revenue. While we believe the demand for managed services and cloud-based solutions is strong, there are no guarantees that we will be able to compete effectively, generate significant revenues or maintain profitability. Whether we are successful in providing our solutions as managed services or solutions as cloud solutions depends on our execution in a number of areas, including continuing to innovate and bring to market compelling managed services and cloud-based offerings and ensuring that our services meet the reliability expectations of our customers and maintain the security of customer data. Our managed and cloud-based services strategies also may fail to achieve success if other companies offering managed services and cloud-based solutions experience data loss, security breaches or service reliability issues that cause consumers to become less willing to accept managed services and cloud-based solutions in general.

 

Our products are complex and have a lengthy implementation process; unanticipated difficulties or delays in obtaining customer acceptance could result in higher costs and delayed payments.

 

Implementing our solutions can be a relatively complex and lengthy process since we typically customize these solutions for each customer’s unique environment. Often our customers also require rapid deployment of our software solutions, resulting in pressure on us to meet demanding delivery and implementation schedules. Inability to meet these demanding schedules, or quality issues resulting from accelerated delivery schedules, may result in customer dissatisfaction and/or damage our reputation, which could materially harm our business.

 

The majority of our existing contracts provide for acceptance testing by the customer, which can be a lengthy process. Unanticipated difficulties or delays in the customer acceptance process could result in higher costs, delayed payments, and deferral of revenue recognition. In addition, if our software contains defects or we otherwise fail to satisfy acceptance criteria within prescribed times, the customer may be entitled to liquidated damages, to cancel its contract and receive a refund of all or a portion of amounts paid or to seek other monetary damages. These could exceed related contract revenue and result in a future charge to earnings. Any failure or delay in achieving final acceptance of our software and services could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

We face risks associated with doing business through local partners.

 

In some countries, because of local customs and regulations or for language reasons, we do business through local partners who resell our products and services, with or without value-added services. This can cause delays in closing contracts because of the increased complexity of having another party involved in negotiations. In addition, where the local partner provides additional software, hardware and/or services to the end-user, our products and services may only be a small portion of the total solution. As a

 

11


Table of Contents

 

result, conditions surrounding acceptance and payments owed to us may be impacted by factors that are out of our control. Resellers may also delay paying us even when they have been paid by the end-user. We have in the past experienced delays in closing contracts through partners and collecting from resellers and this situation may arise again in the future, negatively impacting our cash flows. Doing business through local partners may also increase our risks under anti-bribery regulations, discussed below.

 

The success of our business depends on continued growth in the wireless services industry and demand for connected devices, and other usage of mobile data.

 

Our primary market, wireless telecommunications, is fairly mature and saturated, which may result in lower budgets and margins for our solutions and services. The future success of our business depends upon continued new subscriber growth, consumer adoption of new types of connected devices like IoT and consequently mobile operator demand for next generation software solutions and services. If there is a slowdown in subscriber growth in the wireless services industry or the demand for connected devices and usage of mobile data were to stabilize or decline, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

The success of our business also depends on our ability to renew our support and managed services offerings. The quality of our support and managed services offerings is important to our customers. If we fail to meet our service level obligations under our agreements, we could incur penalties and could lose customers.

 

Providing a high level of support for our solutions is critical to our business. Our customers expect us to resolve issues relating to the use of our solutions and if we are unable to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers, we could experience loss of customers and difficulty attracting new customers. In addition, we have service level agreements with many of our customers under which we guarantee specified levels of service availability and service credits for failing to achieve our agreed service levels, which could result in higher than expected costs, decreased revenues and decreased operating margins. Any of the above results would likely have a material adverse impact on our business, revenue, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.

 

Compliance with changing European privacy laws could require us to incur significant costs and failure to comply could give rise to liabilities. Disclosure and misuse of personal data could result in liability and harm our reputation.

 

During the course of providing our products and services we may collect names, addresses, telephone numbers and other personally identifiable information, or “PII”. This may subject us to complex regulatory requirements related to data collection and risks of improper use or disclosure. In addition, we have offices and clients in the EU where new more stringent regulations, known as the General Data Protection Regulations or “GDPR,” took effect in May 2018. The GDPR imposes significant new obligations and compliance with these obligations depends in part on how particular regulators apply and interpret them. If we fail to comply with the GDPR, or if regulators assert we have failed to comply with the GDPR, it may lead to regulatory enforcement actions, which can result in monetary penalties of up to 4% of worldwide revenue, private lawsuits, or reputational damage.

 

We strive to limit the amount of PII we collect and/or store and we have implemented steps designed to protect against unauthorized access to such information but because of the inherent risks and complexities involved in protecting this information, particularly if we store such information in a cloud implementation Despite our efforts to improve our security controls, it is possible our security controls over personal data, our training of employees and vendors on data security, and other practices we follow may not prevent the improper disclosure of customer or user data we store and manage. In addition, third party vendors that we engage to perform services for us may unintentionally release PII or otherwise fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations. We may also experience hesitancy, reluctance or refusal by European or multi-national customers to continue to use our services due to the potential risk exposure that these customers might face as a result of the current data protection obligations imposed on them by certain data protection authorities. These customers may require us to accept increased liability, decide not to do business with us or may require that their personal data remains in certain locations. We will incur additional costs if we are required to implement special operational processes and store data in jurisdictions not of our choosing. Any failure by us to comply with laws and regulations regulating privacy, data security, or consumer protection could result in damage claims from our customers, lost or restricted business, actions or fines brought against us or levied by governmental entities or others and could adversely affect our business and harm our reputation.

 

Cyber-attacks and security vulnerabilities could lead to reduced revenue, increased costs, liability claims, or harm to our competitive position.

 

The security of our products and services is important in our customers’ decisions to purchase or use our products or services. Increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks have resulted in an increase in information security risks in recent years. Hackers develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack products and services and gain access to networks and data centers. A substantial portion of our software development and customer support is provided from our India facility, which may be subject to increased risk of cyber-attacks, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks and similar events. If we were to experience difficulties maintaining existing systems or implementing new systems, we could

 

12


Table of Contents

 

incur significant losses due to disruptions in our operations. Additionally, these systems contain valuable proprietary and confidential information and may contain personal data of our customers’ subscribers. A security breach could result in disruptions of our internal systems and business applications, impairment of our ability to provide services to our customers, product development delays, harm to our competitive position from the compromise of confidential business information, or subject us to liability under laws that protect personal data. Although we believe that we have robust information security procedures and other safeguards in place, many of our services do not have fully redundant systems or a formal business continuity or disaster recovery plan, and we may not have adequate business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that occur from a system outage. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to enhance our information security measures and/or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. Any of these consequences would adversely affect our revenue and margins.

 

System security risks, data protection breaches, cyberattacks and systems integration issues could disrupt our internal operations or IT services provided to customers, and any such disruption could reduce our revenue, increase our expenses, damage our reputation and adversely affect our stock price.

 

As a technology services business, we are exposed to attacks from criminals, nation state actors and activist hackers (collectively, “malicious parties”) who may be able to circumvent or bypass our cyber security measures and misappropriate, maliciously alter or destroy our confidential information or that of third parties, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. Malicious parties also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, ransomware and other malicious software programs that attack our products or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of our products. Threats to our own IT infrastructure can also affect our customers. Customers using our cloud-based services rely on the security of our infrastructure, including hardware and other elements provided by third parties, to ensure the reliability of our services and the protection of their data. Sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including flaws that could unexpectedly interfere with the operation of the system. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate cyber or other security problems, including bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and other security vulnerabilities, could be significant and could reduce our operating margins. Our efforts to address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays, cessation of service and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede our sales, manufacturing, distribution or other critical functions.

 

We manage and store various proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data relating to our business. In addition, our business may process, store and transmit data relevant to our clients, including commercially sensitive and personally identifiable information, including the personal information of European citizens covered by the GDPR. Breaches of our cyber or physical security measures or the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure or unapproved dissemination of proprietary information or sensitive or confidential data about us, our clients or their customers, including the potential loss or disclosure of such information or data, could expose us, our customer or the individuals affected to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, result in litigation and potential liability for us, damage our brand and reputation or otherwise harm our business. We also could lose existing or potential customers or incur significant expenses in connection with our customers’ system failures or any actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in our products and services. In addition, the cost and operational consequences of implementing further data protection measures could be significant.

 

Portions of our IT infrastructure also may experience interruptions, delays or cessations of service or produce errors in connection with systems integration or migration work that takes place from time to time. We may not be successful in implementing new systems and transitioning data, which could cause business disruptions and be more expensive, time-consuming, disruptive and resource intensive. Such disruptions could adversely impact our ability to fulfill orders and respond to customer requests and interrupt other processes. Delayed sales, lower margins or lost customers resulting from these disruptions could reduce our revenue, increase our expenses, damage our reputation and adversely affect our stock price.

 

We are a relatively small company with a limited number of products and staff. Sales fluctuations and employee turnover may adversely affect our business.

 

We are a relatively small company. Consequently, compared to larger companies, sales fluctuations have a greater impact on our revenue and profitability on a quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year basis and a delayed contract could cause our operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year-to-year. In addition, as a small company we have limited staff and are heavily reliant on certain key personnel to operate our business. If a key employee were to leave the company, it could have a material impact on our business and results of operations as we might not have sufficient depth in our staffing to fill the role that was previously being performed. A delay in filling the vacated position could put a strain on existing personnel or result in a failure to satisfy our contractual obligations or to effectively implement our internal controls, and materially harm our business.

 

13


Table of Contents

 

Our periodic workforce restructurings can be disruptive.

 

We have in the past restructured our workforce in response to management changes, acquisitions, product changes, performance issues or other considerations. These types of restructurings have resulted in increased restructuring costs and temporary reduced productivity while our staff adjusted to new roles and responsibilities. We may choose to implement additional restructuring in the future. There is no certainty that we will achieve the expected cost savings or other benefits of these restructurings or do so within the expected timeframe. As a result, our business revenues and other results of operations could be negatively affected.

 

Because our quarterly and annual operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate, the market price for our stock may be volatile.

 

Our operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past and may continue to fluctuate significantly in the future from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year. These quarterly and annual fluctuations may result from a number of factors, including:

 

·                  the size of new contracts, rate of progress under our contracts and when we are able to recognize the related revenue;

 

·                  foreign exchange fluctuations;

 

·                  budgeting cycles of our customers;

 

·                  changes in the terms and rates related to the renewal of support agreements;

 

·                  the mix of products and services sold;

 

·                  the timing of delivery of software and hardware by third parties;

 

·                  level and timing of operating expenses and capital investments;

 

·                  impairment in the value of our long-lived assets;

 

·                  changes in our strategy; and,

 

·                  general economic conditions.

 

As a result, quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year comparisons of operating results are not necessarily meaningful, nor do they indicate what our future performance will be. Furthermore, we base our operating expenses and capital investment budgets on expected sales and revenue and many of our expenses, such as lease expenses, expenses associated with our debt and personnel costs, are relatively fixed in the short term. Variations in the rate and timing of conversion of our sales prospects into actual revenue could cause us to plan or budget inaccurately and we may be unable to adjust spending quickly enough to compensate for an unexpected shortfall in revenue. Any significant shortfall in anticipated levels of demand for our products and services could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and the market price of our common stock.

 

The markets for our service activation and number management products are mature and the markets for our next generation loyalty and customer lifecycle management software and services are evolving. The industry in which we compete is subject to rapid technological change and if we do not adapt to rapid technological change, we could lose customers or market share.

 

Our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, changes in carrier requirements and preferences and frequent new service offerings. The introduction of products that incorporate new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards can make existing products obsolete and unmarketable. To compete successfully, we must continue to design, develop and sell new products and enhancements to existing products that provide higher levels of performance and reliability, take advantage of technological advancements and changes in industry standards and respond to new customer requirements. Developing new products and services is complex and time-consuming and investment in new technologies is speculative. It can require long development and testing periods. Significant delays in new releases or significant problems in creating new products or services could adversely affect our revenue. If customers do not perceive our latest offerings as providing significant new functionality or other value, they may reduce their purchases of new offerings or upgrades, unfavorably affecting revenue. We may not achieve significant revenue from new products and services for several years, if at all. New products and services may not be profitable, and even if they

 

14


Table of Contents

 

are profitable, operating margins for some new products and businesses will not be as high as the margins we have experienced historically.

 

If we are unable to properly supervise our software development staff in India, or if political or other uncertainties interfere, we may be unable to satisfactorily perform our customer contracts.

 

In 2004, we formed Evolving Systems India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Evolving Systems, Inc. and as a result of our 2015 acquisition of SSM, we acquired two additional Indian subsidiaries. We have experienced a high level of turnover with our Indian development staff as a result of strong competition for technology-based personnel in India. In addition, salary levels in India are steadily increasing, reducing the competitive advantages associated with offshore labor. If we are unable to effectively manage our India-based development staff and/or we continue to experience high levels of staff turnover, we may fail to provide quality software in a timely fashion. Furthermore, political changes and uncertainties in India could negatively impact the business climate there. As a result, we may be unable to satisfactorily perform under our contracts and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed.

 

Changes or challenges to the regulations of the communication industry could hurt the market for our products and services.

 

Our customers may require, or we may find it necessary or advisable, to modify our products or services to address actual or anticipated changes in regulations affecting our customers. This could increase our costs, delay adoption of our products and increase our sales cycle, which could materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. We are also subject to numerous regulatory requirements of foreign jurisdictions, which are often complex and changing. Any failure to comply with such regulations could, likewise, materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Consolidation in the communications industry may impact our financial performance.

 

The global communications industry has experienced and continues to experience significant consolidation. These consolidations have caused us to lose customers and may result in fewer potential customers. In addition, combining companies often re-evaluate their solutions and their capital expenditures, choosing to consolidate with one solution; there is no guarantee our solution will be selected in this process. As our customers become larger, they generally have longer sales cycles and stronger purchasing power, which can result in delays in securing contracts and pressure to reduce our prices. All of these factors can have a negative impact on our financial performance, particularly in any fiscal quarter.

 

Many of our products and services are sold on a fixed-price basis. If we incur budget overruns this may reduce our profitability.

 

A large portion of our revenue currently is, and historically has been, derived from fixed-price contracts and we expect this will continue. These contracts specify certain obligations and deliverables we must meet regardless of the actual costs we incur. Projects done on a fixed-price basis are subject to budget overruns. On occasion, we have experienced budget overruns, resulting in lower than anticipated margins. We may incur similar budget overruns in the future, including overruns that result in losses on these contracts. If we incur budget overruns, our margins may be harmed, thereby affecting our overall profitability.

 

The communications industry is highly competitive and if our products do not satisfy customer demand for performance or price, our customers could purchase products and services from our competitors.

 

Our primary markets are intensely competitive, and we face continuous demand to release new products, new features and product enhancements, to improve product performance and to reduce prices. Our competitors include many large domestic and international companies who have substantially greater resources, larger installed customer bases and longer-standing relationships with customers. In addition, some companies who would not typically compete with us, such as network equipment manufacturers, offer next generation solutions that address some of the benefits provided by our solutions.

 

Our customers are not precluded from competing with us and also may offer competitive products or services. Many telecommunications companies have large internal development organizations, which develop software solutions and provide services similar to the products and services we provide.

 

We believe that our ability to compete successfully depends on numerous factors, including the quality and price of our products and services compared to those of our competitors, the emergence of new industry standards and technical innovations and our ability to respond to those changes. Some of these factors are within our control, and others are not. A variety of potential actions by our competitors, including price reductions or increased marketing and promotion, accelerated introduction of new or enhanced

 

15


Table of Contents

 

products, or cooperative relationships among competitors and their strategic partners, could negatively impact the sale of our products and services. We may have to reduce the prices we charge for our products and services, resulting in lower revenue and operating margins. We may not be able to compete successfully or to properly identify and address the demands of new markets. This is particularly true in new markets where standards are not yet established. Our failure to adapt to emerging market demands, respond to regulatory and technological changes or compete successfully with existing and new competitors would materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Our business depends largely on our ability to attract and retain talented employees.

 

Attracting and retaining talented employees is key to our success. The market for skilled workers in our industry is very competitive. We may not be able to retain personnel or to hire additional personnel on a timely basis, if at all. Because of the complexity of our software solutions, a significant time lag exists between the hiring date of technical and sales personnel and the time when they become fully productive. We have at times experienced high employee turnover and difficulty in recruiting and retaining technical personnel. Our failure to retain personnel or to hire qualified personnel on a timely basis could adversely affect our business by impacting our ability to develop new products, to complete our projects and secure new contracts.

 

Our solutions are complex and may have errors that are not detected until deployment. Resolving warranty and product liability claims could be expensive and could negatively affect our reputation and profitability.

 

The provisions of our agreements with customers are designed to limit our exposure to potential liability for damages arising out of the use of, or defects in, our products. We cannot guarantee that these limitations will be effective. Although we carry errors and omissions insurance, to the extent that any successful product liability claim is not covered by our errors and omissions insurance or exceeds the coverage under our policy, we may be required to incur legal fees and pay for a claim. This could be expensive, particularly since our software solutions may be used in critical business applications. On occasion, we also engage subcontractors to provide deliverables under customer contracts; we could be required to indemnify customers for work performed by our subcontractors. We may not be able to recover these damages from a subcontractor. Defending against a product liability claim, regardless of its merits, could be expensive and require the time and attention of key management personnel, either of which could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our business reputation could be harmed by product liability claims, regardless of their merit or the eventual outcome of these claims.

 

Our measures to protect our intellectual property may not be adequate.

 

Our success and ability to compete are dependent to a significant degree on our proprietary technology. Protecting our global intellectual property rights is difficult. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements and licensing arrangements, to establish and protect our proprietary rights. We have 9 patents in the U.S. on elements of our DSA and mobile broadband enablement products and patents pending in other countries on elements of our DSA and Intelligent M2M Controller™ (“IMC”) products. In addition, we have registered or filed for registration of certain of our trademarks. Our patent portfolio is relatively small and given the cost of obtaining additional patent protection, we may choose not to patent certain inventions that later become important. There is also the possibility that our means of protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate; a third party may copy or otherwise obtain and use our products or technology without authorization or may develop similar technology independently or design around our patents. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries may not adequately protect our proprietary rights.

 

Source code, the detailed program commands for our software programs, is critical to our business. While we take steps to limit access to our source code and to protect it as a trade secret, we may not be able to protect our source code from copying if there is an unauthorized disclosure. Trade secret protection for that source code could be jeopardized, making it easier for third parties to develop competing products.

 

If our intellectual property protection proves inadequate, we may lose our competitive advantage and our future financial results may suffer.

 

16


Table of Contents

 

Third parties may claim we are infringing their intellectual property rights, or that we have not complied with their license requirements and we may incur significant expenses in resolving these claims.

 

It is possible that our business activities may infringe upon the proprietary rights of others, or that other parties may assert infringement claims against us. Those claims may involve patent holding companies or other adverse patent owners who have no relevant product revenue of their own, and against whom our own patents may provide little or no deterrence. We could incur substantial costs in defending against any infringement claim and we could be required to develop non-infringing technology, obtain licenses, or cease selling the applications that contain the infringing intellectual property. Adverse publicity related to any intellectual property litigation also could harm the sale of our products and damage our competitive position.

 

Certain software we develop, or use, may include so called “open source” software made available under a license which may impose obligations on us in the event we distribute derivative works based on the open source software. Certain licenses impose obligations that could require us to make source code for a derivative work available to the public or license the derivative work under a particular type of open source software license, rather than the license terms we customarily use to protect our software.

 

There is little or no legal precedent for interpreting the terms of certain of these open source licenses, including the terms addressing the extent to which software incorporating open source software may be considered a derivative work subject to these licenses. We believe we have complied with our obligations under the various applicable open source licenses. However, if the owner of any open source software were to successfully establish that we had not complied with the terms of an open source license for a particular product that includes such open source software, we may be forced to release the source code for that derivative work to the public or cease distribution of that work.

 

Our performance may be adversely affected by economic and political conditions in the United Kingdom where we do business.

 

Our performance has been in the past and may continue in the future to be impacted by economic and political conditions in the United Kingdom where we do business. Economic and financial uncertainties in our international markets, including uncertainties surrounding the United Kingdom’s impending withdrawal from the European Union (commonly referred to as “Brexit”) and changes to major international trade arrangements, could negatively impact our operations and sales. Brexit may result in greater regulatory complexity surrounding the services we provide to our customers from our UK resources and financial results could be negatively impacted.

 

Disruptions from terrorist activities, geopolitical conditions or military actions may disrupt our business.

 

The continued threat of terrorism and acts of war may cause significant disruption to commerce throughout the world. Abrupt political changes and armed conflict pose a risk of economic disruption in affected countries, which may increase our operating costs and add uncertainty to the timing and budget for technology investment decisions by our customers. Our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected to the extent that such disruptions result in delays or cancellations of customer orders, delays in collecting cash, a general decrease in corporate spending on information technology, or our inability to effectively market, manufacture or ship our products. We are unable to predict whether war, political unrest and the threat of terrorism will result in any long-term commercial disruptions or if such activities will have any long-term material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

Our international operations subject us to potential liability under anti-corruption laws and regulations.

 

Our international business operations are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), which generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from paying or offering anything of value to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business, or otherwise receiving discretionary favorable treatment of any kind. To the extent we do business through Evolving Systems UK, we are also subject to the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010. In addition, many countries in which we do business have their own anti-bribery rules and regulations. Under these regulations, we may be held liable for actions taken by our local partners and agents, even if such parties act without our knowledge. Any determination that we have violated the FCPA or the Bribery Act of 2010 (whether directly or through acts of others, intentionally or through inadvertence) or other anti-bribery legislation could result in sanctions that could have a material adverse effect on our business. While we have procedures and controls in place to monitor compliance, situations outside of our control may arise that could put us in violation of anti-bribery legislation inadvertently and thus negatively impact our business.

 

17


Table of Contents

 

In order to operate internationally and comply with local government regulations and customer requirements, we maintain bank accounts at non-U.S. banks located in Asian and African countries and in local currencies. Certain countries such as India and Nigeria require that we pay withholding taxes should we transfer our cash from a non-U.S. bank account to our U.S. bank accounts.

 

As of December 31, 2018, of our $6.7 million cash balance, $1.3 million is on deposit in the U.S., the U.S. dollar equivalents of $2.8 million is on deposit in the U.K. and Europe, $1.5 million is on deposit in India and $1.1 million is on deposit in Nigeria. Should we choose to transfer cash out of our bank accounts in India and Nigeria, we may be required to pay the local tax authorities a withholding tax ranging from 10% to 20% of the amount transferred. Local regulations may make a transfer may take longer to execute than transfers from our U.S., U.K. and European bank accounts and the withholding tax we pay may not be refundable. The longer execution times and the withholding taxes means we may be subject to delays in executing our operations and our available cash is reduced by the withholding taxes.

 

As a result of operating as a smaller public company, our management is required to devote a substantial amount of time to comply with regulatory matters; our relatively small staff can make compliance challenging.

 

Because our common stock is publicly traded, we are subject to certain rules and regulations of federal, state and financial market exchange entities charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded. These entities, including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the SEC and NASDAQ, have issued requirements and regulations and continue to adopt additional regulations and requirements in response to laws enacted by Congress. Establishment of effective internal controls is further complicated because we are a relatively small company with global operations, and multiple locations and IT systems. Our management and other personnel have and will continue to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives.

 

Our stock price could become more volatile and your investment could lose value.

 

All of the factors discussed in this section, as well as general economic and market conditions, could affect our stock price. A significant drop in our stock price could also expose us to the risk of securities class actions lawsuits, which could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect our business.

 

The input method of accounting used for most of our projects can result in overstated or understated profits or losses.

 

Our services and managed services revenue under fixed-price services contracts is accounted for using the input method of accounting. Under this method, we recognize revenue and profits for each fixed-price service project-based efforts or inputs toward satisfying a performance obligation, which is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct service to the customer. The input method requires us to estimate the total performance obligation and to allocate the transaction price of a contract to each distinct performance obligation. Our failure to accurately estimate these often-subjective factors could result in overstated or understated revenue, profits or losses.

 

Changes in, or interpretations of, accounting principles or tax rules and regulations, could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). It is possible that future requirements could change our current application of GAAP, resulting in a material adverse impact on our financial positions or results of operations. In addition, our future effective tax rates could be unfavorably affected by changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws or by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. We regularly assess our implementation of applicable accounting principles and the adequacy of our provision for income taxes, but we are a relatively small company and our business is complex; the final determination of any tax authority, upon examination of our income tax returns, could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial position.

 

Sales of large blocks of our stock may result in the reduction in the market price of our stock and make it more difficult to raise funds in the future.

 

If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the market price of our common stock could fall. The perception among investors that such sales will occur could also produce this effect. We currently have several stockholders who own large percentages of our stock. To the extent we continue to have one or more stockholders who own a large percentage of our stock and those stockholders chose to liquidate their holdings, it may have a dramatic impact on the market price of our stock. These factors also could make it more difficult to raise funds through future offerings of common stock.

 

18


Table of Contents

 

Certain provisions of our charter documents, employment arrangements and Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent an acquisition of us, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders, and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.

 

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could make it difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. In addition, these provisions, which make it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, may frustrate or prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management because our board of directors is responsible for appointing the members of our management team. These provisions include the following:

 

·                  our stockholders cannot take action by written consent;

 

·                  we have advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings;

 

·                  our stockholders can only remove directors without cause by supermajority vote; and,

 

·                  our stockholders can only amend our bylaws or certain Board of Directors-related provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation by a supermajority vote.

 

In addition, we are subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibit us from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in the prescribed manner. The application of Section 203 and certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our management, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock by discouraging or preventing takeover attempts that might result in the payment of a premium price to our stockholders.

 

Certain of our named executive officers have entered into agreements with us that contain a change in control provision. These agreements generally provide for acceleration on vesting of stock awards. The acceleration of vesting of stock awards upon a change in control may be viewed as an anti-takeover measure and may have the effect of discouraging a merger proposal, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of us.

 

Our Stock Incentive Plans provide for acceleration of vesting of stock awards under certain changes in control. As noted above, the acceleration on vesting of stock awards upon a change in control may be viewed as an anti-takeover measure.

 

All of the above factors could adversely affect the market price of our common stock by discouraging or preventing takeover attempts that might result in the payment of a premium price to our stockholders.

 

We suspended our dividends in 2016 and we may not pay dividends in the future.

 

In June 2016, our Board of Directors suspended our quarterly dividends. Any decision to pay dividends in the future and the amount of any dividend we may declare will depend on general business conditions, the impact of such payment on our financial condition and other factors our Board of Directors may consider to be relevant. In addition, our Loans limit our ability to pay dividends by establishing a maximum amount that can be paid per quarter and prohibiting payment of dividends when an event of default has occurred. If we elect to pay future dividends, this could reduce our cash reserves to levels that may be inadequate to fund expansions to our business plan or unanticipated contingent liabilities.

 

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

19


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.     PROPERTIES

 

We lease office space at various locations which are shown below.

 

 

 

Square

 

Lease

Location

 

Footage

 

Expiration

Englewood, Colorado

 

400

 

month-to-month

New York, New York

 

391

 

01/31/20

Durham, North Carolina

 

1,453

 

08/31/20

London, England

 

376

 

09/30/19

Bangalore, India

 

12,429

 

08/18/23

Kolkata, India

 

5,638

 

07/31/20

Delhi, India

 

322

 

03/09/20

Johannesburg, South Africa

 

130

 

03/31/19

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

1,042

 

07/14/19

Mexico City, Mexico

 

89

 

02/28/19

Grenoble, France

 

3,767

 

03/21/21

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

 

7,793

 

12/31/22

Madrid, Spain

 

215

 

month-to-month

 

We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current and near-term needs, and that we will be able to locate additional facilities as needed.

 

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are involved in various legal matters arising in the normal course of business. Losses, including estimated costs to defend, are recorded for these matters to the extent they were probable of loss and the amount of loss could be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any such matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

 

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5.             MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “EVOL.”

 

As of April 3, 2019, there were approximately 79 holders of record of our common stock.

 

Dividends

 

Our Loans limit our ability to pay dividends by establishing a maximum amount that can be paid per quarter and prohibiting payment of dividends when an event of default has occurred. Payment of future dividends can also affect our business as this could reduce our cash reserves to levels that may be inadequate to fund expansions to our business plan or unanticipated contingent liabilities. Any decision to declare dividends in the future and the amount of any dividend we may declare will depend on general business conditions, the impact of such payment on our financial condition and other factors our Board of Directors may consider to be relevant.

 

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Not applicable.

 

20


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that have been made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about Evolving Systems’ industry, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements include our expectations regarding product, services, and customer support revenue; our expectations associated with Evolving Systems India, Evolving Systems U.K., Evolving Systems NC Evolving Systems BLS LTD, Lumata UK LTD, Lumata France SAS, Lumata Deutschland GmbH, and Lumata Spain SL and short- and long-term cash needs. In some cases, words such as “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes” or “estimates” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth in this section and in “Item 1A - Risk Factors.”

 

OVERVIEW

 

Evolving Systems, Inc. is a provider of real-time digital engagement solutions and services to the wireless carrier and consumer financial services markets. We operate a managed services business model through which we maintain long-standing relationships with many of the largest wireless companies worldwide. The Company’s portfolio includes market-leading solutions and services for real-time analytics, customer acquisition and activation, customer value management and loyalty for the telecom industry promoting partnerships into retail and financial services. The Company has moved from selling technology to offering business solutions. The value proposition likewise has moved away from cost savings to a focus on revenue increases for the carrier and our business model has moved from classic capital expenditure license and services to operating expense models based on managed services with performance fees.

 

In July 2017, we completed our acquisition of BLS, a company headquartered in Newbury, United Kingdom that specializes in data-driven customer value management and customer engagement solutions that have been implemented in over 20 mobile operators in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean. BLS solutions can turn customer data into actionable insights and personalized contextual offers. Customer engagement occurs through in-bound and out-bound offers and is further extended through a suite of loyalty and retention solutions.

 

In September 2017, we completed the acquisition of four business operating units of the “Lumata Entities”. The Lumata Entities are a leading global provider of real-time, next generation loyalty and customer lifecycle management software and services that help businesses gain value from their customer data for relevant and contextual insights and actions of value to both customers and enterprises. Lumata’s customers include wireless carriers Orange, Telefonica and other Tier-1 and emerging wireless carriers in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

We reported a net loss of $14.8 million and net income of $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

In 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, annual or interim goodwill impairment testing will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge will then be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.  Due to a sustained decline in the market capitalization of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2018, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test in accordance with the provisions of ASU 2017-04.The outcome of this goodwill impairment test resulted in a charge for the impairment of goodwill of $17.8 million, which was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. Management considered that, along with other possible factors affecting the assessment of the Company’s reporting unit for the purposes of performing a goodwill impairment assessment, including management assumptions about expected future revenue forecasts and discount rates, changes in the overall economy, trends in the stock price, estimated control premium and other operating conditions.

 

21


Table of Contents

 

We have operations in foreign countries where the local currency is used to prepare the consolidated financial statements which are translated into our reporting currency, U.S. dollars. Changes in the exchange rates between these currencies and our reporting currency are partially responsible for some of the changes from period to period in our financial statement amounts. The majority of the changes in 2018 and 2017 are a result of the U.S. dollar strengthening on average versus the British Pound Sterling. The chart below summarizes what the effects on our revenue and expenses would be on a constant currency basis. The constant currency basis assumes that the exchange rate was constant for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018 vs. 2017

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

435

 

Costs of revenue and operating expenses

 

(3,187

)

Loss from operations

 

$

(2,752

)

 

The net effect of our foreign currency translations for the year ended December 31, 2018 was a $0.4 million increase in revenue and a $3.2 million decrease in operating expenses versus the year ended December 31, 2017 due to a stronger U.S. dollar on average during the year 2017.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table presents our consolidated statements of operations in comparative format:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Change

 

% Change

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

REVENUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

License fees

 

$

1,433

 

$

3,438

 

$

(2,005

)

(58

)%

Services

 

29,203

 

25,374

 

3,829

 

15

%

Total revenue

 

30,636

 

28,812

 

1,824

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COSTS OF REVENUE AND OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

10,349

 

8,680

 

1,669

 

19

%

Sales and marketing

 

6,592

 

5,214

 

1,378

 

26

%

General and administrative

 

6,677

 

6,065

 

612

 

10

%

Product development

 

4,170

 

2,042

 

2,128

 

104

%

Depreciation

 

121

 

250

 

(129

)

(52

)%

Amortization

 

970

 

860

 

110

 

13

%

Restructuring

 

 

286

 

(286

)

(100

)%

Goodwill impairment loss

 

17,760

 

 

17,760

 

100

%

Total costs of revenue and operating expenses

 

46,639

 

23,397

 

23,242

 

99

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

(16,003

)

5,415

 

(21,418

)

(396

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

65

 

1

 

64

 

6,400

%

Interest expense

 

(478

)

(365

)

(113

)

31

%

Other income

 

393

 

23

 

370

 

1,609

%

Foreign currency exchange income (loss)

 

810

 

(1,137

)

1,947

 

(171

)%

Other income (expense), net

 

790

 

(1,478

)

2,268

 

(153

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations before income taxes

 

(15,213

)

3,937

 

(19,150

)

(486

)%

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(426

)

1,421

 

(1,847

)

(130

)%

Net (loss) income

 

$

(14,787

)

$

2,516

 

$

(17,303

)

(688

)%

 

22


Table of Contents

 

The following table presents our consolidated statements of operations reflected as a percentage of total revenue:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

REVENUE

 

 

 

 

 

License fees

 

5

%

12

%

Services

 

95

%

88

%

Total revenue

 

100

%

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

COSTS OF REVENUE AND OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

34

%

30

%

Sales and marketing

 

22

%

18

%

General and administrative

 

22

%

21

%

Product development

 

14

%

7

%

Depreciation

 

0

%

1

%

Amortization

 

3

%

3

%

Restructuring

 

0

%

1

%

Goodwill impairment loss

 

58

%

0

%

Total costs of revenue and operating expenses

 

153

%

81

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

(53

)%

19

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

0

%

0

%

Interest expense

 

(2

)%

(1

)%

Other income

 

1

%

0

%

Foreign currency exchange income (loss)

 

3

%

(4

)%

Other income (expense), net

 

2

%

(5

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations before income taxes

 

(51

)%

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(1

)%

5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

(50

)%

9

%

 

Revenue

 

Revenue is comprised of license fees and services. License fees represent the fees we receive from the licensing of our software products. Services revenue are directly related to the delivery of the licensed product as well as integration services, managed services, SaaS services, time and materials work and customer support services. Customer support services include annual support fees, recurring maintenance fees, minor product upgrades and warranty fees. Warranty fees are typically deferred and recognized over the warranty period.

 

License Fees

 

License fees revenue decreased 58%, or $2.0 million to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is related to a $0.6 million decline in one-time licensing fees from prior year related to the BLS acquisition and the remaining $1.4 million from our historical products as the Company continues to transition to a managed services model and more reliable recurring revenue.

 

23


Table of Contents

 

Services

 

Services revenue increased 15%, or $3.8 million, to $29.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is related to $5.3 million in service revenue from the acquired companies offset by a decline in our services revenues related to historical relationships of $1.5 million due to fewer new implementations and pricing pressures.

 

Costs of Revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, consist primarily of personnel costs and other direct costs associated with these personnel, facilities costs, costs of third-party software and partner commissions. Costs of revenue includes product development expenses related to software features requested in advance of their scheduled availability which are funded by customers as part of a managed service offering. Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization increased $1.7 million, or 19%, to $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in costs of revenue is primarily attributable to higher service project hours from projects related to the Acquired Companies of $2.5 million partially offset by lower service project hours from existing client relationships. This has allowed for experienced resources to work on internal projects and product development. As a percentage of revenue, costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased to 34% for the year December 31, 2018 from 30% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the increased hours and resource costs from the Acquired Companies on projects generating lower margins.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of compensation costs, including incentive compensation and commissions, travel expenses, advertising, marketing and facilities expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased 26%, or $1.4 million, to $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in expenses is attributable to $1.3 million in costs from the acquired companies and $0.1 million in additional staff. As a percentage of total revenue, sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased to 22% from 18% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the aforementioned higher costs.

 

General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses consist principally of employee-related costs for the following departments: finance, human resources, and certain executive management; facilities costs; and professional and legal fees. General and administrative expenses increased 10%, or $0.6 million, to $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in costs was related to $0.1 million in costs related to the Acquired Companies, $0.5 million in legal costs related to finalizing a matter regarding our September 2015 SSM acquisition, and $0.3 million in professional fees related to audits and preparations of routine regulatory filings in connection with the addition of the Acquired Companies. This was partially offset by the reduction of $0.3 million in legal and other costs related to closing of acquisitions and bank loans in 2017. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expenses increased to 22% for the year ended December 31, 2018 from 21% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the aforementioned higher costs.

 

Product Development

 

Product development expenses consist primarily of labor-related costs. Product development expenses increased 104%, or $2.1 million, to $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is primarily related to $1.5 million in additional costs from the Acquired Companies and additional product development hours costing $0.6 million by existing staff, as we utilize the larger technical staff for development work to build and enhance our product offerings. As a percentage of total revenue, product development expenses increased to 14% for the year ended December 31, 2018 from 7% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in product development expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the aforementioned higher costs.

 

Depreciation

 

Depreciation expense consists of depreciation of long-lived property and equipment. Depreciation expenses decreased 52%, or $0.1 million, to $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease of expense was due to older assets becoming fully depreciated in the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation expense decreased to less than 1% for the year ended December 31, 2018 from 1% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

24


Table of Contents

 

Amortization

 

Amortization expense consists of amortization of identifiable intangibles related to our acquisitions of Evolving Systems Labs, Evolving Systems NC, EVOL BLS, and the Lumata Entities. Amortization expense increased 13%, or $0.1 million, to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in amortization expense was due to the having a full year in 2018 of amortization expense of the intangible assets relating to the acquisition of EVOL BLS on July 3, 2017 and the Lumata Entities on September 4, 2017. This was partially offset by a reduction in amortization expense related to intangibles acquired in the formation of Evolving Systems NC reaching the end of life of those assets during 2018. As a percentage of revenue, amortization expense remained 3% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Restructuring

 

Restructuring expense includes the costs associated with a reduction in workforce due to the consolidation of duplicative functions and alignment of staff with ongoing business activity as a result of the acquisition of EVOL BLS and the Lumata Entities in third quarter of 2017. Restructuring decreased 100%, or $0.3 million, to $0.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. As a percentage of revenue, restructuring expense decreased to 0% for the year ended December 31, 2018 from 1% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease of restructuring expense as a percentage of total revenue is related to their being no restructuring in 2018.

 

Goodwill Impairment Loss

 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, our market capitalization declined to a level that was less than the net book value of our stockholders’ equity. We performed a goodwill impairment analysis as of December 31, 2018. As a result of the decline in the market capitalization (triggering event) and the associated impairment analysis, the Company recorded an impairment loss on goodwill of $17.8 million. We had no goodwill impairment loss for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense includes the amortization of debt issuance costs and interest expense from our term loans. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 31%, or $0.1 million, to $0.5 million as compared to $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is related to having a full year of the term loan borrowings used to acquire the Lumata Entities.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we had $0.8 million in other income, net, which consisted of: (1) when we acquired Telespree on October 24, 2013, we agreed to make a final cash payment on October 24, 2014 of $0.5 million. This payment was subject to reduction for certain claims and we notified the seller’s representative that we were asserting claims against the final cash payment and the contractually agreed time period has lapsed. Accordingly, we eliminated the liability as of June 30, 2018 and recognized $0.5 million gain in other income; (2) at the end of the second quarter we agreed to a Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement and a Contribution Agreement (the “SSM Agreements”) with certain parties related to our September 30, 2015 acquisition of SSM. The SSM Agreements settled a dispute with a former SSM contractor, of which $0.1 million was on the Company’s behalf and recorded as other expense; (3) When we acquired EVOL BLS on July 3, 2017, we agreed to make up to three annual cash payments equal to 50% of the EVOL BLS revenue in excess of $4.8 million for the 12-month periods ending July 3, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The Company also agreed to guarantee the EVOL BLS obligations under the Purchase Agreement. As of June 30, 2018, EVOL BLS has exceeded their projected revenues and we estimated the total annual cash payments for the three 12-month periods to be $0.8 million, which is a $0.4 million increase. We recognized $0.4 million in interest expense as a result of our increased obligation, and (4) $0.4 million in other income from eliminating certain allowances, unearned revenue and accrued liabilities that primarily came from the BLS and Lumata entities at the time of our acquisition. Foreign currency exchange income resulted from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the respective subsidiary increased 171%, or $1.9 million, to a $0.8 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to a $1.1 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2017. The income was generated primarily through the re-measurement of certain non-functional currency denominated financial assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, we had $1.5 million in other expense, net.

 

25


Table of Contents

 

Income Tax Expense

 

We recorded a net income tax benefit of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and net income tax expense of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The net expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of current income tax expense of $0.5 million and a deferred tax benefit of $0.9 million. The current tax expense consists of income tax primarily from our U.S. and U.K. based operations. The deferred tax benefit primarily consists of benefits from establishing deferred tax assets of $0.5 million for our foreign tax credit (“FTC”) carryforwards, $0.2 million for net operating losses from certain U.K. subsidiaries that are expected to be used by another U.K. subsidiary and $0.2 million decrease in net deferred tax liabilities. The net expense during the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of current income tax expense of $1.9 million and a deferred tax benefit of $0.5 million. The current tax expense consists of income tax from our U.S., U.K., France and India based operations and unrecoverable foreign withholding taxes in the U.K. The deferred tax benefit was related primarily to the increase of certain net deferred tax assets and amortization of stock options and the intangible assets related to the acquisition of Evolving Systems NC, Inc. in September 2015. Refer to Note 6, Income Taxes, of our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the foreign tax credit.

 

We use a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, we had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits. We do not believe there will be any material changes to our unrecognized tax positions over the next twelve months.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Our working capital position decreased 10%, or $0.9 million to $8.1 million at December 31, 2018 from $9.0 million at December 31, 2017. The decrease in working capital is related to decrease in cash, contract receivables, unbilled work in progress, prepaids and other assets along with an increase in current notes payable and partially offset by the decreases in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and unearned revenue along with the payment of a contingent earn-out and release of Telespree liability.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We have historically financed operations through cash flows from operations as well as debt and equity transactions. At December 31, 2018, our principal sources of liquidity were $6.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and $7.8 million in contract receivables, net of allowances. Our anticipated uses of cash in the future will be to fund the expansion of our business through both organic growth as well as possible acquisition activities, the expansion of our customer base internationally, and term loan payments. Other uses of cash may include capital expenditures and technology expansion.

 

During 2017, in connection with the Acquisition, EVOL Holdings entered into a Term Loan Facility Agreement, a Debenture and a Subordination Deed with East West Bank as lender in the amount of $4.7 million. We used the full amount of the Lumata Facility to fund the acquisition. The Lumata Facility requires the Company to make monthly principal payments of approximately $131,400 commencing July 31, 2018 and interest at the greater of (a) 3.5% or (b) the variable rate of interest that appears in the Wall Street Journal on a monthly measurement date, plus in either case 1.5%. The Lumata Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. The unpaid balance of the Lumata Facility is due on August 16, 2021.

 

On February 29, 2016, we retired the Revolving Facility and we entered into a term loan agreement with East West Bank (“Term Loan”) for $6.0 million. The Term Loan bears interest at a floating rate equal to the U.S. Prime Rate plus 1.0% and is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including a pledge, subject to certain limitations with respect to stock of foreign subsidiaries, of the stock of the existing and future direct subsidiaries of the Company. Interest accrues and is payable monthly. We are required to repay the Term Loan in 36 equal monthly installments, commencing on January 1, 2017. We were required to use the $6 million Term Loan proceeds, plus $4.0 million from our cash reserves, to pay off the Revolving Facility. The Term Loan matures on January 1, 2020.

 

Both the Lumata Facility and the Term Loan (collectively, “Loans”) include negative covenants that place restrictions on the Company’s ability to, among other things: incur additional indebtedness; create liens or other encumbrances on assets; make loans, enter into letters of credit, guarantees, investments and acquisitions; sell or otherwise dispose of assets; cause or permit a change of control; merge or consolidate with another entity; make negative pledges; enter into affiliate transactions; limits the amount of cash distributions to our shareholders; and change the nature of our business materially. We must also maintain a minimum current ratio, a specified ratio of Total Liabilities to EBITDA and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the Term Loan. As of December 31, 2018, our fixed charge coverage ratio was 0.81, which failed to meet the minimum required 1.25 fixed charge coverage ratio. On March 29, 2019, we received a letter from East West Bank that waived the violation and are currently negotiating modifications to the minimum required fixed charge ratio for the four quarters of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

 

26


Table of Contents

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $2.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively. Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to a net loss of $14.8 million offset by non-cash goodwill impairment loss of $17.8 million, and net decrease in operating assets and liabilities of $0.4 million.

 

The cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to increase in contract receivables related to the acquisitions and additional expenses related to the acquisitions as well as a decrease in accounts payable and current liabilities.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.2 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was due to the purchase of property and equipment. Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to the acquisition of the Acquired Companies of $5.9 million. Refer to Note 2, Acquisition, of our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the acquisitions.

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities was ($3.2) million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The cash used in 2018 financing activities was for principal payments on our term loans and payment of contingent earn-out. The cash provided by our 2017 financing activities was primarily related to the proceeds from the Lumata Facility entered into August 2017 to acquire the Lumata Entities offset by the principal payments on our term loan and the payment for second year debt issuance costs.

 

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, together with anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our working capital, debt extinguishment and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months as of the date this Form 10-K was filed. In making this assessment, we considered the following:

 

·                  Our cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2018 of $6.7 million;

 

·                  Our working capital balance of $8.1 million; and,

 

·                  Our ability to historically generate positive operating cash flows.

 

We are exposed to foreign currency rate risks which impact the carrying amount of our foreign subsidiaries and our consolidated equity, as well as our consolidated cash position due to translation adjustments. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the effect of exchange rate changes resulted in a less than $0.1 million decrease and a $0.2 million decrease to consolidated cash, respectively. We do not currently hedge our foreign currency exposure, but we closely monitor the rate changes and may hedge our exposures in the future.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have a material current effect, or that are reasonably likely to have a material future effect, on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

The following summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

 

 

Total

 

2019

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

Thereafter

 

Operating Leases

 

$

1,470

 

$

509

 

$

357

 

$

253

 

$

252

 

$

99

 

Term Loans

 

 

5,938

 

 

3,573

 

 

1,577

 

 

788

 

 

 

 

 

Total Commitments

 

$

7,048

 

$

4,082

 

$

1,934

 

$

1,041

 

$

252

 

$

99

 

 

27


Table of Contents

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion addresses our most critical accounting policies, which are those that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require significant judgment or use of complex estimates.

 

Business Combinations

 

We account for business combinations in accordance with the acquisition method. The acquisition method of accounting requires that assets acquired, and liabilities assumed be recorded at their fair values on the date of a business acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Certain adjustments to the assessed fair values of the assets and liabilities made subsequent to the acquisition date, but within the measurement period, which is up to one year, are recorded as adjustments to goodwill. Any adjustments subsequent to the measurement period are recorded in income. Our consolidated financial statements and results of operations reflect an acquired business from the completion date of an acquisition.

 

The judgments that we make in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact net income in periods following a business combination. We generally use either the income, cost or market approach to aid in our conclusions of such fair values and asset lives. The income approach presumes that the value of an asset can be estimated by the net economic benefit to be received over the life of the asset, discounted to present value. The cost approach presumes that an investor would pay no more for an asset than its replacement or reproduction cost. The market approach estimates value based on what other participants in the market have paid for reasonably similar assets. Although each valuation approach is considered in valuing the assets acquired, the approach ultimately selected is based on the characteristics of the asset and the availability of information.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We made estimates with respect to revenue recognition for progress toward completion and direct profit or loss on contracts, allowance for doubtful accounts, income tax valuation allowance, fair values of long-lived assets, valuation of intangible assets and goodwill, useful lives for property, equipment and intangible assets, business combinations, capitalization of internal software development costs and fair value of stock-based compensation amounts. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Foreign Currency

 

Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our foreign operations, generally, is the respective local currency for each foreign subsidiary. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations denominated in local currencies are translated at the spot rate in effect at the applicable reporting date. Our consolidated statements of income are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the applicable period. The resulting unrealized cumulative translation adjustment is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized and unrealized transaction gains and losses generated by transactions denominated in a currency different from the functional currency of the applicable entity are recorded in other income (loss) in the period in which they occur.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill is the excess of acquisition cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but tested for impairment annually or whenever indicators of impairment exist. These indicators may include an other than temporary decline in our market capitalization that is calculated as our common stock’s market price multiplied by the number of shares of common stock outstanding, a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, sale or disposition of a significant portion of the business or other factors. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to the reporting unit, and determination of the fair value of the reporting unit. In 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, annual or interim goodwill impairment testing will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge will then be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.

 

28


Table of Contents

 

Intangible Assets

 

Amortizable intangible assets consist primarily of purchased software and licenses, customer relationships, trademarks and tradenames, non-competition and purchased software acquired in conjunction with our purchase of Telespree Communications (“Evolving Systems Labs, Inc.”), Evolving Systems NC, Inc., EVOL BLS and the Lumata Entities. These assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated lives.

 

We assess the impairment of identifiable intangibles if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable.

 

If we determine that the carrying value of intangibles and/or long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we compare the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition to the asset’s carrying amount. If an amortizable intangible or long-lived asset is not deemed to be recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss representing the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

 

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

Level 3 — Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contacts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASC 606 was applied using the modified retrospective method. Accordingly, comparative periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under FASB ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). There was no cumulative effect of the initial application to be recognized as an adjustment to opening retained earnings at January 1, 2018 as the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

The majority of our license fees and services revenue is generated from fixed-price contracts, this provides for licenses to our software products and services that customize such software to meet our customers’ needs. In most instances, customization services are determined to be essential to the functionality of the delivered software. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when our customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We measure revenue based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer and exclude any sales incentives. Furthermore, we recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the service to our customer.

 

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct service to the customer. The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as the customer receives the benefit of the performance obligation. Our customers typically receive the benefit of our services as they are performed. Substantially all customer contracts provide that we are compensated for services performed to date. Losses on fixed-price projects are recorded when identified. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by us from a customer, are excluded from revenue.

 

Nature of goods and services

 

The following is a description of our products and services from which we generate revenue, as well as the nature, timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, and significant payment terms for each:

 

29


Table of Contents

 

i. License Revenue

 

License fees represent the fees we receive from the licensing of our software products. In most instances, customization services are determined to be essential to the functionality of the delivered software. The license along with the customization services are transferred to our customers over time. In arrangements where the services are not essential to the functionality of the delivered software, we recognize license revenue when the license agreement has been approved and the software has been delivered. We can identify each party’s rights, payment terms, and commercial substance of the content. Where applicable, we identify multiple performance obligations and record as revenue as the performance obligations are fulfilled based on their estimated allocated value. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment and is based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation.

 

ii. Customer Support Revenue

 

Customer support services includes annual support fees, recurring maintenance fees, warranty support fees and minor product upgrades. The warranty support fees represent a separate performance obligation that is provided for up to a year with initial license purchase. The Company allocates the contract transaction price related to warranty support fees based on pricing consistent with what we would offer to other market participants. Upon the conclusion of the warranty period, the customer can choose to continue to receive support and maintenance services via our customer support offerings. We recognize revenue from our support ratably over the service contract period.

 

iii. Services Revenue

 

We recognize revenue from fixed-price service contracts using the input method of accounting. Under the input method, revenue is recognized revenue on the basis of an entity’s efforts or inputs toward satisfying a performance obligation. We recognize revenue from professional services provided pursuant to time-and-materials based contracts and training services as the services are performed, as that is when our performance obligation to our customers under such arrangements is fulfilled.

 

iv. Managed Services

 

We recognize revenue from our managed services contracts primarily over the service contract period. On occasion, our managed services contracts will contain a specified number of hours to work over the term of the contract. Revenue for this type of managed service contract is recognized using the input method of accounting, as previously described.

 

Contract balances

 

Contract receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Credit is extended based on the evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and collateral is not required. Unbilled work-in-progress is revenue which has been earned but not invoiced. The contract assets are transferred to the receivables when invoiced.

 

The contract liabilities primarily relate to unearned revenue. Amounts billed in advance of performance obligations being satisfied are booked as unearned revenue.

 

Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations

 

Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of firm orders for which work has not been performed as of the period end date and excludes unexercised contract options and potential orders under ordering-type contracts (e.g., indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity). As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations with lives greater than one-year totals $1.5 million. The Company expects approximately 80% of remaining performance obligations to be recognized into revenue within the next twelve months, with the remaining 20% recognized thereafter.

 

We apply the practical expedient in paragraph ASC 606-10-50-14 and do not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one-year or less. We apply the transition practical expedient in paragraph ASC 606-10-65-1(f)(3) and do not disclose the amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations and an explanation of when we expect to recognize that amount as revenue. Additionally, applying the practical expedient in paragraph ASC 340-40-25-4, the Company recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining contracts (i.e., commissions) as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one-year or less.

 

30


Table of Contents

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

We make judgments related to our ability to collect outstanding accounts receivable and unbilled work-in-progress. We provide allowances for receivables when their collection becomes doubtful by recording an expense. We determine the allowance based on our assessment of the realization of receivables using historical information and current economic trends, including assessing the probability of collection from customers. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments owed to us, an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts would be required. We evaluate the adequacy of the allowance regularly and make adjustments accordingly. Adjustments to the allowance for doubtful accounts could materially affect our results of operations.

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

We account for stock-based compensation by applying a fair-value-based measurement method to account for share-based payment transactions with employees and directors. We record compensation costs associated with the vesting of unvested options on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense because we settle these obligations by issuing shares of our common stock instead of settling such obligations with cash payments. We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of each option grant on the date of grant. This model requires the use of estimates for expected term of the options and expected volatility of the price of our common stock.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Stock Compensation (Topic 718), which includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We adopted this ASU during the first quarter 2017. The key effects of the adoption on our financial statements include that the Company will now recognize windfall tax benefits as deferred tax assets instead of tracking the windfall pool and recording such benefits in equity. Additionally, we have elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating them at the time of grant.

 

Stock-based payments made to non-employees, including grants of stock options, are recognized in the statements of operations based on their estimated fair values. The fair value of these options will be re-measured on each reporting date until the options vest. The re-measured fair value will be recognized as compensation expense over the remaining vesting term of the options.

 

Income Taxes

 

We record deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized.

 

We use a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

 

ITEM 7A.               QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to certain market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Uncertainties that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable such as political, economic, tax, other regulatory or credit risks are not included in the following assessment of market risks.

 

Interest Rate Risks

 

Our cash balances are subject to interest rate fluctuations and as a result, interest income amounts may fluctuate from current levels. As of December 31, 2018, we had $5.9 million outstanding under our term loans, which under the loan agreements bear interest at variable rates. Refer to Note 5, Long-Term Debt, of our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the Term Loan. A 1% change in the interest rates on our Loans would change our interest expense by approximately $0.1 million.

 

31


Table of Contents

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We are exposed to fluctuations of the U.S. dollar (our functional currency) against the currencies of our operating subsidiaries. Any increase (decrease) in the value of the U.S. dollar against any foreign currency that is the functional currency of one of our operating subsidiaries will cause the parent company to experience unrealized foreign currency translation losses (gains) with respect to amounts already invested in such foreign currencies. In addition, we and our operating subsidiaries are exposed to foreign currency risk to the extent that we enter into transactions denominated in currencies other than our respective functional currencies, such as revenue and related accounts receivable (including intercompany amounts) that are denominated in a currency other than their own functional currency. Changes in exchange rates with respect to these items will result in unrealized (based upon period-end exchange rates) or realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses upon settlement of the transactions. In addition, we are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations related to our operating subsidiaries’ monetary assets and liabilities and the financial results of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates when their respective financial statements are translated into U.S. dollars for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. We record cumulative translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of equity. As a result of foreign currency risk, we may experience economic loss and a negative impact on earnings and equity with respect to our holdings solely as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

 

The relationship between the British Pound Sterling, Indian rupee and the U.S. dollar, which is our functional currency, is shown below, per one U.S. dollar:

 

Spot rates:

 

December 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

British pound sterling

 

0.78524

 

0.74071

 

Euro

 

0.87440

 

0.83348

 

Indian rupee

 

69.78890

 

63.84000

 

 

Average rates:

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

British pound sterling

 

0.75005

 

0.77673

 

Euro

 

0.84746

 

0.88675

 

Indian rupee

 

68.39725

 

65.11189

 

 

At the present time, we do not hedge our foreign currency exposure or use derivative financial instruments that are designed to reduce our long-term exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. We continually monitor our foreign currency exchange risk and we may consider various options to reduce this risk in the future.

 

32


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 8.                        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and

Stockholders of Evolving Systems, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Evolving Systems, Inc. (a Delaware corporation, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

/s/ Friedman LLP

 

 

 

 

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012

 

East Hanover, NJ

 

April 4, 2019

 

 

33


Table of Contents

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

December 31,
2017

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,732

 

$

7,562

 

Contract receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $771 and $970 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

 

7,757

 

10,151

 

Unbilled work-in-progress, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $552 and $107 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

 

3,044

 

5,823

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

1,351

 

1,633

 

Income taxes receivable

 

1,137

 

 

Total current assets

 

20,021

 

25,169

 

Property and equipment, net

 

303

 

258

 

Amortizable intangible assets, net

 

4,550

 

5,613

 

Goodwill

 

6,738

 

25,216

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

1,140

 

274

 

Total assets

 

$

32,752

 

$

56,530

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Term loans - current portion

 

$

3,573

 

$

2,805

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

4,483

 

6,678

 

Contingent earn-out

 

 

396

 

Unearned revenue

 

3,911

 

5,397

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

899

 

Total current liabilities

 

11,967

 

16,175

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Term loans, net of current portion

 

2,365

 

5,942

 

Total liabilities

 

14,332

 

22,117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 12,305,597 shares issued and 12,126,708 outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 12,119,961 shares issued and 11,941,072 outstanding as of December 31, 2017

 

12

 

12

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

99,224

 

98,517

 

Treasury stock, 178,889 shares as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, at cost

 

(1,253

)

(1,253

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(10,115

)

(8,202

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(69,448

)

(54,661

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

18,420

 

34,413

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

32,752

 

$

56,530

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

34


Table of Contents

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

REVENUE

 

 

 

 

 

License fees

 

$

1,433

 

$

3,438

 

Services

 

29,203

 

25,374

 

Total revenue

 

30,636

 

28,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COSTS OF REVENUE AND OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

10,349

 

8,680

 

Sales and marketing

 

6,592

 

5,214

 

General and administrative

 

6,677

 

6,065

 

Product development

 

4,170

 

2,042

 

Depreciation

 

121

 

250

 

Amortization

 

970

 

860

 

Restructuring

 

 

286

 

Goodwill impairment loss

 

17,760

 

 

Total costs of revenue and operating expenses

 

46,639

 

23,397

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

(16,003

)

5,415

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

65

 

1

 

Interest expense

 

(478

)

(365

)

Other income

 

393

 

23

 

Foreign currency exchange income (loss)

 

810

 

(1,137

)

Other income (expense), net

 

790

 

(1,478

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations before income taxes

 

(15,213

)

3,937

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(426

)

1,421

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(14,787

)

$

2,516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) income per common share - net (loss) income

 

$

(1.22

)

$

0.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted (loss) income per common share - net (loss) income

 

$

(1.22

)

$

0.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

 

12,108

 

11,934

 

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

 

12,108

 

11,981

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

35


Table of Contents

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(14,787

)

$

2,516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation (loss) income

 

(1,913

)

1,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive (loss) income

 

$

(16,700

)

$

4,306

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

36


Table of Contents

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

paid-in

 

Treasury

 

comprehensive

 

Accumulated

 

stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

capital

 

stock

 

loss

 

deficit

 

equity 

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

11,907,391

 

$

12

 

$

97,744

 

$

(1,253

)

$

(9,992

)

$

(57,177

)

$

29,334

 

Stock option exercises

 

32,904

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

30

 

Common stock issued pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

777

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

2

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

742

 

 

 

 

742

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,516

 

2,516

 

Foreign currency translation income

 

 

 

 

 

1,790

 

 

1,790

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

11,941,072

 

$

12

 

$

98,517

 

$

(1,253

)

$

(8,202

)

$

(54,661

)

$

34,413

 

Stock option exercises

 

9,676

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

4

 

Common stock issued pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

85

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

Restricted stock vested

 

175,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

702

 

 

 

 

702

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,787

)

(14,787

)

Foreign currency translation loss

 

 

 

 

 

(1,913

)

 

(1,913

)

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

12,126,708

 

$

12

 

$

99,224

 

$

(1,253

)

$

(10,115

)

$

(69,448

)

$

18,420

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

37


Table of Contents

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(14,787

)

$

2,516

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

121

 

250

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

970

 

860

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

9

 

13

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

702

 

742

 

Change in fair value of contingent earn-out

 

413

 

(4

)

Payment of contingent purchase consideration

 

(445

)

 

Unrealized foreign currency transaction (income) loss, net

 

(810

)

1,136

 

Bad debt expense, net

 

431

 

861

 

Release of Telespree liability

 

(496

)

 

Provision for deferred income taxes

 

(946

)

(491

)

Goodwill impairment loss

 

17,760

 

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Contract receivables

 

2,473

 

(2,971

)

Unbilled work-in-progress

 

1,803

 

(1,032

)

Prepaid and other assets

 

(25

)

1,983

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(1,326

)

(1,905

)

Income taxes receivable

 

(2,036

)

264

 

Unearned revenue

 

(1,244

)

856

 

Other long-term obligations

 

 

380

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

2,567

 

3,458

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(185

)

(80

)

Business combinations, net of cash received

 

 

(5,936

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(185

)

(6,016

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital lease payments

 

 

(1

)

Payment of contingent earn-out

 

(380

)

 

Principal payments on notes payable

 

(2,788

)

(2,025

)

Proceeds from term loans

 

 

4,730

 

Proceeds from the issuance of stock

 

5

 

33

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(3,163

)

2,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(49

)

(231

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(830

)

(52

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

7,562

 

7,614

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

6,732

 

$

7,562

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash and non-cash transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

499

 

$

345

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

887

 

$

1,504

 

Measurement period adjustment to goodwill and intangible assets

 

$

281

 

$

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

38


Table of Contents

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Organization — Evolving Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) is a provider of real-time digital engagement solutions and services of software solutions and services to the wireless carrier and consumer financial services markets. We maintain long-standing relationships with many of the largest wireless companies worldwide. The Company’s portfolio includes market-leading solutions and services for real-time analytics, customer acquisition and activation, customer value management and loyalty for the telecom industry promoting partnerships into retail and financial services.

 

In 2016, we began a shift from selling technology to offering business solutions. The value proposition has moved from cost savings to revenue increases for the carrier and our business model has moved from classic capital expenditure license and services to operating expenditure models based on recurring managed services with performance fees. Our software solution platforms enable carriers’ marketing departments to innovate, execute and manage highly-personalized and contextually-relevant, interactive campaigns that engage consumers in real-time, and enhance customer retention through deploying loyalty programs. Our service activation solution, Tertio® (“TSA”) is used to activate bundles of voice, video and data services for wireless, wireline and cable network operators; our SIM card activation solution, Dynamic SIM Allocation TM (“DSA”) is used to dynamically allocate and assign resources to Mobile Network Operators (“MNOs”) devices that rely on SIM cards; our Mobile Data Enablement TM (“MDE”) solution provides a data consumption and policy management solution for wireless carriers and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (“MVNOs”) that monitor the usage and consumption of data services; our Total Number Management™ (“TNM”) product is a scalable and fully automated database solution that enables operators to reliably and efficiently manage their telephone numbers as well as other communication identifiers (i.e. SIMs, MSISDNs, IMSIs, ICCIDs, IPs). Our solutions can be deployed on-premise or as a Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”).

 

In July 2017 we completed the acquisition of Business Logic Systems (“BLS”). BLS, headquartered in Newbury, United Kingdom, specializes in data-driven customer value management and customer engagement solutions that have been implemented in over 20 mobile operators in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean. BLS solutions turn customer data into actionable insights and personalized contextual offers. Customer engagement occurs through in-bound and out-bound offers and is further extended through a suite of loyalty and retention solutions.

 

In September 2017 we completed the acquisition of four business operating units of Lumata Holdings Ltd. (“the Lumata Entities”). The Lumata Entities are a leading global provider of real-time, next generation loyalty and customer lifecycle management software and services that helps businesses gain value from their customer data for relevant and contextual insights and actions of value to both customers and enterprises. Its customers include mobile operators including Orange, Telefonica and other Tier-1 and emerging operators in Europe and around the world.

 

We believe the acquisitions of BLS and the Lumata Entities further reinforced our commitment to the customer acquisition and customer value management (“CVM”) domains that began with the acquisition of Sixth Sense Media (“Evolving Systems NC, Inc.”). With these recent acquisitions, we now have a customer base of more than 100 customers spanning 65 countries across the world. The experienced team and technology from BLS, which provides actionable insights and relevant offers based on customer data, greatly complements our software portfolio and 25 years of expertise in customer acquisition, activation and retention. The technology further expands our Managed Services platform for delivering on-tap strategic and tactical solutions. The Lumata Entities’ value lies in its patented technology, industry expertise and strong customer relationships. Led by the explosive growth in mobile, the next generation of CVM is moving beyond traditional CRM and points-based loyalty systems to highly personalized and contextual, real-time, omni-channel consumer engagement in multiple verticals including telecom, finance, and retail.

 

Business Combinations — In July 2017 and September 2017 we acquired Business Logic Systems which became BLS Limited (“EVOL BLS”) and the four business operating units of Lumata Holdings Ltd. These business combinations are reflected in these consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. Refer to Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information regarding the acquisitions.

 

We account for business combinations in accordance with the acquisition method. The acquisition method of accounting requires that assets acquired, and liabilities assumed be recorded at their fair values on the date of a business acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Certain adjustments to the assessed fair values of the assets and liabilities made subsequent to the acquisition date, but within the measurement period, which is up to one year, are recorded as adjustments to goodwill. Any adjustments subsequent to the measurement period are recorded in income. Our consolidated financial statements and results of operations reflect an acquired business from the completion date of an acquisition.

 

39


Table of Contents

 

The judgments that we make in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact net income in periods following a business combination. We generally use either the income, cost or market approach to aid in our conclusions of such fair values and asset lives. The income approach presumes that the value of an asset can be estimated by the net economic benefit to be received over the life of the asset, discounted to present value. The cost approach presumes that an investor would pay no more for an asset than its replacement or reproduction cost. The market approach estimates value based on what other participants in the market have paid for reasonably similar assets. Although each valuation approach is considered in valuing the assets acquired, the approach ultimately selected is based on the characteristics of the asset and the availability of information.

 

Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We made estimates with respect to revenue recognition for progress toward completion and direct profit or loss on contracts, allowance for doubtful accounts, income tax valuation allowance, fair values of long-lived assets, valuation of intangible assets and goodwill, useful lives for property, equipment and intangible assets, business combinations, capitalization of internal software development costs and fair value of stock-based compensation amounts. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Foreign Currency — Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our foreign operations, generally, is the respective local currency for each foreign subsidiary. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations denominated in local currencies are translated at the spot rate in effect at the applicable reporting date. Our consolidated statements of income are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the applicable period. The resulting unrealized cumulative translation adjustment is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized and unrealized transaction gains and losses generated by transactions denominated in a currency different from the functional currency of the applicable entity are recorded in other income (loss) in the period in which they occur.

 

Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Evolving Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Reclassification — Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the 2017 amounts to the 2018 classifications for comparative purposes.

 

Goodwill — Goodwill is the excess of acquisition cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but tested for impairment annually or whenever indicators of impairment exist. These indicators may include an other than temporary decline in our market capitalization that is calculated as our common stock’s market price multiplied by the number of shares of common stock outstanding, a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, sale or disposition of a significant portion of the business or other factors. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to the reporting unit, and determination of the fair value of the reporting unit. In 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, annual or interim goodwill impairment testing will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge will then be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.

 

Intangible Assets — Amortizable intangible assets consist primarily of purchased software and licenses, customer relationships, trademarks and tradenames, non-competition and purchased software acquired in conjunction with our purchase of Telespree Communications (“Evolving Systems Labs, Inc.”), Evolving Systems NC, Inc., EVOL BLS and the Lumata Entities. These assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated lives.

 

We assess the impairment of identifiable intangibles if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable.

 

If we determine that the carrying value of intangibles and/or long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we compare the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition to the asset’s carrying amount. If an amortizable intangible or long-lived asset is not deemed to be recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss representing the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value.

 

40


Table of Contents

 

Fair Value Measurements — Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

 

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

Level 3 — Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

Cash and Cash EquivalentsAll highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.

 

Revenue RecognitionEffective January 1, 2018, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contacts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASC 606 was applied using the modified retrospective method. Accordingly, comparative periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under FASB ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). There was no cumulative effect of the initial application to be recognized as an adjustment to opening retained earnings at January 1, 2018 as the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

The majority of our license fees and services revenue is generated from fixed-price contracts, this provides for licenses to our software products and services that customize such software to meet our customers’ needs. In most instances, customization services are determined to be essential to the functionality of the delivered software. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when our customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We measure revenue based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer and exclude any sales incentives. Furthermore, we recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the service to our customer.

 

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct service to the customer. The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as the customer receives the benefit of the performance obligation. Our customers typically receive the benefit of our services as they are performed. Substantially all customer contracts provide that we are compensated for services performed to date. Losses on fixed-price projects are recorded when identified. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by us from a customer, are excluded from revenue.

 

Nature of goods and services

 

The following is a description of our products and services from which we generate revenue, as well as the nature, timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, and significant payment terms for each:

 

i. License Revenue

 

License fees represent the fees we receive from the licensing of our software products. In most instances, customization services are determined to be essential to the functionality of the delivered software. The license along with the customization services are transferred to our customers over time. In arrangements where the services are not essential to the functionality of the delivered software, we recognize license revenue when the license agreement has been approved and the software has been delivered. We can identify each party’s rights, payment terms, and commercial substance of the content. Where applicable, we identify multiple performance obligations and record as revenue as the performance obligations are fulfilled based on their estimated allocated value. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment and is based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation.

 

41


Table of Contents

 

ii. Customer Support Revenue

 

Customer support services includes annual support fees, recurring maintenance fees, warranty support fees and minor product upgrades. The warranty support fees represent a separate performance obligation that is provided for up to a year with initial license purchase. The Company allocates the contract transaction price related to warranty support fees based on pricing consistent with what we would offer to other market participants. Upon the conclusion of the warranty period, the customer can choose to continue to receive support and maintenance services via our customer support offerings. We recognize revenue from our support ratably over the service contract period.

 

iii. Services Revenue

 

We recognize revenue from fixed-price service contracts using the input method of accounting. Under the input method, revenue is recognized revenue on the basis of an entity’s efforts or inputs toward satisfying a performance obligation. We recognize revenue from professional services provided pursuant to time-and-materials based contracts and training services as the services are performed, as that is when our performance obligation to our customers under such arrangements is fulfilled.

 

iv. Managed Services

 

We recognize revenue from our managed services contracts primarily over the service contract period. On occasion, our managed services contracts will contain a specified number of hours to work over the term of the contract. Revenue for this type of managed service contract is recognized using the input method of accounting, as previously described.

 

Disaggregation of revenue

 

In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by primary geographical market, major products/service lines, and timing of revenue recognition (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Primary geographical markets

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom

 

$

6,222

 

$

5,521

 

Other

 

24,414

 

23,291

 

 

 

$

30,636

 

$

28,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major products/service lines

 

 

 

 

 

Licensing fees

 

$

1,433

 

$

3,438

 

Customer support, including warranty support fees

 

9,984

 

9,134

 

Services

 

8,880

 

8,711

 

Managed services

 

10,339

 

7,529

 

Total services

 

29,203

 

25,374

 

 

 

$

30,636

 

$

28,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timing of revenue recognition

 

 

 

 

 

Products transferred at a point in time

 

$

882

 

$

914

 

Products and services transferred over time

 

29,754

 

27,898

 

 

 

$

30,636

 

$

28,812

 

 

Contract balances

 

The following table provides information about receivables, assets, and liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Contract receivables, net

 

$

7,757

 

$

10,151

 

Unbilled work-in-progress, net

 

$

3,044

 

$

5,823

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned revenue

 

$

3,911

 

$

5,397

 

 

42


Table of Contents

 

Contract receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Credit is extended based on the evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and collateral is not required. Unbilled work-in-progress is revenue which has been earned but not invoiced. The contract assets are transferred to the receivables when invoiced.

 

The contract liabilities primarily relate to unearned revenue. Amounts billed in advance of performance obligations being satisfied are booked as unearned revenue.

 

Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations

 

Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of firm orders for which work has not been performed as of the period end date and excludes unexercised contract options and potential orders under ordering-type contracts (e.g., indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity). As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations with lives greater than one-year totals $1.5 million. The Company expects approximately 80% of remaining performance obligations to be recognized into revenue within the next twelve months, with the remaining 20% recognized thereafter.

 

We apply the practical expedient in paragraph ASC 606-10-50-14 and do not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one-year or less. We apply the transition practical expedient in paragraph ASC 606-10-65-1(f)(3) and do not disclose the amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations and an explanation of when we expect to recognize that amount as revenue. Additionally, applying the practical expedient in paragraph ASC 340-40-25-4, the Company recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining contracts (i.e., commissions) as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one-year or less.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts — We make judgments related to our ability to collect outstanding accounts receivable and unbilled work-in-progress. We provide allowances for receivables when their collection becomes doubtful by recording an expense. We determine the allowance based on our assessment of the realization of receivables using historical information and current economic trends, including assessing the probability of collection from customers. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments owed to us, an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts would be required. We evaluate the adequacy of the allowance regularly and make adjustments accordingly. Adjustments to the allowance for doubtful accounts could materially affect our results of operations.

 

The following table reflects the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at

 

Bad Debt

 

Write-Offs
Charged

 

Effects of
Foreign
Currency

 

Balance at

 

Fiscal

 

 

 

Beginning

 

Expense/

 

to

 

Exchange

 

End of

 

Year

 

Description

 

of Period

 

(Recovery)

 

Allowance

 

Rates

 

Period

 

2018

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

970

 

$

(86

)

$

(124

)

$

11

 

$

771

 

2017

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

221

 

$

789

 

$

(41

)

$

1

 

$

970

 

 

The following table reflects the activity in the allowance for unbilled work-in-progress:

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at

 

Unbilled
Work-in-
Progress

 

Write-Offs
Charged

 

Effects of
Foreign
Currency

 

Balance at

 

Fiscal

 

 

 

Beginning

 

Allowance/

 

to

 

Exchange

 

End of

 

Year

 

Description

 

of Period

 

(Recovery)

 

Allowance

 

Rates

 

Period

 

2018

 

Allowance for unbilled work-in-progress

 

$

107

 

$

454

 

$

2

 

$

(11

)

$

552

 

2017

 

Allowance for unbilled work-in-progress

 

$

 

$

107

 

$

 

$

 

$

107

 

 

Stock-based CompensationWe account for stock-based compensation by applying a fair-value-based measurement method to account for share-based payment transactions with employees and directors. We record compensation costs associated with the vesting of unvested options on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense because we settle these obligations by issuing shares of our common stock instead of settling such obligations with cash payments. We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of each option grant on the date of grant. This model requires the use of estimates for expected term of the options and expected volatility of the price of our common stock.

 

43


Table of Contents

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Stock Compensation (Topic 718), which includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We adopted this ASU during the first quarter 2017. The key effects of the adoption on our financial statements include that the Company will now recognize windfall tax benefits as deferred tax assets instead of tracking the windfall pool and recording such benefits in equity. Additionally, we have elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating them at the time of grant.

 

Stock-based payments made to non-employees, including grants of stock options, are recognized in the statements of operations based on their estimated fair values. The fair value of these options will be re-measured on each reporting date until the options vest. The re-measured fair value will be recognized as compensation expense over the remaining vesting term of the options.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income consists of two components, net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income refers to revenue, expenses, gains, and losses that under GAAP are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translation adjustments from those subsidiaries not using the U.S. dollar as their functional currency.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of contract receivables and unbilled work-in-progress. We perform on-going evaluations of customers’ financial condition and, generally, require no collateral from customers.

 

A substantial portion of our revenue is from a limited number of customers, all in the telecommunications industry.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, one significant customer accounted for 11% of revenue from operations. This customer is a large telecommunications operator in Europe. For the year ended December 31, 2017, one significant customer accounted for 11% of revenue from operations. This customer is a large telecommunications operator in Europe.

 

As of December 31, 2018, and 2017 no customers accounted for 10% of contract receivables and unbilled work-in-progress.

 

We are subject to concentration of credit risk with respect to our cash and cash equivalents, which we attempt to minimize by maintaining our cash and cash equivalents with institutions of sound financial quality. At times, cash balances may exceed limits federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).

 

Our cash and cash equivalents are not under any FDIC program were $6.5 million and $5.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Sales, Use and Other Value Added Tax — Applicable revenue-based state, use and other value added taxes are included in revenue.

 

Advertising and Promotion Costs — Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs totaled approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Capitalization of Internal Software Development Costs — We expend amounts on product development, particularly for new products and/or for enhancements of existing products. For internal development of software products that are to be licensed by us, we expense the cost of developing software prior to establishing technological feasibility and those costs are capitalized once technological feasibility has been established. Capitalization ceases upon general release of the software. The determination of whether internal software development costs are subject to capitalization is, by its nature, highly subjective and involves significant judgments. This decision could significantly affect earnings during the development period. Further, once capitalized, the software costs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic life of the product. The determination of the expected useful life of a product is highly judgmental. Finally, capitalized software costs must be assessed for impairment if facts and circumstances warrant such a review. We did not capitalize any internal software development costs during the two years ended December 31, 2018. In addition, we did not have any capitalized internal software development costs included in our December 31, 2018 and 2017 Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe that during these periods no material internal software development costs were required to be capitalized. Our conclusion is primarily based on the fact that the feature-rich, pre-integrated, and highly-scalable nature of our products requires that our development efforts include complex design, coding and testing methodologies, which include next generation software languages and development tools. Development projects of this nature carry a high degree of development risk. Substantially all of our internal software development efforts are of this nature, and therefore, we believe the period between achieving technological feasibility and the general release of the software to operations is so short that any costs incurred during this period are not material.

 

44


Table of Contents

 

Property and Equipment and Long-Lived Assets — Property and equipment are stated at cost or estimated fair value if acquired in an acquisition, less accumulated depreciation, and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, or the lease term, if shorter, using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization, and are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.

 

We review our long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. We evaluate the recoverability of an asset or asset group by comparing its carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset group exceeds its estimated future cash flows, we recognize an impairment charge as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset.

 

Income Taxes — We record deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized.

 

We use a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

 

Segment Information — We define operating segments as components of our enterprise for which separate financial information is reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision-makers to evaluate performance and to make operating decisions. We have identified our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance as our chief operating decision-makers (“CODM”). These chief operating decision makers review revenues by segment and review overall results of operations.

 

We currently operate our business as one operating segment which includes two revenue types: license fees revenue and services revenue (as shown on the consolidated statements of income). License fees revenue represents the fees received from the license of software products. Services revenue includes services directly related to the delivery of the licensed products, such as fees for custom development, integration services, SaaS service, managed services, annual support fees, recurring maintenance fees, fees for maintenance upgrades and warranty services. Warranty services that are similar to software maintenance services are typically bundled with a license sale.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements — In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)  2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606 and various updates to the ASU thereafter. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method. Accordingly, comparative periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under FASB ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). There was no cumulative effect of the initial application to be recognized as an adjustment to opening retained earnings at January 1, 2018 as the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash (Topic 230): Statement of Cash Flows (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period balances on the statement of cash flows upon adoption of this standard.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates the second step of the two-step quantitative approach for testing goodwill for potential impairment. An entity will therefore perform the goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 on a prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The provisions of ASU 2017-04 were adopted during the fourth quarter of 2018, see Note 3 for the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements — In February 2016, the FASB established Topic 842, Leases, by issuing ASU 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement.

 

45


Table of Contents

 

The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2019. We expect to adopt the new standard on its effective date. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (1) its effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. If an entity chooses the second option, the transition requirements for existing leases also apply to leases entered into between the date of initial application and the effective date. The entity must also recast its comparative period financial statements and provide the disclosures required by the new standard for the comparative periods. We expect to adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019 and use the effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated, and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019.

 

The new standard provides several optional practical expedients in transition. We expect to elect the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We do not expect to elect the use-of hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements; the latter not being applicable to us. We expect to elect all the new standard’s available transition practical expedients.

 

We expect that this standard will have a material effect on our financial statements. While we continue to assess all of the effects of adoption, we currently believe the most significant effect relates to the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet for our real estate operating leases and providing significant new disclosures about our leasing activities. We do not expect a significant change in our leasing activities between now and adoption.

 

On adoption, we currently expect to recognize additional operating liabilities of approximately $1.6 million with corresponding ROU assets of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases.

 

The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. We currently expect to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, we will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities, and this includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. We also currently expect to elect the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all our leases.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) — Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13). ASU 2016-13 requires entities to establish an allowance for credit losses for most financial assets. Prior GAAP was based on an incurred loss methodology for recognizing credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost and available-for sale debt securities. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018. We have not yet assessed the impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The amendments in this ASU allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act. Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted in any period after issuance of the ASU. We do not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2018-07 is intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees. This ASU expands the scope of ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods and services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees will be substantially aligned. ASU 2018-07 supersedes ASC Subtopic 505-50, Equity - Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We do not expect this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 removes certain disclosures, modifies certain disclosures and adds additional disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We have not yet assessed the impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

 

46


Table of Contents

 

Management has evaluated other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe that any of these pronouncements will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

NOTE 2 — ACQUISITIONS

 

Business Logic Systems

 

On July 3, 2017, we completed the purchase by EVOL BLS, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, of Business Logic Systems Limited (“Seller”). EVOL BLS and Seller are both companies incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2017 (the “Purchase Agreement”), the Seller agreed to sell substantially all of its assets and transfer certain liabilities relating to Seller’s business of providing customer value management solutions and data driven marketing solutions for £1.2 million ($1.6 million) in cash, plus (a) an additional sum of £100,000 ($134,000), which was reduced in full by the sums paid by EVOL BLS to certain employees’ severance obligations (collectively, the “Cash Payments”); (b) a percentage of collections on certain receivables over a 24 month period; and (c) an earnout equal to 50% of BLS based revenue over $4.8 million per year for 3 years after the closing date. The Company agreed to guarantee EVOL BLS’ obligations under the Purchase Agreement.

 

The Purchase Agreement contains a two year “no solicitation” provision which restricts the Seller’s ability to compete with EVOL BLS with respect to the BLS business or to solicit BLS customers or BLS employees serving in an executive, managerial, sales or technical role.

 

We accounted for this business combination by applying the acquisition method, and accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based upon their fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the net assets and liabilities, approximately $0.3 million, was recorded as goodwill. The results of EVOL BLS’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. The amortization of the intangible assets is deductible for tax purposes.

 

During the second quarter of 2018, we identified and recorded measurement period adjustments to our preliminary purchase price allocation that was disclosed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. These adjustments are reflected in the tables below. If the measurement period adjustments were reflected in the previously filed Form 10-K, it would have increased operating expenses by approximately $1,000 consisting of increases to amortization expense. The measurement period adjustments were the result of additional analysis performed and updated information.

 

When we acquired EVOL BLS on July 3, 2017, we agreed to make up to three annual cash payments equal to 50% of the EVOL BLS revenue in excess of $4.8 million for the 12-month periods ending July 3, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The Company also agreed to guarantee the EVOL BLS obligations under the Purchase Agreement. As of June 30, 2018, we estimated the total annual cash payments for the three 12-month periods to be $0.8 million which is a $0.4 million increase from our $0.4 million estimate as of December 31, 2017. We recognized $0.4 million expense in the other income (expense) financial statement line item for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 as a result of our increased obligation.

 

On November 2, 2018, we paid the $0.8 million in contingent earn-out liability for the EVOL BLS acquisition. No future payments are expected at this time.

 

The following table summarizes the purchase price and fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition as adjusted for measurement period adjustments identified during the current year (in thousands):

 

 

 

At July 3, 2017
(preliminary)

 

Measurement Period
Adjustments

 

At July 3, 2017
(adjusted)

 

Cash Consideration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Cash Consideration

 

$

1,553

 

$

 

$

1,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnout

 

380

 

47

 

427

 

Total purchase price

 

$

1,933

 

$

47

 

$

1,980

 

 

47


Table of Contents

 

 

 

At July 3, 2017
(preliminary)

 

Measurement Period
Adjustments

 

At July 3, 2017
(adjusted)

 

Contract receivables

 

$

1,037

 

$

 

$

1,037

 

Unbilled work-in-progress

 

1,039

 

 

1,039

 

Intangible assets

 

246

 

18

 

264

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

437

 

 

437

 

Other assets, non-current

 

55

 

 

55

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

 

2,814

 

18

 

2,832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

792

 

 

792

 

Deferred revenue

 

338

 

 

338

 

Total identifiable liabilities acquired

 

1,130

 

 

1,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net identifiable assets acquired

 

1,684

 

18

 

1,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

249

 

29

 

278

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

1,933

 

$

47

 

$

1,980

 

 

We recorded $0.2 million in intangible assets as of the acquisition date with a weighted-average amortization period of approximately six years and are amortizing the value of the purchased software, trademarks and trade names, non-competition and customer relationships over an estimated useful life of 5, 0.5, 2 and 7 years, respectively. Amortization expense of less than $0.1 million related to the acquired intangible assets was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

The $0.3 million of the goodwill recognized was attributed primarily to expected synergies and the assembled workforce of EVOL BLS. Goodwill was adjusted by less than $0.1 million related to changes in the opening client balances for contract receivables and unbilled work in progress.

 

Intangible assets related to the EVOL BLS’s acquisition as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Gross Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

Weighted-Average
Amortization
Period

 

Purchased software

 

$

98

 

$

29

 

$

69

 

4 yrs.

 

Trademarks and tradenames

 

9

 

9

 

 

0 yrs.

 

Non-competition

 

4

 

3

 

1

 

1 yrs.

 

Customer relationships

 

149

 

32

 

117

 

6 yrs.

 

 

 

$

260

(1)

$

73

(1)

$

187

 

4.9 yrs.

 

 

 

 

Gross Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

Weighted-
Average
Amortization
Period

 

Purchased software

 

$

102

 

$

9

 

$

93

 

5 yrs.

 

Trademarks and tradenames

 

10

 

7

 

3

 

0.5 yrs.

 

Non-competition

 

4

 

1

 

3

 

1.5 yrs.

 

Customer relationships

 

139

 

8

 

131

 

7 yrs.

 

 

 

$

255

(1)

$

25

(1)

$

230

 

5.9 yrs.

 

 


(1)           Includes functional currency adjustment of less than $0.1 million.

 

48


Table of Contents

 

Lumata

 

On September 4, 2017, Evolving Systems Holdings Limited (“EVOL Holdings”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Evolving Systems, Inc., completed the acquisition under a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Lumata Holdings Limited (“Lumata Holdings” or “Seller”) and Francisco Partners III (Cayman) L.P., as Guarantor (the “Acquisition”). EVOL Holdings acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of four (4) Lumata Holdings subsidiaries, Lumata France SAS, Lumata Spain S.L., Lumata UK Ltd and Lumata Deutschland GmbH (collectively, “Lumata Entities”) in exchange for a cash payment totaling €4.0 million ($4.8 million), subject to certain adjustments. The Seller and certain members of the Seller’s management entered into Management Warranty Deeds to secure Lumata Holdings’ representations and warranties under the Purchase Agreement and, to the extent the amounts provided under the Management Warranty Deeds are not sufficient to satisfy post-closing claims, EVOL Holdings may seek recovery from the Guarantor in an amount not to exceed €0.4 million ($0.5 million). EVOL Holdings and Seller are both companies incorporated under the laws of England and Wales.

 

We accounted for this business combination by applying the acquisition method, and accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based upon their fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the net assets and liabilities, approximately $3.1 million, was recorded as goodwill. The results of the Lumata Entities’ operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. The amortization of the intangible assets is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

During 2018, we identified and recorded measurement period adjustments to our preliminary purchase price allocation that was disclosed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. These adjustments are reflected in the tables below. If the measurement period adjustments were reflected in the Form 10-K, it would have resulted in no change in operating expenses. The measurement period adjustments were the result of additional analysis performed and information identified during the second quarter of 2018 based on facts and circumstances that existed as of the purchase date.

 

The following table summarizes the purchase price and fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition as adjusted for measurement period adjustments identified during the current year (in thousands):

 

 

 

At September 4, 2017
(preliminary)

 

Measurement Period
Adjustments

 

At September 4, 2017
(adjusted)

 

Cash Consideration

 

$

4,766

 

$

 

$

4,766

 

Total purchase price

 

$

4,766

 

$

 

$

4,766

 

 

 

 

At September 4, 2017
(preliminary)

 

Measurement Period
Adjustments

 

At September 4, 2017
(adjusted)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

386

 

$

 

$

386

 

Contract receivables

 

1,444

 

 

1,444

 

Unbilled work-in-progress

 

110

 

(82

)

28

 

Intangible assets

 

1,935

 

 

1,935

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

1,539

 

 

1,539

 

Other assets, non-current

 

19

 

 

19

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

 

5,433

 

(82

)

5,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

3,086

 

 

3,086

 

Deferred tax liability

 

329

 

 

329

 

Deferred revenue

 

325

 

152

 

477

 

Total identifiable liabilities acquired

 

3,740

 

152

 

3,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net identifiable assets acquired

 

1,693

 

(234

)

1,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

3,073

 

234

 

3,307

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

4,766

 

$

 

$

4,766

 

 

We recorded $1.9 million in intangible assets as of the acquisition date with a weighted-average amortization period of approximately ten years and are amortizing the value of the purchased software, trademarks and tradename, non-competition and

 

49


Table of Contents

 

customer relationships over an estimated useful life of 7, 5, 1.5 and 13 years, respectively. Amortization expense of $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million related to the acquired intangible assets was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

The $3.1 million of goodwill recognized is attributed to expected synergies and the assembled workforce and residual goodwill of the Lumata Entities. Goodwill was adjusted by $0.2 million related to changes in the opening client balances for contract receivables and unbilled work in progress.

 

50


Table of Contents

 

Intangible assets related to the Lumata Entities’ acquisition as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Gross Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

Weighted-Average
Amortization
Period

 

Purchased software

 

$

661

 

$

126

 

$

535

 

6 yrs.

 

Trademarks and tradenames

 

109

 

29

 

80

 

4 yrs.

 

Non-competition

 

2

 

2

 

 

0.5 yrs.

 

Customer relationships

 

1,131

 

116

 

1,015

 

12 yrs.

 

 

 

$

1,903

(1)

$

 273

(1)

$

1,630

 

9.4 yrs.

 

 

 

 

Gross Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

Weighted-
Average
Amortization
Period

 

Purchased software

 

$

700

 

$

33

 

$

667

 

7 yrs.

 

Trademarks and tradenames

 

115

 

8

 

107

 

5 yrs.

 

Non-competition

 

2

 

 

2

 

1.5 yrs.

 

Customer relationships

 

1,200

 

31

 

1,169

 

13 yrs.

 

 

 

$

2,017

(1)

$

72

(1)

$

1,945

 

10.4 yrs.

 

 


(1)           Includes functional currency adjustment of $0.1 million.

 

Pro Forma

 

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma results of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 as if the acquisitions of EVOL BLS and Lumata Entities occurred on January 1, 2017. The pro forma results include estimates and assumptions which management believes are necessary. However, pro forma results do not include an anticipated cost savings or their effects of the planned integration of EVOL BLS and Lumata Entities and are not necessarily indicative of the result that would have occurred if the business combination had been in effect on the dates indicated, or which may result in the future. The unaudited pro forma revenue and net loss for EVOL BLS was approximately $1.4 million and $ 2.0 million, respectively, for the pre-acquisition period during 2017. The unaudited pro forma revenue and net loss for the Lumata Entities was approximately $4.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the pre-acquisition period during 2017. However, the pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost savings or their effects of the planned integration of EVOL BLS and Lumata Entities and are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred if the business combination had been in effect on the dates indicated, or which may result in the future. The pro forma information includes adjustments of $0.2 million in 2017 for the amortization of intangible assets.

 

 

 

For the year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Revenue

 

$

30,636

 

$

34,821

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(14,787

)

$

144

 

 

EVOL BLS or the Lumata Entities did not have any material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings.

 

51


Table of Contents

 

NOTE 3 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

$

 20,599

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

3,322

 

Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates (1)

 

1,295

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

$

 25,216

 

Measurement period adjustments

 

263

 

Goodwill impairment loss

 

(17,760

)

Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates (1)

 

(981

)

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

$

 6,738

 

 


(1)           Represents the impact of foreign currency translation for instances when goodwill is recorded in foreign entities whose functional currency is also their local currency. Goodwill balances are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at period end. Adjustments related to foreign currency translation are included in other comprehensive income.

 

We performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of July 31, 2018, at which time we had $25.0 million of goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit was estimated using both market and income-based approaches. Due to a sustained decline in the market capitalization of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2018, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test in accordance with the provisions of ASU 2017-04.The outcome of this goodwill impairment test resulted in a charge for the impairment of goodwill of $17.8 million, which was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. Management considered that, along with other possible factors affecting the assessment of the Company’s reporting unit for the purposes of performing a goodwill impairment assessment, including management assumptions about expected future revenue forecasts and discount rates, changes in the overall economy, trends in the stock price, estimated control premium and other operating conditions. Changes in estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and goodwill. Due to our transition of packaging our products and services into a single managed service offering, we have determined we have one reporting unit. We do not believe the aggregation of our reporting units impacts the value of our goodwill nor are there any additional events through the date this Form 10-K was filed which impact our assumptions on the determination of the fair value of our goodwill.

 

We amortized identifiable intangible assets for Evolving Systems Labs, Evolving Systems NC, EVOL BLS, and the Lumata entities on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives ranging from one to eight years. As of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, identifiable intangibles were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Gross Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

Weighted-
Average
Amortization
Period

 

Purchased software

 

$

2,877

 

$

(1,121

)

$

1,756

 

6.7 yrs.

 

Trademarks and tradenames

 

303

 

(223

)

80

 

2.7 yrs.

 

Non-competition

 

39

 

(38

)

1

 

1.0 yrs.

 

Customer relationships

 

4,303

 

(1,590

)

2,713

 

7.7 yrs.

 

 

 

$

7,522

(1)

$

(2,972

)(2)

$

4,550

 

5.8 yrs.

 

 

52


Table of Contents

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

 

Gross Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

Weighted-
Average
Amortization
Period

 

Purchased software

 

$

2,921

 

$

(743

)

$

2,178

 

7.7 yrs.

 

Trademarks and tradenames

 

310

 

(189

)

121

 

3.7 yrs.

 

Non-competition

 

40

 

(35

)

5

 

2.0 yrs.

 

Customer relationships

 

4,363

 

(1,054

)

3,309

 

8.7 yrs.

 

 

 

$

7,634

(2)

$

(2,021

)(2)

$

5,613

 

6.8 yrs.

 

 


(1)           2018 increase in gross amount due to measurement period adjustments relating to the EVOL BLS purchase price allocation. See Note 2 — Acquisitions for additional information. Includes functional currency adjustment of $0.1 million

(2)           Includes functional currency adjustment of less than $0.1 million.

 

Amortization expense of identifiable intangible assets was $1.0 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Expected future amortization expense related to identifiable intangibles based on our carrying amount as of December 31, 2018 was as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

$

938

 

2020

 

937

 

2021

 

923

 

2022

 

738

 

2023

 

360

 

Thereafter

 

654

 

 

 

$

4,550

 

 

NOTE 4 — BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS

 

The components of accounts payable and accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,276

 

$

1,530

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

1,863

 

1,749

 

Accrued liabilities

 

1,344

 

3,399

 

 

 

$

4,483

 

$

6,678

 

 

NOTE 5 — LONG-TERM DEBT

 

On August 16, 2017, we entered into a Term Loan Facility Agreement with East West Bank as lender in the amount of $4.7 million (the “Loan Facility”). The purpose of the Loan Facility is to provide funds in connection with the Company’s entry into a Share Purchase Agreement with Lumata Holdings Limited for a cash payment totaling €4 million ($4.8 million). See Note 2 Acquisitions for the Lumata Entities acquisition. The Loan Facility requires the Company to make monthly principal payments of approximately $0.1 million that commenced on July 31, 2018 and interest at the greater of (a) 3.5% or (b) the variable rate of interest that appears in the Wall Street Journal on a monthly measurement date plus in either case 1.5%. As of December 31, 2018, the U.S.A. Prime Rate was 5.5%. EVOL Inc. entered into the Loan Facility as the Parent Guarantor; Evolving Systems BLS LTD and Evolving Systems Limited entered into the Loan Facility as Original Guarantors (the “Original Guarantors”). The Loan Facility is secured by all of the assets of EVOL Holdings and the Original Guarantors in accordance with the terms of a Debenture entered into by EVOL Holdings and the Original Guarantors in favor of East West Bank. EVOL Holdings, EVOL Inc. and the Original Guarantors also entered into a Subordination Deed whereby each of the parties agreed to subordinate all loans by and among each other to East West Bank. Following completion of the Lumata Acquisition, Lumata France SAS and Lumata UK Ltd are also bound to adhere to the finance documents as additional obligors.

 

The Loan Facility requires the Company to pay an Arrangement Fee (“Origination Fee”) of $23,650, payable in four equal installments, with the first payment due on the date of the Loan Facility and the remaining three payments on the first, second and third anniversary thereof. The Company also agreed to pay East West Bank’s legal fees in connection with the transaction. The Company may prepay the Loan Facility at any time, in a minimum amount of $250,000 and increments of $50,000, subject to a

 

53


Table of Contents

 

prepayment fee of 2% of the amount prepaid, on any prepayment made before the second anniversary date of the Agreement. The unpaid balance of the Loan Facility is due on August 16, 2021.

 

On February 29, 2016, we entered into the Fifth Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement with East West Bank which provides for a Term Loan (the “Term Loan”) for $6.0 million. The $6.0 million Term Loan bears interest at a floating rate equal to the U.S.A. Prime Rate plus 1.0%. As of December 31, 2018, the U.S.A. Prime Rate was 5.5%. The Term Loan is secured by substantially all of the assets of Evolving Systems, including a pledge, subject to certain limitations with respect to stock of foreign subsidiaries, of the stock of the existing and future direct subsidiaries of Evolving Systems. Interest accrues from the date the Term Loan was made at the aforementioned rate and is payable monthly. The Term Loan shall be repaid in 36 equal monthly installments of principal, plus accrued but unpaid interest, commencing on January 1, 2017 and continuing on the first day of each month thereafter through and including January 1, 2020. We must maintain a minimum current ratio, a specified ratio of Total Liabilities to EBITDA and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio which are as defined in the Term Loan. The Term Loan requires us to pay two annual credit facility fees and a legal fee equal to less than $0.1 million. The Term Loan matures on January 1, 2020.

 

The Term Loan and the Loan Facility (collectively, “Loans”) include negative covenants that place restrictions on the Company’s ability to, among other things: incur additional indebtedness; create liens or other encumbrances on assets; make loans, enter into letters of credit, guarantees, investments and acquisitions; sell or otherwise dispose of assets; cause or permit a change of control; merge or consolidate with another entity; make negative pledges; enter into affiliate transactions; limits the amount of cash distributions to our shareholders; and change the nature of our business materially. Outstanding amounts under the Term Loan may be accelerated by East West Bank upon the occurrence and continuance of certain events of default, including without limitation: payment defaults, breach of covenants beyond applicable grace periods, breach of representations and warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency defaults, and the occurrence of a material adverse effect (as defined). Acceleration is automatic upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy and insolvency defaults.

 

As of December 31, 2018, we are in compliance with the covenants except for our fixed charge coverage ratio, which was 0.81 and failed to meet the minimum requirement of 1.25 fixed charge coverage ratio for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. On March 29, 2019, we received a letter from East West Bank that waived the violation. We are negotiating amendments to the 2019 quarterly ratios. We have a $5.9 million balance under the Term Loan, net of approximately $5,000 of debt issuance costs.

 

NOTE 6 — INCOME TAXES

 

We recorded net income tax benefit of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and net income tax expense of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The net benefit for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of current income tax expense of $0.5 million and a deferred tax benefit of $0.9 million. The current tax expense consists of income tax primarily from our U.S. and U.K. based operations. The deferred tax benefit primarily consists of benefits from establishing deferred tax assets of $0.5 million for our foreign tax credit (“FTC”) carryforwards, $0.2 million for net operating losses from certain U.K. subsidiaries that are expected to be used by another U.K. subsidiary and $0.2 million decrease in net deferred tax liabilities. The net expense during the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of current income tax expense of $1.9 million and a deferred tax benefit of $0.5 million. The current tax expense consists of income tax from our U.S., U.K., France and India based operations and unrecoverable foreign withholding taxes in the U.K. The deferred tax benefit was related primarily to the increase of certain net deferred tax assets and amortization of stock options and the intangible assets related to the acquisition of Evolving Systems NC, Inc. in September 2015.

 

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was enacted in the United States. The Tax Act includes a number of changes to existing U.S. tax laws that impact the Company including the reduction of the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 34 percent to 21 percent for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The Tax Act also provides for a one-time transition tax on indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings and the acceleration of depreciation for certain assets placed into service after September 27, 2017, as well as prospective changes beginning in 2018, including the elimination of certain domestic deductions and credits, capitalization of research and development expenditures, and additional limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation and interest.  We adjusted our deferred tax assets and liabilities in the U.S. at December 31, 2017, using the new federal corporate tax rate of 21%.

 

Global Intangible Low-taxed Income

 

We recognize the tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) as a period cost in the period the tax is incurred.  Under this policy, we have not provided deferred taxes related to temporary differences that upon their reversal will affect the amount of income subject to GILTI in the period.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, there is no GILTI inclusion.

 

54


Table of Contents

 

Transfer pricing adjustments, net

 

The Company’s tax positions include the Company’s intercompany transfer pricing policies and the associated taxable income and deductions arising from intercompany charges between subsidiaries within the consolidated group. During fiscal 2018, the Company finalized an Advance Pricing Arrangement (“APA”) with the Evolving Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries. This APA determined the amount of income which is taxable in each respective jurisdiction. In accordance with the APA, the adjustments necessary to reflect the reduction in 2018 U.S. pre-tax income in the resulted in an increase in domestic income before income tax expense of $5.5 million and a corresponding decrease in foreign income before income tax expense in the year ended 2018.

 

The pre-tax (loss) income on which the provision for income taxes was computed is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

(17,820

)

$

(4,168

)

Foreign

 

2,607

 

8,105

 

Total

 

$

(15,213

)

$

3,937

 

 

55


Table of Contents

 

The expense (benefit) from continuing operations for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

340

 

$

(108

)

Foreign

 

155

 

1,998

 

State

 

25

 

22

 

Total Current

 

520

 

1,912

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

41

 

(444

)

Foreign

 

(987

)

(47

)

Total Deferred

 

(946

)

(491

)

Total

 

$

(426

)

$

1,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2018, and 2017 we had no Federal NOL carryforwards remaining. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, we had state NOL’s of approximately $27.5 million and $28.9 million, respectively. The state NOL carryforwards expire at various times beginning in 2019 and ending in 2037. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, we had foreign NOLs of $5.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively. The foreign NOL carryforwards expire at various times beginning in 2019 and ending in 2037. In addition, we have research and experimentation credit carryforwards of approximately $0.3 million which may expire in 2019 and Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credits of $0.8 million. For tax years beginning after 2018 and before 2023, the AMT credit is refundable in an amount equal to 50% of excess of the credit for the tax year over the amount of the credit allowable for the year against regular tax liability.

 

In our U.S. Federal income tax returns we historically deducted income taxes paid to various countries. Our income tax calculations have historically been under the regular and AMT regulations found in U.S. tax laws. The U.S. tax system contains rules to alleviate the burden of double taxation on income generated in foreign countries and subject to tax in such countries. The U.S. allows for either a deduction or credit of such foreign taxes against U.S. taxable income (“Foreign Tax Credit” or “FTC”). An election to either claim a deduction or FTC on such foreign income taxes can be made each tax year, independent from elections made in other years. An FTC reduces a company’s actual U.S. income tax on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a deduction reduces only the company’s income subject to tax. As the election to claim the FTC or deduction is made on an annual basis, we intend to compare benefits to either claim a deduction or FTC on an annual basis. We had approximately $4.8 million of FTC’s to carryforward into 2019 and subsequent years as a deferred tax asset. As of December 31, 2018, our FTC deferred tax asset balance was approximately $0.5 million, net of its valuation allowance. We utilized $0.5 million of Foreign Tax Credits for the year ended December 31, 2017 to offset the one-time transition tax on indefinitely reinvested and unrepatriated foreign earnings.  The determination of the transition tax required analysis regarding the amount and composition of our historical earnings, the amount of available Foreign Tax Credits and our ability to utilize certain Foreign Tax Credits

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign tax credits carryforwards

 

$

4,788

 

$

4,731

 

Net operating loss carryforwards – Foreign

 

5,531

 

5,596

 

Net operating loss carryforwards – State

 

887

 

914

 

Research & development credits

 

303

 

303

 

AMT credit

 

770

 

770

 

Stock compensation

 

559

 

570

 

Depreciable assets

 

38

 

33

 

Accrued liabilities and reserves

 

67

 

66

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

12,943

 

12,983

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Intangibles

 

(697

)

(1,045

)

Accrued liabilities and reserves

 

(174

)

(120

)

Total deferred tax liability

 

(871

)

(1,165

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets, before valuation allowance

 

12,072

 

11,818

 

Valuation allowance

 

(10,932

)

(11,544

)

Net deferred tax asset

 

$

1,140

 

$

274

 

 

56


Table of Contents

 

In conjunction with the acquisition of Evolving Systems Labs in October 2013, we recorded certain identifiable intangible assets. We established a deferred tax asset of $0.1 million at the acquisition date for the expected difference between what would be expensed for financial reporting purposes and what would be deductible for income tax purposes. In September 2015, we established a deferred tax liability of $1.8 million as a result of the acquisition of Evolving Systems NC. In September 2017, we established a deferred tax liability of $0.4 million as a result of the acquisition of the Lumata Entities. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, there was a net deferred tax liability of $0.7 million and a net deferred tax liability of $0.8 million, respectively. This net deferred tax liability will be recognized as the identifiable intangibles are amortized.

 

We maintain a valuation allowance on the domestic net deferred tax assets other than $0.7 million in AMT credits and $0.5 million in FTC, and $0.3 million of foreign net deferred tax assets, as we have determined it is more likely than not that we will not realize our domestic deferred tax assets. Such assets primarily consist of certain net state operating loss carryforwards, research and development credits and, Foreign Tax Credits. We assessed the realizability of our domestic deferred tax assets using all available evidence. In particular, we considered both historical results and projections of profitability for the reasonably foreseeable future periods. We are required to reassess our conclusions regarding the realization of our deferred tax assets at each financial reporting date. A future evaluation could result in a conclusion that all or a portion of the valuation allowance is no longer necessary which could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

 

The benefit for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal and state combined income tax rate of 25.6% for 2018 and 38.0% for 2017 to (loss) income to (loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. federal income tax expense at statutory rates

 

$

(3,920

)

$

1,776

 

State income tax expense, net of federal impact

 

23

 

22

 

Foreign Tax Credit

 

 

(848

)

Foreign rate differential

 

540

 

(1,312

)

Foreign deemed dividends

 

 

1,311

 

Change in valuation allowance

 

(274

)

844

 

Research and development expenses

 

(1,167

)

(305

)

Foreign taxes

 

 

18

 

Section 78 Gross-up

 

 

311

 

US Tax Reform

 

 

(108

)

Goodwill impairment loss

 

4,188

 

 

Permanent differences and other, net

 

184

 

(288

)

Total tax (benefit) expense

 

$

(426

)

$

1,421

 

 

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it determines that it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

 

As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, we had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits. We do not believe there will be any material changes to our unrecognized tax positions over the next twelve months. Interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities are included as a component of income tax expense (benefit) in the accompanying statements of operations.

 

Our income taxes payable may be reduced by the AMT tax benefits from employee stock plan awards. We had no net excess tax benefits from employee stock plan awards for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, which would be reflected as income tax expense or benefit in the statement of operations.

 

57


Table of Contents

 

We conduct business globally and, as a result, Evolving Systems Inc. or one or more of our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, namely the U.K., France, and India. Although carryovers can always be subject to review by taxing authorities, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations for years before 2013.

 

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Common Stock Dividends

 

There were no accrued dividends as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Any determination to declare a future quarterly dividend, as well as the amount of any cash dividend which may be declared, will be based on our financial position, earnings, earnings outlook and other relevant factors at that time, including applicable limits under our term loan facility or any other credit facility then in effect.

 

Treasury Stock

 

As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, we hold 178,669, respectively shares of our common stock that we purchased prior to the expiration of our stock purchase program on December 31, 2014.

 

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions/Agreements with Stockholders

 

Our restated certificate of incorporation allows the board of directors to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences and privileges of those shares without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The rights of the holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future. Issuance of preferred stock, while providing desired flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

 

In addition, we are subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of Delaware General Corporation Law which prohibit us from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in the prescribed manner. The application of Section 203 may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our management, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock by discouraging or preventing takeover attempts that might result in the payment of a premium price to our stockholders.

 

58


Table of Contents

 

NOTE 8 — SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

We account for stock-based compensation by applying a fair-value-based measurement method to account for share-based payment transactions with employees and directors, and record compensation cost for all stock awards granted after January 1, 2006 and awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date, using the modified prospective method. We record compensation costs associated with the vesting of unvested options on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. We recognized $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, with respect to our stock-based compensation plans. The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expenses recorded in the statement of operations (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

$

52

 

$

26

 

Sales and marketing

 

39

 

28

 

General and administrative

 

590

 

611

 

Product development

 

21

 

77

 

Total share-based compensation

 

$

702

 

$

742

 

 

Stock Option/Incentive Plans

 

In June 2007, our stockholders approved the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Stock Plan”) with a maximum of 1.0 million shares reserved for issuance. In June 2010, our stockholders approved an amendment to the 2007 Stock Plan which increased the maximum shares that may be awarded under the plan to 1.25 million. In June 2013, our stockholders approved an amendment to the 2007 Stock Plan which increased the maximum shares that may be awarded under the plan to 1.5 million. In June 2015, our stockholders approved an amendment to the 2007 Stock Plan which increased the maximum shares that may be awarded under the plan to 2.0 million. Awards permitted under the 2007 Stock Plan include: Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Awards issued under the 2007 Stock Plan are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. As applicable, awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, generally vest over four years for employees and one year for directors and, with respect to stock option grants, expire no more than ten years from the date of grant. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no shares available for grant under the 2007 Stock Plan. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, 0.5 million and 0.7 million options and restricted shares were issued and outstanding under the 2007 Stock Plan, respectively.

 

In June 2016, our stockholders approved the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Stock Plan”) with a maximum of 0.25 million shares reserved for issuance. In June 2018, our stockholders approved an amendment to the 2016 Stock Plan which increased the maximum shares that may be awarded under the plan to 0.85 million Awards permitted under the 2016 Stock Plan include: Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Awards issued under the 2016 Stock Plan are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. As applicable, awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, generally vest over four years for employees and three years for an initial grant and one year for subsequent grants for directors and expire no more than ten years from the date of grant. At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 0.4 million and 0.6 million options and restricted shares were issued and outstanding under the 2016 Stock Plan, respectively. At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were approximately 0.4 million and 0.1 million shares available for grant under the 2016 Stock Plan, respectively.

 

59


Table of Contents

 

 

 

Restricted

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Unvested restricted stock at December 31, 2016

 

15

 

Add restricted stock granted

 

622

 

Less restricted stock vested

 

(5

)

Less restricted stock forfeited/expired

 

(35

)

Unvested restricted stock at December 31, 2017

 

597

 

Less restricted stock vested

 

(181

)

Less restricted stock forfeited/expired

 

(67

)

Unvested restricted stock at December 31, 2018

 

349

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017 we awarded a total of 0.6 million shares of restricted stock to members of our senior management. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately 0.18 million and 0.01 million shares of restricted stock vested, respectively. There were forfeitures of approximately 0.07 million shares of restricted stock during the year ended December 31, 2018. There were forfeitures of approximately 0.03 million shares of restricted stock during year ended December 31, 2017.

 

The fair market value of restricted shares for stock-based compensation expense is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The restrictions on the stock award are released generally over four years for senior management and over one year for board members. Stock-based compensation expense includes $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively for restricted stock. The shares of restricted stock granted to our Board of Directors and senior management team in 2017 include 0.2 million shares subject to achievement of annual performance goals established by our Board of Directors. The restricted shares vest over four years.

 

Of the restrictions on the stock awards granted during the periods ended March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, 20% will be released in January 2018, and 10% annually beginning on the one-year anniversary of their offering thereafter for four years. The remaining 40% will be released evenly over four years beginning in 2018 contingent upon the attainment of annual performance goals established by our Board of Directors. Of the restrictions on the stock awards granted during the third quarter of 2017, one-fourth will be released on the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant and the balance will be released quarterly over a three-year period. Of the restrictions on the stock awards granted during the fourth quarter of 2017, one-fourth will be released on the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant and the balance will be released quarterly over a three-year period. Of the restrictions on the stock awards granted during the period ended December 31, 2017, one-fourth was released on the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant and the balance is being released quarterly over a three-year period. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not attain the annual performance goals. Vested shares are included in the number of Common Stock outstanding shares referenced on the cover of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and referenced in the table above for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

The weighted-average assumptions used in the fair value calculations of the stock options are as follows:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Expected term (years)

 

6.0

 

6.4

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

2.9

%

2.15

%

Expected volatility

 

38.43

%

38.86

%

Expected dividend yield

 

0.0

%

0.0

%

 

60


Table of Contents

 

The following is a summary of stock option activity under the stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

Remaining

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number of

 

Average

 

Contractual

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Shares

 

Exercise

 

Term

 

Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Price

 

(Years)

 

(in thousands)

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2016

 

684

 

$

6.17

 

7.30

 

$

139

 

Less options forfeited/cancelled

 

(233

)

5.50

 

 

 

 

 

Less options exercised

 

(108

)

2.46

 

 

 

 

 

Add options granted

 

370

 

4.53

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2017

 

713

 

$

5.71

 

8.23

 

$

128

 

Less options forfeited/cancelled

 

(142

)

5.20

 

 

 

 

 

Less options exercised

 

(10

)

0.40

 

 

 

 

 

Add options granted

 

30

 

2.25

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2018

 

591

 

$

5.75

 

7.39

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercisable at December 31, 2018

 

368

 

$

6.51

 

6.67

 

$

 

 

The following is a summary of stock options outstanding under the plans as of December 31, 2018:

 

Stock Options Outstanding

 

Stock Options Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Avg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

Remaining

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Range of

 

 Shares

 

Contractual Life

 

Weighted Avg.

 

Shares

 

Weighted Avg.

 

Exercise Prices

 

(in thousands)

 

(years)

 

Exercise Price

 

(in thousands)

 

Exercise Price

 

$

0.01

 

$

4.46

 

40,608

 

7.82

 

$

2.65

 

10,608

 

$

3.78

 

$

4.47

 

$

4.55

 

171,875

 

8.84

 

$

4.50

 

59,375

 

$

4.50

 

$

4.56

 

$

5.90

 

91,175

 

7.97

 

$

5.00

 

45,532

 

$

5.27

 

$

5.91

 

$

6.23

 

179,500

 

6.75

 

$

6.00

 

145,843

 

$

6.00

 

$

6.24

 

$

10.90

 

107,851

 

5.49

 

$

9.13

 

106,570

 

$

9.13

 

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $1.84 and $1.87, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2018, there were approximately $1.0 million of total time-based unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options and restricted stock. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

 

The total intrinsic value of stock option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.1. The total fair value of stock awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.2 million.

 

The deferred income tax benefits from stock options expense related to Evolving Systems U.K. totaled less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Cash received from stock option exercises was less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There were no net settlement exercises during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Net settlement exercises during the year ended December 31, 2017, resulted in approximately 0.02 million shares issued and 0.08 million options cancelled in settlement of shares issued, respectively.

 

61


Table of Contents

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), we are authorized to issue up to 0.55 million shares of our common stock to full-time employees, nearly all of whom are eligible to participate. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees may elect to have up to 15% of their gross compensation withheld through payroll deduction to purchase our common stock, capped at $25,000 annually and no more than 0.01 million shares per offering period. The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the lower of the market price at the beginning or end of each three-month participation period. As of December 31, 2018, there were approximately 0.05 million shares available for purchase. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded compensation expense of $0.0 million associated with grants under the ESPP which includes the fair value of the look-back feature of each grant as well as the 15% discount on the purchase price. This expense fluctuates each period primarily based on the level of employee participation.

 

Cash received from employee stock plan purchases was a de minimis amount for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We issued a de minimis number of shares related to the ESPP for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

NOTE 9 — BENEFIT PLANS

 

We have established a defined contribution retirement plan for our employees under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plan”) that is available to all U.S. employees 21 years of age or older with a month of service. Beginning in 2012, we adopted a Safe Harbor 401(k) requiring us to contribute 3% of the employee’s compensation for each eligible employee, regardless of whether the employee chooses to participate in the plan. All employee contributions are fully vested immediately and employer contributions vest over a period of three years. Evolving Systems U.K. has established a defined contribution pension scheme that is available to all employees in their first full month of employment. Employees may contribute a percentage of their earnings, the amount of which is dependent upon the age of the employee, not to exceed the maximum statutory contribution amount. We match 5% of employee contributions. All contributions are immediately vested in their entirety.

 

During 2018 and 2017, we recorded a consolidated expense of $0.4 million and $0.2 million, under the aforementioned plans, respectively.

 

NOTE 10 — (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) or income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, including common stock issuable under participating securities. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, plus all potentially dilutive common stock equivalents using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalents consist of stock options and restricted stock. The following is the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations (in thousands except per share data):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

Basic (loss) income per common share:

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(14,787

)

$

2,516

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

12,108

 

11,934

 

Basic (loss) income per common share:

 

$

(1.22

)

$

0.21

 

 

Diluted (loss) income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(14,787

)

$

2,516

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

12,108

 

11,934

 

Effect of dilutive securities - options and restricted stock

 

 

47

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

12,108

 

11,981

 

Diluted (loss) income per common share:

 

$

(1.22

)

$

0.21

 

 

Weighted average options to purchase approximately 0.6 million shares, and 0.4 million shares of common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively, because the effect would have been anti-dilutive since their exercise prices were greater than the average market value of our common stock for the period.

 

62


Table of Contents

 

NOTE 11 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

(a)           Lease Commitments

 

We lease office and operating facilities under non-cancelable operating leases. Current facility leases include our offices in Englewood, Colorado, New York, New York, Durham, North Carolina, London, England Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi India, Johannesburg, South Africa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mexico City, Mexico, Grenoble, France, Cluj-Napoca, Romania and Madrid, Spain. Rent expense was $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There was no sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Our former headquarters office facility lease in Englewood, Colorado terminated on November 30, 2017 at the end of the lease term. Any leasehold improvements had been fully amortized, and equipment disposed of related to the office closure was fully depreciated. We entered into a monthly lease for new office facilities in Englewood Colorado. We account for the effect of any free rent or escalating lease payments as if the lease rate were consistent over the lease term. Future minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating leases gross of sublease payments as of December 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

 

 

Total

 

2019

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

Thereafter

 

Operating Leases

 

$

1,470

 

$

509

 

$

357

 

$

253

 

$

252

 

$

99

 

Total Commitments

 

$

1,470

 

$

509

 

$

357

 

$

253

 

$

252

 

$

99

 

 

(b)           Other Commitments

 

As permitted under Delaware law, we have agreements with officers and directors under which we agree to indemnify them for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at our request in this capacity. The term of the indemnification period is indefinite. There is no limit on the amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements; however, we maintain Director and Officer insurance policies, as well as an Employment Practices Liability Insurance Policy, that may enable us to recover a portion of any amounts paid. As a result of our insurance policy coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we did not record any liabilities for these agreements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

We enter into standard indemnification terms with customers and suppliers, in the ordinary course of business, for third party claims arising under our contracts. In addition, as we may subcontract the development of deliverables under customer contracts, we could be required to indemnify customers for work performed by subcontractors. Depending upon the nature of the indemnification, the potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements may be unlimited. We may be able to recover damages from a subcontractor or other supplier if the indemnification results from the subcontractor’s or supplier’s failure to perform. To the extent we are unable to recover damages from a subcontractor or other supplier, we could be required to reimburse the indemnified party for the full amount. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims relating to an indemnification. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. We did not record any liabilities for these agreements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Our standard license agreements contain product warranties that the software will be free of material defects and will operate in accordance with the stated requirements for a limited period of time. The product warranty provisions require us to cure any defects through any reasonable means. We believe the estimated fair value of the product warranty provisions in the license agreements in place with our customers is minimal. Accordingly, we did not record any liabilities for these product warranty provisions as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Our software arrangements generally include a product indemnification provision whereby we will indemnify and defend a customer in actions brought against the customer for claims that our products infringe upon a copyright, trade secret, or valid patent of a third party. We have not historically incurred any significant costs related to product indemnification claims. Accordingly, we did not record any liabilities for these indemnification provisions as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

When we acquired Telespree on October 24, 2013, we agreed to make a final cash payment on October 24, 2014 of $0.5 million. This payment was subject to reduction for certain claims and we notified the seller’s representative that we were asserting claims against the final cash payment prior to October 24, 2014. The contractually agreed time period for mandatory arbitration, as well as the applicable Delaware state law, has lapsed. Accordingly, we eliminated the liability as of June 30, 2018 and recognized $0.5 million gain in other income for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

 

63


Table of Contents

 

(c)                                 Litigation

 

In June 2018, we agreed to a Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement and a Contribution Agreement (the “SSM Agreements”) with certain parties related to our September 30, 2015 acquisition of SSM. The SSM Agreements settled a dispute with a former SSM contractor, for which the Company asserted indemnification from the SSM sellers. Under the SSM Agreements, in July 2018 we paid $0.3 million toward the settlement, $0.1 million of which was on the Company’s behalf and recorded as other expense for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. The Company and the SSM sellers agreed to offset the Company’s contribution to the settlement against the final payment due to the SSM sellers and, therefore, we were released from a $0.3 million final payment due to the sellers of SSM.

 

From time to time, we are involved in various legal matters arising in the normal course of business. We do not expect the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

NOTE 12 — GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

 

We are headquartered in Englewood, a suburb of Denver, Colorado. We use customer locations as the basis for attributing revenue to individual countries. We provide products and services on a global basis through our offices in Colorado, North Carolina and our U.K.-based Evolving Systems U.K. subsidiary. Additionally, personnel in Bangalore and Kolkata, India, provide software development services and support to our global operations. Financial information relating to operations by geographic region exceeding the threshold (defined as contributing at least 10%) of revenue from operations is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

 

Long-lived assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

2,741

 

$

11,276

 

United Kingdom

 

7,098

 

17,968

 

Other

 

1,752

 

1,843

 

 

 

$

11,591

 

$

31,087

 

 

NOTE 13 — RESTRUCTURING

 

There were no restructuring charges during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. During the second half of 2017, we undertook a reduction in workforce involving the termination of employees resulting in an expense of $0.3 million primarily related to severance for the affected employees. The reduction in workforce was related to the consolidations of duplicative functions and alignment of staff with ongoing business activity as a result of the acquisition of EVOL BLS in the third quarter of 2017.

 

There was no restructuring liability as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

64


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 9.                                                CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President of Finance, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period.

 

In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, we are required to apply judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon 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.

 

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the 2013 framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). The COSO framework summarizes each of the components of a company’s internal control system, including (i) the control environment, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) control activities, (iv) information and communication, and (v) monitoring.

 

Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B.           OTHER INFORMATION

 

As of December 31, 2018, we are in compliance with the covenants of our East West Bank loans except for our fixed charge coverage ratio, which was 0.81 and failed to meet the minimum requirement of 1.25 fixed charge coverage ratio. On March 29, 2019, we received a letter from East West Bank that waived the violation. We are negotiating amendments to the 2019 quarterly ratios. A copy of the waiver is filed as Exhibit 10.32 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

65


Table of Contents

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10.             DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Incorporated by reference to the sections of Evolving Systems, Inc. 2018 Proxy Statement, anticipated to be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2018, entitled “Proposal No. 1-Election of Directors,” “Management” and “Information Regarding the Board and Its Committees.”

 

ITEM 11.             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Incorporated by reference to the section of Evolving Systems, Inc. 2018 Proxy Statement, anticipated to be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2018, entitled “Executive Compensation.”

 

ITEM 12.             SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Incorporated by reference to the section of the Evolving Systems, Inc. 2018 Proxy Statement, anticipated to be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2018, entitled “Information Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Principal Stockholders, Directors, and Management.”

 

ITEM 13.             CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Incorporated by reference to the sections of the Evolving Systems, Inc. 2018 Proxy Statement, anticipated to be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2018, entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Information Regarding the Board and Its Committees.”

 

ITEM 14.             PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Incorporated by reference to the section of the Evolving Systems, Inc. 2018 Proxy Statement, anticipated to be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2018, entitled “Proposal No. 3-Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

 

66


Table of Contents

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15.             EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted because the required information is not present, or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedules or because the required information is provided in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Document

2.1

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2011, by and between Evolving Systems, Inc. and NeuStar, Inc., as filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

2.2

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Evolving Systems, Inc., Topaz Merger Sub, Inc., Telespree Communications and Gill Cogan as the exclusive representative of the Effective Time Shareholders and Change in Control Payment Recipients, as filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

2.3

 

Merger Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015, by and among Evolving Systems, Inc., Evolving Systems NC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Evolving Systems, RateIntegration, Inc. and a representative of the stockholders and change in control payment recipients of RateIntegration, Inc., as filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1†

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

3.1(a)

 

Certificate of Designation for the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed November 10, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1(b)

 

Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock filed as Exhibit 3.1(c) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed November 17, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1(c)

 

Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock filed as Exhibit 3.01 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed May 4, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1(d)

 

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Evolving Systems, Inc., as filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 21, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1(e)

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Evolving Systems, Inc. as filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.2†

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws.

3(ii)(1)

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Evolving Systems, Inc., as filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

4.1†

 

Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2.

4.1 (a)*

 

James E. King Equity Incentive Plan, as filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-8 filed March 22, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

4.1 (b)

 

Evolving Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as filed as Appendix A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.

4.2†

 

Specimen stock certificate representing shares of Common Stock.

10.1 *

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement, entered into by the Registrant and each of its directors and executive officers, as filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.2† *

 

Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan.

10.2 (a)

 

Standstill Agreement between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Karen Singer, Trustee of the Singer Children’s Management Trust, as filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 27, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.3† *

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

10.4

 

Form of Change in Control Agreement, as filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed January 3, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.5

 

Letter from Singer Children’s Management Trust, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 14, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

67


Table of Contents

 

10.6†

 

Software Development Agreement, by and between the Registrant and American Telephone and Telegraph Company, dated as of May 1, 1993. (The division of American Telephone & Telegraph Company responsible for this Agreement has split off from AT&T and is now known as Lucent Technologies, Inc.).

10.7*

 

Amendment to Management Change in Control Agreement — Thaddeus Dupper, as filed as Exhibit 10.20(a) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed May 11, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.8

 

Fifth Amendment to Office Building Lease Agreement, as filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed May 11, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.9

 

Agreement entered into with Singer Children’s Management Trust, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.10*

 

Employment Agreement entered into between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Thaddeus Dupper, as filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.11*

 

Consulting Agreement between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Anita T. Moseley, as filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.12

 

Loan and Security Agreement between Evolving Systems, Inc. and East West Bank, as filed as Exhibit 10.1(a) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.13

 

Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between Evolving Systems, Inc. and East West Bank, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on November 6, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.14

 

Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between Evolving Systems, Inc. and East West Bank, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.15

 

Fourth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between Evolving Systems, Inc. and East West Bank, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on November 10, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.16

 

Fifth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between Evolving Systems, Inc. and East West Bank, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.17*

 

Employment Agreement dated September 30, 2015, entered into between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Thomas Thekkethala, as filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.18*

 

Consulting Services Agreement dated January 1, 2016, entered into between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Thaddeus Dupper, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.19*

 

Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2016, entered into between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Daniel J. Moorhead, as filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.20*

 

Evolving Systems, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, as filed as Appendix A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 26, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.21

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2017 by BLS Limited and Business Logic Systems Limited and incorporated herein by reference.

10.22*

 

Employment Agreement dated June 5, 2017, entered into between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Richard A. Dinkel, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.23

 

Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets entered into by BLS Limited and Business Logic Systems Limited dated as of May 5, 2017, as filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.24

 

Share Purchase Agreement entered into between Evolving Systems Holdings Limited and Lumata Holdings Limited and Francisco Partners III (Cayman) L.P., dated August 12, 2017, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 17, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.25

 

Form of Management Warranty Deed, as filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 17, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.26

 

Term Loan Facility Agreement entered into by and among Evolving Systems, Inc. as Parent Guarantor, Evolving Systems Holdings Limited, as Original Borrower, Evolving Systems Limited and Evolving Systems BLS Limited, as further Original Guarantors and East West Bank as Lender dated August 16, 2017, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.27

 

Debenture entered into by and among Evolving Systems Holdings Limited, the Original Guarantors and East West Bank, dated August 16, 2017, as filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.28

 

Subordination Deed entered into by and among Evolving Systems, Inc., Evolving Systems Holdings Limited, the Original Guarantors and East West Bank, dated August 16, 2017, as filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.29*

 

Consulting Services Agreement dated October 1, 2017, entered into between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Richard A. Dinkel, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

68


Table of Contents

 

10.30*

 

Employment Agreement dated September 23, 2017, entered into between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Julie Gosal Hoarau, as filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.31*

 

Employment Agreement dated December 4, 2017, entered into between Evolving Systems, Inc. and Mark P. Szynkowski, as filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 4, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.32

 

East West Bank Fixed Coverage Charge Waiver Letter dated March 29, 2019

21(a)

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith).

23.1

 

Consent of Friedman LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm related to Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (filed herewith).

24.1

 

Power of Attorney (included on signature page)

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).

Exhibit 101

 

The following financial information from the annual report on Form 10-K of Evolving Systems, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (iii) Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


                                         Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 333-43973.

*                                         Identifies each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

ITEM 16.             FORM 10-K SUMMARY

 

Not applicable.

 

69


Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

EVOLVING SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MATTHEW STECKER

 

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman

April 4, 2019

 

Matthew Stecker

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Matthew Stecker, his attorney-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connections therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MATTHEW STECKER

 

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman

 

April 4, 2019

 

Matthew Stecker

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MARK P. SZYNKOWSKI

 

Senior Vice President of Finance

 

April 4, 2019

 

Mark P. Szynkowski

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ DAVID J. NICOL

 

Director

 

April 4, 2019

 

David J. Nicol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ RICHARD R. RAMLALL

 

Director

 

April 4, 2019

 

Richard R. Ramlall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ DAVID S. OROS

 

Director

 

April 4, 2019

 

David S. Oros

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JULIAN D. SINGER

 

Director

 

April 4, 2019

 

Julian D. Singer

 

 

 

 

 

70