For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2005
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2005

 

OR

 

¨ 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 000-29357

 


 

Chordiant Software, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

 


 

Delaware   93-1051328

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

20400 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 400

Cupertino, CA 95014

(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)

 

(408) 517-6100

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report)

 


 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  x   Non-accelerated filer  ¨

 

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

 

As of January 31, 2006, there were 78,692,554 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page No.

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
Item 1.   Financial Statements (unaudited)     
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005    2
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004

   3
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004    4
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    5
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    24
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    38
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    39
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION     
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    41
Item 1A.   Risk Factors    42
Item 6.   Exhibits    51
    Signatures    52

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

    

December 31,

2005


   

September 30,

2005


 
ASSETS                 

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 41,466     $ 38,546  

Restricted cash

     486       1,982  

Accounts receivable, net, including $144 and $263 due from related parties at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively

     19,184       18,979  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,290       4,345  
    


 


Total current assets

     66,426       63,852  

Restricted cash

     365       365  

Property and equipment, net

     2,312       2,479  

Goodwill

     31,907       31,907  

Intangible assets, net

     4,845       5,148  

Other assets

     3,306       3,499  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 109,161     $ 107,250  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 3,555     $ 4,554  

Accrued expenses

     11,500       8,902  

Deferred revenue, including related party balances of $48 and $370 at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively.

     27,017       26,050  

Current portion of capital lease obligations

     217       213  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     42,289       39,719  

Deferred revenue—long-term

     445       147  

Restructuring costs, net of current portion

     1,539       1,731  

Long term portion of capital lease obligations

     40       96  
    


 


Total liabilities

     44,313       41,693  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5, 8 and 9)

                

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 51,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 78,628 and 78,488 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively

     79       78  

Additional paid-in capital and deferred compensation

     273,165       271,884  

Accumulated deficit

     (210,587 )     (208,889 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     2,191       2,484  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     64,848       65,557  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 109,161     $ 107,250  
    


 


 

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

 

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CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended

 
    

December 31,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
           (restated)  

Revenues:

                

License

   $ 9,126     $ 8,842  

Service, including related party items aggregating $68 for the three months ended December 31, 2005

     13,432       12,835  
    


 


Total revenues

     22,558       21,677  
    


 


Cost of revenues:

                

License

     443       166  

Service

     6,384       7,492  

Amortization of intangible assets

     303       131  
    


 


Total cost of revenues

     7,130       7,789  
    


 


Gross profit

     15,428       13,888  
    


 


Operating expenses:

                

Sales and marketing

     8,104       7,209  

Research and development

     4,514       4,863  

General and administrative

     4,704       3,900  

Amortization of intangible assets

     —         24  

Restructuring expense

     —         (123 )

Purchased in-process research and development

     —         1,940  
    


 


Total operating expenses

     17,322       17,813  
    


 


Loss from operations

     (1,894 )     (3,925 )

Interest income, net

     199       210  

Other income (expense), net

     118       (397 )
    


 


Loss before income taxes

     (1,577 )     (4,112 )

Provision for income taxes

     121       80  
    


 


Net loss

   $ (1,698 )   $ (4,192 )
    


 


Other comprehensive income (loss):

                

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

     (293 )     638  
    


 


Comprehensive loss

   $ (1,991 )   $ (3,554 )
    


 


Net loss per share—basic and diluted

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.06 )
    


 


Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

     76,824       72,223  
    


 


 

See Notes 2 and 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2005 included stock-based compensation expense under SFAS 123(R) of $1.1 million, which consisted of stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million related to employee stock options and $0.7 million related to restricted stock awards. Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2004 included a stock-based compensation net benefit of less than $0.1 million related to variable stock options and restricted stock awards. There was no stock-based compensation expense related to fixed employee stock options or employee stock purchases related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan under SFAS 123 included in the net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2004, because the company did not adopt the recognition provisions of SFAS 123. Net loss including pro forma stock-based compensation expense (restated) as previously disclosed in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $5.5 million or ($0.08) per share.

 

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

 

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CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended

 
     December 31,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 
           (restated)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net loss

   $ (1,698 )   $ (4,192 )

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

                

Depreciation and amortization

     281       372  

Purchased in-process research and development

     —         1,940  

Amortization of intangibles and capitalized software

     528       155  

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense (benefit)

     1,056       (31 )

Provision (credit) for doubtful accounts

     (25 )     79  

Warrants issued to customers

     —         (15 )

Other non-cash charges

     —         105  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     (376 )     2,983  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (1,255 )     (637 )

Other assets

     (57 )     121  

Accounts payable

     (963 )     (2,094 )

Accrued expenses

     2,483       1,755  

Deferred revenue

     1,532       (1,487 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     1,506       (946 )
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Property and equipment purchases

     (134 )     (196 )

Capitalized product development costs

     —         (857 )

Cash used for acquisitions, net

     —         (7,869 )

Proceeds from release of restricted cash

     1,485       (3 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     1,351       (8,925 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     528       135  

Payment on capital leases

     (52 )     (50 )
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     476       85  
    


 


Effect of exchange rate changes

     (413 )     1,325  
    


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     2,920       (8,461 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     38,546       55,748  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 41,466     $ 47,287  
    


 


 

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

 

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CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1—THE COMPANY

 

We (Chordiant Software, Inc.) are an enterprise software vendor that offers software solutions for global business-to-consumer companies that seek to improve the quality of their customer interactions and to reduce costs through increased employee productivity and process efficiencies. We concentrate on serving global customers in retail, financial services, communications and other consumer direct industries.

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The September 30, 2005 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 9, 2005 (“2005 Form 10-K”).

 

All adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are necessary to state fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented have been made. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any future period.

 

Restatement of quarterly results of operations

 

The financial information as of, and for the three months ended December 31, 2004 is labeled restated as it has been revised from the amounts previously filed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on April 29, 2005. The restatement is further discussed in Note 19 of the consolidated financial statements in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances in order to conform to the current period’s presentation.

 

Principles of consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.

 

On an on-going basis, we evaluate the estimates, including those related to our allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, valuation of deferred tax assets, certain variables associated

 

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with the valuation of stock-based compensation, restructuring costs, contingencies, vendor specific evidence of fair value in multiple element arrangements and the estimates associated with the percentage-of-completion method of accounting for certain of our revenue contracts. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Revenue recognition

 

We derive revenues from licenses of our software and related services, which include assistance in implementation, customization and integration, post-contract customer support, training and consulting. The amount and timing of our revenue is difficult to predict and any shortfall in revenue or delay in recognizing revenue could cause our operating results to vary significantly from period to period and could result in additional operating losses. The accounting rules related to revenue recognition are complex and are affected by interpretation of the rules and an understanding of industry practices, both of which are subject to change. Consequently, the revenue recognition accounting rules require management to make significant judgments.

 

Software license revenue is recognized in accordance with Statement of Position No. 97-2 “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by Statement of Position No. 98-9 “Software Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain Arrangements” (collectively “SOP 97-2”).

 

For arrangements with multiple elements, we recognize revenue for services and post-contract customer support based upon vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value of the respective elements. VSOE of fair value for the services element is based upon the standard hourly rates we charge for the services when such services are sold separately. The VSOE of fair value for annual post-contract customer support is generally established with the contractual future renewal rates included in the contracts when the renewal rate is substantive and consistent with the fees when support services are sold separately. When contracts contain multiple elements and VSOE of fair value exists for all undelivered elements, we account for the delivered elements, principally the license portion, based upon the “residual method” as prescribed by SOP 97-2. In multiple element transactions where VSOE is not established for an undelivered element, we recognize revenue upon the establishment of VSOE for that element or when the element is delivered.

 

At the time we enter into a transaction, we assess whether any services included within the arrangement require us to perform significant implementation or customization essential to the functionality of our products.

 

For contracts for products that do not involve significant implementation or customization essential to the product functionality, we recognize license revenues when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, collection of the fee is probable and delivery has occurred as prescribed by SOP 97-2.

 

For contracts that involve significant implementation or customization essential to the functionality of our products, we recognize the license and professional consulting services revenues using either the percentage-of- completion method or the completed contract method as prescribed by Statement of Position No. 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Product-Type Contracts” (“SOP 81-1”).

 

The percentage-of-completion method is applied when we have the ability to make reasonable dependable estimates of the total effort required for completion using labor hours incurred as the measure of progress towards completion. The progress toward completion is measured based on the “go-live” date. We define the “go-live” date as the date the essential product functionality has been delivered or the application enters into a production environment or the point at which no significant additional Chordiant supplied professional services resources are required. Estimates are subject to revisions as the contract progresses to completion. We account for the changes in estimates when the information becomes known. Information impacting estimates obtained after the balance sheet date but before the issuance of the financial statements is used to update the estimates. Provisions for estimated contract losses are recognized in the period in which the loss becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. When we sell additional licenses related to the original licensing agreement, revenue is recognized upon delivery if the project has reached the go-live date, or if the project has not reached the go-live date, revenue is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method. We classify revenues from these arrangements as license and service revenues based upon the estimated fair value of each element.

 

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The completed contract method is applied when we are unable to obtain reasonable dependable estimates of the total effort required for completion. Under the completed contract method, all revenue and related costs of revenue are deferred and recognized upon completion.

 

For product co-development arrangements relating to software products in development prior to the consummation of the individual arrangements, where the Company retains the intellectual property being developed, and intends to sell the resulting products to other customers, license revenue is deferred until the delivery of the final product, provided all other requirements of SOP 97-2 are met. Expenses associated with these co-development arrangements are normally expensed as incurred as they are considered to be research and development costs that do not qualify for capitalization or deferral.

 

We recognize revenue for post-contract customer support ratably over the support periods which have historically ranged from one to three years.

 

Our training and consulting services revenues are recognized as such services are performed on an hourly or daily basis for time and material contracts. For consulting services arrangements with a fixed fee, we recognize revenue on the proportional performance method.

 

In situations in which we are obligated to provide unspecified additional software products in the future, we recognize revenue as a subscription ratably over the term of the commitment period.

 

For all sales we use either a signed license agreement or a binding purchase order where we have a master license agreement as evidence of an arrangement. Sales through our third party systems integrators are evidenced by a master agreement governing the relationship together with binding purchase orders on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Revenues from reseller arrangements are recognized on the “sell-through” method, when the reseller reports to us the sale of our software products to end-users. Our agreements with customers and resellers do not contain product return rights.

 

We assess collectibility based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the customer and the credit-worthiness of the customer. We generally do not request collateral from our customers. If we determine that collection of a fee is not probable, we defer the fee and recognize revenue at the time collection becomes probable, which is generally upon receipt of cash.

 

Restricted cash

 

At December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, interest bearing certificates of deposit were classified as restricted cash. These deposits serve as collateral for letters of credit securing certain lease obligations and post-contract customer support obligations. During the quarter ended December 31, 2005, $1.5 million of restricted cash that served as a security deposit on a post-contract customer support transaction was released as the underlying contract requirement expired.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

On October 1, 2005, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123(R)”) which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options, restricted stock awards and employee stock purchases related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) based on estimated fair values. SFAS 123(R) supersedes the Company’s previous accounting using the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) for periods beginning in fiscal 2006. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”), which provided supplemental implementation guidance for SFAS 123(R). We have applied the provisions of SAB 107 in the adoption of SFAS 123(R).

 

We adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard as of October 1, 2005, the first day of the Company’s fiscal year 2006. The condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2005 reflect the impact of SFAS 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the condensed consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS 123(R).

 

SFAS 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), we accounted for stock-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25 as allowed under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based

 

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Compensation” (“SFAS 123”). Under the intrinsic value method, when the exercise price of the Company’s stock options granted to employees and directors was equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant, no stock-based compensation was required to be recognized under APB 25.

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period under SFAS 123(R) is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2005 includes: (i) compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of September 30, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS 123, and (ii) compensation expense for the share-based payment awards granted subsequent to September 30, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R). In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS 123(R), we changed our method of expense attribution from the vested graded or straight-line method to the straight-line method. Compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted on or prior to September 30, 2005 will continue to be recognized using the vested graded method of expense attribution while compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted subsequent to September 30, 2005 will be recognized using the straight-line method of expense attribution. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. In the pro forma disclosures required under SFAS 123 for the periods prior to fiscal 2006, we accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. See Note 10.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company has continued to utilize the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) which was previously used for the Company’s pro forma disclosures required under SFAS 123. For additional information, see Note 10. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the existing valuation models may not provide an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options. Although the fair value of employee stock options is determined in accordance with SFAS 123(R) and SAB 107 using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123(R) for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $1.1 million, which includes approximately $0.4 million of incremental stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as a result of the adoption of SFAS 123(R).

 

The effect of the adoption of FAS 123(R) on October 1, 2005, resulted in an increase of $0.4 million in the loss from operations, loss before income taxes and net loss compared to the continued application of APB 25 as used in the comparable prior year period. Basic and diluted net loss per share would have been $(0.03) for the three months ended December 31, 2005 if we continued to use APB 25 as in the comparable year period, compared to our reported basic and net loss per share of $(0.02) for the three months ended December 31, 2005. We have not recognized, and do not expect to recognize in the near future, any tax benefit related to employee stock-based compensation expense due to the full valuation allowance of our net deferred tax assets and our operating loss carryforwards. In addition, the adoption of FAS 123(R) did not affect our cash flow from operations or cash flow from financing activities. No stock-based compensation expense have been capitalized as part of the cost of an asset as of December 31, 2005.

 

Under APB 25, for the three months ended December 31, 2004, a benefit of ($0.1) million was recorded as stock-based compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations related to variable options and restricted stock awards. Previously, the compensation expense under APB 25 on variable options was re-measured at the end of each operating period until the options were exercised, forfeited or expired. Under SFAS 123(R), these options are now expensed based on the fair value approach for unvested shares as of September 30, 2005. The restricted stock awards continue to be expensed under FAS 123(R) using a vested graded or straight-line method of expense attribution consistent with the prior period.

 

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There was no stock-based compensation expense related to the ESPP recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. See Note 10 for additional information.

 

Concentrations of credit risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and accounts receivable. To date, we have invested excess funds in money market accounts. We have cash and cash equivalents with various high quality institutions domestically and internationally.

 

Our accounts receivable are derived from sales to from customers located in North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the world. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and, generally, require no collateral from our customers. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts when deemed necessary. To date, bad debts have not been material and have been within management expectations.

 

The following table summarizes the revenues from customers that accounted for 10% or more of total revenues:

 

     Three Months Ended

 
    

December 31,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


 

Barclays

   *     26 %

Capital One

   *     19 %

ING

   10 %   *  

* Represents less than 10% of total revenues.

 

At December 31, 2005, Lloyds TSB and Capital One each accounted for approximately 13% of our accounts receivable. At September 30, 2005, Capital One, Wachovia and HSBC accounted for approximately 18%, 17% and 10% of our accounts receivable, respectively.

 

Research and Development

 

Costs incurred in the research and development of new products and enhancements to existing products are charged to expense as incurred until the technological feasibility of the product or enhancement has been established. Technological feasibility of the product is determined after the completion of a detailed program design and a determination has been made that any uncertainties related to high-risk development issues have been resolved. If the process of developing the product does not include a detail program design, technological feasibility is determined only after completion of a working model. After establishing technological feasibility, additional development costs incurred through the date the product is available for general release to customers is capitalized and amortized over the estimated product life.

 

When technological feasibility is established through the completion of a working model the period of time between achieving technological feasibility and the general release of new products is generally short and software development costs qualifying for capitalization are insignificant. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, technological feasibility for an acquired banking product was established through the completion of a detailed program design. Costs aggregating $2.7 million associated with this product have been capitalized and included in Other Assets as of September 30, 2005. During the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the product became available for general release and, accordingly, the costs capitalized commenced to be amortized. The capitalized costs are being amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic life of the product which is 36 months. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, amortization expense related to this product was $0.2 million and is included in the cost of revenues for licenses.

 

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Income Taxes

 

We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on a number of factors, including the lack of a history of profits, future taxable income and the fact that the market in which we compete is competitive and characterized by rapidly changing technology, we believe that there is sufficient uncertainty regarding the realization of deferred tax assets such that a full valuation allowance has been provided. At September 30, 2005, we had approximately $153.6 million and $12.5 million of net operating loss carryforwards for federal and state purposes, respectively, and net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $34.2 million in the United Kingdom.

 

Net loss per share

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period excluding common stock subject to repurchase. The calculation of diluted net loss per share excludes potential common shares as their effect is anti-dilutive. Potential common shares consist of common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, warrants (using the treasury stock method) and common shares subject to repurchase by us.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except for per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended

 
    

December 31,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
           (restated)  

Net loss available to common stockholders

   $ (1,698 )   $ (4,192 )
    


 


Weighted average common stock outstanding

     78,592       73,067  

Common stock subject to repurchase

     (1,768 )     (844 )
    


 


Denominator for basic and diluted calculation

     76,824       72,223  
    


 


Net loss per share—basic and diluted

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.06 )
    


 


 

The following table sets forth the potential total common shares that are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share as their effect is anti-dilutive as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2005

  December 31, 2004

Warrants outstanding

   1,662   1,662

Employee stock options

   8,240   10,146

Restricted stock

   1,737   2,391
    
 
     11,639   14,199
    
 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June, 2005, the FASB issued Statement No. 154 (“SFAS 154”), “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and Statement No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” SFAS 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for, and reporting of, a change in accounting principle. Previously, most voluntary changes in accounting principles were required to be recognized by way of a cumulative effect adjustment within net income during the period of the change. SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005; however, the Statement does not change the transition provisions of any existing accounting pronouncements. The Company does not believe adoption of SFAS 154 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143.” FIN 47 requires asset retirement

 

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obligations to be recorded when a legal obligation exists even though the timing and/or method of the settlement of such obligations is conditional on a future event. FIN 47 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of FIN 47 will have on its financial condition and results of operations but does not believe that the adoption will have a material impact.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FSP 109-2 (“FSP 109-2”), “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creations Act of 2004.” FSP 109-2 provides guidance under FASB Statement No. 109 (“SFAS 109”), “Accounting for Income Taxes,” with respect to recording the potential impact of the repatriation provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Jobs Act”) on enterprises’ income tax expense and deferred tax liability. The Jobs Act was enacted on October 22, 2004. FSP 109-2 states that an enterprise is allowed time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the Jobs Act on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings for purposes of applying SFAS 109. FSP 109-2 is effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2005. The Company has not yet completed evaluating the impact of the repatriation provisions, however it does not anticipate the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, as provided for in FSP 109-2, we have not adjusted our tax expense or deferred tax liability to reflect the repatriation provisions of the Jobs Act.

 

NOTE 3—BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS

 

Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable, net consists of the following (in thousands):

 

    

December 31,

2005


   

September 30,

2005


 

Accounts receivable, net:

                

Accounts receivable

   $ 19,423     $ 19,193  

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

     (239 )     (214 )
    


 


     $ 19,184     $ 18,979  
    


 


 

Intangible assets

 

The components of intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2005

   September 30, 2005

     Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net
Carrying
Amount


   Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net
Carrying
Amount


Intangible assets:

                                           

Developed technologies

   $ 6,904    $ (3,300 )   $ 3,604    $ 6,904    $ (3,075 )   $ 3,829

Customer list and tradenames

     2,732      (1,491 )     1,241      2,732      (1,413 )     1,319
    

  


 

  

  


 

     $ 9,636    $ (4,791 )   $ 4,845    $ 9,636    $ (4,488 )   $ 5,148
    

  


 

  

  


 

 

All of our acquired intangible assets are subject to amortization and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives which are as follows: Developed technologies—one and one half to five years; customer lists and tradenames—three to five years. Aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets totaled $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We expect amortization expense on acquired intangible assets to be $0.9 million in the remaining fiscal 2006, $1.2 million in fiscal 2007, $1.2 million in fiscal 2008, $1.2 million in fiscal 2009 and $0.3 million in fiscal 2010.

 

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Accrued expenses

 

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    

December 31,

2005


  

September 30,

2005


Accrued expenses:

             

Accrued payroll and related expenses

   $ 5,743    $ 4,094

Accrued restructuring expenses, current portion (Note 5)

     991      1,235

Other accrued liabilities

     4,766      3,573
    

  

     $ 11,500    $ 8,902
    

  

 

NOTE 4— ACQUISITIONS

 

The operating results of KiQ Limited (“KiQ”) have been included in the condensed consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date of December 21, 2004. The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information reflects the results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2004 as if the acquisition of KiQ had occurred on October 1, 2004, after giving effect to purchase accounting adjustments. The purchased in-process research and development expense of $1.9 million has not been included in the pro forma results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2004 because it is considered a non-recurring charge. These pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only, do not purport to be indicative of what operating results would have been had the acquisition actually taken place at the beginning of the period, and may not be indicative of future operating results (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31, 2004


 
     (restated)  

Pro forma adjusted total revenue

   $ 22,571  

Pro forma adjusted net loss

   $ (2,716 )

Pro forma adjusted net loss per share—basic and diluted

   $ (0.04 )

Pro forma weighted average shares—basic and diluted

     76,575  

 

NOTE 5—RESTRUCTURING

 

Restructuring Costs

 

Through September 30, 2005, the Company has approved certain restructuring plans to, among other things, reduce its workforce and consolidate facilities. Restructuring and asset impairment charges have been taken to align our cost structure with changing market conditions and to create a more efficient organization. Our restructuring charges have been comprised primarily of: (i) severance and benefits termination costs related to the reduction of our workforce; and (ii) lease termination costs and costs associated with permanently vacating certain facilities. We account for each of these costs in accordance with SFAS No. 146 (“SFAS 146”), “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.”

 

Retroactive application of SFAS 146 to periods prior to January 1, 2003 was prohibited and, accordingly, the accrual relating to facilities continues to be accounted for in accordance with the preexisting guidance. The accrual for facilities does not reflect any adjustments relating to the estimated net present value of cash flows associated with the facilities.

 

For each of the periods presented herein, restructuring charges consist solely of:

 

    Severance and Termination Benefits—These costs represent severance and payroll taxes related to restructuring plans.

 

    Excess Facilities—These costs represent future minimum lease payments related to excess and abandoned space under lease, net of estimated sublease income and planned company occupancy.

 

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As of December 31, 2005, the total restructuring accrual of $2.5 million consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Current

   Non-Current

   Total

Severance and Termination

   $ 101    $ —      $ 101

Excess Facilities

     890      1,539      2,429
    

  

  

Total

   $ 991    $ 1,539    $ 2,530
    

  

  

 

The Company expects the remaining severance and termination accrual will be substantially paid by June 30, 2006.

 

Included in the facilities reserve is a note payable associated with the buyout of an office lease located in New York City. The amount of the note payable is $0.2 million and it is payable through quarterly installments through June 2011. We expect to pay the excess facilities amounts related to restructured or abandoned leased space as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,


   Total future
minimum payments


2006 (remaining nine months)

   $ 402

2007

     470

2008

     470

2009

     470

2010

     470

2011

     147
    

Total minimum facility payments

   $ 2,429
    

 

Fiscal year 2005 Restructuring

 

In May 2005, the Company announced that it had appointed a task force to improve profitability and control expenses (the “Profitability Task Force”). The goal of the Profitability Task Force is to create better alignment of functions within the Company, to make full utilization of the Company’s India development center, to develop a closer relationship between the Company’s field operations and customers, to review the sales and implementation models, as well as the organization model to flatten management levels, to review the Company’s product line, and to enhance the Company’s business model for profitability and operating leverage. As a result of the work of the Profitability Task Force, management undertook an approximate 10% reduction in the Company’s workforce, and in July 2005 affected employees were notified. In connection with this action, the Company incurred a one-time restructuring charge of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2005 for severance and termination benefits.

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to the fiscal year 2005 restructuring (in thousands):

 

     Severance
and Benefits


 

Reserve balance at September 30, 2005

   $ 469  

Non-cash

     (1 )

Cash paid

     (367 )
    


Reserve balance at December 31, 2005

   $ 101  
    


 

Prior to Fiscal Year 2005 Restructurings

 

During fiscal year 2003, based upon our continued evaluation of economic conditions in the information technology industry and our expectations regarding revenue levels, we restructured several areas of the Company to reduce expenses and improve our revenue per employee. This restructuring program included a worldwide workforce reduction, and consolidation of excess facilities and certain business functions. We believe that these reductions and realignments have resulted and will continue to result in a more responsive management structure. As part of these restructuring programs, we recorded a total workforce reduction expense relating to severance

 

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and benefits of approximately $2.0 million for year ended December 31, 2003. In addition to these costs, we accrued lease costs related to excess facilities of $0.2 million and $2.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2003, pertaining to the consolidation of excess facilities relating to lease terminations and non-cancelable lease costs. This expense is net of estimated sub-lease income based on current comparable rates for leases in the respective markets. If facilities rental rates decrease in these markets or if it takes longer than expected to sublease these facilities, the maximum amount by which the actual loss could exceed the original estimate is approximately $0.9 million.

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to the restructuring for the three months ended December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

     Facilities

 

Reserve balance at September 30, 2005

   $ 2,497  

Cash paid

     (68 )
    


Reserve balance at December 31, 2005

   $ 2,429  
    


 

Ness Technologies

 

As part of the fiscal year 2003 restructuring, we entered into an agreement with Ness Technologies Inc., Ness Global Services, Inc. and Ness Technologies India, Ltd. (collectively, “Ness”), effective December 15, 2003, pursuant to which Ness will provide our customers with technical product support through a worldwide help desk facility, a sustaining engineering function that serves as the interface between technical product support and our internal engineering organization, product testing services and product development services (collectively, the “Services”). The agreement has an initial term of three years and may be extended for additional one year terms at our discretion. Under the terms of the agreement, we pay for services rendered on a monthly fee basis, including the requirement to reimburse Ness for approved out-of-pocket expenses. We have also guaranteed certain equipment lease obligations of Ness (See Notes 7 and 8). The agreement may be terminated for convenience by the Company, subject to the payment of a termination fee. At December 31, 2005 the estimated termination fee would be $0.7 million if exercised. The maximum termination fee was initially equal to three months of certain fees, declining to zero after 30 months. On June 16, 2004, the Company expanded its agreement with Ness whereby Ness consultants are providing staffing for certain consulting projects. This amended agreement is cancelable at the Company’s option, subject to the payment of a cancellation fee of approximately $0.1 million. On March 15, 2005, the Company further expanded its agreement with Ness whereby Ness is providing certain additional technical and consulting services. The additional agreement can be cancelled at the option of the Company. Remaining minimum purchase commitments under this agreement were approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2005.

 

NOTE 6—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

In August 2005, the Company entered into a service provider agreement with Infogain. Samuel T. Spadafora, one of our directors and executive officers, is also a director of Infogain. Pursuant to the service provider agreement, revenue from Infogain was less than $0.1 million for three months ended December 31, 2005. Accounts receivable as of December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005 were less than $0.1 million.

 

In January 2005, Charles E. Hoffman became a director of the Company. Mr. Hoffman is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Covad Communications Group, Inc. (“Covad”), a customer of ours. Pursuant to software license and services agreements, revenue from Covad was less than $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005. Accounts receivable as of December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005 were approximately $0.1 million and zero, respectively.

 

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NOTE 7—BORROWINGS

 

Revolving line of credit

 

Our line of credit with Comerica Bank, effective from March 28, 2003 and extended to March 25, 2006, was amended in September 2005 and is comprised of a $5.0 million accounts receivable line. The terms of the line of credit require us to maintain (i) at least a $5.0 million cash balance in Comerica Bank accounts, (ii) a minimum quick ratio of 2.00 to 1.00, (iii) a tangible net worth of at least $20.0 million plus 60% of the proceeds of any equity offerings and (iv) subordinate any debt issuances subsequent to the effective date of the agreement, and certain other covenants. All assets of the Company have been pledged as collateral on the credit facility. As of December 31, 2005, the Company was in compliance with the respective debt covenants.

 

The accounts receivable line of credit contains a provision for a sub-limit of up to $2.0 million for issuances of standby commercial letters of credit. As of December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, we had utilized $1.4 million of the $2.0 million standby commercial letter of credit limit of which $0.9 million serves as collateral for computer equipment leases for our outsourcing partner in India (see Notes 5 and 8). The accounts receivable line of credit also contains a provision for a sub-limit of up to $2.0 million for issuance of foreign exchange forward contracts. As of December 31, 2005, we had not entered into any foreign exchange forward contracts. Pursuant to the amendment in September 2005, we are required to secure our standby commercial letters of credit and foreign exchange forward contracts as of March 25, 2006. If these have not been secured to Comerica Bank’s satisfaction, our cash and cash equivalent balances held by Comerica Bank automatically secure such obligations to the extent of the then continuing or outstanding and undrawn letters of credit or foreign exchange contracts.

 

Borrowings under the accounts receivable line of credit bear interest at the lending bank’s prime rate plus 0.5%. Advances are available on a non-formula basis up to $2.0 million (non-formula portion); however, if advances exceed $2.0 million, then subsequent advances cannot exceed 80% of eligible accounts receivable balances, and the bank would hold a security interest in those accounts receivable. Except for the standby commercial letters of credit, as of December 31, 2005, there was no outstanding balance on our accounts receivable line of credit.

 

NOTE 8—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

We lease our facilities and some equipment under non-cancelable operating leases that expire on various dates through 2011. Rent expense is recognized on a straight line basis over the lease term. In addition, the Company has entered into non-cancelable capital leases having expiration dates through 2007. Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Capital
Leases


    Operating
Leases


   Operating
Sublease Income


    Net Operating
Leases


Fiscal Year Ended September 30:

                             

2006 (remaining nine months)

   $ 171     $ 2,560    $ (214 )   $ 2,346

2007

     97       3,308      —         3,308

2008

             2,985      —         2,985

2009

             2,034      —         2,034

2010

             1,060      —         1,060

Thereafter

             224      —         224
    


 

  


 

Total minimum payments

     268     $ 12,171    $ (214 )   $ 11,957
            

  


 

Less: amount representing interest

     (11 )                     
    


                    

Present value of minimum lease payments

     257                       

Less: current portion of capital lease obligations

     (217 )                     
    


                    

Capital lease obligations, non-current

   $ 40                       
    


                    

 

Operating lease payments in the table above include approximately $3.3 million, net of sublease income receivable under existing subleases, for operating lease commitments for facilities that are included in restructuring charges. See Note 5, Restructuring, for a further discussion.

 

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In conjunction with our agreement with Ness (see Notes 5 and 7), Ness may procure equipment to be used in performance of the Services, either through leasing arrangements or direct cash purchases, for which we are obligated under the agreement to reimburse them. In connection with the procurement of equipment, Ness has entered into a 36 month equipment lease agreement with IBM India and, in connection with the lease agreement we have issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $0.9 million in guarantee of Ness’ financial commitments under the lease. Over the term of the lease, our obligation to reimburse Ness is approximately equal to the amount of the guarantee.

 

We have evaluated the obligation under the standby letter of credit and, pursuant to the requirements as set forth under FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” a $0.1 million liability equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee was recorded at December 31, 2005.

 

Indemnification

 

As permitted under Delaware law, we have agreements whereby we indemnify our officers, directors and certain employees for certain events or occurrences while the employee, officer or director is, or was serving, at our request in such capacity. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have a Director and Officer insurance policy that limits our exposure and may enable us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of our insurance policy coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2005.

 

We enter into standard indemnification agreements in our ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these agreements, we indemnify, defend, hold harmless, and agree to reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, generally our business partners or customers, in connection with any patent, copyright or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to our products. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual after execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2005.

 

We enter into arrangements with our business partners, whereby the business partner agrees to provide services as a subcontractor for our implementations. We may, at our discretion and in the ordinary course of business, subcontract the performance of any of our services. Accordingly, we enter into standard indemnification agreements with our customers, whereby we indemnify them for other acts, such as personal property damage, of our subcontractors. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have general and umbrella insurance policies that may enable us to recover a portion of any amounts paid. We have not incurred significant costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2005.

 

When, as part of an acquisition, we acquire all of the stock or all of the assets and liabilities of a company, we may assume the liability for certain events or occurrences that took place prior to the date of acquisition. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make for such obligations is undeterminable at this time. Accordingly, we have no amounts recorded for these contingent liabilities as of December 31, 2005.

 

We warrant that our software products will perform in all material respects in accordance with our standard published specifications and documentation in effect at the time of delivery of the licensed products to the customer for a specified period of time. Additionally, we warrant that our maintenance and consulting services will be performed consistent with generally accepted industry standards. If necessary, we would provide for the estimated cost of product and service warranties based on specific warranty claims and claim history, however, we have not incurred significant expense under our product or services warranties to date. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value on these warranties is minimal. Accordingly, we have no amounts recorded for these contingent liabilities as of December 31, 2005.

 

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NOTE 9—LITIGATION

 

Beginning in July 2001, we and certain of our officers and directors (“Individuals”) were named as defendants in a series of class action shareholder complaints filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, now consolidated under the caption, In re Chordiant Software, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Case No. 01-CV-6222. In the amended complaint, filed in April 2002, the plaintiffs allege that we, the Individuals, and the underwriters of our initial public offering (“IPO”) violated section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 10(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934 based on allegations that the our registration statement and prospectus failed to disclose material facts regarding the compensation to be received by, and the stock allocation practices of, our IPO underwriters. The complaint also contains claims against the Individuals for control person liability under Securities Act section 15 and Exchange Act section 20. The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages and other relief. Similar complaints were filed in the same court against hundreds of other public companies (“Issuers”) that conducted IPO’s of their common stock in the late 1990s or in the year 2000 (collectively, the “IPO Lawsuits”).

 

In August 2001, all of the IPO Lawsuits were consolidated for pretrial purposes before United States Judge Shira Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York. In July 2002, we joined in a global motion to dismiss the IPO Lawsuits filed by all of the Issuers (among others). In October 2002, the Court entered an order dismissing the Individuals from the IPO Cases without prejudice, pursuant to an agreement tolling the statute of limitations with respect to the Individuals. In February 2003, the court issued a decision denying the motion to dismiss the Section 11 claims against Chordiant and almost all of the other Issuers and denying the motion to dismiss the Section 10(b) claims against Chordiant and many of the Issuers.

 

In June 2003, Issuers and plaintiffs reached a tentative settlement agreement that would, among other things, result in the dismissal with prejudice of all claims against the Issuers and Individuals in the IPO Lawsuits, and the assignment to plaintiffs of certain potential claims that the Issuers may have against the underwriters. The tentative settlement also provides that, in the event that plaintiffs ultimately recover less than a guaranteed sum of $1 billion from the IPO underwriters, plaintiffs would be entitled to payment by each participating Issuer’s insurer of a pro rata share of any shortfall in the plaintiffs’ guaranteed recovery. In September 2003, in connection with the possible settlement, those Individuals who had entered tolling agreements with plaintiffs (described above) agreed to extend those agreements so that they would not expire prior to any settlement being finalized. In June 2004, Chordiant and almost all of the other Issuers entered into a formal settlement agreement with the plaintiffs. On February 15, 2005, the Court issued a decision certifying a class action for settlement purposes, and granting preliminary approval of the settlement subject to modification of certain bar orders contemplated by the settlement. The Court has set a Final Settlement Fairness Hearing on the settlement for April 24, 2006. In addition, the settlement is still subject to statutory notice requirements as well as final judicial approval. If this settlement is not finalized as proposed, then this action may divert the efforts and attention of our management and, if determined adversely to us, could have a material impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

We are also subject to various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The ultimate disposition of these various other claims and legal actions is not expected to have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties.

 

NOTE 10— EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

2005 Equity Incentive Plan

 

The 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”) was approved at the annual meeting on September 27, 2005. The 2005 Plan replaces the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”) and provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock purchase awards, restricted stock awards, and other forms of equity compensation (collectively, the “stock awards”). The option price shall not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant and that no portion may be exercised beyond ten years from that date. Under the 2005 Plan, stock options vest over a period that is limited to five years, but are typically granted with a four-year vesting period. Stock option grant agreements allow for the early exercise of options granted to

 

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employees. Exercised but unvested shares are subject to repurchase by us at the initial exercise price. Beginning September 27, 2005, no additional stock awards will be granted under the 1999 Plan. Shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of options or settlement of stock awards under the 1999 Plan of approximately 1,242,000 shares were added to the share reserve of the 2005 Plan and, as of September 27, 2005, became available for issuance pursuant to stock awards granted under the 2005 Plan. All outstanding stock awards granted under the 1999 Plan will remain subject to the terms of the 1999 Plan, except that the Board may elect to extend one or more of the features of the 2005 Plan to stock awards granted under the 1999 Plan. Any shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the 1999 Plan that expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement shall be added to the share reserve of the 2005 Plan and become available for issuance pursuant to stock awards granted under the 2005 Plan. The 2005 Plan increases the number of shares available for issuance by 5,500,000 shares of common stock from an aggregate total of approximately 1,242,000 shares available under the 1999 Plan as of September 27, 2005, resulting in an aggregate of approximately 6,742,000 shares available for future grant and issuance under the 2005 Plan. As of December 31, 2005, there were approximately 6,726,000 shares reserved for future issuance and approximately 5,935,000 shares that were outstanding under the 2005 Plan.

 

2000 Nonstatutory Equity Incentive Plan

 

In March of 2000 the Board adopted the 2000 Nonstatutory Equity Incentive Plan (the “2000 Plan”). Stockholder approval of this plan is not required and has not been obtained by us. The 2000 Plan was in effect as of December 31, 2003. In April 2002 and October 2002, the Board approved increases to the number of shares reserved under the 2000 Plan from 900,000 shares to 2,400,000 shares and then to 4,400,000 shares, also without stockholder approval as such approval was not required by the 2000 Plan or by applicable law. The 2000 Plan does not have a termination date, and will continue indefinitely until suspended or terminated by the Board. The 2000 Plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options and the issuance of restricted stock and stock bonuses to our employees (other than officers, directors, or beneficial owners of ten percent (10%) or more of our common stock) and consultants who meet certain eligibility requirements.

 

As of December 31, 2005, there were approximately 1,947,000 shares subject to outstanding stock option grants, approximately 41,000 shares of unvested restricted stock, and approximately 568,000 shares available for future grant and issuance (plus any shares that might be returned to the 2000 Plan in the future as a result of cancellations or expirations of granted options and the repurchase of unvested restricted stock and stock bonuses). The terms and price of nonstatutory stock options granted under the 2000 Plan are determined by the Board (or a committee of the Board) and are set forth in each optionee’s option agreement. The exercise price of nonstatutory stock options granted under the 2000 Plan has been 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant, and the term of the options has been ten years. Generally, stock options under the 2000 Plan vest over a period of four years in equal monthly installments with 25% of the shares vesting after one year, and the remainder vesting in equal monthly installments over the remaining three years. In the future, stock options may have the same or different vesting terms as determined by the Board (or a committee of the Board). The Board (or a committee of the Board) sets the terms of stock bonuses and rights to purchase restricted stock.

 

1999 Equity Incentive Plan

 

The 1999 Plan provides for the grant to employees of incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and for grants to employees, directors and consultants of nonstatutory stock options and stock purchase rights. Unless terminated sooner, the 1999 Plan will terminate automatically in 2009. The option price shall not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant and no portion may be exercised beyond ten years from that date. Under the 1999 Plan, stock options vest over a period that is limited to five years, but are typically granted with a four-year vesting period. Each option outstanding under the 1999 Plan may be exercised in whole or in part at any time. Exercised but unvested shares are subject to repurchase by us at the initial exercise price. As of September 27, 2005, approximately 1,242,000 available shares under the 1999 Plan were added to the share reserve of the 2005 Plan. No additional stock options will be granted under the 1999 Plan subsequent to September 27, 2005. Any shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the 1999 Plan that expire or terminate for any reason prior to the exercise or settlement are added to the share reserve of the 2005 Plan and become available for issuance under the 2005 Plan.

 

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1999 Non-Employee Directors’ Option Plan

 

The 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors and became effective on the date of the initial public offering. The Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan provides for the automatic grant of a nonstatutory option to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock to each new non-employee director who becomes a director after the date of our initial public offering on the date that such person becomes a director. Each current and future non-employee director will automatically be granted an additional nonstatutory option to purchase 7,500 shares on the day after each of our annual meetings of the stockholders. Each director who is a member of a board committee will automatically be granted an additional nonstatutory option to purchase 5,000 shares on the day after each of our annual meetings of the stockholders. As of December 31, 2005, approximately 1,257,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance and 290,000 outstanding under the director plan. The amount reserved under the 1999 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan automatically increases on October 1st of each year by the greater of (1) 0.5% outstanding shares on such date or (2) the number of shares subject to stock awards made under this plan during the prior twelve month period. However, the automatic increase is subject to reduction by the Board of Directors. Under the terms of the plan, option prices shall not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant and no portion may be exercised beyond ten years from that date.

 

1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

The 1999 ESPP was adopted by the Board of Directors and became effective on February 14, 2000, the date of our initial public offering. Eligible employees can have up to 15% of their earnings withheld, to be used to purchase shares of our Common Stock at 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the commencement date of each six-month offering period or the specified purchase date. There were no purchases of common stock under the ESPP for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, as the plan is currently suspended. At December 31, 2005, approximately 3,558,000 shares are available for future issuances under this plan.

 

Stock Option Activity

 

The following table summarizes stock option and restricted stock activity under our stock option plans (in thousands, except per share data):

 

          Options Outstanding

    Shares Available
for Grant


    Shares

    Weighted Average
Exercise Price


Balance at September 30, 2005

  8,119     8,461     $ 2.28

Authorized

  305     —         —  

Options granted

  (421 )   421       2.64

Restricted stock granted

  —       —         —  

Options exercised

  —       (144 )     1.54

Cancellation of unvested restricted stock

  4     —         —  

Options cancelled

  589     (498 )     3.51
   

 

     

Balance at December 31, 2005

  8,596     8,240     $ 2.22
   

 

     

 

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2005 (in thousands, except exercise prices and per share data):

 

     Options Outstanding and Exercisable

   Options Vested

Range of Exercise Prices


   Number
Outstanding


   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)


   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


  

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Closing
Price at
12/31/2005

of $2.62


  

Number

Exercisable


   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


  

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Closing
Price at
12/31/2005

of $2.62


$0.14–0.88

   1,184    4.2    $ 0.65    $ 2,327    1,133    $ 0.65    $ 2,232

  0.89–1.00

   1,185    7.3      0.99      1,930    925      0.99      1,508

  1.01–1.70

   1,293    7.9      1.57      1,355    750      1.53      818

  1.71–2.17

   1,434    7.6      2.01      873    909      1.93      625

  2.18–2.93

   1,335    8.3      2.59      111    513      2.64      31

  2.94–4.17

   1,297    7.7      3.89      —      785      3.78      —  

  4.18–18.00

   512    6.9      5.80      —      395      6.08      —  
    
              

  
         

$0.14–18.00

   8,240    7.2    $ 2.22    $ 6,596    5,410    $ 2.09    $ 5,214
    
              

  
         

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $2.62 as of December 31, 2005, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of December 31, 2005 was 5,627,000. As of December 31, 2005, 8,240,000 outstanding options were exercisable, and the weighted average exercise price was $2.22. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The fair value of options vested was $1.4 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. As of December 31, 2005, total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock options was $2.8 million, which is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 16 months.

 

We had 1.6 million restricted stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2005, which were excluded from the preceding tables. The total fair value at grant date was $3.3 million. Aggregate intrinsic value of the restricted stock awards at December 31, 2005 was $4.3 million. As of December 31, 2005, 0.1 million shares were vested. The total nonvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2005 was 1.6 million shares. During the three months ended December 31, 2005, 0.1 million shares vested related to restricted stock awards. There were no grants of restricted stock awards during the three months ended December 31, 2005. The weighted average fair value at grant date of the outstanding unvested restricted stock awards was $2.05 as of December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2005, total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested restricted stock awards was $1.3 million which is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 15 months.

 

We settle stock option exercises and restricted stock awards with newly issued common shares.

 

Valuation and Expense Information under SFAS 123(R)

 

On October 1, 2005, we adopted SFAS 123(R), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to the Company’s employees and directors including employee stock options, restricted stock awards and employee stock purchases related to the ESPP based on estimated fair values. The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock awards for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, which was allocated as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended
December 31, 2005

(under SFAS 123(R))


 

Three Months Ended
December 31, 2004

(under SFAS 123)


 

Stock-based compensation expense (benefit):

             

Cost of revenues

  $ 25   $ (11 )
   

 


Sales and marketing

    693     (6 )

Research and development

    57     (2 )

General and administrative

    281     (12 )
   

 


Stock-based compensation expense (benefit) included in operating expense

    1,031     (20 )
   

 


Total stock-based compensation expense (benefit)

  $ 1,056   $ (31 )
   

 


 

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The table below reflects net loss and basic and diluted net loss per share as if the fair value recognition provision of SFAS 123 had been applied for the three months ended December 31, 2004 as follows (in thousands except per-share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31, 2004


 

Net loss—as reported (restated)

   $ (4,192 )

Add: Stock-based compensation (benefit) included in reported net loss

     (31 )

Less: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value method

     1,299  
    


Net loss—pro forma

   $ (5,522 )
    


Basic and diluted net loss per share—as reported

   $ (0.06 )
    


Basic and diluted net loss per share—pro forma

   $ (0.08 )
    


 

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the value of each employee stock option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model for the purpose of the pro forma financial disclosures in accordance with SFAS 123.

 

The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 was $1.62 and $1.31 per share, respectively, using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

    

Three Months Ended
December 31,

2005


   

Three Months Ended
December 31,

2004


 

Expected lives in years

   3.9     2.4  

Risk free interest rates

   4.3 %   2.9 %

Volatility

   87 %   88 %

Dividend yield

   0 %   0 %

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the weighted-average assumptions for volatility, expected term, and risk free rate. With the adoption of SFAS 123(R) on October 1, 2005, we used the trinomial lattice valuation technique to determine the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model. The trinomial lattice valuation technique was used to provide better estimate of fair values and meet the fair value objectives of SFAS 123(R). The expected term of options granted is derived from historical data on employee exercises and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates in effect during the corresponding period of grant. The expected volatility is a blended rate based on both the historical volatility of our stock price and the volatility of certain peer company stock prices.

 

As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Our estimated forfeiture rate for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was based on our historical forfeiture experience. In the pro forma disclosures required under SFAS 123 for the period prior to fiscal 2006 including the three months ended December 31, 2004, we accounted for forfeitures as they occurred.

 

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For options granted prior to October 1, 2005 and valued in accordance with FAS 123, the expected life and expected volatility of the stock options were based upon historical data. Forfeitures of employee stock options were accounted for on an as-incurred basis.

 

Accuracy of Fair Value Estimates

 

We use third-party analyses to assist in developing the assumptions based on a trinomial lattice valuation technique used in the Black-Scholes model. We are responsible for determining the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of share-based payment awards.

 

Our determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Because the Company’s employee stock options have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the existing valuation models may not provide an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options and restricted stock awards. Although the fair value of employee stock options and restricted stock awards is determined in accordance with SFAS 123(R) and SAB 107 using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

 

NOTE 11—SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Our chief operating decision maker reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by desegregated information about revenues by geographic regions for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, we have concluded that we have one reportable segment.

 

The following table summarizes license revenues by product emphasis (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

    

December 31,

2005


 

December 31,

2004


License revenue

            

Enterprise solutions

   $ 4,357   $ 8,199

Marketing solutions

     3,519     643

Decision management solutions

     1,250     —  
    

 

Total

   $ 9,126   $ 8,842
    

 

 

The following table summarizes services revenues consisting of consulting assistance and implementation, customization and integration and post-contract customer support, training and certain reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses by product emphasis (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

    

December 31,

2005


 

December 31,

2004


Service revenue

            

Enterprise solutions

   $ 9,823   $ 10,365

Marketing solutions

     3,093     2,470

Decision management solutions

     516     —  
    

 

Total

   $ 13,432   $ 12,835
    

 

 

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Foreign revenues are based on the country in which the customer is located. The following is a summary of total revenues by geographic area (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

    

December 31,

2005


   December 31,
2004


North America

   $ 12,849    $ 8,095

Europe

     9,709      13,566

Rest of World

     —        16
    

  

     $ 22,558    $ 21,677
    

  

 

Property and equipment information is based on the physical location of the assets. The following is a summary of property and equipment by geographic area (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2005


  

September 30,

2005


North America

   $ 1,479    $ 1,579

Europe

     833      900
    

  

     $ 2,312    $ 2,479
    

  

 

NOTE 12—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent to December 31, 2005, Steven R. Springsteel accepted an offer extended by the Board of Directors to become the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective February 1, 2006. The terms of his employment were disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2006 and include an annual base salary of approximately $0.5 million, a targeted bonus equal to 80% of prorated base salary and the grant of an option to acquire 1,000,000 shares of our common stock vesting over a four year period. In the event of a change in control, the vesting of the options will accelerate and become fully vested. In the event his employment is terminated without cause, he would be entitled to receive severance payments aggregating $1.0 million.

 

The former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Stephen Kelly, will remain as an employee of the Company for a period of 90 days. Following the date of the termination of his employment, the Company will make severance payments equal to $0.4 million and accelerate the vesting of 50% of his unvested option.

 

On February 1, 2006 the Board of Directors also approved certain bonuses and stock-based compensation grants to other officers and directors including; 1) the grant to Sam Spadafora, the Chairman of the Company of 125,000 shares of restricted stock with the following vesting; 20,000 shares on April 1, 2006, July 1, 2006, October 1, 2006, January 1, 2007, April 1, 2007 and 25,000 shares on October 1, 2007; 2) an option grant to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to George de Urioste, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and a stock option grant of 50,000 shares to James St. Jean, Vice President, Worldwide Engineering , and; 3) a $125,000 bonus payable to George de Urioste, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report and the 2005 audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2005 filed with the SEC on December 9, 2005. Operating results are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in future periods.

 

The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and our industry, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “estimate,” “predict,” “guidance,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions, identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results and the timing of events may differ significantly from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to, those discussed under the subheading “Risk Factors” and those discussed elsewhere in this report, in our other SEC filings and under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2005 Form 10-K. Chordiant undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events after the date of this report.

 

Overview

 

As an enterprise software vendor, we (Chordiant Software, Inc.) generate substantially all of our revenues from the financial services and telecommunications industries. Our customers typically fund purchases of our software and services out of their lines of business and information technology budgets. As a result, our revenues are heavily influenced by our customers’ long-term business outlook and willingness to invest in new enterprise information systems and business applications.

 

Beginning in late calendar 2000, the financial services and telecommunications industries entered into a steep and long economic downturn, with industry sales dropping from late 2000 through the first part of 2003. Over the past several years, our customers have focused on controlling costs and reducing risk, including constraining information technology and lines of business expenditures and requiring more favorable pricing terms from their suppliers and pursuing consolidation within their own industries. As a result of this downturn, our license fee revenues declined 19% in fiscal 2003.

 

Beginning in the latter part of 2003, economic conditions began to show signs of improvement, which were reflected in increases in various economic indicators such as productivity, labor statistics and consumer confidence. This trend has continued through our fiscal year 2005 and appears to have had a favorable impact, specifically in information technology spending. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, total revenues increased 4% from the three months ended December 31, 2004. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2005, total revenues also increased approximately 4% from the twelve months ended September 30, 2004.

 

Stock-based Compensation Expense

 

On October 1, 2005, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123(R)”) which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to our employees and directors related to employee stock options (“employee stock purchases”) based on estimated fair values. Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123(R) for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $1.1 million which consisted of stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options of $0.4 million and stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards of $.07 million.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS 123(R), we began estimating the value of employee stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the value of each employee stock option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model for the purpose of the pro forma financial information in accordance with SFAS 123. The determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions

 

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Table of Contents

regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The use of a Black-Scholes model requires the use of extensive actual employee exercise behavior data and the use of a number of complex assumptions including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yields. The weighted-average estimated value of employee stock options granted during the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $1.62 per share using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31, 2005


 

Expected lives in years

   3.9  

Risk-free interest rate

   4.3 %

Volatility

   87 %

Dividend yield

   0 %

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the weighted average assumptions for volatility, expected term and risk-free rate. With the adoption of SFAS 123(R) on October 1, 2005, we used the trinomial lattice valuation technique to determine the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model. The trinomial lattice valuation technique was used to provide better estimate of fair values and meet the fair value objectives of SFAS 123( R). The expected term of options granted is derived from historical data on employee exercises and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates in effect during the corresponding period of grant. The expected volatility is a blended rate based on both the historical volatility of our stock price and the volatility of certain peer company stock prices.

 

As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.

 

If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the application of SFAS 123(R) in future periods, the compensation expense that we record under SFAS 123(R) may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period.

 

Financial Trends

 

Backlog. An increasingly material portion of our revenues has been derived from large orders, as major customers deployed our products. As of December 31, 2005, we had approximately $37.2 million in backlog, which we define as non-cancelable contractual commitments by our customers through purchase orders or contracts. Backlog is comprised of:

 

    current software license orders which have not been accepted by customers or have not otherwise met all of the required criteria for revenue recognition. This component includes both unbilled amounts plus billed amounts classified as deferred revenue;

 

    deferred revenue from customer support contracts;

 

    consulting service orders representing the unbilled remaining balances of consulting contracts not yet completed or delivered, plus deferred consulting revenue; and

 

    education orders for services not yet completed or delivered.

 

Backlog is not necessarily indicative of revenues to be recognized in a specified future period and is generally recognizable as revenue within a twelve month period. There are many factors that would impact Chordiant’s conversion of backlog as recognizable revenue, such as Chordiant’s progress in completing projects for its customers, Chordiant’s customers’ meeting anticipated schedules for customer-dependent deliverables and customers increasing the scope or duration of a contract causing license revenue to be deferred for a longer period of time.

 

Chordiant provides no assurances that any portion of its backlog will be recognized as revenue during any fiscal year or at all or that its backlog will be recognized as revenues in any given period. In addition, it is possible that customers from whom we expect to derive revenue from backlog will default and as a result we may not be able to recognize expected revenue from backlog.

 

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Table of Contents

Product Development. Chordiant has entered into several product co-development arrangements with its customers. These projects relate to software products that were in various stages of development prior to the consummation of the individual arrangements. Upon the completion of the software, the Company will retain the intellectual property that was developed and intends to sell these products to other customers. License revenue relating to these arrangements will be deferred until the delivery of the final products, provided all other requirements of SOP 97-2 are met. The majority of the expenses associated with these co-development arrangements will be expensed as incurred as they are considered to be research and development costs that do not qualify for capitalization or deferral. The accounting for these transactions differs from the percentage of completion method, as expenses are recognized in the period incurred and no revenue is recognized until the final product is delivered. As of December 31, 2005, license fees aggregating approximately $4.5 million associated with these arrangements had been deferred.

 

Gross margins. Management focuses on license and service gross margin in evaluating our financial condition and operating performance. Gross margins on license revenues were 95% and 98% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The decrease in gross margins is primarily related to the amortization expense associated with the capitalized banking product. We expect license gross margin on current products to range from 93% to 98% in the foreseeable future. The margin will fluctuate with the mix of products sold, with certain of the enterprise solution products having higher associated royalties payable to third parties and the marketing solution and decision management products having minimal associated royalties. The banking product that was completed during the year ended September 30, 2005 also has higher royalties than other products. Gross margins on service revenues were 52% and 42% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The improvement in margin was partially due to a significant change in the mix of third party consulting resources used on projects. During the three months ended December 31, 2004, higher cost consultants, primarily based in Europe, were utilized. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, the use of these resources was minimal and the staffing of projects included more resources from our service provider, Ness. Service gross margins also improved due to higher aggregate post-contract customer support revenues.

 

Service revenues. Service revenues as a percentage of total revenues were 60% and 59% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We expect that service revenues will continue to represent over 50% of our total revenues in the foreseeable future.

 

Revenues from international customers versus North America revenues. For all periods presented, revenues were principally derived from customer accounts in North America and Europe. For the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, international revenues were $9.7 million and $13.6 million, or approximately 43% and 63% of our total revenues, respectively. We believe international revenues will continue to represent a significant portion of our total revenues in future periods.

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, North America revenues were $12.8 million and $8.1 million, or approximately 57% and 37% of our total revenues, respectively. As the U.S. economy has strengthened, we have seen an increase in North America revenues. We believe North America revenues will continue to represent an increasing portion of our total revenues in future periods.

 

Costs related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, general and administrative expenses include significant professional service costs relating with efforts to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We expect these costs to continue for the year ended September 30, 2006. While these costs are expected to decline as compared to the costs incurred for the year ended September 30, 2005, the level and timing of the decline is uncertain.

 

Past results may not be indicative of future performance. We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results should not be relied upon as indicative of future performance. Our prospects must be considered given the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in early stages of development, particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving businesses. There can be no assurance we will be successful in addressing these risks and difficulties. Moreover, we may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.

 

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Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

 

On an on-going basis, we evaluate the estimates, including those related to our allowance for doubtful accounts, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, the valuation of deferred tax assets, restructuring costs, contingencies, vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value in multiple element arrangements and the estimates associated with the percentage-of-completion method of accounting for certain of our revenue contracts. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe the following critical accounting judgments and estimates are used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements:

 

    Revenue recognition, including estimating the total estimated time required to complete sales arrangements involving significant implementation or customization essential to the functionality of our products;

 

    Estimating valuation allowances and accrued liabilities, specifically the allowance for doubtful accounts, and the assessment of the probability of the outcome of our current litigation;

 

    Accounting for income taxes;

 

    Valuation of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill;

 

    Stock-based compensation expense;

 

    Restructuring costs; and

 

    Determining functional currencies for the purposes of consolidating our international operations.

 

Revenue recognition.

 

We derive revenues from licenses of our software and related services, which include assistance in implementation, customization and integration, post-contract customer support, training and consulting. The amount and timing of our revenue is difficult to predict and any shortfall in revenue or delay in recognizing revenue could cause our operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and could result in increased operating losses. The accounting rules related to revenue recognition are complex and are affected by interpretation of the rules and an understanding of industry practices, both of which are subject to change. Consequently, the revenue recognition accounting rules require management to make significant judgments.

 

Software license revenue is recognized in accordance with Statement of Position No. 97-2 “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by Statement of Position No. 98-9 “Software Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain Arrangements” (collectively “SOP 97-2”).

 

For arrangements with multiple elements, we recognize revenue for services and post-contract customer support based upon VSOE of fair value of the respective elements. VSOE of fair value for the services element is based upon the standard hourly rates we charge for the services when such services are sold separately. The VSOE of fair value for annual post-contract customer support is generally established with the contractual future renewal rates included in the contracts when the renewal rate is substantive and consistent with the fees when support services are sold separately. When contracts contain multiple elements and VSOE of fair value exists for all undelivered elements, we account for the delivered elements, principally the license portion, based upon the “residual method” as prescribed by SOP 97-2. In multiple element transactions where VSOE is not established for an undelivered element, we recognize revenue upon the establishment of VSOE for that element or when the element is delivered.

 

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At the time we enter into a transaction, we assess whether any services included within the arrangement require us to perform significant implementation or customization essential to the functionality of our products.

 

For contracts for products that do not involve significant implementation or customization essential to the product functionality, we recognize license revenues when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, collection of the fee is probable and delivery has occurred as prescribed by SOP No. 97-2.

 

For contracts that involve significant implementation or customization essential to the functionality of our products, we recognize the license and professional consulting services revenue using either the percentage-of-completion method or the completed contract method as prescribed by Statement of Position No. 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Product-Type Contracts” (“SOP 81-1”).

 

The percentage-of-completion method is applied when we have the ability to make reasonable dependable estimates of the total effort required for completion using labor hours incurred as the measure of progress towards completion. The progress toward completion is measured based on the “go-live” date. We define the “go-live” date as the date the essential product functionality has been delivered or the application enters into a production environment or the point at which no significant additional Chordiant supplied professional services resources are required. Estimates are subject to revisions as the contract progresses to completion. We account for the changes as changes in accounting estimates when the information becomes known. Information impacting estimates obtained after the balance sheet date but before the issuance of the financial statements is used to update the estimates. Provisions for estimated contract losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which the loss becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. When we sell additional licenses related to the original licensing agreement, revenue is recognized upon delivery if the project has reached the go-live date, or if the project has not reached the go-live date, revenue is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method. We classify revenues from these arrangements as license and service revenues based upon the estimated fair value of each element.

 

The completed contract method is applied when we are unable to obtain reasonable dependable estimates of the total effort required for completion. Under the completed contract method, all revenue and related costs of revenue are deferred and recognized upon completion.

 

We recognize revenue for post-contract customer support ratably over the support period which has historically ranged from one to three years.

 

Our training and consulting services revenues are recognized as such services are performed on an hourly or daily basis for time and material contracts. For consulting services arrangements with a fixed fee, we recognize revenue on the proportional performance method.

 

In situations in which we are obligated to provide unspecified additional software products in the future, we recognize revenue as a subscription ratably over the term of the commitment period.

 

For all sales we use either a signed license agreement or a binding purchase order where we have a master license agreement as evidence of an arrangement. Sales through our third party systems integrators are evidenced by a master agreement governing the relationship together with binding purchase orders or order forms on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Revenues from reseller arrangements are recognized on the “sell-through” method, when the reseller reports to us the sale of our software products to end-users. Our agreements with customers and resellers do not contain product return rights.

 

We assess collectibility based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the customer and the credit-worthiness of the customer. We generally do not request collateral from our customers. If we determine that collection of a fee is not probable, we defer the fee and recognize revenue at the time collection becomes probable, which is generally upon the receipt of cash.

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts. We must make estimates of the uncollectability of our accounts receivables. We specifically analyze accounts receivable and analyze historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the

 

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allowance for doubtful accounts. Generally, we require no collateral from our customers. Our accounts receivable balance was $19.4 million with an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2005. Our accounts receivable balance was $19.2 million with an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million as of September 30, 2005. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances would be required.

 

Accounting for income taxes. As part of the process of preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase this allowance in a period, we must include an expense within the tax provision in the statement of operations.

 

We have recorded a valuation allowance equal to 100% of the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2005, due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize our net deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of certain net operating losses carried forward and foreign tax credits. Deferred tax assets have been fully reserved for in all periods presented.

 

Valuation of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill. We assess the impairment of identifiable intangibles and long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Furthermore, we assess the impairment of goodwill annually. Factors we consider important which could trigger an impairment review include the following:

 

    Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

 

    Significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business;

 

    Significant negative industry or economic trends;

 

    Significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period;

 

    Market capitalization declines relative to net book value; and

 

    A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.

 

When one or more of the above indicators of impairment occurs we estimate the value of long-lived assets and intangible assets to determine whether there is impairment. We measure any impairment based on the projected discounted cash flow method, which requires us to make several estimates including the estimated cash flows associated with the asset, the period over which these cash flows will be generated and a discount rate commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business model. These estimates are subjective and if we made different estimates, it could materially impact the estimated fair value of these assets and the conclusions we reached regarding impairment. To date, we have not identified any triggering events which would require us to perform this analysis.

 

We are required to perform an impairment review of our goodwill balance on at least an annual basis. This impairment review involves a two-step process as follows:

 

Step 1—We compare the fair value of our reporting units to the carrying value, including goodwill, of each of those units. For each reporting unit where the carrying value, including goodwill, exceeds the unit’s fair value, we proceed on to Step 2. If a unit’s fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further work is performed and no impairment charge is necessary.

 

Step 2—We perform an allocation of the fair value of the reporting unit to our identifiable tangible and non-goodwill intangible assets and liabilities. This derives an implied fair value for the reporting unit’s goodwill. We then compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill is greater than the implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment charge would be recognized for the excess.

 

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We determined that we have one reporting unit. We completed a goodwill impairment review for the period including September 30, 2005 and performed Step 1 of the goodwill impairment analysis required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of September 30, 2005 using the methodology described above. Accordingly, Step 2 was not performed. We will continue to test for impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our reporting units below their carrying amount.

 

Stock-based Compensation Expense.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS 123(R) on October 1, 2005, we began estimating the value of employee stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the value of each employee stock option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model for the purpose of the pro forma financial disclosure in accordance with SFAS 123. The determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The expected term of options granted is derived from historical data on employee exercises and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The expected volatility is a blended rate based on both the historical volatility of our stock price and the volatility of certain peer company stock prices.

 

With the adoption of SFAS 123(R) on October 1, 2005, we used the trinomial lattice valuation technique to determine the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model. The trinomial lattice valuation technique was used to provide better estimates of fair values and meet the fair value objectives of SFAS 123(R).

 

Restructuring costs.

 

During fiscal years 2004 and 2003, we implemented cost-reduction plans as part of our continued effort to streamline our operations to reduce ongoing operating expenses. These plans resulted in restructuring charges related to, among others, the consolidation of excess facilities. These charges relate to facilities and portions of facilities we no longer utilize and either seek to terminate early or sublease. Lease termination costs and brokerage fees for the abandoned facilities were estimated for the remaining lease obligations and were offset by estimated sublease income. Estimates related to sublease costs and income are based on assumptions regarding the period required to locate and contract with suitable sub-lessees and sublease rates which can be achieved using market trend information analyses provided by a commercial real estate brokerage retained by us. Each reporting period we review these estimates and to the extent that these assumptions change due to new agreements with landlords, new subleases with tenants, or changes in the market, the ultimate restructuring expenses for these abandoned facilities could vary by material amounts.

 

Determining functional currencies for the purpose of consolidation. We have several foreign subsidiaries that together account for a significant portion of our revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities.

 

In preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to translate the financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries from the currency in which they keep their accounting records, generally the local currency, into United States dollars. This process results in exchange gains and losses which, under the relevant accounting guidance are either included within the statement of operations or as a separate part of our net equity under the caption “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” Under the relevant accounting guidance the treatment of these translation gains or losses is dependent upon our management’s determination of the functional currency of each subsidiary. The functional currency is determined based on management’s judgment and involves consideration of all relevant economic facts and circumstances affecting the subsidiary. Generally, the currency in which the subsidiary conducts a majority of its transactions, including billings, financing, payroll and other expenditures would be considered the functional currency but any dependency upon the parent and the nature of the subsidiary’s operations must also be considered.

 

If any subsidiary’s functional currency were deemed to be the local currency, then any gain or loss associated with the translation of that subsidiary’s financial statements would be included in cumulative translation adjustments. However, if the functional currency were deemed to be the United States dollar then any gain or loss associated with the translation of these financial statements would be included within our statement of operations. If we dispose of any of our subsidiaries, any cumulative translation gains or losses would be recognized in our statement of operations. If we determine that there has been a change in the functional currency of a subsidiary to the United States dollar, any translation gains or losses arising after the date of change would be included within our statement of operations.

 

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Based on our assessment of the factors discussed above, we consider the relevant subsidiary’s local currency to be the functional currency for each of our international subsidiaries. Accordingly, foreign currency translation gains and loses are included as part of accumulated other comprehensive income within our balance sheet for all periods presented.

 

The magnitude of these gains or losses is dependent upon movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies in which we transact business against the United States dollar. These currencies include the United Kingdom Pound Sterling, the Euro and Canadian Dollars. Any future translation gains or losses could be significantly higher than those reported in previous periods.

 

Prior to June 30, 2005 the settlement of accumulated intercompany loans and advances was not planned or anticipated. Loans and advances made subsequent to this date are anticipated as cash balances may need to be transferred between entities. Exchange gains or losses on these intercompany balances are reflected in the statement of operations.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2005, the FASB issued Statement No. 154 (“FAS 154”), “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and Statement No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” SFAS 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for, and reporting of, a change in accounting principle. Previously, most voluntary changes in accounting principles were required to be recognized by way of a cumulative effect adjustment within net income during the period of the change. SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005; however, the Statement does not change the transition provisions of any existing accounting pronouncements. We do not believe the adoption of SFAS 154 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143.” FIN 47 requires asset retirement obligations to be recorded when a legal obligation exists even though the timing and/or method of the settlement of such obligations is conditional on a future event. FIN 47 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of FIN 47 will have on its financial condition and results of operations but does not believe that the adoption of FIN 47 will have a material impact.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FSP 109-2 (“FSP 109-2”), “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creations Act of 2004.” FSP 109-2 provides guidance under FASB Statement No. 109 (“SFAS 109”), “Accounting for Income Taxes,” with respect to recording the potential impact of the repatriation provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Jobs Act”) on enterprises’ income tax expense and deferred tax liability. The Jobs Act was enacted on October 22, 2004. FSP 109-2 states that an enterprise is allowed time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the Jobs Act on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings for purposes of applying FASB 109. FSP 109-2 is effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2005. The Company has not yet completed evaluating the impact of the repatriation provisions, however it does not anticipate the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, as provided for in FSP 109-2, we have not adjusted our tax expense or deferred tax liability to reflect the repatriation provisions of the Jobs Act.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth, in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues, unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated. This information has been derived from the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 
                 (restated)  
Statements of Operations Data:                             

Revenues:

                            

License

   $ 9,126     40 %   $ 8,842     41 %

Service

     13,432     60       12,835     59  
    


 

 


 

Total revenues

     22,558     100       21,677     100  
    


 

 


 

Cost of revenues:

                            

License

     443     2       166     1  

Service

     6,384     28       7,492     34  

Amortization of intangible assets

     303     1       131     1  
    


 

 


 

Total cost of revenues

     7,130     31       7,789     36  
    


 

 


 

Gross profit

     15,428     69       13,888     64  
    


 

 


 

Operating expenses:

                            

Sales and marketing

     8,104     36       7,209     33  

Research and development

     4,514     20       4,863     22  

General and administrative

     4,704     21       3,900     18  

Amortization of intangible assets

     —       —         24     —    

Restructuring expense

     —       —         (123 )   (1 )

Purchased in-process research and development

     —       —         1,940     9  
    


 

 


 

Total operating expenses

     17,322     77       17,813     81  
    


 

 


 

Loss from operations

     (1,894 )   (8 )     (3,925 )   (17 )

Interest income, net

     199     1       210     1  

Other income (expense), net

     118     —         (397 )   (2 )
    


 

 


 

Loss before income taxes

     (1,577 )   (7 )     (4,112 )   (18 )

Provision for income taxes

     121     1       80     —    
    


 

 


 

Net loss

   $ (1,698 )   (8 )%   $ (4,192 )   (18 )%
    


 

 


 

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (Unaudited)

 

Revenues

 

License. Total license revenue increased $0.3 million, or 3%, to $9.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $8.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. License revenues for enterprise solutions decreased $3.8 million, or 47%, to $4.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $8.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. This decrease was primarily due to two significant non-recurring follow-on license transactions completed during the three months ended December 31, 2004, partially offset by the timing of revenues recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. The timing and amount of revenue recognized is influenced by the progress of work performed relative to the project length of customer contracts and the dollar value of such contracts. License revenues for marketing solutions increased $2.9 million, or 447%, to $3.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $0.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2004. This increase was primarily attributable to the number of sales transactions during the three months ended December 31, 2005. License revenues for decision management solutions relate to the products acquired in the KiQ transaction and were $1.3 million for three months ended December 31, 2005. There were no license revenues for decision management products for the three months ended December 31, 2004 as the KiQ acquisition was not completed until December 21, 2004.

 

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Service. Total service revenues, which include reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, increased $0.6 million, or 5%, to $13.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $12.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. Service revenues associated with enterprise solution products decreased $0.5 million, or 5%, to $9.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $10.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. This decrease was due the timing of large customer implementations as well as maintenance, support and consulting revenues associated with license agreements entered into in current and prior periods. Service revenues associated with marketing solution products increased $0.6 million, or 25%, to $3.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. This increase is primarily due to a large customer implementation that includes significant third party consultant costs being billed to the customer. Service revenues associated with decision management solution products relate to the products acquired in the December 21, 2004 KiQ acquisition and were $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005.

 

Cost of revenues

 

License. Cost of license revenues increased $0.3 million, or 166%, to $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. These costs resulted in license gross margins of approximately 95% and 98% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Costs vary depending upon the mix of products sold, however, the $0.2 million increase is primarily due to the amortization expense associated with a capitalized banking product. This product was completed and available for general release in August 2005. Quarterly amortization expense associated with this product is $0.2 million.

 

Service. Cost of service revenues decreased $1.1 million, or 15%, to $6.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $7.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. These costs resulted in service gross margins of approximately 52% and 42% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The improvement in margin was partially due to a significant change in the mix of third party consulting resources used on projects. During the three months ended December 31, 2004 higher cost consultants, primarily based in Europe, were utilized. For the three months ended December 31, 2005 the use of these resources was minimal and the staffing of projects included more resources from our service provider, Ness. Margins also improved due to higher aggregate post-contract customer support revenues.

 

Stock-based compensation (included in cost of revenues). Stock-based compensation included in cost of revenues resulted in a charge of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to a benefit of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, the aggregate stock-based compensation cost included in cost of revenues and in operating expenses was $1.1 million and primarily related to the amortization of the deferred compensation associated with the acquisition of KiQ. Also included in these costs for the three months ended December 31, 2005 were charges associated with the issuance of 450,000 shares of restricted stock to certain officers of the Company and stock-based compensation expense related to stock options accounted for under FAS123 (R). Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation attributable to the acquisition of KiQ will be expensed through June 2007.

 

Amortization of intangibles (included in cost of revenues). Amortization of intangible assets was $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. On December 21, 2004, we recorded, and began to amortize, aggregate additions of $6.1 million of intangible assets related to the acquisition of KiQ. Amortization of intangible assets attributable to the acquisition of KiQ of $0.3 million per quarter will be expensed through December 2009. The amortization expense in the three months ended December 31, 2004 primarily related to intangibles associated with the 2002 acquisition of OnDemand. These intangible assets became fully amortized in March 2005.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased $0.9 million, or 12%, to $8.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $7.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The $0.9 million increase in these expenses was mainly attributable to an increase of $0.7 million in stock-based compensation, an increase of $0.2 million in salaries and other personnel related costs, and an increase of $0.2 million in severance payments. These increases were offset by a reduction of $0.2 million in employment agent and recruiting fees.

 

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Research and development. Research and development expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 7%, to $4.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $4.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. This $0.3 million decrease was mainly attributable to a $0.6 million decrease in salaries and other personnel related costs associated with lower headcounts in the department. The lower headcounts are primarily due to the July 2005 reduction in workforce. Allocations of facilities, rent and benefit costs to research and development also declined by $0.3 million due to the lower headcounts. Offsetting these decreases was an increase of $0.3 million in research and development consulting expenses related to our outsourcing of technical support and certain sustaining engineering functions. During the quarter ended December 31, 2004, $0.4 million of salaries and fringe benefits were capitalized in connection with the development of a banking product. The development of this product was completed in July 2005 and no costs were capitalized during the three months ended December 31, 2005.

 

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million, or 21%, to $4.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $3.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The increase in these expenses was mainly attributable to an increase of $0.4 million in accounting and audit fees, a $0.3 million increase in stock-based compensation and an increase of $0.2 million in salaries and other personnel related expenses, offset by a $0.1 million decrease in executive search and recruiting fees.

 

Stock-based compensation (included in operating expenses). Stock-based compensation allocated to operating expenses was $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to a benefit of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended December 30, 2004. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, the aggregate stock-based compensation cost included in cost of revenues and in operating expenses was $1.1 million and primarily related to the amortization of the deferred compensation associated with the acquisition of KiQ. Also included in these costs for the three months ended December 31, 2005 were charges associated with the issuance of 450,000 shares of restricted stock to certain officers of the Company and stock-based compensation expense related to stock options accounted for under FAS123 (R). Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation attributable to the acquisition of KiQ will be expensed through June 2007.

 

The related functional breakdown of total stock-based compensation is outlined below (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

 
    

December 31,

2005


  

December 31,

2004


 

Stock-based compensation expense (benefit):

               

Cost of revenues

   $ 25    $ (11 )
    

  


Sales and marketing

     693      (6 )

Research and development

     57      (2 )

General and administrative

     281      (12 )
    

  


       1,031      (20 )
    

  


Total stock-based compensation expense (benefit)

   $ 1,056    $ (31 )
    

  


 

Amortization of intangible (included in operating expenses). There was no amortization of intangible assets included in operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to less than $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The amortization expense in the three months ended December 31, 2004 is mainly attributable to the intangible associated with the acquisition of Prime Response in March 2001 which was fully amortized as of September 30, 2005.

 

Purchased in-process research and development. In-process research and development expense represents acquired technology that, on the date of acquisition, had not achieved technological feasibility and did not have an alternative future use, based on the state of development. Because the product under development may not achieve commercial viability, the amount of acquired in-process research and development was immediately expensed. The nature of the efforts required to develop the purchased in-process research and development into a commercially viable product principally relate to the completion of all planning, designing, prototyping,

 

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verification and testing activities that are necessary to establish that the product can be produced to meet its designed specifications, including functions, features and technical performance requirements. There was no purchased in-process research and development expense for the three months ended December 31, 2005. For the three months ended December 31, 2004, we recorded an expense of $1.9 million related to acquired in-process technology attributable to the acquisition of KiQ.

 

Restructuring expenses. During the three months ended December 31, 2004, as the earned portions of severed employee retention bonus were paid, adjustments to previously recorded estimates were recorded, resulting in a $0.1 million benefit. There were no restructuring expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2005.

 

Interest income, net

 

Interest income, net, consists primarily of interest income generated from our cash and cash equivalents offset by interest expense incurred in connection with outstanding borrowings and letters of credit. Interest income, net, was $0.2 million for both the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

Foreign exchange and other expenses, net

 

Realized foreign currency gains and losses and other non-operating income and expenses resulted in net income of $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and a net expense of $0.4 million for the same period in the prior year. These gains and losses are primarily associated with our U.S. dollar account balances held in Europe and the U.S. dollar’s fluctuations in value against the Euro and U.K. Pound Sterling.

 

Provision for income taxes

 

Our provision for income taxes was $0.1 million for both the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. These provisions are attributable to taxes on earnings from our foreign subsidiaries and certain state income taxes.

 

Our deferred tax assets primarily consist of net operating loss carryforwards, nondeductible allowances and research and development tax credits. We have recorded a valuation allowance for the full amount of our net deferred tax assets, as the future realization of the tax benefit is not considered by management to be more-likely-than-not.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Historically, we have not been profitable and we have financed our activities through the issuance of our common stock. Our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and long-term restricted cash consist principally of money market accounts and certificates of deposit and totaled $42.3 million and $40.9 million at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively, an increase of $1.4 million.

 

Operating Activities

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $1.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2005, which consisted primarily of our net loss of $1.7 million adjusted for non-cash items (primarily depreciation, amortization, and non-cash stock-based compensation expense) aggregating approximately $1.8 million and the net cash inflow effect from changes in assets and liabilities of approximately $1.4 million. This net cash inflow was primarily caused by an increase in accrued expenses and deferred revenue, offset by additions to prepaid expenses and other assets.

 

In the same quarter of the prior year, cash used in operating activities was $0.9 million which consisted primarily of our net loss of $4.2 million adjusted for non-cash items (primarily the write off of in-process research and development costs associated with the acquisition of KiQ, depreciation, amortization, non-cash stock-based compensation expense and other non-cash charges) of approximately $2.6 million and the net cash inflow effect from changes in assets and liabilities of approximately $0.7 million. This net cash inflow was caused primarily by the improved collection of accounts receivable during the quarter.

 

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Investing Activities

 

Cash provided by investing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $1.4 million, primarily from proceeds from the release of restricted cash of $1.5 million offset by purchases of equipment and software of $0.1 million.

 

Cash used in investing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $8.9 million, primarily related to the acquisition of KiQ at December 21, 2004. Cash used in investing activities also includes capitalized product development costs of $0.9 million and purchases of equipment and software of $0.2 million.

 

Financing Activities

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $0.5 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. This increase was primarily related to proceeds from stock option exercises of $0.5 million.

 

Revolving line of credit

 

Our line of credit with Comerica Bank, effective from March 28, 2003 and extended to March 25, 2006, was amended in September 2005 and is comprised of a $5.0 million accounts receivable line. As of December 31, 2005, there were no outstanding borrowings on either of these lines of credit.

 

The terms of the credit agreement with the bank require us to maintain (i) at least a $5.0 million cash balance in Comerica Bank accounts, (ii) a minimum quick ratio of 2.00 to 1.00, (iii) a tangible net worth of at least $20.0 million plus 60% of the proceeds of any equity offerings and (iv) subordinate any debt issuances subsequent to the effective date of the agreement, and certain other covenants. The Company obtained a waiver from Comerica Bank for all past defaults that occurred. As of December 31, 2005, we were in compliance with the respective debt covenants.

 

Under the terms and conditions of the accounts receivable line, the total amount of credit is $5.0 million. The facility contains a provision for a sub-limit of up to $2.0 million for issuances of standby commercial letters of credit. As of December 31, 2005, we had utilized $1.4 million of the $2.0 million standby commercial letter of credit limit. The facility also contains a provision for a sub-limit of up to $2.0 million for the issuance of foreign exchange forward contracts. As of December 31, 2005, we had not entered into any foreign exchange forward contracts. Pursuant to the amendment in September 2005, we are required to secure our standby commercial letters of credit and foreign exchange forward contracts as of March 25, 2006. If these have not been secured to Comerica Bank’s satisfaction, our cash and cash equivalent balances held by Comerica Bank automatically secure such obligations to the extent of the then continuing or outstanding and undrawn letters of credit or foreign exchange contracts.

 

Borrowings under the accounts receivable line of credit will bear interest at the lending bank’s prime rate plus 0.5%. Advances are available on a non-formula basis up to $2.0 million (non-formula portion); however, if advances exceed $2.0 million, then subsequent advances cannot exceed 80% of eligible accounts receivable balances, and the bank would hold a security interest in those accounts receivable. Except for the standby commercial letters of credit, as of December 31, 2005, there was no outstanding balance on our accounts receivable line of credit.

 

Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have entered into an agreement with Ness, effective December 15, 2003, wherein Ness will provide our customers with technical product support, a sustaining engineering function, product testing services, and product development services (collectively, the “Services”). The agreement has an initial term of three years and may be extended for additional one year terms at our discretion. Under the terms of the agreement, we pay for services rendered on a monthly fee basis, including the requirement to reimburse Ness for approved out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, upon our approval or at our direction, Ness may procure equipment to be used in performance of the Services, either through leasing arrangements or direct cash purchases, for which we are obligated under the agreement to reimburse them. In connection with the procurement of equipment, Ness Technologies India Ltd. has entered into a 36 month equipment lease agreement with IBM India and, in

 

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connection with the lease agreement we have issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $0.9 million in guarantee of Ness Technologies India, Ltd.’s financial commitments under the lease. Management believes that the likelihood of the performance of the guarantee being called is remote.

 

We have no material commitments for capital expenditures and do not anticipate capital expenditures to fluctuate significantly from historic levels.

 

Future payments due under lease obligations as of December 31, 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Capital

Leases


  

Operating

Leases


  

Operating

Sublease

Income


   

Net

Operating

Leases


Fiscal Year Ended September 30:

                            

2006 (remaining nine months)

   $ 171    $ 2,560    $ (214 )   $ 2,346

2007

     97      3,308      —         3,308

2008

     —        2,985      —         2,985

2009

     —        2,034      —         2,034

2010

     —        1,060      —         1,060

2011

     —        224      —         224
    

  

  


 

Total minimum payments

   $ 268    $ 12,171    $ (214 )   $ 11,957
    

  

  


 

 

Our existing cash and cash equivalents balances may decline during fiscal year 2006. However, we believe that the effects of our strategic actions implemented to improve revenue as well as to control costs will be adequate to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, which, when combined with existing cash balances, we anticipate will be sufficient to meet our working capital and operating resource expenditure requirements for the near term. If the global economy weakens further, the decline in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balances may be greater than presently anticipated.

 

We anticipate that operating expenses will continue to be a material use of our cash resources. We may continue to utilize cash resources to fund acquisitions or investments in other businesses, technologies or product lines. In the long-term, we may require additional funds to support our working capital and operating expense requirements or for other purposes, and may seek to raise these additional funds through public or private debt or equity financings. There can be no assurance that this additional financing will be available, or if available, will be on reasonable terms. Failure to generate sufficient revenues or to control spending could adversely affect our ability to achieve our business objectives.

 

Indemnification

 

As permitted under Delaware law, we have agreements whereby we indemnify our officers, directors and certain employees for certain events or occurrences while the employee, officer or director is, or was serving, at our request in such capacity. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have a Director and Officer insurance policy that limits our exposure and may enable us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of our insurance policy coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2005.

 

We enter into standard indemnification agreements in our ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these agreements, we indemnify, defend, hold harmless, and agree to reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, generally our business partners or customers, in connection with any patent, copyright or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to our products. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual after execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2005.

 

We enter into arrangements with our business partners, whereby the business partner agrees to provide services as a subcontractor for our implementations. We may, at our discretion and in the ordinary course of

 

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business, subcontract the performance of any of our services. Accordingly, we enter into standard indemnification agreements with our customers, whereby we indemnify them for other acts, such as personal property damage, of our subcontractors. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have general and umbrella insurance policies that may enable us to recover a portion of any amounts paid. We have not incurred significant costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2005.

 

When as part of an acquisition we acquire all of the stock or all of the assets and liabilities of a company, we may assume the liability for certain events or occurrences that took place prior to the date of acquisition. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make for such obligations is undeterminable at this time. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these liabilities as of December 31, 2005.

 

We warrant that our software products will perform in all material respects in accordance with our standard published specifications and documentation in effect at the time of delivery of the licensed products to the customer for a specified period of time. Additionally, we warrant that our maintenance and consulting services will be performed consistent with generally accepted industry standards. If necessary, we would provide for the estimated cost of product and service warranties based on specific warranty claims and claim history, however, we have not incurred significant expense under our product or services warranties to date. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value on these warranties is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these warranties as of December 31, 2005.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations, and change in the market values of our non-traded, available-for-sale marketable securities.

 

The following table presents the amounts of marketable securities and restricted cash that are subject to interest rate risk by year of expected maturity and average interest rates as of December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

    

December 31,

2005


    Fair Value

Restricted cash in short-term investments

   $ 602     $ 602

Average interest rates

     2.25 %      

 

Interest Rate Risk. Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We have not used derivative financial instruments to hedge our investment portfolio. We invest excess cash in debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies, and in high-quality corporate issuers and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. We protect and preserve invested funds by limiting default, market and reinvestment risk. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carries a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall. Due in part to these factors, our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if forced to sell securities, which have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates.

 

Foreign Currency Risk. A significant portion of our sales and operating expenses result from transactions outside of the United States, often in foreign currencies. These currencies include the United Kingdom Pound Sterling, the Euro and Canadian Dollars. International revenues from our foreign subsidiaries accounted for approximately 43% of total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2005. International sales are made mostly from our foreign sales subsidiaries in their respective countries and are typically denominated in the local currency of each country. These subsidiaries also incur most of their expenses in the local currency. Accordingly, all foreign subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency.

 

Additionally, two of our foreign subsidiaries hold cash equivalent investments in currencies other than its respective local currency. Such holdings increase our exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. As exchange rates vary, the holdings may magnify foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations or upon translation or adversely impact overall expected profitability through foreign currency losses incurred upon the sale or maturity of the investments. At December 31, 2005 approximately $19.7 million of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our subsidiaries outside of the United States.

 

Our international business is subject to risks, including, but not limited to changing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions, and foreign exchange rate volatility when compared to the United States. Accordingly, our future results could be materially adversely impacted by changes in these or other factors.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Management’s responsibility for financial statements

 

Our management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of all information presented in this quarterly report. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include amounts based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Management believes the consolidated financial statements fairly reflect the form and substance of transactions and that the financial statements fairly represent our financial position and results of operations.

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed solely of independent directors, meets regularly with our new independent registered public accounting firm, BDO Seidman, LLP and representatives of management to review accounting, financial reporting, internal control and audit matters, as well as the nature and extent of the audit effort. The Audit Committee is responsible for the engagement of the independent auditors, and the independent auditors have free access to the Audit Committee.

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or “disclosure controls.” This controls evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO. Based upon the controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as a result of the matters discussed below with respect to our internal control over financial reporting, our disclosure controls as of December 31, 2005 were not effective.

 

In light of this determination and as part of the work undertaken in connection with this report, we have applied compensating procedures and processes as necessary to ensure the reliability of our financial reporting. Accordingly, management believes, based on its knowledge, that (i) this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report and (ii) the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as at, and for, the periods presented in this report.

 

Definitions of Significant Deficiency and Material Weakness

 

In this report, unless otherwise indicated, a “significant deficiency” is defined as a control deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, that adversely affects the company’s ability to initiate, authorize, record, process or report external financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a misstatement of the company’s financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected. A “material weakness” is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected.

 

Material Weaknesses Reported for the Year ended September 30, 2005

 

As previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2005 filed with the SEC on December 9, 2005, the following material weaknesses existed as of September 30, 2005:

 

    Stock-based Compensation—The Company did not maintain effective control over its accounting for its non-cash stock-based compensation and related financial statement disclosures, since the method by which the Company originally valued certain common stock and amortized deferred stock-based compensation for such common stock were determined to be incorrect.

 

    Statement of Cash Flows—The Company did not maintain effective control over the preparation of its Statement of Cash Flows, in particular, with regard to the classification of cash expenditures for certain capitalized costs.

 

    Staffing Levels in The Finance Department— The Company did not maintain adequate staffing of the Company’s finance department to the effect that inadequate staffing and supervision led to the untimely identification and resolution of certain accounting matters.

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The Company implemented a new version of its accounting system software with greater password control capability. Other than this change, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

As described in our previous filings, management has made significant efforts to remediate the material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. Management will continue its efforts and management and the Audit Committee will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, including those pertaining to stock-based compensation, the statement of cash flows, and staffing of our finance team, on an ongoing basis and will take further action, as appropriate. While none of the material weaknesses has been fully remediated, management believes significant progress has been made to do so.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Beginning in July 2001, we and certain of our officers and directors (“Individuals”) were named as defendants in a series of class action shareholder complaints filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, now consolidated under the caption, In re Chordiant Software, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Case No. 01-CV-6222. In the amended complaint, filed in April 2002, the plaintiffs allege that we, the Individuals, and the underwriters of our initial public offering (“IPO”) violated section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 10(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934 based on allegations that the our registration statement and prospectus failed to disclose material facts regarding the compensation to be received by, and the stock allocation practices of, our IPO underwriters. The complaint also contains claims against the Individuals for control person liability under Securities Act section 15 and Exchange Act section 20. The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages and other relief. Similar complaints were filed in the same court against hundreds of other public companies (“Issuers”) that conducted IPO’s of their common stock in the late 1990s or in the year 2000 (collectively, the “IPO Lawsuits”).

 

In August 2001, all of the IPO Lawsuits were consolidated for pretrial purposes before United States Judge Shira Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York. In July 2002, we joined in a global motion to dismiss the IPO Lawsuits filed by all of the Issuers (among others). In October 2002, the Court entered an order dismissing the Individuals from the IPO Cases without prejudice, pursuant to an agreement tolling the statute of limitations with respect to the Individuals. In February 2003, the court issued a decision denying the motion to dismiss the Section 11 claims against Chordiant and almost all of the other Issuers and denying the motion to dismiss the Section 10(b) claims against Chordiant and many of the Issuers.

 

In June 2003, Issuers and plaintiffs reached a tentative settlement agreement that would, among other things, result in the dismissal with prejudice of all claims against the Issuers and Individuals in the IPO Lawsuits, and the assignment to plaintiffs of certain potential claims that the Issuers may have against the underwriters. The tentative settlement also provides that, in the event that plaintiffs ultimately recover less than a guaranteed sum of $1 billion from the IPO underwriters, plaintiffs would be entitled to payment by each participating Issuer’s insurer of a pro rata share of any shortfall in the plaintiffs’ guaranteed recovery. In September 2003, in connection with the possible settlement, those Individuals who had entered tolling agreements with plaintiffs (described above) agreed to extend those agreements so that they would not expire prior to any settlement being finalized. In June 2004, Chordiant and almost all of the other Issuers entered into a formal settlement agreement with the plaintiffs. On February 15, 2005, the Court issued a decision certifying a class action for settlement purposes, and granting preliminary approval of the settlement subject to modification of certain bar orders contemplated by the settlement. The Court has set a Final Settlement Fairness Hearing on the settlement for April 24, 2006. In addition, the settlement is still subject to statutory notice requirements as well as final judicial approval. If this settlement is not finalized as proposed, then this action may divert the efforts and attention of our management and, if determined adversely to us, could have a material impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

We are also subject to various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The ultimate disposition of these various other claims and legal actions is not expected to have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties.

 

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Item 1A.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Historically, we have not been profitable and we may continue to incur losses, which may raise vendor viability concerns thereby making it more difficult to close license transactions with new and existing customers.

 

We incurred losses of $1.7 million and $4.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. As of December 31, 2005, we had an accumulated deficit of $210.6 million. We may continue to incur losses and cannot be certain that we can generate sufficient revenues to achieve profitability. Continued losses may leave many customers reluctant to enter into new large value license transactions without some assurance that we will operate profitably. If we fail to enter into new large value license transactions due to lack of vendor profitability and or viability concerns, our revenues will decline, which could further adversely affect our operating results.

 

Because a small number of customers account for a substantial portion of our revenues, the loss of a significant customer could cause a substantial decline in our revenues.

 

We derive a significant portion of our license and service revenues from a limited number of customers. The loss of a major customer could cause a decrease in revenues and net income. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, ING accounted for 10% of our total revenues. For the three months ended December 31, 2004, Barclays and Capital One accounted for 26% and 19% of our total revenues, respectively. While our customer concentration has fluctuated, we expect that a limited number of customers will continue to account for a substantial portion of our revenues. As a result, if we lose a major customer, or if a contract is delayed or cancelled or we do not contract with new major customers, our revenues and net loss would be adversely affected. In addition, customers that have accounted for significant revenues in the past may not generate revenues in any future period, causing our failure to obtain new significant customers or additional orders from existing customers to materially affect our operating results.

 

If we fail to adequately address the difficulties of managing our international operations, our revenues and operating expenses will be adversely affected.

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2005, international revenues were $9.7 million or approximately 43% of our total revenues. For the three months ended December 31, 2004, international revenues were $13.6 million or approximately 63% of our total revenues. While we expect North American revenues to increase as a percentage of our overall revenues, international revenues will continue to represent a significant portion of our total revenues in future periods. We have faced, and will continue to face, difficulties in managing international operations which include:

 

    Difficulties in hiring qualified local personnel;

 

    Seasonal fluctuations in customer orders;

 

    Longer accounts receivable collection cycles;

 

    Expenses associated with licensing products and servicing customers in foreign markets;

 

    Economic downturns and political uncertainty in international economies; and

 

    Expectations of European economic growth that is lower than for the US.

 

Any of these factors could have a significant impact on our ability to license products on a competitive and timely basis and could adversely affect our operating expenses and net income.

 

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Backlog of Business

 

An increasingly material portion of our revenues has been derived from large orders, as major customers deployed our products. We define backlog as non-cancelable contractual commitments by our customers through purchase orders or contracts. Backlog is comprised of current software license orders which have not been accepted by customers or have not otherwise met all of the required criteria for revenue recognition, deferred revenue from customer support contracts, and deferred consulting and education orders for services not yet completed or delivered. Backlog is not necessarily indicative of revenues to be recognized in a specified future period. There are many factors that would impact Chordiant’s filling of backlog, such as Chordiant’s progress in completing projects for its customers and Chordiant’s customers’ meeting anticipated schedules for customer-dependent deliverables. Chordiant provides no assurances that any portion of its backlog will be filled during any fiscal year or at all or that its backlog will be recognized as revenues in any given period. In addition, it is possible that customers from whom we expect to derive revenue from backlog will default and as a result we may not be able to recognize expected revenue from backlog.

 

Fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies could make our products less competitive in international markets and could negatively affect our operating results and cash flows.

 

A significant portion of our sales and operating expenses result from transactions outside of the United States, often in foreign currencies. These currencies include the United Kingdom Pound Sterling, the Euro and Canadian Dollars. Our international sales comprised 43% of our total sales for the three months ended December 31, 2005. Our international sales comprised 63% of our total sales for the three months ended December 31, 2004. Our future operating results will continue to be subject to fluctuations in foreign currency rates, especially if international sales grow as a percentage of our total sales, and we may be negatively impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency rates in the future. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we had a foreign currency translation gain of approximately $0.1 million. We do not engage in any currency hedging activities.

 

Geopolitical concerns could make the closing of license transactions with new and existing customers difficult.

 

Our revenues will decrease in fiscal year 2006 if we are unable to enter into new large-scale license transactions with new and existing customers. The current state of world affairs and geopolitical concerns have left many customers reluctant to enter into new large value license transactions without some assurance that the economy both in the customer’s home country and worldwide will have some economic and political stability. Geopolitical instability will continue to make closing large license transactions difficult. In addition, we cannot predict what effect the U.S. military presence overseas or potential or actual political or military conflict have had or are continuing to have on our existing and prospective customers’ decision-making process with respect to licensing or implementing enterprise-level products such as ours. Our ability to enter into new large license transactions also directly affects our ability to create additional consulting services and maintenance revenues, on which we also depend.

 

Competition in our markets is intense and could reduce our sales and prevent us from achieving profitability.

 

Increased competition in our markets could result in price reductions for our products and services, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any one of which could reduce our future revenues. The market for our products is intensely competitive, evolving and subject to rapid technological change. Historically, our primary competition has been from internal development, custom systems integration projects and application software competitors. In particular, we compete with:

 

    Internal information technology departments: in-house information technology departments of potential customers have developed or may develop systems that provide some or all of the functionality of our products. We expect that internally developed application integration and process automation efforts will continue to be a significant source of competition.

 

    Custom systems integration projects: we compete with large systems integrators who may develop custom solutions for specific companies which may reduce the likelihood that they would purchase our products and services.

 

    Point application vendors: we compete with providers of stand-alone point solutions for web-based customer relationship management and traditional client/server-based, call-center service customer and sales-force automation solution providers.

 

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In addition, recent consolidation in the software industry may indicate that we will face new competitors in the future. In 2005, Oracle acquired a 43% interest in i-flex solutions, a banking software maker headquartered in Mumbai, India. In September 2005, IBM acquired DWL, a provider of middleware to companies in the banking, insurance, retail and telecommunications industries. In September 2005, SSA Global Technologies announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire E.piphany, Inc., a maker of customer relationship management software products. In January 2006, Oracle acquired Siebel Systems, Inc., a maker of customer relationship management software products. While we do not believe that either i-flex or DWL have been significant competitors of Chordiant in the past, the acquisition of these companies by Oracle and IBM may indicate that we will face increased competition from significantly larger and more established entities in the future.

 

Many of our competitors have greater resources and broader customer relationships than we do. In addition, many of these competitors have extensive knowledge of our industry. Current and potential competitors have established, or may establish, cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to offer a single solution and to increase the ability of their products to address customer needs.

 

We may experience a shortfall in revenue, earnings, cash flow or otherwise fail to meet public market expectations, which could materially and adversely affect our business and the market price of our common stock.

 

Our revenues and operating results may fluctuate significantly because of a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. Some of these factors include:

 

    Size and timing of individual license transactions;

 

    Delay or deferral of customer implementations of our products and subsequent impact on revenues;

 

    Lengthening of our sales cycle;

 

    Potential additional deterioration and changes in domestic and foreign markets and economies;

 

    Success in expanding our global services organization, direct sales force and indirect distribution channels;

 

    Timing of new product introductions and product enhancements;

 

    Appropriate mix of products licensed and services sold;

 

    Levels of international transactions;

 

    Activities of and acquisitions by competitors;

 

    Product and price competition; and

 

    Our ability to develop and market new products and control costs.

 

One or more of the foregoing factors may cause our operating expenses to be disproportionately high during any given period or may cause our revenues and operating results to fluctuate significantly. Based upon the preceding factors, we may experience a shortfall in revenues and earnings or otherwise fail to meet public market expectations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our common stock.

 

Our operating results fluctuate significantly and delays in implementation of our products may cause unanticipated declines in revenues or cash flow, which could disappoint investors and result in a decline in our stock price.

 

Our quarterly revenues depend primarily upon product implementation by our customers. We have historically recognized a significant portion of our license and services revenue through the percentage-of-completion method, using labor hours incurred as the measure of progress towards completion of implementation of our products and we expect this practice to continue. The percentage of completion accounting method requires ongoing estimates of progress of complicated and frequently changing technology projects. Documenting the measure of progress towards completion of implementation is subject to potential errors and changes in estimates. As a result, even minor errors or minor changes in estimates may lead to significant changes in accounting results which may be revised in later quarters due to subsequent information and events. Thus, delays or changes in customer business goals or direction when implementing our software may negatively impact our quarterly revenue. In addition, a significant portion of new customer orders have been booked

 

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in the third month of each calendar quarter, with many of these bookings occurring in the last two weeks of the third month. We expect this trend to continue and, therefore, any failure or delay in bookings would decrease our quarterly revenue. If our revenues or operating margins are below the expectations of the investment community, our stock price is likely to decline.

 

If we fail to maintain and expand our relationships with systems integrators and other business partners, our ability to develop, market, sell, and support our products may be adversely affected.

 

Our development, marketing and distribution strategies rely on our ability to form and maintain long-term strategic relationships with systems integrators, in particular, our existing business alliance partners, IBM and Accenture. These business relationships often consist of joint marketing programs, technology partnerships and resale and distribution arrangements. Although most aspects of these relationships are contractual in nature, many important aspects of these relationships depend on the continued cooperation between the parties. Divergence in strategy, change in focus, competitive product offerings or potential contract defaults may interfere with our ability to develop, market, sell, or support our products, which in turn could harm our business. If either IBM or Accenture were to terminate their agreements with us or our relationship were to deteriorate, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In many cases, these parties have extensive relationships with our existing and potential customers and influence the decisions of these customers. A number of our competitors have stronger relationships with IBM and Accenture and, as a result, these systems integrators may be more likely to recommend competitors’ products and services. In addition, in September 2005, IBM acquired DWL, a provider of middleware to companies in the banking, insurance, retail and telecommunications industries. While we do not believe that DWL has been a direct competitor of Chordiant in the past, IBM’s acquisition of DWL may indicate that IBM will become a competitor of ours in the future.

 

If systems integrators fail to properly implement our software, our business, reputation and financial results may be harmed.

 

We are increasingly relying on systems integrators to implement our products, and this trend may continue. As a result, we have less quality control over the implementation of our software with respect to these transactions and are more reliant on the ability of our systems integrators to correctly implement our software. If these systems integrators fail to properly implement our software, our business, reputation and financial results may be harmed.

 

Our primary products have a long sales and implementation cycle, which makes it difficult to predict our quarterly results and may cause our operating results to vary significantly.

 

The period between initial contact with a prospective customer and the implementation of our products is unpredictable and often lengthy, ranging from three to twenty-four months. Thus, revenue and cash receipts could vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Any delays in the implementation of our products could cause reductions in our revenues. The licensing of our products is often an enterprise-wide decision that generally requires us to provide a significant level of education to prospective customers about the use and benefits of our products. The implementation of our products involves significant commitment of technical and financial resources and is commonly associated with substantial implementation efforts that may be performed by us, by the customer or by third-party systems integrators. Customers generally consider a wide range of issues before committing to purchase our products, including product benefits, ability to operate with existing and future computer systems, vendor financial stability and longevity, ability to accommodate increased transaction volume and product reliability.

 

If we do not successfully implement our plan to improve our internal control over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in our financial reporting and customers may delay purchasing decisions, which would harm our business and the market price of our common stock.

 

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports, our business could be harmed. We are a complex company with complex accounting issues and thus subject to related risks of errors in financial reporting which may cause problems in corporate governance, the costs of which may outweigh the costs of the underlying errors themselves. For example, in the course of preparing its 2005 financial results for the year ended September 30, 2005, the Company and its independent registered public accounting firm, BDO Seidman, LLP, identified certain errors in the Company’s 2005 interim financial statements for the quarters ended December 31, 2004, March 31, 2005, and June 30, 2005 and management concluded that as a result of these errors, the Company should restate the Company’s interim financial statements for these quarters. These errors are more fully described in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the

 

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Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2005. As a result of this need to restate interim financial statements, management and the Audit Committee determined that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting existed. These material weaknesses have contributed to increased expenses and efforts required for our financial reporting. If we are not successful in implementing effective internal controls over financial reporting, customers may delay purchasing decisions or we may lose customers, create investor uncertainty, face litigation and the market price of our common stock may decline. For more information, please refer to the discussion under the heading “Item 4. Controls and Procedures” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2005.

 

If we are not able to successfully manage our partner operations in India, our operations and financial results may be adversely affected.

 

In fiscal year 2003, we entered into an agreement with Ness Global Services, Inc., an independent contracting company with global technical resources and an operations center in Bangalore, India and operations in other locations. The agreement provides for Ness, at our direction, to attract, train, assimilate and retain sufficient highly qualified personnel to perform staffing for consulting projects, technical support, product test and certain sustaining engineering functions. As of December 31, 2005, we use the services of approximately 99 consultants through Ness. In addition, as a result of the 10% reduction in our workforce that took place in July 2005, we are now more dependent on Ness. The expansion of this agreement is an important component of our strategy to address the business needs of our customers and manage our expenses. The success of this operation will depend on our ability and Ness’s ability to attract, train, assimilate and retain highly qualified personnel in the required periods. A disruption of our relationship with Ness could adversely affect our operations. Failure to effectively manage the organization and operations will harm our business and financial results.

 

Our stock price is subject to significant fluctuations, which may adversely affect the value of an investors investment in our common stock.

 

Since our initial public offering in February 2000, the price of our common stock has fluctuated widely. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the price of our common stock on the NASDAQ National Market ranged from a low of $1.40 to a high of $3.00 per share. We believe that factors such as the risks described herein or other factors could cause the price of our common stock to continue to fluctuate, perhaps substantially. In addition, recently, the stock market in general, and the market for high technology stocks in particular, has experienced extreme price fluctuations, which have often been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. Such fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

We have incurred and may continue to incur, in future periods, significant stock-based compensation charges related to certain stock options and stock awards, which may adversely affect our reported financial results.

 

On October 1, 2005, we adopted SFAS 123(R), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to the Company’s employees and directors including employee stock options, restricted stock awards and employee stock purchases related to the ESPP based on estimated fair values. During the quarter ending December 31, 2005, we recorded $1.1 million of compensation expense associated with these awards. Although the effect from the adoption of SFAS 123(R) is expected to continue to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, future changes to various assumptions used to determine the fair value of awards issued, or the amount and type of equity awards granted create uncertainty as to the amount of future stock-based compensation expense.

 

We are the target of a securities class action complaint and are at risk of securities class action litigation, which may result in substantial costs and divert management attention and resources.

 

Beginning in July 2001, Chordiant and certain of our officers and directors were named as defendants in several class action shareholder complaints filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, now consolidated under the caption, In re Chordiant Software, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Case No. 01-CV-6222. In the amended complaint, the plaintiffs allege that Chordiant, certain of our officers and directors and the underwriters of our initial public offering (“IPO”) violated Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on allegations that Chordiant’s registration statement and prospectus failed to disclose material facts regarding the compensation to be received by, and the stock allocation practices of, the IPO underwriters. The complaint also contains a claim for violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, based on allegations that this omission constituted a deceit on investors. The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages and other relief. Similar complaints were filed in the same court against hundreds of other public companies that conducted IPOs of their common

 

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stock in the late 1990s. In June 2004, Chordiant and almost all of the other issuers entered into a formal settlement agreement with the plaintiffs. On February 15, 2005, the Court issued a decision certifying a class action for settlement purposes, and granting preliminary approval of the settlement subject to modification of certain bar orders contemplated by the settlement. The Court has set a Final Settlement Fairness Hearing on the settlement for April 24, 2006. In addition, the settlement is still subject to statutory notice requirements as well as final judicial approval. If the settlement is not finalized as proposed, then this action may divert the efforts and attention of our management and, if determined adversely to us, could have a material impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

If our products do not operate effectively in a company-wide environment, we may lose sales and suffer decreased revenues.

 

If existing customers have difficulty deploying our products or choose not to fully deploy our products, it could damage our reputation and reduce revenues. Our success requires that our products be highly scalable, and able to accommodate substantial increases in the number of users. Our products are expected to be deployed on a variety of computer software and hardware platforms and to be used in connection with a number of third-party software applications by personnel who may not have previously used application software systems or our products. These deployments present very significant technical challenges, which are difficult or impossible to predict. If these deployments do not succeed, we may lose future sales opportunities and suffer decreased revenues.

 

Defects in our products could diminish demand for our products and result in decreased revenues, decreased market acceptance and injury to our reputation.

 

Errors may be found from time-to-time in our new, acquired or enhanced products. Any significant software errors in our products may result in decreased revenues, decreased sales, and injury to our reputation and/or increased warranty and repair costs. Although we conduct extensive product testing during product development, we have in the past discovered software errors in our products as well as in third-party products, and as a result have experienced delays in the shipment of our new products.

 

Because competition for qualified personnel is intense, we may not be able to retain or recruit personnel, which could impact the development and sales of our products.

 

If we are unable to hire or retain qualified personnel, or if newly hired personnel fail to develop the necessary skills or fail to reach expected levels of productivity, our ability to develop and market our products will be weakened. Our success depends largely on the continued contributions of our key management, finance, engineering, sales and marketing and professional services personnel. Because of the dependency on a small number of large deals, we are uniquely dependent upon the talents and relationships of a few executives and have no guarantee of their retention. We have been targeted by recruitment agencies seeking to hire our key management, finance, engineering, sales and marketing and professional services personnel. In addition, in July 2005 we reduced the size of our workforce by approximately 10%, which may have a negative effect on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.

 

To date, our sales have been concentrated in the financial services, telecommunications and retail markets, and if we are unable to continue sales in these markets or successfully penetrate new markets, our revenues may decline.

 

Sales of our products and services in three large markets—financial services, telecommunications and retail markets accounted for approximately 95% and 97% of our total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We expect that revenues from these three markets will continue to account for a substantial portion of our total revenues for the foreseeable future. If we are unable to successfully increase penetration of our existing markets or achieve sales in additional markets, or if the overall economic climate of our target markets deteriorates, our revenues may decline.

 

Low gross margin in services revenues could adversely impact our overall gross margin and income.

 

Our services revenues have had lower gross margins than our license revenues. Service revenues comprised 60% and 59% of our total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Gross margin on service revenues was 52% and 42% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. License revenues comprised 40% and 41% of our total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Gross margins on license revenues were 95% and 98% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

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As a result, an increase in the percentage of total revenues represented by services revenues, or an unexpected decrease in license revenues, could have a detrimental impact on our overall gross margins. To increase services revenues, we would expand our services organization, successfully recruit and train a sufficient number of qualified services personnel, enter into new implementation projects and obtain renewals of current maintenance contracts by our customers. This expansion could further reduce gross margins in our services revenues.

 

We may not have the workforce necessary to support our platform of products if demand for our products substantially increased, and, if we need to rebuild our workforce in the future, we may not be able to recruit personnel in a timely manner, which could negatively impact the development and sales of our products.

 

In July 2005, we reduced the size of our workforce by approximately 10%. In the event that demand for our products increases, we may need to rebuild our workforce or increase outsourced functions to companies based in foreign jurisdictions and we may be unable to hire, train or retain qualified personnel in a timely manner, which may weaken our ability to market our products in a timely manner, negatively impacting our operations. Our success depends largely on ensuring that we have adequate personnel to support our platform of products as well as the continued contributions of our key management, finance, engineering, sales and marketing and professional services personnel.

 

If we fail to introduce new versions and releases of functional and scalable products in a timely manner, customers may license competing products and our revenues may decline.

 

If we are unable to ship or implement enhancements to our products when planned, or fail to achieve timely market acceptance of these enhancements, we may suffer lost sales and could fail to achieve anticipated revenues. We have in the past, and expect in the future, to derive a significant portion of our total revenues from the license of our primary product suite. Our future operating results will depend on the demand for the product suite by future customers, including new and enhanced releases that are subsequently introduced. If our competitors release new products that are superior to our products in performance or price, or if we fail to enhance our products or introduce new features and functionality in a timely manner, demand for our products may decline. We have in the past experienced delays in the planned release dates of new versions of our software products and upgrades. New versions of our products may not be released on schedule or may contain defects when released.

 

We depend on technology licensed to us by third parties, and the loss or inability to maintain these licenses could prevent or delay sales of our products.

 

We license from several software providers technologies that are incorporated into our products. We anticipate that we will continue to license technology from third parties in the future. This software may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. While currently we are not materially dependent on any single third party for such licenses, the loss of the technology licenses could result in delays in the license of our products until equivalent technology is developed or identified, licensed and integrated into our products. Even if substitute technologies are available, there can be no guarantee that we will be able to license these technologies on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

 

Defects in third party products associated with our products could impair our products’ functionality and injure our reputation.

 

The effective implementation of our products depends upon the successful operation of third-party products in conjunction with our products. Any undetected errors in these third-party products could prevent the implementation or impair the functionality of our products, delay new product introductions or injure our reputation. In the past, while our business has not been materially harmed, product releases have been delayed as a result of errors in third-party software and we have incurred significant expenses fixing and investigating the cause of these errors.

 

Our customers and systems integration partners may have the ability to alter our source code and resulting inappropriate alterations could adversely affect the performance of our products, cause injury to our reputation and increase operating expenses.

 

Customers and systems integration partners may have access to the computer source code for certain elements of our products and may alter the source code. Alteration of our source code may lead to implementation, operation, technical support and upgrade problems for our customers. This could adversely affect the market acceptance of our products, and any necessary investigative work and repairs could cause us to incur significant expenses and delays in implementation.

 

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If our products do not operate with the hardware and software platforms used by our customers, our customers may license competing products and our revenues will decline.

 

If our products fail to satisfy advancing technological requirements of our customers and potential customers, the market acceptance of these products could be reduced. We currently serve a customer base with a wide variety of constantly changing hardware, software applications and networking platforms. Customer acceptance of our products depends on many factors such as:

 

    Our ability to integrate our products with multiple platforms and existing or legacy systems;

 

    Our ability to anticipate and support new standards, especially Internet and enterprise Java standards; and

 

Our failure to successfully integrate with future acquired or merged companies and technologies could prevent us from operating efficiently.

 

Our business strategy includes pursuing opportunities to grow our business, both through internal growth and through merger, acquisition and technology and other asset transactions. To implement this strategy, we may be involved in merger and acquisition activity and additional technology and asset purchase transactions. Merger and acquisition transactions are motivated by many factors, including, among others, our desire to grow our business, acquire skilled personnel, obtain new technologies and expand and enhance our product offerings. Growth through mergers and acquisitions has several identifiable risks, including difficulties associated with successfully integrating distinct businesses into new organizations, the substantial management time devoted to integrating personnel, technology and entire companies, the possibility that we might not be successful in retaining the employees, undisclosed liabilities, the failure to realize anticipated benefits (such as cost savings and synergies) and issues related to integrating acquired technology, merged/acquired companies or content into our products (such as unanticipated expenses). Realization of any of these risks in connection with any technology transaction or asset purchase we have entered into, or may enter into, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

If we become subject to intellectual property infringement claims, including patent infringement claims, these claims could be costly and time-consuming to defend, divert management’s attention, cause product delays and have an adverse effect on our revenues and net income.

 

We expect that software product developers and providers of software in markets similar to our target markets will increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the number of products and competitors in our industry grows and the functionality of products overlap. Any claims, with or without merit, could be costly and time-consuming to defend, divert our management’s attention or cause product delays. If any of our products were found to infringe a third party’s proprietary rights, we could be required to enter into royalty or licensing agreements to be able to sell our products. Royalty and licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.

 

In particular, if we were sued for patent infringement by a patent holding company, one which has acquired large numbers of patents solely for the purpose of bringing suit against alleged infringers rather than practicing the patents, it may be costly to defend such suit. If any of our products were found to infringe such patent, the patent holder could seek an injunction to enjoin our use of the infringing product. This would have an extremely detrimental effect on our business. If we were required to settle such claim, it could be extremely costly. A patent infringement claim could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The application of percentage of completion and completed contract accounting to our business is complex and may result in delays in the reporting of our financial results and revenue not being recognized as we expect.

 

Although we attempt use standardized license agreements designed to meet current revenue recognition criteria under generally accepted accounting principles, we must often negotiate and revise terms and conditions of these standardized agreements, particularly in multi-product transactions. At the time of entering into a transaction, we assess whether any services included within the arrangement require us to perform significant implementation or customization essential to the functionality of our products. For contracts involving significant implementation or customization essential to the functionality of our products, we recognize the license and professional consulting services revenues using the percentage-of-completion method using labor hours incurred as the measure of progress towards completion. The application of the percentage of completion method of accounting is complex and involves judgments and estimates, which may change significantly based on customer requirements. This complexity combined with changing customer requirements could result in delays in the proper determination of our percentage of completion estimates and revenue not being recognized as we expect.

 

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We have also entered into co-development projects with our customers to jointly develop new vertical applications, often over the course of a year or longer. In such cases we may only be able to recognize revenue upon delivery of the new application. The accounting treatment for these co-development projects could result in delays in the recognition of revenue. The failure to successfully complete these projects to the satisfaction of the customer could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

We may be subject to an investigation by the SEC or litigation by private parties in connection with the restatement of our interim financial statements for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2004, June 30, 2004, September 30, 2004, December 31, 2004, March 31, 2005, and June 30, 2005.

 

In March 2005, we concluded that our interim financial statements for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2004 should no longer be relied upon because of various errors in such financial statements. We restated those financial statements, which were reported in our 2004 Transition Report on Form 10-K/T filed with the SEC on March 29, 2005. Additionally, in the course of preparing our 2005 financial results for the year ended September 30, 2005, the Company and its independent registered public accounting firm, BDO Seidman, LLP, identified certain errors in the Company’s 2005 interim financial statements for the quarters ended December 31, 2004, March 31, 2005, and June 30, 2005 and management concluded that as a result of these errors, the Company should restate the Company’s interim financial statements for these quarters. These errors are more fully described in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 9, 2005. Section 408 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) requires that the SEC review a public company’s filings no less frequently than once every 3 years. We have been notified that the SEC’s staff in the Division of Corporation Finance in Washington D.C. is reviewing the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. The SEC may choose to comment on the annual report, it may begin an investigation or we may be subject to private litigation, which could require significant management and financial resources which could otherwise be devoted to the operation of our business. If we are subject to an SEC investigation or civil litigation, we could be required to pay penalties or damages or have other remedies imposed upon us. In addition, we could become the target of expensive securities litigation related to other matters in the future. Any SEC investigation or litigation could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

We may continue to encounter unexpected delays in implementing the requirements relating to internal control over financial reporting and we expect to incur additional expenses and diversion of management’s time as a result of performing future system and process evaluation, testing and remediation required to comply with future management assessment and auditor attestation requirements.

 

In connection with the Company’s compliance with Section 404 under SOX for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, we identified certain material weaknesses. In future periods we will continue to document our internal controls to allow management to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to, our internal control, over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of SOX, within the time frame required by Section 404. We may encounter unexpected delays in implementing those requirements, therefore, we cannot be certain about the timing of the completion of our evaluation, testing and remediation actions or the impact that these activities will have on our operations. We also expect to incur additional expenses and diversion of management’s time as a result of performing the system and process evaluation, testing and remediation required to comply with management’s assessment and auditor attestation requirements. If we are not able to timely comply with the requirements set forth in Section 404 in future periods, we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by the regulatory authorities. Any such action could adversely affect our business or financial results.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed on the accompanying index to exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference (as stated therein) as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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Chordiant Software, Inc.

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Chordiant Software, Inc.

(Registrant)

By:

 

/s/ George de Urioste


   

George de Urioste

Chief Operating Officer and

Chief Financial Officer

 

Dated: February 9, 2006

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number


   
3.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chordiant Software, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Chordiant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-92187) filed on December 6, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Chordiant Software, Inc. (filed as exhibit 3.2 to Chordiant’s Form 8-K dated February 1, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.1   Amendment dated August 29, 2005 to Offer Letter dated April 24, 1998 between Chordiant and Samuel Spadafora.*
31.1   Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule15d-14(a).
31.2   Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule15d-14(a).
31.3   Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule15d-14(a).
32.1   Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule15d-14(a) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350).

* Compensation agreement

 

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