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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
---- OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999
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 0-6355
GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 52-0852578
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)
4200 Parliament Place, Suite 600, Lanham, MD 20706-1860
(Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (301) 918-0400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock $0.50
par value
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. ( )
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant on June 23, 1999 was $32,596,288.
The number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding on June 23,
1999 was 3,725,290.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III
of Form 10-K).
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
THE COMPANY
On September 25, 1998, the shareholders of COMNET ("COMNET") Corporation
and Group 1 Software, Inc. both approved the proposed merger of Group 1
Software, Inc. into COMNET. The surviving company was renamed Group 1 Software,
Inc. (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Group 1 Software,
Inc., formerly known as COMNET Corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries
("Group 1") develops, manufactures, licenses, sells and supports software
products for specialized marketing, printing and mail management applications.
Group 1 markets a broad range of software solutions in each of three major
categories: Electronic Document Systems, Mailing Efficiency/Data Quality and
Database Marketing. The operating systems utilized for Group 1's products vary
as to category. Database Marketing products operate in a client/server
architecture with server support for UNIX or Windows NT (NT) and with client
support in Windows 3.x, 95, 98 and NT. Electronic Document Systems run under MVS
and OS/400, as well as under UNIX , IBM OS/2 and NT. Mailing Efficiency products
run on IBM and IBM compatible mainframe computers, IBM AS/400, Digital, UNIX, NT
and IBM OS/2 platforms. Group 1's Electronic Document Systems support Kodak, IBM
and Xerox print architectures (AFP and Metacode) for high-speed, high-volume
production laser printing.
Group 1 distributes all of its products in North America and certain of
its products throughout the world. Group 1 believes it is a leading vendor of
Mailing Efficiency and Electronic Document System software products in North
America.
Group 1's software products serve the needs of a wide variety of clients,
including those in the financial, insurance, utility, telecommunications,
manufacturing, retailing, hospitality, publishing and mail order industries,
plus service bureaus, associations and various activities of educational
institutions and governmental agencies. In general, Group 1's software systems
are designed to minimize the costs and maximize the opportunity to sell products
and services to existing and potential customers by obtaining maximum postal
discounts, ensuring name and address data integrity, targeting marketing
campaigns, and printing high impact customer correspondence. On its own and
through its wholly owned subsidiary, Group 1 Software Europe, Ltd., Group 1
provides systems for highly effective document preparation of customized forms
or personalized correspondence. This is achieved through the use of advanced
document design workstation software coupled with sophisticated host-based
document composition software, resulting in highly targeted and individualized
documents (e.g., statements, invoices, policies, direct mail). Group 1 believes
that the continuing growth of database marketing, data warehousing and targeted,
direct communication, together with increased postal rates and postage discounts
for coded and/or sorted mail, can expand the market potential for Group 1's
existing and future products.
Group 1 also offers a broad variety of professional services to its
clients, including systems and business analysis, installation assistance,
operations support, programming services, technical education and training and
operational reviews. These services are designed to assist clients in obtaining
maximum utilization from their Group 1 products and/or in improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of their business operations.
Group 1 markets its Mailing Efficiency and Database Marketing products
through a direct sales force in the United States and Canada, and, where
appropriate, through distributors in Europe and South America. Electronic
Document Systems Products are marketed directly to its clients in the Americas,
the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia and through distributors in the remainder of
Europe.
MARKETS SERVED
Group 1 markets its products within a broad span of industries to
fulfill database marketing, electronic document composition and mailing
efficiency data quality requirements. The Database Marketing and Mailing
Efficiency/Data Quality products are managed and marketed in a single operating
segment as Marketing Support Software. Included among the industry groups
served by Group 1 are banking, insurance, financial services, retail,
hospitality and gaming, catalog mailers, publishers, manufacturers,
telecommunication companies, non-profit associations, educational institutions,
fund raisers and governmental agencies. All of these industry groups use Group
1's mailing efficiency data quality systems although use by retailers, catalog
mailers and publishers is particularly significant due to the large volume of
heavy and expensive mail pieces typically involved. Associations, educational
institutions and fundraisers are also extensive users of Group 1's list
management and personalization products.
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Many industries that have adopted database marketing utilize Group 1
products to enhance name and address data quality and append demographic and
geographic data to existing customer databases. Use of Group 1's modeling
products provides automated predictive modeling to identify more precise buying
patterns, or by clustering, identify differences in behavioral characteristics
across product lines or over time allowing more effective, targeted marketing
campaigns. Group 1's DataDesigns system extracts raw customer data from existing
client systems for conversion into a useful marketing database. Meticulous
filtering, correcting and consolidating of large amounts of operational data
from multiple sources create a highly accurate database. The system provides the
capability to query for relevant customer information and to prepare target
market profiles and market segmentation analysis, to help plan more effective
media and direct mail programs. Organizations are able to discover the lifetime
value of each customer, as a guide to the development of stronger relationships
with the more profitable customers. Group 1's DM1 database marketing system
provides a customized turnkey solution incorporating many of the products
discussed above.
Information-intensive organizations are seeking automated solutions that
combine their customer data with today's advanced printing technology to produce
individualized, well-designed business documents. These organizations, which
include banks, credit card processors, insurance companies, public utilities,
health care providers, telecommunication companies and others, use Group 1's
electronic document composition software and in many instances, Group 1's
consulting services to generate and manage large volumes of customized
statements using conditional statement logic. The format, content and language
of each statement may be individually structured relative to specific
information contained in each customer record; individualized marketing messages
can also be incorporated. Increasing numbers of organizations are integrating
complete marketing strategies with automated document design and composition
systems to improve sales and customer satisfaction.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
As of March 31, 1999, Group 1 offered approximately 60 software products.
The multi-platform electronic document composition system (DOC1) is
offered with enhanced PC-based WYSIWYG technology. The system directly converts
and imports IBM and Xerox laser printing resources such as fonts, images and
overlays. DOC 1 can operate in centralized, or distributed, departmental or
desktop environments. The DOC 1 workstation runs under OS/2 and Windows NT and
the DOC 1 production engines can run under MVS, OS/2, MS-DOS, OS/400, UNIX and
NT operating systems. The system is printer independent and supports AFP,
Metacode and PCL output.
Most of the mailing efficiency products are offered in an Open Systems
format that enables the specific application to operate on all major computer
systems from NT to mainframe. This approach allows the user to migrate from one
platform to another without lost productivity or added training.
The database marketing products are offered for a variety of operating
systems. The DataDesigns database marketing system with an Oracle database
operates in a client/server environment. The server software, Oracle, runs under
Windows 3.x, 95, 98 or NT, OS/2 and Novell NetWare; the client utilizes Windows
3.x, 95, 98 or NT. The Model 1 predictive modeling system utilizes all
traditional predictive techniques and selects the best fit to your data. Model 1
runs under Windows 95, 98 or NT. Demographic and geographic coding products
operate in most open system operating environments. NADIS products are offered
in open systems format compatible with most mainframe and mid size operating
systems.
Group 1's software products can each operate on a stand-alone basis or in
conjunction with other Group 1 products to create an integrated system tailored
to a client's requirements.
Group 1 professional services include data migration, integration with
other systems, document analysis, consultation and design, installation and
training, file conversion and operational review.
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT SYSTEMS
Group 1's Electronic Document system (DOC 1) makes possible advanced
electronic preparation of high volumes of individualized documents for worldwide
markets. The software supports all major printing architectures and can operate
in centralized, distributed or desktop environments under NT, OS/2, OS/400, MVS,
and UNIX operating systems. DOC 1 produces individualized statements, insurance
policies, invoices, medical bills, letters, etc. that allow one-on-one targeted
communication with the recipient. The system is a truly visual application that
allows the user to extract information from multiple systems, and place text,
images and graphics on the page in a dynamic WYSIWYG process. The Portable
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Document Format (PDF) supported by DOC 1 permits on-line document delivery over
the Internet. DOC 1 can be integrated with Group 1's MailStream Plus system to
produce output documents in a sequence that qualifies for United States Postal
Service ("USPS") presorting discounts.
Group 1's EZ-Letter plus product offers a complete system to create,
print and manage individualized business documents. The systems use conditional
statement logic and variable processing to generate customized documents such as
statements, invoices, and policies, all based on customer-unique information.
The EZ-Letter Plus system is a tailored solution for IBM and IBM-compatible
mainframes. EZ-Letter features a menu-driven interface that lets users define
documents interactively, as well as manage printer resources and documents
within a secure environment. The system supports all major printing
architectures.
MAILING EFFICIENCY/DATA QUALITY
Group 1's mailing efficiency/data quality software products provide a
fully automated means for clients to take advantage of significant postal
discounts offered in both the United States and Canada for presorted and coded
mail. Within this group of software products are also the tools to improve
lettershop efficiency, palletize mail, speed mail delivery, allow in-plant truck
loading, print barcodes and produce the necessary USPS reports and Canada Post
Corporation (CPC) statements of mailing. These products are used by many
customers as a data quality tool helping to ensure the accuracy of an address.
Group 1's U.S. mailing efficiency products include Code-1 Plus,
MailStream Plus, Palletization Plus, POSTNET Barcoding Plus, Barcoded Bag/Tray,
Manifest Reporting, Line of Travel, and MOVEforward. Group 1's Code-1 Plus and
MailStream Plus products are Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) and Presort
Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE) which are certified by the USPS. These
products allow mailers to qualify for enhanced carrier route, presort and
automation postal discounts and to optimize discounts among various postal rate
categories. Clients can currently save nearly 28% of the cost of first-class
mail and up to 48% of the cost of standard mail by presorting and coding.
Significant savings can also be achieved with other classes of mail. Similar
benefits are provided to Canadian mailers using Group 1's products accepted
under the Software Evaluation and Recognition Program (SERP) of CPC. Canadian
clients can avoid the $0.05 per piece surcharge by demonstrating an address
accuracy level of at least 95%, and can qualify for certain other postal rate
incentives.
Group 1's list management products, Merge/Purge Plus, Generalized
Selection, List Manager, SmartMatch and List Conversion Plus, allow clients to
convert name and address lists into desired formats, to standardize address
information, to identify and/or eliminate duplicates on business and consumer
mailing files, add gender codes and to make targeted demographic selections.
Group 1's Code-1 Plus International product validates and corrects
address elements to the street level for approximately 31 countries worldwide;
validates and corrects address elements to the city, province (or state) level
for approximately 41 countries and formats address data to comply with the
formats of all 206 countries recognized by the United Nations.
DATABASE MARKETING
Group 1's DataDesigns database marketing system allows the user to
develop a composite profile of its best customers and prospects. Raw customer
data is extracted from existing client systems for conversion into a useful
marketing database. Meticulous filtering, correcting and consolidating of the
large amounts of operational data from multiple sources creates a highly
accurate database. The system provides the capability to query for relevant
customer information, and to prepare target market profiles and market
segmentation analysis, to help plan more effective media and direct mail
programs. Organizations are able to discover the lifetime value of each
customer as a guide to the development of stronger relationships with the most
profitable customers. This system provides the core data warehouse around which
the custom DM1 Database marketing system is built.
Group 1's demographic and geographic systems allow census-based
information and longitude and latitude information compiled by R.L. Polk &
Company and the U.S. Bureau of the Census to be appended to the customer or
prospect database. The Generalized Selection System provides a flexible method
of target marketing and mailing list manipulation. The GeoTAX system offers
taxing entities enhanced improvement in accurately assigning sales use tax to
customer addresses.
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The Model 1 automated predictive modeling system permits the analysis of
volumes of data quickly, to identify buying patterns of individuals for more
precise, profitable targeted marketing. This sophisticated, easy to use system
utilizes all traditional predictive modeling techniques including RFM, linear
regression, logistic regression, CHAID, neural networks and genetic algorithms.
The system selects the best fit with your data. Other Group 1 products provide
data analysis and decision support tools to identify motivational behavioral
characteristic and changes across products or over time.
To process name and address data for Customer Information Files (CIF's),
Group 1 offers the NADIS System (Name and Address Data Integrity Software). An
expert system technology, NADIS offers capabilities to verify data integrity and
to identify relationships within and across files.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES
Professional services are available including operations support, systems
analysis, data migration, system integration, document design, file conversion,
technical education and training, and operational reviews. These services are
designed to assist clients in obtaining maximum utilization from their Group 1
products and in improving other areas of their operations.
Group 1 offers with its product licenses an annual service agreement that
provides telephone support and continuing updates and enhancements, if and when
available, to its products and documentation. Educational and training seminars
specific to Group 1 products are offered as part of the initial product
licensing agreement.
LICENSING
With the exception of the Demographic Coding System, Group 1's products
are licensed on a perpetual "right to use" basis pursuant to non-exclusive
license agreements. The Demographic Coding System is licensed on an annual
basis. Group 1 does not sell or transfer title to its software products to
clients. A client is generally entitled to use a product only for internal
purposes on a single computer at a single location. Multi-site, multi-computer,
and remote access corporate license agreements are available as well. Certain
postal products are required by the USPS and CPC regulations ("CASS" and "SERP",
respectively) to have an expiration date (quarterly or monthly) and must be
under subscription or re-licensing arrangements with Group 1 in order to be used
for postal discounts or price qualification.
Group 1 warrants that its products will perform substantially in
accordance with their standard documentation for the defined warranty period or
as long as a service agreement is in effect, whichever is longer. The software
is generally licensed in conjunction with a first year maintenance agreement to
provide service and support for twelve months from the date of the license
agreement.
CUSTOMERS
Group 1's customer base includes approximately 2,700 clients who have
licensed one or more of its software systems.
Group 1's clients range from small businesses to a large number and broad
variety of the foremost businesses and other organizations in North America and
internationally. Included are utilities such as Pacific Gas and Electric,
Scottish Power, Kansas City Power & Light and PEPCO, telecommunication companies
such as AT&T, Iridium, LCI International and MCI WorldComm; major banks such as
Citibank, National Westminster Bank, Bank One, Chase Bank, ABN AMRO and Banque
Nationale du Canada; insurance companies such as The Hartford Insurance Group,
American International Group, Scottish Widows and Metropolitan Life; publishers
such as Time, Inc., McGraw-Hill and Encyclopedia Britannica; computer services
companies such as EDS and Neodata; financial services companies such as
Prudential Securities, Charles Schwab and General Electric Credit; retailers
such as Nordstrom, J.C. Penney, May Department Stores and Wal-Mart;
manufacturers such as GTE, Caterpillar, Eastman Kodak, Lucent Technologies,
General Mills and Xerox; governmental bodies such as the U.S. Senate, U.S.
Customs, the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Government Printing Office;
credit companies such as GE Data Services and TRW Information Services; direct
marketers such as Publishers Clearing House, Lands End and L.L. Bean; service
companies such as American Express, Avis, Terminix and Tru Green Chem Lawn;
educational institutions such as The Johns Hopkins University, Duke University
Medical Center and MIT; health and leisure companies such as Nordic Track;
non-profit service groups such as The Girl Scouts of America, National
Geographic Society and AARP; cultural organizations such as the Metropolitan
Museum of Art and Metropolitan Opera
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Association; and hospitality and entertainment companies such as Marriott,
Mirage Resorts and Westin Hotels. The United States Postal Service is also a
client of Group 1.
Group 1's operations are in two business segments defined as marketing
support software and electronic document composition software (see Note 15 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements). No customer accounts for more than 10%
of the Company's revenue.
SALES AND MARKETING
Group 1 markets all of its software products in North America and Europe
through a direct sales and sales support organization of 90 employees located in
the U.S., Canada, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. To serve existing clients
and to attract new customers, Group 1 has two sales and support offices in the
Washington, D.C. area and eight other regional offices in the New York City,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Dallas, Minneapolis, Miami and Toronto
metropolitan areas. European offices are located in the London England,
Frankfurt Germany, Milan Italy and Copenhagen Denmark metropolitan areas.
The Group 1 sales organization is supported by a comprehensive marketing
program administered from Group 1's Lanham, Maryland headquarters. Marketing is
conducted through direct mail, print advertising, trade show exhibitions and
speaking engagements, product training seminars, telemarketing and a broad
variety of public relations activities including the Group 1 Report and the
annual Group 1 Software Users Conference.
Through its Group 1 Software Europe subsidiary, Group 1 has entered into
software distribution and support agreements for the DOC 1 product with
companies throughout Europe. These agreements provide for a royalty payment to
Group 1, with the distributor performing sales and marketing, customer service
and support activities. Group 1 continues to pursue additional international
sales and marketing opportunities for its products.
Group 1 has entered into joint marketing agreements with a number of
business partners including IBM, Xerox, Data General Corp., Portal Software,
Intertech, edocs, R.L. Polk, Campaign Mail & Data, MapInfo, Software Pursuits,
Mastersoft International Pty., Geographic Data Technology, Claritas/NPDC, AMS,
UNICA Technologies, Bell & Howell, OBIMD International, Business Documents,
Window Book and DataTech Business Enterprises. Generally, the agreements provide
for distribution of Group 1 products in conjunction with the business partner's
products. A sale may arise from either sales organization, and territories are
non-exclusive. The agreements provide for a commission payment to Group 1 when
it has contributed to a sale of the other company's products. Conversely, Group
1 may pay a commission when a partner contributes to a sale of Group 1 products
or services.
SUPPORT
Group 1 believes that effective support of its customers and products has
been a substantial factor in its success to date and will continue to be so in
the future. Customer support for these software products is provided by
telephone for assistance in product installation and problem resolution.
Automated call tracking, client-specific call routing and on-line bulletin board
services are also provided for maintenance customers. Customer support is
provided by telephone and, if necessary for large systems, on-site by qualified
Company personnel. Group 1 Software Europe also has modem links with many of its
worldwide customers to provide even higher levels of mission-critical support.
In the fiscal years ended March 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, maintenance and
enhancement fees represented approximately 38%, 35% and 33%, respectively, of
Group 1's revenue.
Professional services, including operations support, business analysis,
programming services, technical education and training, and operational reviews,
are provided at the client's location and at Group 1 training facilities
throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
The computer industry is characterized by rapid change in hardware and
software technology and in user needs, requiring a continuing expenditure for
product development. It is likely that such circumstances will continue in the
future. Accordingly, Group 1 must be able to provide new products and to modify
and to enhance existing products on a continuing basis to meet the requirements
of its customers and of regulatory agencies, particularly the US Postal Service
and the Canada Post Corporation. Group 1 may also have to adapt its products to
accommodate future changes in hardware and
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operating systems. To date, Group 1 has been able to adapt its products to such
changes and believes that it will be able to do so in the future. Most of the
Company's products are developed internally. The Company also purchases
technology, licenses intellectual property rights and oversees third party
development of certain products. Quality assurance testing of Group 1's new or
enhanced products is conducted by teams of experienced individuals drawn from
all segments of Group 1's organization under the direction of testing
specialists. Whether the product is developed internally or acquired from
another company, Group 1 considers it important to control the marketing,
distribution, enhancement and evolution of each of its products.
Significant investment was made during the year in new software
development for migration of products to the Open Systems platform.
Additionally, extensive work was performed on enhancing and integrating existing
mainframe, midrange and open system products.
During 1999, additional enhancements and new product releases including a
new release of Code 1 Plus, were made to help mailing efficiency customers meet
the expanding requirements of the U.S. Postal Service in order to qualify for
postal discounts.
COMPETITION
The computer software and service industry is highly competitive, and no
published data are available regarding Group 1's relative position in the
markets in which it operates. Although no major competitor currently competes
against Group 1 across its entire product line, competitive products offer many
similar features. Group 1's existing and potential competitors include companies
having greater financial, marketing and technical resources than Group 1. Group
1 believes that there are at least thirty-four companies that offer products
competitive with one or more of Group 1's products. Group 1 believes at least
twelve companies offer database marketing systems. At least five competitors are
in the document composition and production marketplace. For mailing efficiency
products, at least two competitors offer products that compete with Group 1 on
open system and mainframe platforms.
There can be no assurance that one or more of these competitors will not
develop products that are equal or superior to the products Group 1 expects to
market. In addition, many potential clients for which Group 1's products are
targeted have in-house capability to develop computer software programs.
Group 1 believes that the principal, distinguishing competitive factors
in the selection of its software products are price/performance characteristics,
marketing and sales expertise, ease of use, product features and functions,
reliability and quality of technical support, integration of the product line
and the financial strength of the publisher. Group 1 believes that it competes
favorably with regard to these factors including pricing and credit terms. Group
1's primary strengths are the technical capabilities of its personnel and
products, marketing and sales expertise, service and support, and industry
product leadership.
PRODUCT PROTECTION
Group 1 regards its software, in source and object code, as proprietary
and relies upon a combination of contract, trade secret and copyright laws to
protect its products and related manuals and documentation. The license
agreements under which clients use Group 1's products generally restrict the
client's use to its own operations and always prohibit unauthorized disclosure
to third persons. Notwithstanding these restrictions, it may be possible for
other persons to obtain copies of Group 1's products. Group 1 believes that
because of the rapid pace of technological change in the computer industry and
changes in postal regulations that affect several core products, copyright and
trade secret protection are less significant than factors such as the knowledge
and experience of Group 1's management and other personnel and their ability to
develop, enhance, market and acquire new products.
TRADEMARKS
GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, Group 1Group 1Software, CODE-1, CODE-1 CANADA, CODE-1
Plus, DataDesigns, EZ-LETTER, MailStream Plus, Mail Canada, Model 1 and
MOVEForward are registered trademarks of Group 1 Software, Inc. Canadian CODE-1
Plus, Code 1 Plus International, Generalized Selection, Geographic Coding Plus,
I/O-Jet, Merge/Purge Plus, Political Coding System, True Lead, DM 1 and DQ 1 are
trademarks of Group 1 Software, Inc. The trademark applications for registration
of DOC1, The Marketing Software Company and GeoTax are pending.
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EMPLOYEES
As of March 31, 1999, the Company employed 344 persons on a full-time
basis. Of those employees, 158 were in management, professional and technical
positions, 129 in marketing, sales and support and 57 in administrative
positions. None of the Company's employees is represented by a labor union and
the Company has experienced no work stoppages. The Company believes its employee
relations are satisfactory.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's executive and administrative offices are located in Lanham,
Maryland, a Washington, DC suburb, where the Company leases 51,900 square feet
under a lease that expires in 2004. These facilities also include Group 1's
headquarters and principal operations base. Group 1 has options to lease
additional space at specified periods during the term and to extend its lease.
Group 1 leases additional sales and support offices in the Chicago, Dallas, Los
Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York City, Herndon Virginia, Minneapolis,
Miami, London England, Frankfurt Germany, Milan Italy and Toronto Canada
metropolitan areas. See Note 14 of notes to consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings, which in its belief,
after review by legal counsel, could have a material adverse effect on the
consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations of the
Company.
The Company and certain of its directors have been named as defendants in
a purported shareholder class action filed on April 28, 1998 in the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware (CA. No. 16349), Brickell Partners,
Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Robert S. Bowen,
et al. The suit alleges that in connection with the merger of Group 1 Software,
Inc. into COMNET there were breaches of fiduciary duties in that COMNET, as
majority stockholder of Group 1 Software, Inc. "had greater knowledge of Group 1
Software, Inc. than the public shareholders and has timed the merger transaction
to take advantage of Group 1 Software, Inc.'s increased efficiency and prospects
of profitability", to the unfair disadvantage of Group 1 Software, Inc.'s public
shareholders. The Company believes that the complaint is meritless and is
pursuing dismissal of all the claims made by Plaintiff in the lawsuit. The
Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a
material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
NONE
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The trading of the common stock of the Company is reported on the NASDAQ
National Market System under the symbol GSOF. The table below sets forth the
highest and lowest closing prices between dealers for the quarter indicated.
These prices, as reported by NASDAQ, do not include retail markup, markdown or
commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
CLOSING COMMON STOCK PRICES
---------------------------
1999 HIGH LOW 1998 HIGH LOW
- ---- ------------------------ ---- ----------------------------
First - June 30, 1998 $ 14.63 $ 7.38 First - June 30, 1997 $ 11.00 $ 7.50
Second - September 30, 1998 $ 12.88 $ 6.50 Second - September 30, 1997 $ 9.75 $ 7.13
Third - December 31, 1998 $ 9.75 $ 7.00 Third - December 31, 1997 $ 9.25 $ 6.50
Fourth - March 31, 1999 $ 9.94 $ 7.25 Fourth - March 31, 1998 $ 8.75 $ 6.00
No cash dividends have been paid on the Company's common stock. The
Company pays dividends on the 6% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (see
Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The Board of Directors
intends to retain, for the foreseeable future, the Company's remaining earnings
for use in the development of the business.
At June 15, 1999, there were approximately 1,460 holders of record of the
Company's common stock, including persons who wish to be identified as having an
interest in shares held or recorded in "street name" with broker-dealers.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands except per share amounts)
Year Ended March 31,
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1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
------------ ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Statement of Earnings Data:
Revenue $ 65,291 $ 61,004 $ 54,547 $ 45,873 $ 37,883
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income taxes and minority interest $ 5,171 $ 2,335 $ (2,710) $ 5,472 $ 5,241
Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 3,058 $ 1,150 $ (1,600) $ 2,832 $ 2,658
Net loss from discontinued operations $ - - - - - - $ - - - $ - - - $ (282)
Net income (loss) $ 3,058 $ 1,150 $ (1,600) $ 2,832 $ 2,376
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing
operations $ 0.85 $ 0.30 $ (0.54) $ 0.85 $ 0.82
Basic loss from discontinued operations per
share $ - - - $ - - - $ - - - $ - - - $ (0.09)
Basic net earnings (loss) per share $ 0.85 $ 0.30 $ (0.54) $ 0.85 $ 0.73
Basic weighted average number of shares 3,509 3,274 3,263 3,140 3,016
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from
continuing operations $ 0.84 $ 0.29 $ (0.54) 0.79 $ 0.78
Diluted loss from discontinued operations per
share $ - - - $ - - - $ - - - $ - - - $ (0.09)
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share $ 0.84 $ 0.29 $ (0.54) $ 0.79 $ 0.69
Diluted weighted average number of shares 3,545 3,299 3,263 3,340 3,164
Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital $ 7,793 $ 6,692 $ 4,491 $ 6,829 $ 6,787
Total assets $ 77,799 $ 70,630 $ 75,856 $ 67,192 $ 57,148
Long-term debt, excluding current portion $ 198 $ 389 $ 304 $ 320 $ 561
Stockholders' equity $ 35,421 $ 27,158 $ 26,212 $ 27,433 $ 24,881
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Restated to report separately, as a discontinued operation, the results of
operations of COM-MED Systems.
9
10
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Any statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K concerning the
Company's business outlook or future economic performance; anticipated
profitability, revenues, expenses or other financial items; together with other
statements that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" as
that term is defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Forward-looking
statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements.
Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, changes
in currency exchange rates, changes and delays in new product introduction,
customer acceptance of new products, changes in government regulations, changes
in pricing or other actions by competitors and general economic conditions, as
well as other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Fiscal 1999 as Compared with Fiscal 1998
On September 25, 1998, the shareholders of COMNET Corporation ("COMNET")
and Group 1 Software, Inc. approved the proposed merger of Group 1 Software,
Inc. into COMNET. As a result of the merger, COMNET common stock was issued to
Group 1 Software, Inc.'s minority shareholders at an exchange ratio of 1.15
shares of COMNET for each share of Group 1 Software Inc.'s stock. This
transaction increased the total number of outstanding shares for the Company to
3,712,000. The surviving company was renamed Group 1 Software, Inc. ("Group 1"
or "the Company"). The merger was accounted for under purchase accounting and
$4.1 million of identifiable intangible assets were recorded which amount is
being amortized over the estimated useful life of 15 years.
For the year ended March 31, 1999, Group 1's revenue was $65.3 million
compared with $61.0 million for the prior year. Group 1 had net income available
to common stockholders for the year of $3.0 million compared with $1.0 million
for fiscal 1998. The increase in profitability is primarily attributed to
increased revenues and to decreased expenses resulting from new distribution
agreements for WorldTrak and PC postal products which were put in place in late
fiscal 1998.
All of Group 1's operations are in the two business segments defined as
marketing support software and electronic document composition software. Group 1
recognizes maintenance and enhancement revenue over the life of the service
agreement, usually one or two years. International revenues accounted for 17% of
Group 1's total revenue in fiscal 1999 and 15% in fiscal 1998. The percentage is
expected to increase with the continued growth of European and Latin American
revenue.
Software license fees and related revenue of $31.6 million represented a
decrease of 4% over the prior year attributable primarily to decreased sales of
the NADIS and MODEL 1 products as well as the PC Postal Products which were
licensed on a long term basis to a third party for distribution during 1998. As
a percent of total revenue, software license and related revenue was 48% and 54%
for fiscal years 1999 and 1998, respectively.
The Company's Mailing Efficiency software license fees increased 16% for
fiscal 1999 over the prior year. The increase is primarily due to higher sales
of CODE 1 Plus, the Company's most prominent Mailing Efficiency product.
License fees from Database Marketing systems decreased 42% for the fiscal
year. The decrease resulted from lower recognizable revenue in the Model 1,
DataDesigns and NADIS products. The DataDesigns product during 1999 was
predominately marketed as the DM1 solution which is being accounted for under
the percentage of completion method. At March 31, 1999 the Company had license
fee backlog in DM1 products of $1.0 million compared with no backlog at March
31, 1998. Backlog includes contracts that are accounted for under percentage of
completion that will be recognized as work is performed throughout the fiscal
year. The decreases were offset by higher sales in the Geotax and Geocoder
products.
Licensing of Electronic Document Systems increased by 10% in 1999 over
the prior fiscal year. The increase is due to higher sales in North America
offset slightly by lower sales in Europe.
Maintenance and services revenue of $33.7 million for the year increased
19% over the prior year. Maintenance and service revenue accounted for 52% of
total revenue in 1999 and 46% of total revenue in 1998. Recognized maintenance
fees were $24.7 million in 1999 and $21.2 million in 1998, an increase of 17%.
Professional service and educational training revenues of $9.0 million in 1999
and $7.0 million in 1998 represented an increase of 29%.
10
11
It is anticipated that service revenues will continue to increase as a
percentage of Group 1's total revenue. This will be partially the result of the
expected growth of licensing of DOC 1 products, whose customers typically
request more consulting and professional services than do the Company's
customers for traditional products. It will also be the result of higher sales
of integrated solutions, particularly database marketing systems, with
accompanying high levels of professional services.
Total operating costs of $60.4 million amounted to 92% of revenue in 1999
compared with $58.2 million or 95% of revenue during 1998. The various
components of operating costs are discussed below.
Software license expense increased to $10.7 million in fiscal 1999
representing 34% of software license and related revenues compared with $10.5
million in 1998 representing 32% of software license and related revenues. The
increase as a percent of revenue is due to higher software amortization expense
partially offset by lower royalties on sales of third party products spread over
a slightly lower software license revenue base.
Maintenance and service expense increased to $13.0 million in 1999 from
$12.5 million in 1998, 39% and 44% of maintenance and service revenue,
respectively. The decrease in expense as a percent of revenue is due to higher
revenues versus modest cost increases, partially offset by higher costs of
professional services and education training related to these services.
Included in maintenance and service expense above are professional
service and educational training costs of $6.6 million which were 73% of
professional services revenue during 1999 and $5.2 million and 74% of
professional services revenue for the prior year.
Costs of maintenance were $6.4 million for 1999 representing 26% of
maintenance revenue compared with costs of $7.3 million and 34% of revenue in
1998. The decreased costs as a percentage of maintenance revenue were primarily
due to increased maintenance revenue along with lower costs resulting from the
new distribution agreements for the WorldTrak and PC Postal product lines, which
shifted the support costs for these products to the respective licensees. The
Company anticipates these costs to remain relatively close to their current
levels.
Research, development and indirect support expenses (after capitalization
of certain development costs) totaled $2.7 million in 1999 and $2.9 million in
1998, representing 4% and 5% of total revenue. The Company anticipates these
costs to remain relatively close to their current levels.
Selling and marketing expenses totaled $21.7 million or 33% of revenue in
1999 and $20.9 million or 34% of revenue in 1998. The decrease in costs as a
percentage of revenue is primarily due to lower costs associated with the
WorldTrak and PC operations offset slightly by higher marketing costs in fiscal
1999. The Company expects these costs to remain relatively close to current
levels as a percentage of revenue.
General and administrative expenses were $12.2 million or 19% of total
revenue in 1999 compared with $11.4 million or 19% for 1998. The increase in the
current year is primarily due to performance related bonuses.
Net non-operating income was $0.2 million in 1999 compared with net
non-operating expense of $0.5 million in 1998. The difference primarily reflects
increased interest income on increased cash and short-term investment balances
and decreased interest expense resulting from the elimination of short-term
borrowings. The Company expects non-operating income to increase as interest
income on cash and investments increases and short-term borrowing requirements
remain minimal; these expectations could be affected substantially by
newly-identified investment opportunities including acquisitions.
The Company's effective tax rate was 39% in both 1999 and in 1998. The
current year's rate is the net effect of a 45% domestic tax rate combined with a
34% foreign tax rate on taxable net income.
Stock Repurchase from Merck & Co Inc.
By agreement dated September 24, 1998, the Company repurchased 513,345
shares of common stock and 100,000 shares of its 6 percent cumulative
convertible preferred stock from Merck & Co., Inc. The total cost to Group 1 of
the repurchase was $4.1 million. Merck was Group 1's largest shareholder with
14% of the Company's outstanding common stock and 68% of the preferred stock.
The repurchased common stock was subsequently reissued in connection with the
acquisition of the minority interest of Group 1 Software, Inc.
11
12
Fiscal 1998 as Compared with Fiscal 1997
The Company derived its earnings from Group 1 Software, Inc., its 81%
owned subsidiary, which developed, acquired, marketed and supported specialized
marketing and mail management software. For the year ended March 31, 1998, the
Company's revenue was $61.0 million compared with $54.5 million the prior year.
The Company had net income available to common stockholders of $1.0 million or
$0.29 per share compared with a net loss available to common stockholders of
$1.8 million or $0.54 per share the prior year. The increase in profitability is
primarily attributed to write downs in the net realizable value of certain
capitalized software products taken during 1997.
For the year ended March 31, 1998, Group 1's Software, Inc. revenue was
$61.0 million compared with $54.5 million for the prior year. Group 1 Software,
Inc. had net income for the year of $1.4 million compared with a net loss of
$1.6 million for fiscal 1997. The increase in profitability is primarily
attributed to write downs in the net realizable value of certain capitalized
software products taken during 1997.
All of Group 1 Software, Inc.'s operations were in the two business
segments defined as marketing support software and electronic document systems
software. Group 1 Software, Inc. recognizes maintenance and enhancement
revenue over the life of the service agreement, usually from one to five years.
International revenues account for 15.4% of Group 1 Software, Inc.'s total
revenue in fiscal 1998 and 15.7% in fiscal 1997.
Software license fees and related revenue of $32.8 million represented an
increase of 7% over the prior year attributable primarily to increased sales of
the DOC 1 product offset by lower sales of the mailing efficiency products as
well as WorldTrak and PC Postal Products which were licensed on a long term
basis to third parties for distribution during the latter part of 1998. As a
percent of total revenue, software license and related revenue was 54% and 56%
for fiscal years 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Licensing of Electronic Document Systems increased by 40% over the prior
fiscal year. Sales of the DOC 1 system continued to grow both in North America
and Europe.
The Company's core Mailing Efficiency software license fees for fiscal
1998 decreased 34% over the prior year. The decreases were in both mainframe and
open systems platforms resulting from price competition on the open systems
platform.
License fees from Database Marketing Systems increased 138% for the
fiscal year. The increase resulted from higher sales in the Geocoding, Model 1
and NADIS products. The increases were offset by lower sales in the Data Designs
product along with lower sales in other coding products.
License fees for Customer Information Management Systems decreased 94% in
fiscal 1998 due to lower sales of the World Trak products which were licensed on
a long term basis to a third party for distribution during 1998.
Maintenance and other revenue of $28.2 million for the year increased 18%
over the prior year. Maintenance and other revenue accounted for 46% of total
revenue in 1998 and 44% of total revenue in 1997. Recognized maintenance fees
were $21.2 million in 1998 and $18.2 million in 1997, an increase of 16%.
Professional service and educational training revenues of $7.0 million in 1998
and $5.7 million in 1997 represented an increase of 23%. The maintenance renewal
rate was 84% for fiscal year 1998 compared with 83% in fiscal 1997.
Group 1 Software, Inc. expects maintenance renewal revenue to grow at a
lower percentage than in prior years due to the high rate of conversion to Open
System products, which conversion typically includes multi-year maintenance
agreements and increased sales of certain third party products for which
maintenance is provided by the third party. It is anticipated that the other
service revenues will continue to increase as a percentage of Group 1's total
revenue, resulting from the growth of DOC 1 and Data Designs products whose
customers typically request more consulting and professional services than do
the Company's customers for traditional products.
Total operating costs of $58.2 million amounted to 95% of revenue in 1998
compared with $56.8 million or 104% of revenue during 1997. The various
components of operating costs are discussed below.
12
13
Software license expense decreased to $10.5 million in fiscal 1998
representing 32% of software license and related revenues compared with $12.5
million in 1997 representing 41% of software license and related revenues. The
decrease was due to the write-downs of software at the end of fiscal 1997 offset
by increases in royalty expense in 1998 from the sale of third party products.
Excluding the write-downs, software license expense in 1997 was $8.3 million or
27% of software license revenue. The Company believes these costs, as a
percentage of revenue will remain at approximately the current levels.
Maintenance and service expense decreased to $12.5 million in 1998 from
$12.9 million in 1997, 44% and 54% of maintenance and service revenue,
respectively. The decrease in expense is due to the new distribution agreements
for the WorldTrak and PC Postal products along with other cost saving measures
taken during the year partially offset by higher costs of professional service
and education training related to these services.
Included in maintenance and service expense above are professional
service and educational training costs of $5.1 million which were 73% of
professional services revenue during 1998 and $4.6 million and 81% of
professional services revenue for the prior year.
Costs of maintenance were $7.4 million for 1998 representing 35% of
maintenance revenue compared with costs of $8.3 million and 45% of revenue in
1997. The decreased costs as a percentage of maintenance revenue were primarily
due to increased maintenance revenue along with the new licensing agreements for
the WorldTrak and PC Postal product lines, which shifted the support costs for
these products to the respective licensees. The Company anticipates these costs
to remain relatively close to their current levels.
Research, development and indirect support expenses (after capitalization
of certain development costs) totaled $2.9 million in 1998 and $2.7 million in
1997, representing 5% of total revenue for both periods. The Company anticipates
these costs to remain relatively close to their current levels.
Selling and marketing expenses totaled $20.9 million or 34% of revenue in
1998 and $20.2 million or 37% of total revenue in 1997. The decrease in costs as
a percentage of revenue are primarily due to lower costs associated with the
WorldTrak and PC licensing agreements along with other cost saving measures
taken during the year. These savings were offset by slightly higher marketing
costs in fiscal 1998. The Company expects these costs to remain relatively close
to current levels as a percentage of revenue.
General and administrative expenses were $11.4 million or 19% of total
revenue in 1998 compared with $8.6 million or 16% for 1997. The increase in the
current year is primarily due to higher executive compensation accruals and
increased bad debt reserves primarily for WorldTrak and PC account receivables.
Net non-operating expense was $0.5 million in 1998 compared to net
non-operating expense of $0.4 million in 1997. The difference primarily reflects
higher expense from loss on disposal of assets offset by lower net interest
expense. The Company expects this expense to decrease due to lower short-term
borrowing requirements.
The Company's effective tax rate was 39% in 1998 and 30% in 1997. The
current year's rate is the net effect of a 10% domestic tax benefit on taxable
loss combined with a 33% foreign tax rate on taxable net income.
The Year 2000 Issue
The Year 2000 issue affects virtually all companies and organizations.
Many existing computer programs and digital systems used by, and sold by, Group
1 Software, use only two digits to identify a year in the date field, creating
the possibility of system malfunction after December 31, 1999.
In 1997, the Company formed two special task forces:
- The first task force was established to identify and evaluate our
internal systems and applications that may be affected by the Year
2000 issue; modify or replace those systems and applications so
they will work properly in the Year 2000, and communicate with our
suppliers to make sure they are prepared for the Year 2000.
- The second task force was established to evaluate the products
sold by us, to ensure they will function as designed after the
Year 2000.
13
14
The Company has identified and evaluated all of our systems and
applications that may be affected by the Year 2000 issue, and have developed
plans to ready these systems and applications for the century change.
Modification and replacement projects are currently under way. The Company has
completed testing on its major finance and customer information management
systems for Year 2000 functionality. Other less critical systems continue to be
tested and upgraded as required. Current releases of all products modification
sold by the Company, with one exception, have been modified to ensure Year 2000
functionality. The final product modification is scheduled for release later
this year. The costs of the readiness program for products and internal systems
are primarily costs of existing internal resources largely absorbed within
existing spending levels. These costs were incurred primarily in 1998 and
earlier years and were not broken out from other operating costs. No future
material product readiness costs are anticipated. Although the Company expects
to be Year 2000 ready when necessary, failure of the Company or significant key
suppliers or customers to be fully Year 2000 ready could potentially have a
material adverse impact on the results of the Company's operations. The Company
is currently evaluating contingency plans.
SEASONALITY AND INFLATION
Group 1 in the past has experienced greater sales and earnings in the
January-March quarter, the fourth quarter of its fiscal year; there can be no
assurance, however, that this will occur in the future. This seasonal factor is
believed to be attributable to buying patterns of major accounts and also to a
fiscal year incentive program for Group 1's sales representatives. Group 1's
revenue and resultant earnings have shown substantial variation on a
quarter-to-quarter basis. The Company's license agreements represent the
culmination of a sales cycle averaging three to six months. Any significant
lengthening in the sales cycle can have the effect of moving revenue from one
quarter into the next, contributing to quarter-to-quarter variations.
Prices remain stable for Group 1's products. Inflation directly affects
Group 1's cost structure principally in the areas of employee compensation and
benefits, occupancy and support services and supplies.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's working capital was $7.8 million at March 31, 1999 as
compared with $6.7 million in the prior year. The current ratio was 1.2 to 1 at
both March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998. Note that the current portion of
deferred revenue related to maintenance and enhancement contracts is included in
current liabilities. Accordingly, working capital and current ratios may not be
directly comparable to such data for companies in other industries where similar
revenue deferrals are not typical.
The Company provides for its cash requirements through cash funds
generated from operations. Additionally, the Company maintains a $10 million
line of credit arrangement with a commercial bank, expiring October 31, 1999.
The line of credit bears interest at the bank's prime rate, or Libor plus 150
basis points at Group 1's option. The line of credit is not collateralized and
requires Group 1 to maintain certain operating ratios. At March 31, 1999 and at
March 31, 1998 there were no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit.
During fiscal 1999 net income before preferred dividends of $3.1 million
along with non-cash expenses of $13.6 million provided a total of $16.7 million
cash from operating activities. A decrease in accounts receivables added $3.1
million cash during the year from operating activities. This decrease was due to
improved collections during the year. Deferred revenues increased cash by $2.1
million; other working capital items increased cash by $3.1 million. Cash flows
from investing activities consist of expenditures for investments in software
development and capital equipment of $9.0 million and $1.5 million for the
purchase of marketable securities. $4.6 million for the repurchase of stock and
minority interest along with payments on long-term debt and preferred dividends
of $0.3 million were partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock
options of $0.2 million for a total of $4.2 million cash used in financing
activities.
Group 1 continually evaluates the credit and market risks associated with
outstanding receivables. In the course of this review, Group 1 considers many
factors specific to the individual client as well as to the concentration of
receivables within industry groups. Group 1's installment receivables are
predominately with clients (service bureaus) who provide computer services to
the direct marketing industry. Many of these clients have limited capital and
insufficient assets to secure their liability with the Group 1. The service
bureaus are highly dependent on Group 1's software and services to offer their
customers the economic benefit of postal discounts and mailing efficiency. To
qualify for the U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post Corporation postal
discounts, service bureaus require continuous regulatory product updates from
the Company. The service bureau industry is also highly competitive and subject
to general economic cycles, as they impact
14
15
advertising and direct marketing expenditures. The Company is aware of no
current market risk associated with the installment receivables. Service bureaus
represent approximately $4.3 million or 73%, of the installment receivables at
March 31, 1999.
As of March 31, 1999, the Company's capital resource commitments
consisted primarily of non-cancelable operating lease commitments for office
space and equipment. The Company believes that its current minimum lease
obligations and other short-term and long-term liquidity needs can be met from
its existing cash and short-term investment balances and cash flows from
operations. The Company believes that its long-term liquidity needs are minimal
and no large capital expenditures are anticipated, except for the continuing
investment in capitalized software development costs, which the Company believes
can be funded from operations during the next twelve months.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS
133"). SFAS 133 is effective for transactions entered into after March 31, 2000
and requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at
fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in
current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a
derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and the type of hedge
transaction. The ineffective portion of all hedges will be recognized in
earnings. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this new statement
but does not expect any material effect on its consolidated financial position,
liquidity or results of operation.
In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA) issued SOP 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 provides guidance for
determining whether computer software is internal-use software and on accounting
for the proceeds of computer software originally developed or obtained for
internal use and then subsequently sold to the public. It also provides guidance
on capitalization of the costs incurred for computer software developed or
obtained for internal use. The Company believes that the adoption of SOP 98-1
will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. SOP
98-1 will be effective for Group 1's consolidated financial statements for the
fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The company has a subsidiary in the United Kingdom with offices in
Germany and Denmark. Additionally, the Company uses third party distributors to
market and distribute its products in other international regions. Transactions
conducted by the subsidiary are typically denominated in the local country
currency, while transactions conducted by the distributors are typically
denominated in pounds sterling. As a results, the company is primarily exposed
to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of its subsidiary
and third party distributors are translated into U.S. dollars in consolidation.
As exchange rates vary, these results, when translated, may vary from
expectations and impact overall expected profitibility. However, through and as
of March 31, 1999, the Company's exposure was not material to the overall
financial statements taken as a whole. The Company has not entered into any
foreign currency hedging transactions with respect to its foreign currency
market risk. The Company does not have any financial instruments subject to
material market risk. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statement.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See pages 17 through 38.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
15
16
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
-------------------
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Group 1 Software, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of operations, of changes in stockholders' equity and of
cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Group 1 Software, Inc. and its subsidiaries at March 31, 1999 and 1998, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended March 31, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, Virginia
June 4, 1999
16
17
GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value)
MARCH 31,
---------------------------------------------
1999 1998
------------------ -----------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,378 $ 3,683
Short-term investments 1,471 - - -
Trade and installment accounts receivable, less
allowance of $3,383 and $3,603 22,596 27,233
Deferred income taxes 3,039 3,408
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,149 3,086
------------ ------------
Total current assets 43,633 37,410
Installment accounts receivable, long-term 2,221 3,810
Property and equipment, net 3,678 3,544
Computer software, net 22,559 23,359
Other assets 5,708 2,507
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 77,799 $ 70,630
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 2,136 $ 2,099
Current portion of long-term debt 99 157
Accrued expenses 5,647 6,279
Accrued compensation 7,095 4,699
Current deferred revenues 20,863 17,484
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 35,840 30,718
Long-term debt, net of current portion 198 389
Deferred revenues, long-term 2,670 3,653
Deferred income taxes 3,670 3,029
Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiary - - - 5,683
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 42,378 43,472
------------ ------------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders' equity:
6% cumulative convertible preferred stock $0.25 par value;
200 shares authorized; 48 and 148 issued and outstanding 916 2,846
Common stock $0.50 par value; 14,000 shares authorized; 4,045
and 3,594 issued and outstanding 2,023 1,797
Additional paid in capital 25,071 17,763
Retained earnings 9,451 6,480
Accumulated comprehensive income 14 287
Less treasury stock, 322 and 316 shares, at cost (2,054) (2,015)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 35,421 27,158
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 77,799 $ 70,630
============ ============
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
17
18
GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
Year Ended March 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Revenues:
Software license and related revenues $31,631 $ 32,786 $ 30,621
Maintenance and services 33,660 28,218 23,926
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Total revenue 65,291 61,004 54,547
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Cost of revenue:
Software license expense 10,702 10,491 12,511
Maintenance and service expense 13,047 12,544 12,915
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Total cost of revenue 23,749 23,035 25,426
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Gross profit 41,542 37,969 29,121
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Operating expenses:
Research and development 2,743 2,858 2,654
Sales and marketing 21,695 20,893 20,244
General and administrative 12,180 11,418 8,507
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Total operating expenses 36,618 35,169 31,405
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Income (loss) from operations 4,924 2,800 (2,284)
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Non-operating income (expense)
Interest income 427 118 130
Interest expense (104) (471) (554)
Other non-operating (76) (112) (2)
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Total non-operating income (expense) 247 (465) (426)
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Income (loss) from operations before provision for
income taxes and minority interest 5,171 2,335 (2,710)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 2,030 921 (800)
Minority interest in net income (loss) of
consolidated subsidiary 83 264 (310)
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Net income (loss) 3,058 1,150 (1,600)
Preferred stock dividend requirements (87) (177) (177)
---------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 2,971 $ 973 $ (1,777)
====================== ==================== ===================
Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.85 $ 0.30 $ (0.54)
====================== ==================== ===================
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.84 $ 0.29 $ (0.54)
====================== ==================== ===================
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 3,509 3,274 3,263
====================== ==================== ===================
Diluted weighted average
shares outstanding 3,545 3,299 3,263
====================== ==================== ===================
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
18
19
GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)
Year Ended March 31,
-----------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
-------------- -------------- --------------
Net income (loss) $3,058 $ 1,150 $ (1,600)
Foreign currency translation adjustments (273) (64) 285
Unrealized gain on investments - - - - - - 2
-------------- ------------- -------------
Comprehensive income (loss) $2,785 $ 1,086 $ (1,313)
============== ============= =============
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
19
20
GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
Preferred Stock Common Stock
------------------------------ ---------------------------
Additional Paid
Shares Amount Shares Par Value In Capital
---------------- ------------ --------------------------- ----------------
Balance, March 31, 1996 148 $2,846 3,563 $1,781 $17,472
Dividends to preferred stockholders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options - - - - - - 25 13 256
Gain on foreign currency translation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Unrealized gain on investments - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Net loss - - - - - - - - - - - -
-------------- ------------ --------------------------- ----------------
Balance, March 31, 1997 148 $2,846 3,588 1,794 17,728
Dividends to preferred stockholders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options - - - - - - 6 3 35
Loss on foreign currency translation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Net income - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-------------- ------------ --------------------------- ----------------
Balance, March 31, 1998 148 2,846 3,594 1,797 17,763
Dividends to preferred stockholders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Redemption of preferred stock below
carrying value (100) (1,930) - - - - - - 1,255
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options - - - - - - 34 17 283
Repurchase of treasury stock - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Minority interest acquisition - - - - - - 417 209 5,770
Loss on foreign currency translation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Net income - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-------------- ------------ --------------------------- ----------------
Balance, March 31, 1999 48 $916 4,045 $2,023 $25,071
============== ============ =========================== ================
Treasury Stock
--------------------------
Accumulated
Other Total
Retained Comprehensive Stockholders'
Earnings Shares Amount Income Equity
--------------- ---------- ------------ -------------- ----------------
-------------- ----------------
Balance, March 31, 1996 $7,284 316 $(2,015) $64 $27,432
Dividends to preferred stockholders (177) - - - - - - - - - (177)
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options - - - - - - - - - - - - 269
Gain on foreign currency translation - - - - - - - - - 285 285
Unrealized gain on investments - - - - - - 2 2
Net loss (1,600) - - - - - - - - - (1,600)
----------------- ---------- ------------ -------------- ----------------
Balance, March 31, 1997 5,507 316 (2,015) 351 26,211
Dividends to preferred stockholders (177) - - - - - - - - - (177)
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options - - - - - - - - - - - - 38
Loss on foreign currency translation - - - - - - (64) (64)
Net income 1,150 - - - - - - - - - 1,150
----------------- ---------- ------------ -------------- ----------------
Balance, March 31, 1998 6,480 316 (2,015) 287 27,158
Dividends to preferred stockholders (87) - - - - - - (87)
Redemption of preferred stock below
carrying value - - - - - - - - - - - - (675)
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options - - - 6 (39) - - - 261
Repurchase of treasury stock - - - 513 (3,465) - - - (3,465)
Minority interest acquisition - - - (513) 3,465 - - - 9,444
Loss on foreign currency translation - - - - - - - - - (273) (273)
Net income 3,058 - - - - - - - - - 3,058
----------------- ---------- ------------ -------------- --------------
Balance, March 31, 1999 $9,451 322 $(2,054) $14 $35,421
================= ========== ============ ============== ==============
See notes to consolidated financial statement
21
21
GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year Ended March 31,
-----------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------- ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 3,058 $ 1,150 $ (1,600)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from
operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization expense 8,505 7,159 10,849
Depreciation expense 1,299 1,151 986
Provision for doubtful accounts 2,955 3,505 1,956
Net loss on disposal of assets 8 51 - - -
Deferred income taxes 788 (802) (808)
Minority interest in income (loss) of
consolidated subsidiary 83 264 (310)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 3,063 4,070 (10,472)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 227 1,291 (556)
Other assets 552 90 (441)
Deferred revenues 2,135 292 2,640
Accounts payable 49 (1,068) 677
Accrued expenses 2,242 1,597 (56)
------------- ----------- ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 24,964 18,750 2,865
------------- ----------- ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase and development of computer software (7,471) (8,328) (10,615)
Purchase of property and equipment (1,546) (1,151) (1,255)
Purchase of marketable securities (1,471) - - - - - -
Sale of marketable securities - - - - - - 1,981
Purchase of minority interest (454) - - - - - -
------------- ----------- ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (10,942) (9,479) (9,889)
------------- ----------- ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings - - - 11,853 20,962
Repayment of short-term borrowings - - - (18,950) (13,865)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 261 38 269
Proceeds from long-term debt - - - 199 559
Repayment of long-term debt (249) (120) (976)
Dividends paid on preferred stock (117) (177) (177)
Repurchase of common stock (3,465) - - - - - -
Repurchase of preferred stock (675) - - - - - -
------------- ----------- ------------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (4,245) (7,157) 6,772
------------- ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 9,777 2,114 (252)
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash
equivalents (82) (60) 36
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3,683 1,629 1,845
------------- ----------- ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 13,378 $ 3,683 1,629
============= =========== ============
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
22
22
GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
On September 25, 1998, the shareholders of COMNET Corporation ("COMNET")
and Group 1 Software, Inc. both approved the proposed merger of Group 1
Software, Inc. into COMNET. The surviving company was renamed Group 1 Software,
Inc. ("Group 1") (see Note 2) The accompanying consolidated financial statements
for Group 1 (formerly doing business as COMNET Corporation) which was
incorporated June 1967. Unless otherwise indicated in the Notes to the
Consolidated Financials Statements, the term "Company" will refer to the
operations of Group 1 and its subsidiaries. Group 1 Software, Inc. develops,
acquires, markets and supports specialized marketing, electronic document
composition and mail management software. The Company distributes all of its
products in North America and its Electronic Document Systems throughout the
world.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts
of Group 1 Software, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
The Company's revenues are derived from the sale of perpetual licenses
for its software and from the sale of related services, which include
maintenance and support, consulting and training services. Revenues from license
arrangements are recognized upon shipment of the product when persuasive
evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed and
determinable and collectibility is probable. If an ongoing vendor obligation
exists under the license arrangement, revenue is deferred based on
vendor-specific objective evidence of the undelivered element. If
vendor-specific objective evidence does not exist for all undelivered elements,
all revenue is deferred until sufficient evidence exists or all elements have
been delivered. Revenues from annual maintenance and support are deferred and
recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Revenues from consulting and
training are deferred and recognized when the services are performed and
collectibility is deemed probable. During fiscal 1999, the Company recognized
revenue in accordance with Statement of Position No. 97-2 ("SOP 97-2"),
"Software Revenue Recognition" as amended by Statement of Position 98-4,
"Deferral of the Effective Date of a Provision of SOP 97-2". Prior to fiscal
1999, the Company recognized revenues in accordance with Statement of Position
91-1, "Software Revenue Recognition".
In December 1998, the American Institute of Certified public Accountants
("AICPA") issued Statement of Position No. 98-9 ("SOP 98-9"), "Modification of
SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to Certain Transactions.
"The provisions of SOP 98-9 will be adopted for transactions entered into during
the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1999.
23
23
The amount of deferred revenue at March 31, 1999 to be recognized during
the subsequent years is (in thousands):
2000 $20,863
2001 2,130
2002 427
2003 85
2004 and thereafter 28
-----------
$23,533
===========
Contracts for professional services are negotiated individually. The
Company generally recognizes revenues from professional service contracts on a
time and materials basis as the work is performed. Fixed price professional
service contracts are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method as
work is performed, measured primarily by the ratio of labor hours incurred to
total estimated labor hours for each specific contract. When the total estimated
cost of a contract is expected to exceed the contract price, the total estimated
loss is charged to expense in the period when the information is known.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of
three months or less at the time the investments are acquired to be cash
equivalents.
Short-term Investments
The Company classifies its investments in commercial paper as
available-for-sale. As of March 31, 1999 the company had available-for-sale
investments of $1.5 million. The Company had no short-term investments as of
March 31, 1998. The investments are adjusted to market value at the end of each
accounting period. Unrealized gains and losses are charged or credited to other
comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders equity. Realized
gains and losses on the sale of investments, as determined on a specific
identification basis, are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
To date unrealized gains and losses have not been material.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to
ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over
the shorter of their useful lives or the lives of the respective leases.
Research and Product Development
Research and product development costs not subject to Financial
Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 86 ("SFAS 86"), "Accounting for the
Cost of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed," are
expensed as incurred and relate mainly to the development of new products and
on-going maintenance of existing products.
24
24
Software development costs incurred subsequent to establishment of the
software's technological feasibility are capitalized. Capitalization ceases when
the software is available for general release to customers. All costs not
meeting the requirements for capitalization are expensed in the period incurred.
Capitalized software development costs are amortized by the greater of (a) the
ratio that current gross revenues for the product bear to the total of current
and anticipated future gross revenues for that product or (b) the straight-line
method over the remaining estimated economic life of the product including the
period being reported on. At the balance sheet date, the Company evaluates the
net realizable value of the capitalized costs and adjusts the current period
amortization for any impairment of the capitalized asset value.
Costs for research and development incurred in fiscal 1999, 1998, and
1997 were approximately $9,896,000, $11,493,000, and $11,985,000, respectively.
Under SFAS 86, software development costs amounting to $7,153,000, $8,635,000,
and $9,331,000 were capitalized during fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
During fiscal 1999, 1998, and 1997, amortization of capitalized internally
developed computer software costs, were $7,649,000, $6,068,000, and $8,540,000,
respectively.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the
fair market value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired in various
acquisitions and is being amortized over the estimated economic useful life
ranging from nine to fifteen years. Amortization charged to operations amounted
to $353,000, $251,000, and $171,000, for fiscal 1999, 1998, and 1997,
respectively. At each balance sheet date, the Company evaluates the net
realizable value of goodwill based upon expectations of non-discounted cash
flows and operating income. Based upon its most recent analysis, Group 1
believes that no impairment of goodwill existed at March 31, 1999.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency for the Company's international subsidiary is the
applicable local currency. The financial statements of the international
subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at
period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each
reporting period for results of operations. Adjustments resulting from
translation of financial statements are included in stockholders' equity as
comprehensive income. The Company does not attempt to hedge it foreign
currency exposures. Foreign currency losses of $273,000 in 1999 and $64,000 in
1998 and gains of $285,000 in 1997 are included in comprehensive income.
Stock-based Compensation Plans
The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements
in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," ("APB 25") and complies with the
disclosure provisions of SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation."
Under APB 25, compensation cost is recognized over the vesting period based on
the difference, if any, on the date of grant between the fair market value of
the Company's stock and the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.
The Company's policy is to grant options with an exercise price equal to the
quoted market price of the Company's stock on the grant date. Accordingly, no
compensation expense has been recognized for its stock option plans.
Income Taxes
The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes.
Under the liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax
consequences of temporary differences by applying currently enacted statutory
tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial
statements carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and
liabilities.
25
25
Minority Interest
Minority interest of approximately 18.8% for the six months ending
September 30, 1998 and each of the years ended March 31, 1998, and 1997, is
reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements of
operations and is the portion of Group 1 Software, Inc. that was not owned by
the Company. As of March 31, 1999 the Company owned 100% of Group 1 Software,
Inc. (see Note 2).
Earnings (Loss) per Share of Common Stock
Earnings per share (EPS) is computed in accordance with SFAS No. 128,
"Earnings Per Share". Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss)
available to common stockholders by the weighted number of common shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted
average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive securities
outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities consist of
convertible preferred stock (using the if converted method) and stock options
(using the treasury stock method). Potentially dilutive securities are excluded
from the computation if the effect is antidilutive.
Reconciliation of basic EPS calculations to the shares used in the diluted EPS
calculation (in thousands):
Year Ended March 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding -
basic 3,509 3,274 3,263
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options 36 25 - - -
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding -
diluted 3,545 3,299 3,263
====================== ===================== ===================
There were additional potentially dilutive stock options of 163,992 in
1997 which were not included in the loss per share calculation due to their
anti-dilutive effect. There were additional potentially dilutive convertible
preferred shares of 96,111 in 1999 and 147,500 in 1998 and 1997 which were not
included in the earnings (loss) per share calculation due to their anti-dilutive
effect.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company designs, develops, manufactures, markets and supports
computer software systems to customers in diversified industries. The Company
performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and
generally requires no collateral. The Company's installment receivables are
predominately with clients (service bureaus) who provide computer services to
the direct marketing industry. Certain of these service bureau clients may have
limited capital and insufficient assets to secure their liability to the
Company. The service bureau industry is also highly competitive and subject to
general economic cycles as they impact advertising and direct marketing
expenditures. These customers represent approximately $4.3 million or 73% of the
installment receivables balance at March 31, 1999 versus $5.0 million or 63% at
March 31, 1998. The Company maintains an allowance for uncollectible accounts
receivable based upon the expected collectibility of all accounts receivable.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of, specifies circumstances in which certain
long-lived assets must be reviewed for impairment. If such review indicates that
the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the sum of its expected future cash
flows, the asset's carrying value must be written down to fair value.
26
26
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS
133"). SFAS 133 is effective for transactions entered into after March 31, 2000
and requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at
fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in
current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a
derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and the type of hedge
transaction. The ineffective portion of all hedges will be recognized in
earnings. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this new statement
but does not expect any material effect on its consolidated financial position,
liquidity or results of operation.
In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA) issued SOP 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 provides guidance for
determining whether computer software is internal-use software and on accounting
for the proceeds of computer software originally developed or obtained for
internal use and then subsequently sold to the public. It also provides guidance
on capitalization of the costs incurred for computer software developed or
obtained for internal use. The Company believes that the adoption of SOP 98-1
will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. SOP
98-1 will be effective for Group 1's consolidated financial statements for the
fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash
and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts
payable approximate their fair value due to the short maturity of these
instruments.
Reclassification
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
current year presentation.
(2) ACQUISITION OF MINORITY INTEREST
On September 25, 1998, the Company formerly known as COMNET acquired the
minority interest held by Group 1 Software, Inc.'s minority shareholders for a
total purchase price of $9,899,000. The purchase price included the issuance of
930,475 shares of COMNET's common stock plus direct acquisition costs of
$454,000. COMENT issued 930,475 shares to Group 1 Software Inc.'s minority
shareholders at an exchange ratio of 1.15 shares of COMNET common stock for each
share of Group 1 Software, Inc.'s common stock. The surviving company was
renamed Group 1 Software, Inc.
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. The purchase price has been allocated to minority interest acquired
based on its estimated fair value as shown below:
Allocation of purchase price (in thousands):
Total purchase price $9,899
Allocated fair value of minority interest (5,766)
--------
Goodwill $4,133
========
Goodwill is being amortized over its estimated useful life of 15 years.
The operating results related to the acquired minority interest have been
included in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended March
31, 1999 from September 25, 1998 (the date of acquisition.) The proforma results
below assume the acquisition occurred at the beginning of the years ended March
31, 1999 and 1998:
27
27
For the Year Ended For the Year Ended
March 31, 1999 March 31, 1998
(in thousands) (in thousands)
-------------- --------------
Net revenue $ 65,291 $ 61,004
Operating income 4,787 2,524
Net income available to common stockholders 2,917 961
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.74 $ 0.24
Diluted $ 0.73 $ 0.24
The proforma results are not necessarily indicative of what actually would have
occurred if the acquisition had been completed as of the beginning of each of
the years presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated
results.
(3) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable are
comprised of the following (in
thousands): March 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998
---------------------- -----------------------
Trade $ 22,316 $ 26,610
Installment accounts receivable,
interest typically at 8.5% to 13% 5,884 8,036
Allowance for doubtful accounts (3,383) (3,603)
---------------------- -----------------------
24,817 31,043
Less non-current portion of
installment accounts receivable (2,221) (3,810)
---------------------- -----------------------
Current portion $ 22,596 $ 27,233
====================== =======================
(4) PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised of the following
(in thousands):
March 31,
---------------------------------------------------
1999 1998
---------------------- ------------------
Prepaid expense $ 833 $ 957
Prepaid commission 1,231 933
Prepaid royalty 350 425
Other assets 735 771
---------------------- ------------------
$ 3,149 $ 3,086
====================== ==================
Prepaid commissions and royalties primarily relate to amounts paid, as of
the balance sheet date, on initial maintenance and enhancement revenues and
contracts being recognized under the percentage of completion method which have
been deferred into future periods.
28
28
(5) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment is comprised of the following (in thousands):
March 31,
---------------------------------------
1999 1998
---------------- ---------------
Computer equipment $ 5,347 $ 5,135
Furniture and fixtures 2,433 2,478
Leasehold improvements 1,142 927
---------------- ---------------
8,922 8,540
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization