UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended January 29, 2005

OR

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

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission file number: 000-25601

BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

1745 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 333-8000
(Address, including zip code, of Registrant’s
principal executive offices and telephone
number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes R No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes R No £

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock on February 26, 2005 was 268,513,849 shares.

BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 29, 2005

INDEX

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

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

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BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value)
(Unaudited)

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

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BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

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

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BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Operations of Brocade

     Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (Brocade or the Company) designs, develops, markets, sells, and supports data storage networking products and services, offering a line of storage networking products that enables companies to implement highly available, scalable, manageable, and secure environments for data storage applications. The Brocade SilkWorm® family of storage area networking (SAN) products is designed to help companies reduce the cost and complexity of managing business information within a data storage environment. Brocade products and services are marketed, sold, and supported worldwide to end-user customers through distribution partners, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), value-added distributors, systems integrators, and value-added resellers.

     Brocade was incorporated on May 14, 1999 as a Delaware corporation, succeeding operations that began on August 24, 1995. The Company’s headquarters are located in San Jose, California.

     Brocade, SilkWorm, and the Brocade logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or in other countries. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to identify, products or services of their respective owners.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fiscal Year

     The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 weeks ending on the last Saturday in October. As is customary for companies that use 52/53-week convention, every fifth year contains a 53-week year. Fiscal year 2005 is a 52-week fiscal year and fiscal year 2004 was a 53-week fiscal year. The second quarter of fiscal year 2004 consisted of 14 weeks, which is one week more than a typical quarter.

Basis of Presentation

     The accompanying financial data as of January 29, 2005, and for the three months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004, has been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The October 30, 2004 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 30, 2004.

     In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise indicated) necessary to present a fair statement of financial position as of January 29, 2005, results of operations for the three months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004, and cash flows for the three months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004, have been made. The results of operations for the three months ended January 29, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

     The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

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Investments and Equity Securities

     Investment securities with original or remaining maturities of more than three months but less than one year are considered short-term investments. Investment securities with original or remaining maturities of one year or more are considered long-term investments. Short-term and long-term investments consist of auction rate securities, debt securities issued by United States government agencies, municipal government obligations, and corporate bonds and notes. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2005, the Company concluded that it was appropriate to classify its auction rate securities as short-term investments. These investments were previously classified as cash and cash equivalents. Accordingly, we have revised our October 30, 2004 balance sheet to report these securities as short-term investments on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

     Short-term and long-term investments are maintained at three major financial institutions, are classified as available-for-sale, and are recorded on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Fair value is determined using quoted market prices for those securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses are included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of any related tax effect. Realized gains and losses are calculated based on the specific identification method and are included in interest and other income, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

     Marketable equity securities consist of equity holdings in public companies and are classified as available-for-sale when there are no restrictions on the Company’s ability to immediately liquidate such securities. Marketable equity securities are recorded on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Fair value is determined using quoted market prices for those securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses are included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of any related tax effect. Realized gains and losses are calculated based on the specific identification method and are included in interest and other income, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

     The Company recognizes an impairment charge when the declines in the fair values of its investments below the cost basis are judged to be other-than-temporary. The Company considers various factors in determining whether to recognize an impairment charge, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the Company’s cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

     From time to time the Company makes equity investments in non-publicly traded companies. These investments are included in other assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and are generally accounted for under the cost method as the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the respective company’s operating and financial policies. The Company monitors its investments for impairment on a quarterly basis and makes appropriate reductions in carrying values when such impairments are determined to be other-than-temporary. Impairment charges are included in interest and other income, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Factors used in determining an impairment include, but are not limited to, the current business environment including competition and uncertainty of financial condition; going concern considerations such as the rate at which the investee company utilizes cash, and the investee company’s ability to obtain additional private financing to fulfill its stated business plan; the need for changes to the investee company’s existing business model due to changing business environments and its ability to successfully implement necessary changes; and comparable valuations. If an investment is determined to be impaired, a determination is made as to whether such impairment is other-than-temporary. As of January 29, 2005 and October 30, 2004, the carrying values of the Company’s equity investments in non-publicly traded companies were $1.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Concentrations

     Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments, and accounts receivable. Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments are primarily maintained at five major financial institutions in the United States. Deposits held with banks may be redeemed upon demand and may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. The Company principally invests in United States government agency debt securities, municipal government obligations, and corporate bonds and notes, and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one entity.

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     A majority of the Company’s trade receivable balance is derived from sales to OEM partners in the computer storage and server industry. As of January 29, 2005 and October 30, 2004, 95 percent and 85 percent, respectively, of accounts receivable were concentrated with five customers. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral on accounts receivable balances. The Company has established reserves for credit losses and sales returns, and other allowances. The Company has not experienced material credit losses in any of the periods presented.

     For the three months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004, four customers and three customers, respectively, each represented ten percent or more of the Company’s total revenues for combined totals of 82 percent and 69 percent of total revenues, respectively. The level of sales to any one of these customers may vary, and the loss of, or a decrease in the level of sales to, any one of these customers, could seriously harm the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

     The Company currently relies on single and limited supply sources for several key components used in the manufacture of its products. Additionally, the Company relies on two contract manufacturers for the production of its products. The inability of any single and limited source suppliers or the inability of either contract manufacturer to fulfill supply and production requirements, respectively, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future operating results.

     The Company’s business is concentrated in the SAN industry, which from time to time has been impacted by unfavorable economic conditions and reduced information technology (IT) spending rates. Accordingly, the Company’s future success, in part, depends upon the buying patterns of customers in the SAN industry, their response to current and future IT investment trends, and the continued demand by such customers for the Company’s products. The Company’s future success, in part, will depend upon its ability to enhance its existing products and to develop and introduce, on a timely basis, new cost-effective products and features that keep pace with technological developments and emerging industry standards.

Revenue Recognition

     Product revenue. Product revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable. However, for newly introduced products, many of the Company’s large OEM customers require a product qualification period during which the Company’s products are tested and approved by the OEM customer for sale to their customers. Revenue recognition, and related cost, is deferred for shipments to new OEM customers and for shipments of newly introduced products to existing OEM customers until satisfactory evidence of completion of the product qualification has been received from the OEM customer. Revenue from sales to the Company’s master reseller customers is recognized in the same period in which the actual sell-through occurs.

     The Company reduces revenue for estimated sales returns, sales programs, and other allowances at the time of shipment. Sales returns, sales programs, and other allowances are estimated based upon historical experience, current trends, and the Company’s expectations regarding future experience. In addition, the Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts, which are also accounted for as a reduction in revenue. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based upon analysis of accounts receivable, historical collection patterns, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends, and changes in customer payment terms and practices.

     Service revenue. Service revenue consists of training, warranty, and maintenance arrangements, including post-contract customer support (PCS) services. PCS services are offered under renewable, annual fee-based contracts or as part of multiple element arrangements and typically include upgrades and enhancements to the Company’s software operating system, and telephone support. Service revenue, including revenue allocated to PCS elements, is deferred and recognized ratably over the contractual period. Service contracts are typically one to three years in length. Training revenue is recognized upon completion of the training. Service revenue was not material in any of the periods presented.

     Multiple-element arrangements. The Company’s multiple-element product offerings include computer hardware and software products, and support services. The Company also sells certain software products and support services separately. The Company’s software products are essential to the functionality of its hardware products and are, therefore, accounted for in accordance with Statement of Position 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition” (SOP 97-2), as amended. The Company allocates revenue to each element based upon vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of the fair value of the element or, if VSOE is not available, by application of the residual method. VSOE of the fair value for an element is based upon the price charged when the element is sold separately. Revenue allocated to each element is then recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria are met for each element.

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Warranty Expense. The Company provides warranties on its products ranging from one to three years. Estimated future warranty costs are accrued at the time of shipment and charged to cost of revenues based upon historical experience.

Stock-Based Compensation.

     The Company has several stock-based compensation plans that are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 30, 2004. The Company accounts for stock-based awards using the intrinsic value method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25), whereby the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value on the date of grant is recognized as compensation expense. Under the intrinsic value method of accounting, no compensation expense is recognized in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations when the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock option grants equals the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and the measurement date of the option grant is certain. The measurement date is certain when the date of grant is fixed and determinable. When the measurement date is not certain, then the Company records stock compensation expense using variable accounting under APB 25. When variable accounting is applied to stock option grants, the Company remeasures the intrinsic value of the options at the end of each reporting period until the options are exercised, cancelled or expire unexercised. Compensation expense in any given period is calculated as the difference between total earned compensation at the end of the period, less total earned compensation at the beginning of the period. Compensation earned is calculated under an accelerated vesting method in accordance with FASB Interpretation 28.

     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (SFAS 123), established a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based plans. Companies that elect to account for stock-based compensation plans in accordance with APB 25 are required to disclose the pro forma net income (loss) that would have resulted from the use of the fair value based method under SFAS 123.

     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - - Transition and Disclosure an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123” (SFAS 148), amended the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 to require more prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements regarding the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The pro forma information resulting from the use of the fair value based method under SFAS 123 is as follows (in thousands except per share amounts):

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     The assumptions used for the three months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004 are as follows:

Computation of Net Income (Loss) per Share

     Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, less shares subject to repurchase. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, by application of the treasury stock method, that have a dilutive effect on earnings per share, and from the assumed conversion of outstanding convertible debt if it has a dilutive effect on earnings per share.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     The components of comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, are as follows (in thousands):

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123R). SFAS 123R supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and its related implementation guidance. SFAS 123R establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. SFAS 123R does not change the accounting guidance for share-based payment transactions with parties other than employees provided in SFAS 123 as originally issued and EITF Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services.” SFAS 123R is effective for interim reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. The Company is in the process of determining the effect of the adoption of SFAS 123R will have on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

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Reclassifications

     Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances in order to conform to the current year presentation.

3. Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements

     On January 24, 2005, the Company announced that its Audit Committee completed an internal review regarding the Company’s stock option granting process. In connection with this internal review, the Company recorded internal review costs of $3.7 million during the three months ended January 29, 2005. As a result of certain findings of the review, the Company determined that certain of its historical financial statements required restatement.

     Specifically, the Company determined that the restatement was required because it incorrectly accounted for: (A) grants that were made to new hires on their offer acceptance date, rather than the date of their commencement of employment, during the period May 1999 to July 2000; (B) grants that were made to persons engaged on a part-time basis prior to their new hire full-time employment during the period August 2000 to October 2002; and (C) there was insufficient basis to rely on the Company’s process and related documentation to support recorded measurement dates used to account for certain stock options granted prior to August 2003. Therefore, the Company recorded additional stock-based compensation charges relating to many of its stock option grants made during the period 1999 through the third quarter of fiscal year 2003. In addition, the Company recorded a valuation allowance associated with deferred tax assets related to previously recorded stock option tax benefits.

     These charges affected the previously filed financial statements for fiscal years ended October 25, 2003, and October 26, 2002, including the corresponding interim periods for fiscal years 2003 and 2002, and the interim periods ended January 24, 2004, May 1, 2004 and July 31, 2004. The Company also recorded stock-based compensation and associated income tax adjustments to previously announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended October 30, 2004. These adjustments relate solely to matters pertaining to stock options granted prior to August 2003.

     As a result of the stock compensation adjustments, the Company’s deferred tax assets previously recognized have now been fully reserved. The Company expects to realize a tax benefit in future reporting periods when it is able to utilize net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income.

Impact of the Financial Statement Adjustments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

     The following table presents the impact of the financial statement adjustments on the Company’s previously reported condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended January 24, 2004.

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