Item 1. Business
Overview
We provide the equipment that allows our customers to ensure that applications are running smoothly across their networks. We design, develop, manufacture, market, license, sell and support market leading application and network performance management and service assurance solutions focused on assuring service delivery quality, performance and availability for some of the world’s largest, most demanding and complex internet protocol (IP) based service delivery environments. We manufacture and market these products in integrated hardware and software solutions that are used by commercial enterprises, large governmental agencies and telecommunication service providers worldwide.
With a sustained history of 29 years of technology innovation, we continue to lead the market and are changing how organizations manage and optimize the delivery of business applications and services and assure user experience across global IP networks. We have continually improved our product portfolio to meet the needs of organizations by providing solutions to manage dynamic network and application environments and by improving user experience by assuring service availability, quality and reliability. Our solution is a highly scalable and flexible real-time service delivery management platform that supports a wide-range of enterprise information technology (IT) operations and management organizations including network operations, application managers, network operations centers, network engineering, security operations and service delivery teams. In addition, within the service provider segment, our solutions support a broad range of operational users including the network operations, network engineering, service operations, application groups, customer care, marketing, chief technology officers and advance engineering groups.
Our solutions use advanced packet flow technologies to enable organizations to gain greater, more granular visibility into the interdependencies of network and application behavior to effectively monitor, analyze and assure the end-to-end performance of data and unified communication (UC) business services. Our value proposition to our customers is to identify service delivery issues early to enable the identification and prevention of significant service degradations or failures before large numbers of users are affected. As a result of our highly scalable and extensible unified service delivery management (USDM) framework, organizations gain visibility into user experience and the interrelated performance of applications and networks to better understand their service delivery environment. This view visibly enables a more active management strategy and enhances operational agility enabling the IT operations and management organization to:
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Optimize service delivery performance and increase efficiency and use of existing infrastructure;
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Protect the user experience and assure business service continuity;
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Simplify managing complex service delivery environments and reduce operations and support cost and complexity; and
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Ultimately lower the overall total cost of IT operations.
We market and distribute our products globally through our own direct sales force and through strategic channel partners that include distributors, value added resellers and systems integrators. We have two primary customer groups which include both the enterprise and service provider markets. For our enterprise markets, we focus on the Global 5000, which includes industries such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, technology, utilities, education, and the public sector, which includes agencies of federal, state and local governments. In the service provider customer group, we sell to mobile operators, wireline operators and cable multi-service operators globally.
In July 2012, we acquired certain assets, technology and employees from Accanto Systems, S.r.l. (Accanto). The technology acquired is consistent with our packet-flow strategy and brings important voice service
monitoring capabilities that will strengthen our USDM strategy. In October 2012, we acquired ONPATH Technologies, Inc. (ONPATH) to expand our leadership position in the network monitoring switch market. The acquisition is intended to accelerate time-to-market for industry-leading ultra low latency and high density network monitoring switch solutions.
We have a single operating segment and substantially all of our identifiable assets are located in the United States. Financial information about our operating segment and geographic areas is presented in Item 7, Management Discussion and Analysis and Note 18 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Industry Background
Large enterprises, public sector agencies, and telecommunication service providers are critically dependent upon their data networks and the Internet to generate and deliver information and business services to their customers, suppliers, investors, employees, and citizens. These mission critical data networks have taken new and strategic roles within these organizations, including carrying voice and video traffic, and serving as the platform for the next generation of massively distributed, virtualized and service-oriented application architectures. Application architectures are changing as well, with an increasing trend towards data center consolidation and private and hybrid cloud service delivery models. Furthermore, rapidly advancing server technology and exploding multimedia applications continue to drive growth in traffic levels which have spawned a new wave of infrastructure upgrades. In parallel, the service provider market continues to undergo fundamental changes with the accelerating transition to IP based services, requiring new network infrastructures and presenting new and daunting challenges for assessing and assuring service quality. The combination of these fundamental trends has created increasing levels of complexity coupled with growing business dependence requiring IT organizations to take a different approach to managing their service delivery networks to assure an always-on, anywhere access to business service delivery.
NetScout is in a unique position, addressing both the enterprise and service provider markets. Building on our common packet-flow technology foundation, we have developed substantial expertise in assuring IP network-based service delivery that has enabled us to develop a highly scalable solution that not only addresses the needs of both the enterprise and the service provider markets, but also allows us to transfer this knowledge and technology development between these customer groups.
Enterprise Markets
In today’s dynamic business environment, the IP network is increasingly being viewed as a strategic and critical success factor for many organizations. The IT mission is focused on reducing the cost of IT while increasing IT performance, improving operational efficiencies and delivering the highest quality and availability of IT services possible. This, coupled with the ever changing technology landscape and the continued increasing complexity of IT infrastructure, drives the need for a more automated and unified approach to managing service delivery. As a result, IT management must reduce the cost of service delivery, address increasing complexity, scale globally and adapt to emerging technologies such as cloud services, virtualization and unified communication services.
The result is increasingly large, geographically dispersed, and complex networks and infrastructures that are challenging to manage and that make obtaining consistent performance and service levels difficult to assure. Application and network malfunctions, resource contention, and infrastructure and application mis-configurations can all cause service disruptions, lost revenue and customer dissatisfaction. Within the enterprise environment, NetScout’s nGenius® and Sniffer technologies enable IT organizations to protect and improve service delivery quality with a proactive model that is able to identify and address business service performance issues before they become serious and impact large numbers of users. Some of the current enterprise IT initiatives our solutions support include:
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Data Center Modernization & Virtualization - We enable IT organizations to manage the delivery of services across virtual and physical environments, providing a comprehensive, unified view of
application and network performance. Intelligent early warning of emerging issues with the ability to analyze both physical and virtual services within the data center enables organizations to optimize datacenter infrastructure investments, protect against service degradations, and simplify the operation of complex, multi-tier application environments.
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Unified Communications - We deliver deep application-level unified visibility into voice, data and video services side-by-side in order to understand the interrelationships of all services that traverse the network infrastructure and assess quality and performance of the delivery of these services. Application-level visibility enables the UC team to assess beyond typical network performance to see into voice or video quality to best assess the true user experience.
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Branch Office & WAN - We bring extended visibility into the performance of applications and networks at and between locations, including cloud-based services, with a unified view of end-to-end service delivery enabling collaborative problem-solving and uniform planning, enabling IT organizations to reduce the cost of managing their remote sites.
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Enterprise Mobility - IT operations and management teams are confronted with supporting a wide range of new devices on corporate networks. Although IT loses direct control of the environment, user performance expectations remain consistent with corporate-supplied devices. We provide service assurance across the infrastructure and applications supporting a broad range of service delivery strategies including wireless service delivery to enable intelligent early warning and rapid-response troubleshooting, regardless of the connected devices.
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Process Improvement & ITIL Initiatives - We deliver real-time and historical information that provides the necessary insight to restore service, manage capacity, and understand the users’ quality of experience. The USDM approach enabled by the nGenius solution empowers IT organizations to collaborate more meaningfully while reducing the overall costs of IT operations through a unified platform delivering a common set of metrics and insight across disparate IT departments. The nGenius solution also provides IT organizations a highly efficient service-oriented workflow that aligns with Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) process models.
Telecommunication Service Provider Markets
Our opportunity in the service provider market stems from the industry’s transformation to next generation all-IP networks driven by migration to third generation and Long-term Evolution (LTE) technologies. Most carriers are moving from legacy circuit switched environments, where each user connection or service uses a dedicated circuit with dedicated bandwidth, to highly dynamic packet switched IP-based environments. The value of IP is that service providers gain a high degree of efficiency and provisioning flexibility for services over shared facilities with security and service quality capabilities coming from the underlying network equipment technology rather than through dedicated connections. As service providers transform their operations using the power of the modern IP network, they are confronted with new challenges in assuring services over an increasingly dynamic operating environment. As a result, service providers now require a much higher level of understanding of the traffic flows in a true multi-service delivery environment.
Today’s service providers are focused on creating a compelling set of services, with a high quality user experience, while also keeping an eye on reducing operational complexity and costs. This, coupled with the challenge of IP transformation activities and emerging new technologies LTE, Internet Protocol Television (IP-TV) and cloud services drives the need for a more automated and unified approach to managing service delivery and the subscriber experience. Service providers must reduce the cost of service delivery, address increasing complexity, scale globally and adapt to emerging technologies such as cloud services, virtualization and unified communication services while assuring high quality user experiences to retain their revenue base.
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For Mobile Operators - The fundamental transformation of the mobile network to all-IP enables mobile operators to build highly-scalable service delivery environments to offer new services to meet the growing subscriber demand for data, voice and video-centric services and to consolidate and
simplify network operations. However, to capitalize fully on the value of IP and the significant market opportunities, mobile operators need detailed IP packet-level insight and core-to-access visibility.
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For Fixed-line and Cable Operators - The growing demand for high-bandwidth triple-play services, broadband connectivity, content anywhere, IP-TV, on-demand video traffic, new extended WiFi initiatives and carrier Ethernet services presents service providers with significant revenue opportunities. IP has become the de facto convergence mechanism for access, distribution and core networks, enabling new service offerings, simplifying network operations while reducing total cost of operations. To realize these benefits, operators need comprehensive insight into IP services, service usage, service availability, application awareness, traffic load, network availability and network performance.
Products & Technology Overview
nGenius Service Assurance Solution
The nGenuis Service Assurance Solution delivers comprehensive, high definition visibility into end-to-end performance of the network, applications, services and users using a family of unified software-based analytics modules and rich packet-flow based metadata. The nGenius Service Assurance Solution provides the following capabilities:
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Service visualization and intelligent early warning;
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Application and network performance management;
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Service and policy validation;
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Service optimization and capacity planning;
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Advanced trending and reporting capabilities; and
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Deep forensics and historical analysis.
The nGenius Service Assurance Solution is a fully integrated platform that uses a number of specialized software analytics modules and distributed intelligent data sources consisting of:
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nGenius Performance Manager - Our core analytics module that analyzes and correlates the metadata delivered by a comprehensive range of nGenius intelligent data sources (hardware devices and software agents) for integrated application and service performance monitoring, response time analysis, troubleshooting, capacity planning and trending and reporting enabling end-to-end visibility and assurance of service delivery.
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nGenius Service Delivery Manager - A real-time business service dashboard that provides unified visibility into service delivery in the context of how services are delivered and consumed to produce timely, actionable management insight. Combining real-time and historical views of service domains the dashboard automates the detection of service quality problems and emerging security threats across physical, virtual, and cloud-based services from the application hosting environment, through the network, to the user.
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nGenius Voice | Video Manager - An advanced UC performance management and analysis analytics module enabling IT staff to proactively manage the performance and user experience for a broad range of collaboration-enabling real time communications services, such as telepresence, video, and voice. The solution delivers network performance and granular application-specific metrics for IP-based voice and video session transmission and conversation quality to reveal real-time service performance and the true user experience. As a result, IT organizations can achieve the required actionable visibility into the end-to-end behavior and quality UC applications and services.
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nGenius Enterprise Intelligence - Extends the session-level analysis capabilities of the nGenius Service Assurance Solution to provide granular hop-by-hop views into performance and latency of a
users’ application session as complex application traffic crosses multiple data centers and cloud environments to provide a unified perspective of user experience. Leveraging the real-time data mining capabilities of NetScout’s Adaptive Session Intelligence™ (ASI) technology, nGenius Enterprise Intelligence automates, accelerates and simplifies the creation of a true representation of an end-to-end user data or voice session.
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nGenius Subscriber Intelligence - Designed for mobile operators, nGenius Subscriber Intelligence provides datacenter-to-core-to-access visibility for managing mobile data sessions in general packet radio service (GPRS), in universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS), code division multiple access (CDMA) and LTE mobile networks. nGenius Subscriber Intelligence incorporates NetScout’s ASI technology built into our nGenius InfiniStream appliances to provide unmatched, real-time correlation of related user plane and control plane sessions across both the core and access portions of the network.
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nGenius Trading Intelligence - A high-performance, latency-management solution purpose-built for trading environments that addresses the specialized visibility needs of exchanges and trading market firms. nGenius Trading Intelligence provides real-time visibility into complex trade order execution, market data feed latency and performance for trading environments enabling trade engineers to isolate delays, compare venue execution routes, monitor trade activity, and track client access to better optimize the performance of high-speed trading platforms.
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Sniffer Analysis Software Suite - The Sniffer Analysis Software Suite provides a direct connection to nGenius InfiniStream appliances for highly optimized forensic analysis and packet data mining to exploit fully the valuable information contained within network packets. The Sniffer Analysis software suite provides a powerful view deep into IP network packets revealing granular information about network and application interactions and response time and latency metrics to speed post event troubleshooting and support a wide-range of cybersecurity incident response and investigation analysis activities.
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nGenius Performance Manager for Flows and nGenius Analytics for Flows - nGenius Performance Manager and Analytics for Flows support Cisco NetFlow, sFlow, IP service level agreement data for analysis and reporting of performance problems, analysis and reporting for application utilization and conversation-level statistics and management information base (MIB II) data collected by nGenius Collectors.
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Sniffer Portable Analyzer Product Family - A stand-alone field service analysis module that provides portable network and application analysis capabilities for field troubleshooting activities. Built on widely deployed Sniffer technology, the software-based analysis tool is deployed on individual technician laptops to support segment-specific portable analysis and troubleshooting activities enabling the rapid isolation of issues for wired and wireless networks. The Sniffer Global version of the product is integrated with Cisco’s Mobility Services Engine to enable location-based visibility for wireless end-points.
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nGenius Intelligent Data Sources - nGenius Intelligent data sources provide the capabilities of gathering and analyzing information rich packet-flow data from across the network to enable the granular analysis and reporting capabilities of the nGenius Service Assurance Solution. The nGenius Intelligent Data Sources consist of: (1) the nGenius InfiniStream appliances, which provide hardware-based data capture and metadata creation for the nGenius Service Assurance Solution and support 1 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit network connections and scale from one to 96 terabytes of packet storage capability; (2) the nGenius Virtual Agent, which enables granular network and application visibility from within virtual server environments; (3) the nGenius Integrated Agent, which integrates into network equipment, such as the Cisco® Integrated Services Router and Cisco Unified Computing express™ system to enable extended visibility into network and application performance from branch offices; and (4) nGenius Collectors, which support collection of network-based statistics from network equipment supporting standards-based data such as Cisco NetFlow, jFlow and sFlow.
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Adaptive Session Intelligence ™ (ASI) Technology - provides the extensible technology foundation for the nGenius Service Assurance Solution’s rich real-time analytics capabilities. It enables the creation of statistical metadata, session transaction records and adaptive session traces enabling the monitoring of all users, all applications and all services consistently across the network. ASI technology is a critical differentiating technology that enables the performance at scale and real-time flexibility needed to address large and complex service delivery environments.
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nGenius 1500 Series Packet Flow Switch - The nGenius packet flow switch enables powerful aggregation and flexible intelligent filtering capabilities enable the network team to collect traffic from a single monitoring point and deliver this traffic to many devices eliminating the need for redundant tapping points or mirror/SPAN ports. This enables the IT organization to better capture targeted traffic to enable a more flexible and comprehensive approach to important packet-flow data. In addition to consolidating vendor complexity, this enables IT organizations to efficiently consolidate scarce and costly monitoring points and intelligently share valuable traffic flows across multiple management and cybersecurity tools consistently.
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nGenius Forensic Intelligence - Sold into very specialized markets addressing the law enforcement community, NetScout’s nGenius Forensic Intelligence product supports lawful interception (LI) activity and interprets intercepted internet data and reconstructs all communications.
Product Enhancements and New Products
NetScout continuously enhances its solutions to meet the increasing demands and ever changing technology landscape of IP networks and service and applications. Typically, these types of changes result in modest increases in the functionality of the products that do not meet the criteria for capitalization. In recent years, we have also delivered major product upgrades across our product lines, more tightly integrating deep packet analysis and forensics into our top-down performance management workflows, improving the flexibility of our industry-leading intelligent early warning capabilities, and adding support for new sources of user experience and performance related metrics.
Specific new products introduced during our Fiscal Year 2013 include:
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nGenius 3900 Series Packet Flow Switch - Announced in January 2013, the nGenius 3900 series packet flow switch is a modular chassis-based network monitoring switch that expands upon NetScout’s initial entry into the market with the nGenius 1500 series packet flow switch. The nGenius 3900 series packet flow switch enables scalable, highly available access to network traffic across distributed networks for use by the nGenius Service Assurance Solution or any network monitoring, performance management or security system. Based upon technology from the acquisition of ONPATH , the nGenius 3900 series packet flow switch delivers market-leading advances in performance and capacity with the highest 10 and 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) port densities per rack unit, and per chassis, with an architecture ready to support 100 GbE interfaces. The nGenius 3900 series switch delivers intelligent traffic conditioning features on every port with sustained line rate performance, and ultra-low latency.
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nGenius Forensic Intelligence - Announced in April 2012, a new analysis module resulting from NetScout’s acquisition of Fox Replay BV that enables network operations and information security teams to accelerate forensic analysis of network traffic with automated, accurate and contextual session reconstruction and visual replay for security-focused investigations.
Integration with third-party solutions
To have greater operational impact on assuring performance of applications and service delivery, NetScout has integrated its technology with third-party management consoles and business service management systems. This integration allows organizations to receive alarms on impending performance problems and to link into the
nGenius solution in order to perform detailed problem analysis and troubleshooting. By providing seamless integration into management platforms, NetScout fills a significant gap in the third party product functionality and visibility into the interaction of applications, services and infrastructure resources from a packet-based network vantage point. NetScout collaborates with technology partners to provide integrated solutions and extend the value of the nGenius Service Assurance Solution for application and network performance management across the organization. Using packet-flow data, key performance indicators and other sources of performance information derived from the nGenius Service Assurance Solution, integrated solutions enhance an organization’s ability to optimize, simplify and protect the service delivery environment.
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Cisco Systems - NetScout is a member of the Cisco Developer Network Program for Mobility, Unified Communications and Advanced Routing. NetScout has integrated its widely deployed nGenius probe technology into the Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR) platform enabling our joint customers to leverage the end-to-end capabilities of our service assurance solution from the datacenter to the branch office. We have received certification of our compatibility and interoperability with Cisco’s Unified Communications platform. NetScout has also integrated its Sniffer Global product with the Cisco 3300 series Mobility Services Engine, to provide contextual location information to simplify and improve management of wireless networks.
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EMC® Ionix™ Control Center (formerly SMARTS®) - NetScout is an EMC Corp. (EMC) Velocity2 partner and provides integration between the nGenius Service Assurance Solution and the EMC Ionix Service Assurance Manager, EMC Ionix IP Availability Manager and EMC Ionix Discovery Manager. Integration between the nGenius solution and EMC Ionix solution provides our joint customers with complementary visibility into the packet-flow data within the service delivery environment.
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Hewlett-Packard Company - NetScout is a Platinum Business Partner in Hewlett-Packard’s (HP’s) Enterprise Management Alliance Program, and provides integration between the nGenius Service Assurance Solution with HP Business Technology Optimization Software solutions including HP OpenView Network Node Manager, HP Business Availability Center and HP Operations Manager. Together the integrated solutions provide our joint customers a “single-pane-of-glass” approach to troubleshooting to speed problem identification and resolution and assure an excellent user experience. In addition, NetScout has integrated its nGenius Integrated agent into some of the HP Networking chassis switching products to provide visibility into network and application performance at the network edge.
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IBM Tivoli - NetScout is an International Business Machine (IBM®), PartnerWorld member, and has been awarded “Ready for IBM Tivoli Software” validation status to the nGenius service assurance solution for its integration with IBM Tivoli® NetView®, IBM Tivoli Enterprise Console® and IBM Tivoli Netcool®/OMNIbus. The integration between NetScout and IBM platforms provides our joint customers with expanded reach of IBM’s Event Management Systems by combining integrated fault management and service delivery assurance into a single integrated console view with a seamless troubleshooting workflow.
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IBM Sametime - Through the nGenius Voice and Video Manager solution, NetScout integrates with IBM Sametime through an integrated client-side plug-in that provides quality metrics from desktop Sametime applications to measure and assure quality performance of the IBM Sametime® software helping to assure the delivery of unified, real-time communication and collaboration services - from enterprise instant messaging and online meetings to telephony and video conferencing.
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VMware vSphere - NetScout is an Elite tier Technology Alliance Partner of VMware. nGenius Virtual Agent from NetScout is a virtualized implementation of the widely deployed nGenius Probe technology optimized for VMware that restores lost visibility to virtual environments. It seamlessly extends high-performance packet-flow analysis capabilities deeper into the data center and private clouds - enabling IT organizations to achieve true end-to-end visibility of application traffic within and between virtual servers.
Strategy
Enhancing shareholder value through sustained growth and increased profitability based on our continued market leadership is our primary objective. We continue to see a strong level of interest by the market for our products and technology as both enterprise and service provider customers struggle to keep up with the increasing complexity and volume of service traffic over IP networks. Both of these customer groups are looking for unified approaches that can scale to manage and assure the delivery of critical services over highly distributed IP networks. We intend to capitalize on this growing market demand regarding user experience in managing service delivery. We will pursue growth by increasing our ongoing business with our established customers, expanding our worldwide coverage and presence to add new customers, growing and establishing new relationships with technology alliance partners and driving greater value through strategic resellers and go to market partners. Key elements of our strategy include:
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Drive technology innovation to extend our market leadership - We are increasing our investment in research and development to expand and enhance our USDM capabilities that capitalize on our extensive experience with global enterprise and service provider organizations with very large, high-capacity IP-based networks. We intend to take advantage of our unique position in both the enterprise and service provider markets to cross-leverage our technology development for both markets to enable greater capabilities for our current and new customers. We will continue to enhance and extend our product line to meet the increasing challenges of managing a diverse range of services over an increasingly global network environment.
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Continued portfolio enhancements - We plan to continue to enhance our products and solutions to address the management challenges associated with virtualization, cloud computing, service-oriented architectures, VoIP, video, and Telepresence technologies. In addition, we will continue to drive our solutions to help IT organizations address the challenges of complex service delivery, datacenter consolidation, branch office consolidation and optimization, increasing mobility and the move to a more process-oriented operating environment.
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Enabling pervasive visibility - We intend to continue to expand our intelligent data source family to enable our customers to achieve more visibility in more places across their end-to-end network environment. We are expanding our nGenius InfiniStream appliance family to enable greater levels of storage and processing capacity and to expand our software-based nGenius Virtual Agent and nGenius Integrated Agent technology to enable wider deployment of our technology within virtual computing environments, network devices and computing platforms. We intend to continue to greatly enhance our ability to scale and to generate real-time metadata to meet the need for addressing a rapidly growing level of data traffic and an increasingly complex application environment. This includes extending and strengthening our market and technology lead by supporting new and innovative ways to address the ongoing technology challenges associated with the increasing volume of data traffic and enable scalable support for 40 Gigabit, 100 Gigabit topologies and increasing global deployments of IPv6.
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Expand our customer base in both enterprise and service provider markets - It is our intention to substantially grow our presence in both the enterprise and service provider markets. In the enterprise market, we are growing our installed base footprint to include a broader number of top-tier enterprise customers as well as extending to reach the mid-market enterprise customers. We intend to increase the use of our products across the IT organization to include new operational groups by expanding their capabilities and value. In the service provider market, we are expanding our presence through new service provider customer acquisitions as well as expanding our footprint further out into the radio access network, deeper into the core and into new datacenter expansions as cloud-based service offerings become increasingly strategic to enterprise and service providers.
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Increase market relevance and awareness - To generate increased demand for our products we will continue to promote and position our technology, products and solutions to both the enterprise and service provider market and drive our vision and strategy of USDM. In addition, we will continue to drive industry initiatives around managing service delivery.
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Scale and grow our direct sales force - Our direct sales force was structured to specifically and effectively target the enterprise and service provider markets. Each of these markets has different technology issues, challenges and sales cycles. Consequently, NetScout is very well positioned with a well aligned field organization that will enable us to better meet the needs of these two diverse markets.
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Extend our technology partner alliance ecosystem - We plan to continue to enhance our technology value, product capabilities and customer relevance through the continued integration of our products into technology partner products. This includes both interoperability integration efforts, as well as embedding our technology into alliance partner products to gain a more pervasive footprint across both enterprise and service provider networks.
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Enhance and extend our training services - We plan to extend and continue to enhance our training services to support our growing customer base in both the enterprise and service provider markets. We continue to enhance our training with personalized education programs to help our customers deploy and use our products more effectively. We have strengthened our classroom training and added web-based on-demand training programs. We also continue to enhance our certification programs designed to recognize network professionals who have demonstrated an in-depth understanding of nGenius and Sniffer products and technologies.
Sales and Marketing
We sell our products, support and services through a direct sales force and an indirect reseller and distribution channel. Our sales force uses a “high-touch” sales model that consists of face-to-face meetings with customers to understand and identify their unique business challenges and requirements. Our sales teams then translate those requirements into tailored business solutions that allow the customer to maximize the performance of its infrastructure and service delivery environment. Due to the complexity of the systems and the capital expenditure involved, our sales cycle typically takes three to twelve months. We build strategic relationships with our customers by continually enhancing our solution to help them address their evolving service delivery management challenges. In addition to providing a comprehensive solution to meet these needs, we continually provide software enhancements to our customers as part of their maintenance contracts with us. These enhancements are designed to provide additional and ongoing value to our existing customers to promote loyalty and the expansion of their deployment of our products. Existing customer growth is also driven by the expansion and changes in their networks as they add new infrastructure elements, new users, new locations, new applications and experience increasing service traffic volumes.
Our sales force is organized into four main geographic teams covering sales around the globe: United States, Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. Revenue from sales outside the United States represented 25%, 25% and 27% of our total revenue in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Sales to customers outside the United States are primarily export sales through channel partners, who are generally responsible for distributing our products and providing technical support and service to customers within their territories. Sales arrangements are primarily transacted in United States dollars. Our reported international revenue does not include any revenue from sales to customers outside the United States that are shipped to our United States-based indirect channel partners. These domestic resellers fulfill customer orders based upon joint selling efforts in conjunction with our direct sales force and may subsequently ship our products to international locations; however, we report these shipments as United States revenue since we ship the products to a domestic location. We expect revenue from sales to customers outside the United States to continue to account for a significant portion of our total revenue in the future.
Our marketing organization drives our market strategy, product positioning and messaging and produces and manages a variety of programs such as advertising, trade shows, industry events, public and analyst relations, direct mail, seminars, sales promotions, and web marketing to promote the sale and acceptance of our solutions and to build the NetScout and nGenius brand names in the marketplace. Key elements of our marketing strategy focus on thought leadership, market education, go to market strategies, reputation management, demand
generation, and the acceleration of our strategic selling relationships with local and global resellers, systems integrators, and our technology alliance partners.
Seasonality
We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, quarterly variations in our order bookings as a result of a number of factors, including the length of the sales cycle, complexity of customer environments, new product introductions and their market acceptance and seasonal factors affected by customer projects and typical IT buying cycles. Due to these factors, we historically have experienced stronger bookings during our fiscal third and fourth quarters than in the first and second quarters. Net revenue can also be affected by unforeseen delays in product shipments due to issues such as on hand inventory, customer shipping instructions and acceptance requirements.
Support Services
Customer satisfaction is a key driver of NetScout’s success. NetScout’s MasterCare™ support programs offer customers various levels of high quality support services to assist in the deployment and use of our solutions. We have support personnel strategically deployed across the globe to deliver 24/7 toll-free telephone support to our premium MasterCare customers. Some of the support services, such as on-site support activities, are provided by qualified third party support partners. In addition many of our certified resellers provide Partner Enabled Support to NetScout end-users. This is especially prevalent in international locations where time zones and language, among other factors, make it more efficient for end-users to have the reseller provide initial support functions. MasterCare support also includes updates to our software and firmware at no additional charge, if and when such updates are developed and made generally available to our commercial customer base. If ordered, MasterCare support commences upon expiration of the standard warranty for software. For software, which also includes firmware, the standard warranty commences upon shipment and expires 90 days thereafter. With regard to hardware, the standard warranty commences upon shipment and expires 12 months thereafter. We believe our warranties are consistent with commonly accepted industry standards.
Research and Development
Our continued success depends significantly on our ability to anticipate and create solutions that will meet emerging customer requirements. We have invested significant financial resources and personnel into the development of our products and technology. Our continued investment in research and development is crucial to our business and our continued success in the market. We have assembled a team of highly skilled engineers with expertise in various technologies associated with our business and the technologies being deployed by our customers. These technologies and expertise include networks, protocols, applications, application delivery, WAN technologies, storage and systems management. As we have expanded our market to also include the wireless service provider sector, we have added a significant number of resources with expertise in service provider networks and technologies including GSM, UMTS, CDMA and LTE technologies. We plan to continue to expand our product offerings and capabilities in the near future, and, therefore, plan to continue to invest and dedicate significant resources to our research and development activities. In addition, as we continue to expand our position in the service provider market, we will need to continue to expand our offerings and focused capabilities for these customers. We will continue to make substantial investments in growing our service provider technology expertise to maintain and grow our market and technology lead for this rapidly growing market opportunity.
We predominantly develop our products internally, with some limited third party contracting. We have also acquired developed technology through business acquisitions. To promote industry standards and manifest technology leadership, we participate in and support the activities and recommendations of industry standards bodies, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project and we also engage in
close and regular dialogue with our key customers and alliance partners. These activities provide early insight into the direction of network and applications performance requirements for current and emerging technologies.
Manufacturing
Our manufacturing operations consist primarily of final product assembly, configuration and testing. We purchase components and subassemblies from suppliers and construct our hardware products in accordance with NetScout standard specifications. We inspect, test and use process control to ensure the quality and reliability of our products. In February 1998, we obtained ISO 9001 quality systems registration, a certification showing that our corporate procedures and manufacturing facilities comply with standards for quality assurance and process control. In July 2003, we obtained ISO 9001:2000 quality systems registration, a certification showing that our corporate procedures comply with standards for continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
Although we generally use standard parts and components for our products, which are available from various suppliers, each of the computer network interface cards used in our devices is currently available only from separate single source suppliers. We have generally been able to obtain adequate supplies of components in a timely manner from current suppliers. While currently we purchase from specific suppliers, we believe that, in most cases, alternate suppliers can be identified if current suppliers are unable to fulfill our needs. Our reliance on single source suppliers is further described in Item 1A
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In addition to the other information in this report, the following discussion should be considered carefully in evaluating NetScout and our business. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements under Section 21E of the Exchange Act and other federal securities laws. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and are identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed below and in our other filings with the SEC. These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement.
Our operating results and financial condition have varied in the past and may in the future vary significantly depending on a number of factors. Except for the historical information in this report, the matters contained in this report include forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. The following factors are among many that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by forward-looking statements made in this report. These statements involve the risks and uncertainties identified below as well as additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified or that we currently think are immaterial may also impact our business operations. Such factors are among many that may have a material adverse impact upon our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our quarterly revenue and operating results may fluctuate. Our quarterly revenue and operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. Our quarterly revenue may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which may be outside of our control, including the following:
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technology spending by current and potential customers;
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uneven demand for service delivery and application performance management solutions;
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the timing and size of orders from customers, especially in light of our lengthy sales cycle;
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the timing and market acceptance of new products or product enhancements by us or our competitors;
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changes in the distribution channels through which our products are sold;
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the timing of hiring sales personnel and the speed at which such personnel become productive;
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our ability to anticipate or adapt effectively to developing markets and rapidly changing technologies;
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changes in the number and size of our competitors and changes in the prices of competitors’ products;
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the timing and impact of security-related threats and outbreaks (e.g., worms and viruses);
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customer ability to implement our products;
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changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
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attrition of key employees; and
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economic slowdowns and the occurrence of unforeseeable events, such as terrorist attacks, which contribute to such slowdowns.
Most of our expenses, such as employee compensation, benefits and rent, are relatively fixed in the short term. Moreover, our expense levels are based, in part, on our expectations regarding future revenue levels. As a
result, if revenue for a particular quarter is below our expectations, we may not be able to reduce operating expenses proportionately for that quarter, and, therefore, this revenue shortfall would have a disproportionately negative impact on our operating results for that quarter.
If we fail to introduce new products or enhance our existing products to keep up with rapid technological change, demand for our products may decline. The market for application and network performance management and service assurance solutions is characterized by rapid changes in technology, evolving industry standards, changes in customer requirements and frequent product introductions and enhancements. Our success is dependent upon our ability to meet our customers’ needs, which are driven by changes in computer networking technologies, new application technologies and the emergence of new industry standards. In addition, new technologies may shorten the life cycle for our products or could render our existing or planned products obsolete. If we are unable to develop and introduce new network and application performance management and service assurance products or enhancements to existing products in a timely and successful manner, this inability could have a material and adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We have introduced and intend to continue to introduce new products. If the introduction of these products is significantly delayed or if we are unsuccessful in bringing these products to market, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted.
We face significant competition from other technology companies. The service assurance and performance management market is a highly competitive, rapidly evolving, and fragmented market that has overlapping technologies and competitors, both large and small. We believe customers make service management system purchasing decisions based primarily upon the following factors:
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product performance, functionality and price;
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name and reputation of vendor;
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distribution strength; and
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alliances with industry partners.
We compete with a growing number of smaller providers of application performance management solutions and providers of portable network traffic analyzers and probes. In addition, leading network equipment and application technology vendors offer their own limited, generalized management solutions, including products which they license from other competitors. Some of our current and potential competitors have greater name recognition and substantially greater financial, management, marketing, service, support, technical, distribution and other resources than we do. Further, in recent years some of our competitors have been acquired by larger companies that are seeking to enter or expand in the markets in which we operate. Therefore, given their larger size and greater resources our competitors may be able to respond more effectively than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards and customer requirements.
As a result of these and other factors, we may not be able to compete effectively with our current or future competitors, which could have a material and adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to manage and leverage our distribution channels. Sales to our distribution channels, which include resellers, original equipment manufacturers, distributors, systems integrators and service providers, accounted for 49%, 54%, and 59% of our total revenue for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. To increase our sales we need to continue to enhance our indirect sales efforts, to continue to manage and expand these existing distribution channels and to develop new indirect distribution channels. Our channel partners have no obligation to purchase any products from us. In addition, they could internally develop products that compete with our solutions or partner with our competitors
or bundle or resell competitors’ solutions, possibly at lower prices. The potential inability to develop new relationships or to expand and manage our existing relationships with partners, the potential inability or unwillingness of our partners to market and sell our products effectively or the loss of existing partnerships could have a material and adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
If our products contain errors, they may be costly to correct, revenue may be delayed, we could be sued and our reputation could be harmed. Despite testing by our customers and us, errors may be found in our products after commencement of commercial shipments. If errors are discovered, we may not be able to correct them in a timely manner or at all. In addition, we may need to make significant expenditures to eliminate errors and failures. Errors and failures in our products could result in loss of or delay in market acceptance of our products and could damage our reputation. If one or more of our products fail, a customer may assert warranty and other claims for substantial damages against us. The occurrence or discovery of these types of errors or failures could have a material and adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Increased customer demands on our technical support services may adversely affect our relationships with our customers and our financial results. We offer technical support services with many of our products. We may be unable to respond quickly enough to accommodate short-term increases in customer demand for support services. We also may be unable to modify the format of our support services to compete with changes in support services provided by competitors. Further customer demand for these services, without corresponding revenues, could have a material and adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
We must hire and retain skilled personnel. Our future success depends in large part upon our ability to attract, train, motivate and retain highly skilled employees, particularly executives, sales and marketing personnel, software engineers, and technical support personnel. If we are unable to attract and retain the highly skilled technical personnel that are integral to our sales, marketing, product development and technical support teams, the rate at which we can generate sales and develop new products or product enhancements may be limited. This inability could have a material and adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, we must maintain and periodically increase the size of our sales force in order to increase our direct sales and support our indirect sales channels. Because our products are very technical, sales people require a comparatively long period of time to become productive, typically three to twelve months. This lag in productivity, as well as the challenge of attracting qualified candidates, may make it difficult to meet our sales force growth targets. Further, we may not generate sufficient sales to offset the increased expense resulting from growing our sales force. If we are unable to maintain and periodically expand our sales capability, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted.
Loss of key personnel could adversely impact our business. Our future success depends to a significant degree on the skills, experience and efforts of Anil Singhal, our President, Chief Executive Officer, and co-founder, and our other executive officers and senior managers to work effectively as a team. The loss of one or more of our key personnel could have a material and adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
The success of our business depends, in part, on the continued growth in the market for and the continued commercial demand for service delivery service assurance solutions focused on the performance monitoring and management of applications and networks. We derive all of our revenue from the sale of products and services that are designed to allow our customers to assure the delivery of services through the management of the performance of applications across IP networks. Therefore, we must be able to predict the appropriate features and prices for future products to address the market, the optimal distribution strategy and the future changes to the competitive environment. In order for us to be successful, our potential customers must recognize the value of more sophisticated application management solutions, decide to invest in the management of their networked applications and, in particular, adopt our management solutions. Any failure of this market to continue to be viable would materially and adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition. Additionally, businesses may choose to outsource the operations and management of their networks to
managed service providers. Our business may depend on our ability to continue to develop relationships with these service providers and successfully market our products to them.
We may not successfully complete acquisitions or integrate acquisitions we do make, which could impair our ability to compete and could harm our operating results. We may need to acquire complementary businesses, products or technologies to remain competitive or expand our business. We actively investigate and evaluate potential acquisitions of complementary businesses, products and technologies in the ordinary course of business. We may compete for acquisition opportunities with entities having significantly greater resources than us. As a result, we may not succeed in acquiring some or all businesses, products or technologies that we seek to acquire. Our inability to effectively consummate acquisitions on favorable terms could significantly impact our ability to compete effectively in our targeted markets and could negatively affect our results of operations.
Acquisitions that we do complete could adversely impact our business. The potential adverse consequences from acquisitions include:
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the potentially dilutive issuance of common stock or other equity instruments;
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the incurrence of debt and amortization expenses related to goodwill and acquired intangible assets;
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the potentially costly and disruptive impact of assuming unfavorable pre-existing contractual relationships of acquired companies that we would not have otherwise entered into and potentially exiting or modifying such relationships;
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the potential litigation or other claims in connection with, or inheritance of claims or litigation risk as a result of, an acquisition including claims from terminated employees, customers, third parties or enforcement actions by various regulators;
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the incurrence of significant costs and expenses; and
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the potentially negative impact of poor performance of an acquisition on our earnings per share.
Acquisition transactions also involve numerous business risks. These risks from acquisitions include:
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difficulties in assimilating the acquired operations, technologies, personnel and products;
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difficulties in managing geographically dispersed operations;
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difficulties in assimilating diverse financial reporting and management information systems;
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difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;
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the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;
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use of cash to pay for acquisitions may limit other potential uses of our cash, including stock repurchases and retirement of outstanding indebtedness;
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substantial accounting charges for restructuring and related expenses, write-off of in-process research and development, impairment of goodwill, amortization or impairment of intangible assets and share-based compensation expense;
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the potential disruption of our business;
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the potential loss of key employees, customers, distributors or suppliers;
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the inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition or investment costs; and
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the potential for delays in customer purchases due to uncertainty and the inability to maintain relationships with customers of the acquired businesses.
Failure to manage growth properly and to implement enhanced automated systems could adversely impact our business. The growth in size and complexity of our business and our customer base has been and
will continue to be a challenge to our management and operations. To manage further growth effectively, we must integrate new personnel and manage expanded operations. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, our costs, the quality of our products, the effectiveness of our sales organization, attraction and retention of key personnel, our business, our operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted. Any disruptions or ineffectiveness relating to our systems implementations and enhancements could adversely affect our ability to process customer orders, ship products, provide services and support to our customers, bill and track our customers, fulfill contractual obligations, and otherwise run our business.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to expand and manage our international operations. Sales to customers outside the United States accounted for 25%, 25%, and 27% of our total revenue for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We currently expect international revenue to continue to account for a significant percentage of total revenue in the future. We believe that we must continue to expand our international sales activities in order to be successful. Our international sales growth will be limited if we are unable to:
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expand international distribution channels;
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hire additional overseas sales personnel;
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adapt products for local markets and comply with foreign regulations; and
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manage geographically dispersed operations.
The major geographic areas outside of the United States in which we manage our business are Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. Our international operations, including our operations in the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, India, Asia-Pacific and other regions are generally subject to a number of risks, including:
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failure of local laws to provide the same degree of protection that the laws in the United States provide against infringement of our intellectual property;
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protectionist laws and business practices that favor local competitors;
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dependence on local indirect channel partners;
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conflicting and changing governmental laws and regulations;
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longer sales cycles;
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greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable; and
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foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and political and economic instability.
If we violate the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or applicable anti-bribery laws in other countries our business could be harmed. We earn a significant portion of our total revenues from international sales. As a result, we are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment and requires companies to maintain appropriate record-keeping and internal accounting practices to accurately reflect the transactions of the company. The FCPA applies to companies, individual directors, officers, employees and agents. Under the FCPA, U.S. companies may be held liable for actions taken by agents or local partners or representatives. In addition, the government may seek to hold us liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies which we acquire. We are also subject to the U.K. Bribery Act and may be subject to certain anti-corruption laws of other countries in which we do business. If we or our intermediaries fail to comply with the requirements of the FCPA or the anti-corruption laws of other countries, governmental authorities in the U.S. or other countries could seek to impose civil and/or criminal penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial conditions and cash flows.
If we fail to develop our brand cost-effectively, our business may suffer. We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of our brand in a cost-effective manner is important to achieving widespread acceptance
of our existing and future products and services and is an important element in attracting new customers. Furthermore, we believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our market develops. Successful promotion of our brand will depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and on our ability to provide reliable and useful products and services at competitive prices. Brand promotion activities may not yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incurred in building our brand. If we fail to promote and maintain our brand successfully, or incur substantial expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to promote and maintain our brand, we may fail to attract enough new customers or retain our existing customers to the extent necessary to realize a sufficient return on our brand-building efforts, and this could have a material and adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
The current economic and geopolitical environment may impact some specific industries into which we sell. Many of our customers are concentrated in certain industries, including financial services, public sector, healthcare, and the service provider market segment. Certain industries may be more acutely affected by economic, geopolitical and other factors than other sectors. Our public sector customers are affected by federal, state and local budget decisions. To the extent that one or more of the sectors in which our customer base operates is adversely impacted, whether as a result of general conditions affecting all sectors or as a result of conditions affecting only those particular sectors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.
Uncertain conditions in the global economy and constraints in the global credit market may adversely affect our revenue and results of operations. Disruptions in the global economy and constraints in the global credit market may cause some of our customers to reduce, delay, or cancel spending on capital and technology projects, resulting in reduced spending with us. While some industry sectors such as government and telecommunications may be less susceptible to the effects of an economic slowdown, our enterprise customers may be adversely affected, especially in financial services and consumer industries. Continued volatility in, or disruption of European financial markets could limit customers’ ability to obtain adequate financing to maintain operations and result in a decrease in sales volume that could have a negative impact on our results of operations. Further, competitors may respond to economic conditions by lowering their prices, which could put pressure on our pricing. We could also experience lower than anticipated order levels, cancellations of orders in backlog, defaults on outstanding accounts receivable and extended payment or delivery terms.
The price of our common stock may decrease due to market volatility. The market price of our common stock has been volatile and may continue to fluctuate in response to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Trading activity of our stock has historically been relatively thin, in part as a result of officers and directors and institutional shareholders holding a significant percentage of our stock. In addition, the market prices of securities of similarly sized technology companies have been volatile and have experienced fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. Also, broad market fluctuations could adversely impact the market price of our common stock, which in turn could cause impairment of goodwill that could materially and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
It is not uncommon when the market price of a stock has been volatile for holders of that stock to institute securities class action litigation against the company that issues that stock. If any of our stockholders brought such a lawsuit against us, even if the lawsuit is without merit, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit beyond any insurance coverage which we may have for such risks. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management.
We may fail to secure necessary additional financing. Our future success may depend in part on our ability to obtain additional financing to support our continued growth and operations. If our existing sources of liquidity are insufficient to satisfy our operating requirements, we may need to seek to raise capital by:
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issuing additional common stock or other equity instruments;
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acquiring additional bank debt;
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issuing debt securities; or
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obtaining lease financings.
However, we may not be able to obtain additional capital when we want or need it, or capital may not be available on satisfactory terms. Furthermore, any additional capital may have terms and conditions that adversely affect our business, such as new financial or operating covenants, or that may result in additional dilution to our stockholders.
Our effective tax rate may increase or fluctuate, which could increase our income tax expense and reduce our net income. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by several factors, many of which are outside of our control, including:
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Changes in the relative proportions of revenues and income before taxes in the various jurisdictions in which we operate that have differing statutory tax rates;
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Changing tax laws, regulations, and interpretations in multiple jurisdictions in which we operate as well as the requirements of certain tax rulings;
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Changes in accounting and tax treatment of share-based compensation;
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The valuation of generated and acquired deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance on these assets;
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The tax effects of purchase accounting for acquisitions and restructuring charges that may cause fluctuations between reporting periods; and
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Tax assessments or any related tax interest or penalties that could significantly affect our income tax expense for the period in which the settlements take place.
An adverse change in our effective tax rate could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our estimates and judgments related to critical accounting policies could be inaccurate. We consider accounting policies related to marketable securities, revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill and acquired intangible assets and share-based compensation to be critical in fully understanding and evaluating our financial results. Management makes accounting judgments and estimates related to these policies. Our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted in future periods if our accounting judgments and estimates related to these critical accounting policies prove to be inaccurate.
Our reliance on sole source suppliers could adversely impact our business. Specific components that are necessary for the hardware assembly of our instruments are obtained from separate sole source suppliers or a limited group of suppliers. These components include our network interface cards and proprietary NetScout hardware. Our reliance on sole or limited suppliers involves several risks, including a potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components and the inability to exercise control over pricing, quality and timely delivery of components. It is our practice to mitigate these risks by partnering with key suppliers, including distributors, to establish a variety of supply continuity practices. These practices may include, among other approaches, establishing buffer supply through letters of intent requiring suppliers to maintain adequate stocks of materials, bonding agreements with distributors assuring supply continuity, and use-based and kanban programs
to set supply thresholds. We also enter into escrow arrangements for certain technologies. Where possible, we use widely-available off the shelf hardware and work with large suppliers with multiple factories and other risk management practices. However, failure of supply or failure to execute effectively on any of these programs could result in our inability to obtain adequate deliveries or the occurrence of any other circumstance that would require us to seek alternative sources of these components would impact our ability to ship our products on a timely basis. This could damage relationships with our current and prospective customers, cause shortfalls in expected revenue, and could materially and adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
Necessary licenses for third-party technology may not be available to us or may be very expensive. We currently and will in the future license technology from third parties that we use to produce or embed in our products. While we have generally been able to license required third-party technology to date, future required third-party licenses may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Third parties who hold exclusive rights to technology that we seek to license may include our competitors. If we are unable to obtain any necessary third-party licenses, we would be required to redesign or product or obtain substitute technology, which may perform less well, be of lower quality or be more costly.
Our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property rights. Our business is heavily dependent on our intellectual property. We rely upon a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and registrations and non-disclosure and other contractual and license arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. The reverse engineering, unauthorized copying, or other misappropriation of our intellectual property could enable third parties to benefit from our technology without compensating us. Legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights could be burdensome and expensive and could involve a high degree of uncertainty. In addition, legal proceedings may divert management’s attention from growing our business. There can be no assurance that the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate to deter misappropriation of proprietary information, or that we will be able to detect unauthorized use by third parties and take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual property rights. Further, we also license software from third parties for use as part of our products, and if any of these licenses were to terminate, we might experience delays in product shipment until we develop or license alternative software.
Others may claim that we infringe on their intellectual property rights. From time to time we may be subject to claims by others that our products infringe on their intellectual property rights, patents, copyrights or trademarks. These claims, whether or not valid, could require us to spend significant sums in litigation, pay damages or royalties, delay product shipments, reengineer our products, rename our products and rebuild name recognition or acquire licenses to such third-party intellectual property. We may not be able to secure any required licenses on commercially reasonable terms or secure them at all. Any of these claims or resulting events could have a material and adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
The effectiveness of our disclosure and internal controls may be limited. Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting may not prevent all material errors and intentional misrepresentations. Any system of internal control can only provide reasonable assurance that all control objectives are met. Some of the potential risks involved could include, but are not limited to, management judgments, simple errors or mistakes and willful misconduct regarding controls or misinterpretation. Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act we are required to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Compliance with this legislation requires management’s attention and expense. Management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting may or may not identify weaknesses that need to be addressed in our internal control system. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock or impact our borrowing ability. In addition, changes in operating conditions and changes in compliance with policies and procedures currently in place may result in inadequate internal control over financial reporting in the future.
We or our suppliers may be impacted by new regulations related to climate change. We or our suppliers may become subject to new laws enacted with regards to climate change. In the event that new laws are enacted or current laws are modified in countries in which we or our suppliers operate, our flow of product may be impacted which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Uncertainties of regulation of the Internet and data traveling over the Internet could have a material and adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Currently, few laws or regulations apply directly to access to or commerce on the Internet. We could be materially adversely affected by regulation of the Internet and Internet commerce in any country where we operate. Such regulations could include matters such as net neutrality. Further, governments may regulate or restrict the sales, licensing, distribution, and export or import of certain technologies to certain countries. The adoption of regulation of the Internet and Internet commerce could decrease demand for our products and, at the same time, increase the cost of selling our products, which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the enactment of new federal, state, or foreign data privacy laws and regulations could cause customers not to be able to take advantage of all the features or capabilities of our products which in turn could reduce demand for certain of our products.
A security breach or cyber attack of our networks could interrupt our operations or harm our reputation. Although we believe we have sufficient controls and security measures in place to prevent such attacks, our systems may still be vulnerable to data theft, computer viruses, programming errors, attacks by third parties or similar problems. If we were to experience a security breach or cyber attack, we could be required to incur substantial costs and liabilities, including but not limited to, expenses attributable to rectifying the security breach or cyber attack including the cost of repairing any damage to our systems, liability for stolen assets or information, lost revenue and income resulting from any system downtime, increased costs for cyber security protection, and damage to our reputation causing customers and possibly investors to lose confidence in us. Similarly, an actual or perceived breach of our customers’ network security allowing access to our customers’ data centers or other parts of their IT environments, regardless of whether the breach is attributable to our products, may cause contractual disputes and could require significant expenditures of our capital and diversion of our resources from development efforts.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
We currently lease approximately 175,000 square feet of space in an office building in Westford, Massachusetts, for our headquarters. The current lease will expire in September 2023, and we have an option to extend the lease for two additional five-year terms. We lease office space in twenty eight international cities throughout the world for our sales and support personnel, as well as 72,742 square feet of space in San Jose, California. We lease 32,671 square feet of office space for our engineering and support personnel in India. We believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet our foreseeable requirements or that suitable additional or substitute space will be available on commercially reasonable terms.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, NetScout is subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate expense with respect to any current legal proceedings and claims, if determined adversely, will not have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In March 2012, NetScout uncovered and investigated, and in April 2012, disclosed to the U.S. Department of Justice and the California State Attorney General potential violations of federal and California state anti-trust laws. The potential violations involve a former employee and one or more third parties in connection with sales to state governmental agencies during fiscal year 2012. NetScout believes it did not benefit from any of the transactions uncovered and believes that the amounts involved are not material. The California State Attorney General is conducting an investigation into the matter. NetScout is cooperating fully and is providing all requested information. In general, the federal and state agencies have the authority to seek fines and other remedies for anti-trust violations; however, no charges or proceedings have been initiated by any governmental agency against NetScout and we have been informed by the Department of Justice that it does not intend to take any action against NetScout.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Price Range of Common Stock
We completed our initial public offering on August 17, 1999. Since that time, our common stock has traded on the Nasdaq Global Market and its predecessor, the Nasdaq National Market, under the symbol NTCT. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low intraday sales prices for our common stock. Such information reflects inter-dealer price, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
Stockholders
As of May 16, 2013, we had 86 stockholders of record. We believe that the number of beneficial holders of our common stock exceeds 5,700.
Stock Performance Graph
This performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of NetScout under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The Stock Performance Graph set forth below compares the yearly change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock during the five year period from March 31, 2008 through March 31, 2013 with the cumulative total return of the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Computer & Data Processing Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on March 31, 2008 in our common stock or in the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Computer & Data Processing Index and assumes reinvestment of dividends, if any.
The stock price performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. Information used in the graph was obtained from Zacks Investment Research, Inc., a source believed to be reliable, but NetScout is not responsible for any errors or omissions in such information.
Dividend Policy
In fiscal years 2013 and 2012, we did not declare any cash dividends and do not anticipate declaring cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our credit facility limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock. It is our intention to retain all future earnings for reinvestment to fund our expansion and growth. Any future cash dividend declaration will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our future earnings, general financial conditions, capital requirements, existing bank covenants and general business conditions.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
The following table provides information about purchases we made during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (Dollars in millions, except per share data):
(1) We purchased an aggregate of 8,204 shares transferred to us from employees in satisfaction of minimum tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of restricted stock during the period. These purchases reflected in the table do not reduce the maximum number of shares that may be purchased under the plan.
(2) In July 2006, our Board authorized us to repurchase up to four million shares of our outstanding common stock with no pre-established end date.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included under Item 7
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial information and the notes thereto included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this Annual Report contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially due to competitive factors and other factors discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement.
Overview
NetScout was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts. We design, develop, manufacture, market, sell and support market leading unified service delivery management, service assurance and application performance management solutions focused on assuring service delivery for the world’s largest, most demanding and complex IP based service delivery environments. We manufacture and market these products in integrated hardware and software solutions that are used by commercial enterprises, large governmental agencies and telecommunication service providers worldwide. We have a single operating segment and substantially all of our identifiable assets are located in the United States.
Our operating results are influenced by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the mix and quantity of products and services sold, pricing, costs of materials used in our products, growth in employee related costs, including commissions, and the expansion of our operations. Factors that affect our ability to maximize our operating results include, but are not limited to, our ability to introduce and enhance existing products, the marketplace acceptance of those new or enhanced products, continued expansion into international markets, development of strategic partnerships, competition, successful acquisition integration efforts, our ability to achieve expense reductions and make structural improvements and current economic conditions.
Our key objectives have been to continue to gain market share in the wireless service provider market and to accelerate our enterprise growth by extending into the application performance management segment. A key common component of both initiatives has been our aggressive acquisition of the strongly complementary packet flow or monitoring switch technology.
On October 31, 2012, we completed the acquisition of ONPATH Technologies, Inc. (ONPATH), an established provider of scalable packet flow switching technology for high-performance networks for the aggregation and distribution of network traffic for data, voice, video testing, monitoring, performance
management and cybersecurity deployments. ONPATH’s packet flow switch technology is synergistic with our network monitoring switch strategy. The acquisition of the packet flow switch technology further strengthens our Unified Service Delivery Management strategy by enabling scalable access to all relevant network traffic across highly distributed network environments for use by any network monitoring, performance management and security system. ONPATH’s test automation technology is used to monitor networks in test environments which simulate existing and planned network environments. We paid $36.8 million in cash for the acquisition of ONPATH and $4.2 million of additional compensation consideration which could be paid out in the future.
On July 20, 2012, we completed the acquisition of certain assets, technology and employees from Accanto Systems, S.r.l. (Accanto). Accanto provides service assurance for telecommunication service providers enabling carriers to monitor and manage the delivery of voice services over converged, next generation network architectures. This technology is synergistic with our packet flow strategy and brings voice service monitoring capabilities for legacy voice environments and for next generation network voice services, including voice over IP (VoIP) and voice over long-term evolution (VoLTE) for 4G wireless networks. We paid $15.0 million for the acquisition of Accanto.
At the end of our fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, we entered the market with the packet aggregation switch we acquired from Simena. During the second half of our fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, we added a high capacity, chassis-based packet flow switch line that we acquired from ONPATH in October 2012. The combination of these two products has provided us with a wide range of price/performance and scale, well suited for both large enterprise and service provider applications.
In the wireless service provider sector we continued to gain market share primarily driven by our leading 3G and LTE data service assurance solutions globally. Our strategy here has been to complement our solution portfolio with an integrated legacy and 3G/4G voice service assurance capability. A component of this strategy was the acquisition of Accanto earlier in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, providing us important voice service monitoring for legacy voice environments and next generation network voice services.
Overall, in the service provider market we continue to capitalize on major growth drivers. We have gained market share in the Tier 1 mobile packet switched core where we are servicing 2G/3G and now 4G infrastructures that are being driven further with capacity upgrades from existing customers. We have also been gaining new Tier 2 customers as we expand our presence both in the U.S. and around the world. We have been building our product to capture the carriers’ rapid expansion of IP Services where we have become a leader. A large business opportunity for us is the servicing of Diameter Routing Agents that is used in all IP networks such as Long-term Evolution (LTE) technologies and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). We are playing a central role in managing the complexity of the surge of different devices from handhelds to tablets, and how those users attach to the network, in areas such as authentication, authorization, policy and charging. Another area of growth is RAN aggregation, where there is a major transformation of the access and backhaul areas of the network. Carriers are consolidating 2G, 3G, and 4G into one box, combined with new LTE rollouts. We are helping to manage the handset and cell tower issues. During our fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, we intend to work to expand our capabilities to provide end-to-end monitoring by adding significant enhancements and features to our product set.
Results Overview
We saw continued growth during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, with product revenue growth of 18% and overall revenue growth of 14% compared to the prior fiscal year. Our earnings per share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 were $0.96 per share, representing a $0.20, or 26%, increase over the same period in the prior year. Our business maintained strong gross profit margins. Our gross margin for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 remained flat at 79% compared to the same period in the prior year.
We ended fiscal year 2013 with an immaterial amount of product backlog, compared to $13.0 million as of the end of fiscal year 2012.
At March 31, 2013, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $154.1 million. This represents a decrease of $59.4 million over the previous fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, we maintained our liquidity despite acquisitions of product technology as well as cash outflows as a result of our share repurchase program and the repayment of $62.0 million of long-term debt.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We supplement the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) financial measures we report in quarterly earnings announcements, investor presentations and other investor communications by reporting the following non-GAAP measures: non-GAAP revenue, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share. Non-GAAP revenue eliminates the GAAP effects of acquisitions by adding back revenue related to deferred revenue revaluation. Non-GAAP net income includes the foregoing adjustment and also removes inventory fair value adjustments, expenses related to the amortization of acquired intangible assets, stock-based compensation, restructuring, certain expenses relating to acquisitions including compensation for post-combination services and business development charges, as well as early extinguishment of debt, net of related income tax effects. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share also excludes these expenses as well as the related impact of all these adjustments on the provision for income taxes.
These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with GAAP, should not be considered an alternative for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP (revenue, net income and diluted net income per share), and may have limitations in that they do not reflect all our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures. The presentation of non-GAAP information is not meant to be considered superior to, in isolation from or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the reader’s overall understanding of our current financial performance and its prospects for the future by providing a higher degree of transparency for certain financial measures and providing a level of disclosure that helps investors understand how we plan and measure our business. We believe that providing these non-GAAP measures affords investors a view of our operating results that may be more easily compared to our peer companies and also enables investors to consider our operating results on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis during and following the integration period of our acquisitions. Presenting the GAAP measures on their own may not be indicative of our core operating results. Furthermore, management believes that the presentation of non-GAAP measures when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures provide useful information to management and investors regarding present and future business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations.
The following table reconciles revenue, net income and net income per share on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
Critical Accounting Policies
We consider accounting policies related to marketable securities, revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and other acquisition accounting items, and share based compensation to be critical in fully understanding and evaluating our financial results. The application of these policies involves significant judgments and estimates by us.
Marketable Securities
We measure the fair value of our marketable securities at the end of each reporting period. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Marketable securities are recorded at fair value and have been classified as Level 1 or 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in accessible active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves.
Investments and marketable securities are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value below cost basis is determined to be other-than-temporary. We periodically evaluate whether a decline in fair value below cost basis is other-than-temporary by considering available evidence regarding these investments including, among other factors, the duration of the period that, and extent to which, the fair value is less than cost basis, the financial health of and business outlook for the issuer, including industry and sector performance and operational and financing cash flow factors, overall market conditions and trends and our intent and ability to retain our investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in market value. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, a write-down is recorded and a new cost
basis in the security is established. Assessing the above factors involves inherent uncertainty. Write-downs, if recorded, could be materially different from the actual market performance of investments and marketable securities in our portfolio if, among other things, relevant information related to our investments and marketable securities was not publicly available or other factors not considered by us would have been relevant to the determination of impairment.
Revenue Recognition
Product revenue consists of sales of our hardware products (which include required embedded software that works together with the hardware to deliver the hardware’s essential functionality), licensing of our software products, and sale of hardware bundled with a software license. Product revenue is recognized upon shipment, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, fees are fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is probable. Because many of our solutions are comprised of both hardware and more than incidental software components, we recognize revenue in accordance with authoritative guidance on both hardware and software revenue recognition.
Service revenue consists primarily of fees from customer support agreements, consulting and training. We generally provide software and hardware support as part of product sales. Revenue related to the initial bundled software and hardware support is recognized ratably over the support period. In addition, customers can elect to purchase extended support agreements for periods after the initial software warranty expiration. Support services generally include rights to unspecified upgrades (when and if available), telephone and internet-based support, updates and bug fixes. Revenue from customer support agreements is recognized ratably over the support period. Reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenditures incurred in connection with providing consulting services are included in services revenue, with the offsetting expense recorded in cost of service revenue. Training services include on-site and classroom training. Training revenues are recognized as the related training services are provided.
Generally, our contracts are accounted for individually. However, when contracts are closely interrelated and dependent on each other, it may be necessary to account for two or more contracts as one to reflect the substance of the group of contracts.
Multi-element arrangements are concurrent customer purchases of a combination of our product and service offerings that may be delivered at various points in time. For multi-element arrangements comprised only of hardware products and related services, we allocate the total arrangement consideration to the multiple elements based on each element’s selling price compared to the total relative selling price of all the elements. Each element’s selling price is based on management’s best estimate of selling price (BESP) paid by customers based on the element’s historical pricing when VSOE or TPE does not exist. We have established BESP for product elements as the average selling price the element was sold for over the past six quarters, whether sold alone or sold as part of a multiple element transaction. Our internal list price for products, reviewed quarterly by senior management, with consideration in regards to changing factors in our technology and in the marketplace, is generated to target the desired gross margin from sales of product after analyzing historical discounting trends. We review sales of the product elements on a quarterly basis and update, when appropriate, BESP for such elements to ensure that it reflects recent pricing experience. We have established VSOE for services related undelivered elements.
For multi-element arrangements comprised only of software products and related services, we allocate a portion of the total arrangement consideration to the undelivered elements, primarily support agreements and training, using VSOE of fair value for the undelivered elements. The remaining portion of the total arrangement consideration is allocated to the delivered software, referred to as the residual method. VSOE of fair value of the undelivered elements is based on the price customers pay when the element is sold separately. We review the separate sales of the undelivered elements on a quarterly basis and update, when appropriate, its VSOE of fair value for such elements to ensure that it reflects recent pricing experience. If we cannot objectively determine the
VSOE of the fair value of any undelivered software element, we defer revenue until all elements are delivered and services have been performed, or until fair value can objectively be determined for any remaining undelivered elements.
For multi-element arrangements comprised of a combination of hardware and software elements, the total arrangement consideration is bifurcated between the hardware and hardware related deliverables and the software and software related deliverables based on the relative selling prices of all deliverables as a group. Then, arrangement consideration for the hardware and hardware-related services is recognized upon delivery or as the related services are provided outlined above and revenue for the software and software-related services is allocated following the residual method and recognized based upon delivery or as the related services are provided.
Our product is distributed through our direct sales force and indirect distribution channels through alliances with resellers. Revenue arrangements with resellers are recognized on a sell-in basis; that is, when we deliver the product to the reseller. We record consideration given to a reseller as a reduction of revenue to the extent we have recorded revenue from the reseller. We do not offer contractual rights of return, stock balancing, or price protection to our resellers, and actual product returns from them have been insignificant to date. In addition, we have history of successfully collecting receivables from the resellers. As a result, we do not maintain reserves for reseller product returns.
Valuation of Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Other Acquisition Accounting Items
The carrying value of goodwill was $202.5 million and $170.4 million as of March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We have two reporting units: (1) Unified Service Delivery and (2) Test Automation. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level at least annually, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting segment below its carrying value. Because NetScout, and our two reporting units, did not experience any significant adverse changes in our business or reporting structures, we performed the qualitative Step 0 assessment. In performing the qualitative Step 0 assessment, we considered certain events and circumstances specific to the entity at the reporting unit level, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance and cost factors when evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. No indicators of impairment were noted as of January 31, 2013. Additionally, the market capitalization of NetScout as a whole significantly exceeded its carrying value.
The carrying value of intangible assets was $63.8 million and $54.7 million as of March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. We amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, except for the acquired tradename which resulted from the Network General acquisition, which has an indefinite life and thus, is not amortized. The carrying value of the indefinite lived tradename is evaluated annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, we early adopted authoritative guidance that gives entities an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required. We completed our annual impairment test of the indefinite lived intangible as of January 31, 2013 using the qualitative Step 0 assessment described above, which largely mirrors the Unified Service Delivery analysis, as the tradenames apply to a majority of the products and branding within that reporting unit. No impairment indicators were observed as of January 31, 2013.
We have acquired five companies during the three year period ended March 31, 2013. The acquisition method of accounting requires that we estimate the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired as part of these transactions. In order to estimate the fair value of acquired intangibles we use a relief from royalty model which requires management to estimate: future revenues expected to be generated by the acquired intangibles, a royalty rate which a market participant would pay related to the projected revenue stream, a present value factor which approximates a risk adjusted rate of return for a market participant purchasing the assets, and a technology migration curve representing a period of time over which the technology assets or some portion thereof are still being used. We are also required to develop the fair value for customer relationships acquired as part of these transactions which requires that we create estimates for the following items: a projection of future revenues associated with the acquired company’s existing customers, a turnover rate for those customers, a margin related to those sales, and risk adjusted rate of return for a market participant purchasing those relationships.
The acquisition of Simena LLC also contained contingent features based on the ultimate settlement of assets and liabilities acquired as part of transaction, and the former owners future period of employment with the Company. Contingent consideration accounting requires the Company to estimate the probability of various settlement scenarios, the former owners expected period of employment with NetScout, and a risk adjusted interest rate to present value to the payment streams.
Share-based Compensation
We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payments. Under the fair value recognition provisions, we recognize share-based compensation net of an estimated forfeiture rate and only recognize compensation cost for those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.
We are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the share-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period.
Based on historical experience, we assumed an annualized forfeiture rate of 0% for awards granted to our directors, and an annualized forfeiture rate of 10% for awards granted to our senior executives and remaining employees. We will record additional expense if the actual forfeitures are lower than estimated and will record a recovery of prior expense if the actual forfeitures are higher than estimated.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Years Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012
Revenue
Product revenue consists of sales of our hardware products and licensing of our software products. Service revenue consists of customer support agreements, consulting and training. No one direct customer or indirect channel partner accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.
Product. The 18%, or $30.6 million, increase in product revenue was due to a $19.4 million increase in revenue from our general enterprise sector and an $18.8 million increase in our service provider sector. These increases were offset by a $7.6 million decrease in our government enterprise sector. Compared to the same period in the prior year, we realized a 7% increase in units shipped and a 6% increase in the average selling price per unit of our products. The increase in average selling price is due to product mix.
We expect continued growth in our fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and expect our service provider sector to continue to be a significant driver of future growth.
Service. The 8%, or $11.3 million, increase in service revenue was due to a $10.8 million increase in revenue from maintenance contracts due to increased new maintenance contracts and renewals from a growing support base and a $1.7 million increase in premium support contracts. These were offset by a $1.3 million decrease in consulting revenue. We expect single digit percentage growth in our service revenues. We expect this to be generated by product revenue growth which increases our installed base and therefore our related maintenance contracts.
Total product and service revenue from direct and indirect channels are as follows:
The 3%, or $5.7 million, increase in indirect channel revenue is the result of the increase in sales in Europe to our service provider customers. Sales to customers outside the United States are export sales typically through channel partners, who are generally responsible for distributing our products and providing technical support and service to customers within their territories. Our reported international revenue does not include any revenue from sales to customers outside the United States that are shipped to our United States-based indirect channel partners. These domestic resellers fulfill customer orders based upon joint selling efforts in conjunction with our direct sales force and may subsequently ship our products to international locations; however, we report these shipments as United States revenue since we ship the products to a domestic location. The 25%, or $36.2 million, increase in direct channel revenue is the result of increased domestic revenue from our service provider and domestic general enterprise customers.
Total revenue by geography is as follows:
United States revenues increased 14%, or $31.7 million, as a result of an increase in our service provider and general enterprise sectors. The 13%, or $10.2 million, increase in international revenue is primarily due to an increase in our service provider sector in Europe as well as our general enterprise sector throughout the world. We expect revenue from sales to customers outside the United States to continue to account for a significant portion of our total revenue in the future. In accordance with United States export control regulations we do not sell to, or do business with, countries subject to economic sanctions and export controls.
Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit
Cost of product revenue consists primarily of material components, manufacturing personnel expenses, manuals, packaging materials, overhead and amortization of capitalized software, acquired software and core technology. Cost of service revenue consists primarily of personnel, material, overhead and support costs.
Product. The 17%, or $6.5 million, increase in cost of product revenue was primarily due to the 18%, or $30.6 million increase in product revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 when compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. In addition, there was a $453 thousand increase due to the amortization of a fair value adjustment related to inventory recorded from the acquisition of ONPATH.
The product gross profit percentage remained flat at 77% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the same period in the prior year. Average headcount in cost of product revenue was 29 and 26 for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Service. The 7%, or $1.9 million, increase in cost of service revenue was primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in employee related expenses resulting from increased headcount to support our growing installed base as well as increased incentive compensation. The 8%, or $9.4 million, increase in service gross profit corresponds with the 8%, or $11.3 million, increase in service revenue, offset by the 7%, or $1.9 million, increase in cost of services. The service gross profit percentage remained flat at 81% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 when compared to the same period in the prior year. Average headcount in cost of service revenue was 139 and 125 for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Gross profit. Our gross profit increased 14%, or $33.5 million. This increase is attributable to our increase in revenue of 14%, or $41.9 million, offset by a 13%, or $8.3 million, increase in cost of revenue. The gross margin percentage remained flat at 79% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 when compared to the same period in the prior year. Overall we expect our gross margin percentage to remain relatively flat in future periods with increased sales volumes offset by corresponding increases in product and service costs.
Operating Expenses
Research and development. Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses, fees for outside consultants, overhead and related expenses associated with the development of new products and the enhancement of existing products.
The 24%, or $12.1 million, increase in research and development expenses is due to a $9.0 million increase in employee related expenses due to increased headcount and incentive compensation, a $1.2 million increase in compensation for post combination services related to the acquisitions of Simena, Replay and ONPATH, a $536 thousand increase in consulting costs, a $495 thousand increase in travel expenses, a $443 thousand increase in allocated overhead, a $417 thousand increase in rent expense, a $333 thousand increase in depreciation and a $259 thousand increase in meeting expenses. These were offset by a $1.5 million decrease in business development expenses. Average headcount in research and development was 338 and 291 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We expect research and development expenses to decline as a percentage of sales in future periods as revenue growth offsets additional research and development headcount associated with our recent acquisitions.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses, including commissions, overhead and other expenses associated with selling activities and marketing programs such as trade shows, seminars, advertising, and new product launch activities.
The 7%, or $7.2 million, increase in total sales and marketing expenses was due to a $2.3 million increase in employee related expenses due to increased headcount, a $1.6 million increase in marketing related expenses, a $1.1 million increase in sales meeting costs, a $1.0 million increase in depreciation expense, a $891 thousand increase in expenses related to the NetScout user conference as this was not held during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, a $581 thousand increase in recruitment and a $534 thousand increase in employee training. Average headcount in sales and marketing was 333 and 317 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses for executive, financial, legal and human resource employees, overhead and other corporate expenditures.
The 8%, or $2.2 million, increase in general and administrative expenses was due to a $1.4 million increase in employee related expenses related to an increase in incentive compensation, a $973 thousand increase in deal related compensation associated with acquisitions and a $971 thousand increase in software license expenses. These expenses were offset by an $853 thousand decrease in business development costs associated with acquisitions. Average headcount in general and administrative was 115 and 117 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Amortization of acquired intangible assets. Amortization of acquired intangible assets consists primarily of amortization of customer relationships related to the acquisitions of ONPATH, Accanto, Simena, Replay, Psytechnics and Network General Central Corporation (Network General).
The 35%, or $746 thousand, increase in amortization of acquired intangible assets is due to the increase of expense recorded related to the acquisitions of ONPATH, Accanto, Simena and Replay. The amortization related to the acquisitions ONPATH and Accanto were not recorded during the prior fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 as the acquisitions have occurred within the past twelve months. In addition, there were increases related to the acquisitions of Simena and Replay during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the prior fiscal year primarily related to recording an entire year of amortization in the current year.
Restructuring charges. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, we restructured part of our international sales organization related to an overlap of personnel acquired as part of the Accanto acquisition. As a result, we recorded $1.2 million of restructuring charges during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 related to severance costs.
Interest and Other Expense, Net
Interest and other expense, net includes interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments, interest expense and other non-operating gains or losses.
The 71%, or $2.0 million, decrease in interest and other income (expense), net was due to a $690 thousand decrease related to the loss on extinguishment of debt in connection with the refinancing of our previous credit facility during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, a $718 thousand decrease in foreign currency transaction expense, a $475 thousand decrease in interest expense due to a decrease in the interest rate as well as the payment of our outstanding debt during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. In addition, there was an $89 thousand increase in interest income.
Income Tax Expense
The annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2013 is 36.3%, compared to an annual effective tax rate of 36.3% for fiscal year 2012. Generally, the annual effective tax rates differ from statutory rates primarily due to the impact of the domestic production activities deduction, the impact of state taxes, and federal, foreign and state tax credits.
Comparison of Years Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
Revenue
Product revenue consists of sales of our hardware products and licensing of our software products. Service revenue consists of customer support agreements, consulting and training. No one direct customer or indirect channel partner accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue during fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
Product. The 5%, or $8.2 million, increase in product revenue was due to a $9.1 million increase in revenue from our service provider sector and a $400 thousand increase in revenue from our enterprise sector. These increases were offset by a $1.3 million decrease in our government sector. Compared to the same period in the prior year, we realized an 11% decrease in units shipped, while the average selling price per unit of our products increased approximately 17%. The increase in average selling price per unit is due to a shift in product mix from our lower priced probes and software to our higher priced Infinistream products. Product revenue related to our acquisitions was $4.1 million during the year ended March 31, 2012.
Service. The 8%, or $9.9 million, increase in service revenue was due to a $10.6 million increase in revenue from maintenance contracts due to increased new maintenance and renewals from a growing support base and an $834 thousand increase in premium support contracts. This was partially offset by a $675 thousand decrease in consulting revenue and a $937 thousand decrease in training revenue mainly due to the one-time recognition of $1.0 million in training revenue during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 from non-refundable expired contracts. Prior to the quarter ended June 30, 2010, we had not been able to demonstrate that we had fulfilled our obligations under these contracts. However, starting with the quarter ended June 30, 2010, we were able to demonstrate that our obligations had been fulfilled. While we will continue to recognize revenue from non-refundable expired contracts, revenue in future quarters from such expired contracts is not expected to be significant. Service revenue related to our acquisitions was $1.4 million during the year ended March 31, 2012.
Total product and service revenue from direct and indirect channels are as follows:
The 3%, or $5.5 million, decrease in indirect channel revenue is the result of the decline in sales to government customers, as well as our European service provider and financial customers. Sales to customers outside the United States are export sales through channel partners, who are generally responsible for distributing our products and providing technical support and service to customers within their territories. Our reported
international revenue does not include any revenue from sales to customers outside the United States that are shipped to our United States-based indirect channel partners. These domestic resellers fulfill customer orders based upon joint selling efforts in conjunction with our direct sales force and may subsequently ship our products to international locations; however, we report these shipments as United States revenue since we ship the products to a domestic location. The 20%, or $23.7 million, increase in direct channel revenue is the result of increased domestic revenue from our service provider and financial customers.
Total revenue by geography is as follows:
United States revenues increased 9%, or $18.6 million, as a result of an increase in our service provider and financial sectors. The 1%, or $509 thousand, decrease in international revenue is due to decline in our financial and service provider sectors in Europe. The decline in sales from Europe reflects the impact of economic conditions in the region. In accordance with United States export control regulations we do not sell to, or do business with, countries subject to economic sanctions and export controls.
Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit
Cost of product revenue consists primarily of material components, manufacturing personnel expenses, manuals, packaging materials, overhead and amortization of capitalized software, acquired software and core technology. Cost of service revenue consists primarily of personnel, material, overhead and support costs.
Product. The 3%, or $1.1 million, increase in cost of product revenue was primarily due to the 5%, or $8.2 million increase in product revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 when compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. Amortization of software and core technology included as cost of product revenue increased by $671 thousand for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.
The product gross profit percentage increased by one point to 77% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. This increase was primarily due to lower discounting, offset by the increase in amortization of software and core technology. Average headcount in cost of product revenue was 26 and 29 for the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Service. The 14%, or $3.2 million, increase in cost of service revenue was primarily due to a $1.9 million increase in employee related expenses resulting from increased headcount to support our growing installed base, a $793 thousand increase in cost of materials used to support customers under service contracts and a $210 thousand increase in allocated overhead costs. The 6%, or $6.7 million, increase in service gross profit corresponds with the 8%, or $9.9 million, increase in service revenue, offset by the 14%, or $3.2 million, increase in cost of services. The service gross profit percentage decreased by one point to 81% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Average headcount in cost of service revenue was 125 and 115 for the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Gross profit. Our gross profit increased 6%, or $13.8 million. This increase is attributable to our increase in revenue of 6%, or $18.1 million, offset by a 7%, or $4.3 million, increase in cost of revenue. The gross margin percentage remained flat at 79% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.
Operating Expenses
Research and development. Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses, fees for outside consultants, overhead and related expenses associated with the development of new products and the enhancement of existing products.
The 22%, or $8.9 million, increase in research and development expenses is due to a $4.7 million increase in employee related expenses, due to increased headcount and share-based compensation expenses, a $1.5 million increase in integration costs largely related to the acquisition of Simena, a $987 thousand increase in depreciation, a $438 thousand increase in compensation for post combination services related to the acquisition of Replay, a $404 thousand increase in overhead allocations, a $363 thousand increase in rent and office expense due to the acquisitions of Psytechnics and Replay and a $257 thousand increase in technical supplies. Average headcount in research and development was 291 and 257 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses, including commissions, overhead and other expenses associated with selling activities and marketing programs such as trade shows, seminars, advertising, and new product launch activities.
The 4%, or $4.4 million, increase in total sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to a $3.4 million increase in employee related expenses and share-based compensation expenses, an $840 thousand increase in commission expense, an $829 thousand increase in trade show expenses, a $787 thousand increase in travel expenses and a $405 thousand increase in sales meetings. These expenses were partially offset by a $983 thousand decrease in expenses related to the NetScout user conference as this was not held during the year ended March 31, 2012 and a $649 thousand decrease in recruiting costs. Average headcount in sales and marketing was 317 and 312 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses for executive, financial, legal and human resource employees, overhead and other corporate expenditures.
The 18%, or $4.2 million, increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a $2.2 million increase in employee related expenses related to stock-based compensation and incentive compensation, and, a $1.2 million increase in business development costs associated with the acquisitions, a $477 thousand increase in professional services and a $381 thousand increase in consulting fees. Average headcount in general and administrative was 117 and 113 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Amortization of acquired intangible assets. Amortization of acquired intangible assets consists primarily of amortization of customer relationships related to the acquisitions of Simena, Replay, Psytechnics and Network General.
Restructuring charges. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, we implemented a plan to restructure parts of our general and administrative organization to centralize operations as well as our international sales organization to better align our resources with forecasted sales opportunities. As a result of the restructuring program, we eliminated 12 positions and recorded $603 thousand of restructuring charges related to severance costs paid to employees.
Interest and Other Expense, Net
Interest and other expense, net includes interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments, interest expense and other non-operating gains or losses.
The 56%, or $993 thousand, increase in interest and other expense was due to a $690 thousand loss on the extinguishment of debt in connection with the refinancing of our prior credit facility, a $369 thousand increase in a one-time foreign currency transaction expense recorded as a result of the acquisition of Replay, a $256 thousand increase in foreign currency transaction expense and a $253 thousand decrease in interest income due to lower overall market interest rates. These increases to interest and other expense were partially offset by a $686 thousand decrease in interest expense due to a decrease in the interest rate and principal amounts outstanding associated with our debt. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the average interest rates on our term loan were 2.123% and 2.750%, respectively.
Income Tax Expense
The annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2012 is 36.3%, compared to an annual effective tax rate of 33.8% for fiscal year 2011. Generally, the annual effective tax rates differ from statutory rates primarily due to the impact of the domestic production activities deduction, differences in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and federal, foreign and state tax credits. The difference in our effective tax rate compared to the prior year is primarily due to acquisition related items, a lower qualified production activity deduction, tax reserves and changes in the relative mix of income and losses across various jurisdictions.
Contractual Obligations
As of March 31, 2013, we had the following contractual obligations:
Payment due by period (Dollars in thousands)
As of March 31, 2013, the total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions and the accrual for the related interest was $370 thousand. We are unable to make a reliable estimate when cash settlement, if any, will occur with a tax authority as the timing of examinations and ultimate resolution of those examinations is uncertain. We have also excluded long-term deferred revenue of $25.9 million as such amounts will be recognized as services are provided.
(1) We lease facilities and certain equipment under operating lease agreements extending through September 2023 for a total of $37.2 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.
Commitment and Contingencies
We account for claims and contingencies in accordance with authoritative guidance that requires us to record an estimated loss from a claim or loss contingency when information available prior to issuance of our consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If we determine that it
is reasonably possible but not probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred or if the amount of a probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, then in accordance with the authoritative guidance, we disclose the amount or range of estimated loss if the amount or range of estimated loss is material. Accounting for claims and contingencies requires us to use our judgment. We consult with legal counsel on those issues related to litigation and seek input from other experts and advisors with respect to matters in the ordinary course of business. See Note 17 for a discussion of contingencies.
We recorded two contingent liabilities related to the acquisition of Simena. One relates to future consideration to be paid to the former owner which had an initial fair value of $8.0 million at the time of acquisition and another relates to contractual non-compliance liabilities incurred by Simena with an initial fair value of $1.6 million at the time of acquisition. At March 31, 2013, the present value of the future consideration was $5.1 million and the contractual non-compliance liability was $246 thousand.
During the summer of 2012, we received letters from former Accanto employees reserving their rights and alleging violations of Italian Civil Code Article 2112 relating to their employment. Further, in December 2012, we received communication from an Italian law firm engaged by a subset of Accanto employees asserting violations of Italian Civil Code Article 2112 relating to their employment and requesting transfer of employment to NetScout. As of March 31, 2013, the related claims have been settled and NetScout’s portion of the immaterial liability was paid.
As disclosed in Item 3, in March 2012, we uncovered and investigated, and in April 2012, disclosed to the U.S. Department of Justice and the California State Attorney General potential violations of federal and California state anti-trust laws. The potential violations involve a former employee and one or more third parties in connection with sales to state governmental agencies during fiscal year 2012. We believe we did not benefit from any of the transactions uncovered and believe that the amounts involved are not material. The California State Attorney General is conducting an investigation into the matter. We are cooperating fully and are providing all requested information. In general, the federal and state agencies have the authority to seek fines and other remedies for anti-trust violations; however, no charges or proceedings have been initiated by any governmental agency against NetScout, and we have been informed by the Department of Justice that it does not intend to take any action against NetScout. We determined that it is probable that there will be amounts due, those amounts are reasonably estimable and have been accrued as an immaterial liability as of March 31, 2013.
Backlog
Our combined product backlog at March 31, 2013, consisting of unshipped orders and deferred product revenue, was an immaterial amount compared to $13.0 million at March 31, 2012.
Warranty and Indemnification
We warrant that our software and hardware products will substantially conform to the documentation accompanying such products on their original date of shipment. For software, which also includes firmware, the standard warranty commences upon shipment and expires 90 days thereafter. With regard to hardware, the standard warranty commences upon shipment and expires 12 months thereafter. Additionally, this warranty is subject to various exclusions which include, but are not limited to, non-conformance resulting from modifications made to the software or hardware by a party other than NetScout; customers’ failure to follow our installation, operation or maintenance instructions; and events outside of our reasonable control. We also warrant that all support services will be performed in a good and workmanlike manner. We believe that our product and support service warranties are consistent with commonly accepted industry standards. No warranty cost information is presented and no warranty costs are accrued since service revenue associated with warranty is deferred at the time of sale and recognized ratably over the warranty period.
Contracts that we enter into in the ordinary course of business may contain standard indemnification provisions. Pursuant to these agreements, we may agree to defend third party claims brought against a partner or direct customer claiming infringement of such third party’s (i) U.S. patent and/or European Union (EU), or other selected countries’ patents, (ii) Berne convention member country copyright, and/or (iii) U.S., EU, and/or other selected countries’ trademark or intellectual property rights. Moreover, this indemnity may require us to pay any damages awarded against the partner or direct customer in such type of lawsuit as well as reimburse the partner or direct customer for reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by them from the lawsuit.
We may also agree from time to time to provide other forms of indemnification to partners or direct customers, such as indemnification that would obligate us to defend and pay any damages awarded to a third party against a partner or direct customer based on a lawsuit alleging that such third party has suffered personal injury or tangible property damage legally determined to have been caused by negligently designed or manufactured products.
We have agreed to indemnify our directors and officers and our subsidiaries’ directors and officers if they are made a party or are threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of NetScout) by reason of the fact that the indemnified are an agent of NetScout or by reason of anything done or not done by them in any such capacity. The indemnity is for any and all expenses and liabilities of any type (including but not limited to, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by the directors or officers in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such proceeding, provided they acted in good faith.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Substantially all of our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are located in the United States. Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
At March 31, 2013 cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $154.1 million, down $59.4 million from $213.5 million at March 31, 2012 due primarily to the $62.0 million repayment of long-term debt, $51.3 million used for the acquisitions of ONPATH and Accanto, $27.4 million of cash used to repurchase shares of our common stock and $11.9 million of cash used for capital expenditures, offset by $95.4 million of cash provided by operating activities.
Substantially all of our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are located in the United States. At March 31, 2013, cash and short-term and long-term investments in the United States was $150.5 million, while cash held offshore was approximately $3.6 million.
Cash and cash equivalents were impacted by the following:
Net cash provided by operating activities.
Fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012
Cash provided by operating activities was $95.4 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared to $68.3 million of cash provided by operating activities in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. This $27.1 million increase was due to a $9.1 million increase from accrued compensation and other expenses during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 when compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 largely due to the timing of accruals for incentive compensation as a result of achieving performance-based targets during fiscal year 2013 while such targets were not achieved during fiscal year 2012, accruals for the employee stock purchase plan which began in March 2012, as well as accrued commissions. In addition, there was an $8.2 million increase in profitability, a $6.3 million favorable impact from prepaid expenses and other assets largely due $6.0 million favorable impact from a decrease in prepaid income taxes, a $4.1 million favorable impact from accounts receivable in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 and a $2.3 million increase as a result of a decrease in inventories. These were offset by a $2.7 million unfavorable impact from deferred revenue. Accounts receivable days sales outstanding was 68 days at March 31, 2013 compared to 70 days at March 31, 2012.
Fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011
Cash provided by operating activities was $68.3 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared to $67.2 million of cash provided by operating activities in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. This $1.1 million decrease was due to a $6.8 million unfavorable impact from accounts receivable in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, a $4.8 million decrease in profitability, a $4.8 million decrease from increases in accounts payable, a $1.8 million decrease from accrued compensation and other expenses during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 when compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 largely due to the timing of accruals for incentive compensation. These decreases were offset by a $12.4 million increase from deferred revenue as a result of an increase in deferred maintenance revenue, a $2.8 million improvement from depreciation and amortization and $2.2 million increase as a result of share-based compensation. Accounts receivable days sales outstanding was 70 days at March 31, 2012 compared to 71 days at March 31, 2011.
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities.
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities was down $31.0 million to $22.0 million used during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared to $9.2 million of cash provided by investing activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Cash (used in) provided by investing activities was up $69.2 million to $9.2 million provided during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared to $60.0 million of cash used in investing activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.
During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we paid $51.3 million and $46.7 million for acquisitions.
Net inflow relating to the purchase and sales of marketable securities was down $24.9 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 when compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 relating to the impact of our investments mix. In addition, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, redemptions by the issuers for our remaining auction rate securities totaling $19.3 million were settled. As a result of the settlements, we reversed the remaining valuation reserve of $190 thousand. We held no investments in auction rate securities at March 31, 2013. Net inflow relating to the purchase and sales of marketable securities was up $119.7 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 when compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 relating to the impact of our investments mix.
Our expenditures for property and equipment consist primarily of computer equipment, demonstration units, office equipment and facility improvements. We plan to continue to invest in capital expenditures to support our infrastructure in our fiscal year 2014.
Net cash used in financing activities.
Cash used in financing activities was up $63.6 million to $91.0 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared to $27.4 million of cash used in financing activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.
On October 29, 2012, we paid down our outstanding credit facility in the amount of $62.0 million. As of the date of this filing there are no amounts outstanding under this credit facility. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we repaid $7.4 million and $11.3 million, respectively, under the terms of our previous credit facility.
During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we paid $4.0 million and $846 thousand, respectively, related to the contingent purchase consideration related to the acquisition of Simena.
Our Board of Directors has periodically authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock. We are currently authorized to repurchase up to four million shares with cash from operations. We repurchased 999,499 shares at a cost of $23.5 million under this program during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. In addition, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, we had 169,531 shares transferred to us from employees for tax withholding at a cost of $3.9 million. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, we repurchased 1,270,000 shares for $16.2 million. In addition, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, we had 216,882 shares transferred to us from employees for tax withholding at a cost of $4.4 million. Future repurchases of shares will reduce our cash balances.
We generated $1.9 million, $965 thousand and $8.2 million during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of excess tax benefits from share-based compensation awards.
Credit Facility
On November 22, 2011, we entered into a credit facility with a syndicate of lenders led by KeyBank National Association (KeyBank) which provides us with a $250 million revolving credit facility, which may be increased to $300 million at any time up to 90 days before maturity. The revolving credit facility includes a swing line loan sub-facility of up to $10 million and a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $10 million. The credit facility matures on November 21, 2016. At March 31, 2013 there were no amounts outstanding under the credit facility.
Expectations for Fiscal Year 2014
We believe that our cash balances, short-term marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and future cash flows generated by operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. In addition, we expect that cash provided by operating activities will continue to increase due to an expected increase in cash collections related to anticipated higher revenues, partially offset by an anticipated increase in operating expenses that require cash outlays such as salaries and commissions. Capital expenditures in our fiscal year 2014 are currently anticipated to be in line with previous years’ trend.
Additionally, a portion of our cash may be used to acquire or invest in complementary businesses or products or to obtain the right to use complementary technologies. From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, we evaluate potential acquisitions of such businesses, products or technologies such as our acquisitions of Psytechnics on April 1, 2011, Replay on October 3, 2011, Simena on November 18, 2011, certain assets, technology and employees of Accanto on July 20, 2012 and ONPATH on October 31, 2012. If our existing sources of liquidity are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities. The sale of additional equity or debt securities could result in additional dilution to our stockholders.
Recent Accounting Standards
In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-05 Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (ASU 2013-05). ASU 2013-05 provides guidance on releasing cumulative translation adjustments when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or a business within a foreign entity. ASU 2013-05 is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 (the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 for the NetScout). Early adoption is permitted. This standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-04 “Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date” (ASU 2013-04). This guidance requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date. This stipulates that (1) it will include the amount the entity agreed to pay for the arrangement between them and the other entities that are also obligated to the liability and (2) any additional amount the entity expects to pay on behalf of the other entities. The objective of this update is to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal periods (and
interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013 (the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 for NetScout). This standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-02: Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02). ASU 2013-02 provides additional guidance regarding reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI). The new guidance requires entities to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of AOCI on the respective line items in net income unless the amounts are not reclassified in their entirety to net income. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, entities are required to cross-reference other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. The new guidance is effective prospectively for all interim and annual periods beginning April 1, 2013 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 will impact financial statement presentation only; accordingly, it will have no impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
In July 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2012-02: Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (ASU 2012-02). ASU 2012-02 gives entities an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 (the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 for NetScout), with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 for our annual impairment test.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Credit Risk. Our cash equivalents and marketable securities consist primarily of money market instruments, U.S. Treasury bills, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, corporate bonds and municipal obligations.
At March 31, 2013 and periodically throughout the year, we have maintained cash balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. We limit the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution by evaluating the creditworthiness of the financial institutions with which we invest.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk. As a result of our foreign operations, we face exposure to movements in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily the Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar and Indian Rupee. The current exposures arise primarily from expenses denominated in foreign currencies. NetScout currently engages in foreign currency hedging activities in order to limit these exposures. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
As of March 31, 2013, we had foreign currency forward contracts with notional amounts totaling $17.1 million. The valuation of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at March 31, 2013 resulted in a liability balance of $249 thousand, reflecting unfavorable contract rates in comparison to current market rates at this date and an asset balance of $71 thousand reflecting favorable rates in comparison to current market rates. As of March 31, 2012, we had foreign currency forward contracts with notional amounts totaling $11.2 million. The valuation of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at March 31, 2011 resulted in a liability balance of $166 thousand, reflecting unfavorable contract rates in comparison to current market rates at this date and an asset balance of $150 thousand reflecting favorable rates in comparison to current market rates.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
NetScout’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm appear beginning on page attached to this report.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting or financial disclosure matters.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of March 31, 2013, NetScout, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2013 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information relating to NetScout, including its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed by NetScout in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, including ensuring that such material information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the year ended March 31, 2013, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2013.
In accordance with the SEC’s published guidance, NetScout’s management determined that it would exclude the operations of ONPATH (acquired on November 1, 2012) from the scope of its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as the period of time between completion of the acquisition and management’s evaluation was not sufficient to permit an assessment of ONPATH’s internal controls. As of March 31, 2013, NetScout’s total reported assets were $552 million, of which ONPATH’s assets accounted for approximately 2%.
For the year ended March 31, 2013, NetScout’s total revenues were $350.6 million, of which ONPATH accounted for approximately 2%.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein at of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The information required by this Item 10 is included under the captions “Directors and Executive Officers,” “Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Code of Ethics,” “The Board of Directors and its Committees” and “Corporate Governance” in our definitive Proxy Statement with respect to our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item 11 is included under the caption “Compensation and Other Information Concerning Executive Officers” in our definitive Proxy Statement with respect to our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item 12 is included under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our definitive Proxy Statement with respect to our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required by this Item 13 is included, as applicable, under the captions “Director Independence,” “Employment and Other Agreements” and “Transactions with Related Persons” in our definitive Proxy Statement with respect to our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this Item 14 is included under the captions “Auditors Fees and Services” and “Policy on Audit Committee Pre-approval of Audit and Non-audit Services” in our definitive Proxy Statement with respect to our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule
(b) We hereby file as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K the exhibits listed in Item 15(a)(3) above.
(c) We hereby file as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) above.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of NetScout Systems, Inc.:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NetScout Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries at March 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and the financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded OnPath Technologies, Inc. (“ONPATH”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during the year ended March 31, 2013. We have also excluded ONPATH from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. ONPATH is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose aggregated total assets and total revenues represent 2% and 2%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended March 31, 2013.
/S/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
May 24, 2013
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - NATURE OF BUSINESS
NetScout Systems, Inc., or NetScout or the Company, designs, develops, manufactures, markets, licenses, sells and supports market leading unified service delivery management, service assurance and application and network performance management solutions focused on assuring service delivery for the world’s largest, most demanding and complex IP based service delivery environments. NetScout manufactures and markets these products in integrated hardware and software solutions that are used by commercial enterprises, large governmental agencies and telecommunication service providers worldwide. NetScout has a single operating segment and substantially all of its identifiable assets are located in the United States.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NetScout and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Segment Reporting
The Company reports as a single operating segment with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) being the Company’s chief operating decision maker. The Company’s CEO reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. Accordingly, the Company has one business activity and there are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results or components below the consolidated unit level.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates in these financial statements include revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill and acquired intangible assets and share-based compensation. These items are continuously monitored and analyzed by management for changes in facts and circumstances and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
Under current authoritative guidance, NetScout has classified its investments as “available-for-sale” which are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices and associated unrealized gains or losses are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized. NetScout considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents and those investments with original maturities greater than three months to be marketable securities.
At March 31, 2013 and periodically throughout the year, NetScout has maintained cash balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. NetScout limits the amount of credit exposure by investing only with credit worthy institutions.
Revenue Recognition
We exercise judgment and use estimates in connection with determining the amounts of product and services revenues to be recognized in each accounting period.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Product revenue consists of sales of NetScout’s hardware products (which include required embedded software that works together with the hardware to deliver the hardware’s essential functionality), licensing of its software products, and sale of hardware bundled with a software license. Product revenue is recognized upon shipment, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, fees are fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is probable. Because many of NetScout’s solutions are comprised of both hardware and more than incidental software components, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with authoritative guidance on both hardware and software revenue recognition.
Service revenue consists primarily of fees from customer support agreements, consulting and training. NetScout generally provides software and hardware support as part of product sales. Revenue related to the initial bundled software and hardware support is recognized ratably over the support period. In addition, customers can elect to purchase extended support agreements for periods after the initial software warranty expiration. Support services generally include rights to unspecified upgrades (when and if available), telephone and internet-based support, updates and bug fixes. Revenue from customer support agreements is recognized ratably over the support period. Reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenditures incurred in connection with providing consulting services are included in services revenue, with the offsetting expense recorded in cost of service revenue. Training services include on-site and classroom training. Training revenues are recognized as the related training services are provided.
Generally, the Company’s contracts are accounted for individually. However, when contracts are closely interrelated and dependent on each other, it may be necessary to account for two or more contracts as one to reflect the substance of the group of contracts.
Multi-element arrangements are concurrent customer purchases of a combination of NetScout’s product and service offerings that may be delivered at various points in time. For multi-element arrangements comprised only of hardware products and related services, the Company allocates the total arrangement consideration to the multiple elements based on each element’s selling price compared to the total relative selling price of all the elements. Each element’s selling price is based on management’s best estimate of selling price (BESP) paid by customers based on the element’s historical pricing when VSOE or TPE does not exist. The Company has established BESP for product elements as the average selling price the element was sold for over the past six quarters, whether sold alone or sold as part of a multiple element transaction. The Company’s internal list price for products, reviewed quarterly by senior management, with consideration in regards to changing factors in its technology and in the marketplace, is generated to target the desired gross margin from sales of product after analyzing historical discounting trends. The Company reviews sales of the product elements on a quarterly basis and updates, when appropriate, its BESP for such elements to ensure that it reflects recent pricing experience. The Company has established VSOE for services related undelivered elements.
For multi-element arrangements comprised only of software products and related services, the Company allocates a portion of the total arrangement consideration to the undelivered elements, primarily support agreements and training, using vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value for the undelivered elements. The remaining portion of the total arrangement consideration is allocated to the delivered software, referred to as the residual method. VSOE of fair value of the undelivered elements is based on the price customers pay when the element is sold separately. The Company reviews the separate sales of the undelivered elements on a quarterly basis and updates, when appropriate, its VSOE of fair value for such elements to ensure that it reflects recent pricing experience. If the Company cannot objectively determine the VSOE of the fair value of any undelivered
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
software element, revenue is deferred until all elements are delivered and services have been performed, or until fair value can objectively be determined for any remaining undelivered elements.
For multi-element arrangements comprised of a combination of hardware and software elements, the total arrangement consideration is bifurcated between the hardware and hardware related deliverables and the software and software related deliverables based on the relative selling prices of all deliverables as a group. Then, arrangement consideration for the hardware and hardware-related services is recognized upon delivery or as the related services are provided outlined above and revenue for the software and software-related services is allocated following the residual method and recognized based upon delivery or as the related services are provided.
The Company’s product is distributed through its direct sales force and indirect distribution channels through alliances with resellers. Revenue arrangements with resellers are recognized on a sell-in basis; that is, when NetScout delivers the product to the reseller. The Company records consideration given to a reseller as a reduction of revenue to the extent the Company has recorded revenue from the reseller. The Company does not offer contractual rights of return, stock balancing, or price protection to its resellers, and actual product returns from them have been insignificant to date. In addition, the Company has history of successfully collecting receivables from the resellers. As a result, the Company does not maintain reserves for reseller product returns.
Commission Expense
The Company recognizes commission expense related to the renewal of maintenance contracts at the time an order is booked. As a result, commission expense can be recognized in full even though the related revenue may not be fully recognized. Commission expense on product revenue and corresponding new maintenance contracts is recognized in the same period as related product revenue, typically upon shipment.
Uncollected Deferred Product Revenue
Because of NetScout’s revenue recognition policies, there are circumstances for which the Company does not recognize revenue relating to sales transactions that have been billed, but the related account receivable has not been collected. While the receivable represents an enforceable obligation, for balance sheet presentation purposes, the Company has not recognized the deferred revenue or the related account receivable and no amounts appear in the consolidated balance sheets for such transactions. The aggregate amount of unrecognized accounts receivable and deferred revenue was $1.0 million and $120 thousand at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of investments, trade accounts receivable and accounts payable. Our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities are placed with financial institutions with high credit standings.
At March 31, 2013, the Company had one direct customer which accounted for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance, while no indirect channel partner accounted for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance. At March 31, 2012, no one direct customer or indirect channel partner accounted for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, no one direct customer or indirect channel partner accounted for more than 10% of total revenue. Historically, the
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Company has not experienced any significant failure of its customers to meet their payment obligations nor does the Company anticipate material non-performance by its customers in the future; accordingly, the Company does not require collateral from its customers. However, if the Company’s assumptions are incorrect, there could be an adverse impact on its allowance for doubtful accounts.
Trade Receivable Valuations
Accounts receivable are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance against gross trade receivables reflects the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available information.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of actual cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or anticipated useful life of the improvement. Gains and losses upon asset disposal are recognized in the year of disposition. Expenditures for replacements and building improvements are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged against earnings as incurred.
Valuation of Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Other Acquisition Accounting Items
The Company has two reporting units: (1) Unified Service Delivery and (2) Test Automation. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level at least annually, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting segment below its carrying value. Because the Company, and its two reporting units, did not experience any significant adverse changes in their business or reporting structures, the Company performed the qualitative Step 0 assessment. In performing the qualitative Step 0 assessment, the Company considered certain events and circumstances specific to the entity at the reporting unit level, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance and cost factors when evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company completed its annual impairment test of goodwill as of January 31, 2013. No indicators of impairment were noted as of January 31, 2013. Additionally, the market capitalization of the Company as a whole significantly exceeded its carrying value.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, the Company early adopted authoritative guidance that gives entities an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required.
NetScout amortizes acquired intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, except for an acquired tradename which has an indefinite life and thus, is not amortized. The carrying value of the indefinite lived
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
tradename is evaluated annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company completed its annual impairment test of the indefinite lived intangible as of January 31, 2013 using the qualitative Step 0 assessment described above, which largely mirrors the Unified Service Delivery goodwill impairment assessment, as the tradenames apply to a majority of the products and branding within that reporting unit. No impairment indicators were observed as of January 31, 2013.
The Company acquired five companies during the three year period ended March 31, 2013. The acquisition method of accounting requires an estimate the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired as part of these transactions. In order to estimate the fair value of acquired intangibles the Company uses a relief from royalty model which requires management to estimate: future revenues expected to be generated by the acquired intangibles, a royalty rate which a market participant would pay related to the projected revenue stream, a present value factor which approximates a risk adjusted rate of return for a market participant purchasing the assets, and a technology migration curve representing a period of time over which the technology assets or some portion thereof are still being used. The Company is also required to develop the fair value for customer relationships acquired as part of these transactions which requires that we create estimates for the following items: a projection of future revenues associated with the acquired company’s existing customers, a turnover rate for those customers, a margin related to those sales, and risk adjusted rate of return for a market participant purchasing those relationships.
The acquisition of Simena LLC also contained contingent features based on the ultimate settlement of assets and liabilities acquired as part of transaction, and the former owners future period of employment with the Company. Contingent consideration accounting requires the Company to estimate the probability of various settlement scenarios, the former owners expected period of employment with NetScout, and a risk adjusted interest rate to present value to the payment streams.
Capitalized Software Development Costs
Costs incurred in the research and development of the Company’s products are expensed as incurred, except for certain software development costs. Costs associated with the development of computer software are expensed prior to the establishment of technological feasibility and capitalized thereafter until the related software products are available for first customer shipment. Such costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the product, which generally do not exceed three years. Capitalized software development costs are periodically assessed for recoverability in the event of changes to the anticipated future revenue for the software products or changes in product technologies. Unamortized capitalized software development costs that are determined to be in excess of the net realizable value of the software products would be expensed in the period in which such a determination is made.
Amortization included as cost of product revenue was $51 thousand and $204 thousand for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company did not capitalize any software development costs in the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Under authoritative guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities, all hedging activities must be documented at the inception of the hedge and must meet the definition of highly effective in offsetting changes to future cash flows in order for the derivative to qualify for hedge accounting. Under the guidance, if an instrument
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
qualifies for hedge accounting, the changes in the fair value each period for open contracts, measured as of the end of the period, are recorded to other comprehensive income. Otherwise, changes in the fair value are recorded in earnings each period. Management must perform initial and ongoing tests in order to qualify for hedge accounting. In accordance with the guidance, the Company accounts for its instruments under hedge accounting. The effectiveness and a measurement of ineffectiveness of qualifying hedge contracts are assessed by the Company quarterly. The Company records the fair value of its derivatives in other current assets and other current liabilities. The effective portion of gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value of qualifying hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) until the forecasted transaction occurs, with any ineffective portion classified directly to the Company’s consolidated statement of operations based on the expense categories of the items being hedged. When forecasted transactions occur, unrealized gains or losses associated with the effective portion of the hedge are reclassified to the respective expense categories in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Gains or losses related to hedging activity are included as operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows. If the underlying forecasted transactions do not occur, or it becomes probable that they will not occur, the gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge is recognized immediately in earnings.
Contingencies
NetScout accounts for claims and contingencies in accordance with authoritative guidance that requires an estimated loss to be recorded from a claim or loss contingency when information available prior to issuance of our consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If NetScout determines that it is reasonably possible but not probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred or if the amount of a probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, then in accordance with the authoritative guidance, we disclose the amount or range of estimated loss if the amount or range of estimated loss is material. Accounting for claims and contingencies requires NetScout to use its judgment. NetScout consults with legal counsel on those issues related to litigation and seeks input from other experts and advisors with respect to matters in the ordinary course of business. See Note 17 for a discussion of contingencies.
Contingent liabilities includes contingent consideration in connection with the Company’s acquisitions and contingent contractual non-compliance liability. Contingent consideration represents earnout payments in connection with the Company’s acquisitions and is recognized at fair value on the acquisition date and remeasured each reporting period with subsequent adjustments recognized in the consolidated statements of income. The Company discounts the contingent purchase consideration and contingent non-contractual liabilities to present value using a risk adjusted interest rate at each reporting period. Contingent consideration is valued using significant inputs that are not observable in the market which are defined as Level 3 inputs pursuant to fair value measurement accounting. The Company believes its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, however, there is significant judgment involved.
Changes in the fair value of contingent liabilities may result from changes in discount periods. The Company reflects changes in fair value due to probability changes in earnings in the consolidated statements of income. Earnout payments are reflected in cash flows from financing activities and the changes in fair value are reflected in cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Share-based Compensation
NetScout recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments granted. Under the fair value recognition provisions, share-based compensation is calculated net of an estimated forfeiture rate and compensation cost is only recognized for those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.
Foreign Currency
NetScout accounts for its reporting of foreign operations in accordance with guidance which establishes guidelines for the determination of the functional currency of foreign subsidiaries. A majority of NetScout’s foreign subsidiaries are an extension of NetScout’s U.S. operations. In accordance with the guidance, NetScout has determined its functional currency for those foreign subsidiaries to be the U.S. dollar. Foreign subsidiary expenses that are denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar functional currency are translated at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the time the transaction is recorded.
The Company does consolidate European subsidiaries which use the Euro as a functional currency. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of those entities are translated into United States dollars using the period-end exchange rate, and income and expense items are translated using the average exchange rate during the period. Cumulative translation adjustments are reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses associated with non-Euro denominated balances held by those entities are charged to operations.
NetScout will experience currency exchange risk with respect to foreign currency denominated expenses. In order to partially offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures, NetScout has established a program that utilizes foreign currency forward contracts. Under this program, increases or decreases in foreign currency exposures are partially offset by gains or losses on forward contracts, to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction gains or losses. The Company does not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation. All outstanding foreign currency forward contracts are recorded at fair value at the end of each fiscal period.
The Company had a foreign currency gain of $3 thousand, a loss of $625 thousand and a gain of $25 thousand for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are included in other (income) expense, net.
Advertising Expense
NetScout recognizes advertising expense as incurred. Advertising expense was $1.1 million, $273 thousand and $175 thousand for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) typically consists of unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities and restricted investments, unrealized gain (loss) on hedge contracts and foreign currency translation adjustments.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Income Taxes
NetScout accounts for its income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as the effect of any net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Income tax expense is comprised of the current tax liability or benefit and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We evaluate the recoverability of deferred tax assets by considering all positive and negative evidence relating to future profitability. We weight objective and verifiable evidence more heavily in this analysis. In situations where we conclude that we do not have sufficient objective and verifiable evidence to support the realizability of the asset we create a valuation allowance against it.
Recent Accounting Standards
In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-05 Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (ASU 2013-05). ASU 2013-05 provides guidance on releasing cumulative translation adjustments when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or a business within a foreign entity. ASU 2013-05 is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 (the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 for the company). Early adoption is permitted. This standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-04 “Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date” (ASU 2013-04). This guidance requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date. This stipulates that (1) it will include the amount the entity agreed to pay for the arrangement between them and the other entities that are also obligated to the liability and (2) any additional amount the entity expects to pay on behalf of the other entities. The objective of this update is to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal periods (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013 (the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 for the Company). This standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-02: Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02). ASU 2013-02 provides additional guidance regarding reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI). The new guidance requires entities to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of AOCI on the respective line items in net income unless the amounts are not reclassified in their entirety to net income. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, entities are required to cross-reference other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. The new guidance is effective prospectively for all interim and annual periods beginning April 1, 2013 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 will impact financial statement presentation only; accordingly, it will have no impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
In July 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2012-02: Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (ASU 2012-02). ASU 2012-02 gives entities an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 (the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 for the Company), with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 for its annual impairment test.
NOTE 3 - CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES
Cash and cash equivalents consisted of money market instruments and cash maintained with various financial institutions at March 31, 2013 and 2012.
The following is a summary of marketable securities held by NetScout at March 31, 2013 classified as short-term and long-term (in thousands):
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 3 - CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Continued)
The following is a summary of marketable securities held by NetScout at March 31, 2012, classified as short-term and long-term (in thousands):
Contractual maturities of the Company’s marketable securities held at March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
During the quarter ended June 30, 2012, redemptions for the Company’s remaining auction rate securities totaling $19.3 million were settled, $17.6 million of which were classified as current marketable securities as of March 31, 2012 and another $1.7 million classified as long-term marketable securities. As a result of the settlements, during the three months ended June 30, 2012, the Company reversed the remaining valuation reserve of $190 thousand ($117 thousand, net of tax) previously recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the balance sheet. The Company held no investments in auction rate securities at March 31, 2013.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 4 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis using the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2013 and 2012. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs, and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant non-observable inputs.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 4 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, the Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including marketable securities and derivative financial instruments.
The Company’s Level 1 investments are classified as such because they are valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.
The Company’s Level 2 investments are classified as such because fair value is being calculated using data from similar but not identical sources, or a discounted cash flow model using the contractual interest rate as compared to the underlying interest yield curve. The Company’s short-term auction rate securities at March 31, 2012 were classified as Level 2 since the amounts were based upon redemption notices for an inactive market. The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist of forward foreign exchange contracts and are classified as Level 2 because the fair values of these derivatives are determined using models based on market observable inputs, including spot prices for foreign currencies and credit derivatives, as well as an interest rate factor. Commercial paper and certificate of deposits are classified as Level 2 because the Company uses market information from similar but not identical instruments and discounted cash flow models based on interest rate yield curves to determine fair value. For further information on the Company’s derivative instruments refer to Note 9.
The Company’s long-term auction rate securities at March 31, 2012 were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy due to the limited market data for pricing these securities and the subjective factors considered to create a liquidity discount. The Company’s contingent purchase consideration and contingent contractual non-compliance liability are valued by probability weighting expected payment scenarios and then applying a discount based on the present value of the future cash flow streams. The Company has elected to account for the contractual non-compliance liability at fair value. This election has been made as both contingent liabilities are related. The fair value election created parity between the two items during the settlement period. These liabilities are classified as Level 3 because the probability weighting of future payment scenarios is based on assumptions developed by management.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets for the year ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 4 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
The Company has updated the probabilities used in the fair value calculation of the contingent liabilities at March 31, 2013 which resulted in an additional liability of $466 thousand included as part of earnings for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated by applying a probability based model, which utilizes significant inputs that are unobservable in the market. Key assumptions include a 3.3% discount rate, a stay period of two or three years and a percent weighted-probability of the settlement of the contingent contractual non-compliance liability. Deal related compensation expense, accretion charges and changes related to settlements of contractual non-compliance liabilities for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 was $263 thousand and was included as part of earnings.
During the fiscal year ended, $4.0 million related to the contingent purchase consideration as part of the acquisition of Simena was paid to the former owner.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, the Level 3 liability related to the contractual non-compliance liability was paid and resulted in a $270 thousand decrease. All amounts were accurately reflected in purchase accounting and there was no impact to earnings in the post-acquisition period.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets for the year ended March 31, 2012 (in thousands):
The amount reclassified to Level 2 during the year ended March 31, 2012 represented auction rate security holdings that was redeemed in June 2012.
The contingent liability was recorded at its fair value of $8.0 million at the acquisition date. The Company had re-measured the fair value at March 31, 2012 and recognized an adjustment to fair value of $159 thousand as part of earnings.
During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, the Level 3 liabilities were adjusted by $900 thousand related to the contractual non-compliance liability. This adjustment increased the contingent purchase consideration and decreased the contingent contractual non-compliance liability. All amounts were accurately reflected in purchase accounting and there was no impact to earnings in the post acquisition period.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 5 - INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of actual cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by using the FIFO method. Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
NOTE 6 - FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets consist of the following (in thousands):
Depreciation expense was $9.8 million, $9.6 million and $7.8 million for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS
While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to value the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date, its estimates and assumptions are subject to refinement. As a result, during the preliminary purchase price allocation period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding offset to goodwill. The Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed subsequent to the purchase price allocation period in the Company’s operating results in the period in which the adjustments were determined. The results of operations of the acquired businesses described below have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements beginning on their respective acquisition dates unless indicated otherwise below.
ONPATH
On October 31, 2012, the Company acquired ONPATH Technologies, Inc. (ONPATH), an established provider of scalable packet flow switching technology for high-performance networks for the aggregation and distribution of network traffic for data, voice, video testing, monitoring, performance management and
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
cybersecurity deployments. ONPATH’s packet flow switch technology is synergistic with the Company’s network monitoring switch strategy. The acquisition of the packet flow switch technology further strengthens the Company’s Unified Service Delivery Management strategy by enabling scalable access to all relevant network traffic across highly distributed network environments for use by any network monitoring, performance management and security system. ONPATH’s test automation technology is used to monitor networks in test environments which simulate existing and planned network environments. The results of ONPATH’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since October 31, 2012. The total cash transferred and to be transferred of $41.0 million consisted entirely of cash consideration, of which $8.2 million will be paid to employees and directors of ONPATH pursuant to ONPATH’s transaction bonus and retention plan. Approximately $4.0 million of the transaction bonuses are considered compensation and is therefore not included as consideration within the table below.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):
Goodwill was recognized for the excess purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired. Goodwill of $17.7 million from the ONPATH acquisition was included within the Company’s existing Unified Service Delivery reporting unit and $3.0 million was included within the Test Automation reporting unit. Both reporting units resulting from the acquisition of ONPATH were included in the Company’s annual impairment review on January 31, 2013.
The fair values of intangible assets were based on valuations using an income approach, with estimates and assumptions provided by management of ONPATH and the Company. These assumptions include estimates of future revenues associated with the technology purchased as part of the acquisition and the migration of the current technology to more advanced version of the software. This fair value measurement was based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents Level 3 fair value measurements. The following table reflects the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and related estimates of useful lives (in thousands):
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
The weighted average useful life of identifiable intangible assets acquired from ONPATH is 7.5 years. Acquired software is amortized using an accelerated amortization method. Customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis.
Goodwill and intangible assets recorded as part of the ONPATH acquisition are not deductible for tax purposes.
The Company notes that it acquired significant net operating losses from ONPATH. ONPATH has represented to the Company that there were no historical changes in control that would limit NetScout’s ability to utilize these net operating losses in its consolidated federal return. During the fourth quarter of the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, the Company completed a 382 study with its tax advisors and concluded that ONPATH’s representations were correct. The Company also notes that ONPATH did not claim research and development credits for historical tax returns. NetScout believes that certain ONPATH activities qualify for a research and development credit, and will perform analysis on the historical periods to identify and claim credits for historical research and development activities. No credit has been recorded within the acquisition allocation. Adjustments to research and development credits made within one year of acquisition will be recorded against goodwill, except for any portion related to the periods covered by the research and development credit extension enacted in January of 2013.
Accanto
On July 20, 2012 the Company acquired certain assets, technology and employees of Accanto Systems, S.r.l. (Accanto), a supplier of service assurance solutions for telecommunication service providers which enables carriers to monitor and manage the delivery of voice services over converged, next generation telecom architectures. Accanto’s technology is synergistic with the Company’s packet flow strategy and brings voice service monitoring capabilities for legacy environments and for next generation network voice services. The Company intends to maintain a relationship with the selling entity such that the selling entity will serve as a distributor for the Company. The results of Accanto’s operations, related to those assets, technology and employees acquired, have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. The total purchase price of $15.0 million consisted entirely of cash consideration. The goodwill recognized primarily relates to the value in combining Accanto’s product with our customer base.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
Goodwill was recognized for the excess purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired. Goodwill from the Accanto acquisition is included within the Company’s Unified Service Delivery reporting unit and was included in the Company’s annual impairment review. The acquired software intangible had a tax basis of approximately $2.1 million which carried over as part of the acquisition and will be deductible for tax purposes. The remaining value of the acquired software intangible asset and the full value of the customer relationship intangible asset and goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.
The fair values of intangible assets were based on valuations using an income approach, with estimates and assumptions provided by management of Accanto and the Company. These assumptions include estimates of future revenues associated with the technology purchased as part of the acquisition and the migration of the current technology to more advanced versions of the software. This fair value measurement was based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents Level 3 fair value measurements. The following table reflects the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and related estimates of useful lives (in thousands):
The weighted average useful life of identifiable intangible assets acquired from Accanto is 7.3 years. Acquired software is amortized using an accelerated amortization method. Distributor relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis.
The Company incurred approximately $1.4 million of acquisition-related costs related to Accanto and ONPATH which are included in general and administrative expense during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
Simena
On November 18, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Simena, LLC (Simena), an established provider of high performance, low-latency IP packet flow-based network monitoring switching technology that enables IT organizations and service providers to aggregate, filter and control network traffic for data, voice, and video monitoring and cybersecurity deployments. The results of Simena’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. The goodwill recognized primarily relates to the expected synergies to be achieved with our current product families and the ability to leverage existing sales and marketing capacity and customer base with respect to the acquired Simena technology.
In connection with the acquisition of Simena, the Company paid the sellers $10.1 million at closing and became obligated to pay the seller up to $10.8 million in additional purchase consideration subject to adjustment based on the final determination of certain assets and liabilities. As a result, a majority of the changes to the value of the contingent consideration would be expected to have an offsetting impact on the recorded values of the assets and liabilities assumed as part of the transaction.
The contingent liability was recorded at its fair value of $8.0 million at the acquisition date. The Company has re-measured the fair value at March 31, 2013 and will re-measure the fair value of the consideration at each subsequent reporting period and recognize any adjustment to fair value as part of earnings.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration was estimated at $18.1 million as follows (in thousands):
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):
Goodwill was recognized for the excess purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired. Goodwill from the Simena acquisition is included within the Company’s Unified Service Delivery reporting unit and was included in the Company’s annual impairment review. The Company expects all of the goodwill and intangible assets acquired as part of this transaction to be deductible for tax purposes.
The fair values of intangible assets were based on valuations using an income approach, with estimates and assumptions provided by management of Simena and the Company. The following table reflects the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and related estimates of useful lives (in thousands):
The weighted average useful life of identifiable intangible assets acquired from Simena is 10 years. Acquired technology is amortized using an accelerated amortization method and customer relationships are amortized using a straight line method.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
Replay
On October 3, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Fox Replay BV (Replay), a leading provider of session reconstruction and replay technology that enables organizations to perform forensic analysis of end-user actions in support of cyberintelligence, information assurance, lawful intercept and general security practices. Replay was acquired to add critical technology and expertise to our unified service delivery management product strategy to address growing cybersecurity concerns in our target markets. The results of Replay’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. The total purchase price of $20.2 million consisted entirely of cash consideration. The goodwill recognized primarily relates to the value in combining Replay’s product with our customer base. The purchase price allocation is no longer preliminary.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):
Goodwill was recognized for the excess purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired. Goodwill from the Replay acquisition is included within the Company’s Unified Service Delivery reporting unit and was included in the Company’s annual impairment review. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes.
The fair values of intangible assets were based on valuations using an income approach, with estimates and assumptions provided by management of Replay and the Company. The following table reflects the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and related estimates of useful lives (in thousands):
The weighted average useful life of identifiable intangible assets acquired from Replay is 8.6 years. Acquired software and core technology are amortized using an accelerated amortization method. Customer relationships and non-compete agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
Psytechnics
On April 1, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Psytechnics, Ltd. (Psytechnics) a supplier of voice video network monitoring software. Psytechnics was acquired to expand NetScout’s voice video monitoring capabilities. The results of Psytechnics’ operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. The total purchase price of $17.0 million consisted entirely of cash consideration. The goodwill recognized primarily relates to the value in combining Psytechnic’s product with our customer base. The purchase price allocation is no longer preliminary.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):
The Company has analyzed the realizability of the deferred tax assets of Psytechnics and has concluded that it is appropriate to provide a valuation allowance against these balances, given the historical objective evidence. The net asset balance reserved is $3.4 million and primarily consists of net operating loss carry forwards and tax basis in intangibles previously amortized for financial reporting purposes attributable to the U.K. operations of the acquired entity.
Goodwill was recognized for the excess purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired. Goodwill from the Psytechnics acquisition is included within the Company’s Unified Service Delivery reporting unit and was included in the Company’s annual impairment review. No goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes.
The fair values of intangible assets were based on valuations using an income approach, with estimates and assumptions provided by management of Psytechnics and the Company. The following table reflects the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and related estimates of useful lives (in thousands):
The weighted average useful life of identifiable intangible assets acquired from Psytechnics is 8.6 years. Acquired software and core technology are amortized using an accelerated amortization method. Customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
The following table presents unaudited pro forma results of the historical Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Company and ONPATH, Accanto, Simena and Replay for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, giving effect to the mergers as if they occurred on April 1, 2011 (in thousands, except per share data):
The pro forma results for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 primarily include adjustments for amortization of intangibles. This pro forma information does not purport to indicate the results that would have actually been obtained had the acquisition been completed on the assumed date, or which may be realized in the future.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, the Company has recorded $24.8 million of revenue directly attributable to ONPATH, Replay, Accanto and Simena within its consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 8 - GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The Company has two reporting units: (1) Unified Service Delivery and (2) Test Automation. As of March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, goodwill attributable to the Unified Service Delivery reporting unit was $199.5 million and $170.4 million, respectively and goodwill attributable to the Test Automation reporting unit was $3.0 million and $0, respectively. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level at least annually, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting segment below its carrying value. The Company completed its annual impairment test on January 31, 2013. No indicators of impairment were noted at that time. Additionally, the market capitalization of the Company as a whole significantly exceeded its carrying value.
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are due to the addition of goodwill resulting from acquisitions and the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments related to asset balances that are recorded in non-U.S. currencies.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 8 - GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
Intangible Assets
The net carrying amounts of intangible assets were $63.8 million and $54.7 million as of March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company amortizes intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, except for the acquired trade name which resulted from the Network General acquisition, which has an indefinite life and thus is not amortized. The carrying value of the indefinite lived trade name is evaluated for potential impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, the Company early adopted authoritative guidance that gives entities an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required.
The Company completed its annual impairment test of the indefinite lived intangible as of January 31, 2013, using the qualitative Step 0 assessment described above which largely mirrors the Unified Service Delivery goodwill impairment assessment, as the tradenames apply to a majority of the products and branding within that reporting unit. No impairment indicators were observed as of January 31, 2013. As such the Company concluded the indefinite lived intangible was not impaired.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 8 - GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
Intangible assets include an indefinite lived trade name with a carrying value to $18.6 million and the following amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2013 (in thousands):
Intangible assets include an indefinite lived trade name with a carrying value to $18.6 million and the following amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2012 (in thousands):
Amortization of software and core technology included as cost of product revenue was $4.5 million, $4.7 million and $4.0 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Amortization of other intangible assets included as operating expense was $3.1 million, $2.2 million and $1.9 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following is the expected future amortization expense as of March 31, 2013 for the years ended March 31 (in thousands):
The weighted average amortization period of acquired software and core technology is 6.7 years. The weighted average amortization period for customer relationships is 13.3 years. The weighted average amortization period for amortizing all intangibles is 10.1 years.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 9 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
NetScout operates internationally and, in the normal course of business, is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The exposures result from costs that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, and Indian Rupee. The Company manages its foreign cash flow risk by hedging forecasted cash flows for operating expenses denominated in foreign currencies for up to twelve months, within specified guidelines through the use of forward contracts. The Company enters into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge cash flow exposures from costs that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. These hedges are designated as cash flow hedges at inception.
All of the Company’s derivative instruments are utilized for risk management purposes, and the Company does not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes. These contracts will mature over the next twelve months and are expected to impact earnings on or before maturity.
The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
(a) Notional amounts represent the gross contract/notional amount of the derivatives outstanding.
The following table provides the effect foreign exchange forward contracts had on other comprehensive income (loss), (OCI) and results of operations as of March 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
(a) The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in spot rates.
(b) The amount represents reclassification from other comprehensive income to earnings that occurs when the hedged item affects earnings.
(c) The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in the difference between the spot price and forward price that is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and therefore recognized in earnings. No gains or losses were reclassified as a result of discontinuance of cash flow hedges.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 10 - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, the Company restructured part of its international sales organization related to an overlap of personnel acquired as part of the Accanto acquisition. The Company recorded $1.2 million of restructuring charges related to severance costs.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, the Company implemented a plan to restructure parts of its general and administrative organization to centralize operations as well as its international sales organization to better align resources with forecasted sales opportunities. As a result of the restructuring program, the Company eliminated 12 employees. The Company recorded $603 thousand of restructuring charges related to severance costs.
The following table provides a summary of the activity related to these restructuring plans and the related liability included as accrued compensation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
The balance is expected to be paid in the first half of the Company’s fiscal year 2014.
NOTE 11 - LONG-TERM DEBT
On October 29, 2012, the Company paid down its outstanding credit facility in the amount of $62.0 million. As of March 31, 2013 there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility.
On November 22, 2011, the Company entered into a credit facility (the Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of lenders led by KeyBank National Association (KeyBank) providing the Company with a $250 million revolving credit facility, which may be increased to $300 million at any time up to 90 days before maturity. The revolving credit facility includes a swing line loan sub-facility of up to $10 million and a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $10 million. The credit facility under the Credit Agreement matures on November 21, 2016.
At the Company’s election, revolving loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest at either (a) a rate per annum equal to the highest of (1) KeyBank’s prime rate, (2) 0.50% in excess of the federal funds effective rate, or (3) one hundred (100.00) basis points in excess of the London Interbank Offered Rate for one-month interest periods, or the Base Rate; or (b) the one-, two-, three-, or six-month per annum London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR), as selected by the Company, multiplied by the statutory reserve adjustment, or collectively, the Eurodollar Rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. Swing line loans will bear interest at the Base Rate plus the applicable Base Rate margin. Beginning with the delivery of the Company’s financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the applicable margin began to depend on the Company’s leverage ratio, ranging from 100 basis points for Base Rate loans and 200 basis points for Eurodollar Rate loans if the
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 11 - LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
Company’s consolidated leverage ratio is 2.50 to 1.00 or higher, down to 25 basis points for Base Rate loans and 125 basis points for Eurodollar Rate loans if the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio is 1.00 to 1.00 or less.
The Company may prepay loans under the Credit Agreement at any time, without penalty, subject to certain notice requirements. Debt is recorded at the amount drawn on the revolving credit facility plus interest based on floating rates reflective of changes in the market which approximates fair value.
The loans are guaranteed by each of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and are collateralized by all of the assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as 65% of the capital stock of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries directly owned by the Company and its domestic subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement generally prohibits any other liens on the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions as described in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement contains certain covenants applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, limitations on additional indebtedness, liens, various fundamental changes (including mergers and dispositions of assets), dividends and distributions, capital expenditures, investments (including acquisitions and investments in foreign subsidiaries), transactions with affiliates, sale-leaseback transactions, hedge agreements, payment of junior financing, material changes in business, and other limitations customary in senior secured credit facilities. In addition, the Company is required to maintain certain consolidated leverage and interest coverage ratios as well as a minimum liquidity amount. As of March 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all of these covenants.
NOTE 12 - NET INCOME PER SHARE
Calculations of the basic and diluted net income per share and potential common shares are as follows (in thousands, except for per share data):
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 12 - NET INCOME PER SHARE (Continued)
The following table sets forth options and restricted stock units excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share, since their inclusion would be antidilutive (in thousands):
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Unvested restricted shares, although legally issued and outstanding, are not considered outstanding for purposes of calculating basic earnings per share. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect, if any, of outstanding stock options, restricted shares and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method. The calculation of the dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards under the treasury stock method includes consideration of proceeds from the assumed exercise of stock options, unrecognized compensation expense and any tax benefits as additional proceeds.
NOTE 13 - TREASURY STOCK
On September 17, 2001, the Company announced an open market stock repurchase program to purchase up to one million shares of outstanding Company common stock, subject to market conditions and other factors. Any purchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program may be made from time to time without prior notice. On July 26, 2006, the Company announced that it had expanded the existing open market stock repurchase program to enable the Company to purchase up to an additional three million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, bringing the total number of shares authorized for repurchase to four million shares. Through March 31, 2013, the Company had repurchased a total of 2,756,293 shares of common stock through the open market stock repurchase program. The Company repurchased 999,499 shares for $23.5 million and 1,270,000 shares for $16.2 million under the program during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. The Company did not repurchase any shares under the program during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.
In connection with the vesting and release of the restriction on previously vested shares of restricted stock, the Company repurchased 169,531 shares for $3.9 million, 216,882 shares for $4.4 million and 164,074 shares for $3.7 million related to minimum statutory tax withholding requirements on these restricted stock units during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. These repurchase transactions do not fall under the repurchase program described above, and therefore do not reduce the amount that is available for repurchase under that program.
NOTE 14 - STOCK PLANS
2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
On September 7, 2011, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP), under which 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance. The Company implemented the ESPP on March 1, 2012. Eligible employees may purchase shares of the Company’s common stock through regular payroll deductions of up to 20% of their eligible compensation. Under the terms of the offering under the ESPP, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock which a participant could
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 14 - STOCK PLANS (Continued)
purchase during any purchase period is limited to 2,000. In addition, the fair market value of shares purchased by an individual participant in the plan may not exceed $25,000 in any calendar year. The purchase price per share at which shares of common stock are sold on each purchase date during an offering period is determined by the Company’s Board of Directors as of the beginning of the offering period, but may not be less than 85% of the lesser of the fair market value per share of common stock on that purchase date or the fair market value per share of common stock on the first day of the offering period.
The offering periods run from March 1 through August 30 and from September 1 through February 28 of each year. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, employees purchased 184,936 shares under the ESPP with a weighted average purchase price per share of $24.58. As of March 31, 2013, 2,315,064 shares were available for future issuance under the ESPP.
1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
In April 1999, NetScout adopted the 1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (1999 Stock Option Plan). The 1999 Stock Option Plan, which was replaced by the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan effective September 12, 2007, provided for the grant of share-based awards to employees, officers and directors, consultants or advisors. Under the 1999 Stock Option Plan, NetScout could grant options that were intended to qualify as incentive stock options, options not intended to qualify as incentive stock options, restricted stock and other share-based awards. Incentive stock options could be granted only to employees of NetScout. As of March 31, 2013, options to purchase an aggregate of 154,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $6.63 per share were outstanding under the 1999 Stock Option Plan. No additional grants can be made under the 1999 Stock Option Plan.
2007 Equity Incentive Plan
In September 2007, the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (2007 Plan), replaced the 1999 Stock Option Plan. The 2007 Plan permits the granting of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, collectively referred to as “share-based awards.” Periodically, the Company grants share-based awards to employees and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company accounts for these share-based awards in accordance with GAAP, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on estimated fair values for all share-based payment awards made to its employees and directors. Share-based award grants are generally measured at fair value on the date of grant based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock. Such value is recognized as a cost of revenue or an operating expense over the corresponding vesting period. On September 7, 2011, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the Amended 2007 Plan) to increase the shares of common stock reserved for issuance by 8,000,000 shares. A total of 13,000,000 shares are reserved for issuance under the Amended 2007 Plan. In addition, any shares not delivered to a participant because an award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to the award (cashless exercise) will not be available for issuance under the Amended 2007 Plan and any shares reacquired by the Company to cover withholding taxes upon exercise of a stock option or stock appreciation right or as consideration for the exercise of a stock option or stock appreciation right will not become available for issuance under the Amended 2007 Plan. Shares withheld to cover tax liabilities of restricted stock unit grants will be restored to the available reserve on the 2 for 1 amount. Furthermore, the share reserve under the Amended 2007 Plan is reduced one share for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a stock option or stock appreciation right and two shares for each share of common stock issued pursuant to restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock awards, or other stock awards
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 14 - STOCK PLANS (Continued)
granted under the Amended 2007 Plan on or after March 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2013, an aggregate of 1,871,148 equity awards were outstanding under the Amended 2007 Plan.
The 2007 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee operates under guidelines established by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee had the authority to select the employees and consultants to whom awards are granted (except for directors and executive officers) and determine the terms of each award, including the number of shares of common stock subject to the award.
Share-based awards generally vest over four years. The exercise price of incentive stock options shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant (110% for incentive stock options granted to holders of more than 10% of the voting stock of NetScout). The term of options granted cannot exceed ten years (five years for incentive stock options granted to holders of more than 10% of the voting stock of NetScout).
Based on historical experience, the Company assumed an annualized forfeiture rate of 0% for awards granted to its directors during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, and an annualized forfeiture rate of 10% for awards granted to its senior executives and remaining employees during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011.
The following is a summary of share-based compensation expense including restricted stock units and employee stock purchases made under our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) based on estimated fair values within the applicable cost and expense lines identified below (in thousands):
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 14 - STOCK PLANS (Continued)
Transactions under the 1999 Stock Option Plan and the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows:
As of March 31, 2013, there were 7,602,328 shares of common stock available for grant under the 2007 Plan.
Shares issued upon exercise of options are issued from new shares of the Company. The Company does not currently expect to repurchase shares from any source to satisfy its obligations under the 2007 Plan.
The aggregate intrinsic values of stock options and restricted stock units as of March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
As of March 31, 2013, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options.
As of March 31, 2013, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock unit awards was $8.7 million, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 15 - RETIREMENT PLAN
In 1996, NetScout established an employee savings plan, which is intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. NetScout matches 50% of the employee’s contribution up to 6% of the employee’s salary. NetScout contributions vest at a rate of 25% per year of service. NetScout made matching contributions of $1.9 million, $2.1 million and $1.8 million to the plan for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
NOTE 16 - INCOME TAXES
Income before income tax expense consisted of the following (in thousands):
The components of the income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):
The income tax expense computed using the federal statutory income tax rate differs from NetScout’s effective tax rate primarily due to the following:
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 16 - INCOME TAXES (Continued)
The components of net deferred tax assets are as follows (in thousands):
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the anticipated future tax consequences, attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. We evaluate the recoverability of deferred tax assets by considering all positive and negative evidence relating to future profitability. We weigh objective and verifiable evidence more heavily in this analysis. In situations where we conclude that we do not have sufficient objective and verifiable evidence to support the realizability of the asset we create a valuation allowance against it. A valuation allowance has been established for the deferred tax assets related to Psytechnics Ltd. as well as for the federal foreign tax credits acquired as part of the Network General acquisition, as the Company has determined there is not sufficient objective evidence to support the realizability of these tax assets. If it is later determined the Company is able to use all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been established, then the Company may be required to recognize these deferred tax assets through a tax benefit recorded in the period such determination is made.
Deferred income taxes were not provided on approximately $16.5 million of undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries as of March 31, 2013 because such undistributed foreign earnings are to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States. No provision for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes has been made for unrepatriated foreign earnings because it is expected that such earnings will be reinvested indefinitely. If these earnings were distributed to the United States in the form of dividends or otherwise, it would be included in the Company’s U.S. taxable income. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable.
At March 31, 2013, the Company had United States federal net operating loss carryforwards of $50.7 million. At March 31, 2013, the Company had state net operating loss carryforwards of $71.0 million. At
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 16 - INCOME TAXES (Continued)
March 31, 2013, the Company had gross federal and state research and development tax carryforwards of $2.6 million. The net operating loss and credit carryforwards will expire at various dates beginning in 2023 and extending through 2033, if not utilized. Utilization of the net operating losses and credits are subject to an annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and similar state tax provisions.
The Company files U.S. federal tax returns and files returns in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. With respect to the U.S. federal and primary state jurisdictions, the Company is no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2007, although carryforward attributes that were generated prior to 2007 may still be adjusted upon examination if they either have been or will be used in a future period. The Company also receives inquiries from various tax jurisdictions during the year, and some of those inquiries may include an audit of the tax return previously filed. In the normal course of business, NetScout and its subsidiaries are examined by various taxing authorities, including the IRS in the United States. As of March 31, 2013, the Company remained subject to examination in the United States for the 2011 tax years.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows (in thousands):
The Company notes that a majority of the unrecognized tax benefits are in the appeals process in foreign jurisdictions. We are unable to make a reliable estimate when cash settlement, if any, will occur with a tax authority as the timing of examinations and ultimate resolution of those examinations is uncertain. All of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.
The Company includes interest and penalties accrued in the consolidated financial statements as a component of the tax provision.
NOTE 17 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Acquisition related
The Company recorded two contingent liabilities related to the acquisition of Simena, one relates to future consideration to be paid to the former owner which had an initial fair value of $8.0 million at the time of acquisition and another relates to contractual non-compliance liabilities incurred by Simena with an initial fair value of $1.6 million at the time of acquisition. At March 31, 2013, the present value of the future consideration was $5.1 million and the contractual non-compliance liability was $246 thousand.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 17 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
During the summer of 2012, NetScout received letters from former Accanto employees reserving their rights and alleging violations of Italian Civil Code Article 2112 relating to their employment. Further, in December 2012, NetScout received communication from an Italian law firm engaged by a subset of Accanto employees asserting violations of Italian Civil Code Article 2112 relating to their employment and requesting transfer of employment to NetScout. As of March 31, 2013, the related claims have been settled and NetScout’s portion of the immaterial liability was paid.
Legal
From time to time, NetScout is subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, there are no matters as of March 31, 2013, that would have material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In March 2012, NetScout uncovered and investigated, and in April 2012, disclosed to the U.S. Department of Justice and the California State Attorney General potential violations of federal and California state anti-trust laws. The potential violations involve a former employee and one or more third parties in connection with sales to state governmental agencies during fiscal year 2012. NetScout believes it did not benefit from any of the transactions uncovered and believes that the amounts involved are not material. The California State Attorney General is conducting an investigation into the matter. NetScout is cooperating fully and is providing all requested information. In general, the federal and state agencies have the authority to seek fines and other remedies for anti-trust violations; however, no charges or proceedings have been initiated by any governmental agency against NetScout, and the Company has been informed by the Department of Justice that it does not intend to take any action against NetScout. The Company determined that it is probable that there will be amounts due, those amounts are reasonably estimable and have been accrued as an immaterial liability as of March 31, 2013.
Leases
NetScout leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases. Total rent expense under the leases was $5.7 million, $5.6 million and $5.6 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
As of March 31, 2013, future non-cancelable minimum lease commitments (including office space, copiers and automobiles) are as follows (in thousands):
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
NOTE 18 - SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The Company reports revenues and income under one reportable segment. The consolidated financial information is used by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
The Company manages its business in the following geographic areas: United States, Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. In accordance with United States export control regulations, the Company does not sell or do business with countries subject to economic sanctions and export controls.
Total revenue by geography is as follows (in thousands):
The United States revenue includes sales to resellers in the United States. These resellers fulfill customer orders and may subsequently ship the Company’s products to international locations. The Company reports these shipments as United States revenue since the Company ships the products to a United States location. A majority of revenue attributable to locations outside of the United States is a result of export sales. Substantially all of the Company’s identifiable assets are located in the United States.
NOTE 19 - QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED
The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly results of operations of NetScout for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. In the opinion of management, this information has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been included in the amounts stated below to present fairly the quarterly information when read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of future results of operations.
NetScout Systems, Inc.
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(in thousands)
(1) Recorded in connection with the acquisition of Psytechnics.
S-1
NetScout Systems, Inc
Index to Exhibits
* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.