<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 28, 1997
REGISTRATION NO.
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ASPECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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<S> <C>
CALIFORNIA 94-2974062
(STATE OF INCORPORATION) (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
1730 FOX DRIVE
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95131-2312
(408) 325-2200
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
JAMES R. CARREKER
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ASPECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
1730 FOX DRIVE
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95131-2312
(408) 325-2200
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPIES TO:
JON E. GAVENMAN
VENTURE LAW GROUP
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
2800 SAND HILL ROAD
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
(650) 854-4488
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are to be offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
============================================================================================================
TITLE OF EACH CLASS AMOUNT PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
OF SECURITIES TO BE TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF
REGISTERED REGISTERED(1) PER SHARE(2) OFFERING PRICE(2) REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par
value..................... 176,296 shares $25.25 $4,451,474 $1,348.93
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Number of shares being registered reflects the 2-for-1 stock split effected
on January 28, 1997.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration
fee, based on the average of the high and low prices for the Company's
Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq National Market on October 23, 1997
in accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY
DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
PROSPECTUS
176,296 SHARES
ASPECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
This Prospectus covers 176,296 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Common Stock" or the "Shares"), of Aspect Telecommunications
Corporation ("Aspect" or the "Company"), which may be offered from time to time
by one or all of the selling shareholders named herein (the "Selling
Shareholders"). The Company will receive no part of the proceeds of such sales.
The 176,296 shares of Common Stock were issued by the Company in connection
with its acquisition of Commerce Soft Inc. ("CSI") on September 2, 1997.
The Selling Shareholders intend to sell the shares offered hereby from time
to time in the over-the-counter market at prices prevailing therein, in
individually negotiated transactions at such prices as may be agreed upon or a
combination of such methods of sale, during a ninety-day period immediately
following the date of this Prospectus. The Company will bear all expenses with
respect to the offering of the Common Stock, except any underwriting discounts,
selling commissions, stock transfer taxes, and fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Selling Shareholders. To the extent required, the specific shares of
Common Stock to be sold, the names of the Selling Shareholders, the public
offering price, the names of any agent dealer or underwriter and any applicable
commission or discount with respect to any particular offer is set forth herein
or will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. See "Selling
Shareholders" and "Plan of Distribution." The Company's Common Stock is traded
on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ASPT. The last reported sales
price of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq National Market on October 23, 1997 was
$24.625 per share.
------------------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS," BEGINNING ON PAGE 4, FOR INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED
BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
------------------------
The Selling Shareholders and any broker executing selling orders on behalf
of the Selling Shareholders may be deemed to be an "underwriter" (within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Commissions received by any such broker may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions under the Securities Act. See "Plan of Distribution" for information
relating to indemnification of the Selling Shareholders.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS OCTOBER , 1997
<PAGE> 3
No person is authorized in connection with any offering made hereby to give
any information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus,
and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the Company or the Selling Shareholders. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to
buy any security other than the shares of Common Stock offered hereby, nor does
it constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the
shares offered hereby to any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful
to make such an offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus
nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances create any implication
that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to
the date hereof.
Except as otherwise noted herein, all information in this Prospectus has
been adjusted to reflect the 2-for-1 stock split effected on January 28, 1997.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act. This Prospectus does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain
parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and the shares
of Common Stock offered hereby, reference is hereby made to the Registration
Statement. Statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document
are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the copy of such document filed with the Commission.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy and information statements and other information
with the Commission. Such reports, proxy and information statements and other
information may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549,
and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: New York Regional
Office, Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, and Chicago Regional
Office, Northwest Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section
of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549 upon payment of
the prescribed fees. The Common Stock of the Company is quoted on The Nasdaq
National Market. Reports, proxy and information statements and other information
concerning the Company may be inspected at The Nasdaq Stock Market at 1735 K
Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006. In addition, the Commission maintains a
World Wide Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
(1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996;
(2) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1997;
(3) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 1997;
(4) The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 1997, March 10, 1997,
July 18, 1997 and October 28, 1997; and
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<PAGE> 4
(5) The description of the Company's capital stock contained in its
Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the Commission on March
22, 1990, including any amendment thereto or report filed for the purpose
of updating such description.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant
to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein, to the extent required, and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such reports and documents. Any statement
incorporated herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person,
including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been
delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of
the foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to
such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference
into such documents). Requests for such documents should be submitted in writing
to Eric Keller, Chief Financial Officer, Aspect Telecommunications Corporation,
1730 Fox Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2312 or by telephone at (408)
325-2200.
THE COMPANY
The Company is a global provider of comprehensive business solutions for
companies with mission-critical call centers that exist to generate revenue,
service customers, and handle inquiries. The Company's products include
automatic call distributors, interactive response systems, call center
management information and reporting tools, call center planning and forecasting
packages, and computer-telephony integration tools and software. The Company
also provides services vital to call center environments, including business
applications consulting, systems integration, and training.
The Company was incorporated in California in August 1985. The Company's
principal executive offices are located at 1730 Fox Drive, San Jose, California
95131-2312, and its telephone number at that location is (408) 325-2200.
3
<PAGE> 5
RISK FACTORS
This Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference herein)
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectations,
beliefs, intentions or future strategies. All forward-looking statements
included in this document are based on information available to the Company on
the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such
forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set
forth below and in the documents incorporated by reference herein. In evaluating
the Company's business, prospective investors should carefully consider the
following risk factors in addition to the other information set forth herein or
incorporated herein by reference.
Variability and Uncertainty of Revenues and Operating Results. The
Company's revenues, gross margins, and operating results may fluctuate
significantly from quarter to quarter for many reasons including, without
limitation, the following: (1) given the relatively large sales prices of the
Company's systems in relation to quarterly revenue levels, a limited number of
systems can account for a significant portion of product revenues in any
particular quarter; (2) a significant percentage of product revenues continues
to be derived from new customers; (3) the portion of product revenues related to
accounts purchasing multiple systems may fluctuate; (4) the mix of products and
services sold and channels of distribution may fluctuate; (5) operating results
of newly acquired subsidiaries may fluctuate; and (6) the Company's newly
established business units (e.g., consulting and systems integration and
computer-telephony integration) may require substantial investments, while
revenues from such business units may be difficult to predict.
The Company's products typically represent substantial capital commitments
by Aspect's customers involving a long sales cycle and, as a result, customer
purchase decisions have been, and in the future may be, significantly affected
by a variety of factors including, without limitation, the following: general
economic conditions; world political events; trends in capital spending,
particularly for telecommunications products; market competition and the
availability or announcement of alternative technologies; and the degree to
which call transaction processing is mission-critical for customers. Reduced
demand for the Company's products could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results, and financial condition.
Volatility of Stock Price. The Company's common stock price may be subject
to significant volatility. Past financial performance should not be considered a
reliable indicator of performance for any future period, and investors should
not use historical trends to anticipate future results or trends. For any given
quarter, a shortfall in the Company's achieved revenue or earnings from the
levels expected by securities analysts or others could have an immediate and
adverse effect on the price of the Company's common stock. Additionally, the
Company may not learn of such shortfalls until late in a fiscal quarter, which
could result in an even more immediate and adverse effect on the Company's
common stock price. Such volatility may be exacerbated further by the relatively
low trading volume of the Company's common stock. Further, the Company
participates in a rapidly changing high-technology industry, which has in the
past exhibited significant stock market volatility. Often, when a
high-technology company's stock price declines rapidly, the company may become
subject to class action securities litigation. Were the Company to become
involved in such litigation, it could expend significant financial and
management resources, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results, and financial condition.
Product Concentration, Technological Change, and New Products. Sales and
installations of new Aspect CallCenter systems, the Company's principal product,
account for a substantial portion of net revenues. Any factor adversely
affecting the market for the Aspect CallCenter system or the failure of any
Aspect product to meet customer requirements, including system performance,
system availability, or other requirements, could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, operating results, and financial condition.
The market for Aspect's products is subject to rapid technological change
and new product introductions. Current competitors or new market entrants may
develop new, proprietary products with features that could adversely affect the
competitive position of the Company's products. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be successful in accurately anticipating market demand for
products being developed; in developing, manufacturing, and marketing new
products; or in enhancing its existing products.
4
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Due to the complexity and sophistication of the Company's software
products, the Company's products from time to time contain defects that can be
difficult to correct. There can be no assurance that software defects will not
cause delays in product introductions and shipments, result in increased costs,
require design modifications, or impair customer satisfaction with the Company's
products. Any such event could materially adversely affect the Company's
business, operating results, and financial condition.
Competition. The Company believes the market for its products is highly
competitive and that competition is likely to intensify. The Company's principal
competitors currently include companies that market automatic call distributor
(ACD) systems and companies that market private branch exchange systems that
include ACD features. The Company's current competitors include, but are not
limited to, Lucent Technologies Inc. (previously a unit of AT&T Corp.); Northern
Telecom Limited (Nortel); Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.; Rockwell
International Corporation; Alcatel Alsthom; L.M. Ericsson; and N.V. Philips. The
Company anticipates that the regional Bell operating companies and other
telephone operating companies could market ACD functionality through equipment
located in the telephone operating company's central office rather than on
customers' premises. Additional potential competitors include companies with
technologies capable of providing mission-critical call transaction processing
capabilities, including participants in the problem tracking and resolution
client/server software market, pre-network routing companies, and a wide variety
of computer-telephony integration software companies. As the hardware
requirements for a traditional call center diminish due to the emergence of the
Internet, local area networks, and other factors, other companies may obtain a
significant position in the call transaction processing market.
Many of Aspect's current competitors have longer operating histories;
considerably greater financial, technical, sales, and marketing resources; and
larger installed customer bases than Aspect. Moreover, Lucent Technologies, the
largest provider of call center products and services, may emerge as a more
focused, aggressive competitor following its recent divestiture from AT&T.
Consequently, the Company expects to encounter substantial competition from
these and other companies, as well as from new market entrants and emerging
technologies. Intensified price-based competition or changes in the Company's
price structure could result in lower prices and lower margins for Aspect's
products, which could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
operating results, and financial condition.
Intellectual Property; Litigation. The segment of the telecommunications
market that includes the Company's products has been characterized by extensive
litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. As is
common in the telecommunications industry, the Company has been in the past and
may in the future be notified of claims that its products or services are
subject to patents or other proprietary rights of third parties. The Company
attempts to ensure that its products and processes do not infringe such third-
party patents or proprietary rights. There can be no assurance, however, that
infringement or invalidity claims (or claims for indemnification resulting from
infringement claims) will not be asserted or prosecuted against the Company.
Periodically, the Company negotiates with third parties to establish patent
license or cross-license agreements or otherwise acquire intellectual property
rights, and the Company is currently in such negotiations. There can be no
assurance that current or future negotiations will result in the Company
obtaining a license on satisfactory terms or at all. Moreover, license
agreements with third parties may not include all intellectual property rights
that may be issued to or owned by the licensors, and thus future disputes with
these companies are possible. In the event an intellectual property dispute is
not settled through a license, litigation could ensue. Any litigation, or
interference proceedings that may be declared by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office to determine the priority of inventions, could result in
substantial expense to the Company and significant diversion of effort by the
Company's technical and managerial personnel. An adverse determination in such
litigation or proceeding, including without limitation the Lucent litigation
discussed below, could prevent the Company from making, using or selling certain
of its products, and subject the Company to damage assessments, all of which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results or financial condition.
On March 5, 1997, Lucent Technologies Inc. ("Lucent") filed a lawsuit in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
alleging that the Company infringes four of Lucent's patents (the "Lucent
Patents"). In its complaint, Lucent is seeking to enjoin the Company from
allegedly continuing to infringe the Lucent Patents and is seeking an
unspecified amount of compensatory damages, treble damages
5
<PAGE> 7
for alleged willful infringement, and interest, expenses and attorneys' fees. On
May 2, 1997, the Company filed an answer in response to the Lucent complaint,
asserting that the Lucent Patents are invalid and denying the alleged patent
infringement. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the
asserted claims and intends to defend the litigation vigorously. Although the
Company does not believe that any of its products infringe any valid claims of
the Lucent Patents, the outcome of litigation is inherently unpredictable, and
there can be no assurance that the results of these proceedings will be
favorable to the Company or that they will not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, operating results or financial condition. Regardless of
the ultimate outcome, the Lucent litigation could result in substantial expense
to the Company and significant diversion of effort by the Company's technical
and managerial personnel. If the court determines that the Company infringes the
Lucent Patents and that the Lucent Patents are valid and enforceable, it could
issue an injunction prohibiting the Company from making, using or selling
certain products and it could assess significant damages against the Company.
Accordingly, an adverse determination in the proceeding could subject the
Company to significant liabilities and require the Company to seek a license
from Lucent. Although intellectual property disputes are often settled through
licensing or similar arrangements, costs associated with such arrangements may
be substantial, and there can be no assurance that a license from Lucent, if
required, would be available to the Company on acceptable terms or at all.
In the future, the Company could become involved in other types of
litigation, such as shareholder lawsuits for alleged violations of securities
laws, claims asserted by current or former employees, and product liability
claims. An adverse outcome in such litigation could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results or financial condition.
Regardless of merit, source, or outcome of the litigation, it could result in
substantial cost to and diversion of effort by the Company.
Management of Growth. The Company has experienced a period of rapid growth
that has placed a significant strain on the Company's managerial and operational
resources. To manage its growth, the Company must continue to implement and
improve its operational and financial systems and to expand, train, and manage
its employee base. For example, the Company has implemented, and in the future
may implement additional versions of, a new internal integrated business
application software system. There can be no assurance that complications will
not arise from this software system transition, resulting in substantial
unanticipated expenses. An additional challenge created by the Company's rapid
growth is in hiring, assimilating, training, and retaining a large number of
employees in a labor market characterized by a high demand for and limited
supply of qualified people. In addition, the Company must carefully maintain
inventories at levels consistent with product demand and the requirements of new
product introductions. Inaccuracies in demand forecasts could quickly result in
either insufficient or excessive inventories and obsolescence expense.
Dependence on Key Personnel. The Company depends upon certain key
management and technical personnel, the loss of whom could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results, and financial
condition. The Company's future success will depend in part upon its ability to
attract and retain highly qualified personnel, broaden and diversify its
management team, and ensure successful management transition.
Limited Sources of Component Supply. Although the Company primarily uses
standard parts and components in its products, certain components, including
certain central processing units, other integrated circuits, and circuit cards,
are presently available only from a single source or from limited sources of
supply. The inability of the Company to develop alternative sources if and as
required in the future, or to obtain sufficient sole or limited source
components as required, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results, and financial condition. In addition, there can be
no assurance that manufacturers of component parts used by the Company will not
modify their products in a manner incompatible with the Company's use of such
products.
Licenses from Third Parties. The Company currently manufactures certain
components incorporated into its products pursuant to engineering and
manufacturing licenses from third parties. The Company depends upon the
licensors' abilities to provide certain technical support and cooperation in
optimizing the Company's use of the licensed technologies. Should any of the
licensors become unable to provide such technical support, the Company would
have to develop internal capabilities or otherwise locate alternative
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technical support. This in turn could adversely affect the Company's ability to
complete timely shipments during the transition. If, due to a breach of a
license agreement or otherwise, the Company becomes unable to continue to
utilize the applicable licensed technology, the Company's business, operating
results, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Geographic Concentration. Aspect's product development, manufacturing,
information technology systems, corporate offices, and support functions are
concentrated in the Silicon Valley area of California. In the event of a natural
disaster, such as an earthquake or flood, the Company could experience a
business interruption that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results, and financial condition.
Acquisitions and Investments. Since October 1995, Aspect has acquired four
companies: TCS Management Group, Inc., Envoy Holdings Limited, Prospect
Software, Inc. and Commerce Soft Inc. During the same period, the Company made
minority equity investments in companies with products, services, or
technologies that potentially complement Aspect's business. In the future, the
Company may make further acquisitions of companies or assets, make investments
or enter into joint ventures or strategic alliances with other companies. Such
transactions entail numerous risks, including the following: inability to
successfully integrate such companies' personnel and businesses; inability to
realize anticipated synergies, economies of scale, or other value associated
with such transactions; diversion of management's attention and disruption of
the Company's ongoing business; inability to retain key technical and managerial
personnel; inability to establish and maintain uniform standards, controls,
procedures, and policies; and impairment of relationships with employees and
customers as a result of the integration of new personnel. In addition, future
acquisitions or investments by the Company may result in the issuance of
additional equity or debt securities, significant one-time write-offs, and the
creation of goodwill or other intangible assets. Failure to avoid these or other
risks associated with such business combinations, investments, joint ventures,
or strategic alliances could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results, and financial condition.
International Operations. The Company currently operates in several
international markets and anticipates entering additional markets in the future.
The financial resources required to enter a new international market may vary
substantially among markets based upon, among other factors, the market's
regulatory environment, the Company's expansion strategy in the market, and the
level of acceptance of the Company's products in that market. Many countries
require multiple governmental approvals prior to allowing a new entrant into the
market. The cost and timing of these approvals, which may require the Company to
modify its products, are often subject to considerable uncertainty and could
result in longer lead times than initially anticipated. The Company's
international operations are subject to additional risks, including exchange
rate fluctuations; delays in telecommunications deregulation; difficulties in
staffing and managing foreign subsidiary operations; political and economic
instability; potentially negative tax consequences; and foreign and domestic
trade legislation, which could result in the creation of trade barriers such as
tariffs, duties, quotas, and other restrictions. Failure to successfully enter
certain international markets on a timely basis could impair the Company's
competitive position in such markets and prevent the Company from obtaining the
scale advantages of global competitors.
Regulatory Requirements. The Company's products are subject to various
regulations that require, among other things, that the Company's products meet
certain radio frequency emission standards, be compatible with the public
telephone networks, and conform to certain safety and other standards. Sales of
products that fail to comply with these regulations may be prohibited by
regulatory authorities until appropriate modifications are made. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining or maintaining the
necessary regulatory approvals for its products, and its failure to do so could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results, and
financial condition.
Expansion of Distribution Channels. The Company has historically sold its
products through its direct sales force and a limited number of distributors.
The Company is currently investing, and plans to continue to invest, significant
resources to expand its domestic and international direct sales force and
develop distribution relationships with certain third-party distributors. As
part of this process, the Company may, from time to time, modify existing
distribution relationships. Any failure by the Company to maintain or expand its
direct sales force or other distribution channels, as well as any significant
changes in existing distribution channels, could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, operating results, and financial condition.
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SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information known to the Company
with respect to beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of October
23, 1997 by each Selling Shareholder. Venkatachari Dilip and Janardhanan Jawahar
are currently employed by the Company's subsidiary, Commerce Soft Inc. No
Selling Shareholders are officers or directors of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES BENEFICIALLY
OWNED SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
PRIOR TO THE OFFERING AFTER THE OFFERING(1)
------------------------ SHARES -------------------------
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS SHARES PERCENT(2) OFFERED SHARES PERCENT(2)
- ------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------- ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Venkatachari Dilip(3)............................ 68,945 * 68,945 -- --
Janardhanan Jawahar.............................. 74,907 * 74,907 -- --
Venkatachari Dinakar Trust....................... 16,222 * 16,222 -- --
Nikhil Dilip Trust............................... 8,111 * 8,111 -- --
Monisha Dilip Trust.............................. 8,111 * 8,111 -- --
Total............................................ 176,296 176,296
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.
(1) Assumes that each Selling Shareholder will sell all of the Shares set forth
above under "Shares Offered." There can be no assurance that the Selling
Shareholders will sell all or any of the Shares offered hereunder.
(2) Based on 49,670,912 shares outstanding at September 30, 1997.
(3) Excludes 16,222 shares held by the Venkatachari Dinakar Trust, 8,111 shares
held by the Nikhil Dilip Trust and 8,111 shares held by Monish Dilip Trust,
all of which Mr. Dilip is a trustee.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Shares of Common Stock covered hereby may be offered and sold from time to
time by the Selling Shareholders. The Selling Shareholders will act
independently of the Company in making decisions with respect to the timing,
manner and size of each sale. The Selling Shareholders may sell the Shares being
offered hereby: (i) on the Nasdaq National Market, or otherwise at prices and at
terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price; or
(ii) in private sales at negotiated prices directly or through a broker or
brokers, who may act as agent or as principal or by a combination of such
methods of sale. The Selling Shareholders and any underwriter, dealer or agent
who participate in the distribution of such shares may be deemed to be
"underwriters" under the Securities Act, and any discount, commission or
concession received by such persons might be deemed to be an underwriting
discount or commission under the Securities Act. The Company has agreed to
indemnify the Selling Shareholders against certain liabilities arising under the
Securities Act.
Any broker-dealer participating in such transactions as agent may receive
commissions from the Selling Shareholders (and, if acting as agent for the
purchaser of such shares, from such purchaser). Usual and customary brokerage
fees will be paid by the Selling Shareholders. Broker-dealers may agree with the
Selling Shareholders to sell a specified number of shares at a stipulated price
per share, and, to the extent such a broker-dealer is unable to do so acting as
agent for the Selling Shareholders, to purchase as principal any unsold shares
at the price required to fulfill the broker-dealer commitment to the Selling
Shareholders. Broker-dealers who acquire shares as principal may thereafter
resell such shares from time to time in transactions (which may involve crosses
and block transactions and which may involve sales to and through other
broker-dealers, including transactions of the nature described above) in the
over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions or by a combination of such
methods of sale or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or
at negotiated prices, and in connection with such resales may pay to or receive
from the purchasers of such shares commissions computed as described above.
8
<PAGE> 10
The Company has advised the Selling Shareholders that the anti-manipulation
Rules 10b-6 and 10b-7 under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of Shares in the
market and to the activities of the Selling Shareholders and their affiliates.
In addition, the Company will make copies of this Prospectus available to the
Selling Shareholders and has informed them of the need for delivery of copies of
this Prospectus to purchasers on or prior to sales of the Shares offered hereby.
The Selling Shareholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in
transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities,
including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. Any commissions paid or
any discounts or concessions allowed to any such broker-dealers, and any profits
received on the resale of such shares, may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act if any such broker-dealers
purchase shares as principal.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if
applicable, the Common Stock will be sold in such jurisdictions only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states, the
Common Stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or
qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration
or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
At the time a particular offer of the shares of Common Stock registered
hereunder is made, if required, a Prospectus Supplement will be distributed that
will set forth the number of shares being offered and the terms of the offering
including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid
by any underwriter for securities purchased from, any discount, commission and
other item constituting compensation and any discount, commission or concession
allowed or reallowed or paid to, any dealer, and the proposed selling price to
the public.
There can be no assurance that the Selling Shareholders will sell all or
any of the shares of Common Stock offered hereunder.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon by Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation, Menlo Park, California,
counsel to the Company.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and the related financial statement schedule
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports, which are
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
9
<PAGE> 11
======================================================
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Additional Information................. 2
Available Information.................. 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference............................ 2
The Company............................ 3
Risk Factors........................... 4
Selling Shareholders................... 8
Plan of Distribution................... 8
Legal Matters.......................... 9
Experts................................ 9
</TABLE>
------------------------
======================================================
======================================================
176,296 SHARES
ASPECT
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
------------------------
PROSPECTUS
------------------------
October , 1997
======================================================
<PAGE> 12
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE
PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The Registrant will bear no expenses in connection with any sale or other
distribution by the Selling Shareholders of the shares being registered other
than the expenses of preparation and distribution of this Registration Statement
and the Prospectus included in this Registration Statement. Such expenses are
set forth in the following table. All of the amounts shown are estimates except
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") registration fee.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC registration fee........................................... $ 1,348.93
Legal fees and expenses........................................ $ 15,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses................................... 5,000.00
Miscellaneous expenses......................................... 3,000.00
----------
Total................................................ $ 24,348.93
==========
</TABLE>
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 317 of the California Corporations Code allows for the
indemnification of officers, directors, and other corporate agents in terms
sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons under certain circumstances for
liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Article IV of the
Registrant's Articles of Incorporation and Article VI of the Registrant's Bylaws
provides for indemnification of the Registrant's directors, officers, employees
and other agents to the extent and under the circumstances permitted by the
California Corporations Code. The Registrant has also entered into agreements
with its directors and officers that will require the Registrant, among other
things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason
of their status or service as directors to the fullest extent not prohibited by
law.
In addition, the Registrant carries director and officer liability
insurance in the amount of $20 million.
In connection with this offering, the Selling Shareholders have agreed to
indemnify the Registrant, its directors and officers and each such person who
controls the Registrant, against any and all liability arising from inaccurate
information provided to the Registrant by the Selling Shareholders and contained
herein.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
5.1 Opinion of Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation
23.1 Independent Auditors' Consent
23.2 Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1 Power of Attorney (see page II-3)
</TABLE>
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
II-1
<PAGE> 13
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include
any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change
to such information in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of this offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
II-2
<PAGE> 14
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Aspect
Telecommunications Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of
California, on October 22, 1997.
ASPECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CORPORATION
By: /s/ ERIC J. KELLER
------------------------------------
Eric J. Keller
Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James R. Carreker and Eric J.
Keller, jointly and severally, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact,
each with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities,
to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any
of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done or by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ JAMES R. CARREKER Chairman and Chief Executive October 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------- Officer and Director
James R. Carreker (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ ERIC J. KELLER Vice President, Finance and October 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer
Eric J. Keller (Principal Financial Officer
and
Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ DEBRA J. ENGEL Director October 23, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
Debra J. Engel
/s/ NORMAN A. FOGELSONG Director October 22, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
Norman A. Fogelsong
/s/ JAMES L. PATTERSON Director October 22, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
James L. Patterson
/s/ JOHN W. PETH Director October 22, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
John W. Peth
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE> 15
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- ----------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
5.1 Opinion of Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation
23.1 Independent Auditors' Consent
23.2 Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1 Power of Attorney (see page II-3)
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
October 28, 1997
Aspect Telecommunications Corporation
1730 Fox Drive
San Jose, CA 95131-2312
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about October 28, 1997 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 176,296 shares of your Common
Stock (the "Shares"), to be sold by certain shareholders listed in the
Registration Statement (the "Selling Shareholders"). As your legal counsel, we
have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings
proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale of the Shares by the
Selling Shareholders in the manner set forth in the Registration Statement in
the section entitled "Plan of Distribution."
It is our opinion that the Shares, when sold by the Selling Shareholders in
the manner referred to in the Registration Statement, will be legally and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever it appears in the
Registration Statement and any amendments to it.
Sincerely,
VENTURE LAW GROUP
A Professional Corporation
/s/ Venture Law Group
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Aspect Telecommunications Corporation on Form S-3 of our reports dated
January 14, 1997 and March 26, 1997, appearing in and incorporated by reference
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Aspect Telecommunications Corporation for
the year ended December 31, 1996.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the
Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
San Jose, California
October 23, 1997
