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FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424 (b)(3)
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-30460
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
PROSPECTUS
546,060 SHARES
SPSS INC.
COMMON STOCK
($.01 PAR VALUE)
This prospectus relates to the offer and sale of up to 546,060 shares
of our common stock from time to time by the selling stockholders, former
shareholders of Vento Software, Inc., a Florida corporation. The selling
stockholders acquired the 546,060 shares of SPSS common stock being offered by
means of this prospectus in a transaction in which SPSS acquired all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of Vento under the terms of an acquisition
agreement, dated as of November 29, 1999, by and among SPSS, Vento and those
Vento shareholders who executed the acquisition agreement. The purchase price
was established through negotiations between SPSS and Vento.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement and a separate escrow
agreement, we delivered (i) 491,456 shares of our common stock to the former
Vento shareholders, and (ii) 54,604 shares of our common stock to Harris Trust
and Savings Bank as escrow agent. The purpose of the escrow is to secure any
payments to which SPSS may be entitled in the event it is determined that Vento
or the Selling Shareholders breached any of their representation and warranties
contained in the acquisition agreement. If SPSS is entitled to an
indemnification payment, SPSS will receive the number of shares of SPSS common
stock held in escrow having a value, as measured on November 29, 1999 (the
closing date of the Vento acquisition), equal to the indemnification payment.
See "PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION," "USE OF PROCEEDS," and "SELLING STOCKHOLDERS." As
part of the transaction, we also agreed to register the resale of the 546,060
shares of common stock by the selling stockholders on a shelf registration
statement. Any person who acquires shares of our common stock which can be
resold by means of this prospectus after the effective date of the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part will be added to the list of
selling stockholders contained in this prospectus by means of a prospectus
supplement. See "Selling Stockholders."
SPSS will not receive any of the proceeds for the sale of the common
stock offered by means of this prospectus unless it receives shares from the
escrow to satisfy an indemnification claim and sells such shares. To the extent
that SPSS does receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock offered
by means of this prospectus, we will use the proceeds for working capital and
other general corporate purposes. See "USE OF PROCEEDS" and "SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS." The shares are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "SPSS". On February 8, 2000, the last sale price of SPSS common stock, as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market, was $26.50 per share.
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SPSS will bear all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and
selling commissions, and fees and expenses of counsel or other advisors to the
selling stockholders) in connection with the registration of the shares of
common stock being offered hereby, which expenses are estimated to be
approximately $50,000. See "Selling Stockholders" elsewhere in this prospectus.
The shares offered by this prospectus involve a high degree of risk.
See "RISK FACTORS" beginning on Page 4.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS FEBRUARY 28, 2000.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at
the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.,
20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the
SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information that we
file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference
is considered part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with
the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate
by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the
SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
SPSS hereby incorporates by reference the following documents
previously filed with the Commission:
(a) Our annual report on Form 10-K, filed March 31, 1999 for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998;
(b) Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q, filed May 14, 1999 for the
fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1999;
(c) Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed August 13, 1999 for
the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1999;
(d) Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed November 15, 1999 for
the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1999;
(e) Our current report on Form 8-K and amendments thereto filed
with the Commission on December 10, 1999 (acquisition of Vento);
(f) The description of our common stock contained in our
registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 4,
1993, pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act; and
(g) Our proxy statement, filed with the SEC on May 17, 1999, for
its annual meeting of stockholders held on June 16, 1999, except for
the compensation committee report contained therein.
You may request a copy of these filings at no charge by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
Edward Hamburg
Executive Vice President, Corporate Operations, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary
233 South Wacker Drive, 11th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: (312) 651-3000
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the
SEC. You should rely only on the information or representations provided in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide information
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other than the information provided in this prospectus. We are not making an
offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You
should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any
date other than the date on the front of this document.
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information in this prospectus, the risk
factors shown below should be considered carefully by potential purchasers of
the shares being offered by this prospectus.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY GIVE RISE TO EXPECTATIONS THAT ARE NOT
FULFILLED.
We have made forward-looking statements in this prospectus (and in
documents that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus) which may be
affected by risks and uncertainties. We may also make written forward- looking
statements in our periodic reports to the SEC, in our press releases and other
written materials and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or
employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including
statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements.
These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management and
on information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements include
statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believes",
"expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "estimates", "designed" or similar
expressions.
Because we are unable to control or predict many factors that will
determine our future performance, including financial results, forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance. They involve risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. Our future results may differ materially from
those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus
and in the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See "WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION." We caution you that a number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in
any forward-looking statement. See other Risk Factors in this section.
SPSS' management believes these forward-looking statements are
reasonable. However, because these statements are based on current expectations,
you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
are based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of
the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of
them in light of new information or future events.
OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS AND STOCK PRICE MAY
BE AFFECTED BY QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS.
SPSS' quarterly revenue and operating results have varied in the past
and may continue to do so in the future. Future revenues and operating results
will depend upon, among other factors:
- the number and timing of product updates and new product
introductions,
- delays in product development and introduction,
- purchasing schedules of its customers,
- changes in foreign currency exchange rates,
- product and market development expenditures,
- the timing of product shipments,
- changes in product mix,
- timing, costs and effects of acquisitions, and
- general economic conditions.
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Because SPSS' expense levels are to a large extent based on its
forecasts of future revenues, operating results may be adversely affected if
such revenues fall below expectations. Accordingly, SPSS believes that
quarter-to-quarter comparisons of its results of operations may not be
meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.
SPSS has historically operated with very little backlog because its
products are generally shipped as orders are received. As a result, revenues in
any quarter are dependent on orders shipped and licenses renewed in that
quarter. SPSS has experienced a seasonal pattern in its operating results with
the fourth quarter typically having the highest operating income. For example,
excluding acquisition and other non-recurring charges, the percentage of SPSS
operating income realized in the fourth quarter was 32% in 1996, 35% in 1997 and
36% in 1998.
In addition, the timing and amount of SPSS' revenues are subject to a
number of factors that make estimation of operating results prior to the end of
a quarter uncertain. A significant portion of SPSS' operating expenses are
relatively fixed, and planned expenditures are based primarily on revenue
forecasts. More specifically, in the fourth quarter, the variable profit margins
on modest increases in sales volume at the end of the quarter are significant.
Should SPSS fail to achieve such fourth quarter revenue increases, net income
for the fourth quarter and the full year could be materially affected.
Generally, if revenues do not meet SPSS' expectations in any given quarter,
operating results will be adversely affected. SPSS was profitable in the seven
quarters from December 31, 1994 through June 30, 1997, but had a net loss of
$4,022,000 in the third quarter of 1997 due primarily to a one-time
merger-related charge of $2,911,000 and a charge from the revaluation of certain
assets of $5,555,000. In 1998, SPSS was profitable in the first three quarters,
but had a net loss of $1,211,000 in the fourth quarter of 1998 primarily due to
a one-time merger-related charge and write-off of acquired in-process technology
of $5,500,000 and a charge for revaluation of certain assets of $445,000. For
the nine months ended September 30, 1999, SPSS had net income of $10,838,000.
There can be no assurance that profitability on a quarterly or annual basis can
be achieved or sustained in the future.
WE DEPEND ON A SINGLE PRODUCT CATEGORY.
SPSS derives the major part of its product revenues from licenses of
software for customer relationship management, business performance measurement,
data mining, statistical analysis and survey research. Accordingly, any decline
in revenues from licenses of SPSS' software, or reduction in demand for
analytical software generally, could have a material adverse effect on SPSS.
WE MAY BE UNSUCCESSFUL IN INTEGRATING
RECENT ACQUISITIONS.
In recent years, SPSS has made a significant number of acquisitions,
including the acquisition of businesses based outside of the United States. See
"RECENT DEVELOPMENTS." While SPSS has substantial international operations, it
faces challenges and business integration issues with its November 1998
acquisition of Surveycraft PTY Ltd., a company organized under the laws of
Australia, its December 1998 acquisition of Integral Solutions Limited, a
corporation organized under the laws of the United Kingdom ("ISL"), the November
1999 acquisition of Vento Software, Inc., a Florida corporation and its December
1999 acquisition of the VerbaStat product line from DataStat, S.A., a company
organized under the laws of Luxembourg. Although persons whom SPSS believes are
qualified and trained are continuing to work with Surveycraft, ISL, Vento
and the VerbaStat product line after their acquisition by SPSS, there can be no
assurance that SPSS will be able to retain these employees or
hire suitable replacements in the event they should leave the employ of SPSS. If
SPSS loses key personnel from Surveycraft, ISL or Vento or is unable to
integrate Surveycraft's, ISL's or Vento's business or the VerbaStat product line
into its own business effectively, SPSS may experience a material adverse impact
on its financial condition. While SPSS believes that it has been successful in
integrating the acquisitions it has made in the past, there can be no assurance
that the recent acquisitions of Surveycraft, ISL, Vento or the VerbaStat product
line or future acquisitions will be successfully integrated into SPSS.
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SPSS MAY NOT RESPOND ADEQUATELY TO RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES.
The computer software industry is characterized by rapid technological
advances, changes in customer requirements, frequent product enhancements and
new product introductions. SPSS' future success will depend upon its ability to
enhance its existing products and introduce new products that keep pace with
technological developments, respond to evolving customer requirements and
achieve market acceptance. In particular, SPSS believes it must continue to
respond quickly to users' needs for greater functionality, improved usability
and support for new hardware and operating systems. Any failure by SPSS to
respond adequately to technological developments and customer requirements, or
any significant delays in product development or introduction, could result in
loss of revenues. In the past, SPSS has, on occasion, experienced delays in the
introduction of new products and product enhancements, primarily due to
difficulties with particular operating environments and problems with software
provided by third parties. The extent of these delays has varied depending upon
the size and scope of the project and the nature of the problems encountered.
Such delays have most often resulted from "bugs" encountered in working with new
versions of operating systems and other third party software, and bugs or
unexpected difficulties in existing third party software which complicate
integration with SPSS' software. From time to time, SPSS has discovered bugs in
its products which are resolved through maintenance releases or through periodic
updates depending upon the seriousness of the defect. There can be no assurance
that SPSS will be successful in developing and marketing new products or product
enhancements on a timely basis or that SPSS will not experience significant
delays or defects in its products in the future, which could have a material
adverse effect on SPSS. In addition, there can be no assurance that new products
or product enhancements developed by SPSS will achieve market acceptance or that
developments by others will not render SPSS' products or technologies obsolete
or noncompetitive.
WE MAY FACE BUSINESS DECLINES DUE TO OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.
Revenues from operations outside of North America accounted for
approximately 50% of SPSS' revenues in 1997, 48% of SPSS' revenues in 1998 and
51% for the nine months ended September 30, 1999. SPSS expects that revenues
from international operations will continue to represent a large percentage of
its net revenues and that this percentage may increase, particularly as SPSS
further "localizes" its product line by translating its products into additional
languages and expands its operations through acquisitions of companies outside
the United States. International revenues are subject to a number of risks,
including:
- greater difficulties in accounts receivable collection,
- longer payment cycles,
- exposure to currency fluctuations,
- political and economic instability, and
- the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and
regulatory requirements.
SPSS also believes that it is exposed to greater levels of software
piracy in international markets because of the weaker protection afforded to
intellectual property in some foreign jurisdictions. As SPSS expands its
international operations, the risks described above could increase and, in any
event, could have a material adverse effect on SPSS.
OUR STOCK PRICE MAY EXPERIENCE VOLATILITY.
There has been significant volatility in the market prices of
securities of technology companies, including SPSS, and, in some instances, such
volatility has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies.
Market fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock. SPSS
also believes that, in addition to factors such as interest rates and economic
conditions which affect stock prices generally, some, but not all, of the
factors which could result in fluctuations in our stock price include:
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- announcements of new products by SPSS or its competitors,
- quarterly variations in financial results,
- recommendations and reports of analysts,
- acquisitions, and
- other factors beyond SPSS' control.
SPSS RELIES ON THIRD PARTIES.
SPSS licenses certain software from third parties. Some of this
licensed software is embedded in SPSS' products, and some is offered as add-on
products. If such licenses are discontinued, or become invalid or unenforceable,
there can be no assurance that SPSS will be able to develop substitutes for this
software independently or to obtain alternative sources in a timely manner. Any
delays in obtaining or developing substitutes for licensed software could have a
material adverse effect on SPSS.
In April 1998, SPSS entered into an agreement with Prentice Hall, Inc.
under which SPSS granted a license to Prentice Hall to sell certain of SPSS
software and all of SPSS' publications. As a result, SPSS is dependent on
Prentice Hall for the development and support of the markets for student
software and its publications. The failure of Prentice Hall to adequately
perform its obligations under the Prentice Hall Agreement could have a material
adverse effect on SPSS.
In January 1997, SPSS entered into a Banta Global Turnkey Software
Distribution Agreement under which Banta Global Turnkey manufactures, packages
and distributes SPSS' software products to SPSS' domestic and international
customers and certain international subsidiaries. The Banta agreement had an
initial three-year term and automatically renews thereafter for successive
periods of one year. The Banta agreement was renewed in January 2000. Either
party may terminate the Banta agreement for cause by written notice if the other
materially breaches its obligations. If Banta fails to perform adequately any of
its obligations under the Banta agreement, SPSS' operating results could be
materially adversely affected.
CHANGES IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURES MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT SPSS.
A significant portion of SPSS' revenues comes from licenses of its
products directly to foreign and domestic government entities. In addition,
significant amounts of SPSS' revenues come from licenses to academic
institutions, healthcare organizations and private businesses which contract
with or are funded by government entities. Government appropriations processes
are often slow, unpredictable and subject to factors outside SPSS' control. In
addition, proposals are currently being made in certain countries to reduce
government spending. Reductions in government expenditures and termination or
renegotiation of government-funded programs or contracts could have a material
adverse effect on SPSS. In addition, declines in overall levels of economic
activity could also have a material adverse impact on SPSS.
SPSS MAY BE UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO COMPETE WITH
COMPANIES IN ITS INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE FINANCIAL
OR OTHER ADVANTAGES.
The markets for analytical solutions (particularly those focused on
customer relationship management ("CRM") applications), data mining and
statistical analysis products, survey research tools, and business performance
measurement ("BPM") capabilities, are highly competitive and fragmented. SPSS
primarily competes with one general provider of similar capabilities, SAS
Institute ("SAS"), which is larger and has greater resources than SPSS. SPSS
also faces competition in the data mining, CRM, and BPM markets from many other
larger companies, such as IBM, Oracle, and HNC Software, as well as more recent
entrants, such as e.piphany and Net Perceptions, which specialize in CRM
applications in e-commerce settings. With the exception of SAS, these
competitors do not currently offer the range of analytical capability provided
by SPSS, and as a result are both competitors and potential partners of SPSS.
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In all markets, SPSS competes primarily on the basis of the usability,
functionality, performance, reliability and connectivity of its software
products. The significance of each of these factors varies depending upon the
anticipated use of the software and the statistical training and expertise of
the customer. To a lesser extent, SPSS competes on the basis of price. SPSS
maintains pricing and licensing policies to meet market demand. SPSS believes it
is able to compete successfully, as a result of the graphical user interface,
comprehensive analytical capabilities, efficient performance characteristics,
local language versions, consistent quality and connectivity features of its
software products, as well as its worldwide distribution capabilities and widely
recognized name.
In the future, SPSS may face competition from new entrants into its
markets. SPSS could also experience competition from companies in other sectors
of the broader market for business intelligence software, such as providers of
online analytical processing (OLAP) software and analytical application
software, and from companies in other sectors of the broader market for customer
relationship management such as providers of sales force automation software and
collaborative software, who could add enhanced statistical functionality to
their existing products. Some of these potential competitors have significantly
more capital resources, marketing experience and research and development
capabilities than SPSS. Competitive pressures from the introduction of new
products by these companies or other companies could have a material adverse
effect on SPSS. There can be no assurance that SPSS will be able to compete
successfully in the future.
WE DEPEND ON KEY EXECUTIVES. A LOSS OF THESE
EXECUTIVES AND OTHER PERSONNEL COULD NEGATIVELY
IMPACT OUR OPERATIONS.
SPSS is dependent on the efforts of certain executives and key
employees, including its President and Chief Executive Officer, Jack Noonan.
SPSS' continued success will depend in part on its ability to attract and retain
highly qualified technical, managerial, sales, marketing and other personnel.
Competition for such personnel is intense. SPSS' inability to continue to
attract or retain such highly qualified personnel could have a material adverse
effect on SPSS' financial position and results of operation. No life insurance
policies are maintained on SPSS' key personnel.
SPSS MAY NOT RECEIVE THE FULL BENEFITS OF
ITS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTIONS.
The statistical algorithms incorporated in SPSS' software are not
proprietary. SPSS believes that the proprietary technology constituting a
portion of SPSS' software determines the speed and quality of displaying the
results of computations, the ability of its products to work in conjunction with
third party software and the ease of use of its products. SPSS' success will
depend, in part, on its ability to protect the proprietary aspects of its
products. SPSS' attempts to protect its proprietary software with trade secret
laws and internal nondisclosure safeguards, as well as copyright and trademark
laws and contractual restrictions on copying, disclosure and transferability
that are incorporated into its software license agreements. SPSS licenses its
software only in the form of executable code, with contractual restrictions on
copying, disclosures and transferability. Except for licenses of its products to
users of mainframe and minicomputer products and annual licenses of its desktop
products, SPSS licenses its products to end-users by use of a "shrink-wrap"
license that is not signed by licensees, as is customary in the packaged
software industry. It is uncertain whether such license agreements are legally
enforceable. The source code for all of SPSS products is protected as a trade
secret and as unpublished copyrighted work. In addition, SPSS has entered into
confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements with its key employees. Despite
these restrictions, it may be possible
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for competitors or users to copy aspects of SPSS' products or to obtain
information which SPSS regards as a trade secret. SPSS has no patents, and
judicial enforcement of copyright laws may be uncertain, particularly outside of
North America. Preventing unauthorized use of computer software is difficult,
and software piracy is expected to be a persistent problem for the packaged
software industry. These problems may be particularly acute in international
markets. In addition, the laws of certain countries in which SPSS' products are
or may be licensed do not protect SPSS' products and intellectual property
rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Despite the
precautions taken by SPSS, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to
reverse engineer or copy SPSS' products or obtain and use information that SPSS
regards as proprietary. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by SPSS
to protect its proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation
of its technology.
Although SPSS' products have never been the subject of an infringement
claim, there can be no assurance that third parties will not assert infringement
claims against SPSS in the future or that any such assertion will not result in
costly litigation or require SPSS to obtain a license to use the intellectual
property of third parties. There can be no assurance that such licenses will be
available on reasonable terms, or at all. There can also be no assurance that
SPSS' competitors will not independently develop technologies that are
substantially equivalent or superior to SPSS' technologies.
CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS AND OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS MAY
CONTROL CORPORATE ACTIONS DUE TO THEIR
OWNERSHIP OF SPSS STOCK.
As of February 1, 2000, SPSS' executive officers and directors owned
beneficially approximately 11.7% of the outstanding shares of SPSS common stock.
The Norman H. Nie Revocable Trust Dated March 15, 1991 (the "Nie Trust") and
affiliates of the Nie Trust are entitled to nominate a director for inclusion in
the management slate for election to the Board if the Nie Trust owns at least
12.5% of the outstanding shares of common stock. As of February 1, 2000, the Nie
Trust and affiliates of the Nie Trust beneficially owned approximately 11% of
the outstanding shares of common stock.
Additionally, because of the combined voting power of the officers and
directors, these individuals acting as a group may be able to influence SPSS'
affairs and business, including any determination with respect to a change in
control of SPSS, future issuances of SPSS common stock or other securities,
declaration of dividends on SPSS common stock and the election of directors.
Such influence could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change of control of SPSS which could deprive SPSS' stockholders of the
opportunity to sell their shares of common stock at prices higher than
prevailing market prices.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROTECTIONS MAY MAKE IT
DIFFICULT FOR A THIRD PARTY TO ACQUIRE SPSS.
SPSS' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain a number of
provisions, including provisions requiring an 80% super-majority stockholder
approval of certain actions and provisions for a classified Board of Directors,
which would make the acquisition of SPSS, by means of an unsolicited tender
offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, more difficult or impossible.
SPSS' By-laws provide for a staggered board of directors so that only
one-third of the total number of directors are replaced or re-elected each year.
Therefore, potential acquirors of SPSS may face delays in replacing the existing
directors.
SPSS' senior executive officers may be entitled to substantial payments
in the event of their termination without cause or constructive termination
following a change of control of SPSS. These payments could have the effect of
discouraging a potential acquiror from acquiring control of SPSS.
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SALES OF SPSS STOCK AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE
USE COULD DEPRESS SPSS' STOCK PRICE.
SPSS is filing a registration statement to permit transactions with
respect to the shares of SPSS common stock issued in connection with SPSS'
acquisition of Vento. These shares of common stock are currently deemed
"restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and may not be resold in the absence of registration under the
Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from such registration, including
exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
In addition to the shares of common stock which are outstanding, as of
February 1, 2000, there were vested options outstanding held by management to
purchase approximately 1,045,286 additional shares of common stock, with an
average exercise price of $13.29 per share, and unvested options to purchase
approximately 493,124 additional shares of common stock. SPSS has also
established a stock purchase plan available to employees of SPSS, which permits
employees to acquire shares of common stock at the end of each quarter at 85% of
the market price of the common stock as of the day after the end of the quarter.
No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales,
or the availability of shares of SPSS common stock for future sales, will have
on the market price prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts
of common stock by SPSS or by shareholders who hold "restricted securities," or
the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect prevailing
market prices for the common stock.
SPSS had retained earnings of $8,293,000 as of September 30, 1999.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Other than the completion and filing of this registration statement, we
will not participate in the sale of the shares offered by means of this
prospectus. In addition, because the shares of common stock being offered by
means of this prospectus are being sold by the selling stockholders, we will not
directly receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares. However, in
the event that there is a determination that we are entitled to any
indemnification payments we may receive shares of escrowed SPSS common stock.
See "SELLING STOCKHOLDERS." We cannot, however, predict whether any payment will
be made or the amount of any payment if it is made. To the extent that SPSS does
receive any amount generated through the sale of shares of common stock offered
by means of this prospectus, we will use the proceeds for working capital and
general corporate purposes.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The shares of our common stock being offered by means of this
prospectus were originally issued to the selling stockholders on November 29,
1999 as consideration for our purchase of all of the capital stock of Vento
Software, Inc. SPSS acquired all of the capital stock of Vento by means of a
stock acquisition agreement dated as of November 29, 1999, by and among SPSS,
Vento and the stockholders of Vento, who are the selling stockholders hereunder.
The purchase price was established through negotiations between SPSS and Vento.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement and a separate escrow
agreement, 491,456 shares of our common stock were delivered directly to the
former Vento shareholders and 54,604 shares of our common stock were delivered
in escrow to Harris Trust and Savings Bank, which is acting as escrow agent
under the escrow agreement. The purpose of the escrow is to secure payment of
any amounts to which we may be entitled in the event it is determined that Vento
or the selling shareholders have breached any of their representations and
warranties contained in the acquisition agreement.
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The indemnification provisions contained in the acquisition agreement
provide that SPSS' right to receive an indemnification payment shall not exceed
the 54,604 escrowed shares, subject to certain exceptions such as intentional
fraud, willful misconduct, or criminal actions on the part of Vento or the
selling shareholders. In addition, SPSS is not entitled to indemnification
payments until its damages as a result of one or more breaches of Vento's
representations and warranties equals or exceeds $50,000. If SPSS is entitled to
an indemnification payment, SPSS will receive the number of shares of SPSS
common stock held in escrow having a value, as measured on November 29, 1999
(the closing date of the Vento acquisition), equal to the indemnification
payment.
Under the terms of an employment agreement between SPSS and David
Blyer, the former president of Vento, Mr. Blyer will receive a minimum annual
salary of $160,000 as compensation. In addition, Mr. Blyer is entitled to
receive a quarterly bonus of $15,000 if certain specific performance objectives
are met. Mr. Blyer is entitled to severance payments if his employment is
terminated without cause. Mr. Blyer is subject to certain non-competition and
confidentiality obligations under his employment agreement. John Gomez, former
vice-president of Vento, has an employment agreement with SPSS on substantially
the same terms as Mr. Blyer.
The following table sets forth information about the beneficial
ownership of the selling stockholders as of February 1, 2000 as to:
- the number of shares of common stock that are beneficially held by
each of the selling stockholders.
- the maximum number of shares that may be offered by the selling
stockholders by means of this prospectus, and
- the number of shares of common stock that can be sold by means of
this prospectus and the percentage of our total outstanding common
stock which that number represents.
We can provide no assurance as to the number of shares that will be
held by the selling stockholders after this offering because the Selling
stockholders may offer all or some part of the shares which they held by means
of this prospectus, and because this offering is not being underwritten on a
firm commitment basis.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF COMMON
MAXIMUM STOCK TO BE
NUMBER BENEFICIALLY OWNED
SHARES OF OF SHARES ASSUMING SALE OF ALL
COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE SHARES AVAILABLE FOR
BENEFICIALLY TO BE SOLD SALE HEREUNDER
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED AS OF PURSUANT -----------------------
SELLING STOCKHOLDER FEBRUARY 1, 2000 HERETO NUMBER PERCENT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David Blyer 245,727 245,727 0 *
John Gomez 245,727 245,727 0 *
John Pappajohn 54,606 54,606 0 *
</TABLE>
* The percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of the
class.
SPSS has agreed to register the shares of SPSS common stock of the
selling stockholders offered hereby under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. In this connection, the selling stockholders are required to pay the
underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, associated
with the sale of their shares of common stock, and SPSS will pay substantially
all of the expenses directly associated with the registration of such shares of
common stock hereunder.
- 11 -
<PAGE> 12
DIVIDEND POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS
SPSS has never declared any cash dividends or distributions on its
capital stock and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. SPSS currently intends to retain its future earnings to fund ongoing
operations and future capital requirements of its business.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering all 546,060 shares (the "Shares") on behalf of the
selling shareholders. All of the shares were originally issued by us.
The selling shareholders named in the table above, under the caption
"Selling Stockholders", or pledgees, donees, transferees or other
successors-in-interest selling shares received from a named selling shareholder
as a gift or other non-sale-related transfer after the date of this prospectus
(collectively, the "Selling Shareholders") may sell the shares from time to
time. The Selling Shareholders will act independently of SPSS in making
decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale. The sales
may be made on one or more exchanges or in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise, at prices and at terms then prevailing or at prices related to the
then current market price, or in negotiated transactions. The Selling
Shareholders may effect such transactions by selling the shares to or through
broker-dealers. The shares may be sold by one or more of, or a combination of,
the following:
_ a block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to
sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of
the block as principal to facilitate the transaction,
_ purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such
broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus,
_ an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of such
exchange,
_ ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchasers, and
_ in privately negotiated transactions.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented
from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. In effecting
sales, broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Shareholders may arrange for other
broker-dealers to participate in the resales.
The Selling Shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers in connection with distributions of the shares or otherwise. In
such transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the shares in
the course of hedging the positions they assume with Selling Shareholders. The
Selling Shareholders also may sell shares short and redeliver the shares to
close out such short positions. The Selling Shareholders may enter into option
or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery to the
broker-dealers of the shares. The broker-dealers may then resell or otherwise
transfer such shares pursuant to this prospectus. The Selling Shareholders also
may loan or pledge the shares to a broker-dealer. The broker-dealer may sell
the shares so loaned, or upon a default the broker-dealer may sell the pledged
shares pursuant to this prospectus.
Broker-dealers or agents receive compensation in the form of
commissions, discounts or concessions from Selling Shareholders. Broker-dealers
or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of the shares for
whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both.
Compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary
commissions and will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with the sale.
Broker-dealers or agents and any other participating broker-dealers or the
Selling Shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
Section 2(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with
sales of the shares. Accordingly, any such commission, discount or concession
received by them and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them
may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities
Act. Because Selling Shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, the Selling Shareholders will be
subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. In
addition, any securities covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale
pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule
144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus. The Selling Shareholders have
advised us that they have not entered into any agreements, understandings or
arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding the sale of their
securities. There is no underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection
with the proposed sale of shares by Selling Shareholders.
The shares will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in
certain states the shares may not be sold unless they 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.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, any person engaged in distribution of the shares may
not simultaneously engage in market-making activities with respect to our
common stock for a period of two business days prior to the commencement of such
distribution. In addition, each Selling Shareholder will be subject to
applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the associated rules and
regulations under the Exchange Act, including Regulation M, which provisions may
limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of our common stock by the
Selling Shareholders. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the
Selling Shareholders and have informed them of the need for delivery of copies
of this prospectus to purchasers at or prior to the time of any sale of the
shares.
We will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required, pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act upon being notified by a Selling
Shareholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a
broker-dealer for the sale of shares through a block trade, special offering,
exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or
dealer. Such supplement will disclose:
_ the name of each such Selling Shareholder and of the participating
broker-dealers(s),
_ the number of shares involved,
_ the price at which such shares were sold,
_ the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such
broker-dealers(s), where applicable,
_ that such broker-dealers(s) did not conduct any investigation to
verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus, and
_ other facts material to the transaction.
In addition, upon being notified by a Selling Shareholder that a donee
or pledgee intends to sell more than 500 shares, we will file a supplement to
this prospectus.
We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the
registration of the shares. The Selling Shareholders will bear all commissions
and discounts, if any, attributable to the sales of the shares. The Selling
Shareholders may agree to indemnify any broker-dealers or agent that
participates in transactions involving sales of the shares against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
- 12 -
<PAGE> 13
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In November 1999, SPSS acquired the outstanding shares of capital stock
of Vento Software, Inc., a Florida corporation, in exchange for 546,060 shares
of SPSS common stock in an acquisition accounted for as a pooling of interests.
Vento provides business performance management solutions for business executives
in the telecommunications, banking, healthcare and retail industries. SPSS will
continue to operate the Vento business principally from the Vento headquarters
in Miami, Florida.
In December 1999, SPSS acquired the VerbaStat product line from
DataStat, S.A., a company organized under the laws of Luxembourg for $1,000,000.
The VerbaStat product line is a software tool for computer aided coding of
open-ended survey questions.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock being offered by means of
this prospectus has been passed upon for SPSS by its general counsel, Ross &
Hardies, Chicago, Illinois.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and financial statement schedule of SPSS Inc.
as of December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998, and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998 have been incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent certified public
accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1999, June 30, 1998 and 1999, and September 30,
1998 and 1999, incorporated by reference herein, the independent certified
public accountants have reported that they applied limited procedures in
accordance with professional standards for a review of such information.
However, their separate reports included in SPSS' quarterly reports on Form 10-Q
for the three months ended March 31, 1999, for the three and six months ended
June 30, 1999 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, and
incorporated by reference herein, state that they did not audit and they do not
express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the
degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in
light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. The accountants
are not subject to the liability provisions of section 11 of the Securities Act
of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because
those reports are not a "report" or a "part" of the registration statement
prepared or certified by the accountants within the meaning of sections 7 and 11
of the Securities Act.
- 13 -
<PAGE> 14
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION OF INDEMNIFICATION
FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of SPSS pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, SPSS has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange 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 of 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 against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
- 14 -
<PAGE> 15
================================================================================
NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION
OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY SPSS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF SPSS SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
----------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Where You Can Find More Information...................................... 3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.......................... 3
Risk Factors............................................................. 4
- - Forward-Looking Statements May Give Rise to Expectations That Are
Not Fulfilled....................................................... 4
- - Our Financial Results and Stock Price May Be Effected by Quarterly
Fluctuations........................................................ 4
- - We Depend on a Single Product Category.............................. 5
- - We May Be Unsuccessful in Integrating Recent Acquisitions........... 5
- - SPSS May Not Respond Adequately to Rapid Technological Changes...... 6
- - We May Face Business Declines Due to Our International Operations... 6
- - Our Stock Price May Experience Volatility........................... 6
- - SPSS Relies on Third Parties........................................ 7
- - Changes in Public Expenditures May Adversely Affect SPSS............ 7
- - SPSS May Be Unable to Continue to Compete with Companies in its
Industry that have Financial or Other Advantages.................... 7
- - We Depend on Key Executives. A Loss of These Executives and
Other Personnel Could Negatively Impact our Operations.............. 8
- - SPSS May Not Receive the Full Benefits of its Intellectual
Property Protections................................................ 8
- - Certain Shareholders and Officers and Directors May Control
Corporate Actions Due to Their Ownership of SPSS Stock.............. 9
- - Anti-Takeover Protections May Make It Difficult for a Third
Party to Acquire SPSS............................................... 9
- - Sales of SPSS Stock Available for Future Use Could Depress
SPSS' Stock Price................................................... 10
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 10
Selling Stockholders..................................................... 10
Dividend Policy and Restrictions......................................... 12
Plan of Distribution..................................................... 12
Recent Developments...................................................... 13
Legal Matters............................................................ 13
Experts.................................................................. 13
Disclosure of Commission Position of Indemnification for Securities Act
Liabilities.............................................................. 14
</TABLE>
==================
546,060 Shares
SPSS INC.
COMMON STOCK
($.01 PAR VALUE)
-----------------
PROSPECTUS
-----------------
Dated February 28, 2000
All selling stockholders that effect transactions in the shares of common stock
offered by means of this prospectus are required to deliver a copy of this
prospectus to any purchaser of the shares of common stock at or before the time
a certificate representing the shares of common stock is delivered to the
purchaser.
