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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X]ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
or
[_]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission File Number: 0-25674
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SMARTFORCE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND NONE
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization) Number)
900 Chesapeake Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
(Address of principal executive offices)
(650) 817-5900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which
None registered
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Ordinary Shares IR9.375p
Subscription Rights
(Title of class)
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Indicate by check mark whether Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period of time that
the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [_]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting shares held by non-affiliates of
Registrant was $2.3 billion as of March 27, 2000 (excludes 4,693,450 shares
which may be deemed to be held by directors, officers and affiliates of
Registrant as of March 27, 2000).
The number of Registrant's equivalent American Depositary Shares, or ADSs,
outstanding as of March 27, 2000 was 50,461,074.
Portions of Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be delivered to
shareholders in connection with Registrant's annual general meeting of
shareholders to be held in June, 2000 in Dublin, Ireland, are incorporated by
reference into Part III of this Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Except
with respect to information specifically incorporated by reference to this
Form 10-K, the proxy statement is not deemed to be filed as a part hereof.
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SMARTFORCE PLC
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
FROM JANUARY 1, 1999 TO DECEMBER 31, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
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Item 1. Business............................................................................... 3
--Important Note About Forward-Looking Statements...................................... 3
--General.............................................................................. 3
--Industry Background.................................................................. 3
--The SmartForce e-Learning Solution................................................... 4
--Strategy............................................................................. 5
--Products and Services................................................................ 6
--Strategic Alliances.................................................................. 8
--Customers............................................................................ 9
--Research and Development............................................................. 10
--Intellectual Property and Licenses................................................... 10
--Competition.......................................................................... 11
--Sales and Marketing.................................................................. 11
--Employees............................................................................ 12
Item 2. Properties............................................................................. 12
Item 3. Legal Proceedings...................................................................... 12
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.................................... 13
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrants' Share Capital and Related Shareholder Matters.................. 14
Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data................................................... 16
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.. 17
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk............................. 35
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data............................................ 36
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure... 62
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant......................................... 62
Item 11. Executive Compensation................................................................. 62
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management......................... 62
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions......................................... 62
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K........................ 63
Signatures............................................................................. 68
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following discussion contains forward looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Predictions of future
events are inherently uncertain. Actual events could differ materially from
those predicted in the forward looking statements as a result of the risks set
forth in the following discussion, and in particular, the risks discussed
below and in Part II, Item 7--Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the subheading "Additional
Risk Factors that Could Affect Operating Results."
General
We provide comprehensive, integrated e-Learning solutions that help
businesses deploy knowledge across their extended enterprise of employees,
customers, suppliers, distributors and other business partners. Our hosted e-
Learning platform provides access to a comprehensive offering of learning
events and resources comprising over 1,300 SmartCourses, online
SmartSeminars(TM), 24x7 SmartMentoring(TM), articles, peer-to-peer
collaboration, customer-created content and other e-Learning services. Our
platform allows organizations to customize their e-Learning environment to
meet their corporate objectives and to train their employees and business
partners quickly, efficiently and effectively. Our e-Learning solutions also
provide individuals access to dynamic, continuously-updated learning events so
they can personalize their e-Learning environment to meet their specific
educational and career objectives. In addition, we provide tracking,
assessment and feedback tools which help users better understand their
educational progress and managers track and assess the effectiveness of their
training initiatives.
Our learning environment covers a wide variety of business topics,
including information technology, or IT, business skills, interpersonal skills
and project management. We develop our content in collaboration with leading
technology providers, including Cisco, Informix, Intel, Lotus, Microsoft,
Netscape, Novell, Oracle, Rational Software, SAP, Sybase and TIBCO Software.
As of December 31, 1999, we had over 2,500 corporate customers, including
AT&T, Bell Atlantic, British Airways, Compaq, CSC, Dell, Deloitte & Touche,
GTE, MCI WorldCom, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Reuters, Sprint, Unisys and
Whittman-Hart.
We launched our hosted e-Learning environment, which we license under an
Internet rental model, in the fourth quarter of 1999. Accordingly, we
generated substantially all of our revenues in 1999 and earlier periods from
licenses of our SmartCourses under software license agreements. Historically,
our customers have deployed our SmartCourses using a variety of technologies,
primarily including local and wide area networks and corporate intranets.
We were incorporated in the Republic of Ireland on August 8, 1989. Our
registered office is located at Belfield Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4,
Ireland, and our telephone number at that address from the United States is
(011) 353-1-2181000. The address of SmartForce USA is 900 Chesapeake Drive,
Redwood City, California 94063, USA, and our telephone number at that address
is (650) 817-5900.
For additional information about our business, see the consolidated
financial statements and related notes thereto included herein. Financial
information about our operating segments can be found in note 11 to the
financial statements.
Industry Background
Businesses face an increasingly challenging environment characterized by
rapid changes in technologies and business models and increased globalization.
A principal source of competitive advantage in this changing
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environment is the depth, breadth and timeliness of the knowledge and skills
possessed by a business' entire workforce. Businesses must develop strategies
to continually innovate and distribute knowledge rapidly and effectively
throughout their organizations as well as throughout their extended enterprise
of customers, suppliers, distributors and other business partners. As employee
training has become an integral component of business strategy, organizations
have increased their spending on learning in the enterprise. According to
Training Magazine, U.S. businesses and governmental organizations budgeted to
spend approximately $62.5 billion on learning and skill training in 1999.
The emergence of the Internet as a medium for commerce has dramatically
accelerated these trends, requiring companies to continually reinvent
themselves to respond to the rapidly changing marketplace. By providing
organizations with the means to innovate and transform their traditional
business processes and models, the Internet has prompted organizations to re-
educate their workforce to successfully compete in this increasingly complex
working environment. As the speed of technological change continues to
increase, the life-span of the knowledge and skills of employees continues to
shrink and companies find it even more crucial to develop quick, efficient and
effective means to continually keep their employees' skills current and assist
them in developing new skills. The Internet has also provided the need and the
means to integrate members of a company's extended enterprise into its
business model. By educating the extended enterprise, businesses can more
effectively reduce the time-to-market of new products and services, improve
the productivity of sales channels and reduce customer support costs, which
can enhance their competitive advantage.
Traditionally, organizations have attempted to address their learning needs
through investments in instructor-led training from external vendors or
internal training departments. Instructor-led training, however, can be
costly, time-consuming and a logistical challenge, typically requiring
employees to leave their workplaces for prolonged periods, often to attend
classes at off-site locations. Such training is also difficult to customize to
the organizational needs of a specific company or to tailor to the training
needs of a particular individual. Moreover, traditional instructor-led
training cannot be easily reviewed and assessed by management and is difficult
to update on a regular basis. Furthermore, as many companies continue to
expand their operations globally, they often find it difficult to deploy and
deliver consistent and timely instructor-led training throughout the
organization and its extended enterprise.
In response to the historical shortcomings of instructor-led training
programs, companies are spending increased amounts on technology-based
training. First generation technology-based training products such as
interactive courseware delivered through corporate networks or the Internet
address many of the shortcomings of instructor-led training. However, the
rapid growth and development of the Internet creates opportunities for
providers to build upon the benefits of these methods to design and deliver
new and more powerful learning offerings. The Internet allows for the creation
of an infrastructure platform that enables businesses to customize and
personalize the learning process, effectively assess skill levels and manage
learning outcomes and connect learners in real-time with online experts and
peers. Additionally, the Internet provides a more effective medium for
deploying and delivering content to widely dispersed operations and the
extended enterprise and improves the means of product and user support.
Moreover, the Internet allows companies to outsource their learning
infrastructure allowing them to focus on their core competencies.
A number of providers are using the Internet as a delivery mechanism for
courseware. However, these products fail to leverage the power of the Internet
to transform the training process. As a result, there is a significant
opportunity for an integrated e-Learning platform that combines high quality
personalizable content with the power of the latest Internet-related
technologies to provide a complete outsourced solution for learning throughout
the extended enterprise.
The Smartforce e-Learning Solution
We provide businesses with a fully hosted Internet platform for corporate
learning, called SmartForce e-Learning, that allows organizations to gain a
competitive advantage by training their employees and partners more quickly,
efficiently and effectively. We have leveraged our leadership in technology-
based training to create
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a personalized, dynamic, continuously-updated learning environment that
provides access to a variety of learning events and resources, including over
1,300 SmartCourses, online SmartSeminars, 24x7 SmartMentoring, news, articles,
white papers, case studies, peer-to-peer collaboration, customer-created
content and other e-Learning services. Our learning environment covers a wide
variety of business topics, including IT, business skills, interpersonal
skills and project management. Key elements of the SmartForce e-Learning
solution are:
Integrated e-Learning Platform. The SmartForce e-Learning platform
provides customers with access to a comprehensive, integrated e-Learning
environment which can be customized and managed. The platform incorporates
emerging Internet technologies and integrates all the components of our
solution -courses, online collaboration, interactive mentoring, assessment
capabilities, customer-created information and other e-Learning services.
Our platform allows businesses to outsource the learning infrastructure
while enabling them to maximize learning results.
Comprehensive Business Content. Our learning environment offers a broad
range of business topics designed to help our customers meet their
strategic objectives. We develop our content in collaboration with leading
technology providers, including Cisco, Informix, Intel, Lotus, Microsoft,
Netscape, Novell, Oracle, Rational Software, SAP, Sybase and TIBCO
Software. Our offerings include over 1,300 SmartCourses, as well as
SmartSeminars, news, articles and white papers.
Personalized, Dynamic Learning. Our e-Learning solutions provide
personalized access to dynamic, continuously-updated learning events.
Individuals can create personalized learning paths through our e-Learning
environment to meet their specific educational and career objectives. Our
Fast Track assessment tools help learners avoid unnecessary and duplicative
training and gives them the ability to effectively assess skill levels and
manage learning outcomes to meet their specific educational objectives.
This personalized offering allows companies to efficiently and effectively
train their employees without spending unnecessary resources on
inappropriate training.
Customizable Learning Environment. Our architecture allows corporations
to customize the e-Learning environment in order to meet their corporate
objectives. Customers can select from a broad array of coursework, seminars
and other learning events to optimize the learning environment for the
overall organization and the extended enterprise. In addition, we provide a
platform for customers to integrate their internally created learning
material into the environment.
Tools to Measure Training Effectiveness. We provide tracking, assessment
and feedback tools which help users better understand their educational
progress and managers assess the results of their training programs.
Strategy
Our objective is to be the leading provider of comprehensive, integrated e-
Learning solutions to businesses and their extended enterprises. Key elements
of our strategy include:
Expand Our e-Learning Platform. We intend to continue to expand our e-
Learning platform in order to provide a more comprehensive solution to our
customers. We also plan to devote significant resources to expand our
customers' ability to integrate internally created content into the
environment and to improve the reporting and tracking features of our
solutions. In addition, we are working closely with Microsoft to create
content based on Microsoft's Learning Resource Interchange specification,
which implements learning object standards. This approach will allow us to
deliver even more personalized learning and to integrate into our offerings
third-party content with these standards.
Continue to Offer a Broad Range of e-Learning Content. We expect to
continually expand the number and types of e-Learning offerings in order to
provide the most comprehensive, educationally-rich solutions available. For
example, we plan to leverage our streamlined development process engine to
aggressively expand our comprehensive library of SmartCourses, and we plan
to create new types of learning events, such as simulations, workshops and
other collaborative offerings. We intend to continue investing significant
resources to expand our e-Learning offerings.
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Develop and Expand Alliances with Content Partners. We intend to
continue to enter into development and marketing alliances with key
technology vendors to produce and market vendor-specific authorized
training programs. We believe these alliances provide a number of
competitive advantages, including access to partners' product development
plans, source material and distribution channels. We intend to expand our
existing relationships and to enter into relationships with new content
partners, including leaders in emerging Internet technologies and providers
of business skills material.
Develop Additional e-Learning Platform Partnerships. We plan to expand
and strengthen our partnerships with companies to provide SmartForce e-
Learning as the platform for their e-Learning initiatives. For example, we
recently entered into an agreement with Dell to create EducateU, an e-
Learning destination Web site available to Dell customers and visitors to
Dell Web sites. We believe these relationships provide us with incremental
revenue opportunities extending our market reach to our partners' customers
and Web site visitors.
Expand Channels of Distribution. We have primarily targeted Fortune 3000
companies and other major U.S. and international organizations through our
direct sales force. We intend to expand our indirect sales channels and
telesales efforts to target companies beyond the Fortune 3000 and to
accelerate our market penetration worldwide.
Build Subscriber Base. We intend to increase the number of individual
subscribers to mysmartforce.com through corporate contracts and marketing
activities. We believe that the creation of a substantial subscriber base
will provide us with a number of incremental revenue opportunities,
including e-commerce, sponsorships and advertising. In addition, we intend
to make significant investments in our e-Learning infrastructure and in
building the SmartForce brand.
Products and Services
SmartForce e-Learning Platform
The SmartForce e-Learning platform consists of a fully hosted, integrated
e-Learning environment, a suite of assessment and management tools and a range
of related professional services. Through this platform we offer our customers
comprehensive learning solutions designed to help them achieve their strategic
business objectives.
We license our solutions primarily through Internet rental agreements under
which customers receive access to our solutions for one or more years. Our
pricing varies based on the number of SmartCourses and other learning events
selected, the number of users, the length of the contract and the amount of
professional services selected. Volume and multi-year discounts encourage
customers to expand Internet rental agreements as their needs grow and as they
become more familiar with our offerings.
We launched our hosted e-Learning environment, which we license under an
Internet rental model, in the fourth quarter of 1999. Accordingly, we
generated substantially all of our revenues in 1999 and earlier periods from
licenses of our SmartCourses using a variety of technologies, primarily using
local and wide area networks and corporate intranets.
SmartForce e-Learning Environment
Our hosted learning environment includes a variety of integrated learning
options, including over 1,300 SmartCourses, access to SmartMentoring, online
SmartSeminars and peer-to-peer collaboration. Our environment leverages
emerging technologies to create e-Learning events that combine the benefits of
traditional learning with the flexibility and immediacy of the Internet.
We have created this environment using mass customization technology, which
allows us to customize the environment for each corporate customer and to
personalize the learning experience for each learner based on the learner's
interests, career objectives and job profile. Corporate customers can
customize the environment by selecting from our wide selection of learning
options and by integrating their own content into our environment.
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Through the use of Macromedia's Dreamweaver and Attain Objects for
Dreamweaver, our customers can create their own learning events which
incorporate their own courseware and other proprietary material. Each
individual learner can experience a personalized view into the environment and
can create learning paths based on specific learning or career objectives.
SmartCourses
We offer over 1,300 SmartCourses covering a variety of business education
topics, including IT, business skills, interpersonal skills and project
management. In general, our courseware includes a consistent, graphically
sophisticated interface that leads students through the subject, simulating
software environments or job situations and requiring students to respond
actively to the course. SmartCourses typically provide the user with anywhere
from 4 to 8 hours of instruction per individual title. Students may also use
the courses to pre-test their capabilities in order to position themselves
properly within the course and to train only in relevant areas. At the end of
the course, students may take a test to measure their mastery of the course
content. The results of this test may be viewed by a central administrator
using our administrative program or exported to a standard database or
spreadsheet.
Our IT titles are organized into curricula and are designed to cover
specific aspects of client/server, mainframe, Internet and intranet
technologies. Each curriculum provides comprehensive training in an area of
technology such as application software, operating systems, networking,
graphical user interfaces and database design and Internet technologies. Our
business and interpersonal skills offerings are organized into competencies
and are designed to address a number of business interests such as management,
sales, marketing and finance.
We provide localized versions of our SmartCourses. As of December 31, 1999,
we had over 400 SmartCourses in languages other than English, including
German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, Greek, Dutch and
Finnish.
SmartMentoring
We also offer the services of online mentors as a resource for learners to
help them more effectively grasp the materials covered by SmartCourses and to
pass vendor certification exams. SmartMentoring focuses on integrating
Internet technologies with proven learning methodologies to deliver Internet-
based, certification-level mentoring services to students worldwide.
SmartMentoring provides access to a team of vendor-certified mentors, known as
learning advisors, who are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a
week. This methodology enables students to receive real time personalized
assistance when they need it through online chats and threaded discussions,
email, lab exercises, and newsgroups. The company pairs certain certification
tracks covered by approved courseware, including Microsoft, Novell, Lotus
Notes and Cisco, with a team of learning advisors, to provide flexible, self-
paced study over the Internet.
SmartSeminars
Our SmartSeminars are expert-led events that bring together streamed audio
and video, graphics and animation, and interactive collaborative learning
features to create a rich learning environment and present learners with
current information on information technology and other business related
topics. SmartSeminars incorporate an interview with an independent expert in a
chosen field. The interview is delivered using streaming technologies and may
be accompanied by a slide presentation or other graphics and animation.
SmartSeminars also include a real time question and answer session, allowing
participants to discuss in real time the topics covered in the presentation.
We host SmartSeminars on our Web site and broadcast them as real time
events. Following the live broadcast, each SmartSeminar is archived on our Web
site for future viewing.
Other Collaborative Events
We offer our customers access to proprietary and third-party collaboration
options, including user forums, expert-led forums, lab exercises, chat rooms
and threaded discussions. These dynamic learning options reinforce
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the formal learning of SmartCourses through peer-to-peer interaction.
Assessment Tools
We offer two assessment tools to our customers: FastTrack Assessment and
FastTrack Test Prep. FastTrack Assessment is a proficiency test, which
profiles the learners' progress, enabling them to skip the areas of training
which are not required based on their progress to date. FastTrack Test Prep
simulates a certification exam environment, where the learner is given
challenging, scenario based questions to answer within a time frame. On
completion of the FastTrack Test Prep the learner can check their score,
access detailed explanations and see how questions relate to exam objectives.
Administration and Reporting
We offer Internet-based tools that allow our customers to track, monitor
and analyze each learner's progress through the assigned curriculum. Managers
can use these tools to measure the effectiveness of learning programs and
evaluate the return on learning investments.
Professional Services
We also offer comprehensive services to our customers to assist them in the
implementation of our e-Learning platform and to allow them to further
customize their e-Learning solution. Services include the development and
implementation of competency-based learning models, the creation of blended
curricula of e-Learning and traditional learning, custom report design,
enterprise systems integration and Web site development.
Other Products
Historically, our customers have deployed our SmartCourses using a variety
of technologies, primarily using local and wide area networks and corporate
intranets. We have developed a number of products that address these delivery
methods, including CBTWeb(TM), CBTWeb Plus(TM) and CBT Campus(TM).
CBTWeb is an intranet deployment system which allows users to download
SmartForce courseware titles across an intranet. Access to these titles is
gained through a standard browser. CBTWeb enables customers to access and
manage SmartForce courses over an intranet via internally managed Web servers.
Using CBTWeb, learners can choose to either download SmartForce courseware or
interact with it in real time over an intranet using CBT Systems' LivePlay(TM)
capability. CBTWeb Plus is a turnkey training solution that enables customers
to benefit from Internet-based deployment of SmartForce's entire library of
titles without the need to install server-side software on their own network.
CBTWeb Plus is an externally hosted version of CBTWeb that allows customers to
have their SmartForce courseware managed over the Internet from an external
site.
In 1997 we released CBT Campus, an enterprise training management and
deployment architecture. Coupled with our library of titles, CBT Campus
provides our customers with a solution for delivering interactive technology
training wherever and however its needed, running over an intranet. CBT Campus
features a university campus metaphor as an easy-to-navigate student
interface, which can be accessed either as a Windows client application or a
Web browser plug-in. Behind this intuitive interface is a suite of
sophisticated technologies that creates an integrated learning environment for
students and administrators.
Strategic Alliances
We have entered into, and will continue to expand, our relationships with
leading vendors as well as with e-Learning partners in the markets of IT,
business and professional skills, education and training.
Development and Marketing Alliances. We have entered into alliances with
Cisco, Informix, Intel, Lotus, Microsoft, Netscape, Novell, Oracle, SAP,
Marimba, Sybase, and the IBM/Sun
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Microsystems/Netscape collaborative Java education effort. We formed the
Internet Security Training Consortium to develop and market training
content which addresses the Internet security training needs of enterprises
worldwide with leading technology companies including Check Point, Cisco,
IBM, Intel, the Javasoft business unit of Sun Microsystems, Lotus,
Netscape, Network Associates, RSA Security, Security Dynamics, Hewlett-
Packard and VeriSign. Through our acquisition of Knowledge Well, we have a
strategic agreement with Kansas State University to develop long distance
business degree programs and also business courses for credit at the
university. Additionally, we believe our development alliances offer a
number of competitive advantages, which may include early access to the
vendor's pre-released products as well as software engineers and technical
advisors for assistance in developing our e-Learning solutions. With the
approval of the development partner, products developed under the
relationship can be identified as authorized by that software vendor, which
we believe improves the marketability of such courses. In addition, these
alliances may result in additional distribution channels for us by allowing
each party to distribute courses to its respective customer base. In some
of these alliances, the software vendor has contributed financial resources
toward the development of specified courses. We believe that these
alliances also provide significant benefits to the software vendors by
allowing them to achieve additional market penetration generated by
increasing the base of trained users. These relationships enable us to
offer content and technologies to our customers which we may not otherwise
have access to and allows us to offer to our customers the most
comprehensive and advanced e-Learning solutions available.
E-Learning Partners. We have entered into e-Learning partnerships with
Dell and Microsoft. In 1999, we developed an online university, called
EducateU, using our e-Learning platform which we host for both Dell
customers and visitors to Dell Web sites. Through our relationship with
Microsoft we offer a dedicated e-Learning Web site exclusively for
Microsoft certified professionals.
Other Relationships. We entered into a strategic relationship with
Macromedia, an Internet software and technology provider, to enable
customers of our new e-Learning solutions to further customize their e-
Learning experience. Our customers will be able to use Macromedia's
Dreamweaver and Attain Objects for Dreamweaver to create their own learning
events, including courseware, that can be seamlessly integrated into our e-
Learning environment.
Customers
We primarily license our e-Learning solutions to Fortune 3000 companies and
other major U.S. and international organizations in a wide range of
industries, including manufacturing, technology, transportation,
telecommunications, utilities, healthcare and financial services. We also
license our e-Learning solutions to educational institutions and governmental
agencies. Our solutions are marketed through our direct sales organization to
over 2,500 corporate customers worldwide. In addition, through our destination
Web site, mysmartforce.com, our resellers and our telesales force, we market
our e-Learning solutions directly to individuals.
No customer accounted for more than 5% of revenues in 1999, although a
single customer can account for a significantly higher percentage of our
quarterly revenues. Accordingly, failure to achieve a forecasted sale on
schedule can have (and did have in the third quarter of 1998) a material
adverse effect on backlog, which could similarly effect quarterly operating
results.
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Our customers include the following companies or their affiliates:
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Telecommunications Technology Financial Commercial/Other
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Alcatel Business American American Century Blue Cross Blue
Systems Management Investments Shield Mutual of
Corporation Systems The Chase Ohio
AT&T Compaq Computer Manhattan British Airways
Bell Atlantic Corporation Corporation Defense
Corporation Computer Sciences Deloitte Information
Bell South Corporation Consulting LLP Systems Agency
Corporation PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
Dell Computer Reuters Plc.
Ericsson Corporation Robert Half
GTE Data Services Dyncorp Merrill Lynch & International
Lucent Entex Information Co. Inc. State University
Technologies Services Wells Fargo and of New York
Inc. Manpower, Inc. Company US Army
MCI Worldcom Modis Westpac Banking The University of
Sprint Incorporated Corporation California
Corporation SAIC System
Unisys University of
Corporation Missouri
Whittman Hart,
Inc./US Web
Research and Development
We believe that the development of an effective training product requires
the convergence of source material, instructional design and computer
technology. In developing a new training program, we first obtain content
through our content partners and other subject matter experts, existing
courses and product reference materials. Our development team then writes a
script for the learning event which includes a structure covering all of the
relevant concepts, tasks to be completed, and interactive features of the
program as well as tests which allow the user to measure his or her
achievement and reinforce the lesson. When we develop a script for a new
learning event, our developers, working with animators, simulation programmers
and graphic designers, simultaneously plan and develop the various course
elements, which are then integrated into a single program. After the
integration process, we then test the program to ensure that it has the
capability to deliver the desired level of education and training.
The core element of our product development process is our streamlined
development process engine. This engine is an environment comprised of our own
proprietary software together with off-the-shelf tools which we have optimized
to allow us to create our interactive education software programs. We believe
that our product development engine provides us with a significant competitive
advantage by allowing us to quickly and efficiently create and continually
update modular courses and enhance, on an ongoing basis, the multimedia
content of such courses. Our products generally have a common format and
therefore have a recognizable and consistent interface which makes them easier
to support. Our research and development goal is to further enhance our
product development engine so as to facilitate the continual evolution of our
products and ensure that our educational programs are able to incorporate a
wide variety of multimedia elements.
We perform substantially all of our research and development activities at
our product development center in Dublin, Ireland. From time to time, we
subcontract third party services to develop portions of particular courses.
All products produced using such services remain our sole property. Our
research and development expenses totaled $20.9 million in 1997, $25.8 million
in 1998 and $31.7 million in 1999. During 1999, our research and development
staff grew from 347 to 428 employees. We intend to continue to make
substantial investments in research and development.
Intellectual Property and Licenses
We regard our technology as proprietary, and we rely primarily on a
combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, customer licensing
agreements, employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements and other
methods to protect our proprietary rights. Despite these precautions, it may
be possible for a third party to
10
<PAGE>
copy or otherwise obtain and use our courseware, content and technology
without our authorization, or to independently develop courseware, content and
technology. Furthermore, the laws of certain countries in which we sell our
products do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as
do the laws of the United States. Although we generally do not include in our
software or content any mechanisms to prevent or inhibit unauthorized use, we
do require our customers to execute a license agreement which contains
restrictions on the copying and use of our products. However, our means of
protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate. Alternatively, our
competitors could independently develop technology similar to ours without
infringing our proprietary rights. If our products or other elements of our
intellectual property were copied or otherwise misappropriated, our business
and operations could be significantly adversely affected.
There has been a substantial amount of litigation in software and Internet
industries regarding intellectual property rights. Third parties could in the
future claim that our current or future products infringe on the proprietary
rights of others. Any claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming,
resulting in costly litigation or product shipment delays or require us to
enter into royalty or licensing agreements. If such royalty or licensing
agreements were required, they may not be available on terms acceptable to us,
or at all, which could seriously harm our business.
Competition
The market for business education training solutions is highly competitive,
constantly evolving and subject to rapidly emerging technologies. The market
is highly fragmented with no single competitor accounting for a dominant
market share. We compete primarily with e-Learning companies, computer-based
training companies, instructor-led training vendors and education platform
providers. In addition to increased competition from new companies entering
into the market, established companies are entering into the e-Learning market
through acquisitions of smaller companies which directly compete with us. We
expect the e-Learning market to become increasingly competitive due to the
lack of significant barriers to entry. We may also face competition from
publishing companies and vendors of application software, including those
vendors with whom we have formed development and marketing alliances.
Our primary source of direct competition comes from third-party suppliers
of instructor-led IT, business, management and professional skills education
and training as well as other suppliers of computer-based training and e-
Learning solutions. We also face indirect competition from the internal
training departments of our potential customers and have to overcome potential
customers' reluctance to move away from existing training systems and
processes. We also compete to a lesser extent with consultants, value-added
resellers and network integrators all of which market products which compete
with ours.
We believe that the principal competitive factors affecting our market
place are the depth, breadth and variety of content, the ability to offer
complete learning solutions, an installed customer base, the size and
experience of the sales force offering the solutions, product quality, product
functionality and cost-effectiveness of the solutions.
Although we believe that our e-Learning solutions currently compete
favorably with respect to these factors, our market is relatively new and is
evolving rapidly. We may not be able to maintain our competitive position
against current and potential competitors, especially those with significantly
greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources. Many of
our current and potential competitors also have greater name recognition than
we do. We believe our success will depend on our ability to expand our e-
Learning offerings, adopt new technologies and continue to offer the most
extensive and educationally-rich e-Learning solutions available in our
industry. However, we may be unable to provide products that compare favorably
with new instructor-led techniques or the e-Learning offerings of our
competitors. Competitive pressures may also force us to reduce the prices of
our products significantly.
Sales and Marketing
In 1999, our products were marketed in over 35 countries. We market and
sell our products and services through a direct sales force which, as of
December 31, 1999, consisted of 406 people worldwide, of which 229
11
<PAGE>
were located in the United States. Our sales offices are located in the United
States, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Middle East, the Benelux and
Scandinavian countries, Canada, New Zealand, France, Germany, Singapore and
South Africa. We also engage in selling efforts through our telesales
organization which, as of December 31, 1999, employed 302 people worldwide, of
which 236 were located in the United States. In order to accelerate our
worldwide market penetration, we are broadening our sales strategy by
expanding our indirect sales channels. Our indirect sales channels give us
access to a more diverse client base, which we otherwise would not be able to
reach in a cost-effective manner through our direct sales force. At December
31, 1999, we employed 26 indirect sales channel personnel. Our development and
marketing partners also generally have the right to resell products developed
under their alliances with us.
Employees
As of December 31, 1999, we employed 1,419 people. Of these employees, 734
were engaged in sales and marketing, 154 in management, administration and
finance, 103 in fulfillment and learning advisory positions and 428 in product
development. As of December 31, 1999, 602 employees were located in the United
States, 512 in the Republic of Ireland, 135 in Canada, 55 in the United
Kingdom, 53 in Australia, 18 in the Benelux and Scandinavian countries, 14 in
South Africa, 9 in New Zealand, 9 in the Middle East, 7 in Germany, 3 in
France and 2 in Singapore. None of our employees are subject to a collective
bargaining agreement and we have not experienced any work stoppages. We
believe that our employee relations are good.
Our future success will depend in large part on the continued service of
our key management, sales, product development and operational personnel and
on our ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified employees. We
also depend on writers, programmers and graphic artists. We expect to continue
to hire additional product development, sales and marketing, information
services and accounting staff.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We conduct our operations primarily out of facilities located in Dublin,
Ireland; Fredericton, Canada; Redwood City, California; Scottsdale, Arizona;
and Clearwater, Florida. In Dublin, we currently occupy four properties, one
of which comprises approximately 60,000 square feet and houses our product
development center, and another which comprises approximately 8,000 square
feet and contains our fulfillment operations, including compact disk burning,
disk duplication, packaging and delivery. We have not yet entered into a lease
for the property occupied by our main product development center in Dublin. We
currently lease approximately 41,000 square feet at our United States
headquarters in Redwood City, 46,000 square feet in Scottsdale, 17,427 square
feet in Fredericton, and 19,239 square feet in Clearwater. We use our
Fredericton facility to house our mentoring operations. We use our Clearwater
facility to house our direct telesales operation. We use our Scottsdale
facility to house our channel organizations and a number of our telesales
personnel. Approximately 21,680 square feet at our Scottsdale facility is
subleased to various tenants. We also lease sales office space in a number of
other countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the
Middle East, the Benelux and Scandinavian countries, Canada, France, Germany,
Singapore and South Africa.
We believe that our existing facilities are generally in good condition and
are adequate to meet our current requirements.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Since the end of the third quarter of 1998, several purported class action
lawsuits have been filed in United States District Court for the Northern
District of California and the Superior Court of California for the County of
San Mateo against us, one of our subsidiaries, SmartForce USA and certain of
our former and current officers and directors alleging violation of the
federal securities laws. It has been alleged in these lawsuits that we
misrepresented or omitted to state material facts regarding our business and
financial condition and prospects in order to artificially inflate and
maintain the price of our ADSs, and misrepresented or omitted to state
material facts in our registration statement and prospectus issued in
connection with our merger with ForeFront, which also is alleged to have
artificially inflated the price of our ADSs.
12
<PAGE>
We believe that these actions are without merit and intend to vigorously
defend ourselves against them. Although we cannot presently determine the
outcome of these actions, an adverse resolution of these matters could
significantly negatively impact our financial position and results of
operations.
On October 29, 1998, a derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court
of California for the County of San Mateo against several of our present and
former officers and directors alleging that these persons violated various
duties they owed in their official capacities to us. The derivative complaint
also names us as a nominal defendant. The derivative complaint is predicated
on the factual allegations contained in the class action complaints discussed
above. No demand was previously made to our board of directors or shareholders
concerning the allegations of the derivative complaint, which seeks an
unspecified amount of damages.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
13
<PAGE>
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S SHARE CAPITAL AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER
MATTERS
Our ADSs are quoted in the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol SMTF. In
October 1999, we changed our symbol from CBTSY to SMTF following our name
change to SmartForce.
Our ADSs had been quoted in the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
CBTSY since our initial public offering on April 13, 1995. Prior to the
initial public offering, there was no public market for our securities.
The prices per ADS reflected in the table below represent the range of high
and low closing prices reported in the Nasdaq National Market for the periods
indicated and reflects the two-for-one split of our ADSs effected on March 9,
1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1999 High Low
- ----------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Fourth quarter ended December 31................................. $35.13 $16.38
Third quarter ended September 30................................. 30.06 16.44
Second quarter ended June 30..................................... 18.06 8.94
First quarter ended March 31..................................... 19.13 11.44
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1998 High Low
- ----------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Fourth quarter ended December 31................................. $18.19 $ 6.69
Third quarter ended September 30................................. 63.88 9.88
Second quarter ended June 30..................................... 57.00 39.00
First quarter ended March 31..................................... 52.25 33.88
</TABLE>
As of March 27, 2000, we had 16 holders of ordinary shares of record.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our ordinary shares. We
currently intend to retain all future earnings to finance future operations
and therefore do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable
future. Dividends may only be declared and paid out of profits available for
distribution determined in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in Ireland and applicable Irish Company Law. There are no material
restrictions on the distribution of income or retained earnings by our
consolidated group companies. Any dividends, if and when declared, will be
declared and paid in United States dollars.
Irish Stamp Duty
Stamp duty, which is a tax on certain documents, is payable on all
transfers of ordinary shares in companies registered in Ireland wherever the
instrument of transfer may be executed. In the case of a transfer on sale,
stamp duty will be charged at the rate of IR(Pounds)1 for every IR(Pounds)100
(or part thereof) of the amount or value of the purchase price. Where the
consideration for the sale is expressed in a currency other than Irish pounds,
the duty will be charged on the Irish pound equivalent calculated at the rate
of exchange prevailing on the date of the transfer. In the case of a transfer
by way of gift, subject to certain exceptions, or for considerations less than
the market value of the shares transferred, stamp duty will be charged at the
above rate on such market value.
A transfer or issue of ordinary shares for deposit under the Deposit
Agreement between us, The Bank of New York, as Depositary, and the registered
holders and the owners of a beneficial interest in book-entry American
Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, in return for ADRs will be similarly chargeable
with stamp duty as will a transfer of ordinary shares from the Depositary or
the custodian under the Deposit Agreement upon surrender of an ADR for the
purpose of the withdrawal of the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with
the terms of the Deposit Agreement.
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<PAGE>
We received a ruling from the Irish Revenue Commissioners that transfers of
ADRs issued in respect of our shares will not be chargeable with Irish stamp
duty for so long as the ADSs are dealt in and quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market. It has been confirmed in Section 207, Finance Act 1992 that transfers
of ADRs will be exempt from stamp duty where the ADRs are dealt with in a
recognized stock exchange. The Nasdaq National Market is regarded by the Irish
authorities as a recognized stock exchange.
The person accountable for payment of stamp duty is the transferee or, in
the case of a transfer by way of gift or for a consideration less than the
market value, both parties to the transfer. Stamp duty is normally payable
within 30 days after the date of execution of the transfer. Late payment of
stamp duty will result in liability to interest, penalties and fines.
15
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data for each of the five
years in the period ended December 31, 1999 and at December 31, 1999, 1998,
1997, 1996 and 1995 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and their related notes in "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The results of
operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999
and the balance sheets as at December 31, 1999 and 1998 are derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements included herein, which have been
prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or
U.S. GAAP. The data at December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and for the years
ended December 1995 and 1996 is derived from our audited consolidated
financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP not included
herein. The consolidated statements of operations data for any particular
period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any
future period, including our fiscal year ending December 31, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
(In thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues...................... $55,395 $87,364 $137,047 $162,232 $197,754
Cost of revenues.............. 12,505 15,445 22,502 25,137 29,675
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit.................. 42,890 71,919 114,545 137,095 168,079
Operating expenses:
Research and development..... 7,485 14,502 20,878 25,832 31,713
Sales and marketing.......... 23,528 39,288 59,160 75,395 93,841
General and administrative... 5,484 9,075 11,601 15,893 17,042
Amortization of acquired
intangibles................. -- -- -- -- 3,441
Acquired research and
development................. -- 2,799 4,097 -- 5,900
Costs of acquisitions........ 198 2,155 1,534 5,505 --
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses.... 36,695 67,819 97,270 122,625 151,937
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Income from operations........ 6,195 4,100 17,275 14,470 16,142
Other income, net............. 806 2,825 4,710 4,734 3,192
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Income before provision for
income taxes................. 7,001 6,925 21,985 19,204 19,334
Provision for income taxes.... (1,424) (2,419) (3,916) (2,666) (3,708)
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net income.................... $ 5,577 $ 4,506 $ 18,069 $ 16,538 $ 15,626
======= ======= ======== ======== ========
Net income per share--
Diluted...................... $ 0.15 $ 0.11 $ 0.41 $ 0.36 $ 0.30
======= ======= ======== ======== ========
Shares used in computing net
income per share amounts..... 36,610 42,012 44,128 45,979 51,798
======= ======= ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
As of December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Balance Sheet Data: ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments....... $53,365 $54,023 $ 71,543 $102,034 $108,173
Working capital............... 56,034 52,055 84,018 116,841 134,121
Total assets.................. 82,716 96,662 141,329 190,244 289,717
Long-term debt, excluding
current portion.............. 787 -- -- -- --
Shareholders' equity.......... 59,085 68,248 107,679 154,801 242,723
</TABLE>
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in Item
8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We provide comprehensive, integrated e-Learning solutions that help
businesses deploy knowledge across their extended enterprise of employees,
customers, suppliers, distributors and other business partners. Our hosted e-
Learning platform provides access to a comprehensive offering of learning
events and resources comprising over 1,300 SmartCourses, online SmartSeminars,
24x7 SmartMentoring, articles, peer-to-peer collaboration, customer-created
content and other e-Learning services. Our platform allows organizations to
customize their e-Learning environment to meet their corporate objectives and
to train their employees and business partners quickly, efficiently and
effectively. Our e-Learning solutions also provide individuals access to
dynamic, continuously-updated learning events so they can personalize their e-
Learning environment to meet their specific educational and career objectives.
In addition, we provide tracking, assessment and feedback tools which help
users better understand their educational progress and managers track and
assess the effectiveness of their training initiatives.
We have historically derived our revenues primarily under a software
license model pursuant to license agreements under which customers license
usage of delivered software products for a period of one, two or three years.
On each anniversary date during the term of multi-year license agreements,
customers are generally allowed to exchange any or all of the licensed
products for an equivalent number of alternative products within our library.
The first year license fee has historically been generally recognized as
revenue at the time of delivery of all products, provided our fees are fixed
or determinable and collections of accounts receivable are probable.
Subsequent annual license fees under the software license model are recognized
on each anniversary date, provided our fees are fixed or determinable and
collections of accounts receivable are probable. The cost of satisfying any
post contract support, or PCS, is accrued at the time revenue is recognized,
as PCS fees are included in the annual license fee, the estimated cost of
providing PCS during the agreements is insignificant and unspecified upgrades
or enhancements offered have been and are expected to be minimal and
infrequent. For multi-element agreements where vendor specific objective
evidence exists to allocate the total fee among the various elements of the
agreement each element is recognized as appropriate. Where no such vendor
specific objective evidence exists revenue is recognized ratably over the life
of the agreement. In addition, we derive revenues from sales of our products,
which is recognized upon shipment, net of allowances for estimated future
returns and for excess quantities in distribution channels, provided our fees
are fixed or determinable and collections of accounts receivable are probable.
We launched our e-Learning platform in the fourth quarter of 1999. With the
introduction of our e-Learning solutions, our business model has evolved from
a software license model, under which we historically sold annual licenses to
our customers to use certain of our products, to an Internet rental model,
under which we rent to our customers access to our Internet learning
environment for a certain period of time. Under the Internet rental model,
revenue derived from e-Learning rental agreements is generally deferred and
recognized ratably over the term of the relevant agreement rather than
annually in advance as was the case under the historical software license
model. The migration of new and existing customers to our e-Learning solutions
will result in the deferral of a significant portion of our revenues from year
2000 into future periods, and, accordingly, a decrease in reported revenues in
year 2000 compared to year 1999 as well as a decrease in reported revenues for
each quarter during year 2000 as compared to that which would be expected
under the software license model./1/
- --------
/1/This paragraph consists of forward-looking statements reflecting our
current expectations. In addition, our actual future performance may not meet
our current expectations. You are strongly encouraged to review the section
entitled "Additional Risk Factors That Could Affect Operating Results"
commencing on page 27 and discussions elsewhere in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the factors that could affect future performance.
17
<PAGE>
In addition, we intend to make significant investments in our e-Learning
infrastructure and in building the SmartForce brand. In particular, we
anticipate that we will significantly increase our research and development
expenses and capital expenditures to build out our e-Learning infrastructure
and expect to increase marketing expenses significantly to build the
SmartForce brand. As a result of the deferral of revenue under e-Learning
agreements and these incremental expenses, we expect to record a net loss for
each quarter during the year 2000. These losses could continue beyond that
time./2/
Our e-Learning agreements may have other accounting and operating model
consequences that are materially different from our software licensing
structure. For example, in the second quarter of 1999, we entered into an
agreement with a major customer to provide an outsourced virtual university
for technical education. Under the contract, the customer has licensed
educational software from us, as well as contracting for professional
services, management fees, on-line mentoring services and certain other items.
In addition, the agreement provides for us to resell third parties'
instructor-led training to the customer. Revenues from the non-software
licenses portion of this agreement, which represent a substantial majority of
the firmly contracted amount with the customer and all of the potential
incremental revenues over the firmly contracted amount, will generally be
recognized ratably as services are performed, which will have the effect of
deferring revenue. Moreover, the gross margins associated with the non-
software license components (and in particular the resale of third-party
instructor-led training) are expected to be substantially lower than the gross
margins typically associated with our software license agreements./3/
We may not be successful in our efforts to migrate our customers to our e-
Learning solutions and the economic terms of any arrangements that might be
expected may not be as favorable as the traditional licensing agreements. We
believe that a lack of success in this regard could have a material negative
effect on us.
In recent years, we have entered into several development and marketing
alliances with key vendors of technology software under which we develop
titles for training on specific products. Under certain of our development and
marketing alliances, our partners have agreed to fund certain product
development costs. We recognize such funding as revenues on a percentage of
completion basis, and the costs associated with such revenues are reflected as
cost of revenues. These agreements have the effect of shifting expenses
associated with developing certain new products from research and development
to cost of revenues. We expect that cost of revenues may fluctuate from period
to period in the future based upon many factors. We do not expect funding from
development partners to contribute significantly to revenues in future years.
The financial results of certain companies which we previously acquired
have been accounted for using the "pooling-of-interests" method of accounting
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In compliance with these principles, our
operating results have been restated to include the results of such companies
as if such acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the first period
presented.
- --------
/2/This paragraph consists of forward-looking statements reflecting our
current expectations. In addition, our actual future performance may not meet
our current expectations. You are strongly encouraged to review the section
entitled "Additional Risk Factors That Could Affect Operating Results"
commencing on page 27 and discussions elsewhere in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the factors that could affect future performance.
/3/This paragraph consists of forward-looking statements reflecting our
current expectations. In addition, our actual future performance may not meet
our current expectations. You are strongly encouraged to review the section
entitled "Additional Risk Factors That Could Affect Operating Results"
commencing on page 27 and discussions elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form
10-K of the factors that could affect future performance.
18
<PAGE>
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain consolidated statement of operations
data as a percentage of revenues for the three years ended December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues.......................................... 100% 100% 100%
Cost of revenues.................................. 16.4 15.5 15.0
-------- -------- --------
Gross profit...................................... 83.6 84.5 85.0
Operating Expenses
Research and development........................ 15.2 15.9 16.0
Sales and marketing............................. 43.2 46.5 47.5
General and administrative...................... 8.5 9.8 8.6
Amortization of acquired intangibles............ -- -- 1.7
Acquired research and development............... 3.0 -- 3.0
Costs of acquisitions........................... 1.1 3.4 --
-------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses...................... 71.0 75.6 76.8
-------- -------- --------
Income from operations............................ 12.6 8.9 8.2
Other income, net................................. 3.4 2.9 1.6
-------- -------- --------
Income before provision for income taxes.......... 16.0 11.8 9.8
Provision for income taxes........................ (2.8) (1.6) (1.9)
-------- -------- --------
Net income........................................ 13.2% 10.2% 7.9%
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Revenues
Revenues increased from $137.0 million in 1997 to $162.2 million in 1998
and to $197.8 million in 1999, increases of 18% in 1998 compared to 1997 and
22% in 1999 compared to 1998. The increases in revenues during these periods
were primarily attributable to an increase in the number of available courses,
customer contract renewals and upgrades and expanded marketing and
distribution efforts. During the three month periods ended September 30, 1998
and December 31, 1998, we experienced a slowdown in the historical quarterly
revenue growth rate due in part to a decline in contract renewals and upgrades
and the failure to sign new contracts during the three month period ended
September 30, 1998. During 1999, our revenue performance has progressively
improved with the reversal in the decline of contract renewals and upgrades
and increasing average contract value.
Revenues in the United States increased from $101.1 million (or 74% of
revenues) in 1997 to $113.6 million (or 70% of revenues) in 1998 and to $139.7
million (or 71% of revenues) in 1999. The absolute dollar increases in revenue
in 1998 and 1999 were primarily the result of significant increases in the
number of sales and related personnel employed in the United States, an
increase in the number of available courses and an expansion of our customer
base. While revenues in the United States increased significantly in absolute
terms over these periods, our sales and marketing expenses and general and
administrative expenses in the United States also increased rapidly as we
hired and expanded our staff to support the United States sales growth.
Revenues in the United Kingdom were $11.3 million (or 8% of revenues) in
1997, $17.4 million (or 11% of revenues) in 1998, and $23.8 million (or 12% of
revenues) in 1999. Revenues in Ireland were $1.5 million (or 1% of revenues)
in 1997, $3.2 million (or 2% of revenues) in 1998 and $3.1 million (or 1% of
revenues) in 1999.
Revenues from countries outside the United States, United Kingdom and
Ireland (principally from Australia, Europe (other than Ireland and the United
Kingdom), Canada, South Africa and Middle East) were $23.1 million (or 17% of
revenues) in 1997, $28.0 million (or 17% of revenues) in 1998, and $31.2
million (or 16% of revenues) in 1999. Because a significant portion of our
business is conducted outside the United States, we are subject to numerous
risks of doing business in other countries, including risks related to
currency fluctuations.
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<PAGE>
No customer accounted for more than 5% of revenues in 1997, 1998 or 1999,
although a single customer can account for a higher percentage of our
quarterly revenues. Accordingly, failure to achieve a forecasted sale on
schedule can have, and did have in the third quarter of 1998, a material
adverse effect on quarterly operating results.
We generate a substantial portion of our revenue through multi-year license
agreements, and our backlog represents, at any point in time, the amount of
all license fees under current agreements which we have not yet recognized as
revenue. The amount and timing of the recognition of revenue associated with
backlog will vary depending on the timing of future deliveries of products and
amendments to customers' license agreements. We had backlog of approximately
$110 million as of December 31, 1997, $144 million as of December 31, 1998,
and $190 million as of December 31, 1999. Approximately 35% of our backlog as
of December 31, 1999 was concentrated among 15 customers, compared to 35% as
of December 31, 1998.
Although our license agreements are noncancellable by their terms,
customers may not fulfill the contractual obligations under our agreements.
Cancellation, reduction or delay in orders by or shipments to any of these or
other customers could have a material adverse effect on our business and
results of operations.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues includes the cost of materials (such as compact discs,
packaging and documentation), royalties to third parties, the portion of
development costs associated with funded development projects and fulfillment
costs.
Gross margins increased from 83.6% in 1997 to 84.5% in 1998 and to 85.0% in
1999. We expect that cost of revenues may fluctuate from period to period in
the future based upon many factors, including the rate at which we are able to
migrate our customers to our e-Learning solutions, mix of titles licensed
(between titles developed exclusively by us and royalty-bearing titles
developed pursuant to development and marketing alliances) and the timing of
expenses associated with development and marketing alliances./4/
Operating Expenses
Operating Expenses increased from $97.3 million (or 71.0% of revenues) in
1997 to $122.6 million (or 75.6% of revenues) in 1998 to $151.9 million (or
76.8% or revenues) in 1999.
Throughout the first three quarters of 1998, we grew our cost base to
support the expected growth in operations. However, in the third quarter and
fourth quarter of 1998 our revenue performance was substantially lower than
the expectations on which we had built our cost base. As a result, operating
costs in 1998 increased in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenues
over 1997. Management believed that the risks of overly aggressive reductions
in the cost base out-weighed the risks of maintaining the cost base in support
of future operations and thus did not reduce our cost base. Operating expenses
in 1999 included amortization of acquired intangibles of $3.4 million, write-
off of in process research and development of $5.9 million and costs
associated with the launch of SmartForce e-Learning of $4.5 million. The
maintenance of the 1998 cost base by management along with these acquisition
and launch expenses resulted in a significant increase in operating expenses
in 1999 over 1998.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and
benefits, related overhead costs, travel expenses and fees paid to outside
consultants.
Research and development expenses increased in absolute terms from $20.9
million (or 15.2% of revenues) in 1997 to $25.8 million (or 15.9% of revenues)
in 1998 and to $31.7 million (or 16.0% of revenues) in 1999. The increase in
fiscal 1998 is attributable to the expansion of our Dublin development center,
partially offset by a reduction in the research and development expenses at
ForeFront following our acquisition of Forefront in May
- --------
/4/This paragraph consists of forward-looking statements reflecting our
current expectations. In addition, our actual future performance may not meet
our current expectations. You are strongly encouraged to review the section
entitled "Additional Risk Factors That Could Affect Operating Results"
commencing on page 27 and discussions elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form
10-K of the factors that could affect future performance.
20
<PAGE>
1998. The increase in research and development in 1999 is primarily the result
of hiring additional research and development personnel, the acquisition of
Knowledge Well and the expansion of our Dublin development center, which were
required to expand and enhance our library of software products and also to
develop the e-Learning infrastructure. We delivered 304 new interactive IT
education titles during 1999, which brought our library of IT titles to 1,141,
representing a 36% increase over the number of titles at the end of fiscal
1998. We believe that significant investment in research and development is
required to build-out our e-Learning infrastructure and thus to remain
competitive in the information technology and business skills education and
training market. We therefore expect research and development expenses to
increase in future periods.
Software development costs are accounted for in accordance with the
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 86, under which we are
required to capitalize software development costs after technological
feasibility has been established. To date, development costs after
establishment of technological feasibility have been immaterial, and all
software development costs have been expensed as incurred.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and commissions,
travel expenses, advertising and promotional expenses and related overhead
costs.
Sales and marketing expenses increased in absolute terms from $59.2 million
(or 43.2% of revenues) in 1997 to $75.4 million (or 46.5% of revenues) in 1998
and to $93.8 million (or 47.5% of revenues) in 1999. In 1998 and 1999, we
increased the number of our sales and marketing personnel to accommodate the
growth in operations in the United States and to a lesser extent outside the
United States. In 1998, we significantly increased advertising and promotional
expenses to market our expanded library of IT titles. During the fourth
quarter of 1999, we incurred advertising and marketing expenses of
approximately $4.5 million on the launch of SmartForce e-Learning. In 1998 and
1999 commission costs have increased in absolute terms along with the
increases in revenues as compared to 1997 and 1998, respectively. We expect to
continue to increase sales and marketing expenses in the future to build the
SmartForce brand and to increase our sales force.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and
benefits, travel expenses, legal, accounting and consulting fees and related
overhead costs for administrative officers and support personnel.
General and administrative expenses increased from $11.6 million (or 8.5%
of revenues) in 1997 to $15.9 million (or 9.8% of revenues) in 1998 and to
$17.0 million (or 8.6% of revenues) in 1999. As discussed previously, in 1998
we increased our cost base to support the expected growth in operations. In
1999, general and administrative costs increased slightly over 1998 as a
result of management's decision to maintain the cost base from that
established during 1998. As a percentage of revenues, general and
administrative expenses declined as a result of the improved revenue
performance in 1999 over 1998.
We anticipate that general and administrative expenses will increase in
future periods due to increases in staffing and infrastructure to support the
e-Learning infrastructure.
Amortization of acquired intangibles
As a result of the acquisition of Knowledge Well, we recorded identifiable
intangible assets of $35.5 million and goodwill of $23.7 million. Goodwill and
the identifiable intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line basis
over periods not exceeding 10 years. We recorded an amortization charge for
goodwill and identifiable intangible assets for the year ended December 31,
1999 of $3.4 million.
Acquired Research and Development
We expensed $5.9 million of acquired in-process research and development in
the year ended December 31, 1999. The acquired in-process research and
development expense represented our estimate of the fair value of
21
<PAGE>
those specifically identified Knowledge Well research and development projects
for which technological feasibility had not been established and for which
alternative future uses did not exist. The acquired research and development
expense of $4.1 million in 1997 was incurred as a result of the acquisition of
Lan Professional Corporation and BookMaker Corporation by ForeFront.
Costs of Acquisitions
Acquisition costs consist primarily of professional fees, such as
investment banking, legal and accounting, severance costs, closure of offices,
goodwill and other intangibles written off following the closure of certain
business segments and other related costs in connection with the acquisitions.
Costs of acquisitions were $1.5 million in 1997 and $5.5 million 1998. The
acquisition expenses incurred in 1997 were due to the acquisitions of Applied
Learning Limited, CBT Systems Benelux B.V., Ben Watson & Associates, CBT
Systems Middle East Limited, and All Micro Inc., all of which were accounted
for as poolings of interest in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The acquisition
expenses incurred in 1998 related to the acquisition of ForeFront, accounted
for as a pooling in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In 1999, the non-recurring
costs estimated in respect of the acquisition of Knowledge Well of
approximately $2.5 million, have been capitalized under the purchase method of
accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are being amortized over 10 years.
We may incur additional acquisition expenses in the future should we undertake
additional acquisitions.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net, comprises interest income, interest expense, gain or
loss on sale of assets and foreign currency exchange gains and losses.
We recognized other income, net, of approximately $4.7 million in 1997,
$4.7 million in 1998 and $3.2 million in 1999. Included in other income, net,
in 1997 is a one-time gain on the sale by ForeFront of Internet printing
technology of $1.9 million. Excluding this one time gain on sale of assets in
1997, the increase in other income, net, in 1998 was due principally to an
increase of $1.5 million in interest income in 1998 as compared to 1997. This
increase in interest income resulted from interest on increased cash flows
from financing and operations. The decrease in other income, net, in 1999 as
compared to 1998 was due principally to net exchange losses of $856,000 as
compared to net exchange gains of $516,000 in 1998. The net exchange loss in
1999 was primarily attributable to the weakening of the Euro and related
currencies, in particular the Irish pound, against the U.S. dollar.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in dollars, although
several of our subsidiaries have functional currencies other than the dollar,
and a significant portion of our revenues, costs and assets and those of our
subsidiaries are denominated in currencies other than their respective
functional currencies. We have significant subsidiaries in the United Kingdom,
Australia, the Netherlands and Canada whose functional currencies are their
local currencies and the majority of whose sales and operating expenses other
than cost of goods sold are denominated in their respective local currencies.
In addition, our Irish subsidiaries, whose functional currency is the U.S.
dollar, incur substantial operating expenses denominated in Irish pounds.
Fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations, particularly our operating margins, and could result in
exchange losses, as it has done in the year ended December 31, 1999. The
impact of future exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations
cannot be accurately predicted.
Our subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and
Canada, whose functional currencies are their local currencies, had unhedged
liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars payable to SmartForce Ireland at
December 31, 1999 of $10.5 million, $5.2 million, $3.1 million and $5.5
million. During the twelve months ended December 31, 1999, we undertook
hedging transactions against the Irish pound because we have substantial
expenses denominated in that currency. We did not hold any forward currency
exchange contracts at December 31, 1999. To date, we have not sought to hedge
the risks associated with fluctuations in the exchange
22
<PAGE>
rates of other currencies against the U.S dollar, but may undertake such
transactions in the future. Any hedging techniques implemented by us may not
be successful in eliminating or reducing the effects of currency fluctuations.
Other income, net, may fluctuate in future periods as a result of movements
in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balances, interest rates,
foreign currency exchange rates and asset disposals.
Provision for Income Taxes
We operate as a holding company with operating subsidiaries in several
countries, and each subsidiary is taxed based on the laws of the jurisdiction
in which it operates. Because taxes are incurred at the subsidiary level, and
one subsidiary's tax losses cannot be used to offset the taxable income of
subsidiaries in other tax jurisdictions, our consolidated effective tax rate
may increase to the extent that we report tax losses in some subsidiaries and
taxable income in others.
We have significant operations and generate a majority of our taxable
income in the Republic of Ireland, and certain of our Irish operating
subsidiaries are taxed at rates substantially lower than tax rates in effect
in the United States and other countries in which we have operations. Two
Irish subsidiaries currently qualify for a 10% tax rate and another Irish
subsidiary is income tax exempt. If such subsidiaries were no longer to
qualify for such tax rates or if the tax laws were rescinded or changed, our
operating results could be materially adversely affected. Moreover, because we
incur income tax in several countries, an increase in our profitability in one
or more of these countries could result in a higher overall tax rate. In
addition, if tax authorities were to challenge successfully the manner in
which profits are recognized among our subsidiaries, our taxes could increase
and our cash flow and net income could be materially adversely affected.
Our provision for income taxes was $3.9 million, $2.7 million and $3.7
million for each of 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Our effective tax rate, pre amortization of acquired intangibles and
acquired research and development, was 15.0%, 13.9% and 12.9% in 1997, 1998
and 1999. In 1999, we reduced the rate at which we accrued taxes due to
increased proportions of taxable income in lower tax jurisdictions.
23
<PAGE>
Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain unaudited statement of operations
data for each of our last eight quarters. This unaudited quarterly financial
information has been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual
information presented elsewhere in this Annual Report and, in management's
opinion, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the information presented. The
operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results
for any future period. Basic and diluted net income per share gives effect to
the two-for-one split of our ADSs effected in March 1998 and the ordinary
share split in May 1998. Prior periods have been restated to give effect to
such split.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarters Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
June Sept
Mar 31, 30, 30, Dec 31, Mar 31, Jun 30, Sep 30, Dec 31,
1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues................ $39,929 $44,852 $35,182 $42,269 $40,197 $47,247 $50,188 $60,122
Cost of revenues........ 5,944 6,697 5,998 6,498 6,330 7,528 7,436 8,381
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Gross profit............ 33,985 38,155 29,184 35,771 33,867 39,719 42,752 51,741
Operating expenses
Research and
development........... 6,390 6,604 5,762 7,076 7,387 7,554 8,915 7,857
Sales and marketing.... 16,868 18,622 17,684 22,221 20,973 21,642 22,246 24,447
SmartForce launch...... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 4,533
General and
administrative........ 3,214 3,594 4,179 4,906 4,478 4,461 4,033 4,070
Amortization of
acquired intangibles.. -- -- -- -- -- 157 1,567 1,717
Acquired research and
development........... -- -- -- -- -- 5,900 -- --
Costs of acquisitions.. -- 5,505 -- -- -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating
expenses............. 26,472 34,325 27,625 34,203 32,838 39,714 36,761 42,624
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income from operations.. 7,513 3,830 1,559 1,568 1,029 5 5,991 9,117
Other income, net....... 967 936 1,786 1,045 533 633 1,216 810
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income before provision
for income taxes....... 8,480 4,766 3,345 2,613 1,562 638 7,207 9,927
Provision for income
taxes.................. (1,138) (667) (468) (393) (234) (1,004) (1,081) (1,389)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net income/(loss)....... $ 7,342 $ 4,099 $ 2,877 $ 2,220 $ 1,328 $ (366) $ 6,126 $ 8,538
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net income/(loss) per
share--Basic........... $ 0.17 $ 0.09 $ 0.07 $ 0.05 $ 0.03 $ (0.01) $ 0.13 $ 0.17
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net income/(loss) per
share--Diluted......... $ 0.16 $ 0.09 $ 0.06 $ 0.05 $ 0.03 $ (0.01) $ 0.11 $ 0.15
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth, as a percentage of revenues, certain line
items in our statement of operations for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarters Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mar 31, June 30, Sept 30, Dec 31, Mar 31, June 30, Sept 30, Dec 31,
1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999
------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues................ 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
Cost of revenues........ 14.9 14.9 17.0 15.4 15.7 15.9 14.8 13.9
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Gross profit............ 85.1 85.1 83.0 84.6 84.3 84.1 85.2 86.1
Operating expenses
Research and
development.......... 16.0 14.7 16.4 16.7 18.4 16.0 17.8 13.1
Sales and marketing... 42.3 41.6 50.3 52.6 52.2 45.8 44.3 40.7
SmartForce launch..... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 7.5
General and
administrative....... 8.0 8.0 11.9 11.6 11.1 9.5 8.0 6.8
Amortization of
acquired
intangibles.......... -- -- -- -- -- 0.3 3.1 2.8
Acquired research and
development.......... -- -- -- -- -- 12.5 -- --
Costs of
acquisitions......... -- 12.3 -- -- -- -- -- --
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Total operating
expenses........... 66.3 76.6 78.6 80.9 81.7 84.1 73.2 70.9
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Income from operations.. 18.8 8.5 4.4 3.7 2.6 0.0 12.0 15.2
Other income, net....... 2.4 2.1 5.1 2.5 1.3 1.3 2.4 1.3
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Income before provision
for income taxes....... 21.2 10.6 9.5 6.2 3.9 1.3 14.4 16.5
Provision for income
taxes.................. (2.8) (1.5) (1.3) (1.0) (0.6) (2.1) (2.2) (2.3)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income / (loss)..... 18.4 % 9.1 % 8.2 % 5.2 % 3.3 % (0.8)% 12.2 % 14.2 %
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
Our growth in revenues over the last eight quarters has been primarily
attributable to an increase in the number of available courses in our library,
an increase in the number of customers and increases in sales to existing
customers, as well as our expanded marketing and distribution efforts in the
United States, and to a lesser extent, countries outside the United States. In
1998, we experienced a slowdown in the historical quarterly revenue growth
rate for the quarters ended September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1998. Our
revenues historically have been highest in the fourth quarter of each year.
The issues that adversely affected revenues in the third and fourth quarters
of 1998 could negatively affect our net income in the future.
During 1999, we hired a number of employees, particularly sales and
marketing personnel, which resulted in an increase in sales and marketing
expenses for the year. We also added a significant number of employees to
research and development to develop the e-Learning infrastructure and to
expand and enhance our library of IT education, business and interpersonal
skills offerings. As a result of these increases, as well as continued hiring
in other departments, we expect operating expenses in future periods to be
significantly higher than in prior periods. We anticipate that we will
continue this hiring in the first half of 2000, which will reduce operating
margins, particularly in the first and second quarters and possibly
thereafter./5/
- --------
/5/This paragraph consists of forward-looking statements reflecting our
current expectations. In addition, our actual future performance may not meet
our current expectations. You are strongly encouraged to review the section
entitled "Additional Risk Factors That Could Affect Operating Results"
commencing on page 27 and discussions elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form
10-K of the factors that could affect future performance.
25
<PAGE>
As a result of the deferral of revenue under Internet rental agreements and
the incremental research and development and marketing expenses to be incurred
to establish and promote our e-Learning solutions, we expect to record a net
loss for each quarter during the year 2000. These losses could continue beyond
that time./6/
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $71.5 million as of
December 31, 1997, $102.0 million as of December 31, 1998 and $108.2 million
as of December 31, 1999. Working capital was $84.0 million as of December 31,
1997, $116.8 million as of December 31, 1998 and $134.1 million as of December
31, 1999.
The increases in cash, cash equivalents, short term investments and working
capital in 1998 and 1999 were due principally to operating cash inflows and
the proceeds from the exercise of options, which were offset by investments in
property and equipment to support our expanded operations.
Cash flows from operating activities. Net cash provided by operating
activities increased from $4.1 million in 1997 to $13.5 million in 1998 and
decreased to $11.6 million in 1999. The increase in net cash provided by
operating activities in 1998 was primarily attributable to a significantly
lower increase in accounts receivable than in 1997. The decrease in net cash
provided by operating activities in 1999 was primarily attributable to a
significantly higher increase in accounts receivable than in 1998. The
increase in accounts receivable balance is primarily a function of the revenue
earned in the preceeding quarter and the timing of payments in respect of
receivables. Accounts receivable write-offs in an accounting year to date have
not been material and have been within the amounts reserved.
Cash flows from investing activities. Cash outflows from investing
activities increased from $4.6 million in 1997 to $13.6 million in 1998 to
$20.4 million in 1999. The increase in cash outflows from investing activities
is primarily attributable to increases in capital expenditure. Capital
expenditures were approximately $5.4 million in 1997, $12.6 million in 1998
and $16.1 million in 1999. The increases in 1998 were primarily attributable
to expenditures relating to computer equipment and infrastructure as a result
of investments in our information systems and capital expenditures on new
corporate headquarters in Redwood City, California, a new facility in
Scottsdale, Arizona and the new research and development facilities in Dublin,
Ireland. The increase in capital expenditure in 1999 is as a result of
expenditures relating to computer equipment and infrastructure due to
investments in our information systems and on our e-Learning infrastructure.
We expect to make significant investments to our information systems and other
capital expenditure projects over the next two years primarily as a result of
building the infrastructure for our e-Learning solutions.
Cash flows from financing activities. Net cash provided by financing
activities increased from $17.8 million in 1997 to $30.1 million in 1998 and
decreased to $13.2 million in 1999. Cash provided by financing activities is
mainly attributable to proceeds from the issuance of ordinary shares. In 1999,
the decrease in the proceeds from the issue of ordinary shares is primarily
attributable to reduced employee stock option exercises following the
substantial decline in our stock price during the period September to December
1998.
We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments and cash to be generated from operations will be sufficient to
meet our expected working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at
least the next twelve months. We may from time to time consider the
acquisition of complementary businesses, products or technologies, which may
require additional financing or pursue other strategic capital raising.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-9, "Modification of SOP 97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions" which
addresses software revenue recognition as it applies to
- --------
/6/This paragraph consists of forward-looking statements reflecting our
current expectations. In addition, our actual future performance may not meet
our current expectations. You are strongly encouraged to review the section
entitled "Additional Risk Factors That Could Affect Operating Results"
commencing on page 27 and discussions elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form
10-K of the factors that could affect future performance.
26
<PAGE>
certain multiple-element arrangements. SOP 98-9 also amends SOP 98-4,
"Deferral of the Effective Date of a Provision of SOP 97-2" through fiscal
years beginning on or before March 15, 1999. All other provisions of SOP 98-9
are effective for transactions entered into in fiscal years beginning after
March 15, 1999. We have adopted the provisions of SOP 98-9, which has had no
material impact on our revenue recognition policies.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued
Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activity", or SFAS 133, which is required to be adopted in years beginning
after June 15, 2000. SFAS 133 established accounting and reporting standards
for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded
in other contracts and for hedging activities. SFAS 133 requires all companies
to recognize derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet
and measure those instruments at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges
of underlying transactions must be adjusted to fair value through income. If
the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in
the fair value of derivatives will either be offset against the change in fair
value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings
or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is
recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in
fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings. Management has not yet
determined what the effect of SFAS 133 will be on our consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
Year 2000 Readiness
The Year 2000 issue existed because many computer systems and applications
use two-digit rather than four-digit date fields to designate a year. As a
result, the systems and applications may not properly recognize the year 2000
or be able to process data including it, which has the potential to cause data
miscalculations or inaccuracies, operational malfunctions or failures. To
evaluate and prepare for the impact of the year 2000 on our operations, we
established task forces at our corporate headquarters in Redwood City,
California and at our development facility in Dublin, Ireland. The mandate of
these task forces was to evaluate the year 2000 issue as it affected our
products and services, our internal network and supporting infrastructure and,
to a lesser extent, the preparedness of our software development partners and
customers for the year 2000 issue. The costs we have incurred preparing for
and monitoring the year 2000 issue have not had a material impact on our
business, financial condition or results of operations. All year 2000 costs
incurred to date have been funded from operations.
We did not replace any of our systems based on our assessment of the year
2000 issue. Furthermore, we determined that all of our products were year 2000
compliant, except for certain older products which we discontinued because
there was little demand, and an older version of one of our administrative
tracking products, CBT Reporter, which we upgraded so it was year 2000
compliant. As of March 29, 2000 we have not experienced any year 2000 issues
with our internal network or infrastructure and we were not aware of any year
2000 issues with our products or services, or the internal network and
supporting infrastructure of our manufacturers, suppliers or strategic
partners. We plan to continue to monitor our computer systems and products
throughout the year to assess whether any problems develop. If we become aware
of year 2000 issues in the future, we may incur costs to resolve them which
could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT OPERATING RESULTS
Important Note About Forward Looking Statements
In addition to historical statements, this Annual Report on Form 10-K
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as "anticipates", "expects", "intends",
"plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates" and similar expressions identify
such forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or forecasted. Actual results may vary because of factors such as
product ship schedules, life cycles, terms and conditions, product mix,
competitive products and
27
<PAGE>
pricing, customer demand, technological shifts, litigation and other issues
discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1999. These forward-looking statements reflect management's
opinions only as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation unless
required by law to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to
these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Additional Risk Factors
That Could Affect Operating Results." Other risks and uncertainties are
disclosed in our SEC filings. Historical results are not necessarily
indicative of trends in operating results for any future period.
In addition to the other factors identified in this Annual Report on Form
10-K, the following risk factors could materially and adversely affect our
future operating results, and could cause actual events to differ materially
from those predicted in our forward looking statements relating to our
business.
Our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict because they can
fluctuate significantly. This limits your ability to evaluate our historical
financial results and increases the likelihood that our results will fall
below market analysts' expectations, which could cause the price of our ADSs
to drop rapidly and severely.
We have in the past experienced fluctuations in our quarterly operating
results and anticipate that these fluctuations will continue and could
intensify in the future. As a result, we believe that our quarterly revenue,
expenses and operating results are likely to vary significantly in the future.
Thus, it is likely that in some future quarters our results of operations will
be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors, which could
have a severe adverse effect on the price of our ADSs. For example, our
revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 did not increase at a rate
comparable to prior quarters. As a direct result, the trading price of our
ADSs decreased rapidly and significantly, having an extreme adverse effect on
the value of an investment in our securities.
Our operating results have historically fluctuated, and may in the future
continue to fluctuate, as a result of factors which include:
. the size and timing of new and renewal agreements
. the rate at which we migrate our customers to our e-Learning solutions
. the number and size of outsourced virtual university agreements or other
agreements providing for professional services or the resale of
instructor-led training
. the mix of sales between courseware we develop and courseware developed
through development and marketing alliances
. royalty rates
. the announcement, introduction and acceptance of new products, product
enhancements and technologies by us and our competitors
. the mix of sales between our field sales force, our other direct sales
channels and our telesales sales channels
. competitive conditions in the industry
. the loss of significant customers
. delays in availability of existing or new products
. the spending patterns of our customers
. litigation costs and expenses
. currency fluctuations
. the length of sales cycles
28
<PAGE>
We have recently introduced fully integrated, Internet-based learning
solutions, an area in which we have limited experience.
We recently introduced SmartForce e-Learning, a hosted Internet-based
learning solution. As a result, we have a very limited experience with these
solutions, which makes our historical results of limited value in predicting
the potential success of this initiative. The success of this initiative will
depend on our ability to build-out and maintain our e-Learning infrastructure,
to market and sell the new e-Learning solutions to existing and prospective
customers, to create a significant subscriber base for our e-Learning
destination Web site, to host, operate and manage our destination site, and to
attract and retain key management and technical personnel.
We may not be successful in our efforts to migrate our customers to our e-
Learning solutions and the economic terms of any arrangements that might be
expected may not be as favorable as the traditional licensing agreements. We
believe that a lack of success in this regard could have a material negative
effect on us. Moreover, to the extent that we are successful in our efforts to
enter into e-Learning agreements with our customers, those arrangements are
expected to have accounting and operating model consequences that would also
be materially different from the consequences of our traditional software
licensing model.
Our introduction of e-Learning solutions will have a significant impact on our
operating model.
In connection with our SmartForce e-Learning initiative, we are moving from
a software license model, where we sell a license to a specified list of
software titles, to an Internet rental model where we provide our customers
with access to a constantly evolving Internet environment. As a consequence,
revenue under e-Learning rental agreements will generally be deferred and
recognized ratably over the term of the agreement rather than annually in
advance under the historical licensing structure. The migration of new and
existing customers to our e-Learning solutions will result in the deferral of
a significant portion of revenues from year 2000 into future periods, and,
accordingly, a decrease in reported revenues in year 2000 compared to year
1999 as well as a decrease in reported revenues for each quarter during year
2000 as compared to that which would be expected under the software license
model.
Additionally, we intend to make significant investments in our e-Learning
infrastructure and in building the SmartForce brand. In particular, we
anticipate that we will significantly increase our research and development
expenses and capital expenditures to build out our e-Learning infrastructure,
and expect to increase marketing expenses significantly to build the
SmartForce brand. As a result of the deferral of revenue under e-Learning
agreements and these incremental expenses, we expect to record a net loss for
each quarter during the year 2000. These losses could continue beyond that
time.
Our operating results are subject to seasonal fluctuations which may adversely
impact our business.
Our operating results are subject to seasonal fluctuations, based in part
on customers' annual budgetary cycles and in part on the annual nature of
sales quotas. These seasonal trends have in the past caused revenues in the
first quarter of a year to be less, perhaps substantially so, than revenues
for the immediately preceding fourth quarter. We expect that these seasonal
trends will continue to adversely affect our revenues. In addition, we have in
past years added significant headcount in the sales and marketing and research
and development functions in the first quarter, and to a lesser extent, the
second quarter. Because these headcount additions do not immediately
contribute significant revenues, our operating margins in the earlier part of
the year tend to be significantly lower than in the later parts of the year.
In addition, many technology companies also experience a seasonal downturn in
demand during the summer months. These seasonal trends may have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations.
We rely on strategic alliances that may not continue in the future.
We have developed strategic alliances to develop and market many of our
products, and we believe that an increasing proportion of our future revenues
may be attributable to products developed and marketed through
29
<PAGE>
these and other future alliances. However, these relationships are not
exclusive and we may be unable to continue to develop future products through
these alliances in a timely fashion or may be unable to negotiate additional
alliances in the future on acceptable terms or at all.
The marketing efforts of our partners may also disrupt our direct sales
efforts. Our development and marketing partners could pursue their existing or
alternative training programs in preference to and in competition with those
being developed by us. In the event that we are unable to maintain or expand
our current development and marketing alliances or enter into new development
and marketing alliances, our operating results and financial condition could
be materially adversely affected. Furthermore, we are required to pay
royalties to our development and marketing partners on products developed with
them, which reduces our gross margins. We expect that cost of revenues may
fluctuate from period to period in the future based upon many factors,
including the mix of e-Learning events licensed (between e-Learning events
developed exclusively by us, and royalty-bearing courseware developed pursuant
to development and marketing alliances) and the timing of expenses associated
with development and marketing alliances. In addition, the collaborative
nature of the development process under these alliances may result in longer
development times and less control over the timing of product introductions
than for e-Learning offerings developed solely by us.
Our success depends on our ability to meet the needs of the rapidly changing
market.
The market for interactive education and training is influenced by rapidly
changing technology, evolving industry standards, changes in customer needs
and frequent introductions of new products by software vendors. New methods of
providing interactive education in a technology-based format are being
developed and offered in the marketplace, including intranet and Internet
offerings. Many of these new offerings involve new and different business
models and contracting mechanisms. In addition, multimedia and other product
functionality features are being added to the educational software.
Accordingly, our future success will depend upon the extent to which we are
able to develop and implement products which address these emerging market
requirements on a timely basis. If we are unsuccessful in addressing the
changing needs of the marketplace due to resource, technological or other
constraints, to anticipate and respond adequately to changes in customers'
software technology and preferences, our business and results of operations
would be materially adversely affected.
If we are unable to build the SmartForce brand, we may be unable to grow our
business.
We believe that establishing and maintaining the SmartForce brand will be
critical to the success of our e-Learning strategy and that the importance of
brand recognition will increase due to the growing number of education-
oriented Internet sites. Successful promotion and marketing of the SmartForce
brand will depend on providing compelling educational content, community and
commerce, and we intend to significantly increase our marketing and branding
expenditures in our effort to increase our brand awareness. If our brand
building strategy is unsuccessful, these expenses may never be recovered, and
our business could be materially harmed.
The success of our e-Learning strategy depends on the reliability and
consistent performance of our information systems and Internet infrastructure.
The success of our e-Learning strategy is highly dependent on the
consistent performance of our information systems and Internet infrastructure.
If our Web site fails for any reason or if we exercise any unscheduled down
times, even for only a short period of time, our business and reputation would
be materially harmed. We rely on third parties for proper functioning of our
computer infrastructure, delivery of our e-Learning application and the
performance of our destination site. Our systems and operations could be
damaged or interrupted by fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure,
break-ins, earthquake and similar events. Any system failures could adversely
affect customer usage of our solutions and user traffic results in any future
quarters, which could adversely affect our revenues and operating results and
harm our reputation with corporate customers, subscribers and commerce
partners. A key element of our strategy is to generate a high volume of
traffic to the Web site and create a significant subscriber base. Accordingly,
the satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our
30
<PAGE>
Web site and computer infrastructure is critical to our reputation and ability
to attract and retain corporate customers, subscribers and commerce partners.
We cannot accurately project the rate or timing of any increases in traffic to
our Web site and, therefore, the integration and timing of any upgrades or
enhancements required to facilitate any significant traffic increase to the
Web site are uncertain. The failure to expand and upgrade the Web site or any
system error, failure or extended down time could materially harm our
business, reputation, financial condition or results of operations.
We may fail to integrate adequately acquired products, technologies and
businesses.
As a result of the consummation of a number of acquisitions our operating
expenses have increased. The integration of these businesses may not be
successfully completed in a timely fashion, or at all. Further, the revenues
from the acquired businesses may not be sufficient to support the costs
associated with those businesses, without adversely affecting our operating
margins. Any failure to successfully complete the integration in a timely
fashion or to generate sufficient revenues from the acquired businesses could
have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In addition in June 1999, we acquired Knowledge Well. Knowledge Well
provides interactive software that delivers business, management and
professional education skills and/or courses. Although, the software delivery
systems are similar, we and Knowledge Well developed distinct architectures
for our respective products. Successful integration of these architectures
will require substantial effort. Difficulties in combining the companies,
products and technologies could have an adverse impact on our ability to fully
benefit from its existing and future investment in this business and on the
future prospects for the business, management and professional education
software products.
We regularly evaluate acquisition opportunities and are likely to make
acquisitions in the future. Future acquisitions could result in potentially
dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent
liabilities and amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible
assets, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Product and technology acquisitions entail numerous risks, including
difficulties in the assimilation of acquired operations, technologies and
products, diversion of management's attention to other business concerns,
risks of entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience and
the potential loss of key employees of acquired companies. Our management has
had limited experience in assimilating acquired organizations and products
into our operations. We may be unable to integrate successfully any
operations, personnel or products that have been acquired or that might be
acquired in the future, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations.
Rapid expansion of our operations could strain our personnel and systems.
We have recently experienced rapid expansion of our operations, which has
placed, and is expected to continue to place, significant demands on our
executive, administrative, operational and financial personnel and systems.
Our future operating results will substantially depend on the ability of our
officers and key employees to manage changing business conditions and to
implement and improve our operational, financial control and reporting
systems. In particular, we require significant improvement in our order entry
and fulfillment and management information systems in order to support our
expanded operations. If we are unable to respond to and manage changing
business conditions, our business and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected.
Our expense levels are fixed in the short term and we may be unable to adjust
spending to compensate for unexpected revenue shortfalls.
Our expense levels are based in significant part on our expectations
regarding future revenues and are fixed to a large extent in the short term.
Accordingly, we may be unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to
compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall. Any significant revenue
shortfall would therefore have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations. This risk materialized in the third quarter of 1998, where profit
was dramatically negatively affected by a shortfall in revenues as against
management's expectations.
31
<PAGE>
We depend on a few key personnel to manage and operate us.
Our success is largely dependent on the personal efforts and abilities of
our senior management. Failure to retain these executives, or the loss of
certain additional senior management personnel or other key employees, could
have a material adverse effect on our business and future prospects.
We are also dependent on the continued service of our key sales, product
development and additional operational personnel and on our ability to
attract, motivate and retain highly qualified employees. In addition, we
depend on writers, programmers and graphic artists. We expect to continue to
hire additional product development, sales and marketing, information systems
and accounting staff. However, we may be unsuccessful in attracting, retaining
or motivating key personnel. The inability to hire and retain qualified
personnel or the loss of the services of key personnel could have a material
adverse effect upon our current business, new product development efforts and
future business prospects.
Increased competition may result in decreased demand for our products and
services, which may result in reduced revenues and gross margins and loss of
market share.
The market for business education training solutions is highly fragmented
and competitive, and we expect this competition to increase. We expect that
because of the lack of significant barriers to entry into this market, new
competitors may enter the market in the future. In addition to increased
competition from new companies entering into the market, established companies
are entering into the market through acquisitions of smaller companies which
directly compete with us, and we expect this trend to continue. We expect the
market to become increasingly competitive due to the lack of significant
barriers to entry. We may also face competition from publishing companies and
vendors of application software, including those vendors with whom we have
formed development and marketing alliances.
Our primary source of direct competition comes from third-party suppliers
of instructor-led information technology, business, management and
professional skills education and training as well as suppliers of computer-
based training and e-Learning solutions. We also face indirect competition
from internal training departments of our potential customers. We also compete
to a lesser extent with consultants, value-added resellers and network
integrators. Certain of these value-added resellers also market products
competitive with ours. We expect that as organizations increase their
dependence on outside suppliers of training, we will face increasing
competition from these other suppliers as education and training managers more
frequently compare training products provided by outside suppliers.
Growing competition may result in reduced revenue and gross margins and
loss of market share, any one of which have a material adverse effect on our
business. Many of our current and potential competitors have substantially
greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources, as well as
greater name price competition, and we expect that we will face increasing
price pressures from competitors as managers demand more value for their
training budgets. Accordingly, we may be unable to provide products that
compare favorably with new instructor-led techniques or other interactive
training software or that competitive pressures will not require us to reduce
our prices significantly.
Our business is subject to currency fluctuations that can adversely affect our
operating results.
Due to our multinational operations, our business is subject to fluctations
based upon changes in the exchange rates between the currencies in which we
collect revenues or pay expenses. In particular, the value of the U.S. dollar
against the Euro and related currencies impacts our operating results. Our
expenses are not necessarily incurred in the currency in which revenue is
generated, and, as a result, we are required from time to time to convert
currencies to meet our obligations. These currency conversions are subject to
exchange rate fluctuations, and changes to the value of the Euro and related
currencies relative to other currencies could adversely affect our business
and results of operations.
32
<PAGE>
Our corporate tax rate may increase, which could adversely impact our cash
flow, financial condition and results of operations.
We have significant operations and generate a majority of our taxable
income in the Republic of Ireland, and some of our Irish operating
subsidiaries are taxed at rates substantially lower than tax rates in effect
in the United States and other countries in which we have operations. If our
Irish subsidiaries were no longer to qualify for these lower tax rates or if
the applicable tax laws were rescinded or changed, our operating results could
be materially adversely affected. Moreover, because we incur income tax in
several countries, an increase in our profitability in one or more of these
countries could result in a higher overall tax rate. In addition, if U.S. or
other foreign tax authorities were to change applicable tax laws or
successfully challenge the manner in which our subsidiaries' profits are
currently recognized, our taxes could increase, and our business, cash flow,
financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely
affected.
We may be unable to protect our proprietary rights. Unauthorized use of our
technology may results in development of products or services which compete
with ours.
Our success depends on our ability to protect our rights in our
intellectual property and trade secrets. We rely upon a combination of
copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and customer license agreements,
and other methods to protect our proprietary rights. We also enter into
confidentiality agreement which our employees, consultants and third parties
to seek to limit and protect the distribution of our proprietary information
regarding this technology. However, we have not signed protective agreements
in every case. Unauthorized parties may copy aspects of our products and
services and obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Other
parties may breach confidentiality agreements and other protective contracts
we have executed. We may not become aware of, or have adequate remedies in the
event of, a breach. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our
intellectual property rights, to protect trade secrets or to determine the
validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. This litigation could
result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical
resources.
Some may claim that we infringe their intellectual property rights, which
could result in costly litigation or require us to reengineer or cease sales
of our products or services.
Third parties could in the future claim that our current or future products
infringe their intellectual property rights. Any claim, with or without merit,
could result in costly litigation or require us to reengineer or cease sales
of our products or services, any of which could have a material adverse effect
on our business. Infringement claims could also result in an injunction in the
use of our products or require us to enter into royalty or licensing
agreements. Licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms
acceptable to us or at all.
We are subject to a pending legal proceeding and may become subject to
additional proceedings, and adverse determinations in these proceedings could
harm our business.
We may be from time to time involved in various lawsuits and legal
proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. An adverse
resolution of these matters could significantly negatively impact our
financial position and results of operations.
Our non-U.S. operations are subject to risks which could negatively impact our
future operating results.
We expect that international operations will continue to account for a
significant portion of our revenues, and intend to continue to expand our
operations outside of the United States. Operations outside of the United
States are subject to inherent risks, including difficulties or delays in
developing and supporting non-English language versions of our products and
services, political and economic conditions in various jurisdictions in
staffing and managing foreign subsidiary operations, longer account receivable
payment cycles and potential adverse tax consequences. Any of these factors
could have a material adverse effect on our future operations outside of the
United States, which could negatively impact our future operating results.
33
<PAGE>
The Internet-based learning market is a developing market, and our business
will suffer if e-Learning is not widely accepted.
The market for Internet-based enterprise learning is a new and emerging
market. Corporate training and education has historically been conducted
primarily through classroom instruction and has traditionally been performed
by a company's internal personnel. Many companies have invested heavily in
their current training solutions. Although technology-based training
applications have been available for several years, they currently account for
only a small portion of the overall training market.
Accordingly, our future success will depend upon the extent to which
companies adopt technology based solutions and use the Internet in connection
with their training activities, and the extent to which companies utilize the
services or purchase products of third-party providers. Many companies that
have already invested substantial resources in traditional methods of
corporate training may be reluctant to adopt a new strategy that may implement
or compete with their existing investments. Even if companies implement
technology-based training or Internet learning solutions, they may still
choose to design, develop, deliver or manage all or part of their education
and training internally. If technology based learning and the use of the
Internet for learning does not become widespread, or if companies do not use
the products and services of third parties to develop, deliver or manage their
training needs, then our products and services, may not achieve commercial
success.
Because many users of our e-Learning solutions access them over the Internet,
factors adversely affecting the use of the Internet could harm our business
Many of our users access our e-Learning solutions over the Internet. Any
factors that adversely affect Internet usage could disrupt the ability of
those users to access our e-Learning solutions, which would adversely effect
customer satisfaction and therefore our business. Factors which could disrupt
Internet usage include slow access to download times, security concerns,
network problems or service disruptions that prevent users from accessing an
Internet server and delays in, or disputes concerning, the development of
industry wide Internet standards and protocols.
Demand for our products and services may be especially susceptible to adverse
economic conditions.
Our business and financial performance may be damaged by adverse financial
conditions affecting our target customers or by a general weakening of the
economy. Some companies may not view training products and services as
critical to the success of their businesses. If these companies experience
disappointing operating results, whether as a result of adverse economic
conditions, competitive issues or other factors, they may decrease or forego
education and training expenditures before limiting their other expenditures.
The market price for our ADSs may fluctuate and may not be sustainable.
Our initial public offering of the ADSs was completed in April 1995, and
there can be no assurance that a viable public market for the ADSs will be
sustained. The market price of the ADSs has fluctuated significantly since our
initial public offering. We believe that factors such as announcements of
developments related to ourselves or our competitors' business, announcements
of new products or enhancements by ourselves or our competitors, sales of the
ADSs into the public market, developments in our relationships with our
customers, partners and distributors, shortfalls or changes in revenues, gross
margins, earnings or losses or other financial results from public market
expectations, regulatory developments, fluctuations in results of operations
and general conditions in our market or the markets served by the our
customers or the economy could cause the price of the ADSs to fluctuate,
perhaps substantially.
In addition, in recent years the stock market in general, and the market
for shares of technology stocks in particular, has experienced extreme price
fluctuations, which have often been unrelated to the operating performance of
affected companies. The market price of the ADSs may continue to experience
significant fluctuations in the future, including fluctuations that are
unrelated to the our performance.
34
<PAGE>
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relate primarily
to our investment portfolio. We do not use any derivative financial
instruments in our investment portfolio. The primary objective of our
investment activities is to preserve capital while maximizing yields without
significantly increasing risk. We achieve this by investing our excess cash in
deposits with major banks and in U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency obligations and
in debt securities of corporations with strong credit ratings. Due to the
nature of our investments, we believe that there is no material risk exposure.
All investments are carried at market value, which approximates cost.
The table below presents the principal amount and related weighed average
interest rates for our investment portfolio. Our short term investments are
all in fixed rate instruments. The principal amounts approximate fair value at
December 31, 1999.
Table of Investment Securities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average
Principal Interest
December 31, 1999 Amount Rate
----------------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents................................ $ 69,260 5.4%
Short term investments................................... 38,913 5.6%
--------
Total cash and investment securities..................... $108,713
========
</TABLE>
Foreign Currency Risk
Due to our multinational operations, our business is subject to
fluctuations based upon changes in the exchange rates between the currencies
in which we collect revenues or pay expenses and the U.S. dollar. In
particular, the value of the Euro and related currencies to the U.S. dollar
impacts our operating results. Our expenses are not necessarily incurred in
the currency in which revenue is generated, and, as a result, we are required
from time to time to convert currencies to meet our obligations. These
currency conversions are subject to exchange rate fluctuations, and changes to
the value of the Euro and related currencies relative to the U.S. dollar could
adversely affect our business and the results of operations. During the twelve
months ended December 31, 1999, we undertook hedging transactions against the
Irish pound because we had substantial expenses denominated in that currency.
We do not hold any forward currency exchange contracts at December 31, 1999.
35
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
Number
------
<S> <C>
Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Ernst & Young, Independent Auditors.......................... 37
Report of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants.......... 38
Consolidated Balance Sheets............................................ 39
Consolidated Statements of Operations.................................. 40
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity and
Comprehensive Income.................................................. 41
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.................................. 42
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................. 43
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE>
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Shareholders.
SmartForce PLC
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SmartForce
PLC as of December 31, 1998 and 1999 and the related consolidated statements
of operations, changes in shareholders' equity and comprehensive income, and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements
based on our audits. We did not audit the December 31, 1997 financial
statements of The Forefront Group, Inc., a company acquired by the Company in
a business combination accounted for as a pooling-of-interests as described in
note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, which statements reflect
total revenues of $18,407,770. Those statements were audited by other auditors
whose report has been furnished to us and our opinion, insofar as it relates
to data included for The Forefront Group, Inc., is based solely on the report
of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with United States generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, and the report
of other auditors, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the
financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the consolidated financial position of SmartForce PLC at
December 31, 1998 and 1999, and the consolidated results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1999 in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting
principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young
Dublin, Ireland
Date: January 18, 2000
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<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To The ForeFront Group, Inc.:
We have audited the consolidated statement of operations of The ForeFront
Group, Inc., and subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year ended December
31, 1997 (not separately presented herein). These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with United States generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and
cashflows of The ForeFront Group, Inc., and subsidiaries for the year ended
December 31, 1997, in conformity with United States generally accepted
accounting principles.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Houston, Texas
January 30, 1998
38
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At December 31,
------------------
1998 1999
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents................................ $ 65,648 $ 69,260
Short term investments................................... 36,386 38,913
Accounts receivable, net................................. 43,508 62,035
Inventories.............................................. 247 188
Deferred tax assets, net................................. 253 192
Prepaid expenses......................................... 5,777 9,935
-------- --------
Total current assets................................... 151,819 180,523
Intangible assets.......................................... 4,237 59,155
Property and equipment, net................................ 17,636 26,111
Investments................................................ 550 850
Other assets............................................... 16,002 23,078
-------- --------
Total assets........................................... $190,244 $289,717
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable......................................... $ 5,161 $ 5,368
Accrued payroll and related expenses..................... 6,790 6,680
Other accrued liabilities................................ 20,023 28,213
Deferred revenues........................................ 3,004 6,141
-------- --------
Total current liabilities.............................. 34,978 46,402
Non Current Liabilities
Minority equity interest................................. 383 383
Other liabilities........................................ 82 209
-------- --------
Total non current liabilities.......................... 465 592
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary shares, IR9.375p par value: 120,000,000 shares
authorized at December 31, 1998 and 1999; issued and
outstanding 44,412,808 and 44,387,039 at December 31,
1998 and 50,035,087 and 50,009,318 shares at December
31, 1999, respectively.................................. 6,725 7,432
Additional paid-in capital............................... 127,869 200,547
Accumulated profit....................................... 19,293 34,919
Capital redemption....................................... 231 231
Other comprehensive income............................... 685 (404)
Treasury stock, 25,769 shares at cost.................... (2) (2)
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity............................. 154,801 242,723
-------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity........... $190,244 $289,717
======== ========
</TABLE>
(see accompanying notes)
39
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
----------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues.......................................... $137,047 $162,232 $197,754
Cost of revenues.................................. 22,502 25,137 29,675
-------- -------- --------
Gross profit.................................... 114,545 137,095 168,079
Operating expenses:
Research and development........................ 20,878 25,832 31,713
Sales and marketing............................. 59,160 75,395 93,841
General and administrative...................... 11,601 15,893 17,042
Amortization of acquired intangibles............ -- -- 3,441
Acquired research and development............... 4,097 -- 5,900
Costs of acquisitions........................... 1,534 5,505 --
-------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses...................... 97,270 122,625 151,937
-------- -------- --------
Income from operations............................ 17,275 14,470 16,142
Interest income, net.............................. 2,729 4,218 4,048
Gain on sale of assets............................ 1,869 -- --
Net exchange gain/(loss).......................... 112 516 (856)
-------- -------- --------
Income before provision for income taxes.......... 21,985 19,204 19,334
Provision for income taxes........................ (3,916) (2,666) (3,708)
-------- -------- --------
Net Income........................................ $ 18,069 $ 16,538 $ 15,626
======== ======== ========
Net income per share--Basic....................... $ 0.45 $ 0.38 $ 0.33
======== ======== ========
Net income per share--Diluted..................... $ 0.41 $ 0.36 $ 0.30
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
(see accompanying notes)
40
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additional Accumulated Other Total
Ordinary paid-in profit Capital Deferred comprehensive Treasury shareholders'
shares capital (deficit) redemption compensation income stock equity
-------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ------------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31,
1996................... $5,808 $ 77,647 $(15,195) $ -- $(369) $ 359 $(2) $ 68,248
Issuance of 258,000
ordinary shares as a
result of pooling
MidEast................ 37 370 -- -- -- -- -- 407
Issuance of 3,229,864
ordinary shares as a
result of option
exercises and 91,492
from employee share
purchase plan.......... 522 16,438 -- -- -- -- -- 16,960
Issuance of 7,791
ordinary shares as a
result of the
acquisition of
BookMaker.............. 2 214 -- -- -- -- -- 216
Issuance of ordinary
shares as a result of
the acquisition of
Lantec................. -- 2,552 -- -- -- -- -- 2,552
Taxation credit as a
result of disqualifying
dispositions........... -- 825 -- -- -- -- -- 825
Amortization of deferred
compensation........... -- (176) -- -- 257 -- -- 81
Adjustment to record the
overlap in accounting
for ALA's net loss from
January 1, 1997 to June
30, 1997............... -- -- 112 -- -- -- -- 112
Comprehensive Income:
Net income............. -- -- 18,069 -- -- -- -- 18,069
Translation
adjustment............ -- -- -- -- -- 209 -- 209
--------
Comprehensive Income.... 18,278
------ -------- -------- ---- ----- ------ --- --------
Balance at December 31,
1997................... 6,369 97,870 2,986 -- (112) 568 (2) 107,679
Issuance of 2,314,200
ordinary shares as a
result of option
exercises, 194,734 from
employee share purchase
plan and 7,016 from the
exercise of warrants... 334 29,493 -- -- -- -- -- 29,827
Release of 31,410 Escrow
shares in respect of
BookMaker acquisition.. 4 303 -- -- -- -- -- 307
Issue of exchangeable
shares in respect of
LanTec acquisition..... 18 (18) -- -- -- -- -- --
Amortization of deferred
compensation........... -- -- -- -- 112 -- -- 112
Capital redemption
reserve................ -- -- (231) 231 -- -- -- --
Tax credit on
disqualifying
dispositions........... -- 221 -- -- -- -- -- 221
Comprehensive Income:
Net income............. -- -- 16,538 -- -- -- -- 16,538
Translation
adjustment............ -- -- -- -- -- 117 -- 117
--------
Comprehensive Income.... 16,655
------ -------- -------- ---- ----- ------ --- --------
Balance at December 31,
1998................... 6,725 127,869 19,293 231 -- 685 (2) 154,801
Issuance of 772,980
ordinary shares as a
result of option
exercises, 420,996 from
employee share purchase
plan and 11,956 from
the exercise of
warrants............... 155 13,057 -- -- -- -- -- 13,212
Issue of 4,374,896
ordinary shares in
respect of the
Knowledge Well
acquisition............ 547 59,626 -- -- -- -- -- 60,173
Issue of exchangeable
shares in respect of
the LanTec
acquisition............ 5 (5) -- -- -- -- -- --
Comprehensive Income:
Net income............. -- -- 15,626 -- -- -- -- 15,626
Translation
adjustment............ -- -- -- -- -- (1,089) -- (1,089)
--------
Comprehensive Income.... 14,537
------ -------- -------- ---- ----- ------ --- --------
Balance at December 31,
1999................... $7,432 $200,547 $ 34,919 $231 $ -- $ (404) $(2) $242,723
====== ======== ======== ==== ===== ====== === ========
</TABLE>
(see accompanying notes)
41
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
----------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income...................................... $ 18,069 $ 16,538 $ 15,626
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization.................. 3,582 6,689 12,145
Non cash acquired research and development..... 4,097 -- 5,900
Taxation credit from disqualifying
dispositions.................................. 825 221 --
(Gain)/loss on disposal of assets.............. (1,869) 318 547
Overlap in accounting for ALA net loss,
excluding depreciation........................ (67) -- --
Accrued interest on short-term investments..... (465) 241 (253)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable........................... (19,199) (3,636) (18,501)
Inventories................................... 2 367 60
Deferred tax assets........................... 49 215 67
Prepaid expenses and other assets............. (5,375) (9,527) (11,281)
Accounts payable.............................. 168 406 (1,222)
Accrued payroll and related expenses and other
accrued liabilities.......................... 7,175 3,118 5,454
Deferred revenue.............................. (2,855) (1,485) 3,083
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities.... 4,137 13,465 11,625
-------- -------- --------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of intangible assets.................. (5,297) -- --
Purchases of property and equipment............. (5,410) (12,634) (16,121)
Payments to acquire short-term investments...... (2,291) (93,673) (84,981)
Payments to acquire LanTec, Knowledge Well and
Dunloe, net of cash acquired................... (1,803) -- (1,687)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments.... 3,500 93,085 82,707
Proceeds from investments....................... 4,997 -- --
Proceeds from sale of assets.................... 1,869 -- --
Payments to acquire investments................. (200) (350) (300)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities........ (4,635) (13,572) (20,382)
-------- -------- --------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Repayments under bank overdraft facility........ (140) (13) --
Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares in
subsidiary..................................... 606 -- --
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net.. 17,367 30,124 13,212
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities.... 17,833 30,111 13,212
-------- -------- --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents.................................... 929 139 (843)
-------- -------- --------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.... 18,264 30,143 3,612
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period......................................... 17,241 35,505 65,648
-------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...... $ 35,505 $ 65,648 $ 69,260
======== ======== ========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid................................... $ 43 $ 30 $ 18
Taxes paid...................................... $ 994 $ 2,283 $ 1,716
</TABLE>
(see accompanying notes)
42
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
SmartForce PLC (formerly CBT Group PLC) is organized as a public limited
company under the laws of the Republic of Ireland. The Company changed its
name from CBT Group PLC to SmartForce PLC with effect from January 26, 2000.
SmartForce PLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company" or
"SmartForce") provides e-Learning solutions to businesses and individuals
worldwide. The principal market for the Company's products comprises major
U.S. national and multinational organizations.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and include the
Company and its subsidiaries in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland,
South Africa, Canada, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, France, Singapore, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and Grand Cayman
after eliminating all material inter-company accounts and transactions.
All acquisitions have been accounted for under the purchase accounting
method, except for the mergers with SmartForce Benelux B.V. ("Benelux"),
SmartForce Australia Pty Ltd (formerly known as Applied Learning Limited)
("ALA"), SmartForce Mentoring Group Limited (formerly known as Ben Watson &
Associates Limited) ("Scholars.com"), SmartForce Middle East Limited
("MidEast"), and The ForeFront Group, Inc ("ForeFront") which have been
included in the consolidated financial statements under the pooling of
interests method (see note 3).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Translation of Financial Statements of Foreign Entities
The reporting currency for the Company is the U.S. dollar ("dollar"). The
functional currency of the Company's subsidiaries in the United States, United
Kingdom, Republic of South Africa, France, Canada, Germany, Australia, the
Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France and Singapore are the currencies
of those countries. The functional currency of the Company's subsidiaries in
Ireland, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and Grand Cayman is the dollar.
Balance sheet amounts are translated to the dollar from the local
functional currency at year-end exchange rates, while statements of operations
amounts in local functional currency are translated using average exchange
rates. Translation gains or losses are recorded in other comprehensive income.
Currency gains or losses on transactions denominated in a currency other than
an entity's functional currency are recorded in the results of the operations.
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
A gain or loss on a forward contract that is intended to hedge an
identifiable foreign currency commitment is deferred and included in the
measurement of the related foreign currency transaction.
43
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
During 1999, the Company undertook hedging transactions in the form of
Irish pound forward currency exchange contracts as the Company has substantial
expenses denominated in that currency. There were no foreign currency exchange
contracts outstanding at December 31, 1999.
Revenue Recognition
The Company has historically derived its revenues primarily pursuant to
license agreements under which customers license usage of delivered products
for a period of one, two or three years. On each anniversary date during the
term of multiyear license agreements, customers are allowed to exchange any or
all of the licensed products for an equivalent number of alternative products
within the SmartForce library. The first year license fee is generally
recognized as revenue at the time of delivery of all products, provided the
Company's fees are fixed or determinable and collections of accounts
receivable are probable. Subsequent annual license fees are recognized on each
anniversary date, provided the Company's fees are fixed or determinable and
collections of accounts receivable are probable. The cost of satisfying any
Post Contract Support ("PCS") is accrued at the time revenue is recognized as
PCS fees are included in the annual license fee, the estimated cost of
providing PCS during the agreements is insignificant and unspecified upgrades
or enhancements offered have been and are expected to be minimal and
infrequent. For multi-element agreements Vendor Specific Objective Evidence
exists to allocate the total fee to the undelivered elements of the agreement.
In addition, the Company derives revenues from sales of its products, which is
recognized upon shipment, net of allowances for estimated future returns and
for excess quantities in distribution channels, provided the Company's fees
are fixed or determinable and collections of accounts receivable are probable.
Revenues from product development arrangements are generally recognized on
a percentage of completion basis as milestones are completed or products
produced under the arrangement.
Revenues from license agreements providing product exchange rights other
than annually during the term of the agreement are deferred and recognized
ratably over the contract period. Such amounts, together with unearned
development and license revenues, are recorded as deferred revenues in the
consolidated financial statements.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues include materials (such as compact discs, packaging and
documentation), royalties paid to third parties, the portion of development
costs associated with product co-development arrangements, fulfillment costs
and the amortization of the cost of purchased products. Approximately
$442,000, $596,000 and $285,600 of development expenses incurred in connection
with development and marketing alliances were charged to cost of revenues in
1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or net
realizable value and consist principally of compact discs and manuals. Net
realizable value is the estimated selling price less all applicable selling
costs.
Research and Development
Research and development expenditures are generally charged to operations
as incurred. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, "Accounting
for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed,"
requires capitalization of certain software development costs subsequent to
the
44
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
establishment of technological feasibility. Based on the Company's product
development process, technological feasibility is established upon completion
of a working model. Development costs incurred by the Company between
completion of the working model and the point at which the product is ready
for general release have been insignificant. Through December 31, 1999, all
research and development costs have been expensed as incurred.
Intangible Fixed Assets
Intangible fixed assets include goodwill, the Kansas State University
license and other identifiable intangibles recorded as a result of the
Company's acquisition of Knowledge Well Group Limited and Knowledge Well
Limited (collectively "Knowledge Well"), which was accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting (see note 3).
Goodwill and the Kansas State University license are being amortized on a
straight-line basis over ten years. The other identifiable intangible assets
are being amortized on a straight-line basis over five years. (see note 4)
Reviews are regularly performed to determine whether facts or circumstances
exist which indicate that the carrying value of goodwill is impaired. The
Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill by comparing the projected
undiscounted net cash flows of the entity acquired against the respective
carrying amount of goodwill. Impairment, if any, is based on the fair value of
the goodwill and will result in the carrying value of the goodwill being
reduced by the estimated shortfall of cashflows. No impairment has been
indicated to date.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization
are computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of two
to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the
term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset.
Net Income Per Share
On March 9, 1998 the Company effected a two-for-one split of its issued and
outstanding ADSs. Subsequent thereto, the Company's shareholders approved a
proposal at the Company's 1998 Annual General Meeting to subdivide each of the
Ordinary Shares of IR37.5p into four Ordinary Shares of IR9.375p (the
"Ordinary Share Split"). As a consequence of the Ordinary Share Split,
effective May 22, 1998 each ADS represents and is exchangeable for one
Ordinary Share (the "Ratio Change"). Aside from the Ratio Change, the Ordinary
Share Split had no effect on the ADSs and had no effect on the number of ADSs
outstanding.
Basic net income per share is calculated using the weighted average number
of ordinary shares of the Company outstanding during the period including the
issuance of Company ordinary shares as a result of pooling of interests (see
note 3), at the beginning of the earliest period presented or subsequent date
of incorporation of the pooled entity as applicable. Diluted net income per
share is similarly calculated using the combined weighted average number of
ordinary and dilutive potential ordinary shares, (as determined using the
treasury stock method), such as shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of
options outstanding, of the Company including the issuance of Company ordinary
and dilutive potential ordinary shares as a result of pooling of interests.
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company sponsors and contributes to a defined contribution plan for
certain employees and directors. Contribution amounts by the Company are
determined by management and allocated to employees on a pro rata
45
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
basis based on the employees' contribution. The Company contributed
approximately $270,000, $350,000 and $419,100 to the Plan in the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Stock Based Compensation
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-
Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), encourages, but does not require companies
to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at
fair value. The Company has chosen to continue to account for stock-based
compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees"
("APB25"), and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for
stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of
the Company's stock at the date of the grant over the amount an employee must
pay to acquire the stock. This cost is deferred and charged to expense ratably
over the vesting period, generally four years. Where shares are issued at less
than the deemed value for accounting purposes, the excess of the deemed value
for accounting purposes over the amount the employee must pay to acquire the
shares is charged to expense as stock compensation and credited to additional
paid-in capital in the period of transfer. The Company recognized compensation
expense of $81,100, $112,000 and $nil for the years ended December 31,
1997,1998 and 1999 respectively.
Advertising Costs
Costs incurred for producing and communicating advertising are expensed
when incurred. Advertising expenses amounted to $9.3 million, $11.4 million
and $14.7 million for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999
respectively.
Gain on sale of assets
In September 1997, ForeFront sold certain of its Internet printing
technologies under development to Hewlett-Packard Company and licensed
additional technologies to be used in connection with ongoing development
efforts of Hewlett-Packard, and recorded a one-time gain of $1.87 million (net
of closing costs). The sale proceeds consisted entirely of cash, which was
received by the Company in September 1997.
Government Grants
Government grants are recorded in the accounts when there is reasonable
assurance that the Company has complied with, and will continue to comply
with, all conditions necessary to obtain the grants
The Company has entered into agreements with government agencies to employ
additional personnel. Each grant agreement outlines conditions which must be
complied with by the Company. Once the Company has complied with these
conditions the application is matched with the relevant expense for the period
and, once approved by the grant authority, the grant is recognized and offset
against the relevant expense in the statement of operations.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration
of credit risk consists principally of cash, cash equivalents, short term
investments and trade receivables. The Company invests its excess cash in
deposits with major banks and in U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency obligations and
in debt securities of corporations with strong credit ratings, which are
included in short term investments. The Company performs periodic evaluations
of the relative credit standing of the financial institutions dealt with by
the Company, and considers the related credit risk to be minimal.
46
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The principal market for the Company's products comprises major U.S.
national and multi-national organizations. The Company performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its customers and maintains reserves for potential credit
losses. To date such losses have been within management's expectations. The
Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,142,800 and $2,623,675 at
December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively. The Company generally requires no
collateral from its customers.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents, short term investments,
accounts receivable and accounts payable reported in the balance sheet
approximates the fair value of these financial instruments.
Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive income consists solely of foreign currency translation
adjustments.
Accounting for Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109 ("SFAS 109"), "Accounting for Income Taxes",
which uses the liability method to calculate deferred income taxes.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit with banks, money
market instruments, and certificates of deposit with maturities of three
months or less when acquired.
Short-term investments at December 31, 1998 and 1999 comprise debt
securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. agency obligations and debt
securities of corporations with strong credit ratings with a maturity of less
than six months but greater than three months at the date of acquisition by
the Company. These are included at cost plus accrued interest, which
approximates the fair market value of the securities. At December 31, 1998 and
1999, $36,386,000 and $38,913,000 respectively (inclusive of accrued interest
of $472,000 and $725,000 respectively) was held in short-term investments. The
Company classifies available for sale securities as short-term investments.
Other Assets
Other assets at December 31, 1998 and 1999 consist primarily of deferred
sales commissions. Deferred sales commissions are charged to expense when the
related revenue is recognized.
47
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
2. Net Income per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net
income per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998 1999
------- ------- -------
(dollars in thousands,
except per share
amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Numerator:
Numerator for basic and diluted net income per
share--income available to common shareholders...... $18,069 $16,538 $15,626
======= ======= =======
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per share-weighted
average shares...................................... 40,292 43,630 47,145
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options and warrants................ 3,836 2,349 4,653
------- ------- -------
Denominator for diluted net income per share......... 44,128 45,979 51,798
======= ======= =======
Basic net income per share............................. $ 0.45 $ 0.38 $ 0.33
======= ======= =======
Diluted net income per share........................... $ 0.41 $ 0.36 $ 0.30
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
3. Acquisitions and Mergers
On February 28, 1997, a merger occurred between the Company and ALA, a
distributor of multimedia training and education software based in Australia,
under which the Company issued 343,084 ordinary shares for all the outstanding
stock of ALA. On the same date a merger occurred between the Company and
Benelux, the Company's Benelux distributor, under which the Company issued
71,360 ordinary shares for all the outstanding stock of Benelux.
On August 31, 1997, a merger occurred between the Company and Scholars.com,
a provider of online mentoring, under which the Company issued 37,632 ordinary
shares for all the outstanding stock of Scholars.com.
On December 1, 1997, a merger occurred between the Company and MidEast, the
Company's Middle Eastern distributor, under which the Company issued 258,000
ordinary shares for all the outstanding stock of MidEast.
On May 28, 1998, a merger occurred between the Company and ForeFront, under
which the Company issued 2,182,851 ordinary shares for all the outstanding
stock of ForeFront.
On June 18, 1999, the Company acquired a majority shareholding in Knowledge
Well, a provider of business, management and professional education using
interactive learning technologies. The Company acquired the remaining
shareholding on August 23, 1999. The Company issued 4,374,896 ordinary shares
in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of Knowledge Well. The Company
also assumed options to acquire Knowledge Well stock exercisable for an
issuance of up to approximately 0.4 million ordinary shares. Under GAAP, which
require stock appreciation of the Company in connection with the announcement
of the Knowledge Well transaction to be considered in calculating the purchase
price, the purchase price of Knowledge Well was approximately $62.7 million.
The Company received an appraisal of certain intangible assets which indicated
$5.9 million of the acquired intangible assets consisted of in-process R&D.
The acquired R&D had not yet reached technological feasibility and had no
alternative uses. Accordingly, the Company recorded a special charge of $5.9
million in the second quarter of fiscal 1999. The appraiser identified $35.5
million of certain other
48
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
3. Acquisitions and Mergers (continued)
intangibles of which $26.0 million was in respect of the Kansas State
University license. Goodwill, the excess of the consideration paid over the
estimated fair value of the net liabilities and the identifiable intangible
assets acquired, was approximately $23.7 million.
On July 1, 1999, the Company acquired the remaining 50% shareholding in
Dunloe, a provider of training software, in which the Company already held a
50% holding.
The financial results of the Company, ALA, Benelux, Scholars.com, MidEast,
and ForeFront have been accounted for using the "pooling-of-interests" method.
The "pooling-of-interests" method gives effect to the mergers as if they had
occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented or subsequent date
of incorporation of the pooled entity as applicable. The consolidated
financial statements as presented are based on the Company's historical
consolidated financial statements and ALA's, Benelux's, Scholars.com's,
MidEast's, and ForeFront's historical consolidated financial statements.
The acquisitions of Knowledge Well and Dunloe have been accounted for under
the purchase method of accounting. The consolidated financial information for
the year ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 include the results of the
Company, ALA, Benelux, Scholars.com, MidEast (from the date of its
incorporation) and ForeFront for these periods and the assets and liabilities
of the Company, ALA, Benelux, Scholars.com, MidEast and ForeFront as at
December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively. The consolidated financial
information for the year ended December 31, 1999 include the results of
Knowledge Well from June 18, 1999 and Dunloe from July 1, 1999 and the assets
and liabilities of Knowledge Well and Dunloe as at December 31, 1999. ALA and
Benelux, in the two month period ended February 28, 1997 had net revenues of
$1,094,315 and $374,390, respectively. Net income in that period was $123,642
and $21,190, respectively.
Scholars.com, in the eight month period ended August 31, 1997 had net
revenues of $1,293,518. Net income in that period was $111,418.
MidEast was established in April 1997 and in the period to December 1, 1997
had net revenues of $225,171. The net loss in the period was $532,046.
ForeFront in the six month period ended June 30, 1998 had net revenues of
$12.1 million. The net loss for the six month period ended June 30, 1998 was
$3.1 million.
As the Company's net income for the year ended December 31, 1996 included
the results of ALA for the year ended June 30, 1997, ALA's results of
operations for the six month period ended June 30, 1997, which reflected net
revenues of $2,991,712, expenses of $3,104,193 and a net loss of $112,481,
have been duplicated in the accompanying 1997 Financial Statements to conform
operating results to the Company's fiscal year end. The duplicate periods have
been adjusted by including the net loss as an increase to the Company's
accumulated profit as of December 31, 1997.
The following pro forma information combines the consolidated results of
operations of the Company with those of Knowledge Well as if the acquisition
had occurred at the beginning of each period presented. The pro forma results
give effect to certain purchase accounting adjustments, including additional
amortization expense from goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets,
related income tax effects and the issuance of additional shares in connection
with the acquisition.
49
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
3. Acquisitions and Mergers (continued)
The Pro Forma Results of Operations are as follows (dollars in thousands,
except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
-------------------------
1998 1999
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues....................................... $ 162,280 $ 197,926
============ ============
Net Income..................................... $ 5,249 $ 12,800
============ ============
Net Income per share:
Basic........................................ $ 0.11 $ 0.25
============ ============
Diluted...................................... $ 0.10 $ 0.23
============ ============
</TABLE>
The non cash effect of purchase acquisitions during the year in the
consolidated statement of cashflows on changes in operating assets and
liabilities was as follows (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Accounts receivable............................................ $ 184
Prepaid expenses............................................... 45
Accounts payable............................................... (1,389)
Other accrued liabilities...................................... (2,789)
-------
$(3,949)
=======
</TABLE>
ForeFront Acquisitions
On September 29, 1997, ForeFront acquired Lan Professional, Inc. "LanTec",
in exchange for $1.8 million and 174,860 equivalent SmartForce ordinary
shares, which are issuable upon exchange of an equivalent number of
Exchangeable Shares of LanTec retained by the LanTec shareholders at closing.
The acquisition of LanTec has been accounted for under the "purchase method"
and accordingly, the operating results of LanTec are included in the operating
results of the Company since the date of acquisition.
4. Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999
------ -------
(dollars in
thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Goodwill................................................. $ -- $23,960
Kansas State University license.......................... -- 26,000
Other identifiable intangibles........................... 5,297 14,749
------ -------
Total intangible assets................................ 5,297 64,709
Accumulated amortization................................. 1,060 5,554
------ -------
Intangible assets, net............................... $4,237 $59,155
====== =======
</TABLE>
Other identifiable intangible include core developed technology acquired as
a result of the Knowledge Well Acquisition and a perpetual software license
acquired from Street Technologies, Inc. in return for a once off payment of
$5,297,000 in December 1997.
Amortization of intangible assets amounted to $13,000, $1,719,000 and
$4,494,674 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
50
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
5. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, at cost, consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999
------- -------
(dollars in
thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Office and computer equipment........................... $22,781 $32,235
Furniture, fixtures and others.......................... 6,431 12,914
------- -------
Total property and equipment.......................... 29,212 45,149
Accumulated depreciation................................ 11,576 19,038
------- -------
Property and equipment, net......................... $17,636 $26,111
======= =======
</TABLE>
Depreciation of property and equipment amounted to $3,488,104, $4,858,399
and $7,650,347 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999,
respectively.
6. Other Accrued Liabilities
Other accrued liabilities consist of the following at December 31 (dollars
in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Royalties............................................... $ 4,756 $ 8,805
Income and other taxes payable.......................... 7,363 8,456
Other................................................... 7,904 10,952
------- -------
$20,023 $28,213
======= =======
</TABLE>
7. Operating Lease Commitments
The Company leases various facilities, automobiles and equipment under non-
cancellable operating lease arrangements. The major facilities leases are for
terms of 2 to 5 years, and generally provide renewal options for terms of up
to 3 additional years. Rent expense under all operating leases was
approximately $2,694,000, $3,696,000 and $6,042,558 in 1997, 1998 and 1999,
respectively. Future minimum lease payments under these non-cancelable
operating leases as of December 31, 1999 are as follows (dollars in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
2000............................................................ $ 6,092
2001............................................................ 5,850
2002............................................................ 4,317
2003............................................................ 2,940
2004............................................................ 2,350
Thereafter...................................................... 1,534
-------
Total minimum lease payments.................................. $23,083
=======
</TABLE>
8. Contingencies
Since the end of the third quarter of 1998 purported class action lawsuits
were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
California, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York and the Superior Court of California for the County of San Mateo against
SmartForce PLC, its American operating subsidiary, SmartForce USA Ltd. and
certain of its former and current officers and directors
51
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
8. Contingencies (continued)
alleging violations of the federal securities laws. The complaints allege that
the defendants misrepresented and/or omitted to state material facts regarding
SmartForce's business and financial condition and prospects during the class
periods in order to artificially inflate and maintain the price of the
Company's ADSs, and misrepresented and/or omitted to state material facts in
the registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the merger
with The ForeFront Group, Inc., artificially inflating the price of the
Company's ADSs.
The Company believes that these actions are without merit and intends to
vigorously defend itself against these claims. Although the outcome of these
actions cannot presently be determined, an adverse resolution of these matters
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and
results of operations.
On October 29, 1998, a derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court
of California for the County of San Mateo against several present and former
officers and directors of the Company alleging that these persons violated
various duties to the Company. The derivative complaint also names the Company
as a nominal defendant. The derivative complaint is predicated on the factual
allegations contained in the class action complaints discussed above. No
demand was previously made to the Company's Board of Directors or shareholders
concerning the allegations of the derivative complaint, which seeks an
unspecified amount of damages.
During the first quarter of 1999, a third party training software supplier
alleged that it had suffered financial harm of approximately US$5.0 million as
a result of a purported breach of a distribution agreement with the supplier.
No litigation has yet been initiated in relation to the purported breach and
the Company believes that the claim is without merit and intends to vigorously
defend itself against the claim.
In addition, certain other claims and litigation have arisen against the
Company in the ordinary course of its business. The Company believes that all
such claims and lawsuits against the Company are without merit, and the
Company intends to vigorously contest such disputes. In the opinion of
management, the outcome of such disputes will not have a material effect on
its financial position, results of operations or liquidity, as reported in
these financial statements.
Depending on the amount and timing of any unfavorable resolution of these
matters, it is possible that the Company's future results of operations or
cash flows could be materially affected in a particular period.
9. Shareholders' Equity
Dividends may only be declared and paid out of profits available for
distribution determined in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in Ireland and applicable Irish Company Law. There are no material
restrictions on the distribution of income or retained earnings by the
consolidated group companies of SmartForce PLC. Any dividends, if and when
declared, will be declared and paid in dollars.
In 1995, the Company issued warrants to purchase ordinary shares to holders
of previously outstanding preferred stock. Warrants to purchase ordinary
shares were also issued to the holders of previously outstanding senior
convertible notes. The warrants to purchase ordinary shares at $8.99 per share
have a five-year term. At December 31, 1999, warrants to purchase 29,215
ordinary shares are outstanding.
Share Option Plans
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") and related
interpretations in accounting for its stock options because, as discussed
below, the alternative fair value accounting provided for under FASB Statement
No. 123, "Accounting for
52
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
9. Shareholders' Equity (continued)
Stock-Based Compensation" ("Statement 123"), requires use of option valuation
models that were not developed for use in valuing employee stock options.
Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock
options generally equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date
of grant, no compensation expense is generally recognized.
However, for certain options granted by ForeFront in August and September
1995, ForeFront recognized deferred compensation for the excess of the deemed
value for accounting purposes of the common stock on the date the options were
granted ($8.99 per share) over the $3.60 exercise price of such options.
Aggregate deferred compensation of $726,375 resulted from the issuance of
these options, and compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting
period of each option, generally four years. ForeFront recognized $81,100 and
$112,000 of this amount as compensation expense for the years ended December
31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
The Company has eight share option plans, the 1990 Share Option Scheme (the
"1990 Plan"), the 1994 Share Option Plan (the "1994 Plan"), the 1996
Supplemental Stock Plan (the "1996 Plan"), the 1992 ForeFront Stock Option
Plan (the "FF92 Plan"), the 1996 ForeFront Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
(the "FF96 Plan"), the 1996 ForeFront Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option
Plan (the "FF Directors' 1996 Plan") the Knowledge Well Limited Stock Option
Plan (the "KWL Plan") and the Knowledge Well Group Limited Stock Option Plan
(the "KWGL Plan"), (collectively the "Plans").
Under the 1990 Plan, options to acquire ordinary shares in the Company may
be granted to any director or employee of the Company. Under the 1994 Plan,
all employees and directors of the Company and any independent contractor who
performs services for the Company are eligible to receive grants of non
statutory options ("NSO"). Employees are also eligible to receive grants of
incentive share options ("ISO") which are intended to qualify under section
422 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Under the
1996 Plan all employees, with the exception of directors and executive
officers, are eligible to receive grants of NSO's. Under the FF92 Plan, NSO's
and ISO's were granted to any employee or director of ForeFront. Under the FF
96 Plan, NSO's were granted to employees and directors of ForeFront. Under the
FF Directors' 1996 Plan, non-employee directors were eligible to receive
grants of options to acquire common stock upon election to the Board of
Directors and each subsequent year thereafter. Under the KWL Plan and KWGL,
employees and directors and any independent contractor who performs services
for Knowledge Well Limited ("KWL") and Knowledge Well Group ("KWGL") are
eligible to receive grants of NSO's. Employees of KWL and KWGL are also
eligible to receive grants of ISO's which are intended to qualify under
section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
As of December 31, 1999, 4,700,000, 9,243,004, 6,700,000 (which includes an
increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance of 2,000,000 under the
1994 Plan, authorized by a resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting of
the Company on June 3, 1999 and 2,200,000 under the 1996 Plan), 470,550,
627,400 47,055, 654,800 and 654,800 ordinary shares have been reserved for
issuance under the 1990 Plan, the 1994 Plan, 1996 Plan, FF92 Plan, FF96 Plan,
FF Directors' 1996 Plan, KWL Plan and KWGL Plan, respectively. The Plans are
administered by the Stock Option Committee (the "Committee").
The terms of the options granted are generally determined by the Committee.
The exercise price of options granted under the 1990 Plan and ISO's granted
under the 1994 Plan cannot be less than the fair market value of ordinary
shares on the date of grant. In the case of ISO's granted to holders of more
than 10% of the voting power of the Company the exercise price cannot be less
than 110% of such fair market value. Under the 1994 Plan, the exercise price
of NSO's is set by the Committee at its discretion. The term of an option
under the 1994, 1996, FF92, FF96, KWL and KWGL Plans cannot exceed ten years
and, generally, the terms of an option under the 1990 Plan and FF Directors'
1996 Plan cannot exceed ten years. The term of an ISO granted to a
53
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
9. Shareholders' Equity (continued)
holder of more than 10% of the voting power of the Company cannot exceed five
years. An option may not be exercised unless the option holder is at the date
of exercise, or within three months of the date of exercise has been, a
director, employee or contractor of the Company. There are certain exceptions
for exercises following retirement or death. Options under the Plans generally
expire not later than 90 days following termination of employment or service
or six months following an optionees' death or disability.
In the event that options under the Plans terminate or expire without
having been exercised in full, the shares subject to those options are
available for additional option grants. Vesting periods of the options are
determined by the Committee and are currently for periods of up to four years.
Under the 1990, 1994, 1996, FF92, FF96, FF Directors 1996, KWL and KWGL Plans,
options to purchase 249,295, 1,786,308, 1,004,230, 25,136, 40,779, 5,842,
8,502 and 418,929 shares respectively were exercisable as of December 31,
1999. As of December 31, 1999, 1,010,688 options are available for grant under
the plans.
In November 1996, the Compensation Committee of the ForeFront Board of
Directors approved the repricing of substantially all of ForeFront's
outstanding options held by the existing employees to the then current fair
market value in order to incentivize the Company's employees. In October 1998,
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the repricing of
all of the Company's outstanding options held by the existing employees,
except for director stock options, to the then current market value of $6.9375
per share (the closing price on the date of such repricing) in an effort to
retain and reincent employees. Under the terms of the repricing, the repriced
options maintain the same vesting and expiration terms.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by Statement 123, and has been determined as if the Company had
accounted for its stock options under the fair value method of that Statement.
The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions for 1997, 1998 and 1999; risk-free interest rates of approximately
6%, 5%, and 6% respectively; dividend yields of 0%; volatility factors of the
expected market price of the Company's ordinary shares of .45, 1.26 and .68
respectively; and a weighted-average expected life of the option of five
years.
The Black-Scholes option model was developed for use in estimating the fair
value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because
the Company's stock options have characteristics significantly different from
those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in the management's
opinion, the existing models do not provide a reliable single measure of the
fair value of its stock options.
For the purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period.
Pro forma net income/(loss) for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and
1999 was $9.2 million, $(5.4) million and $(15.3) million respectively. Pro
forma basic net income/(loss) per share was $0.23, $(0.12) and $(0.32) for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Pro forma diluted
net income/(loss) per share was $0.21, $(0.12) and $(0.32) for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Because options vest over
several years and additional grants are expected, the effects of these
hypothetical calculations are not likely to be representative of similar
future calculations.
54
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
9. Shareholders' Equity (continued)
A summary of the Company's stock option activity, and related information
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding
----------------------------------------
Weighted
Number of Price per Average
Shares Share Exercise Price
---------- ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1996........... 6,929,880 $ 0.15--29.00 $ 9.52
Granted in 1997........................ 1,899,275 $20.25--34.75 $21.68
Exercised in 1997...................... (3,223,948) $ 0.15--28.56 $ 4.73
Cancelled in 1997...................... (343,651) $ 2.68--25.63 $13.53
----------
Balance at December 31, 1997........... 5,261,556 $ 0.40--34.75 $16.64
Granted in 1998........................ 9,203,529 $ 6.69--57.37 $32.87
Exercised in 1998...................... (2,196,200) $ 0.40--31.28 $12.52
Cancelled in 1998...................... (4,354,017) $ 0.15--57.37 $25.61
----------
Balance at December 31, 1998........... 7,914,868 $ 1.41--36.00 $ 9.52
Granted in 1999........................ 5,971,644 $ 8.94--29.94 $18.84
Assumed on acquisition................. 461,632 $ 3.05-- 9.16 $ 6.96
Exercised in 1999...................... (772,980) $ 1.41--20.25 $10.92
Cancelled in 1999...................... (369,426) $ 2.68--30.28 $ 8.31
----------
Balance at December 31, 1999........... 13,205,738 $ 1.41--36.00 $13.52
==========
</TABLE>
The previously described repricing of the Company's stock options in October
1998 is included in the above summary within the amounts cancelled and granted
in 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding At December Options Exercisable
31, 1999 ---------------------
-------------------------------------
Weighted
Average Weighted Weighted
Range of Remaining Average Average
Exercise Shares Contractual Exercise Number of Exercise
Prices Outstanding Life Price Shares Price
------------- ----------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 1.41-- 6.69 168,820 7.01 $ 4.29 137,885 $ 4.41
$ 6.94-- 6.94 2,379,906 7.50 $ 6.94 1,077,916 $ 6.94
$ 7.25-- 9.76 371,075 8.18 $ 7.34 358,231 $ 7.28
$ 9.94-- 9.94 4,025,801 8.94 $ 9.94 990,865 $ 9.94
$10.19--16.38 292,708 7.92 $12.77 129,305 $11.64
$16.44--16.44 3,910,800 9.50 $16.44 750,000 $16.44
$16.50--29.94 1,960,258 9.90 $23.89 71,069 $21.11
$36.00--36.00 97,000 8.03 $36.00 23,750 $36.00
---------- ---------
$ 1.41--36.00 13,205,738 8.74 $13.52 3,539,021 $10.45
========== =========
</TABLE>
55
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
9. Shareholders' Equity (continued)
At December 31, 1997 and 1998 there were 1,623,866 and 847,349 options
exercisable, respectively, at a weighed average exercise price of $11.89 and
$11.66 respectively. The weighted average fair value of options granted during
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 was $11.61, $15.13 and
$11.58, respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding
------------------------
Weighted
Number Price Average
of per Exercise
Shares Share Price
-------- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Other Options
Balance at December 31, 1996.................... 108,000 $0.40 $0.40
Exercised in 1998............................... (108,000) $0.40 $0.40
-------- ----- -----
Balance at December 31, 1998...................... -- -- --
======== ===== =====
</TABLE>
In November 1996, the Company granted to Forbairt, in conjunction with
their approval of an employment grant, a rent reduction grant and a management
development grant, an option to purchase 10,000 ordinary shares with an
exercise price equal to the fair market value at the date of grant. The option
was exercised in July 1998.
10. Income Taxes
Income before provision for income taxes consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-------------------------
1997 1998 1999
------- ------- -------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Ireland......................................... $22,579 $23,872 $25,948
Rest of world................................... (594) (4,668) (6,614)
------- ------- -------
Total......................................... $21,985 $19,204 $19,334
======= ======= =======
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
Current......................................... $ 3,916 $ 2,666 $ 3,708
Deferred........................................ -- -- --
------- ------- -------
Total provision for income tax................ $ 3,916 $ 2,666 $ 3,708
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The current provision for 1999 relates predominantly to provision for
income taxes in Ireland.
56
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
10. Income Taxes (continued)
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying
the statutory income tax rate to income before taxes. The sources and tax
effects of the difference are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-------------------------
1997 1998 1999
------- ------- -------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income taxes computed at the Irish statutory income
tax rate of 36.5% for 1997, 32% for 1998 and 28%
for 1999........................................... $ 8,025 $ 6,145 $ 5,413
Income from Irish manufacturing operations taxed at
lower rates........................................ (7,143) (6,318) (6,300)
Income subject to higher rate of tax................ 1,780 474 8
Operating losses not utilized....................... 1,598 2,475 1,150
Operating losses utilized........................... (876) (348) (894)
Intangible asset amortization and other non-
deductible expenses................................ 662 1,155 4,300
Change in valuation allowance....................... 657 -- --
Profits arising not subject to tax.................. (787) (917) 31
------- ------- -------
$ 3,916 $ 2,666 $ 3,708
======= ======= =======
EPS for Tax Holiday
Basic............................................. $ 0.18 $ 0.14 $ 0.13
======= ======= =======
Diluted........................................... $ 0.16 $ 0.14 $ 0.12
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Deferred taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components
of the Company's deferred taxes consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------
1998 1999
-------- --------
(dollars in
thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carry forwards..................... $ 25,200 $ 33,272
Research and Development tax credit carry forwards.... 307 340
Non Compete........................................... 71 --
-------- --------
25,578 33,612
Valuation allowance..................................... (25,325) (33,420)
-------- --------
Net deferred tax assets................................. $ 253 $ 192
======== ========
</TABLE>
At January 1, 1998 the valuation allowance was $17.5 million.
At December 31, 1999, the Company has a net operating loss carry forward of
approximately $82.1 million for U.S. federal income tax purposes which will
expire in the tax years 2007 through 2017 if not previously utilized.
Utilization of the U.S. net operating loss carry forward may be subject to an
annual limitation due to the change in ownership rules provided by the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This limitation and other restrictions provided
by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may reduce the net operating loss carry
forward such that it would not be available to offset future taxable income of
the U.S. subsidiary.
At December 31, 1999, approximately $78.4 million of the net operating loss
carry forwards in the United States result from disqualifying dispositions.
The tax value of the disqualifying dispositions has not been recognized in the
tax reconciliation note as it is not expected that it will reverse. At
December 31, 1999, $28.4 million of the valuation allowance related to
disqualifying dispositions.
57
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
11. Segment, Geographic and Customer Information
Segment Information
The Company presents financial information for its three reportable
operating segments: Americas, Europe Middle East Asia ("EMEA") and Ireland.
The Americas and EMEA segments are sales operations and Ireland is the
Company's Research and Development operation.
The Company and its subsidiaries operate in one industry segment, the
development and marketing of interactive education and training software.
Operations outside of Ireland consist principally of sales and marketing.
The Company's products are developed in Ireland and sold to the Company's
distribution subsidiaries in other Geographic segments. These inter segment
revenues are determined on arms length bases pursuant to which a fair profit
is earned by the Irish development subsidiary and which is designed to comply
with the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and
Tax Administrators. All such inter segment revenues and costs of revenues are
eliminated on consolidation.
The Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), the Company's
President and CEO allocates resources and evaluates performance based on a
measure of segment profit or loss from operations. The accounting policies of
the reportable segments are the same as described in the summary of
significant accounting policies. The Company's CODM does not view segment
results below operating profit (loss), therefore, net interest income, other
income and the provision for income taxes are not broken out by segment below.
The Company does not account for nor report to the CODM its assets or capital
expenditures by segment, thus asset information is not provided on a segment
basis.
A summary of the segment financial information reported to the CODM is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31, 1999
-------------------------------------------------
All Consolidated
Americas EMEA Ireland Other Total
-------- ------- ------- -------- ------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues--External.......... $162,559 $24,841 $ 2,878 $ 7,476 $197,754
Inter segment Revenues...... -- -- 97,362 -- 97,362
Depreciation and
Amortization............... 4,855 389 3,087 3,814 12,145
Segment Operating Income.... 1,286 (2,768) 29,442 (11,818) 16,142
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31, 1998
-------------------------------------------------
All Consolidated
Americas EMEA Ireland Other Total
-------- ------- ------- -------- ------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues--External.......... $121,382 $27,262 $ 6,293 $ 7,295 $162,232
Inter segment Revenues...... -- -- 69,994 -- 69,994
Depreciation and
Amortization............... 3,285 502 2,745 157 6,689
Segment Operating Income.... (7,728) (1,108) 26,231 (2,925) 14,470
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31, 1997
-------------------------------------------------
All Consolidated
Americas EMEA Ireland Other Total
-------- ------- ------- -------- ------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues--External.......... $108,865 $20,676 $ 1,079 $ 6,427 $137,047
Inter segment Revenues...... -- -- 57,708 -- 57,708
Depreciation and
Amortization............... 1,641 385 1,150 406 3,582
Segment Operating Income.... (4,393) (439) 24,653 (2,546) 17,275
</TABLE>
58
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
11. Segment, Geographic and Customer Information (continued)
Revenues from external customers, based on the location of the customer,
are categorized by geographical areas as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------- -------- --------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues
Ireland....................................... $ 1,463 $ 3,210 $ 3,072
United States................................. 101,141 113,552 139,652
United Kingdom................................ 11,296 17,411 23,813
Other countries............................... 23,147 28,059 31,217
-------- -------- --------
Total....................................... $137,047 $162,232 $197,754
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Long-Lived assets are those assets that can be directly associated with a
particular geographic area. These assets are categorized by geographical areas
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
----------------
1998 1999
------- --------
(dollars in
thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Long-Lived Assets
Ireland................................................. $ 7,753 $ 67,531
United States........................................... 25,800 35,671
Other countries......................................... 4,872 5,992
------- --------
Total................................................. $38,425 $109,194
======= ========
</TABLE>
The Company regards its products and services, IT Training, as homogenous
products and services. No single customer represented 10% or more of
SmartForce's total net revenue in any period presented.
12. Government Grants
Under agreements between the Company and Government grant agencies, the
Company has recorded $1,021,000, $1,040,000 and $1,033,422 as a reduction in
related salary and rent expenses in the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999, respectively. Under the terms of the grant agreements, these grants
may be revoked and become repayable in certain circumstances, principally
failure to maintain the related jobs for periods ranging from three to five
years from the date of commencement of the relevant employment. The Company
has complied with the terms of the agreements through December 31, 1999 and
does not anticipate any repayment.
13. Related Party Transactions
Ownership of CBT Technology
Approximately 9% of the outstanding share capital of CBT (Technology)
Limited ("CBT T"), one of the Company's Irish subsidiaries, representing a
special non-voting class, is owned by Stargazer Productions ("Stargazer"), an
unlimited company which is wholly-owned by certain key employees of SmartForce
PLC.
All of the voting securities of CBT T are owned by SmartForce PLC and,
except for the securities owned by SmartForce PLC and Stargazer, there are no
other outstanding securities of CBT T. CBT T has in the past and may in the
future declare and pay dividends to Stargazer, and Stargazer may pay dividends
to its shareholders
59
<PAGE>
SMARTFORCE PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
13. Related Party Transactions (continued)
out of such amounts. Except for the fact that Stargazer is wholly owned by
certain key employees of SmartForce PLC, there is no relationship between
SmartForce PLC and Stargazer.
Knowledge Well Acquisition
During 1999 the Company acquired Knowledge Well in a share for share
exchange (see note 3). A number of the Company's directors and officers were
shareholders and had controlling interest in Knowledge Well prior to its
acquisition by the Company.
Loan to Director
On August 20, 1999, a director of the Company, received a loan from the
Company in the amount of US$450,000 repayable in four equal annual
installments. Interest accrues on the principal amount of this loan at the
rate of 5.96% to be paid annually. At December 31, 1999 the balance
outstanding on this loan, inclusive of accrued interest, was $460,000.
ForeFront
In May 1997, ForeFront issued a letter of credit for $75,000 to its
landlord secured by a certificate of deposit maturing in August 1998 for the
benefit of an unrelated corporation (which is owned in part by a stockholder
of ForeFront), in exchange for the corporation assuming the balance of the
lease for ForeFront's former office space in Houston, Texas. The letter of
credit expired in June 1998. ForeFront also executed a note receivable
totaling $54,078 and maturing June 1, 2001 from this unrelated corporation for
its purchase of certain furniture and equipment of ForeFront.
Receivables at December 31, 1998 also included a $45,000 loan to two
officers of ForeFront. The notes, which bore interest at 6.1%, were repaid
during the year ended December 31, 1999.
14. Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-9, "Modification of SOP 97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions" and
addresses software revenue recognition as it applies to certain multiple-
element arrangements. SOP 98-9 also amends SOP 98-4, "Deferral of the
Effective Date of a Provision of SOP 97-2" through fiscal years beginning on
or before March 15, 1999. All other provisions of SOP 98-9 are effective for
transactions entered into in fiscal years beginning after March 15, 1999. The
Company has adopted the provisions of SOP 98-9, which has had no material
impact on the Company's revenue recognition policies.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activity" ("SFAS 133") which is required to be adopted in years beginning
after June 15, 2000. SFAS 133 established accounting and reporting standards
for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded
in other contracts and for hedging activities. SFAS 133 requires all companies
to recognize derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet
and measure those instruments at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges
of underlying transactions must be adjusted to fair value through income. If
the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in
the fair value of derivatives will either be offset against the change in fair
value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings
or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is
recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in
fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings. Management has not yet
determined what the effect of SFAS 133 will be on the Company's consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
60
<PAGE>
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Shareholders,
SmartForce PLC
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of SmartForce PLC as of
December 31, 1998 and 1999 and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in shareholders' equity and comprehensive income and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, and
have issued our report thereon dated January 18, 2000. Our audits also
included the financial statement schedule of the Company listed in Item 14(a).
This schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. We did not audit
the financial statements of The Forefront Group, Inc., a company acquired by
the Company in a business combination accounted for as a pooling of interests
as described in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, which
statements reflect total revenues $18,407,770 for the year ended December 31,
1997. We have been furnished with the report of other auditors with respect to
Schedule II of The Forefront Group, Inc.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the
financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to
the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all
material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young
Dublin, Ireland
Date: January 18, 2000
61
<PAGE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT
Our definitive Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in connection with the solicitation of proxies for our
Annual General Meeting to be held in June, 2000. Information required by this
item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the Proxy
Statement under the captions "Election of Directors" and "Executive
Compensation and Other Matters."
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item will be contained in the Proxy
Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation" and is incorporated
herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by this item will be contained in the Proxy
Statement under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management" and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item will be contained in the Proxy
Statement under the caption "Certain Transactions" and is incorporated herein
by reference.
62
<PAGE>
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Documents filed as a part of this Form 10-K.
(1) Financial Statements. The following SmartForce PLC
Consolidated Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance with U.S.
GAAP are incorporated herein by reference to Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1998 and 1999.
Consolidated Statements of Operations--December 31, 1997, 1998 and
1999.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity and
Comprehensive Income.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--December 31, 1997, 1998, and
1999.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Report of Independent Auditors.
(2) Financial Statement Schedule. The following financial statement
schedule of SmartForce PLC for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997,
1998 and 1999 is filed as part of this Form 10-K and should be read in
conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included
in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Schedule Page #
-------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S-1
</TABLE>
Schedules not listed above have been omitted because they are not
applicable or are not required or the information required to be set forth
therein is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes
thereto.
(3) Exhibits. See Exhibit Index at page 64 to 67 of this Form 10-K.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
The company filed a report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 20, 1999 reporting under Item 5 the Company's press
release of October 19, 1999.
63
<PAGE>
(d) Exhibits.
EXHIBIT INDEX
2.1 Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated
November 29, 1995 among the Company, CBT Acquisition Subsidiary, a
Delaware corporation, and Personal Training Systems, Inc., a
California corporation. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.1 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 13, 1995).
2.2 Implementation Deed dated as of November 26, 1996, as amended, among
the Company, Applied Learning Limited and Arie Baalbergen, James
Josephson, Geoffrey Bransbury and Brian Hacker (including schedules
thereto) (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.1 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 14, 1997).
2.3 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of March 16, 1998,
among the Company, Rockets Acquisition Corp. and The Forefront Group,
Inc. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 27, 1998 (File No. 333-51159)).
2.4 Share Purchase Agreement dated as of November 30, 1998, as amended and
restated March 30, 1999, among the Company, Knowledge Well Limited
("KWL"), Knowledge Well Group Limited ("KWGL") and the shareholders of
KWL and KWGL (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.1 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 18, 1999 (File No. 0-
25674).
3.1 Memorandum of Association of the Company as amended on March 24, 1992,
March 31, 1995 and April 28, 1998 (Incorporated by reference to
exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 14, 1998).
3.2 Articles of Association of the Company as amended on July 6, 1995, and
April 28, 1998, (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
June 30, 1998 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 14, 1998).
4.1 Specimen certificate representing the ordinary shares (Incorporated by
reference to exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form F-1 declared effective with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 13, 1995 (File No. 33-89904)).
4.2 Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement (including the form of American
Depositary Receipt), dated as of April 13, 1995 as amended and
restated as of May 22, 1998, among the Company, The Bank of New York,
as Depositary, and each Owner and Beneficial Owner from time to time
of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-8380)).
4.3 Amended and Restated Restricted Deposit Agreement (including the form
of American Depositary Receipt), dated as of November 30, 1995 and
amended and restated as of May 22, 1998, among the Company, The Bank
of New York, as Depositary, and each Owner and Beneficial Owner from
time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder
(Incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1998 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 1998).
4.4 Declaration of Subscription Rights dated as of October 4, 1998
(Incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Report on
Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October
5, 1998).
10.1**
1990 Share Option Scheme (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File
No. 33-89904)).
64
<PAGE>
10.2**
1994 Share Option Plan (Incorporated be reference to exhibit 10.2 to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File
No. 33-89904)).
10.3**
1995 Employee Share Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to
exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1
declared effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 13, 1995 (File No. 33-89904)).
10.4**
Form of Indemnification Agreement between CBT Systems USA, Ltd.
(formerly, Thornton Holdings, Ltd.) and its directors and officers
dated as of April, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.5 to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File
No. 33-89904)).
10.5 Supplemental Agreement among Hoskyns, the Company and CBT Systems
Limited dated as of March 31, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to
exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1
declared effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 13, 1995 (File No. 33-89904)).
10.6 Share Purchase Agreement between CBT Systems Limited and the Company
dated as of March 31, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File
No. 33-89904)).
10.7 Distribution and License Agreement between the Company and CBT Systems
Limited dated as of March 14, 1995 (including form of Amendment No. 1)
(Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.11 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File No. 33-
89904).
10.8 License Agreement dated June 7, 1994 between CBT (Technology) Limited
and CBT Systems Limited (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.20 to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File
No. 33-89904).
10.9 Cost Sharing Agreement dated January 4, 1994 between CBT (Technology)
Limited and CBT Systems Limited (Incorporated by reference to exhibit
10.21 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared
effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13,
1995 (File No. 33-89904).
10.10**
Agreement between the Company and Patrick J. McDonagh dated April 9,
1995 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.22 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File No. 33-
89904).
10.11**
Personal Training Systems, Inc. 1991 Stock Plan (Incorporated be
reference to exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January
21, 1996 (File No. 333-504).
10.13**
1996 Supplemental Stock Plan (Incorporated by reference to exhibit
10.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on March 30, 1997 (File No. 0-25674)).
10.14**
Letter Agreement between CBT Systems USA, Ltd. and William B. Lewis
(Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.18 to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 1997
(File No. 0-25674)).
10.15
Applied Learning Limited Executive Option Plan (Incorporated by
reference to exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
16, 1997 (File No. 333-25245).
65
<PAGE>
10.16**
Agreement dated November 21, 1997 between CBT Systems Limited and
Clarion Worldwide Limited (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.21
to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 18, 1998 (File No. 0-25674)).
10.17Lease Agreement dated April 6, 1998 between CBT Systems USA, Ltd. and
the Company, as tenants, and Seaport Centre Associates, LLC, as
landlord, for the facility located at 900 Chesapeake Drive, Redwood
City, California 94063 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended September 30, 1998 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 11, 1998).
10.18Consulting Agreement dated January 30, 1998 between CBT Systems USA,
Ltd. and Gregory M. Priest (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1
to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended March 31, 1998 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on May 13, 1998).
10.19Agreement and Mutual Release dated June 3, 1998 between the Company.
and Jeffrey N. Newton (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 13, 1998).
10.20Agreement and Mutual Release dated February 11, 1998 between the
Company and William A. Beamish. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit
10.21 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on March 30, 1999 (File No. 0-25674)).
10.21**
Employment Agreement effective as of June 18, 1999 between CBT Group
PLC, CBT Systems USA, Ltd. and William G. McCabe. In addition to this
employment agreement, Mr. McCabe provides certain other services to
the Company under a consulting agreement between CBT Systems Ltd. and
Clarion Worldwide Limited (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.21
to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 18, 1998 (File No. 0-25674)). (Incorporated by reference to
exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1999 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 12, 1999 (File No. 0-25674)).
10.22**
Employment Agreement effective as of June 18, 1999 between CBT Group
PLC, CBT Systems USA, Ltd. and Gregory M. Priest. (Incorporated by
reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 1999 (File No. 0-
25674)).
10.23**
Employment Agreement effective as of June 18, 1999 between CBT Group
PLC, CBT Systems USA, Ltd. and William A. Beamish. In addition to this
employment agreement, Mr. Beamish provides certain other services to
the Company under a consulting agreement between CBT Systems Ltd. and
Clarion Worldwide Limited (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.21
to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 18, 1998 (File No. 0-25674)). (Incorporated by reference to
exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1999 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 12, 1999 (File No. 0-25674)).
10.24**
Employment Agreement effective as of June 18, 1999 between CBT Group
PLC, CBT Systems USA, Ltd. and William B. Lewis. (Incorporated by
reference to exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 1999 (File No. 0-
25674)).
66
<PAGE>
10.25**
Employment Agreement effective as of June 18, 1999 between CBT Group
PLC, CBT Systems USA, Ltd. and Jeffrey N. Newton. (Incorporated by
reference to exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 1999 (File No. 0-
25674)).
22.1*List of Significant Subsidiaries.
23.1*Consent of Ernst & Young, Independent Auditors.
23.2*Consent of Arthur Andersen, LLP.
24.1 Power of Attorney (see page 68).
27.1*Financial Data Schedule.
- --------
*Filed Herewith
** Denotes management or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed
by Registrant pursuant to Item 14(c) of this report on Form 10-K.
67
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act
of 1934, the Company has duly caused this Form 10-K Annual Report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 30th day of
March, 2000.
SMARTFORCE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
/s/ Gregory M. Priest
_____________________________________
Gregory M. Priest
President and Chief Executive
Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Gregory M. Priest and David C. Drummond
jointly and severally, his attorneys-in-fact, each with full power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to
this Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-
in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by
virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ William G. McCabe Chairman of the Board March 30,
____________________________________ 2000
William G. McCabe
/s/ Gregory M. Priest President, Chief Executive Officer March 30,
____________________________________ and Director (Principal Executive 2000
Gregory M. Priest Officer)
/s/ David C. Drummond Executive Vice President, March 30,
____________________________________ Finance and Chief Financial Officer 2000
David C. Drummond
/s/ John M. Grillos Executive Vice President, March 30,
____________________________________ Chief Operating Officer and 2000
John M. Grillos Director
/s/ John P. Hayes Vice President, Finance and March 30,
____________________________________ Director (Principal Accounting 2000
John P. Hayes Officer)
/s/ Patrick J. McDonagh Director March 30,
____________________________________ 2000
Patrick J. McDonagh
/s/ James S. Krzywicki Director March 30,
____________________________________ 2000
James S. Krzywicki
</TABLE>
68
<PAGE>
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance at Charged to Charged Balance
Beginning Costs and to Other at End
of Year Accounts Accounts Deductions of Year
---------- ---------- -------- ---------- -------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December 31, 1997
Deducted from asset
accounts...................
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................... 727 580 -- 87 1,220
===== ===== ==== === =====
Year ended December 31, 1998
Deducted from asset
accounts...................
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................... 1,220 400 -- 477 1,143
===== ===== ==== === =====
Year ended December 31, 1999
Deducted from asset
accounts...................
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................... 1,143 1,481 -- -- 2,624
===== ===== ==== === =====
</TABLE>
S-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 22.1
SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of subsidiary Jurisdiction of incorporation
- ------------------ -----------------------------
<S> <C>
SmartForce USA.................................... Delaware
Personal Training Systems, Inc.................... California
Fidalco Limited................................... Ireland
SmartForce Ireland Limited........................ Ireland
SmartForce UK Limited............................. England
SmartForce Africa (Proprietary) Limited........... South Africa
CBT Finance Limited............................... Grand Cayman
CBT (Technology) Limited.......................... Ireland
SmartForce Canada Limited......................... Canada
SmartForce Deutschland GmbH....................... Germany
SmartForce Australia Pty Limited.................. Australia
CBT Systems Benelux, B.V.......................... The Netherlands
SmartForce Mentoring Group Limited................ Canada
SmartForce Middle East Limited.................... Bahamas
ForeFront Direct, Inc............................. Florida
SmartForce Business Skills Inc.................... Delaware
SmartForce Business Skills Limited................ Ireland
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
on Forms S-3 (Nos. 333-35855, 333-42929 and 333-84051), as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 1997 pertaining to the
shares issued in conjunction with the acquisition of Ben Watson Associates
Limited, on December 22, 1997 pertaining to the shares issued in conjunction
with the acquisition of CBT Systems Middle East Limited, and on July 29, 1999
pertaining to the shares issued in conjunction with the acquisition of
Knowledge Well Limited and Knowledge Well Group Limited, on Form S-4 (No. 333-
51159), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 1998
pertaining to the shares issued in conjunction with the acquisition of The
Forefront Group, Inc., on Forms S-8 (Nos. 333-06409, 333-25245, 333-35745,
333-57031, 333-68499, 333-83927, 333-86861, and 333-32380), as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 1996 pertaining to the 1994
Share Option Plan, on April 16, 1997 pertaining to the 1996 Supplemental Stock
Plan and Applied Learning Limited Executive Stock Plan, on September 16, 1997
pertaining to the 1994 Share Option Plan, on June 17, 1998 pertaining to The
Forefront Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan, The
Forefront Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan and The
Forefront Group, Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, on
December 7, 1998 pertaining to the Amended and Restated 1994 Share Option
Plan, on July 28, 1999 pertaining to the Knowledge Well Limited 1998 Share
Option Plan and the Knowledge Well Group Limited 1998 Share Option Plan, on
September 10, 1999 pertaining to the 1994 Share Option Plan and the 1995
Employee Share Purchase Plan, on March 14, 2000 pertaining to the 1996
Supplemental Stock Plan, of our reports dated January 18, 2000, with respect
to the consolidated financial statements and schedule included in this annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
Dublin, Ireland /s/ Ernst & Young
_____________________________________
March 30, 2000
Ernst & Young
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP, INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in the 1999 Form 10-K of SmartForce PLC of our reports dated
January 30, 1998, on the consolidated financial statements of The ForeFront
Group, Inc., and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 1997, included
in the Form S-4 Registration Statement of CBT Group PLC (File No. 333-51159).
It should be noted that we have not audited any financial statements of The
ForeFront Group, Inc. and subsidiaries subsequent to December 31, 1997, or
performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of our report.
Houston, Texas /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
-------------------------------------
March 30, 2000 Arthur Andersen LLP
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 69,260
<SECURITIES> 38,913
<RECEIVABLES> 64,659
<ALLOWANCES> (2,624)
<INVENTORY> 188
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 180,523
<PP&E> 45,149
<DEPRECIATION> (19,038)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 289,717
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,402
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 207,979
<OTHER-SE> 34,744
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 289,717
<SALES> 197,754
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 197,754
<CGS> 29,675
<TOTAL-COSTS> 151,937
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (4,048)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 19,334
<INCOME-TAX> 3,708
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,626
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 15,626
<EPS-BASIC> $0.33
<EPS-DILUTED> $0.30
</TABLE>
