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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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 March 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: 72870
SONIC SOLUTIONS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California 93-0925818
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer
organization) Identification No.)
101 Rowland Way, Suite 110, Novato, California 94945
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 893-8000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock,
no par value
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes 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. ____
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant on June 9, 1999, based upon the closing price of the Common Stock
on the NASDAQ National Market for such date, was approximately $32,568,456./1/
The number of outstanding shares of the registrant's Common Stock on June
9, 1999 was 9,473,338.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
(1) Portions of the Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on or prior to July 20, 1999 and to be used in connection
with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders expected to be held September 7, 1999
are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
_____________
/1/ Excludes 2,616,821 shares held by directors, officers and ten percent or
greater shareholders on June 9, 1999. Exclusion of such shares should not be
construed to indicate that any such person possesses the power, direct or
indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the
registrant or that such person is controlled by or under common control with the
registrant.
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PART I
Forward Looking Statements
To the extent that this report discusses future financial results,
information or expectations about products or markets, or otherwise makes
statements about future events, such statements are forward-looking and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the statements made. These risks and uncertainties
include, among others, the timely introduction and acceptance of new products,
costs associated with new product introductions, the transition of products to
new hardware configurations, and other factors. In addition, such risks and
uncertainties also include the matters identified under Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 below.
Item 1. BUSINESS
Overview
We develop workstations used by professionals to edit and process digital
audio and digital video. Our products are computer based, and usually include
both plug-in hardware and applications software installed on a personal
computer. Our customers use various kinds of peripheral devices -- for example,
disk drives, streaming tape drives, and audio and video tape recorders -- along
with our products. Although we do not manufacture or sell the personal computers
or peripheral devices used with our products, we typically refer to the complete
configuration of personal computer, Sonic hardware, Sonic software, and
peripherals as a Sonic workstation.
We currently market two workstation product lines: SonicStudio(TM) and DVD
Creator(TM). SonicStudio is a line of professional audio workstations that our
customers use to prepare audio for release on Digital Audio Compact Discs
(CD's), for release with video and film entertainment, and for broadcast on
radio. DVD Creator is a line of DVD-Video/Audio production workstations which
supports the preparation and assembly of video and audio assets for release on
the new DVD-Video disc format and the upcoming DVD-Audio disc format.
We recently introduced products that we intend to release later this year
designed for use by consumers or semi-professional customers. This is somewhat
of a departure for Sonic Solutions. We discuss this new initiative below under
the heading "DVDit!".
Our Industry
Our Customers
Our customers are mainly professional facilities that process and prepare
audio, video and film programming. Most of this programming is for
entertainment, though a significant portion of it is used for educational and
business communications purposes.
Some of our facility customers are independent organizations that supply
services to audio and video content holders and publishers. Some of our
customers are in-house facilities that are owned by particular content holders
or publishers.
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Our customers range in size from relatively small organizations with few
employees to larger facilities with hundreds of employees. Among our customers
are facilities that are independent, privately owned companies, as well as
facilities which are part of much larger public, private, or non-profit
organizations. While we have concluded corporate purchasing agreements with
certain customer organizations that have multiple facilities, decisions even
within such organizations to purchase and deploy our products are usually made
at the facility level.
Most of the time we market our products as Sonic Solutions products, and
not as part of another company's products. From time to time we have concluded
agreements with other companies in which they incorporate some product of ours
into their product line (this is commonly referred to as an "OEM" arrangement).
At the present time there is one such relationship which accounts for a
significant portion of our revenues. Please see further discussion about this
below under "OEM Customers; Sales Concentration."
The Shift to Digital
The professional audio and video industry has shifted significantly from
analog to digital technology over the past twenty years. Digital technology
encodes sound and video as numbers and stores them as a kind of computer data.
In contrast, analog technology records sound and video by making a physical
representation analogous to the original audio or visual signal. Long-playing
records ("LP") and Digital Audio Compact Discs ("CD-A"), are good examples of
analog (LP's) and digital (CD-A's) media. In an LP the grooves cut into the
vinyl record have a physical shape analogous to the original sound pressure
wave. In a CD-A the original sound pressure wave is encoded into numbers that
are recorded as tiny pits on the surface of an optical disc.
The shift to digital encompasses the tools used to edit, process and
prepare audio and video prior to release, as well as audio and video release
formats -- the form in which the audio or video actually reaches the intended
consumer. Different applications and segments within the professional audio and
video industry have shifted to digital technology at different times. Complete
conversion to digital technology has not yet occurred. We expect that the shift
will continue for the next several years until some point in the first decade of
the 21/st/ century when analog technology will effectively cease being used in
the professional audio and video industries.
There are a number of reasons why digital technology has been attractive to
audio and video professionals:
. Higher Quality -- Digital technology permits higher quality audio
and video to be recorded and replayed under most circumstances.
Of course, this assumes that the recordings involved are made at
a high resolution.
. Perfect Copying -- Digitally recorded audio and video can be
perfectly reproduced, over an unlimited number of generations.
Every analog recording process involves some amount of signal
loss with each successive generation of copying.
. Speed and Precision of Manipulation -- Digital technologies
permit more rapid and more accurate manipulation of audio and
video signals than is possible in analog technology.
. Special Capabilities -- Digital technology permits certain kinds
of processes that are difficult or practically impossible using
analog techniques. One of our own products, a signal processing
tool called NoNOISE(R), is a good example of this. NoNOISE
permits
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audio recording engineers to remove various kinds of noise from
already recorded sound with a great degree of precision and
fidelity.
. Declining Costs -- Digital technology is enjoying dramatic cost
reductions, driven by the broad scale adoption and growth of
computer technology in business, in home use, in communications
and on the Internet. In contrast, analog technology for audio and
video recording has reached an effective plateau in terms of
cost.
Of course, digital technologies have presented some drawbacks to adoption
over the past 20 years. A few of these are:
. Enormous Bandwidth -- Representing audio and video in high
resolution is enormously consumptive of storage space and
computer processing power. Computers were historically first
applied to text and arithmetic processing applications which
require relatively limited digital storage and processing power.
For example, a 300 page book-length work can easily be
represented in 3 megaBytes of storage. A single CD-A requires
some 600 megaBytes to store a little more than one hour of stereo
music.
. Real Time Requirements -- Audio and video are real time data,
meaning that they must be presented to the observer in strict
time sequence --neither too fast nor too slow. For historical
reasons, computer engineers developed much of their technology
using architectures, called asynchronous architectures, which
make it difficult to ensure such strict timing. This meant that
it was difficult for companies like ours to use "off the shelf"
computer technology to develop our products.
. Analog Release Formats -- In many ways release formats have been
the slowest areas to shift to digital. Even today almost all
video programs reaching consumers arrive via analog formats (VCR
cassettes, conventional broadcast television, conventional cable
television). The Digital Audio Compact Disc, of course, now
accounts for the majority of pre-recorded music sold to consumers
in industrialized countries. But most broadcast radio, as well as
the audio accompanying broadcast video, theatrical feature films,
and pre-recorded video, is still delivered mostly using analog
formats. Slow transition of release formats to digital technology
has tended to retard adoption of digital technology by
professionals for "upstream" processes such as editing.
Our company was founded to pursue the opportunities presented by this major
transition, and, to facilitate the transition by offering professionals
compelling alternatives to traditional analog production tools. The shift to
digital creates risks for us.
Our Business Lines
We currently offer two professional workstation product lines, oriented
toward somewhat different applications within the professional audio and video
industry. SonicStudio(TM) is a line of professional digital audio workstations.
DVD Creator(TM) is a line of DVD-Video/Audio production workstations.
Both our SonicStudio and DVD Creator workstations are designed to run on
versions of the Macintosh personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer. We
have plans to introduce versions of both product lines compatible with the
Windows and Windows/NT operating systems. But completion of such versions is by
no means assured. Current reliance on the Macintosh computer creates risks for
our Company.
Professional Audio Workstations
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SonicStudio
A SonicStudio digital audio workstation consists of:
1. one or more of our audio signal processing cards installed on a
Macintosh personal computer;
2. one or more outboard interface boxes (which contain various
styles of professional interface connections used to link the
workstation to other audio devices in the studio); and,
3. extensive applications software.
Applications for SonicStudio
Our customers use their SonicStudio systems to manipulate audio, applying a
number of processes to digital sound to prepare it for final release. Some of
these processes are quite specialized and technical. To give you a sense of the
capabilities of our workstations, here are some of the tasks typically performed
using SonicStudio workstations:
. Editing -- SonicStudio permits very precise and elegant editing
of sound. Editing is the process by which pieces of sound are
combined to create a single resulting sound in such a way that
the existence of the original individual pieces is imperceptible
to the listener. Editing is used extensively in professional
audio work. For example, movie sound tracks are heavily edited to
include sound effects and replacement dialog (virtually none of
the sound effects or dialog you hear in the theater was actually
recorded when the picture was being shot). Another example:
classical music recordings are in most cases the result of
intensive editing of multiple performances of the same program
(our classical music editing customers tell us that an edit every
6 seconds on average is not uncommon).
. EQ -- SonicStudio can be used to equalize ("EQ") the sound, a
process by which certain frequencies are emphasized or de-
emphasized. EQ is similar in concept to manipulating the bass and
treble controls on a consumer audio system, but with much greater
precision and sophistication.
. Mixing -- SonicStudio can be used to mix or combine together two
sound recordings into one. Mixing is often used in professional
audio work because it is more convenient to record individual
elements at different times and under different conditions. The
individual elements or tracks are combined or mixed together to
produce the resulting sound used in release.
. Noise Reduction -- We offer NoNOISE(R) as an option to
SonicStudio. NoNOISE is a suite of software tools which permits
users to remove unwanted noise from recordings. NoNOISE has been
used extensively by audio professionals, particularly to re-issue
older recordings on Compact Disc, and to clean up noisy location
sound tracks for film and broadcast video work. In 1997, our
company was honored with a technical Emmy(R) award for NoNOISE.
Customer Segments for SonicStudio
There are three major segments of SonicStudio customers:
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. Mastering -- customers in this segment use our products to
prepare music recordings for release to consumers, primarily on
Digital Audio Compact Discs.
. Broadcast -- customers in this segment use our products to
prepare audio for broadcast on radio.
. Sound-for-Picture -- customers in this segment use our products
to prepare audio tracks used with film or video programming.
Customers
We have supplied SonicStudio workstations to many professional audio
facilities around the world. As of March 31, 1999, more than 4,000 SonicStudio
systems had been shipped to customers since the product was first introduced in
1990.
Configurations
We offer SonicStudio in a variety of configurations, and with various
hardware and software options. A customer could purchase a SonicStudio system
configured for basic two channel CD premastering for approximately $5,000. A
customer would pay approximately $10,000 for a fully-featured SonicStudio
system configured for multi-track editing and mixing. One of our new
SonicStudio HD(TM) Systems, configured for multi-track high resolution audio
editing, and OneClick DVD-Audio authoring software would be priced at
approximately $50,000. Please remember that we do not include the cost of the
personal computer or peripheral devices in our illustrative pricing. Remember
also that revenue as we report it in our financial statements is usually based
on the net price we receive from dealers, and is thus lower on average per
system than indicated by these illustrative prices, which are based on end user
list prices.
Competition
We encounter competition from a number of companies when selling
SonicStudio. We compete with companies offering traditional analog production
tools, digital recording and processing devices, as well as digital audio
workstations. The key elements of competition include features, cost
effectiveness and product quality, customer support, and marketing and sales
efforts.
Many of our competitors have greater financial, technical and marketing
resources than we do. Traditional professional audio competitors, such as Japan
Victor Corporation (JVC), Otari Corp., Sony Corporation and Studer AG (a
division of Harmon Industries), sell analog as well as digital systems. A
number of competitors supply digital audio workstations including Digidesign (a
division of Avid Technology), Fairlight, Studio Audio and Design, Ltd. (Sadie),
WaveFrame, Dalet, Augan and others. Our products compete also with various kinds
of single function digital audio processing devices. For example noise
reduction modules from Cambridge Audio Research (CEDAR) compete with the NoNOISE
option for SonicStudio.
New HDSP Platform
In late March, 1999, we began shipping the latest generation of our
SonicStudio workstation line -- SonicStudio HD(TM). SonicStudio HD utilizes a
new generation audio signal processing card, the "HDSP" which significantly
increases the processing power of SonicStudio. We released newly developed
application
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software to support this new workstation. We believe that SonicStudio HD is
important for the future of our audio business, especially in light of the
advent of new, higher resolution DVD based audio formats.
A number of our existing SonicStudio customers purchased upgrades to the
new HDSP platform when we introduced it. We anticipate that HDSP will permit
many of our customers to begin their involvement with new high resolution
formats such as DVD-Audio. We also believe that HDSP will be a very competitive
offering for customers who are shopping for a new digital audio workstation.
Strategy
Our strategy with SonicStudio is to continue to offer products that enhance
professional productivity while meeting the specific needs of each segment of
our target markets. We believe that SonicStudio and related peripheral products
currently accomplish this strategy for the following reasons:
. Focus on the Application - Each segment of the professional audio
market has specialized needs. Our SonicStudio product line spans
a wide range of performance characteristics, hardware and
software options, configurations and price points in order to
address the specific needs of professionals in each market
segment.
. Professional Performance - We focus on satisfying demanding
professional performance requirements. That is why we implement
an architecture utilizing specialized hardware to ensure a fast,
professional level of system response, and to avoid processing
bottlenecks in handling bulky audio and video files.
. Efficiency Features - We designed SonicStudio to increase
operator efficiency. For example, every system allows background
loading of sound to the hard disks while the audio professional
works on other material already loaded on the hard disk. The re-
design of our applications software to support the new HDSP
involved a year-long effort and a number of customer focus groups
where we carefully analyze actual customer use patterns to
improve SonicStudio's user interface.
. Modular Software-Based Solutions; Upgrades - We offer a modular
set of software applications including digital equalization,
filtering, dynamics, processing, mixing, dithering, time
compression, pitch shifting, varispeed and reverberation. We
package various features into options which can be added by
customers as they wish and as their business needs dictate. We
have also traditionally offered customers enrolled in our
SonicCare maintenance program relatively low priced hardware
upgrades when hardware versions change. This economical upgrade
path affords customers a degree of assurance that their
investment in a SonicStudio will not be quickly outmoded.
DVD Creator
DVD-Video
Our DVD Creator workstations support preparation of DVD-Video discs.
DVD-Video is a relatively new optical disc format, introduced in 1996,
which offers high quality video, surround audio, and interactivity on a Compact
Disc-sized disc. The DVD-Video format offers content publishers a wide range of
features and options.
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Video is presented in the MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compressed digital video format.
A number of video streams may be presented in parallel so that, responding to
user commands, the player may seamlessly jump from stream to stream.
Audio is available in both compressed digital stereo and "surround"
formats, as well as uncompressed "PCM" digital audio. Up to eight audio streams
may be presented simultaneously (and may also be selected for playback based on
real-time user decisions) -- to support different language dialog tracks, or to
allow stereo and surround versions of the same audio program.
Chapter marks may be specified for random access into the video program.
Subpictures (images overlaid on background video or still images) may be
included and can be used in a number of ways, for example, to create animated
"buttons" to facilitate user interaction, or to display language subtitles.
Still pictures may be presented with audio and with subpictures. Extensive
navigation capabilities are available to permit users to select from various
program branches, to return to previous branch points or menus, etc.
DVD-Creator Functions
DVD-Creator supports the three basic processes required to prepare audio
and video programming in the DVD-Video format. These are:
. MPEG-2 Video Encoding -- MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 video are the
standards for DVD-Video discs. MPEG is a digital video format
that compresses the original digital video stream to reduce
bandwidth and storage requirements by 90 to 95% but with little
or no loss in perceived quality.
. Audio Preparation and Encoding -- DVD-Video supports uncompressed
("PCM") digital audio as well as MPEG-2 and Dolby Digital
compressed formats.
. Format Authoring -- To support the advanced features of DVD-
Video, particularly menu-drive interactivity and multiple video
and audio streams, the audio, video, graphic and text elements
included in the disc must be organized, linked and then "woven"
together.
Products
DVD Creator includes three principal separable subsystems capable together
of performing all the tasks necessary for producing a finished DVD-Video disc
image which can then be replicated on manufactured DVD discs. Those are:
. Video Encoding: DVD Studio - The DVD-Video standard specifies
MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 compressed digital video as the video formats
to be used on DVD-Video discs. While a number of choices within
the standard are possible, the typically preferred format is
variable bit rate MPEG-2 operating at an average bit rate of
approximately 4 Megabits per second. DVD Creator includes DVD
Studio, a system enabling professional users to compress input
professional video into the MPEG-2 format. DVD Studio consists of
plug in circuit cards for the Macintosh incorporating an MPEG
encoding/decoding chipset developed by IBM. Sonic has developed
an extensive suite of applications software for DVD Studio to
support user control of the encoding process, and facilitate the
operation of DVD Studio with standard professional video tape
recorders and other typical peripherals.
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. Audio Encoding: DVD Studio Audio - DVD Creator bundles a standard
SonicStudio system, running on the Macintosh, with special
software to perform Dolby Digital and MPEG-2 audio compression
and audition.
. Format Authoring: DVD Producer - DVD Creator's authoring
subsystem is DVD-Producer. The authoring step takes individual
compressed video, audio, graphics, still picture and subpicture
elements and combines and organizes them along with instructions
specifying interactivity (i.e., the response DVD players will
make based on user manipulation of front panel buttons or remote
control buttons). The output of the authoring step is an "asset
list," containing each of the individual elements, and a "script"
describing how the assets are combined and accessed via user
commands. Because of the large number of potential elements in a
DVD title and the high level of interactivity possible, DVD-
Producer is a complicated software package.
In addition to these main subsystems, DVD Creator includes two other
subsystems:
. Emulation: PrePlay - Because of the complexity of a DVD title,
users of DVD Creator require the ability to preview the results
of their decision making before the time consuming and expensive
step of cutting a "glass master" at the replication plant. An
optional (software and hardware) emulation station permits the
user to interact with a DVD title stored as project elements on
hard disk prior to final image generation.
. Formatting and Writing: Format Server and Imager -- We provide a
separate formatting engine as a standalone application called
Format Server. Format Server takes the output of a DVD-Producer
authoring session (script and asset list) and combines navigation
instructions with audio and video assets to create a finished
disc image. The image can then be played from computer hard disk,
or converted by another standalone application, called Imager,
into a streaming tape based image (the standard way in which
images are transmitted to the replication plant) or recorded onto
a recordable DVD disc.
DVD Creator is sold in multiple versions for between $20,000 and $99,999
(again, our prices do not include host computers, disk storage or other
peripheral devices). Customers can purchase upgrade options for any version to
increase the functionality of the system. Typically customers will spend
between $35,000 and $50,000 for their DVD Creator system.
DVD-Audio
Version 1.0 of the DVD-Video specification was published in August of 1996,
and players were introduced into various regions of the world during late 1996,
1997 and 1998. At about the same time the DVD-Video specification was being
finalized, the DVD Forum (the standards-setting industry association for DVD)
formed a Working Group to develop a DVD-Audio format, intended to be a sister
format to DVD-Video, but to emphasize more audio features.
The DVD-Audio Working Group spent more than two years developing the new
DVD-Audio specification in close collaboration with the major recorded music
companies. The DVD Forum released Version 1.0 of the new DVD-Audio
specification in April 1999. Industry observers expect that the first
commercially released players compatible with the new format will become
available in the fall of 1999. We announced support for this new specification
in the fall of 1998, and began delivery of the first software packages
supporting preliminary and limited DVD-Audio authoring early in 1999. We plan
to introduce
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complete DVD-Audio support on a phased release basis during the balance of 1999
working closely with player manufacturers and early DVD-Audio content
publishers.
Market
We divide the DVD-Creator market into 3 segments:
. "Hollywood" Segment - This segment includes facilities that
prepare film and video material for mass publication on DVD-Video
discs. It includes film and television studios and production
companies and other content owners as well as top flight
independent video post production facilities which provide
services to such content holders. Customers in this segment tend
to cluster in major film and video product centers including
Hollywood/Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, London, Paris,
Tokyo, Taipei, etc. Customers in this segment demand the very
highest quality in terms of processing output, strict adherence
to standards, and are very concerned with the overall efficiency
of production since projects are often produced on tight
schedules. Parallel production techniques are often employed by
customers in this segment to speed production. We estimate that
there are a few thousand facilities and organizations in this
segment, worldwide.
. "Corporate" Segment - Customers in this segment prepare DVD-Video
discs for publishing a variety of kinds of information for sales,
training, and other communications purposes. The segment includes
"in-house" departments of corporate, industrial, non-profit or
educational organizations, or independent facilities who
specialize in assisting such organizations in preparing such
material. Customers in this segment are typically somewhat more
budget constrained than customers in the "Hollywood" segment
(though in certain instances production values and budgets equal
or even exceed those typically encountered in the Hollywood
segment). They tend to be geographically more dispersed. While
efficiency of production is a key requirement of such customers,
compatibility with other, existing recording and post-production
equipment is a major concern of customers in this segment. This
segment is only now beginning to adopt DVD, though given the
spread of DVD-ROM in the Personal Computer industry, many
industry observers predict rapid growth in the use of DVD in this
segment. We estimate that there are potentially more than 100,000
facilities and organizations in this segment on a worldwide
basis.
. "Multimedia" Segment - This segment includes developers of
multimedia entertainment and educational titles intended for a
mass audience. Many of the organizations in this segment
previously were involved in the production of CD-ROM, CD-I, and
computer based interactive entertainment or educational titles.
Customers in this segment tend to use DVD in conjunction with
specialized computer software, and accordingly their needs are
more varied than those in the other segments. While relatively
few organizations in this segment have moved to DVD, industry
observers report a high level of interest in the DVD format. We
estimate that there are approximately 15,000 organizations that
might ultimately become involved in DVD-based production in this
segment.
DVD Creator is sold to professional audio and video facilities, production
studios, as well as CD/DVD plants and corporate customers. As of March 31, 1999
Sonic had shipped over 500 DVD Creator systems to customers in various locations
around the world (not all customers purchased all three subsystems of DVD
Creator).
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Competition
The DVD-Video format has generated significant interest among professional
system suppliers. A number of companies currently provide MPEG-2 video encoding
capabilities, audio encoding capabilities and authoring systems for the
professional user. We believe that more companies will participate in this
market in the future.
A number of companies compete with all or part of our DVD Creator offering.
Our competitors include: Astarte, C-Cube Microsystems, Daikin Industries,
Digital Vision, Dolby Laboratories, FutureTel, Innovacom, Intec, Lucent,
Matsushita, Minerva Systems, Mitsubishi, Optibase, Philips, Pioneer, Sony,
Spruce Technologies, and Toshiba, among others. A number of these companies
have financial or organizational resources significantly greater than ours
and/or greater familiarity with certain technologies involved in DVD
premastering solutions.
Strategy
We expect that our DVD related business will account for an increasing
portion of our overall business in the future. Our DVD strategy will continue
to be based on the following elements:
. Focus on Professional Applications -- Our DVD product and service
offerings are focused on video and audio professionals whose
primary concern is producing the highest quality DVD discs, in
complete compliance with worldwide standards, with a high level
of efficiency. We will continue to evolve DVD-related
premastering tools which are fully compatible with "industry-
standard" input formats and typical professional video and audio
equipment sets.
. High Performance Tools -- Our DVD tools will offer professional
users the highest levels of performance, both in terms of power
and sophistication of processing, and in terms of maximizing
facility efficiency.
. Flexible Configurations -- Because DVD premastering is relatively
new and still evolving, the balance of capabilities in typical
DVD premastering settings, and the typical workflow involved in
generating a DVD title are still in flux. We have engineered DVD
Creator as a "workgroup" solution incorporating modular audio,
video and authoring subsystems to make it easy for facilities to
re-arrange DVD workflow quickly, and to comply easily with
changing demands in the DVD universe. We plan to continue to
implement this philosophy in future DVD product
. Range of Product Offerings -- DVD has a number of potential uses,
including applications in corporate and industrial settings, and
in "prosumer" and consumer venues, as well as in delivery of mass
entertainment such as feature films, videos, and recorded music.
We plan to evolve each element of its DVD premastering tool set
-- video, audio and authoring -- to specifically address the
specialized needs of such emerging segments. Please see the
discussion regarding "DVDit!" below.
DVDit!
At the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in April, 1999 we
introduced a new DVD authoring product line, called DVDit!. DVDit! is designed
as a highly simplified interactive video authoring tool that can output a DVD
image, or can output the same program in other formats such as Video CD, HTML
web page, or a non-standard runtime image.
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We announced two versions of DVDit! -- a standard version and a more
limited "LE" version.
We introduced DVDit! to position Sonic to take advantage of certain
significant trends:
. Proliferation of MPEG -- Due to certain introductions by chip
makers, relatively high quality MPEG encoding systems will become
widely available during the remainder of 1999 and in 2000 at
prices ranging down to a few hundred dollars at retail. Many of
these systems will support direct transcoding from DV video to
MPEG video.
. Availability of Accessible DVD Recording -- Until recently DVD
recorders were high priced, and supported less than a full sized
disc. In the summer of 1999, we anticipate that full-image, more
reasonably priced DVD recorders will become available, and that a
DVD-R/W format will be introduced to supplement DVD-R. We believe
that DVD recording devices will eventually be as cheap as current
day CD-R and CD-R/W devices (which currently are available for
under $200 and $300, respectively). But because of the rapid
deployment of DVD, we think that consumer level pricing will be
reached in two years rather than the eight required for
recordable CD's.
. Ubiquitous Digital Video -- Relatively high quality digital video
camera/recorders based on the DV format were introduced in the
past two years. In 1999 virtually every manufacturer of
professional and prosumer video editing systems is intending to
release DV compatible systems.
. Rapid Growth in DVD Playback Units -- By the end of 1998
approximately 8 million DVD-Video playback units (including both
set-top players and DVD-equipped multimedia PCs) had been
installed worldwide, according to industry sources. By the end of
1999, this installed base is forecasted to have grown to more
than 40 million units.
We plan to execute a bundling strategy with DVDit! We will conclude
bundling agreements with OEM partners to include copies of DVDit!-LE with their
products. We will then offer upgrades to the full DVDit! version over the web.
We may also offer DVDit! through conventional computer industry resale channels.
We have designed DVDit! to be highly compatible with our professional DVD
Creator offering. DVDit! systems can output authoring scripts which can be
uploaded for professional finishing in one of our DVD Creator systems. We
anticipate bundling copies of DVDit! with our DVD Creator systems so that our
professional customers can seed their clients with DVDit! copies to leverage
their professional DVD business.
OEM Customers; Sales Concentration
We generally market our products to end users as Sonic Solutions products.
However, from time to time we have concluded various "OEM" agreements with other
companies, in which those companies included our products as part of the their
product offerings. At the present time we have one significant OEM relationship
with Discreet Logic ("Discreet"), now a division of Autodesk, in which we
provide audio subsystems for use with some of their high end video effects and
editing workstations. Sales to Discreet amounted to 10% of total revenues in
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and 11% of total revenues in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1999. Although we consider our relations with Discreet to
be good, we anticipate that at some point in the next two fiscal years, Discreet
may implement changes to its product line replacing or eliminating our
subsystems.
12
Apart from sales to Discreet, no other single customer accounted for more
than 10% of our total revenue during each of the past three fiscal years.
Macintosh Dependence
All of our current professional products operate on Macintosh computers
marketed by Apple Computer. Because of this our business would be particularly
at risk if there was an interruption in the supply of Macintosh computers either
because of operational or financial or other business problems at Apple. Our
business would also be threatened if Apple made changes to the operating system
software or hardware of the Macintosh line that led to compatibility problems
with our hardware or software.
COMPANY OPERATIONS
Marketing, Sales and Distribution
Marketing and Product Management
Our marketing organization plans and manages development of our products
and manages promotion of them in the market. We currently have seven employees
in marketing, all based in our headquarters office in Novato, California,
including product marketing managers, public relations and design staff.
Field Sales Force
We sell our professional workstation products through our field sales force
in combination with a network of professional audio/video dealers. We currently
employ 19 people in our field sales organization. Sales personnel are based in
our headquarters office in Novato, California as well as at our offices in
London (covering Europe) and in Tokyo (covering the Pacific Rim). We have other
sales personnel based out of home offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles,
Shanghai, and New York City. Our field sales force includes sales managers and
sales engineers. Most of our field sales personnel operate under compensation
arrangements in which a substantial portion of their target compensation is
contingent upon performance relative to revenue targets.
Although all members of our sales organization are familiar with all of our
workstation products, some of our sales personnel focus on DVD Creator products,
and some focus on SonicStudio products.
Dealers
The vast majority of our workstation sales involve one of our dealers.
Dealers play an important role in our sales and support efforts. They stimulate
demand in their regions, they prospect for and qualify potential new customers,
they give product demonstrations, they close sales, and they assist in post-sale
installation, training and support. Dealers very often sell peripheral
equipment along with our Sonic products so that customers can obtain a complete
workstation configuration from one source.
We have dealers in most areas of the world. We generally do not grant
contractual exclusivity to our dealers, though as a matter of practice,
depending on the dealer's territory and competence, we may maintain only one
dealer in a particular region.
13
Recruiting and maintaining dealers can be a difficult process. Because our
products are sophisticated, our dealers need to be technically proficient and
very familiar with professional audio and video production work. Dealer
organizations sometimes have limited financial resources, and may experience
business reversals for reasons unrelated to our product lines. The attractive
dealers in a region may be carrying competing products.
Our dealers are specialized to some extent by product line. Many
SonicStudio dealers do not carry DVD Creator products, and likewise many DVD
Creator dealers do not carry SonicStudio products. There are some dealers who
carry both lines. The following table shows our current dealer count by product
line and region of the world:
---------------------------------------------
Sonic DVD
Region Studio Creator Total*
---------------------------------------------
Americas 22 21 34
---------------------------------------------
Europe 33 21 26
---------------------------------------------
Pacific Rim 11 15 23
---------------------------------------------
* Note: "Total" is less than the sum of SonicStudio and DVD Creator
dealers because one dealer organization sometimes covers both product lines.
Employees
At March 31, 1999, we employed 87 full-time-equivalent employees, including
37 in marketing, sales and customer support, 30 in software and hardware
engineering, 10 in manufacturing and 10 in administration and finance. To a
very great degree our success in the future will depend on our ability to
recruit, retain and motivate engineering, technical, sales, marketing and
operations professionals. Recently the U.S. labor market has been quite tight,
and demand for high technology professionals has been very strong. To make
matters worse, our company participates in what is perceived to be a "hot" area
of the "high tech" industry. We have found that recruiting high caliber
individuals is difficult and have had to expend considerable efforts in this
area.
No labor unions represent any of our employees.
We have never experienced a work stoppage, slowdown or strike. We believe
that our employee relations are good.
Customer Support
Customer support is important to professional users. This is why we offer
our customers the SonicCare maintenance program. Customers purchase annual
SonicCare service contracts from us that provide for ongoing software upgrades,
telephone support, "swap" replacement hardware in case of hardware failure and
preferential access to new products and new versions of software. Customers
typically add a SonicCare option to their initial system purchase and a
significant portion of customers renews SonicCare yearly.
To administer SonicCare, we employ a staff of product support specialists
at our Novato headquarters and in our field offices. We provide unlimited
telephone support during scheduled support hours to all customers under
SonicCare. Customer support calls also provide us with an important means of
understanding customer requirements for future product enhancements. We also
undertake regular customer calling
14
programs in which customers are contacted by a customer support representative
to assess their level of satisfaction and to acquaint them with new product
offerings.
Research and Development
Our research and development staff includes a total of 30 hardware and
software engineers and technicians and technical specialists. We tend to hire
research and development personnel with backgrounds in digital audio signal
processing, digital video image processing, distributed networking, and computer
systems design. Our development team exhibits a number of technology
capabilities including the following that we believe are particularly important
in light of our strategy and market position:
. Digital Signal Processing - This is the term used to describe the
sophisticated mathematical processing by which aural and visual
signals are processed in computer based settings. Our engineering
team includes individuals experienced at providing sophisticated
digital signal processing solutions to meet the quality and
performance requirements of audio and video professionals.
. Real Time Architectures - Our engineers are experienced in
dealing with the requirements of high bandwidth, real time data
in computer-based settings. We believe that has helped us to
develop products that provide cost effective solutions for
professional applications.
. Craft Familiarity - Our engineers are experienced in the needs
and work patterns of audio, film and video professionals. This
helps us develop products which can be adopted more quickly by
creative audio and video professionals.
Backlog
We schedule our production of products based on our projections of customer
demand, and we generally ship products within a few days of acceptance of a
customer purchase order, so at any given time we have little or no order
backlog. With few exceptions, customers may cancel or delay orders with little
or no penalty. Thus, even to the extent that we have backlog we do not think
that it is a reliable indicator of future revenue levels.
Manufacturing and Suppliers
How We Manufacture
We have typically contracted with various electronics manufacturing and
assembly houses to manufacture the hardware components of our products. Most
of these contractors are located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our staff
performs final assembly, integration and testing at our Novato, California
headquarters.
Sole-Sourced Components
We utilize a number of components in our products that are available from
only a single source. We purchase these sole-source components from time to
time, that is, we do not carry significant inventories of these components and
we have no guaranteed supply agreements for them. We have experienced shortages
of
15
some sole-sourced components in the past. We are likely to experience similar
shortages at some point in the future. Such shortages can have a significant
negative impact on our business.
Outsourcing
Over the past two years, we have shifted our hardware manufacturing to an
"outsourcing" approach. Under outsourcing we contract with a single partner
organization which takes responsibility for procuring parts, and for
manufacturing them into completed, tested assemblies which are then released to
us according to our instructions. Our current outsourcing arrangement is with
Time/Avnet. We believe that outsourcing provides us with increased flexibility
to increase or decrease production, and allows us to operate our business with
substantially reduced inventories thereby reducing financing requirements.
During the 1999 fiscal year, we produced approximately 85% of our hardware via
outsourcing. We plan to continue this outsourcing approach indefinitely.
While we believe that outsourcing is advantageous for Sonic, this makes us
very dependent on a single production source. Financial, operational, or supply
problems encountered by our outsourcing partner or its sub-contractors could
seriously hamper or interrupt our ability to manufacture and sell our products.
Proprietary Rights
General Approach
We rely on a combination of trade secret, copyright law, trademark law,
contracts and technical measures to establish and protect our proprietary rights
in our products. We generally sell our products subject to standard purchase
and license agreements that restrict unauthorized disclosure of our proprietary
software and designs, or copying for purposes other than the use intended when
the product is sold.
Patents
We have applied in the United States for patents covering certain of our
technologies and will probably apply for more in the future. We will probably
also apply for foreign patents. We have been granted U.S. Patent No. 5812790:
"Variable encoding rate plan generation" covering certain aspects of MPEG-2
Video encoding technology, and may be granted additional patents in the future.
Of course, we can't be sure that our current or future patent applications will
be granted. Nor can we be certain that we can successfully prosecute claims
against others based on our patents, or defend our patents against the claims of
others. We believe that becoming involved in patent litigation can be quite
expensive, and is highly uncertain in terms of outcome.
The status of patent protection in our industry is not well defined
particularly as it relates to software and signal processing algorithms. In the
past several years there seems to have been a trend on the part of patent
authorities to grant patents in audio and video processing techniques with
increasing liberality. We believe that it is quite possible that some of our
present or future products may infringe issued or yet to be issued patents. It
is almost certain that we will be asked by patent holders to respond
to infringement claims. If such patents were held to be valid, and if they
covered a portion of our technology for which there was no ready substitute, we
might suffer significant market and financial losses.
Our products involve the use of certain technologies in which the overall
patent situation is acknowledged by most industry observers to be very unclear.
For example, patent coverage and license availability for MPEG-2 video encoding
and decoding is currently quite uncertain. While one group of
16
companies has attempted to create a single licensing entity for this technology
(called "MPEG/LA"), not all relevant patent holding companies have joined this
entity. We plan to continue to monitor this area and to act prudently to avoid
needless litigation and entanglements while continuing to offer our products.
Trade Secrets
We rely to a great extent on the protection the law gives to trade secrets
to protect our proprietary technology. Our policy is to request confidentiality
agreements from all of our employees and key consultants, and we regularly enter
into confidentiality agreements with other companies with whom we discuss any
Sonic proprietary technology.
Despite trade secret protection, we cannot be sure that third parties will
not independently develop the same or similar technologies. Despite contract
and procedural measures, we believe that it is practically impossible to guard
against unauthorized disclosure or misuse of technology to which we have granted
third parties access. We have significant international operations. Many
foreign countries, in law or in practice, do not extend the same level of
protection to trade secrets as does U.S. law.
Current Infringement Issues
In the past we have been advised of various infringements of patents and
trademarks. We do not believe that in any such situation currently known to us
we are at risk of material loss or serious interruption of our business. We may
be incorrect in this assessment, of course.
Geographic Exposure
We have for many years realized a significant proportion of our revenues
from sales outside the United States. In some fiscal quarters non-U.S. revenue
has constituted as much as 52% of our revenues. In the fiscal year ended March
31, 1999, 47% of our revenues came from sales outside the United States. We
believe that it is quite likely that at some points in the future an even higher
percentage of our sales will be generated outside the United States.
Because of our foreign sales, Sonic is exposed to a number of factors that
would not be relevant if our sales were largely made within the United States.
Currency movements which make the U.S. dollar stronger relative to foreign
currencies can effectively raise the price of our products to foreign customers,
reducing demand for our products. Import restrictions, tariffs, and foreign
product regulations (particularly those dealing with product safety and RF
emissions) may also impede our ability to do business in foreign countries.
Engagement of Advisor
From time to time we have considered various strategic partnerships with
other companies. In some cases we have considered whether it would be advisable
for our Company to combine with other companies, either through merger, or
through a combination transaction in which Sonic acquires or is acquired by
another company. From time to time we have retained the services of
professional organizations to assist us in our analysis. At the present time we
have engaged Volpe, Brown, Whelan & Company to assist us in evaluating such
transactions. During the term of this engagement, should we decide to pursue
such a combination transaction, Volpe Brown Whelan & Company would act as our
exclusive representatives under a specified fee arrangement.
17
Item 2. PROPERTIES
Sonic's principal administrative, sales and marketing, research and
development and support facility is located at 101 Rowland Way in Novato,
California and consists of approximately 30,000 square feet under a lease which
expires in 2001.
Sonic also has sales offices located in London and Tokyo.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the
Company did not submit any matters to a vote of its security holders.
Supplemental Item. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The executive officers of Sonic Solutions and their ages as of March 31,
1999 are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
Robert J. Doris 46 President (Chief Executive Officer) and
Director
Mary C. Sauer 46 Senior Vice President of Business
Development and Director
A. Clay Leighton 42 Senior Vice President Worldwide
Operations, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
Christopher A. Kryzan 40 Senior Vice President of Engineering and
Marketing
Mr. Doris is married to Ms. Sauer. There are no other family relationships
between any director or executive officer of Sonic Solutions.
ROBERT J. DORIS. Mr. Doris founded Sonic Solutions in 1986 and has served
as President and Director of Sonic Solutions since that time. Prior to 1986 he
was President of The Droid Works, a subsidiary of Lucasfilm Ltd., which produced
computer-based video and digital audio systems for the film and television post-
production and music recording industries. Prior to founding The Droid Works,
Mr. Doris was a Vice
18
President of Lucasfilm and General Manager of the Lucasfilm Computer Division.
Mr. Doris received B.A., J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Harvard University. Mr.
Doris is married to Ms. Sauer.
MARY C. SAUER. Ms. Sauer founded Sonic Solutions in 1986 and has served as
a Vice President and Director of Sonic Solutions since that time. Ms. Sauer
became Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales in February 1993. Prior to
1986, Ms. Sauer was Vice President of Marketing for The Droid Works and prior to
joining The Droid Works, Ms. Sauer was Director of Marketing for the Lucasfilm
Computer Division. Ms. Sauer received an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from
the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.F.A. from
Washington University in St. Louis. Ms. Sauer is married to Mr. Doris.
A. CLAY LEIGHTON. Mr. Leighton joined Sonic Solutions in February 1993 as
Vice President of Finance. In January, 1999, Mr. Leighton was named Senior Vice
President of Worldwide Operations and Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
Prior to joining Sonic, from January 1990 to July 1992 he was Vice President,
Finance and CFO for RESNA Industries Inc., an environmental services firm, and
from August 1988 to December 1989 he was Vice President, Finance and CFO for
Command Data Systems, a software company specializing in software for the public
safety market. Mr. Leighton has also worked as strategy consultant for the
Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Leighton received a B.A. from Wesleyan University
and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth
College.
CHRISTOPHER A. KRYZAN. Mr. Kryzan joined Sonic Solutions in March 1996 as
Vice President of Marketing. In January, 1999, Mr. Kryzan was named Senior Vice
President of Marketing and Engineering. Prior to joining Sonic, from July 1990
to April 1994, he was Director of Marketing at SuperMac Technology, a graphics
and digital video technology firm, and General Manager of E-Machines, a
subsidiary of SuperMac. From January 1986 to July 1990, he was Director of
Product Marketing at Wyse Technology, a manufacturer of terminals and personal
computers, and Nation Sales Manager of Amdek, a subsidiary of Wyse. Mr. Kryzan
also worked as a strategy and marketing consultant. Mr. Kryzan received a B.S.
in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from Santa
Clara University.
19
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR SONIC SOLUTIONS' COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
Sonic Solutions' common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market. As
of March 31, 1999 there were approximately 175 registered holders of Sonic
Solutions' common stock. Sonic Solutions believes, however, that many
beneficial holders of its common stock have registered their shares in nominee
or street name, and that there are substantially more than 175 beneficial
owners. The low price and high price of Sonic Solutions' common stock during
the last eight quarters, are as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Low Price High Price
--------- ----------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter ended June 30, 1997........... $5.000 $ 6.750
Quarter ended September 30, 1997...... $5.000 $10.625
Quarter ended December 31, 1997....... $4.375 $10.250
Quarter ended March 31, 1998.......... $2.250 $ 3.750
Quarter ended June 30, 1998........... $2.125 $ 5.250
Quarter ended September 30, 1998...... $1.250 $ 3.250
Quarter ended December 31, 1998....... $1.500 $ 7.375
Quarter ended March 31, 1999.......... $3.563 $ 8.438
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sonic Solutions has not paid any dividends on its Common Stock during the
periods set forth above. It is presently the policy of the Board of Directors
to retain earnings for use in expanding and developing Sonic Solutions'
business. Accordingly, Sonic Solutions does not anticipate paying dividends on
the Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
20
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial data of Sonic Solutions
for each of the years in the five year period ended March 31, 1999. The
selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Financial
Statements and Notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this
document. The financial statements for the periods ended March 31, 1995, 1996,
1997, 1998 and 1999 have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent certified public
accountants.
Years Ended March 31,
-----------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(in thousands except share amounts)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenue.................................... 20,154 13,944 15,911 19,881 21,899
Cost of revenue................................ 7,676 7,344 7,432 10,209 9,547
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Gross profit................................... 12,478 6,600 8,479 9,672 12,352
Operating expenses:
Marketing and sales........................... 5,198 5,873 6,000 7,257 7,216
Research and development...................... 2,417 2,961 5,737 6,037 5,137
General and administrative.................... 1,627 2,668 1,837 1,603 1,556
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total operating expenses....................... 9,242 11,502 13,574 14,897 13,909
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Operating income (loss)........................ 3,236 (4,902) (5,095) (5,225) (1,557)
Other income (expense)......................... 298 176 (96) (651) (302)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes........... 1,000 (1,169) - - -
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net income (loss).............................. 2,534 (3,557) (5,191) (5,876) (1,859)
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Basic income (loss) per share.................. 0.35 (0.48) (0.69) (0.76) (0.21)
Weighted average shares used in computing per
share amounts................................. 7,351 7,447 7,542 7,761 8,896
Diluted income (loss) per share................ 0.33 (0.48) (0.69) (0.76) (0.21)
Weighted average shares used in computing per
share amounts.................................. 7,726 7,447 7,542 7,761 8,896
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital................................ 13,529 8,384 6,263 1,164 1,167
Total assets................................... 21,712 16,107 15,889 12,630 13,765
Shareholders' equity........................... 16,332 12,912 8,430 5,418 5,932
21
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW; CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAKE FUTURE RESULTS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT; CERTAIN
ITEMS TO REMEMBER WHEN READING OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our quarterly operating results vary significantly depending on the timing
of new product introductions and enhancements by ourselves and by our
competitors. Our results also depend on the volume and timing of orders which
are difficult to forecast. Because our customers generally order on an as-
needed basis, and we normally ship products within one week after receipt of an
order, we don't have an order backlog which can assist us in forecasting
results. For all these reasons, our results of operations for any quarter are a
poor indicator of the results to be expected in any future quarter.
A large portion of our quarterly revenue is usually generated in the last
few weeks of the quarter. Since our ongoing operating expenses are relatively
fixed, and we plan our expenditures based primarily on sales forecasts, if
revenue generated in the last few weeks of a quarter do not meet our forecast,
operating results can be very negatively affected.
We capitalize a portion of our software development costs in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 86. Such capitalized costs
are amortized to cost of revenue over the estimated economic life of the
product, which is generally three years. See Note 4 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
22
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth certain items from Sonic Solutions'
statements of operations as a percentage of net revenue for fiscal years 1997
through 1999:
Years ended March 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
---------- ---------- ----------
Net revenue 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of revenue 46.7 51.4 43.6
------ ------ -----
Gross profit 53.3 48.6 56.4
Operating expenses:
Marketing and sales 37.7 36.5 33.0
Research and development 36.1 30.4 23.5
General and administrative 11.5 8.0 7.0
------ ------ -----
Total operating expenses 85.3 74.9 63.5
------ ------ -----
Operating loss (32.0) (26.3) (7.1)
Other expense (0.6) (3.3) (1.4)
------ ------ -----
Net loss (32.6)% (29.6)% (8.5)%
====== ====== =====
COMPARISON OF FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
Net Revenue. Our net revenue increased from $15,911,000 in fiscal 1997 to
$19,881,000 in fiscal 1998 and to $21,899,000 in fiscal 1999, representing an
increase of 24.5% from fiscal 1997 to fiscal 1998 and 10.2% from fiscal 1998 to
fiscal 1999. The increase in fiscal 1998 was due mostly to the increased sales
of DVD Creator systems, offset partially by the decline in Sonic MediaNet (a
discontinued network product)and SonicStudio sales. The increase in fiscal 1999
was primarily due to increased sales of DVD Creator systems.
International sales accounted for 45%, 52% and 47% of our net revenue for
the 1997, 1998, and 1999 fiscal years, respectively. See Note 10 of Notes to
Financial Statements. Our international sales increased proportionally in
fiscal 1998 primarily due to increased sales of DVD Creator outside the United
States, depending on the rollout of the DVD-Video format in certain non-U.S.
markets. Our international sales decreased proportionally in fiscal 1999
primarily due to the increased sales of DVD Creator systems in the U.S.
markets. International sales have historically represented around 50% of our
total sales, and we expect that they will continue to represent a significant
percentage of future revenue.
Cost of Revenue. Our cost of revenue increased from 46.7% of net revenue
in fiscal 1997 to 51.4% in fiscal 1998 and decreased to 43.6% in fiscal 1999.
The increase for fiscal year 1998 was primarily due to approximately $981,000 of
additional charges, based upon our decisions to write-down inventory and
capitalized software related to discontinued and slower selling product lines.
The decrease in cost of revenue in fiscal year 1999 is due to an absence of
charges like those recorded in fiscal 1998, plus a shift in sales product mix
towards DVD Creator system sales as well as the efficiencies inherent in a
higher overall level of sales.
Marketing and Sales. Our marketing and sales expenses increased from
$6,000,000 in fiscal 1997 to $7,257,000 in fiscal 1998 and decreased to
$7,216,000 in fiscal 1999. Marketing and sales represented 37.7%, 36.5% and
33.0% of net revenue for fiscal 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Our
marketing and sales headcount decreased from thirty-four at March 31, 1997 to
twenty-eight at March 31, 1998 and increased to thirty-seven at March 31, 1999.
Our marketing and sales expenses increased primarily due to increases in
advertising and marketing costs related to our DVD Creator product line as well
as increased sales commission
23
expense. In fiscal 1999 marketing and sales expense decreased because our
commission expenses decreased. This was due primarily due to a shift in sales
into dealer channels (we generally do not pay commissions to dealers for sales
of our products; instead the dealers' compensation is derived from the markup
they apply to our products).
Research and Development. Our research and development expenses increased
from $5,737,000 in fiscal 1997 to $6,037,000 in fiscal 1998 and decreased to
$5,137,000 in fiscal 1999. Our research and development expense as a percentage
of net revenue was 36.1% in fiscal 1997, 30.4% in fiscal 1998, and 23.5% in
fiscal 1999. We capitalize a portion of our software development costs in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 86. (This means
that a portion of the costs we incur for software development are not recorded
as an expense in the period in which they are actually incurred. Instead they
are recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. The amount recorded on our
balance sheet is then amortized over the estimated life of the products in which
the software is included.) Our research and development expenses increased in
fiscal 1998 due to increases in consulting and prototype expenses associated
with introductions of new products in our DVD Creator product line. Research
and development expenses decreased in fiscal 1999 due to decreases in consulting
and prototype expenses associated with new product introductions. Prototype and
consulting expenses can fluctuate significantly from period to period depending
upon the status of hardware and software development projects and our schedule
of new product introductions.
General and Administrative. Our general and administrative expenses
decreased from $1,837,000 in fiscal 1997 to $1,603,000 in fiscal 1998 and to
$1,556,000 in fiscal 1999. These expenses represented 11.5% of net revenue in
fiscal 1997, 8.0% of net revenue in fiscal 1998 and 7.0% of net revenue in
fiscal 1999. Our general and administrative expenses decreased in fiscal 1998
and fiscal 1999 due to reductions in bad debt and other general expenses. Our
general and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of net revenue in
fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1999 because the absolute level of such expenses was
lower, and they were being compared to an increasing level of net revenue. We
anticipate that general and administrative expenses will increase in the future
as costs increase and if our operations expand.
Other Expense, Net. The "Other Expense" item on our statement of
operations includes primarily the net amount of interest or other financing
charges we have incurred due to borrowings reduced by the interest we earn on
cash balances and short term investments. For our 1997, 1998 and 1999 fiscal
years, we incurred interest and other financing charges related to financing
agreements we had with entities associated with Hambrecht & Quist, as well as
borrowings under our bank credit line.
Provision for Income Taxes. In accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, we made no provision for income taxes for our
1997, 1998, and 1999 fiscal years. Under applicable taxation and accounting
rules companies which incur losses are entitled under many conditions to receive
tax refunds, and therefore can record a tax benefit. We did record such a tax
benefit during the 1996 fiscal year. However, during the 1996 fiscal year we
exhausted our ability to carryback tax losses. Thus we recorded no tax benefit
during the 1997, 1998 and 1999 fiscal years.
Liquidity and Capital Resources. In December, 1996 we entered into a Loan
and Security Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank. This Agreement, which we
sometimes refer to as our "bank credit line", has been modified or renewed at
various times since December 1996. The current bank credit line provides for up
to $1,500,000 in available borrowings based upon our eligible accounts
receivable balances. The current bank credit line will expire on July 15, 1999.
We are currently negotiating a new bank credit line with Silicon Valley Bank to
continue until mid-2000. We expect our new bank credit line will include terms
that are quite similar to our current bank credit line This bank credit line
provides for a variety of covenants, including among other things, that we
maintain certain financial ratios. The bank credit line is collateralized by a
security interest in substantially all of our assets. Interest on borrowings
under this agreement is payable monthly at a rate between three-quarters percent
and two and one half percent in excess of the prime rate
24
(prime rate at March 31, 1999 was 7.75%). On March 31, 1999 $500,000 was
outstanding under this agreement. The Company was in compliance with its debt
covenants under this agreement at March 31, 1999.
In December, 1996, we also obtained a $5,100,000 financing facility with
entities associated with Hambrecht & Quist. This facility included subordinated
debt as well as equipment lease financing. We received $3,000,000 of
subordinated debt from Hambrecht & Quist Transition Capital, LLC and $1,100,000
of subordinated debt from Hambrecht & Quist Guaranty Finance, LLC pursuant to
the above facility. The remaining $1,000,000 of the facility was used to fund a
master lease line for financing of future capital asset purchases. The facility
with the Hambrecht & Quist entities is secured by an interest in our fixed
assets and substantially all of our other assets but is subordinate to our bank
credit line. In connection with this financing facility we issued warrants to
purchase 260,200 common shares to entities associated with Hambrecht & Quist.
The Hambrecht & Quist entities were entitled to exercise the warrants with
respect to 130,100 shares at an exercise price of $10.00 at any time on or
before December 24, 2004, and with respect to 130,100 shares at an exercise
price of $7.00 at any time on or after December 24, 1997 and before December 24,
2004. In December, 1997, all of the $7.00 warrants were exercised on a "net"
basis, and the warrant holder received 40,266 shares of common stock. We
recorded $549,000 of deferred interest attributable to the value of the
warrants, which was amortized using the effective interest rate method to
interest expense over the term of the financing facility. The value of the
warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the
following assumptions: volatility of .75, risk free interest rate of 6.3% and
expected life equal to the contractual terms.
In March, 1998, we renegotiated our financing arrangement with Hambrecht &
Quist Guaranty Finance. The agreement we reached involved the restructuring of
$3,000,000 debt into $1,500,000 of convertible preferred stock and $1,500,000 of
debt. The interest rate on such restructured debt is 7.25% and is due in
October 1999. We filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 to register the 461,538 shares of our common stock which underlie
the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued to Hambrecht & Quist Guaranty
Finance. In connection with the agreement, the exercise price of 90,000 of the
$10.00 warrants issued in connection with the original arrangement reached in
December 1996 was changed to $3.25. We accounted for this transaction by
revaluing the new warrant, using comparable assumptions as the original warrant
grant and the resultant value of $90,000 is being amortized to interest expense
over the new loan period. In June, 1998, 90,000 of the $3.25 warrants were
exercised on a "net exercise" basis, and warrant holder received 29,691 shares
of common stock. During the 1999 fiscal year 167,500 shares of the Preferred
Stock were converted into common stock.
In December, 1997, we secured a $7,000,000 equity-based line of credit by
entering into a stock purchase agreement with Kingsbridge Capital Ltd.
("Kingsbridge". Under this arrangement, we had the right to draw up to a total
of $7,000,000 in cash in exchange for common stock. Pricing of the common stock
issued was based on the market price of Sonic Solutions' common stock at the
time of a draw subject to a 14% discount and a 4% commission payable in common
stock. The availability of the credit line, and the amounts and timing of draws
under the line were subject to a number of conditions. In January, 1998, we
filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 to
register the resale of shares issued under this credit line. During the quarter
and fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, we drew $1,450,000 from this credit line
for which we issued 606,130 shares of common stock to Kingsbridge and 12,000
shares to Trinity Capital Advisors. During the fiscal year ended March 31,
1999, we drew an additional $2,358,000 from this credit line for which we issued
903,870 shares of common stock. Because of certain limitations on the total
number of shares which can be issued under this line of credit, this facility is
currently unavailable to us.
On May 20, 1999, we secured a new equity-based line of credit by entering
into a new stock purchase agreement with Kingsbridge. Under the new
arrangement, we may draw up to $12,000,000 in cash in exchange for common stock.
Pricing of the common stock issued under this arrangement is based on the market
price of our common stock at the time of a draw, subject to a 10% to 12%
discount and a 2%
25
commission. On May 27, 1999, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 to
register for resale the shares we may issue to Kingsbridge under this credit
line. Our use of this new line is subject to a number of conditions, including
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. More details concerning the
terms and conditions governing this arrangement are available in the
Registration Statement. We anticipate that the Registration Statement will
become effective and that the new credit line will become available to us in the
third calendar quarter of 1999. However, there can be no assurance that the
Registration Statement will become effective or that other conditions governing
the use of the new line will be satisfied. Thus there can be no assurance that
any proceeds will become available to us under the new line at any time in the
future.
Our operating activities have used cash of $34,000 in fiscal year 1997,
$1,412,000 in fiscal year 1998 and $124,000 in fiscal 1999. During those fiscal
years cash required by operating activities was not as great as our operating
losses due to various factors, including improvements in receivables collection
and inventory turnover, and the receipt of income tax refunds in certain fiscal
years. In addition to our operating losses, we utilized cash during the 1997,
1998, and 1999 fiscal years to purchase new fixed assets, and to develop and
purchase software that was added to capitalized software.
During fiscal year 1997 we augmented cash on hand with the proceeds of the
subordinated debt facility with entities associated with Hambrecht & Quist noted
above. During fiscal 1998 we augmented cash on hand via borrowings from our
bank credit line described above, as well as draws on the equity credit line
described above. During the 1999 fiscal year we augmented cash on hand
primarily by drawing on the equity credit line described above.
We believe that existing cash, cash equivalents and short term investments,
available credit and cash generated from operations, plus cash available through
the new equity based line of credit with Kingsbridge (when and if it becomes
available-see discussion above) will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements
at least through the end of fiscal year 2000.
As of March 31, 1999, Sonic Solutions had cash and cash equivalents of
$2,414,000 and working capital of $1,167,000.
Impact of Year 2000 Issue: The year 2000 issue is the result of computer
programs being written using two digits rather than four to represent the
applicable year in a date. Any of our computer programs that have date-
sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 (or some
other year) rather than the year 2000. This could potentially result in a system
failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations, including, among
other things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or
engage in other similar normal business activities.
We are heavily dependent upon the proper functioning of our own computer or
data-dependent systems. These include our systems in information, business,
finance, operations, manufacturing and customer service. Any failure or
malfunctioning on the part of these or other systems could adversely affect our
business in ways that are not currently known, discernable, quantifiable or
otherwise anticipated by us.
We have ensured that our internal software and embedded technology is
already Year 2000 compliant. Thus, we do not expect this issue to have a
material effect on our operations. We also believe that all current versions of
our products are Year 2000 compliant.
We currently have only limited information on Year 2000 compliance of our
key suppliers and customers. We have received confirmation from a primary
supplier that it is Year 2000 compliant. We are currently surveying our key
suppliers and customers for Year 2000 compliance and will be developing our own
contingency plan in case of suppliers failures. We anticipate that these
surveys and the development of our contingency plan should be completed by
September, 1999. The operations of our key suppliers and
26
customers could be adversely affected by the Year 2000 problem, which could
cause significant problems in our business.
A survey of our leased properties and facilities, including vendors
providing power, local and long distance telecommunications, water, heating and
cooling, and various services to determine the status of embedded technology
equipment that could affect our operations, will be conducted within the next
few months. Temporary disruption of our manufacturing, customer service, sales
and marketing, research and development and administrative functions may occur
as a result of vendors' non-compliance affecting the delivery of power,
telecommunications, water and heating and cooling services.
We believe we are taking the steps necessary to understand the Year 2000
issues; however, failure to adequately address all known and unknown Year 2000
compliance issues could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financing condition and results of operations. The remaining Year 2000
compliance activities are not expected to result in significant incremental
operating expenses. To date, we have not incurred significant incremental costs
to become Year 2000 compliant.
Forward Looking Statements. Certain statements in this Report, including
statements contained under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations", constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of Sonic Solutions to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements express or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to the following: general
economic and business conditions; charges and costs related to acquisitions; and
the ability of Sonic Solutions to develop and market products for the markets in
which it operates, to successfully integrate its acquired products and services,
to adjust to changes in technology, customer preferences, enhanced competition
and new competitors in the markets in which it operates.
27
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The Report of Independent Auditors, Financial Statements and Notes to Financial
Statements follow on pages 29 through 46.
28
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Sonic Solutions:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Sonic Solutions as of
March 31, 1998 and 1999, and the related statements of operations, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March
31, 1999 and the related financial statement schedule (Item 14(a)(2)). These
financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of
Sonic Solutions' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with 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 provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Sonic Solutions as of March
31, 1998 and 1999 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 1999, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related
financial statement schedule (Item 14(a)(2)), when considered in relation to the
basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein.
KPMG LLP
San Francisco, California
April 26, 1999, except as to note 11 which is as of May 29, 1999
29
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SONIC SOLUTIONS
BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
March 31
-----------------------------
1998 1999
---------- ----------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents...................................................... $ 2,479 2,414
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for returns and doubtful
accounts of $617 and $599 at March 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively............ 3,198 5,403
Inventory...................................................................... 634 807
Refundable income taxes........................................................ 148 -
Prepaid expenses and other current assets...................................... 317 287
-------- -------
Total current assets........................................................... 6,776 8,911
Fixed assets, net................................................................... 2,766 2,313
Purchased and internally developed software costs, net.............................. 2,944 2,385
Other assets........................................................................ 144 156
-------- -------
Total assets.................................................................. $ 12,630 13,765
======== =======
Liabilities And Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities......................................... $ 3,315 4,359
Bank note payable................................................................ 500 500
Deferred revenue and deposits.................................................... 1,036 1,318
Subordinated debt, current portion............................................... 623 1,419
Current portion of obligations under capital leases.............................. 138 148
-------- -------
Total current liabilities........................................................ 5,612 7,744
Subordinated debt, net of current portion........................................... 1,364 -
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion............................ 236 89
-------- -------
Total liabilities................................................................ 7,212 7,833
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' Equity
Convertible preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized:
461,538 and 294,038 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 1998, and
1999, respectively.............................................................. 1,500 956
Common stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,302,230 and
9,468,123 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 1998 and 1999,
respectively.................................................................... 15,204 18,121
Accumulated deficit............................................................... (11,286) (13,145)
-------- -------
Total shareholders' equity...................................................... 5,418 5,932
-------- -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity...................................... $ 12,630 13,765
======== =======
See accompanying notes to financial statements
30
SONIC SOLUTIONS
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Years Ended March 31,
---------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
---------- --------- ---------
Net revenue................................................................ $ 15,911 19,881 21,899
Cost of revenue............................................................ 7,432 10,209 9,547
---------- --------- ---------
Gross profit............................................................... 8,479 9,672 12,352
---------- --------- ---------
Operating expenses:
Marketing and sales...................................................... 6,000 7,257 7,216
Research and development................................................. 5,737 6,037 5,137
General and administrative............................................... 1,837 1,603 1,556
---------- --------- ---------
Total operating expenses................................................. 13,574 14,897 13,909
---------- --------- ---------
Operating loss........................................................... (5,095) (5,225) (1,557)
Other expense, net......................................................... (96) (651) (302)
---------- --------- ---------
Net loss................................................................. ($ 5,191) (5,876) (1,859)
========== ========= =========
Basic and diluted loss per share applicable to common
shareholders.......................................................... ($ 0.69) (0.76) (0.21)
========== ========= =========
Weighted average shares used in computing per share amounts.............. 7,542 7,761 8,896
========== ========= =========
See accompanying notes to financial statements
31
SONIC SOLUTIONS
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
Unrealized
Preferred stock Common stock Gain (Loss) Total
----------------- ---------------
Accumulated on Shareholders'
Shares Amount Shares Amount deficit Investments Equity
------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ----------- ------
Balances at March 31, 1996..................... --- $ --- 7,494 $13,133 (219) (2) 12,912
Exercise of common stock options............. --- --- 102 158 --- --- 158
Unrealized gain on investments............... --- --- --- --- --- 2 2
Issuance of warrants......................... --- --- --- 549 --- --- 549
Net loss..................................... --- --- --- --- (5,191) --- (5,191)
------- ------ ------ ------- ------- --------- ------
Balances at March 31, 1997..................... --- --- 7,596 13,840 (5,410) --- 8,430
Exercise of common stock options............. --- --- 50 84 --- --- 84
Issuance of preferred stock.................. 462 1,500 --- --- --- --- 1,500
Equity line of credit issuances, net of
issuance costs............................. --- --- 618 1,253 -- --- 1,253
Exercise of warrants......................... --- --- 38 --- --- --- ---
Issuance of warrants......................... --- --- --- 27 --- --- 27
Net loss..................................... --- --- --- --- (5,876) --- (5,876)
------- ------ ------ ------- ------- --------- ------
Balances at March 31, 1998..................... 462 1,500 8,302 15,204 (11,286) --- 5,418
Exercise of common stock options............. --- --- 64 143 --- --- 143
Equity line of credit issuances, net of
issuance costs............................. --- --- 904 2,283 --- --- 2,283
Conversion of preferred stock................ (168) (544) 168 544 --- --- ---
Preferred stock dividends.................... --- --- --- (53) --- --- (53)
Exercise of warrants......................... --- --- 30 --- --- --- ---
Net loss..................................... --- --- --- --- (1,859) --- (1,859)
------- ------ ------ ------- ------- --------- - ------
Balances at March 31, 1999..................... 294 $ 956 9,468 $18,121 (13,145) --- 5,932
======= ====== ====== ======= ======= ========= ======
See accompanying notes to financial statements
32
SONIC SOLUTIONS
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Years Ended March 31,
--------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------- ------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $(5,191) (5,876) (1,859)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,693 2,255 2,621
Provision for returns and doubtful accounts, net of write-offs (1,102) 29 (18)
Interest expense amortization --- 482 60
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 2,098 (122) (2,187)
Inventory 606 641 (173)
Refundable income taxes 1,150 450 148
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (243) 254 30
Other assets 181 (200) (72)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 218 344 1,044
Deferred revenue and deposits 263 331 282
Deferred income taxes 293 --- ---
------- ------ ------
Net cash used in operating activities (34) (1,412) (124)
------- ------ ------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed assets (1,462) (787) (913)
Additions to purchased and internally developed software (1,112) (1,849) (696)
Redemption/maturities of short-term investments 2,108 --- ---
------- ------ ------
Net cash used in investing activities (466) (2,636) (1,609)
------- ------ ------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 158 84 143
Proceeds from issuances of subordinated debt 3,542 --- ---
Repayments of subordinated debt --- (55) (568)
Proceeds from equity line financing --- 1,253 2,283
Borrowings on line of credit --- 500 420
Repayments of line of credit --- --- (420)
Principal payments on capital leases (29) (88) (137)
Payment of dividends --- --- (53)
Issuance of warrants 549 27 ---
------- ------ ------
Net cash provided by financing activities 4,220 1,721 1,668
------- ------ ------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,720 (2,327) (65)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 1,086 4,806 2,479
------- ------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 4,806 2,479 2,414
======= ====== ======
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid during year $ 106 265 71
======= ====== ======
Income taxes paid during year $ --- 13 9
======= ======= ======
Noncash financing and investing activities:
Assets acquired through capital lease $ 270 221 ---
======= ====== ======
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock $ --- --- 544
======= ====== ======
Conversion of subordinated debt to preferred stock $ --- 1,500 ---
======= ====== ======
See accompanying notes to financial statements
33
SONIC SOLUTIONS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999
(1) SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Operations
We develop workstations used by professionals to edit and process audio and
video media. Our products are computer based, and usually include both plug-in
hardware and applications software installed on a personal computer. Our
customers use various kinds of peripheral devices -- for example, disk drives,
streaming tape drives, and audio and video tape recorders -- along with our
products. Although we do not manufacture or sell the personal computer or
peripheral devices used with our products, we typically talk about the complete
configuration of personal computer, Sonic hardware, Sonic software, and
peripherals as a Sonic workstation.
We currently market two workstation product lines: SonicStudio and DVD
Creator. SonicStudio is a line of professional audio workstations that our
customers use to prepare audio for release on digital audio compact discs, for
release with video and film entertainment, and for broadcast on radio. DVD
Creator is a line of DVD-Video/Audio production workstations which supports the
preparation and assembly of video and audio assets for release on the new DVD-
Video disc format and the upcoming DVD-Audio disc format.
Our products generally include application software and specialized
hardware installed on a personal computer. Our products are designed to improve
the productivity and effectiveness of media professionals, enabling them to
process and manipulate more material in a given amount of time and to achieve
results which would have been impossible using traditional linear analog or
digital technology.
(b) Use of Estimates and Certain Concentrations
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
We are dependent on sole-source suppliers for certain key components used
in our products. Sonic Solutions purchases these sole-source components pursuant
to purchase orders placed from time to time. We do not carry significant
inventories of these components, and have no guaranteed supply agreements. Any
extended future interruption or limitation in the supply of any of the
components obtained from a single source could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations.
Our products are primarily compatible with Macintosh personal computers.
Although we plan to introduce new products compatible with other computer
platforms in the future, the financial results of our company could be
materially adversely affected should the industry no longer support the
Macintosh platform prior to the new products release.
34
(c) Revenue Recognition
Revenue is derived from product sales and maintenance contracts. Revenue
from product sales is recognized upon shipment of the products. Revenue from
software maintenance, including maintenance sold with the product, is recognized
on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement, generally one year.
We recognize revenue in accordance with Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2,
"Software Revenue Recognition". The statement provides specific industry
guidance and stipulates that revenue recognized from software arrangements is to
be allocated to each element of the arrangement based on the relative fair
values of the elements, based on objective evidence which is specific to the
vendor. Our adoption of SOP 97-2 on April 1, 1998 did not have a material impact
on revenue recognition.
Revenue from sales to distributors and dealers may be subject to agreements
allowing limited rights of return and exchange. Accordingly, we provide reserves
for estimated future returns and exchanges at the time of the sale as a
reduction of revenue.
In the year ended March 31, 1997 no single customer accounted for more than
10% of revenue. In the years ended March 31, 1998 and 1999, one customer
accounted for 10% and 11%, respectively, of revenue.
Cost of revenue includes hardware product costs, third party hardware
costs, amortization of capitalized software and third party software royalties.
(d) Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly-liquid investments with
original maturities of ninety days or less. Cash equivalents are generally
invested in money market funds.
(e) Inventory
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-
out basis, or market. Inventory consists of raw materials, work in process and
original equipment manufacturer's goods.
(f) Fixed Assets
Fixed assets consist of furniture and equipment and are recorded at cost.
Equipment under capital leases is stated at the present value of minimum lease
payments at the inception of the lease. Depreciation of furniture and equipment
is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of
the respective assets which are generally three to five years. Equipment held
under capital leases is amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the
estimated useful life of the asset.
(g) Purchased and Internally Developed Software Costs
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
86 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or
Otherwise Marketed," purchased software and software product development costs
are capitalized when a product's technological feasibility has been established
and then is amortized over a future period. Amortization begins when a product
is available for general release to customers. Amortization of capitalized
software costs, for both internally developed and purchased software products,
is computed on a straight- line basis over the estimated economic life of the
product, which is generally three years, or on a basis using the ratio of
current revenue to the total of current and anticipated
35
future revenue, whichever is greater. All other research and development
expenditures are charged to research and development expense in the period
incurred.
(h) Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method of
accounting. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
(i) Basic and diluted loss per share
SFAS No. 128 "Earnings Per Share" requires the presentation of basic net
income per share, and for companies with complex capital structures, diluted net
income per share.
The following table sets forth the computations of shares and net loss per
share, applicable to common shareholders used in the calculation of basic and
diluted net loss per share for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 (in
thousands, except per share data):
Years Ended March 31,
----------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
------- ------ ------
Net loss....................................................... ($5,191) (5,876) (1,859)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders....................... -- -- 53
------- ------ ------
Net loss applicable to common shareholders..................... ($5,191) (5,876) (1,912)
======= ====== ======
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding.......... 7,542 7,761 8,896
======= ====== ======
Basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common
shareholders.................................................. ($0.69) (0.76) (0.21)
======= ====== ======
As of March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 potentially dilutive shares totaling
827,699; 2,060,166; and 1,834,502, respectively, for convertible preferred stock
and options with exercise prices less than the average market price that could
dilute basic earnings per share in the future, were not included in earnings per
share as their effect was anti-dilutive for those periods.
(j) Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject our company to
concentrations of credit risk are trade receivables. We manufacture and sell our
products to customers who are primarily audio and video and graphic arts
professionals who prepare sound, video and graphics for use in the music
recording, video, film and broadcast and printing industries or for corporate
in-house use and to dealers who support such customers. Management believes that
any risk of credit loss is significantly reduced due to the diversity of its end
users and their dispersion across many geographic sales areas. We maintain an
allowance for doubtful accounts to provide against potential credit losses.
36
(k) Stock-Based Compensation
Our company has various stock-based compensation plans, as discussed in
Note 7. We have accounted for the effect of our stock based compensation plans
under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued
to Employees". We have elected to adopt only the disclosure based requirements
of SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and as such have
disclosed the pro forma effects on net income (loss) and net income (loss) per
share data as if we had elected to use the fair value approach to account for
all our employee stock-based compensation plans.
(l) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of
We account for long-lived assets, including intangibles, at amortized cost.
As part of our ongoing review of the valuation and amortization of long-lived
assets, we assess the carrying value of such assets if the facts and
circumstances suggest that they may be impaired. As a result, we have determined
that our long-lived assets are not impaired as of March 31, 1999 and 1998.
(m) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative instruments and hedging activities". Sonic Solutions
is required to adopt SFAS No. 133 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2001.
Sonic Solutions does not anticipate that SFAS No. 133 will have a material
impact on its financial statements.
In December 1998, the AICPA issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-9,
"Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain
Transactions". This amendment clarified the specification of what was considered
vendor specific objective evidence of fair value for the various elements in a
multiple element arrangement. SOP 98-9 is effective for all transactions entered
into by the Company in fiscal year 2000. The adoption of this statement is not
expected to have a material impact on the Company's operating results, financing
position, or cash flows.
(n) Comprehensive Income
SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for the reporting and disclosure of
comprehensive income and its components which will be presented in association
with our company's financial statements. Comprehensive income is defined as the
change in a business enterprise's equity during a period arising from
transactions, events or circumstances relating to nonowner sources, such as
foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or losses on
available-for-sale securities. It includes all changes in equity during a period
except those resulting from investments by or distributions to owners. For the
fiscal years ended March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, net income and comprehensive
income were equivalent. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 130 had no impact
on our financial reporting.
(o) Reclassification
Certain amounts in the fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998 financial statements
have been reclassified to conform to the 1999 presentation.
37
(2) INVENTORY
The components of inventory consist of (in thousands):
March 31,
-----------------
1998 1999
------- ------
Raw materials $ 468 603
Work-in-process 130 187
Original equipment manufacturer's goods 36 17
----- ----
$ 634 807
===== ====
(3) FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets consist of (in thousands):
March 31,
----------------------
1998 1999
------- --------
Equipment, furniture and fixtures $ 4,206 4,781
Demonstration equipment 1,505 1,733
Parts used in service, not held for sale 1,292 1,401
------- -----
7,003 7,915
Less accumulated depreciation (4,237) 5,602)
------- -----
$ 2,766 2,313
======= =====
Depreciation expense was $1,262,000, $1,397,000 and $1,365,000 for the
years ended March 31, 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively. As of March 31, 1999,
fixed assets held under capital lease totaled $315,000 and accumulated
depreciation on those assets totaled $161,000.
(4) PURCHASED AND INTERNALLY DEVELOPED SOFTWARE COSTS
Capitalized software costs consist of (in thousands):
March 31,
-------------------
1998 1999
-------- --------
Purchased software $ 332 365
Internally developed software 4,615 5,278
------- ------
4,947 5,643
Accumulated amortization (2,003) (3,258)
------- ------
$ 2,944 2,385
======= ======
Amortization of capitalized software costs was $431,000, $859,000 and
$1,255,000 for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
38
(5) ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of (in thousands):
March 31,
---------------------
1998 1999
---------- ---------
Accounts payable $1,458 1,988
Commissions payable 321 428
Accrued compensation and benefits 605 555
Accrued expenses 931 1,388
------ -----
$3,315 4,359
====== =====
(6) LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES
In December, 1996, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with
Silicon Valley Bank. This Agreement, which we sometimes refer to as our "bank
credit line", has been modified or renewed at various times since December 1996.
The current bank credit line provides for up to $1,500,000 in available
borrowings based upon our eligible accounts receivable balances. The current
bank credit line will expire on May 29, 1999 (see note 11). This bank credit
line provides for a variety of covenants, including among other things, that we
maintain certain financial ratios. The bank credit line is collateralized by a
security interest in substantially all of our assets. Interest on borrowings
under this agreement is payable monthly at a rate between three-quarters percent
and two and one half percent in excess of the prime rate (prime rate at March
31, 1999 was 7.75%). On March 31, 1999, $500,000 was outstanding under this
agreement. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants under this
agreement at March 31, 1999.
In December, 1996, we also obtained a $5,100,000 financing facility with
entities associated with Hambrecht & Quist. This facility included subordinated
debt as well as equipment lease financing. We received $3,000,000 of
subordinated debt from Hambrecht & Quist Transition Capital, LLC and $1,100,000
of subordinated debt from Hambrecht & Quist Guaranty Finance, LLC, pursuant to
the above facility. The remaining $1,000,000 of the facility was used to fund a
master lease line for financing of future capital asset purchases. The facility
with the Hambrecht & Quist entities is secured by an interest in our fixed
assets and substantially all of our other assets but is subordinate to our bank
credit line. In connection with this financing facility, we issued warrants to
purchases 260,200 common shares to entities associated with Hambrecht & Quist.
The Hambrecht & Quist entities were entitled to exercise the warrants with
respect to 130,100 shares at an exercise price of $10.00 at any time on or
before December 24, 2004, and with respect to 130,100 shares at an exercise
price of $7.00 at any time on or after December 24, 1997 and before December 24,
2004. In December, 1997 all of the $7.00 warrants were exercised on a "net"
basis, and the warrant holder received 40,266 shares of Common Stock. We
recorded $549,000 of deferred interest attributable to the value of the
warrants, which was amortized using the effective interest rate method to
interest expense over the term of the financing facility. The value of the
warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the
following assumptions: volatility of .75, risk free interest rate of 6.3% and
expected life equal to the contractual terms.
In March, 1998, we renegotiated our financing arrangement with Hambrecht &
Quist Guaranty Finance. The agreement we reached involved the restructuring of
$3,000,000 debt into $1,500,000 of convertible preferred stock (see note 7) and
$1,500,000 of debt. The interest rate on such restructured debt is 7.25% and is
due in October 1999. We filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement under the
Securities Act of
39
1933 to register the resale of the 461,538 shares of the Company's Common Stock
which underlie the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued to Hambrecht &
Quist Guaranty Finance. In connection with the agreement, the exercise price of
90,000 of the $10.00 warrants issued with the original arrangement reached in
December 1996 was lowered to the fair value of common stock of $3.25. We
accounted for this transaction by revaluing the new warrants, using comparable
assumptions as the original warrant grant, and the resultant value of $90,000 is
being amortized over the new loan period. In June, 1998, 90,000 of the $3.25
warrants were exercised on a "net exercise" basis, and the warrant holder
received 29,691 shares of common stock. During the fiscal year ended March 31,
1999, 167,500 shares of the Preferred Stock were converted into common stock.
In December, 1997, we secured a $7,000,000 equity-based line of credit by
entering into a stock purchase agreement with Kingsbridge Capital Ltd. Under
this arrangement, we had the right to draw up to a total of $7,000,000 in cash
in exchange for common stock. Pricing of the common stock issued was based on
the market price of our common stock at the time of a draw subject to a 14%
discount and a 4% commission payable in common stock. The availability of the
credit line, and the amounts and timing of draws under the line were subject to
a number of conditions. In January, 1998, we filed a Form S-3 Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 to register the resale of shares
issued under this credit line. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, we
drew $1,450,000 from this credit line for which we issued 618,130 shares of
common stock. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, we drew an
additional $2,358,000 from this credit line for which we issued 903,870 shares
of common stock. Because of certain limitations on the total number of shares
which can be issued under this line of credit, this facility is currently
unavailable to us.
(7) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Convertible Preferred Stock
In March 1998 we issued 461,538 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred
Stock to Hambrecht & Quist Guaranty Finance. The Series C Preferred Stock is
convertible to shares of common stock on a share-to-share basis, subject to
adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends or other similar transactions.
Subject to certain limitations, the share-to-share conversion rate may be
reduced if we sell or issue dilutive equity securities at an effective purchase
price of less than $3.00.
Stock Options
Under our September 1989 Stock Option Plan (the Plan), options to purchase
up to an aggregate of 2,090,000 shares of common stock may be granted to key
employees, directors and consultants. Grants of options to the directors of
Sonic Solutions may not exceed 140,000 shares. The Plan provides for issuing
both incentive stock options, which must be granted at fair market value at the
date of grant, and nonqualified stock options, which must be granted at not less
than 85% of fair market value of the stock. All options to date have been
granted as incentive stock options. Options under the Plan generally vest over
four years from the date of grant. The options generally expire ten years from
the date of grant and are canceled three months after termination of employment.
Our Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer administer the Plan.
During 1995, we adopted the 1994 NonEmployee Directors Stock Option Plan
which provides for the grant of stock options to Sonic Solutions' nonemployee
directors. Under this plan, stock options are granted annually at the fair
market value of Sonic Solutions' common stock on the date of grant. The number
of options so granted annually is fixed by the plan. Such options generally
vest over four years from the grant date. The total number of shares to be
issued under this plan may not exceed 100,000 shares. There were 44,500 options
outstanding at March 31, 1999, at prices of $2.5625 and $1.6880 per share, of
which 29,748 were exercisable.
40
In March 1998, the Board of Directors approved the repricing of options at
an exercise price equal to fair market value on March 3, 1998 of $2.5625 per
share. There were no changes made to the vesting schedules in relation to the
repricing.
In July, 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the Sonic Solutions 1998
Stock Option Plan and the shareholder's approved the 1998 Stock Option Plan in
September, 1998. The 1998 Stock Option Plan covers 1,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, with an annual increase in the number of shares available for issuance
under the Stock Option Plan on the last day of each fiscal year; provided that
the total number of shares issuable under the plan shall not exceed 2,000,000.
41
A summary of Sonic Solutions' option plans is presented below:
1997 1998 1999
----------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Options Price Options Price Options Price
--------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Outstanding at beginning
of year 820,398 $4.92 829,699 $5.53 1,660,178 $2.89
Granted 310,400 6.31 1,925,150 3.76 670,250 3.08
Exercised (102,269) 1.66 (50,062) 1.70 (64,225) 2.22
Forfeited (198,830) 6.19 (1,044,609) 6.66 (239,870) 4.32
-------- ----- ---------- ----- --------- -----
Outstanding at end of year. 829,699 $5.53 1,660,178 $2.89 2,026,333 $2.80
======== ========== =========
Options exercisable at
year end 308,723 $4.45 640,809 $2.82 1,179,191 $2.65
Fair value of options granted
during the year $3.73 $2.22 $2.06
Had compensation cost for our plans been determined consistent with the
fair value approach enumerated in SFAS No. 123, our net loss and net loss per
share applicable to common shareholders for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999 would have been increased as indicated below (in thousands, except per
share data):
Years Ended
March 31,
-----------------------------
1997 1998 1999
------ ------ ------
Net loss As Reported $ 5,191 5,876 1,859
Pro Forma $ 5,603 6,572 3,640
Net loss per share
applicable to common
shareholders As Reported $ 0.69 0.76 0.21
Pro Forma $ 0.74 0.85 0.41
The fair value of options granted was estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 1997, 1998 and 1999; risk-free interest rate of
6.31%, 5.97% and 4.65%; expected life of 4 years; 73%, 91% and 91% expected
volatility; and no dividends.
The effect of applying SFAS No. 123 for disclosing compensation costs may
not be representative of the effects on reported net income (loss) for future
years because pro forma net income (loss) reflects compensation costs only for
stock options granted in fiscal 1996 through 1999 and does not consider
compensation costs for stock options granted prior to April 1, 1995.
42
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at March 31, 1999.
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Weighted Weighted
Number Average Average Number Weighted
Range of Outstanding at Remaining Exercise Price Outstanding at Average
Exercise Price March 31, 1999 Contractual Life March 31, 1999 Exercise Price
-------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- -------------- --------------
From 0.86 to $1.75 269,980 8.24 $1.65 168,648 $1.48
From $2.00 to $2.63 1,271,103 8.07 2.55 962,281 2.55
From $3.44 to $3.88 372,500 9.72 3.65 10,813 3.47
From $4.18 to $4.75 30,750 9.29 4.60 3,500 4.29
From $5.25 to $5.75 28,000 8.34 5.66 10,783 5.66
From $6.00 to $6.88 54,000 7.53 6.25 23,166 6.18
--------- ---- ----- --------- -----
From $0.86 to $6.88 2,026,333 8.40 $2.80 1,179,191 $2.65
========= ==== ===== ========= =====
(8) INCOME TAXES
In March, 1997, we had current income tax benefits of $293,000 which was
offset by deferred tax expense in the same amount.
The differences between income taxes computed using the statutory federal
income tax rate of 34% and that shown in the statements of operations are
summarized as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended March 31,
------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ----
Computed tax at statutory rate $(1,765) (1,998) (630)
Tax credits utilized (201) 131 105
State taxes, net of federal benefit -- 3 5
Tax exempt interest income (25) (36) (19)
Current year net operating losses, temporary
differences and credits for which no benefit was
recognized 1,681 1,880 520
Change in beginning of year valuation allowance 293 -- --
Other 17 20 19
------ ----- ----
$ -- -- --
====== ===== ====
43
The components of deferred taxes are as follows (in thousands):
March 31,
----------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
----------- ----------- -----------
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable $ 252 254 179
Inventories 459 542 123
Tax credit carryforwards 1,013 1,550 2,086
Net operating losses 1,843 4,103 4,732
Accrued vacation pay 50 62 55
Commissions 29 40 1
State income taxes -- 1 52
Warranty and other 22 42 51
----------- ----------- -----------
Gross deferred tax assets 3,668 6,594 7,279
----------- ----------- -----------
Valuation allowance (2,784) (5,343) (6,309)
----------- ----------- -----------
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 884 1,251 970
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets (172) (174) (130)
Internally developed software 712 (1,077) (840)
----------- ----------- -----------
Total deferred tax liability 884 (1,251) (970)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net deferred taxes $ -- -- --
=========== =========== ===========
The net change in the valuation allowance for the year ended March 31, 1998
and 1999 was an increase of approximately $2,559,000 and $996,000, respectively.
Management believes that sufficient uncertainty exists regarding the future
realization of certain deferred tax assets and, that a valuation allowance is
required.
As of March 31, 1999, we have cumulative federal and California net
operating losses of approximately $12,686,000 and $6,269,000, respectively,
which can be used to offset future income subject to taxes. The federal tax
loss carryforwards will expire beginning in the year 2012 through 2019. The
California tax loss carryforwards will expire beginning in the year 2001 through
2004.
As of March 31, 1999, we have cumulative unused research and development
tax credits of approximately $1,325,000 and $626,000 which can be used to reduce
future federal and California income taxes, respectively. Federal credit
carryforwards expire from 2009 through 2019; California credits will
carryforward indefinitely.
As of March 31, 1999, we have federal minimum tax credit carryforwards of
approximately $135,000 which will carry forward indefinitely until utilized.
(9) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a) Leases
In December, 1996, we entered into a leasing agreement to finance the
purchase of up to $1,000,000 in equipment, as discussed in Note 6. Lease terms
under the agreement are for 42 months and are secured by the leased equipment.
We also lease certain facilities and equipment under noncancelable operating
leases.
44
Future payments under capital and operating leases that have initial remaining
noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended March 31,
-------------------------------
Capital Operating
Leases Leases
------------ -------------
2000 $ 126 705
2001 121 705
2002 20 705
2003 - 117
2004 - -
Thereafter - -
----- -----
Total minimum lease payments 267 2,232
Less amount representing interest (30)
Less current portion of obligations under capital lease (148)
-----
Long-term obligations under capital lease $ 89
=====
Rent expense under operating leases for the years ended March 31, 1997,
1998 and 1999 was approximately $610,000, $847,000 and $954,000, respectively.
(b) Benefit Plan
We sponsor a 401(k) savings plan covering most salaried employees. To
date, no contributions have been made to this plan by the Company.
(c) Other
We from time to time are subject to routine claims and litigation
incidental to our business. We believe that the results of these matters will
not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
(10) SEGMENT REPORTING
In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 131,
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," which was
adopted by the Company in 1998. SFAS No. 131 requires companies to report
financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments,
including segment profit or loss, certain specific revenue and expense items and
segment assets, as well as information about the revenues derived from our
products and services, the countries in which we earn revenue and hold assets,
and major customers.
We operate in the audio and video media market and derive substantially all
our revenue from the sales of two workstation products. We organize our
operations based on designing, developing, manufacturing, selling and supporting
these products. Our chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) and the CEO allocates resources based on financial information,
including gross margins and operating losses, reported in a manner consistent
with the accompanying financial statements. Sales, gross profit, and operating
losses are not allocated or specific to individual departments within the
organization. Accordingly, we have a single reportable segment. As such, we
are required to disclose the following geographic information:
45
Years Ended March 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
----------- ----------- -----------
North America (substantially all United States) $ 8,780 9,612 11,702
Export:
Europe 2,763 4,949 5,707
Pacific Rim 3,491 4,009 4,218
Other international 877 1,311 272
------- ------ ------
Total net revenue $15,911 19,881 21,899
======= ====== ======
We sell our products to customers categorized geographically by each
customer's country of domicile. We do not have any material investment in long
lived assets located in foreign countries for any of the years presented.
Our accounting system does not capture meaningful revenue information by
product line. Accordingly, such information has not been disclosed.
(11) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On May 25, 1999, we withdrew a previously filed Registration Statement on
Form S-3 which proposed to register an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of common
stock for resale by Kingsbridge Capital Limited. The shares were to be issued
to Kingsbridge pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement between our company and
Kingsbridge dated February 12, 1999.
On May 20, 1999, we secured a new equity-based line of credit by entering
into a new stock purchase agreement with Kingsbridge. Under the new
arrangement, we may draw up to $12,000,000 in cash in exchange for common stock
Pricing of the commons stock issued under this arrangement is based on the
market price of our common stock at the time of a draw subject to a 10% to 12%
discount and a 2% commission. On May 27, 1999, we filed a Registration Statement
on Form S-1 to register for resale the shares we may issue to Kingsbridge under
this credit line.
The current bank credit line expired on May 29, 1999, but has been extended
thru July 15, 1999. We are currently negotiating a new bank credit line with
Silicon Valley Bank to continue until mid-2000. We expect our new bank credit
line will include terms that are quite similar to our current bank credit line.
46
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
47
PART III
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by this Item with respect to executive officers is
set forth in Part I of this Report and the information with respect to directors
is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the
caption "Election of Directors" in the Proxy Statement.
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference
to the information set forth under the caption "Executive Compensation" in the
Proxy Statement.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference
to the information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Proxy Statement.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference
to the information set forth under the caption "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" in the Proxy Statement.
48
PART IV
Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)1. Financial Statements.
Included in Part II of this report:
Report of Independent Auditors (page 29 of this Report).
Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1998 and March 31, 1999.
Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period
ended March 31, 1999.
Statements of Shareholders' Equity for each of the three years in
the period ended March 31, 1999.
Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period
ended March 31, 1999.
Notes to Financial Statements (pages 34 through 46 of this Report).
(a)2. Financial Statements Schedules.
Included in Part IV of this report:
Report of Independent Auditors (page 29 of this Report).
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, or
are not applicable, or the information is included in the financial
statements.
(a)3. Exhibits:
3.1 (1) Restated Articles of Incorporation
3.2 (1) Amended and Restated By-Laws
4.1 (1) Specimen Common Stock Certificate
4.2 (1) Investors' Rights Agreement dated August 20, 1993
between the Investors listed on the Schedule of
Investors thereto and the Company
4.3 (1) Right of Last Refusal, Co-Sale and Shareholders'
Option Agreement dated August 20, 1993 between the
Investors listed on the Schedule of Investors thereto
and the Company
10.1 (1) Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan
10.2 (1) Lease Agreement dated December 16, 1991 between
Phoenix Leasing
Incorporated and the Company
10.3 (1) Loan Agreement dated November 28, 1993 between Bank
of America and the Company
49
10.4 (1) Agreement dated September 28, 1993 between JL Cooper
Electronics and the Company
10.5 (1) Form of Indemnity Agreement
10.6 (2) Lease Agreement dated January 26, 1995 between Golden
Gate Plaza and the Company
10.7 (3) Private Line of Credit Agreement dated December 31,
1997 between Kingsbridge Capital Limited and the
Company
10.8 (4) Private Securities Subscription Agreement dated March
31, 1998 between Hambrecht & Quist Guaranty Finance,
LLC and the Company
10.9 (5) Stock purchase agreement dated May 20, 1999 between
Sonic Solutions and Kingsbridge Capital Limited
10.10 (5) Registration Rights Agreement dated May 20, 1999
between Sonic Solutions and Kingsbridge Capital
Limited
23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP
24.1 Power of Attorney (see page 52)
27 Financial Data Schedule
_______________
(1) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 33-72870) effective February 10, 1994.
(2) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1996 (No. 33-72870).
(3) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-
3 (No. 333-44347) effective January 30, 1998.
(4) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-3
(No. 333-50697) effective April 29, 1998.
(5) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-1
filed on May 27, 1999.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K: None.
50
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
SONIC SOLUTIONS
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999
(in thousands)
Balance at Charged to Charged Balance
beginning costs and to other at end of
of period expenses accounts Deductions period
--------- -------- -------- ---------- ------
Year ended March 31, 1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts............. $1,105 90 --- (974) 221
Allowance for returns....................... 585 -- 100 (318) 367
------ -- --- ------ ---
$1,690 90 100 (1,292) 588
====== == === ====== ===
Year ended March 31, 1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts............. $ 221 44 --- (42) 223
Allowance for returns....................... 367 -- 190 (163) 394
------ -- --- ------ ---
$ 588 44 190 (205) 617
====== == === ====== ===
Year ended March 31, 1999
Allowance for doubtful accounts............. $ 223 50 --- (133) 140
Allowance for returns....................... 394 -- 85 (20) 459
------ -- --- ------ ---
$ 617 50 85 (153) 599
====== == === ====== ===
51
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Sonic Solutions
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form 10-K and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized in Novato, State of California, on the 28th day of June, 1999.
Sonic Solutions
By: /s/ Robert J. Doris
---------------------------
Robert J. Doris, President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Robert J. Doris, Mary C. Sauer, and A.
Clay Leighton, jointly and severally, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to
this Annual Report on 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 or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
June 28, 1999 /s/ Robert J. Doris
----------------------------
President and Director
Robert J. Doris
June 28, 1999 /s/ Mary C. Sauer
----------------------------
Senior Vice President of Business Development
and Director Mary C. Sauer
June 28, 1999 /s/ Michael C. Child
----------------------------
Director
Michael C. Child
June 28, 1999 /s/ Robert M. Greber
----------------------------
Director
Robert M. Greber
June 28, 1999 /s/ Peter J. Marguglio
----------------------------
Director
Peter J. Marguglio
June 28, 1999 /s/ A. Clay Leighton
----------------------------
Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations
and Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Accounting Officer)
A. Clay Leighton
52