UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2008
OR
 
o 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 000-27427
 

 
ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
 
94-3204299
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
     
4555 Cushing Parkway
Fremont, CA
 
94538
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (510) 252-9712



Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A
 
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  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one): Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes o    No x

The number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of May 12, 2008 was: 15,732,636 shares





ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 and September 30, 2007
3
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
4
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
5
     
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
13
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
22
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
22
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
23
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
23
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
24
     
SIGNATURE
25
   
EXHIBIT INDEX
26

2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
March 31, 
 
September 30, 
 
 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 
$
9,074
 
$
6,111
 
Short-term investments 
   
404
   
3,796
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $34 and $33 at March 31, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively. 
   
2,727
   
2,656
 
Inventories, net 
   
2,006
   
1,567
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
   
364
   
237
 
Total current assets 
   
14,575
   
14,367
 
 
         
Property and equipment:
         
Furniture and equipment 
   
1,938
   
1,837
 
Computer software 
   
939
   
938
 
 
   
2,877
   
2,775
 
Less: Accumulated depreciation 
   
(2,394
)
 
(2,269
)
Net property and equipment 
   
483
   
506
 
 
         
Other non-current assets:
         
Long-term investments 
   
209
   
209
 
Long-term deposit 
   
81
   
168
 
Total other non-current assets 
   
290
   
377
 
Total assets 
 
$
15,348
 
$
15,250
 
 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
         
Current liabilities:
         
Accounts payable 
 
$
1,311
 
$
821
 
Accrued liabilities:
         
Payroll and related benefits 
   
500
   
459
 
Warranty  
   
145
   
148
 
Marketing 
   
98
   
79
 
Accrued expense  
   
368
   
322
 
Other 
   
451
   
422
 
Deferred revenue 
   
1,889
   
565
 
Total current liabilities 
   
4,762
   
2,816
 
Long-term deferred rent and other  
   
53
   
89
 
               
Stockholders' equity:
         
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; Authorized5,000,000 shares; Outstandingnone at March 31, 2008 and September 30, 2007 
   
   
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; Authorized50,000,000 shares; Outstanding—16,902,056 shares at March 31, 2008 and 16,733,552 shares at September 30, 2007 
   
17
   
16
 
Treasury stock at cost 1,277,410 shares at March 31, 2008 and 1,063,895 shares at September 30, 2007 
   
(1,360
)
 
(1,014
)
Additional paid-in capital 
   
66,069
   
65,434
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 
   
(1
)
 
3
 
Accumulated deficit 
   
(54,192
)
 
(52,094
)
Total stockholders' equity 
   
10,533
   
12,345
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 
 
$
15,348
 
$
15,250
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
3

 
ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 (In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
 2008
 
2007
 
                    
Net revenue:
                  
Hardware 
 
$
4,130
 
$
3,842
 
$
7,758
 
$
7,801
 
Software 
   
582
   
303
   
1,214
   
716
 
Total net revenue
   
4,712
   
4,145
   
8,972
   
8,517
 
                           
Cost of revenue:
                         
Hardware 
   
2,017
   
1,876
   
3,808
   
3,860
 
Software 
   
76
   
28
   
139
   
55
 
Total cost of revenue
   
2,093
   
1,904
   
3,947
   
3,915
 
Gross profit 
   
2,619
   
2,241
   
5,025
   
4,602
 
                           
Operating expenses:
                         
Research and development 
   
1,035
   
825
   
1,950
   
1,642
 
Sales and marketing 
   
1,841
   
1,109
   
3,604
   
2,278
 
General and administrative 
   
946
   
590
   
1,760
   
1,172
 
Total operating expenses
   
3,822
   
2,524
   
7,314
   
5,092
 
Loss from operations 
   
(1,203
)
 
(283
)
 
(2,289
)
 
(490
)
Equity in net loss of investee 
   
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
Interest and other income, net 
   
82
   
115
   
194
   
235
 
Net loss before taxes 
   
(1,127
)
 
(169
)
 
(2,098
)
 
(259
)
Income tax provision 
   
   
(3
)
 
   
(7
)
Net loss 
 
$
(1,127
)
$
(172
)
$
(2,098
)
$
(266
)
Basic and diluted net loss per share 
 
$
(0.07
)
$
(0.01
)
$
(0.13
)
$
(0.02
)
Weighted average shares used in computing basic net loss per share 
   
15,708
   
15,163
   
15,753
   
15,146
 
Weighted average shares used in computing diluted net loss per share 
   
15,708
   
15,163
   
15,753
   
15,146
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4


ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
   
Six Months Ended
March 31, 
 
 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss  
 
$
(2,098
)
$
(266
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
         
Depreciation 
   
124
   
124
 
Stock-based compensation 
   
480
   
256
 
Equity in net income of investee
   
3
   
3
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
         
Accounts receivable 
   
(71
)
 
648
 
Inventories, net 
   
(439
)
 
(568
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
   
(130
)
 
(81
)
Accounts payable 
   
490
   
(162
)
Accrued liabilities 
   
132
   
(42
)
Deferred revenue 
   
1,324
   
(45
)
Long-term deferred rent and other 
   
(36
)
 
(42
)
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(221
)
 
(175
)
 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
         
Purchases of short-term investments 
   
(22,718
)
 
(10,997
)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments 
   
26,106
   
12,856
 
Changes in long-term deposits 
   
87
   
 
Purchases of property and equipment 
   
(101
)
 
(33
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
   
3,374
   
1,826
 
 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
         
Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs 
   
156
   
109
 
Repurchase of treasury stock 
   
(346
)
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(190
)
 
109
 
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 
   
2,963
   
1,760
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 
   
6,111
   
5,053
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR 
 
$
9,074
 
$
6,813
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5


ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

AltiGen Communications, Inc. (“we” or the “Company”) is a pioneer and market leader in Internet protocol telephony systems for small-to medium-sized businesses. We design, manufacture and market next generation, Internet protocol phone systems and contact centers that use both the Internet and the public telephone network to take advantage of the convergence of voice and data communications. Unlike traditional proprietary phone systems, our systems are designed with open architecture and are built on an industry standard platform. This adherence to industry standards allows our products to play an important role in the small-to medium- sized business market by delivering phone systems that can integrate with other technologies and provide integrated voice and data solutions.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed, or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In our opinion, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary (which are of a normal and recurring nature) for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 27, 2007. AltiGen’s results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Short-term investments are in highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities greater than three-months but less than one year and are classified as “available-for-sale” investments. Investments are reported at their fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. As of March 31, 2008, our cash and cash equivalents consisted of commercial paper and cash deposited in checking and money market accounts.

INVENTORIES

Inventories (which include costs associated with components assembled by third-party assembly manufacturers, as well as internal labor and allocable overhead) are stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis) or market value. Provisions, when required, are made to reduce excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable values. We regularly monitor inventory quantities on hand and record a provision for excess and obsolete inventories based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand and production requirements for the next six months. We record a write-down for product and component inventories that have become obsolete or are in excess of anticipated demand or net realizable value. Raw material inventory is considered obsolete and is fully reserved if it has not moved in 365 days. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, we disposed of fully-reserved inventory with original cost at $411,000. We attribute this overall reduction in obsolete inventory to sales of inventory previously reserved as well as physically disposing of a portion of the reserved inventory. For the year ended September 30, 2007, we recognized $96,000 of provision for excess and obsolete inventories. For the six months ended March 31, 2008, we recognized $1,000 of provision for excess and obsolete inventories. The components of inventories include (in thousands):

   
March 31,
 
September 30,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
Raw materials
 
$
603
 
$
675
 
Work-in-progress
   
161
   
106
 
Finished goods
   
1,242
   
786
 
Total
 
$
2,006
 
$
1,567
 
 
6


LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

As of March 31, 2008, we held an investment of common stock of a private Taiwanese telecommunication company valued at approximately $195,000 accounted for using the cost method. Our interest in the company is approximately 2%, which interest does not allow us to exercise significant influence.

In July 2004, we purchased common stock of a private Korean telecommunications company for $79,000. As a result of this investment, we acquired approximately 23% of the voting power of the company. This gives us the right to nominate and elect one of the three members of the Company’s board of directors. We are accounting for this investment using the equity method and record our minority interest of their results in our results of operations. As of March 31, 2008, our investment in the Korean company had a remaining book value of approximately $14,000.

We perform periodic reviews of our investments for impairment. Our investments are considered impaired when a review of the issuer’s operations and other indicators of impairment indicate that the carrying value of the investment is not likely to be recoverable. Such indicators include, but are not limited to, limited capital resources, limited prospects of receiving additional financing, and limited prospects for liquidity of the related securities. No write-downs were recorded as of March 1, 2008.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition.” Revenue consist of sales to end-users, including resellers, and to distributors. Revenue from sales to end-users including resellers are recognized upon shipment, when risk of loss has passed to the customer, collection of the receivable is reasonably assured, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exits, and the price is fixed and determinable. Sales to distributors are made under terms allowing certain rights of return and protection against subsequent price declines on the Company's products held by its distributors. Upon termination, any unsold products may be returned by the distributor for a full refund. These agreements may be canceled by either party based on a specified notice. As a result of the above provisions, the Company defers recognition of distributor revenue until such distributors resell our products to their customers. The amounts deferred as a result of this policy are reflected as “deferred revenue” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The related cost of revenue is also deferred and reported in the consolidated balance sheets as inventory.

SOFTWARE ASSURANCE

Effective September 4, 2007, we introduced our Software Assurance Program which provides our customers with the latest updates, new releases, and technical support for the applications they are licensed to use. The program is an annual subscription and can range from one to three years. Sales from the software assurance program are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue evenly over the terms of the subscriptions.
 
Software components are generally not sold separately from our hardware components. Software revenue consists of license revenue that is recognized upon delivery of the application products or features. We provide Software Assurance consisting primarily of the latest software updates, patches, new releases and technical support. In accordance with SOP 97-2, revenue earned on software arrangements involving multiple elements is allocated to each element based upon the relative fair value of the elements. The revenue allocated on this element is recognized with the initial licensing fee on delivery of the software. This Software Assurance revenue is in addition to the initial license fee, and is recognized over a period of one to three years. The estimated cost of providing Software Assurance during the arrangement is insignificant; and unspecified upgrades/enhancements offered at no cost during Software Assurance arrangements historically have been and are expected to continue to be minimal and infrequent. All estimated costs of providing the services, including upgrades and enhancements are spread over the life of the Software Assurance term.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
The Company accounts for stock based compensation under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), “Share Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), which requires all share-based compensation, including grants of stock options, to be recognized in the income statement as an operating expense, based on their fair market values. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective method. Under this transition method, stock based compensation cost recognized subsequent to October 1, 2005 included: (i) compensation cost for all share-based awards granted prior to but not yet vested as of September 30, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), and(ii) compensation cost for all share-based awards granted subsequent to September 30, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective method of adoption, the Company has not restated the Company’s results of operations and financial position for prior periods.
 
7


The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. The Company estimates expected stock price volatility based on historical volatility rates since our initial public offering, trended into future years. Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of our options. The Company bases the risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option upon the U.S. Treasury yield.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and is not subject to revaluation as a result of subsequent stock price fluctuations. The underlying weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model and the resulting estimates of fair value per share were as follows for options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:
 
   
Six Months Ended March 31,
 
Six Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2008
 
2007
 
Employee Stock Option Plan
 
 
 
 
 
Expected Life (in years)
   
5
   
5
 
Risk-free interest rate
   
3.0
%
 
4.8
%
Volatility
   
88
%
 
92
%
Dividend yield
   
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
         
Employee Purchase Plan 
         
Expected Life (in years)
   
0.5
   
0.5
 
Risk-free interest rate
   
1.5
%
 
5.1
%
Volatility
   
87
%
 
91
%
Dividend yield
   
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
The following table presents stock-based compensation expense included in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
 2007
 
 2008
 
2007
 
Cost of goods sold
 
$
6
 
$
4
 
$
9
 
$
11
 
Research and development
    57    
36
   
93
   
89
 
Selling, general and administrative
    188    
65
   
378
   
156
 
Total
 
$
251
 
$
105
 
$
480
 
$
256
 

8


The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option plan as of October 1, 2007, and changes during the six months ended March 31, 2008:
 
   
 
Number of Shares
 
 
Weighted-
average
Exercise Price
 
 
Weighted-
Average Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)
 
               
Outstanding at October 1, 2007
   
3,701,205
 
$
3.62
   
 
 
Granted
   
1,048,000
   
1.30
   
 
 
Exercised
   
(72,674
)
 
0.63
   
 
 
Forfeitures and cancellations
   
(110,246
)
 
3.83
   
    
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2008
   
4,566,285
 
$
3.13
   
5.76
 
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2008
   
4,253,185
 
$
3.25
   
5.50
 
Exercisable at March 31, 2008
   
3,046,351
 
$
3.92
   
4.00
 
 
At March 31, 2008, the aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options was $1.2 million. At March 31, 2008, the total vested and expected to vest stock options represented 4.3 million shares, the weighted average exercise price was $3.25, the aggregate intrinsic value was $1.1 million, and the weighted average remaining contractual term was 5.5 years. At March 31, 2008, the total exercisable stock options represented approximately 3.0 million shares, the aggregate intrinsic value was $819,000, the weighted average exercise price was $3.92, and the weighted average remaining contractual term was 4.0 years.

At March 31, 2008, the Company has $858,000 in unamortized stock-based compensation related to our employee stock option plan. We estimate this expense will be amortized and recognized over the next 4 years.

Under the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “1999 Purchase Plan”), we had reserved, as of September 30, 2007, 670,890 shares of common stock for issuance to eligible employees at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock on the first day of the offering period or a specified exercise date (last trading day in April or October). During the six months ended March 31, 2008, 95,830 shares were purchased by and distributed to employees at a price of $1.35 per share.
 
COMPUTATION OF BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER SHARE

The Company bases its basic earnings per share upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share (“SFAS No. 128”). Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2008, basic and diluted net loss per share numbers were identical as potential common shares resulting from the exercise of stock options were antidilutive and consequently excluded from the Company’s fully diluted share capital.

Basic and diluted loss per share for each of the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands, except for per share data):

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
 2007
 
 2008
 
2007
 
Net loss
 
$
(1,127
)
$
(172
)
$
(2,098
)
$
(266
)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic loss per share
    15,708    
15,163
   
15,753
   
15,146
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted loss per share
    15,708    
15,163
   
15,753
   
15,146
 
Basic loss per share
 
$
(0.07
)
$
(0.01
)
$
(0.13
)
$
(0.02
)
Diluted loss per share
 
$
(0.07
)
$
(0.01
)
$
(0.13
)
$
(0.02
)

Options to purchase 4.5 million and 3.4 million shares of common stock were outstanding as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share for these periods because their effect would have been antidilutive.
 
9

 
SEGMENT REPORTING

We are organized and operate as two operating segments, the Americas and International. The Americas is comprised of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The International segment is comprised of China, the United Kingdom and Norway.

The following table sets forth percentages of net revenue by geographic region with respect to such revenue for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Americas
   
88
%
 
91
%
 
87
%
 
90
%
International
   
12
%
 
9
%
 
13
%
 
10
%
Total
   
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
International is comprised of revenue primarily from China, the United Kingdom and Norway. Most significant long-lived assets are located in the United States. Our hardware tooling used to develop the IP710 and the IP705 phones as well as the tooling used to develop the face plate for the MAX1000 Voice over IP phone system are located in Taiwan.

Net revenue by customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for the three and six months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
AltiSys
   
15
%
 
14
%
 
16
%
 
14
%
Synnex
   
34
%
 
54
%
 
35
%
 
51
%
Graybar
   
15
%
 
13
%
 
14
%
 
15
%
Jenne
   
11
%
 
   
7
%
 
 
Total
   
75
%
 
81
%
 
72
%
 
80
%

10


2. WARRANTY

The Company provides a one year warranty for hardware products starting upon shipment to end users. We have historically experienced minimal warranty costs. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of installed units, historical experience and management's judgment regarding anticipated rates of warranty claims and cost per claim. We assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty liability every quarter and make adjustments to the liability if necessary.

Changes in our warranty liability for the three and six months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Beginning balance
 
$
145
 
$
267
 
$
148
 
$
263
 
Provision for warranty liability
   
40
   
37
   
80
   
85
 
Warranty cost including labor, components and scrap
   
(40
)
 
(47
)
 
(83
)
 
(91
)
Ending balance
 
$
145
 
$
257
 
$
145
 
$
257
 

3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments
 
We lease our facilities under various operating lease agreements expiring on various dates through February 2009. The Company leases approximately 32,000 square feet to serve as our headquarters for corporate administration, research and development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing facility in Fremont, California. The lease for its headquarters expires on February 21, 2009. Rent expense for all operating leases totaled approximately $170,000 and $338,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2008, respectively as compared to $142,000 and $283,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2007, respectively. In June 2007, the Company’s Shanghai branch entered into a new lease agreement for a period of three years. The Company believes its current facilities are adequate to support its needs through the end of fiscal 2008. Additionally, the Company also leases certain equipment under capital lease arrangements. The minimum future lease payments under all noncancellable capital and operating leases as of March 31, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Capital
Leases 
 
Operating
Leases 
 
Remainder of 2008
 
$
22
 
$
304
 
2009
   
44
   
425
 
2010
   
33
   
334
 
2011
   
   
16
 
Total contractual lease obligation
 
$
99
 
$
1,079
 
 
         
Amount representing interest
 
$
10
     
Present value of minimum lease payment
 
$
90
     
 
         
Current portion
 
$
38
     
Long-term portion
   
52
     
Total capital lease commitments
 
$
90
     
 
Contingencies

From time to time, we may become party to litigation in the normal course of our business. Litigation in general, and intellectual property and securities litigation in particular, can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex litigation are difficult to predict.
 
On September 6, 2002, Vertical Networks, Inc. filed suit against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging infringement of U.S. Patents Nos. 6,266,341, 6,289,025, 6,292,482, 6,389,009, and 6,396,849.  On October 28, 2002, Vertical Networks amended its complaint to add allegations of infringement of U.S. Patents Nos. 5,617,418 and 5,687,174.  Vertical Networks filed a second amended complaint on November 20, 2002 to identify products and/or activities that allegedly infringe the seven patents-in-suit.  Vertical Networks' Complaint seeks an injunction against future patent infringement, an award of damages, including treble damages for alleged willful infringement, and attorneys' fees and costs.  On December 9, 2002, we filed an answer and counterclaims for declaratory relief, and on December 26, 2002, Vertical Networks filed its reply to those counterclaims.  On October 4, 2007, the parties entered into a stipulation dismissing the lawsuit in its entirety without prejudice.   
 
11

 
4. STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On October 23, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $2.0 million of our common stock in the open market. The repurchases will be made from time to time through November 14, 2008 at the Company’s discretion depending on factors such as our stock price, general business and market conditions, and other investment opportunities. The repurchase will be made in the open market and will be funded from available working capital. Under the currently active authority, the Company repurchased 213,515 shares in the six months ended March 31, 2008 for an aggregate cost of $346,000.  
 

5. SUBSEQUENT EVENT 

In April 2008, we terminated our distribution agreement with Graybar. We believe the termination of our relationship with Graybar will not have a material impact on our business. As of March 31, 2008, the balances outstanding with Graybar were $170,000 in inventory and $414,000 in accounts receivable.

12


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This report contains certain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and information relating to us that are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. Additional forward looking statements may be identified by the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," or the negative of such terms, or similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management.

The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this report with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks that may have a significant impact on our business, operating results or financial condition. You are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, or the outcome of present and future litigation, regulatory developments or other contingencies. You should carefully review the cautionary statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007, including those set fourth in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of that report.

OVERVIEW

We are a pioneer and market leader in Internet protocol telephony systems for small-to medium-sized businesses. We design, manufacture and market next generation, Internet protocol phone systems and contact centers that use both the Internet and the public telephone network to take advantage of the convergence of voice and data communications. Unlike traditional proprietary phone systems, our systems are designed with open architecture and are built on an industry standard platform. This adherence to industry standards allows our products to play an important role in the small-to medium-sized business market by delivering phone systems that can integrate with other technologies and provide integrated voice and data solutions. We believe this enables our customers to implement communication systems that have an increased return on investment versus past technology investments. We generated net revenue of $4.7 million and $9.0 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2008, respectively, compared to net revenue of $4.1 million and $8.5 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2007, respectively. As of March 31, 2008, we had an accumulated deficit of $54.2 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $221,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2008.

We derive our revenue from sales of our telephone systems. Product revenue is comprised of direct sales to end-users (including dealers) and sales to distributors. Revenue from product sales to end users and resellers are recognized upon shipment. We defer recognition of revenue for sales to distributors until they resell our products to their customers. Upon shipment, we also provide a reserve for the estimated cost that may be incurred for product warranty. Under our distribution contracts, a distributor has the right, in certain circumstances, to return products it determines are overstocked, so long as it provides an offsetting purchase order for products in an amount equal to or greater than the dollar value of the returned products. In addition, we provide distributors protection from subsequent price reductions.

Our cost of revenue consists of component and material costs, direct labor costs, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory, warranty costs and overhead related to the manufacturing of our products. Several factors that have affected and will continue to affect our revenue growth are the state of economy, the market acceptance of our products, our ability to add new resellers and our ability to design, develop, and release new products. We engage third-party assemblers, which for the six months ended March 31, 2008, were All Quality Services and Bestronics in San Jose, to insert the hardware components into the printed circuit board. We purchase fully-assembled chassis from Advantech Corporation, Analog phones from Fanstel Corporation and Internet protocol phones from BCM Communications, Inc. We selected our manufacturing partners with the goals of ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality finished products and lowering per unit product costs as a result of manufacturing economies of scale. We cannot assure you that we will maintain the volumes required to realize these economies of scale or when or if such cost reductions will occur. The failure to obtain such cost reductions could materially adversely affect our gross margins and operating results.

We continue to focus on developing enhancements to our current products to provide greater functionality and increased capabilities, based on our market research, customer feedback and our competitors' product offerings, as well as creating new product offerings to both enhance our position in our target market segment and enter new geographical markets. Additionally, we intend to continue selling our products to small-to medium-sized businesses, enterprise businesses, multisite businesses, corporate and branch offices and call centers. Also, we plan to continue to recruit additional resellers and distributors that focus on selling phone systems to our target customers. We believe that the adoption rate for this Internet telephony is much faster with small-to medium-sized businesses because many of them have no significant investment on their books for traditional phone systems. Also, we believe that small-to medium-sized businesses are looking for call center-type administration to increase the productivity and efficiency of their contacts with customers. Assuming that current market trends continue as a result of our enhanced products, we expect to see continued revenue growth for fiscal year 2008. These trends include the growth in acceptance of our call center products, the growth in the marketplaces of Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the status quo of the North American economy.
 
13

 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Revenue Recognition. Net sales consist primarily of revenue from direct sales to end-users, including resellers, and sales to distributors. We recognize revenue pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 104, Revenue Recognition, (“SAB No. 104”). Revenue from sales to end-users are recognized upon shipment, when risk of loss has passed to the customer, collection of the receivable is reasonably assured, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and the sales price is fixed and determinable. We provide for estimated sales returns and allowances and warranty costs related to such sales at the time of shipment in accordance with SFAS No. 48, Revenue Recognition when Right of Return Exists (“SFAS No. 48”). Net revenue consists of product revenue reduced by estimated sales returns and allowances. Sales to distributors are made under terms allowing certain rights of return and protection against subsequent price declines on our products held by its distributors. Upon termination, any unsold products may be returned by the distributor for a full refund. These agreements may be canceled without cause by either party following a specified notice period. As a result of the above provisions, we defer recognition of distributor revenue until such distributors resell our products to their customers. The amounts deferred as a result of this policy are reflected as “deferred revenue” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The related cost of revenue is also deferred and reported in the consolidated balance sheets as inventory. Our total deferred revenue was $1.9 million and $486,000 as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $654,000 in software assurance revenue and an increase of approximately $689,000 in distribution channels.

Software Assurance. Effective September 4, 2007, we introduced our Software Assurance Program which provides our customers with the latest updates, new releases, and technical support for the applications they are licensed to use. The program is an annual subscription and can range from one to three years. Sales from the software assurance program are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue evenly over the terms of the subscriptions.
 
Software components are generally not sold separately from our hardware components. Software revenue consists of license revenue that is recognized upon delivery of the application products or features. We provide Software Assurance consisting primarily of the latest software updates, patches, new releases and technical support. In accordance with SOP 97-2, revenue earned on software arrangements involving multiple elements is allocated to each element based upon the relative fair value of the elements. The revenue allocated on this element is recognized with the initial licensing fee on delivery of the software. This Software Assurance revenue is in addition to the initial license fee, and is recognized over a period of one to three years. The estimated cost of providing Software Assurance during the arrangement is insignificant; and unspecified upgrades/enhancements offered at no cost during Software Assurance arrangements historically have been and are expected to continue to be minimal and infrequent. All estimated costs of providing the services, including upgrades and enhancements are spread over the life of the Software Assurance term.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits with banks and highly liquid investments with a time to maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.
 
Short-Term Investment. Short-term investments are highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities greater than three months but less than one year and are classified as “available-for-sale” investments. We classify our available-for-sale securities as current assets. We report our available-for-sale securities at their fair value. Further, we recognize unrealized gains and losses in our available-for sale securities as an increase or reduction in shareholders’ equity. We evaluate our available-for-sale securities for impairment quarterly.

Inventory. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Our inventory balance was $2.0 million and $1.9 million as of March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. We perform a detailed review of inventory each fiscal quarter, with consideration given to future customer demand for our products, obsolescence from rapidly changing technology, product development plans, and other factors. If future demand or market conditions for our products are less favorable than those projected by management, or if our estimates prove to be inaccurate due to unforeseen technological changes, we may be required to record additional inventory provision which would negatively affect gross margins in the period when the write-downs were recorded. In prior periods, we had established a reserve to write off excess inventory which management believed would not be sold. The reserve was reduced by $1,000 in the six months ended March 31, 2008 as compared to an increase of $9,000 during the same period in the prior year. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, we disposed of fully-reserved inventory with original cost at $411,000. We attribute this overall reduction in obsolete inventory to sales of inventory previously reserved as well as physically disposing of a portion of the reserved inventory. As of March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, inventory allowance was $1.9 million and $2.3 million.

Warranty Cost. We accrue for warranty costs based on estimated product return rates and the expected material and labor costs to provide warranty services. If actual products return rates, repair cost or replacement costs differ significantly from our estimates, then our gross margin could be adversely affected. The liability for product warranties was $145,000 and $257,000 as of March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. This change was the result of a significant decline in the product return rate caused by changes in our management of the return programs. As a consequence of the Company’s standardized manufacturing processes and product testing procedures, returns of defective product are infrequent and the quantities have not been significant. Accordingly, historical warranty costs have not been material.
 
14

 
Results of Operations

The following table sets forth consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated as a percentage of net revenue.

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
 2008
 
2007
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
                  
Net revenue:
                  
Hardware 
   
87.6
%
 
92.7
%
 
86.5
%
 
91.6
%
Software  
   
12.4
   
7.3
   
13.5
   
8.4
 
Total net revenue
   
100.0
   
100.0
   
100.0
   
100.0
 
Cost of revenue:
                         
Hardware 
   
42.8
   
45.3
   
42.4
   
45.3
 
Software 
   
1.6
   
0.7
   
1.5
   
0.7
 
Total cost of revenue
   
44.4
   
46.0
   
43.9
   
46.0
 
                           
Gross profit
   
55.6
   
54.0
   
56.1
   
54.0
 
                           
Operating expenses:
                         
Research and development
   
22.0
   
19.9
   
21.7
   
19.3
 
Sales and marketing
   
39.1
   
26.8
   
40.2
   
26.7
 
General and administrative 
   
20.1
   
14.2
   
19.6
   
13.8
 
                           
Total operating expenses
   
81.2
   
60.9
   
81.5
   
59.8
 
                           
Loss from operations
   
(25.6
)
 
(6.9
)
 
(25.4
)
 
(5.8
)
Equity in net loss of investee
   
(0.1
)
 
( 0.0
)
 
( 0.0
)
 
( 0.0
)
Interest and other income, net
   
1.7
   
2.8
   
2.2
   
2.8
 
Net loss before taxes
   
(24.0
)
 
(4.1
)
 
(23.2
)
 
(3.0
)
Provision for income taxes
   
( 0.0
)
 
(0.1
)
 
( 0.0
)
 
(0.1
)
                           
Net loss
   
(24.0
)%
 
(4.2
)%
 
(23.2
)%
 
(3.1
)%

15


Net Revenue

Net sales consist primarily of revenue from direct sales to end-users, including resellers, and sales to distributors.

We are organized and operate as two operating segments, the Americas and International. The Americas is comprised of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The International segment is comprised of China, the United Kingdom and Norway.

The following table sets forth percentages of net revenue by geographic region with respect to such revenue for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Americas
   
88
%
 
91
%
 
87
%
 
90
%
International
   
12
%
 
9
%
 
13
%
 
10
%
Total
   
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%

 
Net revenue by customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for the three and six months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
AltiSys
   
15
%
 
14
%
 
16
%
 
14
%
Synnex
   
34
%
 
54
%
 
35
%
 
51
%
Graybar
   
15
%
 
13
%
 
14
%
 
15
%
Jenne
   
11
%
 
   
7
%
 
 
Total
   
75
%
 
81
%
 
72
%
 
80
%

The following table sets forth percentage of net revenue by product type with respect to such revenue for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Hardware
   
88
%
 
93
%
 
86
%
 
92
%
Software
   
12
%
 
7
%
 
14
%
 
8
%
Total
   
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%

Net revenue increased 14% to $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 as compared to $4.1 for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Revenue generated in the Americas segment accounted for $4.1 million, or 88% compared to $3.8 million, or 91% of our total revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. Revenue generated in the International segment accounted for $576,000, or 12% compared to $386,000, or 9% of our total revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. The increase in net revenue in the Americas segment was primarily attributable to change in our product mix. Net revenue from sales of our smaller systems decreased approximately 14.9% while larger systems increased 109%. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the number of systems shipped was 0.78% lower than the corresponding period in the previous year but the average revenue per system was higher by approximately 7.11%, reflecting a higher number of extensions per system shipped. Additionally, during the three month ended March 31, 2008, we recognized $130,000 in software assurance revenue. Effective September 4, 2007, we introduced our Software Assurance Program which provides our customers with the latest updates, new releases, and technical support for the applications they are licensed to use. The program is an annual subscription and can range from one to three years. Sales from the software assurance program are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue evenly over the terms of the subscriptions.

Net revenue increased 5% to $9.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2008 as compared to $8.5 for the six months ended March 31, 2007. Revenue generated in the Americas segment accounted for $7.8 million, or 87% compared to $7.7 million, or 90% of our total revenue, for the six months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. Revenue generated in the International segment accounted for $1.2 million, or 13% compared to $819,000, or 10% of our total revenue, for the six months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. The increase in net revenue in the Americas was primarily due to an increase of 2.4% in the number of systems shipped compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
 
16

 
Cost of Revenue 

Cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008 increased $188,000, or 10% to $2.1 million from approximately $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase was primarily caused by a shift in our product mix to larger sized systems with more extensions. Cost of revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was $3.9 million, respectively.

Research and Development (“R&D”)
 
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs related to personnel and overhead expenses, consultant expenses and other costs associated with design, development, prototyping and testing of our products and enhancements of our converged telephone system software. Research and development expenses increased to $1.0 million, or 22% of net revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $825,000, or 20% of net revenue, for the same period in fiscal 2007. The expense increase in absolute dollars was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related expense of approximately $202,000 due to an increase in headcount; and an increase of $21,000 in non-cash stock-based compensation required by SFAS No. 123(R). Research and development expense increased to $1.9 million, or 22% of net revenue, for the six months ended March 31, 2008 from $1.6 million, or 19% of net revenue, for the same period in fiscal 2007. This increase in absolute dollars is attributable to an increase in personnel-related and overhead expenses of approximately $323,000. The increase in personnel-related expensed was the result of increased headcount of approximately 5%.
 
We believe that continued spending on research and development expenses will increase in the future periods over the long term to remain competitive. In the short term, we expect research and development expenses to remain consistent as management continues to monitor expenses and plans to keep them in line with expected revenue opportunities.

Sales and Marketing
 
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, commissions and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing, sales and customer support functions, as well as trade shows, advertising, and promotional expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased to $1.8 million, or 39% of net revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from approximately $1.1 million, or 27% of net revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2007. This increase in absolute dollars was primarily attributable to an increase of $342,000 in personnel-related expenses; $33,000 increase in travel related expenses; $51,000 increase in service related expenses; $185,000 increase in partner conference expenses; increased advertising expenses of approximately $40,000; and $38,000 increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. The most significant factor contributing to the increase in personnel-related expenses was an increase in headcount. For the six months ended March 31, 2008, sales and marketing expenses increased to $3.6 million or 40% of net revenue from approximately $2.3 million, or 27% of net revenue, for the same period in fiscal 2007. The expense increase in absolute dollars was the result of increased advertising expenses of approximately $104,000; increased partner conference expenses of approximately $165,000; $58,000 increase in travel related expenses; and an increase in personnel-related expenses of approximately $734,000 due to an increase in headcount of 13 employees. Other factors include an increase of $144,000 in service related expenses; $43,000 increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expenses; and $49,000 increases in consulting related expenses.

We anticipate sales and marketing expenses will increase in future periods over the long term due to increased staffing levels, particularly in sales, increased marketing activities and increased commission expense to the extent we achieve higher sales levels.

General and Administrative (“G&A”)
  
General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and related expenses for executive, finance and administrative personnel, facilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, legal, and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses increased to $946,000, or 20% of net revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $590,000, or 14% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The increase in absolute dollars in general and administrative was driven by an increase in personnel-related expenses of approximately $131,000; $24,000 increase in travel related expenses; $86,000 increase in non-cash stock based compensation expense required by SFAS No. 123(R); $34,000 increase in relocation expenses; and $48,000 increase in service and consulting related expenses. The increases in personnel-related, travel, non-cash stock based compensation and relocation expenses are directly tied to the hiring of our new president and chief operating officer. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2008 increased to $1.8 million, or 20% of net revenue, from $1.2 million, or 14% of net revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2007. This was mainly the result of a $60,000 increase in service and consulting related expense; increased payroll related expenses of approximately $211,000; $19,000 increase in accounting fees; $43,000 increase in relocation expenses; $41,000 increase in travel relates expenses; $23,000 banking fees; and approximately $179,000 increase in non-cash stock based compensation expense required by SFAS No. 123(R). Approximately $46,000 of service and consulting related expenses were related to SOX Section 404 compliance testing. The increase in payroll related expenses are directly tied to the hiring of our new president and chief operating officer.
 
17

 
We expect general and administrative expenses to continue to increase due to the cost associated with compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act during fiscal year 2008.  

Equity Investment in Common Stock of Private Company

Equity investment in common stock of private company is primarily our allocated portion of the net income or losses of a private Korean telecommunications company that we acquired an ownership interest in July 2004 for approximately $79,000. As a result of this investment, we acquired approximately 23% of the voting power of the company. This gives us the right to nominate and elect one of the three members of the company’s current board of directors. We are accounting for this investment using the equity method. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the total equity loss with respect to this company was approximately $6,000 compared to net losses of $1,000 for the same period in fiscal 2007. For the six months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the total equity loss with respect to this company was approximately $3,000 and $4,000 respectively.
 
Interest Expense and Other Income, Net

Net interest and other income decreased to $82,000 and $194,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2008, respectively, from $115,000 and $235,000 for the same periods in fiscal 2007. The change was directly related to lower interest rates. The weighted average interest rate earned by us on our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments decreased to 3.72% in the six months ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the 5.75% rate earned during the same period in fiscal 2007. We expect net interest and other income to remain relatively flat with little change in cash available to invest.
 
18

 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since inception, we have financed our operations primarily through the sale of equity securities. As of March 31, 2008, we held cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $9.5 million. As of March 31, 2008, $9.1 million of our total assets are classified as cash and cash equivalents compared with $6.8 million as of March 31, 2007. Short-term investments were approximately $404,000 and $3.0 million as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

We believe our existing balances of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, as well as cash expected to be generated from operating activities, will be sufficient to satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations over the next 12 months.

The following table presents selected financial information for each of the fiscal periods indicated below (in thousands):

   
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
9,074
 
$
6,813
 
Short-term investments
   
404
   
3,010
 
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 
 
$
9,478
 
$
9,823
 
 
   
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
Net cash used in operating activities
 
$
(221
)
$
(175
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
   
3,374
   
1,826
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(190
)
 
109
 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, end of period 
 
$
2,963
 
$
1,760
 

Changes in Cash Flows

During the six months ended March 31, 2008, our net cash used in operating activities was $221,000, which was approximately $46,000 higher than the cash used in operating activities during the same period in fiscal 2007. This was primarily attributable to our net loss of $2.1 million, an increase of $439,000 in inventories, an increase of $490,000 in accounts payable, $1.3 million increase in deferred revenue, $131,000 increase in accrued liabilities and an increase of $127,000 in prepaid expenses. The cash impact of the loss for the six months ended March 31, 2008 was partially offset by non-cash adjustments of $125,000 in depreciation and amortization costs, and non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $480,000. The change in deferred revenue was primarily due to an increase of $588,000 in our software assurance sales as well as an increase of $676,000 in deferred channel due to more products being shipped to distribution channels than was sold. We work closely with our distributors to monitor channel inventory levels and attempt to ensure that appropriate levels of products are available to resellers and end users. Net cash used in operating activities of $175,000 in the six months ended March 31, 2007 was primarily due to a decrease of $648,000 in accounts receivable, a $162,000 reduction in accounts payable, approximately $45,000 decrease in deferred revenue and a decrease of $256,000 in stock based compensation expense. These factors were partially offset by an increase in net inventories of $568,000, depreciation and amortization of approximately $124,000 and prepaid expenses of $81,000.

For the six months ended March 31, 2008, net cash provided by investing activities was $3.4 million as compared $1.8 million during the same period in fiscal 2007. This was directly related to purchases of short-term investments and proceeds from maturities of short-term investments.

Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2008 was approximately $190,000 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $109,000 during the same period in fiscal 2007. This change was primarily related to the repurchase of treasury stock approved on October 23, 2007. Our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $2.0 million of our common stock in the open market. The repurchases will be made from time to time through November 14, 2008 at our management’s discretion depending on factors such as our stock price, general business and market conditions, and other investment opportunities. The repurchase will be made in the open market and will be funded from available working capital. Under the currently active authority, we repurchased 213,515 shares in the six months ended March 31, 2008 for an aggregate cost of $346,000. Current cash balances and the proceeds from stock option exercises and purchases in the stock purchase plan have funded stock repurchases.
 
19

 
Net accounts receivable remained unchanged at $2.7 million at March 31, 2008 and at September 30, 2007.

We ended the first quarter of fiscal 2008 with a cash conversion cycle of 82 days as compared to 95 days for the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The cash conversion cycle is the duration between purchase of inventories and services and the collection of the cash from the sale of our products and services and is a metric on which we have focused as we continue to try to efficiently manage our assets. The cash conversion cycle results from the calculation of days of sales outstanding (DSO) added to days of supply in inventories (DOS), reduced by days of payable outstanding (DPO).

Inventories increased to $2.0 million at March 31, 2008 from $1.6 million at September 30, 2007 and our inventory turn rate decreased to 4.2 at March 31, 2008 from 5.7 at September 30, 2007. The increased inventory level was primarily attributable to an increase in finished goods of approximately 58% due to the need to build up inventory for early shipments in early third quarter of fiscal 2008. We regularly provide forecasts to our contract manufacturers, and we order products from our contract manufacturers based on our projected sales levels well in advance of receiving actual orders from our customers. We seek to maintain sufficient levels of finished goods inventory to meet our forecasted product sales with limited levels of inventory to compensate for unanticipated shifts in sales volume and product mix. Our annualized inventory turn rate represents the number of times inventory is replenished during the year. Inventory management will continue to be an area of focus as we balance the need to maintain strategic inventory levels to help ensure competitive lead times with the risk of inventory obsolescence due to rapidly changing technology and customer requirements.

Accounts payable increased to $1.3 million at March 31, 2008 from $821,000 at September 30, 2007. This increase to accounts payable during this period was primarily attributable to an increase in the number of components purchased in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Approximately $270,000 of this increase was associated with the Internet protocol phones which we purchase from BCM Communications.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2008, our principal sources of liquidity included cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of approximately $9.5 million. The maturities of our short-term investments are staggered throughout the year to ensure we meet our cash requirements.

Our cash needs depend on numerous factors, including market acceptance of and demand for our products, our ability to develop and introduce new products and enhancements to existing products, the prices at which we can sell our products, the resources we devote to developing, marketing, selling and supporting our products, the timing and expense associated with expanding our distribution channels, increases in manufacturing costs and the prices of the components we purchase, as well as other factors. If we are unable to raise additional capital or if sales from our new products or enhancements are lower than expected, we will be required to make additional reductions in operating expenses and capital expenditures to ensure that we will have adequate cash reserves to fund operations.

Additional financing, if required, may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. We also may require additional capital to acquire or invest in complementary businesses or products, or obtain the right to use complementary technologies. If we cannot raise needed funds in the future if needed, on acceptable terms, we may not be able to further develop or enhance our products, take advantage of opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements, which could seriously harm our business. Even if additional financing is available, we may be required to obtain the consent of our stockholders, which we may or may not be able to obtain. In addition, the issuance of equity or equity-related securities will dilute the ownership interest of our stockholders and the issuance of debt securities could increase the risk or perceived risk of investing in our securities.

We did not have any material commitments for capital expenditures as of March 31, 2008. We had total outstanding commitments on noncancelable capital and operating leases of $1.2 million as of March 31, 2008. Lease terms on our existing facility operating leases generally range from three to nine years. We believe that we have sufficient cash reserves to allow us to continue our current operations for more than a year.
 
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The following table presents certain payments due by us under contractual obligations with minimum firm commitments as of March 31, 2008:
 
   
Payment Due by Period (in thousands)  
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
Payments Due in Less
Than 1 Year
 
Payments Due in
1 - 3 Years
 
Payments
Due in
3 - 5 Years
 
Payments Due
in More
Than 5 Years
 
Operating leases obligation
 
$
1,079
 
$
304
 
$
775
 
$
 
$
 
Capital leases obligation
   
99
   
22
   
77
   
   
 
Total contractual lease obligation
 
$
1,178
 
$
326
 
$
852
 
$
 
$
 

Effects of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. In addition, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest penalties and accounting in interim periods, and requires expanded disclosure with respect to the uncertainty in income taxes. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on October 1, 2007. There was no impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as a result of adoption. We have no unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 2008, including no accrued amounts for interest and penalties.
 
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

At March 21, 2008, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of fixed income securities. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value if market interest rates increase. Our interest income and expense is most sensitive to fluctuations in the general level of U.S. interest rates. As such, changes in U.S. interest rates affect the interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, the value of those investments. Due to the short duration and conservative nature of these instruments, we do not believe that we have a material exposure to interest rate risk. For example, if market interest rates were to increase immediately and uniformly by 10% from levels as of March 31, 2008, the decline in the fair value of the portfolio would not have a material effect on our results of operations over the next fiscal year.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
 
We transact business in non-U.S. currencies, primarily the Chinese Yuan (Renminbi). In the short term, we do not foresee foreign exchange currency fluctuations to pose a material market risk to us. In future periods over the long term, we anticipate we will be exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on accounts receivable from sales in these foreign currencies and the net monetary assets and liabilities of the related foreign subsidiary. A hypothetical 10% favorable or unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates would not have a material impact on our results of operations.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of our quarter ended March 31, 2008 pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of our quarter ended March 31, 2008, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On September 6, 2002, Vertical Networks, Inc. filed suit against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging infringement of U.S. Patents Nos. 6,266,341, 6,289,025, 6,292,482, 6,389,009, and 6,396,849.  On October 28, 2002, Vertical Networks amended its complaint to add allegations of infringement of U.S. Patents Nos. 5,617,418 and 5,687,174.  Vertical Networks filed a second amended complaint on November 20, 2002 to identify products and/or activities that allegedly infringe the seven patents-in-suit.  Vertical Networks' complaint seeks an injunction against future patent infringement, an award of damages, including treble damages for alleged willful infringement, and attorneys' fees and costs.  On December 9, 2002, we filed an answer and counterclaims for declaratory relief, and on December 26, 2002, Vertical Networks filed its reply to those counterclaims.  On October 4, 2007, the parties entered into a stipulation dismissing the lawsuit in its entirety without prejudice.   

From time to time, we may become party to litigation and subject to various routine claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. To date, these actions have not had a material adverse effect on our financial position, result of operations or cash flows. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the final outcome of such matters would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operation and cash flows.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On October 23, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $2.0 million of our common stock in the open market. This authorization was announced on November 14, 2007. Current cash balances and the proceeds from stock option exercises and employee stock purchase plan purchases have funded the stock repurchase program. Pursuant to the 2007 Board of Directors’ authorization, we repurchased 213,515 shares in the six months ended March 31, 2008, at an approximate cost of $346,000. This authorization expires on November 14, 2008.

Repurchases of our common stock under the latest Board of Directors’ authorization is represented in the following table:

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares 
Purchased
as Part of  Publicly
Announced 
Program
 
Maximum 
Number of
Shares that 
May Yet
be Purchased 
Under
the Program
 
November 1, 2007 through November 30, 2007
   
16,413
 
$
1.59
   
16,413
   
1,983,587
 
December 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007
   
92,965
   
1.60
   
109,378
   
1,890,622
 
February 1, 2008 through February 29, 2008
   
80,218
   
1.66
   
189,596
   
1,810,404
 
March 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
   
23,919
   
1.61
   
213,515
   
1,786,485
 
Total
   
213,515
 
$
1.61
   
213,515
   
1,786,485
 
 
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Item 6. Exhibits.
 
Please refer to the Exhibit Index of this report on Form 10-Q.
 
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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
   
Date: May 14, 2008
By:
/s/ Philip M. McDermott
 
 
Philip M. McDermott,
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
     
3.1 (1)
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
     
3.2 (2)
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws.
     
31.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer, filed herewith.
     
31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer, filed herewith.
     
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, file herewith.
     
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, file herewith.
___________________________________________

(1)
 
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-80037) declared effective on October 4, 1999.
     
(2)
 
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
 
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