Unassociated Document
 
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 September 30, 2010
 
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: 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)
     
410 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA
 
95134
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (408) 597-9000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, and associated preferred stock purchase rights
 
The OTCQX Over-the-Counter Market
     
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  *

     *On November 2, 2010, the registrant filed a Certification of Notice of Termination of Registration on Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange   Commission to voluntarily deregister its common stock and suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ¨   No x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ¨   No x
 
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 the 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.                                                                    ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes o    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 definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  ¨
  
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer    ¨  (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 ¨   No x
 
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $10,269,786 as of March 31, 2010, based on the closing price of our common stock as reported on The OTCQX Over-the-Counter Market on such date. Shares of common stock held by each officer and director and by each person known to own 5% or more of our outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.  This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.  As of March 31, 2010, there were 16,431,022 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of December 09, 2010 was 16,494,758.
 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
 

 
 

 

ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Form 10-K for the Year Ended September 30, 2010
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
     
PART I
 
Item 1.
Business
1
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
13
     
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
22
     
Item 2.
Properties
22
     
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
22
     
Item 4.
Removed and Reserved
22
     
PART II
 
Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
23
     
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
26
     
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
27
     
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
38
     
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
39
     
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
40
     
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
40
     
Item 9B.
Other Information
41
     
PART III
 
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
42
     
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
44
     
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
51
     
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
52
     
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
53
     
PART IV
 
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
54
     
SIGNATURES
80

 
 

 

Note About Forward-Looking Statements
 
Our disclosure and analysis in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains some forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events.  You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  They use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.  These forward-looking statements rely on assumptions, estimates and predictions that could be inaccurate and that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.  Important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements include those described in Item 1A. "Risk Factors."  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.
 
PART I
 
Item 1.  BUSINESS
 
INTRODUCTION
 
AltiGen Communications, Inc. (OTCQX: ATGN.PK) is a leading provider of 100% Microsoft-based (VoIP) business phone systems and Unified Communications solutions.  AltiGen solutions are designed for high reliability, ease of use, seamless integration to Microsoft infrastructure technologies, and are built on a scalable, open standards platform.
 
AltiGen Communications, or AltiGen, was founded by current Chairman of the Board Gilbert Hu in 1994, and the first products began shipping in 1996. Our telephony products are primarily sold to small-to-medium sized businesses, multi-site businesses, corporate branch offices, call centers, credit unions and community banks.
 
AltiGen's products enable an array of applications like VoIP phones and servers, Contact Center, voicemail, call recording, call activity reporting, and mobility solutions that take advantage of the convergence of voice and data communications to achieve cost reduction.  Our systems are designed with an open architecture and are built on an industry standard platform.  This adherence to widely-used standards allows our products to integrate with and leverage a company's existing technology investment.
 
AltiGen's hardware and software products are available from independent authorized resellers and strategic partners. AltiGen's family of telephony solutions has been recognized for excellence with more than 40 industry awards since 1996.
 
We generated net revenue of $16.6 million with a net loss of $1.7 million during fiscal year 2010.  As of September 30, 2010, we had an accumulated deficit of $62.4 million.  Net cash used in operating activities was $743,000 in fiscal year 2010.
 
Our principal executive office is located at 410 East Plumeria Drive, San Jose, California 95134.  Our telephone number is (408) 597-9000.  We were incorporated in California in May 1994, and we reincorporated into Delaware in June 1999.
 
We maintain an Internet website at http://www.altigen.com.  Our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and certain of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are available through the Investor Relations section of our website.  Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other required filings and amendments to these filings are available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov, which can be accessed from the Investor Relations section of our website.  In addition, you may read and copy any material we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
We focus our sales efforts on medium and enterprise sized businesses, multi-site businesses, corporate branch offices, and call centers.

 
1

 
 
THE ALTIGEN PRODUCT OFFERING
 
AltiGen's unified communications solutions are designed with an open architecture, built on industry standard Intel-based servers, Session Initiation Protocol ("SIP") based platform, and Microsoft Windows-based applications.  This adherence to widely-used standards allows our solutions to both integrate with and leverage a company's existing technology investment.  AltiGen's award winning, integrated IP applications suite provides customers with a complete business communications solution.  Voicemail, Unified Messaging, Mobility, Automatic Call Distribution, Call Recording, Call Activity Reporting, and Mobility solutions take advantage of the convergence of voice and data communications to achieve superior business results.
 
The AltiGen unified communications solutions work with digital, analog and internet protocol trunks, and internet protocol and analog telephone extensions.  AltiGen’s solutions can be configured with digital, analog or VoIP, or a combination of the three.  By allowing the customer to choose what best fits their current and future requirement, we provide a practical and cost effective solution to future growth.
 
Each unified communications system can be configured to include a wide range of comprehensive features. Mobile Convergence, Contact Center, voicemail  with over 2,500 hours of storage, 255 auto attendant menus with unlimited levels, automatic call distribution, call detail reporting, call recording on demand, meet-me conference bridges, and standard PBX (Private Branch Exchange) functionality.  A PBX is a telephone system within an enterprise that switches calls between enterprise users on local lines while allowing all users to share a certain number of external telephone lines.  Additionally, the system provides intuitive and easy to use system administration software to allow for customer self-administration or remote administration by our authorized reseller partners.
 
AltiGen phone systems can be scaled to customer needs, and multiple systems may be networked together for greater expansion.  These networked systems can be at a single site, a campus environment or multiple locations throughout the world using Internet protocol technology to link them.  AltiGen phone systems allow affordable entry point while maintaining logical system growth.
 
For customers with more advanced requirements, we provide AltiContact Manager.  The product is available as a software upgrade to an existing MAXCommunications Server System (MAXCS System).  For additional information regarding MAXCS System, see the section entitled “Product.” This product is capable of skills-based routing, priority queuing, centralized call recording and advanced monitoring and reporting.  This capability may be added on a per agent/supervisor basis as the customer grows.  This allows a smaller business or branch office to enjoy the same capability as a large professional call center organization.  If a customer has more than one location, call center calls can automatically be routed to other locations based on conditions the customer chooses.
 
Key features of our phone systems include:
 
 
·
Scalability.  AltiGen's software based MAXCS 6.5 softswitch architecture was designed to scale in both size and capability to the meet the evolving needs of the small and medium-sized business (SMB) and enterprise markets.  As a software-based system, AltiGen can rapidly deploy new features to our customers without requiring expensive hardware upgrades.
 
 
·
Native Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2.  MAXCS 6.5 fully supports native integration to Microsoft’s Unified Communications platform to provide advance Contact Center and Mobility solutions. AltiGen’s solution has been tested and certified by Microsoft’s Open Interoperability Program.
 
 
·
Native Microsoft Exchange Server Integration.  MAXCS 6.5 fully supports native integration into Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 to unlock the embedded Unified Messaging capabilities of Exchange.  As the "Voice of Microsoft Exchange", mutual Microsoft and AltiGen customers now have voice access to e-mails, calendar events, and personal and global company contact information via Text-to-Speech services.
 
 
·
Measurable Information to Ensure Best Business Practices.  We provide a complete view into individual and group performance.  The amount, type and duration of calls can be tracked and analyzed.  An individual can record a call for later review, or a company can centrally record all or a percentage of calls for quality control.

 
2

 
 
 
·
Reduced Administration Costs.  Our easy to use self administration software allows customers to manage their own telephone system.  This reduces or eliminates ongoing operating cost of any business telephone system typically referred to as adds, moves and changes.  AltiGen phone systems allow administrators to perform many of these tasks on site or remotely without assistance from third parties.
 
 
·
Lower Toll Costs.  By routing voice over data networks, our systems reduce toll charges associated with long-distance calls between locations.  Using our products, businesses can send and receive voice communications over the Internet or a private data network.
 
 
·
Unified Company Locations.  For companies with AltiGen systems in multiple locations, we provide a seamless dialing plan.  Customers calling into one location can automatically be routed to the correct group or individual.  This allows a multi-site business to operate under a unified dialing plan and allows users in different sites to operate as if they were supported by a single system rather than an individual system for each location.
 
 
·
Survivability Options.  Our systems allow practical and cost efficient options for disaster recovery planning.  Redundant system hard drives allow all voicemail and configuration information to be copied to a spare hard drive.  The system allows nightly backup to another network drive.  If weather or other problems prevent employees from reaching the office, MaxMobile, One Number Access and VoIP telephones can be utilized to keep operations running.  We provide multiple options based upon what best fits the customer environment.
 
 
·
Innovative Desktop Productivity Software.  Our systems provide desktop software applications to increase user productivity.  Call control, changes in extension configuration and the ability to view and manage voicemail messages improve an employee's ability to process calls.  In addition, we provide software for group supervisors, agents, system administrators and operators.  Applications are centrally upgraded from the phone system to allow for quick and efficient deployment.
 
 
·
Integration with Customer Relationship Management Software.  The MAXCommunicator Agent Edition and MAXCommunicator desktop interface provide automatic contact record retrieval and "screen pops" of contact records to a user's desktop.  Microsoft Outlook users can type in a name to automatically retrieve telephone numbers and click and dial from an integrated contact record directory.  We provide built-in integration with other Microsoft software applications like Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange.
 
 
·
Ease of Installation, Use and Maintenance.  AltiGen phone systems allow easy installation and system maintenance.  Administrators can manage call routing, extension management, voice messaging, email and Internet features of our products through a single AltiWare administrator interface.  By using industry standards we believe that AltiGen systems make it easier for resellers and end-user customers to implement and maintain systems.
 
 
·
Improved Customer Service Capabilities.  AltiGen phone systems provide integrated call center functionality.  For more advanced call center or centralized call recording requirements, we offer the AltiContact Manager software application.  Both Contact Center applications are designed to enhance our customers' communications with their customers by employing comprehensive Contact Center and call center routing, reporting and recording technologies.
 
 
·
Integrated Centralized Call Recording.  Voice calls can be recorded on demand by employees, agents and supervisors or automatically centrally recorded by the phone system.  Traditional phone systems require a separate system to be tied to a PBX to centrally record calls.  Modular feature licensing allows businesses to add capabilities on a per-feature or per-user basis offering a reduced up-front investment.

 
3

 
 
 
·
True Employee Mobility.  We provide flexible and useable mobility options while retaining accountability.  We provide several powerful options. MaxMobile is a native smart phone application designed to allow any phone with a direct telephone number to be enabled as a live extension on the system.  Call handling, call transfer, conferencing and voicemail capability are retained.  Our "One Number Access" feature allows the system to search and then transfer a call at up to four numbers.  For remote employees, we offer a VoIP telephone to connect to an employee's high speed Internet access.  Our mobility options are flexible and simple to use.
 
PRODUCTS
 
The following is a list of our products that are material to our current operations from a financial standpoint:

Product
 
Description
MAXCS
 
MAXCS server software consists of a comprehensive suite of software applications to provide a high value, all-in-one solution.  The systems include software and licensing necessary to support analog and VoIP telephones, operator software, and desktop call control software for each extension on the system.  By providing a bundled approach, we maintain quality and reliability while providing for easy deployment.  The platforms are scalable, and are packaged according to the size of the customer.
     
AltiContact Manager
 
AltiContact Manager is available as a software upgrade to an existing AltiGen phone system.  This product is capable of skills-based routing, priority queuing, centralized call recording and advanced monitoring and reporting.  This capability may be added on a per agent/supervisor basis as a company's needs grow.  This allows a smaller business or branch office to enjoy the same capability as a larger organization with a professional call center.  If a company has more than one location, calls to call centers can automatically be routed to other locations based on conditions the customer chooses.
     
IP720 Voice over IP Telephone
 
 
The IP720 is a fully featured SIP-compatible IP telephone designed to empower the user.  Bringing stylish form and functionality to the desktop, the IP720 makes sophisticated features simple and intuitive to use.  Users have single button access to voicemail, activity/presence selection, voicemail greeting selections, call recording, call conferencing, call transferring, and even placing calls to employees in other countries.  The IP720 has integrated Power over Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet support.
     
IP705 Voice over IP Telephone
 
 
The IP705 is a mid-level SIP-based VoIP phone designed to empower the user and has integrated Power over Ethernet. Users have convenient single button access to voicemail, call conferencing, call transferring, redial and call log lists. The IP705 has five programmable keys, speakerphone and intercom.
 
 
4

 
 
Product
 
Description
MaxMobile
 
MaxMobile extends a complete set of business PBX functionality to smart phone devices, often eliminating the need for a separate desktop phone. When users log in to MaxMobile, the smart phone is registered as the “business” PBX extension. All inbound business calls are routed through the PBX (so employees don’t have to publish their mobile phone numbers). Outbound calls can be routed through the PBX (in accordance with corporate policies) or directly through the cellular network. In every case, MaxMobile graphical user interface extends a multitude of business PBX features to smart phone devices.
 
     
MAXCommunicator
 
MAXCommunicator is a Windows-based desktop application that provides call control and visual voice mail management to the desktop.  It allows users to receive and place calls, listen to voicemail messages, identify the caller phone number and manage extension configuration.  MAXCommunicator is standard with all AltiGen systems.
     
MAXCommunicator, Agent Edition
 
MAXCommunicator, Agent Edition is a Windows-based desktop application to bring call control and workgroup information to call center agents.  Users can view a call queue, monitor work group status, check caller identification, measure performance, review log-on history, receive and place calls and listen to and manage voicemail messages.
     
MAXCommunicator, Supervisor Edition
 
MAXCommunicator, Supervisor Edition is a Windows-based desktop application for call center supervisors.  The application allows a call center or workgroup supervisor to effectively manage a workgroup.  MAXCommunicator, Supervisor Edition provides four major real time module views for workgroup management: agent status, agent statistics, group statistics, and queue status with a quality of services capability.  MAXCommunicator, Supervisor Edition allows coaching, silent monitoring of agents with barge-in call participation and call recording functionality.
     
Triton IP Board
 
The Triton IP Board is a microprocessor-controlled board supporting VoIP communications.  This allows voice conversations to be carried over public and private data networks that support Internet protocol.  The Triton IP Board is a 12-port board that can be software configured to 30 ports.  The Triton IP Board can be used for Internet protocol trunks connecting multiple networked MAXCS systems or to support VoIP telephone extensions and VoIP agent extensions.
     
Triton T1, E1, T1/PRI Board
 
The Triton T1, E1, T1/PRI Board is a microprocessor-controlled board that allows MAXCS systems to connect to T1, E1 or T1/PRI digital high-capacity central office telephone lines.  This board can be configured with software to support provisioning for T1, E1 or T1/PRI communication protocols.
 
 
5

 
 
Product
 
Description
     
Triton Trunk Board
 
The Triton Trunk Board is 12 port, microprocessor-controlled board that allows MAXCS systems to connect to analog central office telephone lines.  This allows outbound and inbound calls to be carried over traditional analog central office telephone lines.
     
Triton Extension Board
 
The Triton Extension Board is a 12 port, microprocessor-controlled board that allows MAXCS systems to support 12 analog telephone extensions with each Triton Extension Board.
     
Triton Conference Board
 
The Triton Conference Board allows up to 30 simultaneous callers per conference and includes a scheduling application to control access and attendees.
     
MAX 4x4xT1 Access Board
 
The MAX 4x4xT1 Access Board is a microprocessor-controlled board that allows the MAX1000 phone system to connect to four analog trunk lines, four analog telephone extensions, and one (1) T1/E1/PRI digital central office telephone line.
     
MAX 4x8 Access Board
 
The MAX 4x8 Access Board is a microprocessor-controlled board that allows the MAX1000 phone system to connect to four analog trunk lines and eight analog telephone extensions.
     
MAX 8x4 Access Board
 
The MAX 8x4 Access Board is a microprocessor-controlled board that allows the MAX1000 phone system to connect to eight analog trunk lines and four analog telephone extension.
     
MAX 0x12 Access Board
 
The MAX 0x12 Access Board is a microprocessor-controlled board that allows the MAX1000 phone system to connect twelve analog telephone extensions.
 
AltiGen Hardware and Firmware
 
We have developed a single base circuit board with high performance digital signal processing technology, which means that the circuit board has an integrated computer built on it that can run special, high-speed software programs, called firmware.  Firmware can receive, send and modify digital information for communications with network services.  Our digital signal processing boards, Triton and MAX are designed to allow us to create different circuit boards to meet many communication requirements by simply adding a few hardware and/or software components to the basic board.  For example, the Triton digital signal processing board can become a T1, E1 or Integrated Services Digital Network communication circuit board or a circuit board supporting VoIP with simple changes in on-board software and, in some cases, new circuits.
 
This modular design not only enables us to provide new capabilities, but we also believe that it enables our products to achieve a high degree of reliability and cost reduction since the underlying technology is consistent across our products.
 
AltiGen Modular Software
 
Our software products are based on modular software components similar to the concept described above for our hardware and firmware.  The service provider layer of software is composed of separate software components, each of which communicates with a hardware circuit board within the AltiGen phone system.  The middleware layer interacts with all the service providers in the system and manages their resources.  This middleware layer communicates with the hardware and allows application programs to provide specific features.  The application program layer consists of components that implement the application logic, such as voicemail and auto attendant menus.  These applications do not depend on any particular hardware integration.

 
6

 
 
We believe that the layered architectural structure of our MAXCS products provides important benefits:
 
 
·
New features can be developed without changing hardware.
 
·
Development time is generally shorter.
 
·
New hardware and software features can be added to installed systems.
 
·
Changing one component in the system does not require other components to be changed.

 
7

 

Service Support Programs
 
In September 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. In fiscal year 2008, we initiated our Premier Service Plan, which includes software assurance and extended hardware warranty. These programs have an annual subscription and can range from one to three years. Sales from our service support programs are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue over the terms of their subscriptions.

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

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Hardware
    64 %     71 %     86 %
Software
    14 %     13 %     14 %
Service Support Plans (1)
    22 %     16 %      
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %

(1) 
In fiscal year 2008, revenue generated from these service support plans accounted for less than 1% of our total revenue.
 
MARKETING, SALES AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT
 
Marketing
 
Our marketing efforts currently focus on increasing demand for our products in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.  We are working to increase market awareness of our technology and demand for our products for medium and enterprise sized businesses and call center markets through public relations, print, email and web campaigns.
 
To assist our distributors, dealers and strategic partners, we provide market development funds, marketing tools and technical and sales training developed specifically for our products.  We expect that these programs will allow us to leverage the expertise and contacts of the local and regional reseller channels to create strong lead generation.
 
Sales
 
We use a broad distribution channel to bring our products and solutions to our customers. Our distribution channel is comprised of distributors and resellers. In the United States, in fiscal year 2010, we added additional strategic account managers and business development personnel. In addition, we added new resellers and distribution partners in the United Kingdom and Italy.
 
We are organized and operate as two operating segments, the Americas and International.  The Americas segment is comprised of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.  The International segment is comprised of China, the United Kingdom, Italy and Holland. Our two geographical segments both sell similar products to similar types of customers.

 
8

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

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Americas
    86 %     86 %     87 %
International
    14 %     14 %     13 %
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %
 
The following table sets forth a measure of profit or loss for each operating segment for the periods indicated (in thousands):

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Americas
  $ (621 )   $ (3 )   $ (211 )
International
  $ (1,087 )   $ (4,707 )   $ (3,726 )
Total
  $ (1,708 )   $ (4,710 )   $ (3,937 )
 
The following table sets forth the total assets for each operating segment as of the periods indicated (in thousands):

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Americas
  $ 7,606     $ 8,060     $ 11,438  
International
  $ 2,755     $ 3,271     $ 3,338  
Total
  $ 10,361     $ 11,331     $ 14,776  
 
We currently have sales and support staff in more than 10 locations in the United States.  Our inside sales group answers incoming calls from end users and refers new leads to a qualified dealer near each end user's location.  The inside sales group is also responsible for account management of our smaller resellers.  Our outside sales force, which is primarily based in the Americas, includes enterprise account executives and technology solutions managers who work with direct enterprise accounts and larger resellers. In fiscal year 2010, we began to shift our legacy channel based sales force into a direct enterprise account team.
 
Customers

Our customers are primarily end-users, resellers and distributors. We have distribution agreements with Altisys Communications, Inc., and Synnex Corporation in the Americas. Our agreements with Altisys and Synnex have initial terms of one year. Each of these agreements are renewed automatically for additional one year terms, provided that each party has the right to terminate the agreement for convenience upon ninety (90) days’ written notice prior to the end of the initial term or any subsequent term of the agreement. In addition, our agreements with Altisys and Synnex also provide for termination, with or without cause and without penalty, by either party upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other party or upon insolvency or bankruptcy. For a period of sixty (60) days following termination of the agreement, Altisys and Synnex may distribute any products in their possession at the time of termination or, at their option, return any products to us that are in their inventories. Upon termination of the distribution agreement, all outstanding invoices for the products will become due and payable within thirty (30) days of the termination.

 
9

 

We also have a reseller agreement with Fiserv Solutions, Inc. for the Americas. Our agreement with Fiserv has an initial term of ten years ending on August 28, 2019, and shall be renewed automatically for additional five year terms unless either party provides the other party with ninety (90) days’ written notice of termination prior to the end of the initial term or any subsequent term of the agreement. The agreement can also be terminated for, among other things, material breach or insolvency of either party. Upon termination, AltiGen would continue to have support obligations for products that Fiserv distributed subject to Fiserv’s obligation to remain current on maintenance fees.
 
The following table sets forth our net revenue by customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for the periods indicated:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Synnex
    36 %     30 %     34 %
Jenne (1)
          15 %     12 %
Fiserv (2)
    10 %     10 %      
Altisys (3)
                12 %
Total
    46 %     55 %     58 %

(1)
In September 2009, we terminated our distribution agreement with Jenne. The termination of our relationship with Jenne did not have a material impact on our business for fiscal year 2010.
(2) 
In August 2009, we entered into a reseller agreement with Fiserv Solutions, Inc. Our agreement with Fiserv has an initial term of ten years and will renew automatically for additional five year terms, provided that each party has the right to terminate the agreement for convenience upon ninety (90) days' written notice prior to the end of the initial term or any subsequent term of the agreement.
(3)
During fiscal years 2010 and 2009, revenue generated from Altisys was less than 10% of our total revenue.
 
We also have over 200 authorized resellers who sell our products directly to a broad range of end-users.  We review our resellers' performance quarterly and discontinue distribution for those who do not meet our revenue or technical standards.
 
Customer Support
 
We believe that consistent, high-quality service and support are key factors in attracting and retaining customers.  Our customer support groups, located in California, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota and Shanghai, China coordinate service and technical support of our products and provide service twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  Our support personnel assist our distributors and resellers in resolving installation and support issues that arise from their sales to end users and also provide limited support to end-users to supplement dealer support.  Resellers and end-user customers can also access technical information and receive technical support through our web site.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and frequent product introductions.  We believe that our future success depends in large part upon our ability to continue to enhance the functionality and uses of our core technology.  We intend to extend the functionality and uses of our hardware and software technology and develop new products by continuing to invest in research and development.
 
We are currently developing enhancements to our products to provide greater functionality and increased capacity that we expect will enable us to enhance our position in the Internet protocol phone system market space, enter new geographical markets, and allow us to continue to penetrate the call center market.
 
We currently conduct the majority of our product development in-house. We also use a small number of independent contractors to assist with certain product development and testing activities. We intend to continue working with our strategic partners to enhance our products.  As of September 30, 2010, we employed 58 employees in engineering, research and development and support. A total of 34 of those employees were located in Shanghai, China.

 
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We believe our future success relies on continued product enhancement. To accomplish this objective, we seek to improve product reliability, advance and broaden employed technologies while maintaining or reducing product cost. In addition, we actively pursue development of potential new products. Our efforts to enhance existing products and develop new products require an extensive investment in research and development. We expense research and development costs relating to both present and potential future products as incurred. These expenses totaled $4.6 million, $4.9 million and $4.2 million during fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

We intend to continue to focus on product innovation, quality improvement, performance enhancement and on-time delivery while striving for product cost improvements to promote added value for our products. We seek growth opportunities through: 1) the development of new applications for existing products, 2) technological improvements for both new and existing markets and 3) the acquisition and development of new products and competencies.
 
COMPETITION
 
The markets for our products are intensely competitive, continually evolving and subject to changing technologies.  We currently compete with Internet protocol and Internet protocol-enabled telecommunications systems, such as Avaya Inc., Mitel Networks Corporation, Shoretel Inc, and Cisco Systems, Inc.  Many of our competitors are substantially larger than us and have significantly greater name recognition, financial, sales and marketing, technical, customer support, manufacturing and other resources.  These competitors also may have more established distribution channels and stronger relationships with local, long distance and Internet service providers.  These competitors may be able to respond more rapidly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products.
 
These competitors may enter our existing or future markets with products that may be less expensive, that may provide higher performance or additional features or that may be introduced more quickly than our products.  In fiscal 2010, we believe that we continued to be both feature and price competitive.  Additionally, we believe we provide a low ongoing cost of ownership.  We believe that our principal competitive advantages include:
 
 
·
Leading provider of 100 percent Microsoft-based VoIP business phone systems and Unified Communications solutions;
    
 
·
Ability to reduce communications costs;
 
 
·
Ease of system manageability;
 
 
·
Ease of use;
 
 
·
Simple deployment in single and multi-site implementations;
 
 
·
Ability to achieve rapid product development;
 
 
·
Experience in service and technical support of Internet protocol telephony;
 
 
·
Complete call center application now standard with all MAXCS systems;
 
 
·
Decentralized voice processing support for advanced and integrated telephony application;
 
 
·
Innovative mobility capabilities supporting mobile telephone devices such as the telephone system extensions; and
 
 
·
Reliable redundant configurations supported.
 
We believe that we compete favorably with our competitors on the basis of these factors. However, if we are not able to compete successfully against our current and future competitors, it will be difficult to acquire and retain customers, and we may experience revenue declines, reduced operating margins, loss of market share and diminished value in our services.

 
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
We generally rely upon patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to protect and maintain our proprietary rights for our technology and products.  As of September 30, 2009, we have been issued three registered trademarks, "AltiGen™," "AltiServ™" and "Zoomerang™."  In addition, the AltiGen logo is a trademark of ours in the United States and other jurisdictions.  All other trademarks and trade names used in this Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners.
 
We have filed several U.S. patent applications relating to various aspects of our client and server software, mixed-media communications and computer telephony.  As of September 30, 2010, we have been issued sixteen U.S. patents. The duration of our patents is determined by the laws of the country of issuance and for U.S. patents may be 20 years from the date of its filing depending upon when the patent application was filed.  We expect to continue to file patent applications to protect our technology and products.  We cannot be sure that our patent applications will result in the issuance of patents, or that any issued patents will provide commercially significant protection for our technology. We maintain a policy requiring our employees, consultants and other third parties to enter into confidentiality and proprietary rights agreements and to control access to software, documentation and other proprietary information.  Notwithstanding the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights, third parties may infringe or misappropriate our proprietary rights. Competitors may also independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the technologies we employ in our services.
 
MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY
 
Our manufacturing operations consist of two phases.  In the first phase, we send out components of our products to a third party assembler.  The third party assembler auto-inserts the components into the printed circuit boards.  In the second phase, we insert the assembled circuit boards into the burn-in process for a minimum of two weeks and after that we perform the final test of the circuit boards.  In fiscal year 2010, we engaged All Quality Services in Fremont, California and ISIS Surface Mounting, Inc. in San Jose, California as our third party assemblers.  During fiscal 2010, four suppliers, Advantech Corporation, BCM Communications, Inc., Avnet Electronics and AAEON Electronics, Inc., provided us with approximately 74% of our hardware product components.  We purchase fully-assembled chassis from Advantech Corporation, Internet protocol phones from BCM Communications, Inc., single board computers for our MAX product from AAEON Electronics, Inc. and raw material components from Avnet Electronics.  As of September 30, 2010, our in-house manufacturing operations occupied approximately 6,000 square feet of our corporate headquarters in San Jose, California.
 
We test our products after the assembly process using internally developed product assurance testing procedures, which include visual inspection, functional testing and final systems testing.  Although we generally use standard components for our products and try to maintain alternative sources of supply, we purchase some key components from sole source suppliers for which alternative sources are not currently available.  We incorporate the following sole-sourced components in our products:
 
 
·
Zarlink Corporation chips are included in all of our boards and are the means by which our boards communicate with each other to enable our products to function correctly.
 
 
·
Texas Instruments' digital signal processor ("DSP") chips are included in our Triton family of boards.  The DSP chip is designed to perform the mathematics, data compression and other tasks required to manipulate voice communications that are routed through our products.
 
 
·
Xilinx, Inc provides chips for our Triton family of boards which allow our boards to work with digital communications lines.
 
 
·
Infineon Technologies provides chips for our Triton Analog product line which allow our board to work with analog communications lines.
 
 
·
PMC Sierra, Inc. provides chips for our Triton Digital product line which allow our board to work with digital communications lines.
 
 
·
Advantech Corporation provides the chassis for our MAXCS Office products and some of our larger systems based on our specifications.
 
 
·
BCM Communications, Inc. manufactures our Internet protocol phone loaded with customized firmware to work with our system.
 
 
·
AAEON Electronics, Inc. manufactures single board computers for our MAX products.
 
The loss of any key component supplier would adversely impact our business.

 
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EMPLOYEES
 
As of September 30, 2010, we had 112 full-time employees, including 58 in research and development and support, 33 in marketing and sales, 8 in operations, and 13 in finance and administration.  Of these full-time employees, 61 were located in the United States and 51 in China.  Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified technical, marketing, engineering and management personnel.
 
We were incorporated in California in May 1994, and we reincorporated into Delaware in June 1999. Our corporate headquarters are located at 410 East Plumeria Drive, San Jose, California 95134. Our telephone number is (408) 597-9000. We maintain an Internet website at http://www.altigen.com. Our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and certain of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are available through the Investor Relations section of our website. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other required filings and amendments to these filings are available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov, which can be reached from our Investor Relations website. In addition, you may read and copy any material we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
 
Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
CERTAIN FACTORS AFFECTING BUSINESS, OPERATING RESULTS, AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
In addition to other information contained in this Form 10-K, investors should carefully consider the following factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our common stock.  This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of these provisions, including any statements regarding: projections of revenues, future research and development expenses, future selling, general and administrative expenses, other expenses, gross profit, gross margin, or other financial items; the plans and objectives of management for future operations; our exposure to interest rate risk; future economic conditions or performance; plans to focus on cost control; In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "estimates," "potential," or "continue," or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations or any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements.  Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the factors set forth below and elsewhere in this report.  All forward-looking statements and reasons why results may differ included in this Annual Report are made as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement or reason why actual results may differ.

Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock

Our common stock no longer trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market

In March 2010, we voluntarily delisted our common stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market and moved our common stock listing to the OTCQX over-the-counter market.  As a result, investors may find it more difficult to dispose of or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our common stock, and the ability of our stockholders to sell our securities in the secondary market may be materially limited.

Our stock price may be volatile.

The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. Factors that could affect the trading price of our common stock could include:

 
·
variations in our operating results;
 
·
announcements of technological innovations, new products or product enhancements, strategic alliances or significant agreements by us or by our competitors;
 
·
the gain or loss of significant customers;

 
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·
recruitment or departure of key personnel;
 
·
the impact of unfavorable worldwide economic and market conditions, including the restricted credit environment impacting our customers’ ability to obtain credit;
 
·
changes in estimates of our operating results or changes in recommendations by any securities analysts who follow our common stock;
 
·
significant sales, or announcement of significant sales, of our common stock by us or our stockholders; and
 
·
adoption or modification of regulations, policies, procedures or programs applicable to our business.

In addition, the stock market in general, and the market for technology companies in particular, has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Broad market and industry factors may seriously affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a particular company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

We may choose to raise additional capital. Such capital may not be available, or may be available on unfavorable terms, which would adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

We expect that our existing cash balances will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for the foreseeable future. If we choose to raise additional funds, due to unforeseen circumstances or material expenditures, we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if at all, and any additional financings could result in additional dilution to our existing stockholders.

Provisions in our charter documents, Delaware law, employment arrangements with certain of our executive officers and Preferred Stock Rights Agreement could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. These provisions include but are not limited to the following:

 
·
our board of directors has the right to increase the size of the board of directors and to elect directors to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;
 
·
our board of directors is staggered into three (3) classes and each member is elected for a term of 3 years, which prevents stockholders from being able to assume control of the board of directors;
 
·
our stockholders may not act by written consent  and are limited in their ability to call special stockholders’ meetings; as a result, a holder, or holders controlling a majority of our capital stock would be limited in their ability to take certain actions other than at annual stockholders’ meetings or special stockholders’ meetings called by the board of directors, the chairman of the board or the president;
 
·
our certificate of incorporation prohibits cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
 
·
stockholders must provide advance notice to nominate individuals for election to the board of directors or to propose matters that can be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company; and
 
·
our board of directors may issue, without stockholder approval, shares of undesignated preferred stock; the ability to issue undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire us.

 
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As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to certain Delaware anti-takeover provisions. Under Delaware law, a corporation may not engage in a business combination with any holder of 15% or more of its capital stock unless the holder has held the stock for three years or, among other things, the board of directors has approved the transaction. Our board of directors could rely on Delaware law to prevent or delay an acquisition of us.

Certain of our executive officers may be entitled to accelerated vesting of their options pursuant to the terms of their employment arrangements upon a change of control of AltiGen. In addition to the arrangements currently in place with some of our executive officers, we may enter into similar arrangements in the future with other officers. Such arrangements could delay or discourage a potential acquisition of AltiGen.

Our board of directors declared a dividend of one (1) right for each share of Common Stock under the terms and conditions of a Preferred Stock Rights Agreement by and between AltiGen and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as rights agent, dated April 21, 2009, which right is exercisable for shares of AltiGen’s Preferred Stock after the date on which a hostile acquiror obtains, or announces a tender offer for, 15% or more of the Company’s Common Stock.  If an acquiror obtains 15% or more of the Company’s Common Stock, each stockholder (except the acquiror) may purchase either our Common Stock or in certain circumstances, the acquiror’s Common Stock, at a discount, resulting in substantial dilution to the acquiror’s interest.  Such rights could delay or discourage a potential acquisition of AltiGen.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding our stock, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock may be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding our stock, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
 
Risks Related to Our Business

Our extensive research and development efforts may not result in products that are successful in the marketplace.

To maintain our market share for existing products and to gain market share in new markets, we must invest heavily each year in research and development spending. This research and development spending often involves new technologies or updates to existing technology. We can provide no assurance that our research and development efforts to develop new technology will be successful or that new products we may develop through such efforts will be successful in the marketplace.

Our business could be harmed by adverse global economic conditions in our target markets or reduced spending on information technology and telecommunication products.

Current uncertainty in global economic conditions pose a risk to the overall economy as consumers and businesses may defer purchases in response to tighter credit and negative financial news, which could negatively affect product demand and other related matters.  Our business depends on the overall demand for information technology, and in particular for telecommunications systems.  The market we serve is emerging and the purchase of our products involves significant upfront expenditures.  In addition, the purchase of our products can be discretionary and may involve a significant commitment of capital and other resources.  Weak economic conditions in our target markets, or a reduction in information technology or telecommunications spending even if economic conditions improve, would likely adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition in a number of ways, including longer sales cycles, lower prices for our products and reduced unit sales.

 
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We have had a history of losses and may incur future losses, which may prevent us from attaining profitability.

We have had a history of operating losses since our inception and, as of September 30, 2010, we had an accumulated deficit of $62.4 million as compared to $60.7 million as of September 30, 2009.  We may incur operating losses in the future, and these losses could be substantial and impact our ability to attain profitability.  We do not expect to significantly increase expenditures for product development, general and administrative expenses, and sales and marketing expenses; however, if we cannot maintain current revenue or revenue growth, we will not achieve or sustain profitability or positive operating cash flows.  Even if we achieve profitability and positive operating cash flows, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability or positive operating cash flows on a quarterly or annual basis.

Our operating results vary, making future operating results difficult to predict.

Our quarterly and annual operating results have varied significantly in the past and likely will vary significantly in the future.  A number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, have caused and may cause our operating results to vary, including:

 
·
our ability to respond effectively to competitive pricing pressures;
 
·
our ability to establish or increase market acceptance of our technology, products and systems;
 
·
our success in expanding our network of distributors, dealers and companies that buy our products in bulk, customize them for particular applications or customers, and resell them under their own names;
 
·
market acceptance of products and systems incorporating our technology and enhancements to our product applications on a timely basis;
 
·
our success in supporting our products and systems;
 
·
our sales cycle, which may vary substantially from customer to customer;
 
·
unfavorable changes in the prices and delivery of the components we purchase;
 
·
the size and timing of orders for our products, which may vary depending on the season, and the contractual terms of the orders;
 
·
the size and timing of our expenses, including operating expenses and expenses of developing new products and product enhancements;
 
·
deferrals of customer orders in anticipation of new products, services or product enhancements introduced by us or by our competitors; and
 
·
our ability to attain and maintain production volumes and quality levels for our products.

Our future projected budgets and commitments are based in part on our expectations of future sales.  If our sales do not meet expectations, it will be difficult for us to reduce our expenses quickly and, consequently, our operating results may suffer.

Our dealers often require immediate shipment and installation of our products.  As a result, we have historically operated with limited backlog, and our sales and operating results in any quarter primarily depend on orders booked and shipped during that quarter.

Any of the above factors could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.  We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not meaningful, and you should not rely upon them as indicators of our future performance.

Our market is highly competitive and we may not have the resources to adequately compete.

The market for our integrated, multifunction telecommunications systems is new, rapidly evolving and highly competitive.  We expect competition to intensify in the future as existing competitors develop new products and new competitors enter the market.  We believe that a critical component to success in this market is the ability to establish and maintain strong partner and customer relationships with a wide variety of domestic and international providers.  If we fail to establish or maintain these relationships, we will be at a serious competitive disadvantage.


 
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We face competition from companies providing traditional private telephone systems.  Our principal competitors that produce these telephone systems are Avaya Communications and Mitel Networks Corporation.  We also compete against providers of multi-function telecommunications systems, including Shoretel and Cisco Systems, as well as any number of future competitors.  Many of our competitors are substantially larger than we are and have significantly greater name recognition, financial resources, sales and marketing teams, technical and customer support, manufacturing capabilities and other resources.  These competitors also may have more established distribution channels and stronger relationships with service providers.  These competitors may be able to respond more rapidly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products.  These competitors may enter our existing or future markets with products that may be less expensive, provide higher performance or additional features or be introduced earlier than our phone systems.  We also expect that other companies may enter our market with better products and technologies.  If any technology that is competing with ours is more reliable, faster, less expensive or has other advantages over our technology, then the demand for our products and services could decrease and harm our business.

We expect our competitors to continue to improve the performance of their current products and introduce new products or new technologies.  If our competitors successfully introduce new products or enhance their existing products, our sales or market acceptance of our products and services could be reduced, price competition could be increased or our products could become obsolete.  To remain competitive, therefore, we must continue to invest significant resources in research and development, sales and marketing and customer support.  We may not have sufficient resources to make these investments or to make the technological advances necessary to be competitive, which in turn will cause our business to suffer.

We sell the majority of our products through dealers and distributors, which limits our ability to control the timing of our sales, and which makes it more difficult to predict our revenue.

We do not recognize revenue from the sale of our products to our distributors until these products are sold to either resellers or end-users.  We have little control over the timing of product sales to resellers and end users.  Our lack of control over the revenue that we recognize from our distributors’ sales to resellers and end-users limits our ability to predict revenue for any given period.  Our future projected budgets and commitments are based in part on our expectations of future sales.  If our sales do not meet expectations, it will be difficult for us to reduce our expenses quickly, and consequently our operating results may suffer.

We rely on resellers to promote, sell, install and support our products, and their failure to do so or our inability to recruit or retain resellers may substantially reduce our sales and thus seriously harm our business.

We rely on resellers who can provide high quality sales and support services.  As with our distributors, we compete with other telecommunications systems providers for our resellers’ business as our resellers generally market competing products.  If a reseller promotes a competitor’s products to the detriment of our products or otherwise fails to market our products and services effectively, we could lose market share.  In addition, the loss of a key reseller or the failure of resellers to provide adequate customer service could cause our business to suffer.  If we do not properly train our resellers to sell, install and service our products, our business will suffer.

Software or hardware errors may seriously harm our business and damage our reputation, causing loss of customers and revenue.

Users expect telephone systems to provide a high level of reliability.  Our products are inherently complex and may have undetected software or hardware errors.  We have detected and may continue to detect errors and product defects in our installed base of products, new product releases and product upgrades.  End users may install, maintain and use our products improperly or for purposes for which they were not designed.  These problems may degrade or terminate the operation of our products, which could cause end users to lose telephone service, cause us to incur significant warranty and repair costs, damage our reputation and cause significant customer relations problems.  Any significant delay in the commercial introduction of our products due to errors or defects, any design modifications required to correct these errors or defects or any negative effect on customer satisfaction as a result of errors or defects could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any claims brought because of problems with our products or services could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.  We currently offer a one-year hardware guarantee to end-users.  If our products fail within the first year, we face replacement costs.  Our insurance policies may not provide sufficient or any coverage should a claim be asserted.  In addition, our introduction of products and systems with reliability, quality or compatibility problems could result in reduced revenue, uncollectible accounts receivable, delays in collecting accounts receivable, warranties and additional costs.  Our customers, end users or employees could find errors in our products and systems after we have begun to sell them, resulting in product redevelopment costs and loss of, or delay in, their acceptance by the markets in which we compete.  Further, we may experience significant product returns in the future.  Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 
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Our market is subject to changing preferences; failure to keep up with these changes would result in our losing market share, thus seriously harming our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our customers and end users expect frequent product introductions and have changing requirements for new products and features.  In order to be competitive, we need to develop and market new products and product enhancements that respond to these changing requirements on a timely and cost-effective basis.  Our failure to do so promptly and cost effectively would seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Also, introducing new products could require us to write-off existing inventory as obsolete, which could harm our results of operations.

We depend on attracting and retaining qualified personnel to maintain and expand our business; our failure to promptly attract and retain qualified personnel may seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We depend, in large part, on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel, particularly engineers and sales and marketing personnel.  We need highly trained technical personnel to design and support our server-based telecommunications systems.  In addition, we need highly trained sales and marketing personnel to expand our marketing and sales operations in order to increase market awareness of our products and generate increased revenue.  Competition for highly trained personnel can at times be intense, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area where most of our operations are located.  We cannot be certain that we will be successful in our recruitment and retention efforts.  If we fail to attract or retain qualified personnel or suffer from delays in hiring required personnel, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be seriously harmed.

Losing any of our key distributors would harm our business. We also need to establish and maintain relationships with additional distributors and original equipment manufacturers.

Sales through our distributors, Altisys Communications, Inc., Synnex Corporation and Fiserv Solutions, Inc. accounted for 56% of our net revenue in fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. Our business and operating results will suffer if any one of these distributors does not continue distributing our products, fails to distribute the volume of our products that it currently distributes or fails to expand our customer base.  We also need to establish and maintain relationships with additional distributors and original equipment manufacturers. In September 2009, we terminated our distribution agreement with Jenne Distributors, Inc. The termination of our relationship with Jenne Distributors, Inc. did not have a material impact on our business for fiscal year 2010.

We may not be able to establish, or successfully manage, relationships with additional distribution partners.  In addition, our agreements with distributors typically provide for termination by either party upon written notice to the other party.  For example, our agreement with Synnex provides for termination, with or without cause, by either party upon 30 days’ written notice to the other party, or upon insolvency or bankruptcy.  Generally, these agreements are non-exclusive and distributors sell products that compete with ours.  If we fail to establish or maintain relationships with distributors and original equipment manufacturers, our ability to increase or maintain our sales and our customer base will be substantially harmed.

 
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We rely on sole-sourced components and third party technology and products; if these components are not available, our business may suffer.

We purchase technology that is incorporated into many of our products, including virtually all of our hardware products, from a single third-party supplier.  We order sole-sourced components using purchase orders and do not have supply contracts for them.  One sole-sourced component, a TI DSP chip, is particularly important to our business because it is included in virtually all of our hardware products.  If we were unable to purchase an adequate supply of these sole-sourced components on a timely basis, we would be required to develop alternative products, which could entail qualifying an alternative source or redesigning our products based on different components.  Our inability to obtain these sole-sourced components, especially the TI DSP chip, could significantly delay shipment of our products, which could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our facility is vulnerable to damage from earthquakes and other natural disasters and other business interruptions; any such damage could seriously or completely impair our business.

We perform final assembly, software installation and testing of our products at our facility in San Jose, California.  Our facility is located on or near known earthquake fault zones and may be subject to rolling electrical blackouts and is vulnerable to damage or interruption from fire, floods, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures and similar events.  If such a disaster or interruption occurs, our ability to perform final assembly, software installation and testing of our products at our facility would be seriously, if not completely, impaired.  If we were unable to obtain an alternative place or way to perform these functions, our business, financial condition and results of operations would suffer.  The insurance we maintain may not be adequate to cover our losses against fires, floods, earthquakes and general business interruptions.

Our strategy to outsource assembly and test functions in the future could delay delivery of products, decrease quality or increase costs.

We may begin to outsource a substantial amount of our product assembly and test functions.  This outsourcing strategy involves certain risks, including the potential lack of adequate capacity and reduced control over delivery schedules, manufacturing yield, quality and costs.  In the event that any significant subcontractors were to become unable or unwilling to continue to manufacture or test our products in the required volumes, we would have to identify and qualify acceptable replacements.  Finding replacements could take time and we cannot be sure that additional sources would be available to us on a timely basis.  Any delay or increase in costs in the assembly and testing of products by third-party subcontractors could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our expansion in international markets has been slow and steady.  However, our plan is to accelerate this growth rate and will involve new risks that our previous domestic operations have not prepared us to address; our failure to address these risks could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

For fiscal year 2010, approximately 14% of our net revenue came from customers outside of the Americas.  We intend to expand our international sales and marketing efforts.  Our efforts are subject to a variety of risks associated with conducting business internationally, any of which could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.  These risks include:

 
·
tariffs, duties, price controls or other restrictions on foreign currencies or trade barriers, such as import or export licensing imposed by foreign countries, especially on technology;
 
·
potential adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on repatriation of cash or earnings;
 
·
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which could make our products relatively more expensive in foreign markets; and
 
·
conflicting regulatory requirements in different countries that may require us to invest significant resources customizing our products for each country.

 
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Any failure by us to protect our intellectual property could harm our business and competitive position.

Our success depends, to a certain extent, upon our proprietary technology.  We currently rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark law, together with non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements, to establish and protect the proprietary rights in the technology used in our products.

Although we have been issued sixteen patents and expect to continue to file patent applications, we are not certain that our patent applications will result in the issuance of patents, or that any patents issued will provide commercially significant protection of our technology.  In addition, other individuals or companies may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information not covered by the patents to which we own rights, may obtain access to our know-how or may claim to have issued patents that prevent the sale of one or more of our products.  Also, it may be possible for third parties to obtain and use our proprietary information without our authorization.  Further, the laws of some countries, such as those in Japan, one of our target markets, may not adequately protect our intellectual property or such protection may be uncertain.  Our success also depends on trade secrets that cannot be patented and are difficult to protect.  If we fail to protect our proprietary information effectively, or if third parties use our proprietary technology without authorization, our competitive position and business will suffer.

If we are unable to raise additional capital when needed, we may be unable to develop or enhance our products and services.

We may seek additional funding in the future.  If we cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, we may be unable to develop or enhance our products and services, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements.  We also may be required to reduce operating costs through lay-offs or reduce our sales and marketing or research and development efforts.  If we issue equity securities, stockholders may experience additional dilution or the new equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our common stock.

We may face infringement issues that could harm our business by requiring us to license technology on unfavorable terms or temporarily or permanently cease sales of key products.

We may become parties 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.  We were previously a defendant in a patent infringement suit brought by Vertical Networks.  On October 4, 2007, the parties entered into a stipulation dismissing the lawsuit in its entirety without prejudice.  Consequently, Vertical Networks may reassert these or related claims in one or more separate proceedings.

More generally, litigation related to these types of claims may require us to acquire licenses under third party patents that may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.  We believe that an increasing portion of our revenue in the future will come from sales of software applications for our hardware products.  The software market traditionally has experienced widespread unauthorized reproduction of products in violation of developers’ intellectual property rights.  This activity is difficult to detect, and legal proceedings to enforce developers’ intellectual property rights are often burdensome and involve a high degree of uncertainty and substantial costs.

Our products may not meet the legal standards required for their sale in some countries; if we cannot sell our products in these countries, our results of operations may be seriously harmed.

The United States and other countries in which we intend to sell our products have standards for safety and other certifications that must be met for our products to be legally sold in those countries. We have tried to design our products to meet the requirements of the countries where we sell or plan to sell them. We also have obtained or are trying to obtain the certifications that we believe are required to sell our products in these countries. We cannot, however, guarantee that our products meet all of these standards or that we will be able to obtain any certifications required. In addition, there is, and will likely continue to be, an increasing number of laws and regulations pertaining to the products we offer and may offer in the future. These laws or regulations may include, for example, more stringent safety standards, requirements for additional or more burdensome certifications or more stringent consumer protection laws.

If our products do not meet a country’s standards or we do not receive the certifications required by a country's laws or regulations, then we may not be able to sell our products in that country. This inability to sell our products may seriously harm our results of operation by reducing our sales or requiring us to invest significant resources to conform our products to these standards.

 
20

 

Risks Related to the Industry

Integrated, multifunction telecommunications systems may not achieve widespread acceptance.

The market for integrated, multifunction telecommunications systems is relatively new and rapidly evolving.  Businesses have invested substantial resources in the existing telecommunications infrastructure, including traditional private telephone systems, and may be unwilling to replace these systems in the near term or at all.  Businesses also may be reluctant to adopt integrated, multifunction telecommunications systems because of their concern about the current limitations of data networks, including the Internet.  For example, end users sometimes experience delays in receiving calls and reduced voice quality during calls when routing calls over data networks.  Moreover, businesses that begin to route calls over the same networks that currently carry only their data also may experience these problems if the networks do not have sufficient capacity to carry all of these communications at the same time.

Evolving standards may delay our product introductions, increase our product development costs or cause end users to defer or cancel plans to purchase our products, any of which could adversely affect our business.

The standards in our market are still evolving.  These standards are designed to ensure that integrated, multifunction telecommunications products from different manufacturers can operate together.  Some of these standards are proposed by other participants in our market, including some of our competitors, and include proprietary technology.  In recent years, these standards have changed, and new standards have been proposed, in response to developments in our market.  Our failure to conform our products to existing or future standards may limit their acceptance by market participants.  We may not anticipate which standards will achieve the broadest acceptance in our market in the future, and we may take a significant amount of time and expense to adapt our products to these standards.  We also may have to pay additional royalties to developers of proprietary technologies that become standards in our market.  These delays and expenses may seriously harm our results of operations.  In addition, customers and users may defer or cancel plans to purchase our products due to concerns about the ability of our products to conform to existing standards or to adapt to new or changed standards, and this could seriously harm our results of operations.

Future regulation or legislation could harm our business or increase our cost of doing business.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has submitted a report to Congress stating that it may regulate certain Internet services if it determines that such Internet services are functionally equivalent to conventional telecommunications services.  The increasing growth of the voice over data network market and the popularity of supporting products and services, heighten the risk that national governments will seek to regulate the transmission of voice communications over networks such as the Internet.  In addition, large telecommunications companies may devote substantial lobbying efforts to influence the regulation of this market so as to benefit their interests, which may be contrary to our interests.  These regulations may include, for example, assessing access or settlement charges, imposing tariffs or imposing regulations based on encryption concerns or the characteristics and quality of products and services.  In February 2004, the FCC found that an entirely Internet based voice over Internet protocol service was an unregulated information service.  At the same time, the FCC began a broader proceeding to examine what its role should be in this new environment of increased consumer choice and what can be done to meet its role of safeguarding the public interest.  Future laws, legal decisions or regulations, as well as changes in interpretations of existing laws and regulations, could require us to expend significant resources to comply with them.  In addition, these future events or changes may create uncertainty in our market that could reduce demand for our products.

 
21

 

Item 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.
 
Item 2.  PROPERTIES
 
We lease approximately 27,576 square feet of space in San Jose, California in which our headquarters, sales, manufacturing and research and development facilities are located and which is used primarily by our Americas Segment. We have a lease agreement covering this property through June 2014. The agreement contains renewal options.  Outside the United States, we lease approximately 13,744 square feet of a facility in Shanghai, China, where we conduct administration, research and development, sales and marketing, and another 4,841 square feet of a facility in Beijing, China to serve sales and marketing functions, which is used primarily by our International segment.  We believe that our existing facilities both in the United States and China are adequate for our present needs in all material respects. If we require additional space, we believe that we will be able to obtain this space on commercially reasonable terms.
 
Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
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. In accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting Contingencies, we make a provision for liability when it is both probable that the liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. 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 4.  REMOVED AND RESERVED

 
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PART II
 
Item 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
The information required by this item regarding equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
COMMON STOCK PRICE RANGE
 
From October 4, 1999, the date of our initial public offering, to June 11, 2002, our common stock was traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol ATGN. From June 12, 2002 to March 15, 2010, our common stock was traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol ATGN. Since March 16, 2010, our common stock has traded on the OTCQX over-the-counter market under the symbol ATGN.PK. The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market during fiscal year 2009 and from October 1, 2009 to March 15, 2010. The table also sets forth the high and low sale prices as reported on the OTCQX from March 16, 2010 to September 30, 2010. As of September 30, 2010, we had approximately 78 stockholders of record. We have not paid and do not anticipate that we will pay, cash dividends on our common stock.

   
Fiscal 2010
   
Fiscal 2009
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
1st Quarter
  $ 1.05     $ 0.75     $ 1.00     $ 0.50  
2nd Quarter
  $ 1.00     $ 0.58     $ 0.96     $ 0.62  
3rd Quarter
  $ 0.95     $ 0.61     $ 0.80     $ 0.61  
4th Quarter
  $ 0.79     $ 0.60     $ 1.10     $ 0.62  
 
COMPANY STOCK PERFORMANCE
 
The following performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.
 
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return data for our stock for the period beginning September 30, 2005 and ending on September 30, 2010 to the cumulative return over such period of (i) The NASDAQ National Market Composite Index and (ii) the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index. The graph assumes $100 was invested on September 30, 2005 in our Common Stock and in each of the comparative indices, assuming the reinvestment of any dividends. Note that the historic stock price performance on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

 
23

 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among AltiGen Communications, Inc., The NASDAQ Composite Index
and The NASDAQ Telecommunications Index
 
 
      9/05       9/06       9/07       9/08       9/09       9/10  
                                                 
AltiGen Communications, Inc.
    100.00       86.78       90.23       56.90       57.47       43.10  
NASDAQ Composite
    100.00       106.22       126.95       96.41       99.84       112.47  
NASDAQ Telecommunications
    100.00       104.62       149.78       100.60       106.68       113.20  
 
*$100 invested on 9/30/05 in stock & index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending September 30.
 
STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN

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 through November 12, 2008. On November 11, 2008, our Board of Directors extended the repurchase program by another year to November 14, 2009. Stock repurchases under this program were made from time to time at our management’s discretion through November 14, 2009. When exercising such discretion, management considered a variety of factors such as our stock price, general business and market conditions and other investment opportunities. The repurchases were made in the open market and funded from available working capital. Pursuant to the 2007 authority, we repurchased 231,135 shares during the twelve months ended September 30, 2008 at an aggregate cost of $367,000. Pursuant to the 2008 authority, we repurchased 23,800 shares during the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 at an aggregate cost of $19,000. In April 2009, our Board of Directors suspended further purchases of stock under this program. On November 16, 2010, our Board of Directors approved the termination of the repurchase program effective immediately.

 
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The following table summarizes repurchases of our stock:

Period
 
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
   
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
   
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Program
   
Approximate
Dollar
Value of
Shares that
May Yet be
Purchased
as Part of
the Program
 
November 1, 2007 through November 30, 2007
    16,413     $ 1.59       16,413     $ 1,973,965  
December 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007
    92,965       1.60       92,965       1,825,685  
February 1, 2008 through February 29, 2008
    80,218       1.66       80,218       1,692,660  
March 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
    23,919       1.61       23,919       1,654,084  
August 1, 2008 through August 31, 2008
    7,211       1.21       7,211       1,645,374  
September 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008
    10,409       1.16       10,409       1,633,338  
December 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008
    10,400       0.77       10,400       1,625,311  
January 1, 2009 through January 31, 2009
    4,275       0.79       4,275       1,621,953  
February 1, 2009 through February 28, 2009
    3,325       0.87       3,325       1,619,045  
March 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009
    5,800       0.79       5,800       1,614,461  
April 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010
                       
Total
    254,935     $ 1.51       254,935     $ 1,614,461  
 
STOCK OPTION EXCHANGE
 
On September 1, 2009, we completed a stock option exchange program (the “Exchange Offer”).  Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, eligible employees tendered, and we accepted for cancellation, eligible options to purchase 2,927,300 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 95% of the total shares of common stock underlying options eligible for exchange in the Exchange Offer.  On September 1, 2009, the Company granted new options to eligible employees to purchase 2,927,300 shares of common stock in exchange for the cancellation of the tendered eligible options.  The exercise price per share of the new options granted in the Exchange Offer was $0.86, the closing price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Capital Market on September 1, 2009.

 
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Item 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
This section presents selected historical financial data of AltiGen Communications, Inc. This section should be read carefully in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K, including the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The selected data in this section is not intended to replace our consolidated financial statements.

   
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
                             
Net revenue
  $ 16,645     $ 17,385     $ 18,897     $ 17,888     $ 17,896  
Cost of revenue
    5,487       6,604       8,059       8,123       8,082  
Gross profit
    11,158       10,781       10,838       9,765       9,814  
Operating expenses:
                                       
Research and development
    4,577       4,924       4,216       3,373       3,740  
Sales and marketing
    5,248       7,037       7,552       5,277       4,353  
General and administrative
    3,114       3,654       3,322       2,497       2,058  
Total operating expenses
    12,939       15,615       15,090       11,147       10,151  
Loss from operations
    (1,781 )     (4,834 )     (4,252 )     (1,382 )     (337 )
Equity in net income (loss) of  investee
    (4 )     (9 )     5       (4 )     (36 )
Interest and other income, net
    43       118       310       461       380  
Net income (loss) before income taxes
    (1,742 )     (4,725 )     (3,937 )     (925 )     7  
Income taxes
    34       15             (11 )     (19 )
Net loss
  $ (1,708 )   $ (4,710 )   $ (3,937 )   $ (936 )   $ (12 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share
  $ (0.10 )   $ (0.30 )   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.00 )
Weighted average and diluted shares used in computing basic net loss per share
    16,417       15,937       15,745       15,363       14,964  
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:
                             
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
  $ 6,524     $ 7,397     $ 9,867     $ 9,907     $ 9,922  
Working capital(1)
    4,187       4,994       8,687       11,551       11,027  
Total liabilities
    5,554       5,574       5,479       2,905       2,807  
Total assets
    10,361       11,331       14,776       15,250       14,644  
Accumulated deficit
    (62,449 )     (60,741 )     (56,031 )     (52,094 )     (51,158 )
Total stockholders' equity
    4,807       5,757       9,297       12,345       11,837  
 

(1)  Working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.

 
26

 
 
Item 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of these provisions, including any statements regarding: projections of revenues, future research and development expenses, future selling, general and administrative expenses, other expenses, gross profit, gross margin, or other financial items; the plans and objectives of management for future operations; our exposure to interest rate risk; future economic conditions or performance; plans to focus on cost control. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology.  These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management based on information currently available to management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below, and those discussed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the SEC. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
 
OVERVIEW
 
AltiGen Communications, Inc. (“we” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of 100% Microsoft-based VoIP business phone systems and Unified Communications solutions. We design, deliver and support VoIP phone systems, mobile convergence and call center solutions that combine high reliability with integrated IP communications applications.  As one of the first companies to offer VoIP solutions, AltiGen has been deploying systems since 1996. We have more than 10,000 customers worldwide with over 15,000 systems in use. Our telephony solutions are primarily used by medium and enterprise sized businesses, companies with multiple locations, corporate branch offices, and call centers.
 
AltiGen’s systems are designed with an open architecture, built on industry standard Intel™ based servers, SIP™ compliant phones, and Microsoft Windows™ based IP applications. This adherence to widely used standards allows our solutions to both integrate with and leverage a company's existing technology investment. AltiGen’s award winning, integrated IP applications suite provides customers with a complete business communications solution. Voicemail, Contact Center, Unified Messaging, Automatic Call Distribution, Call Recording, Call Activity Reporting, and Mobility solutions take advantage of the convergence of voice and data communications to achieve superior business results. We believe this enables our customers to implement communication systems solutions that have an increased return on investment versus past technology investments.
 
We generated net revenue of $16.6 million with a net loss of $1.7 million during fiscal year 2010.  As of September 30, 2010, we had an accumulated deficit of $62.4 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $743,000 in fiscal year 2010.
 
We derive our revenue from sales of our VoIP communications systems and call center solutions. Product revenue is comprised of direct sales to end-users and resellers 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.

 
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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 the 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 in fiscal year 2010 were All Quality Services in Fremont, California and ISIS Surface Mounting, Inc. in San Jose, California to insert the hardware components into the printed circuit board. We purchase fully-assembled chassis from Advantech Corporation, Internet protocol phones from BCM Communications, Inc., single board computers for our MAX product from AAEON Electronics, Inc. and raw material components from Avnet Electronics. 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 to 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 these businesses have not yet made a significant investment for a traditional phone system. 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.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Revenue Recognition. Revenue from sales of our hardware and software products consists of direct sales to end-users, resellers and distributors. Revenue from sales to end-users and resellers is 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. Net revenue consists of product revenue reduced by estimated sales returns and allowances. The Company’s sales returns were $230,000 and $133,000 for fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Sales to distributors are made under terms allowing certain rights of return and protection against subsequent price declines on our products held by the distributors. Upon termination of such distribution agreements, any unsold products may be returned by the distributor for a full refund. These agreements may be canceled without cause for convenience following a specified notice period. As a result of these 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. We do not recognize revenue derived from sales to customers in Asia until both of the following elements are satisfied: customer has taken ownership upon shipment and we have received payment for the purchase. As of September 30, 2010 and 2009, we had approximately $2.4 million and $2.6 million, respectively in short-term deferred revenue, of which $2.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, comprised of service support revenue, and $408,000 and $501,000, respectively, comprised of deferred channel revenue. Long-term deferred revenue is primarily comprised of revenue generated from our service support programs and is discussed below under the heading “Service Support Programs”.

Service Support Programs. Our Software Assurance Program provides our customers with the latest updates, new releases, and technical support for the applications they are licensed to use. Our Premier Service Plan includes software assurance and extended hardware warranty. These programs have an annual subscription and can range from one to three years. Sales from our service support programs are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue over the terms of their subscriptions. As described above, short-term service support revenue was approximately $2.0 million and $2.1 million as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Long-term deferred revenue was approximately $272,000, as compared to $154,000 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our service plan offering remains a key part of our business as we continue to add new service customers.

Cash and Cash Equivalent. We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are invested in various investment grade institutional money market accounts, U.S. Agency securities and commercial paper. The Company's investment policy requires investments to be rated single-A or better. As of September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company had $3.8 million and $7.4 million, respectively in cash and cash equivalents. Of this amount, the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents held in Asia was $1.8 million and $2.4 million as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In Asia, cash and cash equivalents are primarily comprised of bank term deposits. Of the total cash and cash equivalents held in Asia, $1.4 million and $2.2 million comprised of term deposits as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 
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Short-Term Investment. The Company’s policy is to invest in highly-rated securities with strong liquidity and requires investments to be rated single-A or better. Short-term investments are comprised of commercial paper. 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 and report them at their fair value. Further, we recognize unrealized gains and losses related to these securities as an increase or reduction in stockholders’ equity. As of September 30, 2010, the Company had $2.7 million in short-term investments. The Company did not hold any short-term investments at September 30, 2009.

Inventory. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Our inventory balance was $1.4 million and $1.3 million as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, 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 obsolescence 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 that management believed would not be sold. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, we disposed of fully-reserved inventory with a carrying value of zero and an original cost at $33,000. The disposal of such inventory had no material impact on our revenue, gross margins and net loss for the twelve months ended September 30, 2010. During fiscal years 2010 and 2009, we recognized a provision of $3,000 and $17,000, respectively, for excess and obsolete inventories. Inventory allowance was $662,000 and $692,000 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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 reserve for product warranties was $119,000 and $122,000 as of September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation. The Company has estimated the fair value of stock-based compensation for stock options at the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model incorporates various assumptions including expected volatility, expected life and interest rate. The Company uses historical data to estimate option forfeitures. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility and the risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant for the expected life of the options. The Company does not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore used an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model.

 
29

 

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

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
                 
                   
Net revenue:
                 
Hardware
    63.4 %     70.6 %     80.4 %
Software
    14.4       13.3       13.8  
Service support
    22.2       16.1       5.8  
Total net revenue
    100.0       100.0       100.0  
                         
Cost of revenue:
                       
Hardware
    32.9       37.9       41.4  
Software
    0.1       0.1       1.2  
Service support (1)
                 
Total cost of revenue
    33.0       38.0       42.6  
Gross profit
    67.0       62.0       57.4  
                         
Operating expenses:
                       
Research and development
    27.5       28.3       22.3  
Sales and marketing
    31.5       40.5       40.0  
General and administrative
    18.7       21.0       17.6  
Total operating expenses
    77.7       89.8       79.9  
                         
Loss from operations
    (10.7 )     (27.8 )     (22.5 )
Equity in net loss of investee
          (0.1 )      
Interest and other income, net
    0.2       0.7       1.7  
Net loss before income taxes
    (10.5 )     (27.2 )     (20.8 )
Provision for income taxes
    0.2       0.1        
Net loss
    (10.3 ) %     (27.1 ) %     (20.8 ) %

(1) Service support cost represents less than 0.1% of our total cost of revenue.
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
Net Revenue
 
Net revenue consists primarily of revenue from direct sales to end-users, resellers and distributors.
 
We are organized and operate as two operating segments, the Americas and International.  The Americas segment is comprised of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.  The International segment is comprised of China, the United Kingdom, Italy and Holland.

 
30

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

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Americas
    86 %     86 %
International
    14 %     14 %
Total
    100 %     100 %
 
Net revenue by customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for the twelve months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were as follows:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Synnex
    36 %     30 %
Jenne (1)
          15 %
Fiserv (2)
    10 %     10 %
Total
    46 %     55 %

(1)
In September 2009, we terminated our distribution agreement with Jenne. The termination of our relationship with Jenne did not have a material impact on our business for fiscal year 2010.
(2) 
In August 2009, we entered into a reseller agreement with Fiserv Solutions, Inc. Our agreement with Fiserv has an initial term of ten years and will renew automatically for additional five year terms, provided that each party has the right to terminate the agreement for convenience upon ninety (90) days' written notice prior to the end of the initial term or any subsequent term of the agreement.
 
The following table sets forth percentages of net revenue by product type with respect to such revenue for the periods indicated:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Hardware
    64 %     71 %
Software
    14 %     13 %
Service Support Plans
    22 %     16 %
Total
    100 %     100 %

Net revenue was $16.6 million in fiscal year 2010 as compared to $17.4 million in fiscal year 2009. Revenue generated in the Americas segment accounted for $14.2 million, or 86% of total net revenue, for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $15.0 million, or 86% of total net revenue, for fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Revenue generated in the International segment accounted for $2.4 million, or 14% of our total net revenue for both fiscal years ending September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In the Americas segment, during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we generated approximately $3.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in non-system related revenue. Non-system related revenue is primarily comprised of revenue generated from our service support plans. In the Americas segment, the decreased in net revenue excluding non-system related revenue was approximately 12%. This decrease in net revenue in the Americas segment was primarily attributable to lower number of systems shipped over the prior year. Sales in all markets continued to be affected by the global economic recession. We will continue to focus our sales efforts on larger enterprise customers which we believe will result in increased sales of our products.

 
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Cost of Revenue
 
Our cost of product revenue consists primarily 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. The majority of these costs vary with the unit volumes of product sold.

Cost of revenue decreased to $5.5 million in fiscal year 2010 compared to $6.6 million in fiscal year 2009.  This decrease was primarily caused by a shift in our product mix and the impact of lower sales volume over the prior year. Cost of revenue as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 33% for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 from 38% in fiscal year 2009. This change was primarily attributable to an increase of our non-system related revenue.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs related to personnel and overhead expenses, consultant expenses and other costs associated with the design, development, prototyping and testing of our products and enhancements of our converged telephone system software. Research and development expenses decreased 7% to $4.6 million in fiscal year 2010 from $4.9 million in fiscal year 2009. This decrease in absolute dollars was primarily attributable to reduced personnel-related expenses of approximately $356,000. Research and development expense as a percentage of net revenue for both fiscal years 2010 and 2009 were 28%. The expense decrease in fiscal year 2010 as compared with fiscal year 2009 is attributable to the Company’s ongoing efforts to reduce operating expenses, including our April 2009 salary reduction program described below.

Notwithstanding the reductions to research and development expenses described above, we intend to continue to make investments in our research and development and we believe that focused investments in research and development are critical to the future growth and our ability to enhance our competitive position in the marketplace. We believe that our ability to develop and meet enterprise customer requirements is essential to our success. Accordingly, we have assembled a team of engineers with expertise in various fields, including voice and IP communications, unified communications network design, data networking and software engineering. Our principal research and development activities are conducted in San Jose, California and our subsidiary in Shanghai, China. Management continues to focus on cost control until business conditions improve. If business conditions deteriorate or the rate of improvement does not meet our expectations, we may implement additional cost-cutting actions.
 
Sales and Marketing Expenses
 
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 decreased 25% to $5.2 million in fiscal year 2010 from $7.0 million in fiscal year 2009. The decrease was primarily driven by $944,000 of reduced personnel-related and overhead expenses, a decrease of $173,000 in service related expenditures, a decrease of $187,000 in travel related expenses, $126,000 decrease in consulting related services and $288,000 decrease in advertising and partner conference expenses. The most significant factor in the expense decrease in fiscal year 2010 compared to prior fiscal year 2009 is attributable to the Company’s ongoing efforts to reduce operating expenses, including our April 2009 salary reduction program described below. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased from 40% in fiscal year 2009 to 32% in fiscal year 2010.
 
We plan to continue investing in our domestic and international marketing activities to help build brand awareness and create sales leads for our channel partners.  Management continues to focus on cost control until business conditions improve. If business conditions deteriorate or the rate of improvement does not meet our expectations, we may implement additional cost-cutting actions.

General and Administrative Expenses

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 decreased 15% to $3.1 million in 2010 from $3.6 million in 2009. The decrease in absolute dollars in general and administrative was primarily driven by a decrease of $187,000 in personnel-related and overhead expense, a decrease in service related expenditures of $178,000 and a decrease of $198,000 in non-cash stock based compensation expenses. The most significant factor in the expense decrease in fiscal year 2010 compared to prior fiscal year 2009 is attributable to the Company’s ongoing efforts to reduce operating expenses, including our April 2009 salary reduction program described below. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased from 21% in fiscal year 2009 to 19% in fiscal year 2010.

 
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Management continues to focus on cost control until business conditions improve. If business conditions deteriorate or the rate of improvement does not meet our expectations, we may implement additional cost-cutting actions.

Restructuring and Salary Reduction Program

Due to the ongoing economic recession and related decreased product demand, we initiated several measures designed to restructure and lower the costs of our operations. In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we implemented a reduction-in-workforce of approximately 11 employees, or 14% of our workforce, primarily in sales, manufacturing and engineering. Additionally, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we implemented a mandatory salary reduction for all of our employees, including our executive officers. These salary reductions ranged between 5% and 15%, depending on several factors, including, but not limited to, participation in commission plans and the original base salary. The salaries of all of our executive officers were reduced by 15%.
 
Equity Investment in Common Stock of Private Company
 
In July 2004, we purchased common stock of a private Korean telecommunications company 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 and record our minority interest of their results in our results of operations. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, product sales revenue from this company was approximately $3,000 and $19,000, respectively. Accounts receivable balance from this company was $0 and $22,000 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As of September 30, 2010 and 2009, total equity in net losses of the Korea investee was approximately $4,000 and $9,000, respectively. Our investment in the Korean company had a book value of approximately $3,000 and $7,000 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Interest Expense and Other Income, Net

Interest expense primarily consists of interest incurred on our capital lease commitments and other income primarily consists of interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Net interest and other income decreased to $42,000 in fiscal year 2010 from $118,000 in fiscal year 2009. The decrease in interest and other income, net in fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009 was a combination of lower invested balances, reduced cash balances and reduced rates of interest available for cash and investments in financial assets in fiscal year 2010. In the longer term, we may generate less interest income if our total invested balance decreases and these decreases are not offset by rising interest rates or increased cash generated from operations or other sources.

 
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Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2008
 
Net Revenue
 
Net sales consist primarily of revenue from direct sales to end-users, resellers and distributors.
 
We are organized and operate as two operating segments, the Americas and International.  The Americas segment is comprised of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.  The International segment is comprised of China, the United Kingdom, Italy and Holland.
 
The following table sets forth percentages of net revenue by geographic region with respect to such revenue for the periods indicated:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Americas
    86 %     87 %
International
    14 %     13 %
Total
    100 %     100 %
 
Net revenue by customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were as follows:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Synnex
    30 %     34 %
Jenne (1)
    15 %     12 %
Fiserv (2)
    10 %      
Altisys (3)
          12 %
Total
    55 %     58 %
 

(1)
In September 2009, we terminated our distribution agreement with Jenne. The termination of our relationship with Jenne did not have a material impact on our business for fiscal year 2010.
(2) 
In August 2009, we entered into a reseller agreement with Fiserv Solutions, Inc. Our agreement with Fiserv has an initial term of ten years and will renew automatically for additional five year terms, provided that each party has the right to terminate the agreement for convenience upon ninety (90) days' written notice prior to the end of the initial term or any subsequent term of the agreement.
(3)
During fiscal year 2009, revenue generated from Altisys was less than 10% of our total revenue.
 
The following table sets forth percentages of net revenue by product type with respect to such revenue for the periods indicated:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Hardware
    71 %     86 %
Software
    13 %     14 %
Service Support Plans (1)
    16 %      
Total
    100 %     100 %
 

(1)  In fiscal year 2008, revenue generated from these service support plans accounted for less than 1% of our total revenue.

 
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Net revenue was $17.4 million in fiscal year 2009 as compared to $18.9 million in fiscal year 2008. Revenue generated in the Americas segment accounted for $15.0 million, or 86% of total net revenue, for fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $16.5 million, or 87% of total net revenue, for fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. Revenue generated in the International segment accounted for $2.4 million, or 14% of our total net revenue, as compared to $2.4 million, or 13% of our total net revenue, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In the Americas segment, in fiscal year 2009, we generated $2.8 million in non-system related revenue, which is primarily revenue generated from our service support plans, as compared to $1.0 million in fiscal year 2008. The change in net revenue excluding non-system related revenue was a decrease of approximately 23%. This decrease in the Americas segment was primarily the result of changes in unit sales volume of existing products. The number of systems shipped in fiscal year 2009 was approximately 28% lower than the previous year. However, the average revenue per system was higher by approximately 7% because our smaller systems, with lower profit margins, decreased while sales of our larger systems, with higher profit margins, increased. The decrease in net revenue for the Americas is primarily due to reduced incoming orders because of the global economic downturn.
 
Cost of Revenue
 
Our cost of product revenue consists primarily 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. The majority of these costs vary with the unit volumes of product sold.
 
Cost of revenue decreased to $6.6 million in fiscal year 2009 compared to $8.1 million in fiscal year 2008.  This decrease was primarily caused by a shift in our product mix and the impact of lower sales volume over the prior year. Cost of revenue as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 38% for fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 from 43% in fiscal year 2008. This change was primarily attributable to an increase of our non-system related revenue.
 
Research and Development Expenses
 
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs related to personnel and overhead, 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 17% to $4.9 million in 2009 from $4.2 million in fiscal year 2008. The increase in R&D expense in absolute dollars was driven by an increase in personnel-related expense of approximately $353,000 and an increase of $110,000 in consulting related services. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 22% in fiscal year 2008 to 28% in fiscal year 2009.
 
Sales and Marketing Expenses
 
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 decreased by approximately $515,000, or 7% from $7.6 million in fiscal year 2008 to $7.0 million in fiscal year 2009. The expense decrease in fiscal 2009, as compared to fiscal 2008 in absolute dollars, was primarily driven by a decrease of approximately $81,000 in partner conference expenses and $394,000 in advertising expenses. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenue for both fiscal years 2009 and 2008 were 40%.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and related expenses for executive, finance, human resources and administrative personnel, facilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, legal and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses increased 10% to $3.6 million in 2009 from $3.3 million in 2008. The increase in absolute dollars in general and administrative was primarily attributable to an increase of $353,000 in legal expenses associated with corporate governance matters, such as expenses related to our special meeting of stockholders held on June 18, 2009, the adoption of our 2009 Stock Plan and our 2009 Purchase Plan, and the preferred stock rights agreement filed with the SEC on April 23, 2009. Other factors included an increase of $133,000 in service-related expenses.  These increased expenses were partially offset by a decrease of $132,000 in non-cash stock based compensation expenses and a decrease of $47,000 in travel related expenses. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 18% in fiscal year 2008 to 21% in fiscal year 2009.

 
35

 
 
Equity Investment in Common Stock of Private Company
 
In July 2004, we purchased common stock of a private Korean telecommunications company 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 and record our minority interest of their results in our results of operations. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, product sales revenue from this company was approximately $19,000 and $49,000, respectively. Our accounts receivable from this company increased to $22,000 as of September 30, 2009 from $18,000 as of September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2009 and 2008, total equity in net losses of the Korea investee was approximately $9,000 and $3,000, respectively. Our investment in the Korean company had a book value of approximately $7,000 and $16,000 as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Interest Expense and Other Income, Net

Interest expense primarily consists of interest incurred on our capital lease commitments and other income primarily consists of interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Net interest and other income decreased to $118,000 in fiscal year 2009 from $310,000 in fiscal year 2008. The decrease in interest and other income, net in fiscal year 2009 as compared to fiscal year 2008 was a combination of lower invested balances, reduced cash balances and reduced rates of interest available for cash and investments in financial assets in fiscal 2009.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2010 were $6.5 million, a decrease of approximately $873,000 compared to the balance of $7.4 million as of September 30, 2009. These balances were comprised of the following:

   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,776     $ 7,397     $ 9,467  
Short-term investments
    2,748             400  
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
  $ 6,524     $ 7,397     $ 9,867  

The following table shows the major components of our consolidated statements of cash flows for the last three fiscal years:

   
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
  $ 7,397     $ 9,467     $ 6,111  
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (743 )     (2,196 )     77  
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (3,034 )     (139 )     3,300  
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    93       103       (21 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    63       162        
Cash and equivalents, end of period
  $ 3,776     $ 7,397     $ 9,467  
 
 
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In fiscal year 2010, our net cash used in operating activities was $743,000, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $2.2 million during the same period in fiscal 2009. This was primarily attributable to our net loss of $1.7 million for fiscal year 2010, a decrease of $527,000 in accounts receivable, an increase of $119,000 in net inventories and an increase of $217,000 in prepaid and other current assets. The cash impact of the loss for the twelve months ended September 30, 2010 was partially offset by a non-cash expense of $602,000 in stock-based compensation and $188,000 in depreciation and amortization costs. The decrease in accounts receivable was primarily due to lower shipments during fiscal year 2010 and good collections during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010. Accounts receivable are generally collected within 30 days of the agreed terms.
 
Net accounts receivable decreased 34% from $1.5 million at September 30, 2009 to $1.0 million at September 30, 2010. Accounts receivable number of days’ sales outstanding (DSO) decreased from 29 days as of September 30, 2009 to 24 days as of September 30, 2010. The net accounts receivable and DSO decrease was primarily due to lower revenue during fiscal year 2010 and good collection activity during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010.

Net inventories increased 9% from $1.3 million at September 30, 2009 to $1.4 million at September 20, 2010. The increase in net inventories during this period was the result of routine period to period fluctuations. Our annualized inventory turn rate, which represents the number of times inventory is replenished during the year, decreased from 5.5 turns as of September 30, 2009 to 3.6 turns as of September 30, 2010. While the amount of inventory we carry fluctuates each period based on the timing of large inventory purchases from overseas suppliers, the Company is working to reduce inventory levels modestly while still meeting customer needs. 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.

We ended fiscal year 2010 with a cash conversion cycle of 21 days, as compared to 55 days during fiscal year 2009. 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 (a) the days of sales outstanding added to (b) the days of supply in inventories and reduced by (c) the days of payable outstanding.  The decrease in our cash conversion cycle was primarily due to quicker collections during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Net cash used in investing activities was $3.0 million in fiscal year 2010, as compared to net cash used in investing activities of 139,000 in fiscal year 2009. This was directly related to proceeds from maturities of short-term investments of approximately $2.2 million and purchases of short-term investments of approximately $5.0 million in fiscal year 2010 as compared to proceeds from maturities of short-term investments of approximately $5.8 million and purchases of short-term investments of approximately $5.4 million during fiscal 2009. The maturities of the Company’s short term investments are staggered throughout the year so that cash requirements are met. During fiscal year 2010, the Company spent approximately $300,000 on purchases of property and equipment compared to $328,000 in fiscal year 2009.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $93,000, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $103,000 during fiscal 2009. During fiscal 2010, proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock plans represented approximately $93,000, as compared to $122,000 in fiscal 2009.
 
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.
 
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 to obtain the right to use complementary technologies. If we cannot raise additional 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.

 
37

 
 
We did not have any material commitments for capital expenditures as of September 30, 2010. We had total outstanding commitments on noncancelable operating leases of $2.1 million as of September 30, 2010. 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.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
The Company leases certain facilities under various operating lease agreements expiring on various dates through December 2014. The following table presents certain commitments that will require the use of cash in future periods under contractual obligations with minimum firm commitments as of September 30, 2010:

   
Payments Due by Period
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Payments
Due in Less
Than 1 Year
   
Payments
Due in
1 - 3 Years
   
Payments
Due in
4 - 5 Years
   
Payments
Due in More
Than 5 Years
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Operating leases obligation(1)
  $ 2,148     $ 520     $ 1,606     $ 22     $  
(1)  Refer to discussion of “Commitments and Contingencies,” Note to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

For additional information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Market Risk Disclosures

At September 30, 2010, our investment portfolio consisted of investment-grade fixed income securities, excluding those classified as cash and cash equivalents, with fair value of $2.7 million. 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, and the fair 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 September 30, 2010, 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 a portion of our business in non-U.S. currencies, primarily the Chinese Yuan (Renminbi). We bill a majority of our customers in U.S. dollars.  Although the fluctuation of currency exchange rates may impact our customers, and thus indirectly impact us, we do not attempt to hedge this indirect and speculative risk.  We monitor our foreign currency exposure; however, as of September 30, 2010, we believe our foreign currency exposure is not material enough to warrant foreign currency hedging. 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 located in Shanghai, China. A hypothetical 10% favorable or unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates would not have a material impact on our results of operations.

 
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Item 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
The financial statements required by this item are incorporated by reference from Part IV Item 15(a) 1 and 2 hereof.
 
1.           INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The following Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this report:

 
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
56
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and 2009
57
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008
58
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009, and 2008
59
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009, and 2008
60
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
61
Selected Quarterly Financial Data
78
 
2.           INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
The following financial statement schedule is submitted herewith:

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
79

 
39

 
 
Item 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None.
 
Item 9A.  CONTROL AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we recently implemented additional disclosure controls and procedures and carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) as of September 30, 2010.  Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2010.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal controls over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
 
 
·
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;
 
 
·
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of our business are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
 
 
·
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management has conducted, with the involvement of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an assessment, including testing of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of September 30, 2010.  Management’s assessment of internal controls over financial reporting was based on the framework in Internal Control over Financial Reporting — Guidance for Smaller Public Companies (2006) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on this assessment, management concluded that our system of internal controls over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2010.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

 
40

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

We believe that our present internal control program has been effective at a reasonable assurance level to ensure that our financial reporting has not been materially misstated.  Nonetheless, we will continue to review, and where necessary, enhance our internal control design and documentation, ongoing risk assessment, and management review as part of our internal control program.
 
Item 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

On February 23, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company unanimously approved a plan to voluntarily delist the Company’s common stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market and to move its common stock listing to the OTCQX U.S. over-the-counter market. In connection therewith, the Company notified the NASDAQ Capital Market on March 5, 2010 of its intention to delist and filed a Form 25 with the SEC on March 15, 2010, which became effective ten (10) days following its filing.

Following delisting from the NASDAQ Capital Market, the Company’s common stock was quoted on the OTCQX U.S., a centralized electronic quotation service for over-the-counter securities, operated by Pink OTC Markets, Inc. The Company intends to continue to comply with OTCQX alternate reporting standards, including annual audited financial statements beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. The Company expects that its common stock will continue to trade on OTCQX so long as market makers demonstrate an interest in trading in the common stock and the Company maintains compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

On November 2, 2010, the Company filed a Certification of Notice of Termination of Registration on Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to voluntarily deregister its common stock and suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company expects the Certification of Notice of Termination of Registration to take effect within ninety (90) days of the filing with the SEC. Following the filing of this annual report, the Company’s obligations to file certain reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, will immediately be suspended. We expect that this annual report will be the last filing made by the Company under the Exchange Act. The Company’s common stock will continue to be quoted on the OTCQX U.S. over-the-counter market, operated by Pink OTC Markets, Inc. after deregistration. We intend to continue to make current financial information available on a regular basis consistent with the applicable rules of Pink OTC Markets, Inc and OTCQX U.S.

 
41

 
 
PART III
 
Item 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
1.     Directors and Executive Officers:
 
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Pursuant to our Bylaws, our Board of Directors is divided into three (3) classes. The directors are elected to serve staggered three-year terms, such that the term of one class of directors expires each year. We currently have five (5) directors divided among the three classes as follows: Class I— Tacheng Chester Wang and Alan Howe; Class II—Mike Mon Yen Tsai and Jeremiah J. Fleming; and Class III—Gilbert Hu.

Set forth below is information regarding our incumbent directors.

Name
 
Age
 
Term
         
Class III Director
       
Gilbert Hu
 
54
 
Term expiring in 2011
Class I Directors
       
Tacheng Chester Wang(1)(2)
 
63
 
Term expiring in 2012
Alan B. Howe(1)
 
49
 
Term expiring in 2012
Class II Directors
       
Jeremiah J. Fleming
 
53
 
Term expiring in 2013
Mike Mon Yen Tsai(1)(2)(3)
 
60
 
Term expiring in 2013

 (1)   Member of the Audit Committee
 (2)   Member of the Compensation Committee
 (3)   Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Gilbert Hu founded AltiGen Communications, Inc. in May 1994. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since its inception in May 1994. From May 1994 until September 2010, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Since October 2010, Mr. Hu has served as President of Asia Pacific of AltiGen. Prior to AltiGen, Mr. Hu was founder, President and CEO of Centrum Communications, a pioneer in the remote networking industry, which was acquired by 3Com Corporation in early 1994. Mr. Hu has also served in technical and managerial roles at Vitalink Corporation, Convergent Technologies, and Luxcom. Mr. Hu earned an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from National Chiao-Tung University in Taiwan.

Jeremiah J. Fleming is currently Chief Executive Officer, President and Director. Mr. Fleming has been a member of the Board of Directors of AltiGen since July 2007and served as President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2007 to September 2010. From March 1997 to March 2007, Mr. Fleming has served as a member of the executive management team of Interactive Intelligence, Inc. When Interactive Intelligence launched its Vonexus subsidiary in 2004 to focus on Microsoft-based IP communications solutions, Mr. Fleming was appointed President of Vonexus. In that role, he was responsible for corporate strategy, management, business development and overall financial performance. Mr. Fleming originally joined Interactive Intelligence, Inc. as Vice President of Sales in 1997 to drive the inaugural launch of the company’s enterprise communications software. Following Interactive Intelligence’s initial public offering in 1999, Mr. Fleming was promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales for the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Previously, he spent five years at Software Artistry Inc. in various management positions, including Vice President, Domestic Sales from January 1995 to February 1997. Mr. Fleming holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Missouri.

Tacheng Chester Wang has served as a member of the Board of Directors of AltiGen since October 2003. In April 2000, Mr. Wang co-founded Acorn Campus, LLC, a $100 million incubator/venture fund, where he currently serves as a general partner. Mr. Wang is also a founding member of Acorn Angels, an investor development support conglomerate. From April 1984 to April 2000, Mr. Wang served as the Chairman of Pacific Rim Financial Corp., a real estate development company. Mr. Wang received a B.S. in Physics from Tsinghua University in Taiwan and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Oregon.

 
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Mike Mon Yen Tsai has been a member of the Board of Directors of AltiGen since July 2004. Since September 2005, Mr. Tsai has served as the Chairman and CEO of UpperVision, Inc., a pioneer in enterprise security policy management. Since August 1995, Mr. Tsai has also served as the Chairman of Salutron, Inc., a consumer electronics company. From February 2004 to July 2004, Mr. Tsai served as the General Manager and Executive Vice President of Verisity, Ltd, an electronics design automation company.  From January 1997 to February 2004, Mr. Tsai served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Systems, Inc., an electronics design automation company. Mr. Tsai is also an active investor in emerging growth companies. Mr. Tsai received a Ph.D. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Electrical Engineering in 1978.

Alan B. Howe has been a member of the Board of Directors of AltiGen since April 2009. Mr. Howe is currently Managing Partner of Broadband Initiatives, LLC and oversees the firm’s operations. Mr. Howe also serves as Managing Director at B. Riley & Co., LLC, in their Corporate Governance Advisory Services Group in Los Angeles. Mr. Howe is also a member of the board of directors of Ditech Networks (Nasdaq:  DITC), Co-Chairman of Selectica, Inc. (Nasdaq:  SLTC) and Chairman of Proxim Wireless (OTCQX: PRXM). In addition, Mr. Howe serves on a number of private boards. From the period beginning May of 2005 to October of 2008, Mr. Howe also served as Vice President of Strategic Development for Covad Communications Group, Inc., a nationwide provider of integrated voice and data communications. From April 1995 to April 2001, Mr. Howe served as the Vice President of Finance and Corporate Development and Chief Financial Officer of Teletrac, Inc. Previously, Mr. Howe worked in several positions with Sprint Corporation, including Director of Corporate Development, and as Assistant Vice President for Manufacturers Hanover Trust (now JP Morgan). Mr. Howe holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Illinois, and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley Graduate School of Business.

2.     Committees of the Board of Directors

The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Wang, Tsai and Howe. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is an "independent director" as defined in Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, as may be modified or supplemented to date. Furthermore, the Board has determined that at least one member of the Audit Committee, Mr. Wang, serves as our audit committee financial expert. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the last fiscal year. The Audit Committee is responsible for retaining our independent auditors, pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by AltiGen’s auditors, reviewing and discussing with management the results and scope of audit and other services provided by the independent auditors and reviewing the accounting principles and auditing practices and procedures to be used in our financial statements. The Board of Directors adopted an amended and restated charter for the Audit Committee in July 2004.

The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Wang and Tsai. Messrs. Wang and Tsai are each considered to be "independent directors" as defined in Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, as may be modified or supplemented to date. The Compensation Committee met four times in the last fiscal year. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the compensation of executive officers and other managerial employees. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves option grants.

The Nominating Committee currently consists of Mr. Tsai.  The Board has determined that Mr. Tsai is considered to be an "independent director" as defined in Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, as may be modified or supplemented to date.  The Nominating Committee was formed in July 2004. Prior to such time, the Company did not have a Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee assists the Board in identifying qualified individuals to become directors, monitors the process to assess Board effectiveness and helps develop and implement the Company’s corporate governance guidelines. The Nominating Committee also considers nominees proposed by stockholders.

 
43

 

3.     Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our Board of Directors adopted a Code of Conduct for all directors, officers and employees on July 26, 2004. Our Code of Conduct is posted on our website at http://www.altigen.com/company_investors-conduct.html. We intend to disclose any amendment to, or waivers of, the provisions of our Code of Conduct that apply specifically to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller or persons performing similar functions by posting such information on our website. A copy of this Code of Conduct can be obtained free of charge through our investor relations department.

4.    Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, generally requires the Company's directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities (“10% owners”) to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company.  Directors, executive officers and 10% owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that they file.  To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of copies of such reports furnished to us and verbal representations that no other reports were required to be filed during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our directors, executive officers and 10% owners were met.

5.    Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Audit Committee Financial Experts

Established in June 1999, the Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm, pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by AltiGen’s independent public accountants, reviews and discusses with management the results and scope of audit and other services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm and reviews the accounting principles and auditing practices and procedures to be used in AltiGen's financial statements. Each member of the Audit Committee is an “independent director” as defined in Rule 5605 of the National Association of Securities Dealers' listing standards. Tacheng Chester Wang serves as our audit committee financial expert.
 
Item 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview

The Compensation Committee acts on behalf of the board of directors and, by extension, the stockholders of the Company to establish, implement and continually monitor adherence with the Company’s compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee ensures that the total compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers is competitive and consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy and the Compensation Committee’s charter, a copy of which may be obtained on the Company’s website at www.altigen.com. The Compensation Committee generally relies upon management, but may also consider outside compensation consultants to provide information and recommendations to establish specific compensation packages for executives.

Philosophy and Objectives

AltiGen’s executive compensation policies are designed to attract and retain qualified executives who will contribute to its long-term success, to reward executives for achieving AltiGen’s financial goals, and to align executive compensation and stockholder interests through equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee believes that strong financial performance, on a sustained basis, is the most certain avenue through which AltiGen can positively affect long-term stockholder return. Furthermore, the Compensation Committee believes that, in order to attract and retain the most qualified executives in the industry, AltiGen’s compensation policies must be competitive with other companies of comparable size and in similar industries and must reinforce strategic performance objectives through the use of incentive compensation programs. In order to provide incentives to executive officers, a portion of their annual compensation is paid as a bonus. The amount of the bonus for each person is determined on the basis of several indicators of corporate performance as outlined below.

 
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Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

The Compensation Committee makes all compensation decisions for the named executive officers and approves recommendations regarding equity awards to all employees.

The Chief Executive Officer annually reviews the performance of each other executive officer and makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding salary adjustments, annual bonus targets and amounts and annual stock option grants. The Compensation Committee reviews the performance of the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee decisions are based in part, on these annual performance reviews, including with respect to salary adjustments, annual bonus amounts and annual stock option grants. The Compensation Committee can exercise its discretion to modify any recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer.

Setting Executive Compensation

Based on the foregoing goals, the Compensation Committee has structured the Company’s overall executive compensation in order to make the Company competitive from a compensation standpoint when compared to its peers and to reward strong performance.  In order to aid the Compensation Committee in obtaining its objectives, the Compensation Committee relies upon management and may engage an outside compensation consulting firm to provide it with information and recommendations with respect to compensation matters. The Compensation Committee also considers the Company’s overall performance as well as the individual performance of its executive officers when determining cash bonuses and salary adjustments.

In making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee gathers and analyzes data and suggestions, including data on the compensation peer group of publicly-traded and privately-held technology companies. This peer group consists of companies against which the Compensation Committee believes the Company must compete for talent and for stockholder investment.

While AltiGen typically competes with many larger companies for executive talent, the Compensation Committee maintains total compensation at levels appropriate for a company of its size. The Compensation Committee believes that the potential for increase in the value of the equity underlying the Company’s stock option grants creates a powerful incentive for its employees when compared to the awards issued by larger companies.

2010 Executive Compensation Components

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the principal components of compensation for named executive officers were:
 
 
·
Base salary;
 
 
·
Cash bonus;
 
 
·
Stock option grants;
 
 
·
Retirement and other benefits; and
 
 
·
Perquisites and other benefits.

 Base Salary

The Compensation Committee reviews each executive officer’s base salary annually.  The Compensation Committee believes that executive salaries must be sufficiently competitive to attract and retain key executives.  Base pay and annual increases are determined (A) primarily through an analysis of each individual’s salary and total target compensation relative to salaries for similar positions within AltiGen and peer companies and (B) to a lesser extent, through a subjective analysis of each individual’s contributions to AltiGen’s success.

Salary levels are typically considered annually as part of AltiGen’s performance review process.  Stock price performance has not been a factor in determining annual base salary compensation because the price of the Company's common stock is subject to a variety of factors outside our control.

 
45

 

Cash Bonus

AltiGen’s executive bonus plan provides for incentive compensation to some but not all of its executive officers and other key employees and will be determined by a percentage of AltiGen’s revenue or accounts receivable collected.  Individual performance is measured based on goals related to each person's function within the organization.  Bonuses generally are awarded to executives if AltiGen meets or exceeds prescribed revenue objectives.  If AltiGen fails to meet these objectives, awards may be significantly reduced or even eliminated if minimum thresholds are not achieved. Conversely, if AltiGen overachieves these objectives, awards may be significantly increased above target thresholds.  In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the Compensation Committee established a total 2010 target incentive bonus amount (“Target Bonus”) for three of AltiGen’s executive officers (including the CEO). The Target Bonus ranged from 0.44% to 0.87% of annual target revenue. The Compensation Committee used AltiGen’s historical data to determine target bonuses and award actual bonuses. Bonus pay ranges from monthly to quarterly. Bonus targets are established at the beginning of the year.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation—Stock Option Grants

AltiGen’s option plans provide for long-term incentive compensation for employees of AltiGen, including executive officers. Grants under our equity compensation programs enable the Company to:
 
 
·
Enhance the link between the creation of stockholder value and long-term executive incentive compensation;
 
 
·
Provide an opportunity for increased equity ownership by executives; and
 
 
·
Maintain competitive levels of total compensation, thereby helping AltiGen to attract and retain valuable executives.

AltiGen currently grants equity awards to executive officers in the form of stock options. The Compensation Committee continues to choose stock options as AltiGen’s equity compensation vehicle because stock options provide high incentives to build stockholder value. Stock options have value only if the fair market value of AltiGen’s common stock increases, thereby aligning the interests of executive officers and stockholders and providing incentives to maximize stockholder value. Further, stock options granted to executive officers generally vest over four years. This vesting schedule not only encourages the executive officers to remain with AltiGen over that period of time, but also encourages the executive officers to build value that can be sustained over time.

Stock option awards are granted at the Compensation Committees’ meetings throughout the year and are determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.  Continuing executive officers generally receive annual stock option grants at the meeting in the second quarter of the year; however, when appropriate throughout the year, the Compensation Committee grants new hire options, promotion options and, if it feels it is appropriate, additional supplemental option grants.  In November of 2009, the Compensation Committee granted common stock to certain of its employees as a bonus in order to retain its valued employees in light of the Company-wide salary reduction in April of 2009. During fiscal year 2010, Messrs. Wang and Tsai served on the Compensation Committee, which held 4 meetings over the course of the year. The Compensation Committee considers recommendations by management with respect to grants to newly hired or promoted executives at the first meeting following such employee’s hire or promotion, as the case may be. The Compensation Committee may make grants at other times in connection with employee retention or otherwise.

Stock options are awarded at an exercise price equal to the closing price of AltiGen’s common stock on the date of the grant. The Compensation Committee has never granted options with an exercise price that is less than the closing price of AltiGen’s common stock on the grant date. AltiGen has no program or practice to time option grants in connection with the release of material non-public information.

Options generally vest over multiple years, which provides incentives for the executive officers to remain with AltiGen. The number of options the Compensation Committee grants to each officer and each option’s vesting schedule are determined based on a variety of factors, including (1) the executive’s position at AltiGen, (2) his or her individual performance as assessed by the Chief Executive Officer in his annual review and by the Compensation Committee with respect to the Chief Executive Officer's performance, and (3) other factors, including independent equity compensation survey data.

 
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Vesting ceases upon termination of employment, and the vested stock options may generally be exercised for three months following the date of termination.  Prior to the exercise of an option, the holder has no rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares subject to such option, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents. At this time, AltiGen has not adopted stock ownership guidelines with respect to the executive officers or otherwise. AltiGen has an insider trading policy that prohibits, among other things, short sales, hedging of stock ownership positions, and transactions involving derivative securities relating to AltiGen’s common stock.

Retirement and Other Benefits

All employees in the United States, including our executive officers, are eligible to participate in the our 401(k) plan, medical and dental insurance, employee stock purchase plan, as well as our life and disability insurance policy. The 401(k) plan and other generally available benefit programs allow AltiGen to remain competitive for employee talent, and we believe that the availability of such benefit programs enhances employee loyalty and productivity. The benefit programs are primarily intended to provide all eligible employees with competitive and quality healthcare and financial protection for retirement. These benefit programs typically do not factor into decisions regarding executive compensation packages.

Profit Sharing Plan

AltiGen also maintains a profit-sharing plan.  The employee profit-sharing plan has been established to share with each employee, including executive officers, the rewards of a profitable company. The profit sharing pool will consist of approximately ten percent (10%) of our quarterly profit from operations before taxes.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

AltiGen does not provide perquisites and other personal benefits.

Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer

The Compensation Committee determines the CEO’s compensation following criteria similar to those used to determine the compensation for our other executive officers.  Our CEO is the person most responsible for AltiGen’s overall performance and as such a greater portion of his potential compensation is tied to the financial performance of AltiGen.
 
Severance and Change of Control Protection

We believe that severance protections can play a valuable role in retaining and attracting executive officers.  For this reason, in March 2009, we entered into employment agreements with Gilbert Hu, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Asia Pacific, and Philip McDermott, our Chief Financial Officer and in December 2007, we had entered into an employment agreement with Jeremiah J. Fleming, our Chief Executive Officer and President. Through these agreements, AltiGen provides severance compensation in the form of severance pay, continued payment of health care premiums and acceleration of outstanding equity awards if the executive’s employment is terminated under certain conditions, including a termination without cause or for good reason.  The Compensation Committee believes these arrangements are necessary to ensure that these three senior executives are focused on AltiGen’s goals and objectives as well as the best interests of stockholders rather than potential personal economic exposure under these particular circumstances.

In addition, the agreements provide some benefits in connection with a change of control, including that each of the executive’s stock options will vest immediately upon a change of control and that if any “golden parachute” excise taxes are triggered in connection with the change of control, AltiGen will “gross-up” the executives for this tax liability, so that the executive retains the same amount of value as if the excise tax had not been applied. We recognize that it is possible that AltiGen may be involved in a transaction involving a change of control, and that this possibility could result in the departure or distraction of our executives to the detriment of our business.  We also recognize that the occurrence, or potential occurrence, of a change of control transaction will create uncertainty regarding the continued employment of our executive officers.  To allow our executives to focus solely on making decisions that are in the best interests of our stockholders in the event of a possible, threatened, or pending change of control, and to encourage them to remain with AltiGen despite the possibility that the change of control might affect them adversely, we have provided these three executives with protection from change of control-related excise taxes and with option acceleration, which also provides these executives with an incentive to maximize the value of our common stock upon a change of control for the benefit of all stockholders.

 
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Accounting and Tax Implications

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes limitations on the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain executive officers in a taxable year. Compensation in excess of $1 million may only be deducted if it is “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of the Code.  For fiscal year 2010, AltiGen’s stock options and bonuses did not qualify as performance-based compensation and therefore counted toward the $1 million limit.  For fiscal year 2010, the compensation paid to the executive officers did not exceed $1 million and therefore was fully deductible to AltiGen.

The Compensation Committee currently intends to continue to consider the advisability of qualifying its executive compensation as performance-based compensation for purposes of Code Section 162(m) deductibility. To the extent we determine it is in the best interests of AltiGen, we may in the future seek to qualify certain compensation paid to the executive officers as performance-based compensation.  Currently, the Compensation Committee believes that the total compensation paid by AltiGen will not affect the tax deductions available to it with respect to the compensation of any of its executive officers.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

Beginning on October 1, 2005, the Company began accounting for stock-based payments in accordance with the requirements of SFAS 123(R).

Compensation of Executive Officers

The following table summarizes the compensation paid during the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 to the Company's Principal Executive Officer and the Company’s two highly compensated executive officers other than the Principal Executive Officer, all of whom are collectively referred to as the “Named Officers.”

Name and Principal Position
Fiscal
Year
 
Salary ($)
   
Bonus ($)
   
Option
Awards ($)(1)
   
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2)
   
All Other
Compensation
($)(3)
   
Total ($)
 
                                                   
Gilbert Hu
2010
    177,508       115,093       35,760             4,892       333,253  
Chairman of the Board and President of Asia Pacific
2009
    188,754       114,609       50,954             5,400       359,717  
Jeremiah J. Fleming
2010
    170,000       148,929       80,121             6,522       405,572  
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
2009
    185,000       155,527       120,766             7,200       468,493  
Philip M. McDermott
2010
    170,000       77,909       37,687             6,522       292,118  
Chief Financial Officer
2009
    185,000       77,581       46,907             7,200       316,688  

(1)
The amounts shown in this column represent the share-based compensation expense the Company recognized, in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal years 2010 and 2009, in conformity with SFAS 123(R). The amounts shown here do not represent actual payments received by the Named Officer. Instead, the amounts shown are the aggregate expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in 2010, as determined pursuant to SFAS 123R.
(2)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation includes profit sharing paid to the above Named Officers. The employee profit sharing plan has been established to share with each employee the rewards of a profitable company. The profit sharing pool will consist of approximately ten percent (10%) of AltiGen’s quarterly profit from operations before taxes.
(3)
All other compensation includes issuance of common stock as a bonus.  The awards granted to the Named Officers in fiscal year 2010 fully vested on date of grant. Additionally, the recipient did not pay a purchase or exercise price. We recorded stock-based compensation cost for these stock award bonuses based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 
48

 
 
Stock Options Granted in the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010
 
The following table summarized the fiscal 2010 stock options granted to the Named Officers and directors.

Name
 
Grant Date
 
Number of
Shares of Stock
Awards Granted
(#) (1)
   
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options Granted
(#) (2)
   
Exercise of
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Share)
   
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Option
Awards
($) (4)
 
Gilbert Hu
 
08/31/2010
          100,000 (2)     0.74       57,319  
   
11/17/2009
    5,436                       4,892  
Jeremiah J. Fleming
 
08/31/2010
            100,000 (2)     0.74       57,319  
   
11/17/2009
    7,247                       6,522  
Philip McDermott
 
08/31/2010
            100,000 (2)     0.74       57,319  
   
11/17/2009
    7,247                       6,522  
Tacheng Chester Wang
 
08/31/2010
          20,000 (3)     0.74       6,322  
Mike Mon Yen Tsai
 
08/31/2010
          20,000 (3)     0.74       6,322  
Alan B. Howe
 
08/31/2010
          20,000 (3)     0.74       6,322  

(1)
On November 17, 2009, the Compensation Committee granted common stock to certain of its employees as a bonus in order to retain its valued employees in light of the Company-wide reduction in April of 2009.  In connection therewith, each of Messrs. Hu, Fleming and McDermott received stock award shares as a bonus.
(2)
Each of these options was granted pursuant to the Company's 2009 Stock Option Plan. All such options vest over a four-year period, subject to continued employment with the Company. The exercise price of each option set forth above was the closing price of our stock on the OTCQX market on the grant date.
(3)
Each of these options was granted pursuant to the Company's 2009 Stock Option Plan. All such options vest over twelve months period and the option provided for 100% acceleration upon change of control. The exercise price of each option set forth above was the closing price of our stock on the OTCQX market on the grant date.
(4)
The value of option awards is based on the fair value as of the grant date of such award determined pursuant to FAS 123R.  The exercise price for all options granted to the Named Executive Officers is 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the grant date. The option exercise price has not been deducted from the amounts indicated above. Regardless of whatever value is placed on a stock option on the grant date, the actual value of the option will depend on the market value of AltiGen’s common stock at such date in the future when the option is exercised. The proceeds to be paid to the individual following this exercise do not include the option exercise price.

 
49

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at September 30, 2010

The following table summarizes the value of options held at September 30, 2010 by our Named Officers.  The value of unexercised in-the-money options at September 30, 2010 figures are based on the difference between $0.75, which is the closing price of our common stock as quoted on the OTCQX market as of the close of business on September 30, 2010, and each option’s per-share exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares issued upon exercise of the option.

   
Option Awards
 
       
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options (#)
         
Name
 
Option Grant
Date
   
Exercisable
   
Unexercisable
   
Option Exercise 
Price ($)
 
Option
Expiration Date
Gilbert Hu
 
11/11/2002
(1)      80,000             0.60  
11/11/2012
   
08/31/2010
(2)      2,083       97,917       0.74  
08/31/2020
Jeremiah J. Fleming
 
08/31/2010
(2)      2,083       97,917       0.74  
08/31/2020
Philip McDermott
 
11/11/2002
(1)      46,000             0.60  
11/11/2012
   
08/31/2010
(2)      2,083       97,917       0.74  
08/31/2020

(1)
Each of these options was granted pursuant to the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan. All such options vest over a four-year period, subject to continued employment with the Company in accordance with the following vesting schedule: 25% of the shares subject to the option shall vest twelve (12) months after the grant date and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option shall vest each month thereafter.  The exercise price of each option set forth above was the closing price of our stock on NASDAQ Capital Market on the grant date.
(2)
Each of these options was granted pursuant to the Company’s 2009 Stock Option Plan. All such options vest over a four-year period, subject to continued employment with the Company in accordance with the following vesting schedule: option shall vest monthly in equal installments. The exercise price of each option set forth above was the closing price of our stock on OTCQX market on the grant date.
 
Option Exercises and Value Realized on Exercise

During fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, our Named Officers did not exercise any of their vested options.

Director Compensation

The table below summarizes the cash, equity awards and stock awards earned by or paid or awarded to each of our directors during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Name
 
Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
   
Value of
Outstanding
Option wards
($) (1)
   
Value of Stock
Awards ($)(2)
   
Total ($)
 
Gilbert Hu
    4,000       35,760       4,892       44,652  
Jeremiah J. Fleming
    4,000       80,121       6,522       90,643  
Tacheng Chester Wang
    12,625       4,890             17,515  
Mike Mon Yen Tsai
    12,625       4,890             17,515  
Alan B. Howe
    12,625       7,347             19,972  

(1)
These dollar amounts reflect the compensation expenses recognized by our company in fiscal year 2010 for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, Share-Based Compensation (“FAS 123R”). These amounts do not represent payments actually received by the directors.
(2)
On November 17, 2009, the Compensation Committee granted common stock to certain of its employees as a bonus in order to retain its valued employees in light of the Company-wide reduction in April of 2009. In connection therewith, each of Messrs. Hu and Fleming received stock awards as bonuses.

 
50

 
 
Item 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of November 30, 2010.  The table shows ownership by:
 
 
·
each person or entity known to us to beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of the shares of our outstanding stock;
 
 
·
each of our directors;
 
 
·
each of our Named Officers;
 
 
·
each nominee for director, if such person is not currently a director or executive officer; and
 
 
·
all of our directors, executive officers and director nominees as a group.

This information is based on information received from or on behalf of the named individuals.  The column entitled “Options” consists of shares of common stock subject to options exercisable or currently exercisable within 60 days of November 30, 2010, which are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding the options.  As of November 30, 2010, AltiGen had 16,494,758 shares outstanding.

Unless otherwise indicated, the principal address of each of the stockholders below is: c/o AltiGen Communications, Inc., 410 East Plumeria Drive, San Jose, California 95134.  Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock beneficially owned by them.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
 
Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
   
Options
   
Percentage of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
 
5% Stockholders:
                 
Lloyd I. Miller, III (1)
4650 Gordon Drive
Naples, FL 34102
    2,043,461             12.4 %
Eric D. Wanger (2)
401 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1301
Chicago, IL 60611
    1,618,617             9.8 %
Norman H. Pessin (3)
366 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10017
    1,202,720             7..3 %
Directors and Executive Officers:
                       
Gilbert Hu (4)
    865,103       405,971       7.5 %
Jeremiah J. Fleming
    615,815       242,970       5.1 %
Philip McDermott
    46,940       264,816       1.9 %
Mike Mon Yen Tsai
          55,834       *  
Tacheng Chester Wang
          55,834       *  
Alan B. Howe
          7,500       *  
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons)
    1,527,858       1,032,925       14.5 %

*
Less than 1%.
(1)
According to a Form 4 filed with the SEC on September 8, 2010 by Lloyd I. Miller, III, Mr. Miller has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,454,975 reported shares as a manager of a limited liability company that is the general partner of a certain limited partnership and shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 588,486 reported shares as an investment advisor to the trustee of certain family trusts.
(2) 
According to a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 20, 2009, 1,618,617 shares are held of record by Wanger Long Term Opportunity II, LP (“WLTOF”). Each of WLTOF, Wanger Investment Management, Inc. ("WIM") as an investment portfolio manager for WLTOF, WLTOF GP LLC ("GP") as general partner of WLTOF, and Mr. Wanger as President of WIM and managing member of GP, has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by WLTOF.  WIM disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by WLTOF.  GP and Mr. Wanger disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by WLTOF except to the extent of any beneficial interest in WLTOF.

 
51

 

(3) 
According to a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 18, 2010 by Norman H. Pessin and Sandra F. Pessin. Mr. Pessin has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,022,484 shares of common stock and Sandra F. Pessin has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 180,236 shares.
(4)
Includes 11,978 shares registered in the name of Mr. Hu's wife May Kuei-Rong Hu, 30,000 shares registered in the name of Mr. Hu’s daughter, Michelle Hu, and 99,841 shares registered in the name of Mr. Hu's daughter, Stephanie Hu.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table summarizes information about our existing equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2010. All outstanding awards relate to our common stock.

Plan category
 
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
   
Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
(b)
   
Number of
securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a)) (c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
                 
Option plans
    5,094,740     $ 0.89       1,744,087  
Employee stock purchase plan
                1,363,904  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
Total
    5,094,740     $ 0.89       3,107,991  
 
Item 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Policies and Procedures

The Company has a policy regarding the review and approval of related party transactions. Potential related party transactions are identified through an internal review process and those transactions that are determined to be interested transactions with related parties are submitted for review and approval or ratification by the Audit Committee.  In determining whether to approve or ratify an interested transaction, the Audit Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the interested transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction.  No director shall participate in the approval of an interested transaction for which he or she is a related party, except that the director shall provide all material information concerning the transaction to the Audit Committee.

Board Meetings and Committees

Our Board of Directors held a total of four meetings during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. The committees of the Board of Directors include an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. During the last fiscal year, no director attended fewer than 75% of the sum of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings of the committees upon which that director served, held subsequent to his becoming a director or his appointment to such committee. The independent directors of the Board of Directors periodically meet separately in executive sessions (i.e., without any members of management present) to discuss corporate business and governance. During the last fiscal year, one such executive session was held. While members of our Board of Directors are not required to attend our annual meeting of stockholders, they are encouraged to attend. Last year, Jeremiah J. Fleming attended our annual meeting.

 
52

 

Director Independence

The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Wang, Tsai and Howe constitute a majority of the Board of Directors, that during 2010 each was independent under the rules applicable to NASDAQ listed companies, and none of them are believed to have any relationships that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a Director. The Company moved its stock listing from the NASDAQ to the OTCQX U.S. effective March 16, 2010 and no longer is required to meet the NASDAQ requirements for director independence.
 
Item 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent auditors. Under the policy, pre-approval generally is provided for up to one (1) year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. In addition, the Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. For each proposed service, the independent auditor is required to provide detailed back-up documentation at the time of approval. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. Such member must report any decisions to the Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting.

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by Moss Adams LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and fees billed for other services rendered by Moss Adams LLP during those periods. All services provided by Moss Adams LLP in fiscal years 2010 and 2009 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Audit Fees(1)
  $ 266     $ 245  
Audit-Related Fees(2)
    4       24  
Tax Fees(3)
    26       24  
All Other Fees(4)
           
Total
  $ 296     $ 293  
 

(1) 
Audit Fees consist of fees related to professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements, quarterly review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q, and audit services provided in connection with other statutory and regulatory filings.
(2) 
Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
(3) 
Tax Fees consist of fees related to professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax planning (domestic and international). These services include assistance regarding federal, state and international tax compliance and tax planning.
(4) 
All Other Fees consist of fees for products and services other than the services reported above. During fiscal 2010 and 2009, Moss Adams LLP did not provide any services other than as described above.

 
53

 
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a)           The following documents are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
1.
Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule – See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule at Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
 
2.
Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
3.1(1)
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2(5)
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws.
3.3(10)
 
Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of Series A Participating Preferred Stock of AltiGen Communications, Inc.
4.1(11)
 
Preferred Stock Rights Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2009, between AltiGen Communications, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., including the Certificate of Designation, the form of Rights Certificate and the Summary of Rights attached thereto as Exhibits A, B and C, respectively.
4.2(1)
 
Specimen common stock certificates.
4.3(1)
 
Third Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated May 7, 1999 by and among AltiGen Communications, Inc. and the Investors and Founder named therein.
10.1(1)
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement.
10.2(1)
 
1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended, and form of stock option agreement.
10.3(4)
 
1999 Stock Plan, as amended, and form of stock option agreement.
10.4(3)
 
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, and forms of subscription agreement and notice of withdrawal.
10.5
 
Lease agreement: 410 East Plumeria Drive, San Jose, California between FSP Montague Business Center Corp., a Delaware Corporation and AltiGen Communications, Inc., dated April 16, 2009.
10.6(1)
 
Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Philip McDermott, dated June 8, 1999.
10.7(9)
 
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement by and between Philip McDermott and the Company, dated March 6, 2009.
10.8(7)
 
Executive Employment Agreement by and between Jeremiah J. Fleming and the Company, dated December 18, 2007.
10.9(9)
 
Executive Employment Agreement by and between Gilbert Hu and the Company, dated March 6, 2009.
10.10(2)++
 
OEM Agreement between AltiSys Communications and AltiGen Communications, Inc., dated January 18, 1999.
10.12(4)++
 
Distribution Agreement between Synnex Information Technologies, Inc. and AltiGen Communications, Inc. dated December 22, 1999.
10.14++
 
Reseller Agreement between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and AltiGen Communications, Inc. dated August 28, 2009.
10.15(12)
 
2009 Equity Incentive Plan and form of stock option agreement thereunder.
10.16(12)
 
2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
21.1(1)
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 
 
54

 
 
23.1
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
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, filed 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, filed 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 December 31, 2001.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
(7)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-K (No. 000-27427).
(8)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 (No. 000-27427).
(9)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-K on March 10, 2009.
(10)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A on April 23, 2009.
(11)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-K on April 23, 2009.
(12)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 on June 29, 2009.
++
Confidential treatment was granted for certain portions of this exhibit.

(b) 
Exhibits: See list of exhibits under (a)(2) above.

(c) 
Financial Statement Schedules: See list of schedules under (a)(1) above.
 
 
55

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
AltiGen Communications, Inc.
San Jose, California
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AltiGen Communications, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Company") as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AltiGen Communications, Inc. and subsidiary as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
/s/ MOSS ADAMS LLP
 
Santa Clara, California
December 13, 2010

 
56

 

ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands, except share
and per share amounts)
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,776     $ 7,397  
Short-term investments
    2,748        
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $10 and $35, respectively
    1,018       1,545  
Inventories
    1,385       1,266  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    345       128  
Total current assets
    9,272       10,336  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    613       501  
Long-term investments
    198       202  
Long-term deposit
    278       292  
Total assets
  $ 10,361     $ 11,331  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,306     $ 1,165  
Accrued liabilities:
               
Payroll and related benefits
    381       672  
Warranty
    119       122  
Marketing
    130       111  
Accrued expenses
    266       215  
Other accrued liabilities
    435       484  
Total accrued liabilities
    1,331       1,604  
Deferred revenue, short-term
    2,448       2,573  
Total current liabilities
    5,085       5,342  
Other long-term liabilities
    469       232  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; Authorized—5,000,000 shares; Outstanding—none at September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009
           
Common stock, $0.001 par value; Authorized—50,000,000 shares; Outstanding—16,494,758 shares at September 30, 2010 and 16,188,857 shares at September 30, 2009
    18       17  
Treasury stock at cost—1,318,830 shares at September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009
    (1,400 )     (1,400 )
Additional paid-in capital
    68,410       67,716  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    228       165  
Accumulated deficit
    (62,449 )     (60,741 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    4,807       5,757  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 10,361     $ 11,331  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
57

 
 
ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

   
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands, except per share
amounts)
 
Net revenue:
                 
Hardware
  $ 10,552     $ 12,279     $ 15,192  
Software
    2,394       2,304       2,614  
Service support
    3,699       2,802       1,091  
Total net revenue
    16,645       17,385       18,897  
Cost of revenue:
                       
Hardware
    5,467       6,588       7,828  
Software
    20       16       231  
Service support
                 
Total cost of revenue
    5,487       6,604       8,059  
Gross profit
    11,158       10,781       10,838  
Operating expenses:
                       
Research and development
    4,577       4,924       4,216  
Sales and marketing
    5,248       7,037       7,552  
General and administrative
    3,114       3,654       3,322  
Total operating expenses
    12,939       15,615       15,090  
Loss from operations
    (1,781 )     (4,834 )     (4,252 )
Equity in net income (loss) of investee
    (4 )     (9 )     5  
Interest and other income, net
    43       118       310  
Net loss before taxes
    (1,742 )     (4,725 )     (3,937 )
Income taxes
    34       15        
Net loss
  $ (1,708 )   $ (4,710 )   $ (3,937 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share
  $ (0.10 )   $ (0.30 )   $ (0.25 )
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share
    16,417       15,937       15,745  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
58

 
 
ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   
Common Stock
         
Additional
   
Accumulated
Other
         
Total
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Treasury
Stock
   
Paid-in
Capital
   
Comprehensive
Loss
   
Accumulated
Deficit
   
Stockholders’
Equity
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
    15,669,657     $ 16     $ (1,014 )   $ 65,434     $ 3     $ (52,094 )   $ 12,345  
Net loss
                                            (3,937 )     (3,937 )
Change in unrealized loss on investments
                                                     
Cumulative foreign currency translation
                                                     
Total comprehensive loss
                                                    (3,937 )
                                                         
Repurchase of treasury stock
    (231,135 )             (367 )                             (367 )
Common stock issued under stock plans
    338,781       1               345                       346  
Stock-based compensation
                            910                       910  
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
    15,777,303       17       (1,381 )     66,689       3       (56,031 )     9,297  
Net loss
                                            (4,710 )     (4,710 )
Change in unrealized loss on investments
                                    (3 )             (3 )
Cumulative foreign currency translation
                                    165               165  
Total comprehensive loss
                                                    (4,548 )
Repurchase of treasury stock
    (23,800 )             (19 )                             (19 )
Common stock issued under stock plans
    435,354                       286                       286  
Stock-based compensation
                            741                       741  
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
    16,188,857       17       (1,400 )     67,716       165       (60,741 )     5,757  
Net loss
                                            (1,708 )     (1,708 )
Change in unrealized loss on investments
                                                     
Cumulative foreign currency translation
                                    63               63  
Total comprehensive loss
                                                    (1,645 )
Repurchase of treasury stock
                                                     
Common stock issued under stock plans
    305,901       1               237                       238  
Stock-based compensation
                            457                       457  
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
    16,494,758     $ 18     $ (1,400 )   $ 68,410     $ 228     $ (62,449 )   $ 4,807  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
59

 

ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

   
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
Net loss
  $ (1,708 )   $ (4,710 )   $ (3,937 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    188       250       265  
Stock-based compensation
    602       905       910  
Equity in net income (loss) of investee
    4       9       (2 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    527       878       233  
Inventories
    (119 )     328       (27 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (217 )     48       61  
Accounts payable
    141       (69 )     413  
Accrued liabilities
    (273 )     (46 )     221  
Deferred revenue, short-term
    (8 )     165       1,924  
Other long-term liabilities
    120       46       16  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (743 )     (2,196 )     77  
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of short-term investments
    (4,995 )     (5,460 )     (45,097 )
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments
    2,247       5,860       48,493  
Changes in long-term deposits
    14       (211 )     86  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (300 )     (328 )     (182 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (3,034 )     (139 )     3,300  
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs
    93       122       346  
Repurchase of treasury stock
          (19 )     (367 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    93       103       (21 )
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
    63       162        
Net change in cash and cash equivalents during year
    (3,621 )     (2,070 )     3,356  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    7,397       9,467       6,111  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 3,776     $ 7,397     $ 9,467  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
60

 

ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.           ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY
 
We are a leading provider of 100 percent Microsoft-based VoIP business phone systems and Unified Communications solutions. We design, deliver and support VoIP phone systems and call center solutions that combine high reliability with integrated IP communications applications.  As one of the first companies to offer VoIP solutions, AltiGen has been deploying systems since 1996. We have more than 10,000 customers worldwide with over 15,000 systems in use. Our telephony solutions are primarily used by small- to medium-sized businesses, companies with multiple locations, corporate branch offices, and call centers.
 
2.           SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Principles of Presentation
 
Our consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of AltiGen Communications, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary. The subsidiary is located in Shanghai, China and was incorporated in November 1998. As of September 30, 2010, we had approximately $55,000 in long-lived assets located in China as compared to $45,000 in fiscal year 2009. Our hardware tooling used to develop the face plate for our MAX1000 Voice over IP phone system as well as tooling used to develop the IP720 and IP705 phones are located in Taiwan. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Our fiscal year end is September 30. Unless otherwise stated, all references to fiscal years 2010, 2009, and 2008 refer to the twelve months ended September 30 of that year.
 
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements
 
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States 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 the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. Key estimates include provisions for excess and obsolete inventories, warranty, doubtful account reserve, valuation on tax assets and long-term investments. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Subsequent Events

The Company has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through December 13, 2010, the date on which this Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed with the SEC. Please refer to Part IV, “Subsequent Events,” Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Concentration of Risk and Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties
 
We purchase substantially all our hardware product components from four suppliers and purchase other manufacturing services from a relatively small number of suppliers. Our purchases are concentrated with these four suppliers and certain key chip components of our products are sole sourced. For fiscal years 2010 and 2009 these four suppliers provided 74% and 79%, respectively, of all raw materials purchased. Loss of one of these suppliers could adversely impact our operations.

We believe that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future financial position or results of operations:

 
·
availability of necessary components;
 
·
changes in customer relationships;
 
·
risks associated with having a concentration of a few suppliers; and
 
·
risks associated with changes in domestic and international economic and/or political conditions or regulations.

 
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Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, investments and accounts receivable. The Company invests its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in high credit-quality financial institutions. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by these institutions to the extent of the amount recorded on the consolidated balance sheet. To date, the Company has not experienced losses on these investments.
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
 
The Company's policy is to invest in highly-rated securities with strong liquidity and requires investments to be rated single-A or better. Our investment portfolio consists principally of investment grade institutional money market funds, bank term deposits, U.S. Agency securities, corporate bonds and notes and commercial paper. We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. 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 and report them at their fair value. Further, we recognize unrealized gains and losses related to these securities as an increase or reduction in shareholders' equity. We evaluate our available-for-sale securities for impairment quarterly. During fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, we did not record any impairment on outstanding securities. The Company did not hold any short-term investments at September 30, 2009.
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and available-for-sale securities by significant investment category as of September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 (in thousands):
 

   
September 30, 2010
 
Security Description
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Gains
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
                       
Cash
  $ 2,141     $     $     $ 2,141  
Cash equivalents
                               
Money market mutual funds
    1,385                   1,385  
Commercial paper
    250                   250  
Total cash equivalents
    1,635                   1,635  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    3,776                   3,776  
                                 
Short-term investments:
                               
Commercial paper
    2,748                   2,748  
Total short-term investments
                       
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
  $ 6,524     $     $     $ 6,524  
 
   
September 30, 2009
 
Security Description
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Gains
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
                       
Cash
  $ 2,769     $     $     $ 2,769  
Cash equivalents
                               
Money market mutual funds
    4,628                   4,628  
Commercial paper
                       
Total cash equivalents
    4,628                   4,628  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    7,397                   7,397  
                                 
Short-term investments:
                               
Commercial paper
                       
Total short-term investments
                       
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
  $ 7,397     $     $     $ 7,397  

Unrealized gains and losses and realized gains were not significant for both fiscal years 2010 and 2009. The Company reports unrealized gains and losses on its “available-for-sale” securities in other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity.

 
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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. In fiscal year 2010, we disposed of fully-reserved inventory with a carrying value of zero and an original cost at $33,000. The disposal of such inventory had no material impact on our revenue, gross margins and net loss for the twelve months ended September 30, 2010. During fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recognized a provision of $3,000, $17,000 and $12,000, respectively, for excess and obsolete inventories. The components of inventories, net of inventory reserves, include (in thousands):

   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Raw materials
  $ 562     $ 450  
Work-in-progress
    12       29  
Finished goods
    811       787  
Total
  $ 1,385     $ 1,266  
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
 
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Cost includes purchase cost, applicable taxes and freight costs. We compute depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is three years except for tooling and leasehold improvements. Our tooling is depreciated using the greater value between the five year straight-line method or the number of phones shipped in the period. We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lease term or the improvement’s estimated useful life. Depreciation expense for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, was approximately $132,000, $250,000 and $265,000, respectively. All repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
 
Property, plant and equipment, net, consist of (in thousands):

   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Machinery and equipment
  $ 395     $ 342  
Furniture and equipment
    1,224       1,266  
Tooling
    675       675  
Computer software
    949       949  
Leasehold improvements
    106       77  
Construction-in-progress
    235       31  
Total
    3,584       3,340  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (2,971 )     (2,839 )
Property and equipment, net
  $ 613     $ 501  
 
Long-Term Investments
 
As of September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, we held an investment of common stock of a private Taiwanese telecommunication company valued at approximately $195,000. This investment is valued using the cost method. Our interest in the company is approximately 2%, which interest does not allow us to exercise significant influence.

 
63

 
 
In July 2004, we purchased common stock of a private Korean telecommunications company 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 and record our minority interest of their results in our results of operations. As of September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, our investment in the Korean company had a book value of approximately $3,000, $7,000 and $16,000, respectively. We recorded $4,000, $9,000 and $3,000 in our proportionate share of the net losses of our investee for the fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
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 during fiscal years 2010, 2009 or 2008.
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiary is the Chinese Yuen (Renminbi). In consolidation, the Company translates the assets and liabilities of its Chinese subsidiary at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date.  The Company translates revenue and expense accounts at average exchange rates during the period in which the transaction takes place.  The foreign currency translation is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity.
 
Software Development Cost
 
The Company capitalizes eligible computer software development costs upon the establishment of technological feasibility, which it has defined as completion of a working model. The amount of costs eligible for capitalization, after consideration of factors such as realizable value, were not material and, accordingly, all software development costs have been charged to research and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
 
Revenue Recognition

Revenue consists of direct sales to end-users, resellers and distributors. Revenue from sales to end-users and resellers is 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 warrant costs related to such sales at the time of shipment. Net revenue consists of product revenue reduced by estimated sales returns and allowances. Sales returns average was approximately 0.9% and 1.8% of sales for fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Sales to distributors are made under terms allowing certain rights of return and protection against subsequent price declines on our products held by the distributors. Upon termination of such distribution agreements, any unsold products may be returned by the distributor for a full refund. These agreements may be canceled without cause for convenience following a specified notice period. As a result of these 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. We do not recognize revenue derived from sales to customers in Asia until both of the following elements are satisfied: customer has taken ownership upon shipment and we have received payment for the purchase.

 
64

 

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. 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 to software support programs 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 the upgrades and enhancements offered at no cost during software assurance arrangements have historically 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 contract term.

Net revenue by customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of our revenue during fiscal years 2010, 2009, 2008 is as follows:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Synnex
    36 %     30 %     34 %
Jenne (1)
          15 %     12 %
Fiserv (2)
    10 %     10 %      
Altisys (3)
                12 %
Total
    46 %     55 %     58 %

(1)
In September 2009, we terminated our distribution agreement with Jenne. The termination of our relationship with Jenne did not have a material impact on our business for fiscal year 2010.
(2) 
In August 2009, we entered into a reseller agreement with Fiserv Solutions, Inc. Our agreement with Fiserv has an initial term of ten years and will renew automatically for additional five year terms, provided that each party has the right to terminate the agreement for convenience upon ninety (90) days' written notice prior to the end of the initial term or any subsequent term of the agreement.
(3)
During fiscal years 2010 and 2009, revenue generated from Altisys was less than 10% of our total revenue.
 
Segment Reporting
 
The Company manages its business primarily on a geographic basis. Accordingly, the Company determined its operating segments, which are generally based on the nature and location of its customers, to be the Americas and International. The Company's two geographical segments, all sell the same products to the same types of customers. The Company's reportable operating segments are comprised of the Americas and International operations. The Americas segment includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The International segment is comprised of China, United Kingdom, Italy and Holland.

 
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The following table shows our sales by geographic region as percentage of total sales for the periods indicated:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Americas
    86 %     86 %     87 %
International
    14 %     14 %     13 %
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %
 
Product Warranty
 
The Company provides a warranty for hardware products for a period of one year following shipment to end users. We have historically experienced minimal warranty costs. Factors that affect our reserves for 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 reserves for warranty liability every quarter and make adjustments to those reserves if necessary.
 
Changes in the Company's warranty liability for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):

   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Accrued warranty, beginning of year
  $ 122     $ 137  
Provision for warranty liability
    176       111  
Warranty cost including labor, components and scrap
    (179 )     (126 )
Accrued warranty, end of year
  $ 119     $ 122  
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2010, FASB issued ASU 2010-20, Disclosures about Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses, which adds new requirements for disclosures about an entity’s allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables. The amendment is effective the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this new accounting pronouncement to its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), which eliminates the requirement for public companies to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. The Company will continue to evaluate subsequent events through the date of the issuance of the financial statements, however, consistent with the guidance, this date will no longer be disclosed. ASU 2010-09 does not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

In January 2010, the FASB issued an ASU which clarifies and provides additional disclosure requirements on the transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 (quoted prices in active market for identical assets or liabilities) and Level 2 (significant other observable inputs) of the fair value measurement hierarchy, including the reasons for and the timing of the transfers. Additionally, the guidance requires a roll forward of activities on purchases, sales, issuance, and settlements of the assets and liabilities measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 fair value measurements). This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009 with the exception of revised Level 3 disclosure requirements which are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Comparative disclosures are not required in the year of adoption. Such adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operation.

 
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In October 2009, FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements. As summarized in ASU 2009-13, ASC Topic 605 has been amended (1) to provide updated guidance on whether multiple deliverables exist, how the deliverables in an arrangement should be separated, and the consideration allocated; (2) to require an entity to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of deliverables if a vendor does not have vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) or third-party evidence of selling price; and (3) to eliminate the use of the residual method and require an entity to allocate revenue using the relative selling price method. The accounting changes summarized in ASU 2009-14 and ASU 2009-13 are both effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. Adoption may either be on a prospective basis or by retrospective application. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance to its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2009, FASB issued ASU 2009-14, Software (Topic 985)—Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements. This standard changes the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements. Under this guidance, tangible products containing software components and non-software components that function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality are excluded from the software revenue guidance in Subtopic 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition. In addition, hardware components of a tangible product containing software components are always excluded from the software revenue guidance. FASB Accounting Standards Updates 2009-14 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance to its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 855-10, Subsequent Events – Overall (“ASC 855-10”). ASC 855-10 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It required the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date – that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. This disclosure should alert all users of financial statements that an entity has not evaluated subsequent events after that date in the set of financial statements being presented. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements (“ASU 2010-09”). ASU 2010-09 amended the guidance on subsequent events to remove the requirement for SEC filers to disclose the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events. Adoption of ASC 855-10, as amended, did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

In October 2009, the Company adopted the fair value disclosure provision that requires the reporting of interim disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments previously only disclosed on an annual basis. The adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as it relates only to disclosures. The required disclosures are included in Note 1 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
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Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share
 
The Company bases its basic net loss per share upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss 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.
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except net loss per share amounts):

   
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net loss
  $ (1,708 )   $ (4,710 )   $ (3,937 )
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic and diluted loss per share
    16,417       15,937       15,745  
Basic and diluted net loss per share
  $ (0.10 )   $ (0.30 )   $ (0.25 )
 
Options to purchase 5.1 million, 4.4 million and 4.5 million shares of common stock were outstanding for the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share for these periods because their effect would have been antidilutive.
 
Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of two components–net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to gains and losses that under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles are recorded as an element of stockholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) consists of unrealized gains and losses on short-term investments categorized as available-for-sale and foreign exchange gains and losses.

As of September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, accumulated other comprehensive income consisted of $228,000 and $165,000, respectively, of accumulated foreign currency translation gains. The amounts comprising unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities and the related changes as of September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were immaterial.
 
3.           STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
 Stock Option Plans

On March 10, 2009, our 1999 Stock Plan and our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “1999 Purchase Plan”) expired.  These plans will, however, continue to govern the securities previously granted under them.  On April 21, 2009, our Board of Directors approved a 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2009 Stock Plan”), which was approved by our stockholders on June 18, 2009.  The 2009 Stock Plan replaced all previous stock plans and the shares available for future grants under those prior plans. Under the Plans, the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units and performance shares to eligible employees, directors and consultants. In accordance with the 2009 Stock Plan, the exercise price per share for stock options cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value, as determined by the Board of Directors, on the date of grant. Additionally, the exercise price of options granted to a greater than 10% stockholder may not be less than 110% of the fair market value on the date of grant. The value of common stock subject to incentive stock options that become exercisable by any one employee in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Options under this Plan will generally expire ten years after the date of grant. Upon approval of the 2009 Stock Plan, 6.5 million shares were reserved for issuance.

 
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As of September 30, 2010, shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding awards granted under the 2009 Stock Plan and our previous stock plans were 5.1 million shares and there were 1.7 million shares reserved for future grants.

The following table summarizes the Company's stock option plans under the Stock Plans as of September 30, 2007 and changes during the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2010:

   
Options
Outstanding
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2007
    3,701,205     $ 3.62  
Options granted
    1,180,320     $ 1.30  
Options exercised
    (140,950 )   $ 0.86  
Options forfeited or expired
    (188,753 )   $ 2.70  
Outstanding at September 30, 2008
    4,551,822     $ 3.14  
Options granted
    3,196,107     $ 0.85  
Options exercised
    (13,700 )   $ 0.60  
Options forfeited or expired
    (3,371,338 )   $ 3.87  
Outstanding at September 30, 2009
    4,362,891     $ 0.91  
Options granted
    989,000     $ 0.75  
Options exercised
    (7,531 )   $ 0.68  
Options forfeited or expired
    (249,620 )   $ 0.97  
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
    5,094,740     $ 0.89  
Exercisable at September 30, 2008
    3,184,036     $ 3.91  
Exercisable at September 30, 2009
    1,564,566     $ 0.97  
Exercisable at September 30, 2010
    2,344,125     $ 0.94  
 
At September 30, 2010, the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding was $62,000. Total stock options vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2010 were 4.3 million shares with a weighted average exercise price of $0.89, aggregate intrinsic value of $59,000, and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 7.4 years. The total exercisable stock options as of September 30, 2010 were 2.3 million shares with an aggregate intrinsic value of $50,000, weighted average exercise price of $0.94, and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 5.8 years.

The Company has unamortized share-based compensation expense relating to options outstanding of $954,000, which will be amortized to expense over a weighted average period of 2.86 years.

 
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The table below provides the range of exercise prices of stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at September 30, 2010.

   
Options Outstanding
   
Options Exercisable
 
Range of Exercise Prices
 
Number
Outstanding
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Number
Exercisable
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
$0.60 – $0.73
    455,485      
3.84
    $ 0.63       364,870     $ 0.61  
0.74 – 0.74
    897,000      
9.92
    $ 0.74       22,437     $ 0.74  
0.78 – 0.80
    303,218      
0.80
    $ 0.78       303,218     $ 0.78  
0.86 – 0.86
    2,928,278      
8.86
    $ 0.86       1,226,755     $ 0.86  
0.90 – 1.56
    399,759      
4.27
    $ 1.09       315,845     $ 1.08  
1.83 – 1.83
    20,000      
5.56
    $ 1.83       20,000     $ 1.83  
2.00 – 2.00
    3,000      
4.82
    $ 2.00       3,000     $ 2.00  
2.43 – 2.43
    20,000      
3.82
    $ 2.43       20,000     $ 2.43  
2.98 – 2.98
    40,000      
4.12
    $ 2.98       40,000     $ 2.98  
3.82 – 3.82
    28,000      
3.27
    $ 3.82       28,000     $ 3.82  
$0.60 – $3.82
    5,094,740      
7.65
    $ 0.88       2,344,125     $ 0.94  
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
On March 10, 2009, our 1999 Stock Plan and our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “1999 Purchase Plan”) expired. These plans will, however, continue to govern the securities previously granted under them. On April 21, 2009, our Board of Directors approved a 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and a 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2009 Purchase Plan”), which were both approved by our stockholders on June 18, 2009.  The 2009 Purchase Plan allows eligible employees to purchase shares of Company stock at a discount through payroll deductions. The 2009 Purchase Plan consists of six-month offering periods commencing on June 1st and December 1st, each year. Employees purchase shares in the purchase period at 85% of the market value of the Company’s common stock at either the beginning of the offering period or the end of the offering period, whichever price is lower.
 
Participants under the 2009 Purchase Plan generally may not purchase shares on any exercise date to the extent that, immediately after the grant, the participant would own stock totaling 5% or more of the total combined voting power of all stock of the Company, or greater than $25,000 worth of stock in any calendar year. The maximum number of shares of common stock that any employee may purchase under the 2009 Purchase Plan during any offering period is 10,000 shares.
 
The Company reserved 1.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock for future issuance under the 2009 Purchase Plan. During fiscal year 2010, 136,096 shares were purchased by and distributed to employees at a price of $0.63 per share.
 
Share-Based Compensation
 
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation, including grants of stock options, as an operating expense in the income statement at fair value. The Company has estimated the fair value of stock-based compensation for stock options at the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model incorporates various assumptions including expected volatility, expected life and interest rate. The Company uses historical data to estimate option forfeitures. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility and the risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant for the expected life of the options. The Company does not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore used an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model.

 
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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 twelve months ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

   
Employee Stock Option Plans
Fiscal Year
Ended September 30,
   
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Fiscal Year
Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Expected life (in years)
    7       6       6       0.5       0.5       0.5  
Risk-free interest rate
    1.6-2.5 %     1.6-2.4 %     2.8-3.7 %     0.15-0.23 %     0.21-1.2 %     1.5-4.2 %
Volatility
    90 %     138%-141 %     87%-88 %     90 %     138%-140 %     87%-89 %
Expected dividend
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to employee and director stock options and employee stock purchases for the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Cost of goods sold
  $ 20     $ 15     $ 18  
Research and development
    234       246       197  
Sales and marketing
    184       279       226  
General and administrative
    164       365       469  
Total
  $ 602     $ 905     $ 910  
 
Issuance of Common Stock as Bonuses
 
In July 2009, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of our common stock to employees as bonuses. The stock bonuses would be granted in four quarterly installments based on the evaluation of the Company’s overall financial performance for each respective quarter. The stock awards are immediately vested on the date of grant. We recorded stock-based compensation cost for these stock award bonuses based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. During fiscal year 2009, the Company issued 228,243 shares of common stock to its employees and recorded total expense of $164,335. During fiscal year 2010, the Company issued 162,274 shares of common stock to its employees and recorded total expense of $146,047 for bonus awards earned in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009. Our Board of Directors suspended further issuance of common stock as bonus under this program during the first quarter of fiscal year 2010.
 
Stock Option Exchange
 
On September 1, 2009, we completed a stock option exchange program (the “Exchange Offer”).  Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, eligible employees tendered, and we accepted for cancellation, eligible options to purchase 2,927,300 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 95% of the total shares of common stock underlying options eligible for exchange in the Exchange Offer.  On September 1, 2009, the Company granted new options to eligible employees to purchase 2,927,300 shares of common stock in exchange for the cancellation of the tendered eligible options.  The exercise price per share of the new options granted in the Exchange Offer was $0.86, the closing price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Capital Market on September 1, 2009. Expense related to modification of the stock options was not material for the year ended September 30, 2009.

 
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Under the terms of the Exchange Offer, eligible options were exchanged for new options on a one-for-one basis except for the new options granted to the named executive officers. Named executive officers received two types of new options. The first type of new option, called the similar value option, subject to an exchange ratio intended to result in a new option that has a similar accounting value as the eligible option it replaces. Based on the applicable ratio, each similar value option will cover fewer shares than the eligible option it replaces.  Each similar value option will retain the same vesting schedule as the eligible option it replaces, and will remain vested to the extent the eligible option it replaces was vested. Because the named executive officers are receiving a lesser number of similar value options in return for each eligible option, the executive members will receive an additional stock option grant called the make-up option. This make-up option will cover just enough shares so that when combined with the number of shares subject to the similar value option, the executive member will have new options covering the same number of shares as the eligible option they replace. The make-up options will only vest if and when our common stock price closes at or above $2.50 per share during the term of the make-up option (subject to any acceleration provisions contained in any employment agreement or other similar arrangement with the Company or provided for under the terms of the Exchanged Option it replaces).

Pursuant to the accounting standards, we are required to recognize additional compensation expense to the extent the new options have a greater value than the exchanged options they replaced. The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the non-executive options and the similar value options granted to the named executive officers. Make-up options were valued using the Binomial Model. Similar to the Black-Scholes model, the Binomial Model takes into account variables such as volatility, dividend yield rate, and risk free interest rate. In addition, the Binomial Model incorporates actual option-pricing behavior and changes in volatility over the option’s contractual term. For options granted under the Exchange Offer, the following assumptions were used:

   
Valuation of Options
 
Expected life (in years)
    5  
Risk-free interest rate
    2.3 %
Forfeiture rate
    0 %
Volatility
    138 %
Expected dividend
    0.0 %
 
Stock Repurchase Plan

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 through November 12, 2008. On November 11, 2008, our Board of Directors extended the repurchase program by another year to November 14, 2009. Stock repurchases under this program were made from time to time at our management’s discretion through November 14, 2009. When exercising such discretion, management considered a variety of factors such as our stock price, general business and market conditions and other investment opportunities. The repurchases were made in the open market and funded from available working capital. Pursuant to the 2007 authority, we repurchased 231,135 shares during the twelve months ended September 30, 2008 at an aggregate cost of $367,000. Pursuant to the 2008 authority, we repurchased 23,800 shares during the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 at an aggregate cost of $19,000. In April 2009, our Board of Directors suspended further purchases of stock under this program. On November 16, 2010, our Board of Directors approved the termination of the repurchase program effective immediately.

 
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4.           COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Commitments

We lease our facilities under various operating lease agreements expiring on various dates through December 2014. Generally, these leases have multiple options to extend for a period of years upon termination of the original lease term. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our present needs in all material respects.

In April 2009, the Company entered into a lease for a new corporate headquarters for a period of five years with an option to extend for an additional five years. This facility is leased through June 2014 and serves as our headquarters for corporate administration, research and development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing facility in San Jose, California. The terms of the lease include rent escalations and a tenant allowance for certain leasehold improvements. Under the terms of the lease agreement, total rent payment is approximately $1.4 million for a period of five years commencing on June 12, 2009. Additionally, under the terms of the lease agreement, the Company received up to $127,000 cash incentive as moving allowance. As of September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $126,928 of this allowance as part of deferred rent liability to be amortized over the term of the lease. The Company reserved $200,000 as collateral for an irrevocable and negotiable standby letter of credit (the “Letter of Credit”) as security for the facility lease. The $200,000 is restricted by the bank and recorded as part of the long-term deposit in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2010. Under the terms of the agreement, the Letter of Credit will expire in July 2014. We believe that the new facility will be suitable, adequate and sufficient to meet the needs of the Company through July 2014.

In June 2010, the Company’s Shanghai branch entered into a new lease agreement for a period of four years. This facility is leased through October 2014 and serves as our international headquarters for administration, research and development, and sales and marketing. Under the terms of the lease agreement, total rent payment is approximately $978,648 for a period of four years commencing on July 1, 2010 and includes rent escalations with four rent free periods at the initial portion of the lease term.

Rent expense for all operating leases totaled approximately $812,000, $758,000 and $688,000, for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Deferred rent was $231,000 and $111,000 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The minimum future lease payments under all non-cancellable operating leases as of September 30, 2010 are shown in the following table (in thousands):

   
Future Lease
Payments
 
Fiscal Year
     
2011
  $ 520  
2012
    540  
2013
    557  
2014
    509  
2015
    22  
Thereafter
     
Total
  $ 2,148  
 
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.


 
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The Company has also agreed to indemnify its directors and executive officers for costs associated with any fees, expenses, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by them in any action or proceeding to which any of them is, or is threatened to be, made a party by reason of his or her service as a director or officer, arising out of his or her services as the Company’s director or officer.  Historically, the Company has not been required to make payments under these obligations and the Company has recorded no liabilities for these obligations in its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company typically warrants its hardware products for a period of one year following shipment to end users in a manner consistent with general industry standards that are reasonably applicable under normal use and circumstances. Historically, the Company has experienced minimal warranty costs.  In addition, the Company provides distributors protection from subsequent price reductions.
 
 5.           SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

The Company has adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (“the Plan”) and declared a dividend distribution of one right for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock.  The record date for the distribution was May 7, 2009.  The Company designed the plan to protect the long-term value of the Company for its shareholders during any future unsolicited acquisition attempt.  The Company did not adopt the Plan in response to any specific attempt to acquire the Company or its shares and the Company is not aware of any current efforts to do so.  These rights will become exercisable only upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the plan, including the acquisition of 15% of the Company’s outstanding common stock by a person or group.  Should a person or group acquire 15% or more of the outstanding common stock or announce an unsolicited tender offer, the consummation of which would result in a person or group acquiring 15% or more of the outstanding common stock, shareholders other than the acquiring person may exercise the rights, unless the Board of Directors has approved the transaction in advance.  Each right will initially entitle stockholders to purchase a fractional share of the company’s preferred stock for $4.00.  However, the rights are not immediately exercisable and will become exercisable only upon the occurrence of certain events.  If a person or group acquires, or announces a tender or exchange offer that would result in the acquisition of, fifteen percent (15%) or more of our common stock while the stockholder rights plan remains in place, then, unless the rights are redeemed by us for $0.001 per right, the rights will become exercisable by all rights holders, except the acquiring person or group, for shares of AltiGen or shares of the third party acquirer having a value of twice the right’s then-current exercise price. The Rights will expire on May 7, 2019.
 
6.           FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC 820-10 establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs are obtained from independent sources and can be validated by a third party, whereas unobservable inputs reflect assumptions regarding what a third party would use in pricing an asset or liability. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820-10 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
 
Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

In accordance with ASC 820-10, we measure our cash equivalents at fair value and classify them within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The classification has been determined based on the manner in which we value our cash equivalents, primarily using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs.

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Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Total
Balance
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Cash equivalents:
                 
Money market mutual funds
  $ 1,385     $     $ 1,385  
Commercial paper
          250       250  
      1,385       250       1,635  
Short-term investments:
                       
Commercial paper
          2,748       2,748  
Total assets measured at fair value
  $ 1,385     $ 2,998     $ 4,383  
 
7.           INCOME TAXES
 
Worldwide loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
United States
  $ (1,121 )   $ (4,722 )   $ (3,726 )
Foreign
    (621 )     (3 )     (211 )
Loss from continuing operations
  $ (1,742 )   $ (4,725 )   $ (3,937 )
 
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following and is attributable to federal and state minimum taxes (in thousands):

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Federal
  $ (35 )   $ (1 )   $  
State
    1       (14 )      
Foreign
                 
Income tax provision
  $ (34 )   $ (15 )   $  
 
The Company records a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. In accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, the provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized. The following is a summary of the significant components of the deferred tax asset (in thousands):

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net operating loss carryforwards
  $ 18,923     $ 18,696  
Reserve and other cumulative temporary differences
    1,030       1,143  
Research and development credit carryforward
    854       762  
Net capitalized research and development expenses
    17       68  
      20,824       20,669  
Valuation allowance
    (20,824 )     (20,669 )
Net deferred tax asset
  $     $  
 
As of September 30, 2010, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $50.3 million that expire at various dates through 2030, and federal research and development tax credits of approximately $634,000 that expire at various dates through 2030. The Company also had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of approximately $29.1 million that expire at various dates through 2030, and state research and development tax credits of approximately $387,000 which do not have an expiration date and may be carried forward indefinitely. Utilization of the Company's net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. Such an annual limitation could result in the expiration of the net operating loss carryforwards before utilization.

 
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The Company's subsidiary in China is entitled to a five-year tax holiday, pursuant to which it is exempted from paying the enterprise income tax for calendar 2008 through 2009. After the two-year exemption period, the Company's subsidiary in China will be entitled to approximately a 50% exemption for calendar years 2010 through 2011.
 
A valuation allowance has been recorded for the entire deferred tax asset as a result of uncertainties regarding realization of the asset, including limited operating history of the Company, lack of profitability to date and uncertainty over future operating profitability and taxable income. During fiscal year 2010, 2009 and 2008, valuation allowance increased $155,000, $1.7 million and $573,000, respectively. As of September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company had no significant deferred tax liabilities.
 
Reconciliation between the Company's effective tax rate and the U.S. statutory rate is as follows:

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Tax computed at federal statutory rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
Change in valuation allowance
    (8.9 )     (36.4 )     (14.6 )
State taxes
    4.5       4.6       4.5  
Meals & entertainment
    (0.8 )     (0.5 )     (0.6 )
Unbenefitted foreign loss
    (0.7 )           (1.9 )
Stock-based compensation
    (8.7 )     (5.5 )     (6.6 )
FIN 48 liability
    (20.7 )           (5.9 )
Other
    2.2       3.1       (9.9 )
Provision for income taxes
    1.9 %     0.3 %      
 
In October 2007, the Company adopted the FASB’s updated guidance related to income taxes, which establishes a single model to address accounting for uncertain tax positions. This updated guidance clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company has reviewed its income tax positions and identified approximately $274,000 of total gross unrecognized tax benefits of which none, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate as the Company has a valuation allowance on its carryforward attributes. The Company does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change materially over the next 12 months.

 
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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

   
Total Gross
Unrecognized
Tax Benefits
 
Balance at October 1, 2009
  $ 274  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
    205  
Additions based on tax positions of prior years
    156  
Settlements of tax positions
     
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 635  
 
Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for taxes on the consolidated condensed statements of operations did not change as a result of implementing the provisions of FIN 48. Management determined that no accrual for interest and penalties was required as of September 30, 2010.
 
The Company filed a consolidated U.S. income tax return and tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions, and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including such jurisdictions as United States and China. With some exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or foreign income tax examinations for fiscal years before 1994. However, to the extent allowed by law, the tax authorities may have the right to examine prior periods where net operating losses or tax credits were generated and carried forward, and make adjustments up to the amount of the net operating loss or credit carryforward amount.
 
In the ordinary course of the Company's business there are transactions where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company believes that is has adequately provided for income tax issues not yet resolved with federal, state, local and foreign tax authorities. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, an additional charge to expense would result.
 
8.           RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
The Company holds ownership interests in two privately held companies, which are also the Company’s customers.
 
As of September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the Company held an investment of common stock of a private Taiwanese telecommunication company valued at approximately $195,000. The Company is accounting for this investment using the cost method. Our interest in the company is approximately 2%, which interest does not allow us to exercise significant influence. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, product sales revenues from this company were approximately $43,000, $216,000 and $72,000, respectively. Accounts receivable balances from this company were $46,000 and $4,000 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
In July 2004, the Company purchased common stock of a private Korean telecommunications company for approximately $79,000. As a result of this investment, the Company 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. The Company is accounting for this investment using the equity method and records its minority interest of their results in our results of operations. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, product sales revenues from this company were approximately $3,000, $19,000 and $49,000, respectively. Accounts receivable balances from this company were $0, $22,000 and $18,000 as of September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our investment in the Korean company had a book value of approximately $3,000, $7,000 and $16,000 as of September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
77

 

9.           SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
The Company has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through December 13, 2010, the date on which this Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed with the SEC.

On November 2, 2010, the Company filed a Certification of Notice of Termination of Registration on Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to voluntarily deregister its common stock and suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company expects the Certification of Notice of Termination of Registration to take effect within ninety (90) days of the filing with the SEC. Following the filing of this annual report, the Company's obligations to file certain reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, will immediately be suspended. We expect that this annual report will be the last filing made by the Company under the Exchange Act. The Company’s common stock will continue to be quoted on the OTCQX U.S. over-the-counter market, operated by Pink OTC Markets, Inc. after deregistration. We intend to continue to make current financial information available on a regular basis consistent with the applicable rules of Pink OTC Markets, Inc and OTCQX U.S.

On November 16, 2010, our Board of Directors approved the termination of the repurchase program effective immediately.
 
10.           SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
 
Following is a summary of our quarterly operating results and share data for the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

   
For the Quarter Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
   
June 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
                       
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2010:
                       
Net revenue
  $ 4,221     $ 4,421     $ 4,199     $ 3,804  
Gross profit
    2,810       2,924       2,859       2,565  
Net loss
  $ (470 )   $ (340 )   $ (259 )   $ (639 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share
  $ (0.03 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.04 )
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share
    16,293       16,430       16,453       16,495  
                                 
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2009:
                               
Net revenue
  $ 4,860     $ 3,577     $ 4,082     $ 4,866  
Gross profit
    2,962       2,107       2,545       3,167  
Net loss
  $ (1,268 )   $ (1,767 )   $ (945 )   $ (730 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share
  $ (0.08 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.05 )
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share
    15,838       15,862       15,923       16,137  
                                 
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2008:
                               
Net revenue
  $ 4,260     $ 4,712     $ 4,812     $ 5,113  
Gross profit
    2,406       2,619       2,827       2,986  
Net loss
  $ (971 )   $ (1,127 )   $ (1,029 )   $ (810 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share
  $ (0.06 )   $ (0.07 )   $ (0.07 )   $ (0.05 )
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share
    15,728       15,708       15,697       15,777  

 
78

 

ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

Classification
 
Balance at
Beginning of
Fiscal Year
   
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
   
Deductions
   
Balance at
End of
Fiscal Year
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
                       
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2010
  $ 35     $     $ (25 )   $ 10  
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2009
  $ 19     $ 19     $ (3 )   $ 35  
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2008
  $ 33     $     $ (14 )   $ 19  
Inventory reserve:
                               
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2010
  $ 691     $ 3     $ (33 )   $ 661  
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2009
  $ 850     $ 17     $ (176 )   $ 691  
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2008
  $ 2,375     $     $ (1,525 )   $ 850  
 
 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

Date: December 13, 2010
ALTIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
   
 
By:
/s/ JEREMIAH FLEMING
   
Jeremiah Fleming
   
Chief Executive Officer
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Jeremiah Fleming and Philip M. McDermott, 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 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 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 report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 

Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/ JEREMIAH FLEMING
 
Chief Executive Officer (principal
 
December 13, 2010
Jeremiah Fleming
 
executive officer), President and Director
   
         
/s/ GILBERT HU
 
Chairman of the Board and
 
December 13, 2010
Gilbert Hu
 
President of Asia Pacific
   
         
/s/ PHILIP M. MCDERMOTT
 
Chief Financial Officer (principal
 
December 13, 2010
Philip McDermott
 
financial and accounting officer)
   
         
/s/ TACHENG CHESTER WANG
 
Director
 
December 13, 2010
Tacheng Chester Wang
       
         
/s/ MIKE MON YEN TSAI
 
Director
 
December 13, 2010
Mike Mon Yen Tsai
       
         
/s/ ALAN HOWE
 
Director
 
December 13, 2010
Alan Howe
       

 
80

 
 
AltiGen Communications, Inc.
 
Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
3.1(1)
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2(5)
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws.
3.3(10)
 
Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of Series A Participating Preferred Stock of AltiGen Communications, Inc.
4.1(11)
 
Preferred Stock Rights Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2009, between AltiGen Communications, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., including the Certificate of Designation, the form of Rights Certificate and the Summary of Rights attached thereto as Exhibits A, B and C, respectively.
4.2(1)
 
Specimen common stock certificates.
4.3(1)
 
Third Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated May 7, 1999 by and among AltiGen Communications, Inc. and the Investors and Founder named therein.
10.1(1)
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement.
10.2(1)
 
1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended, and form of stock option agreement.
10.3(4)
 
1999 Stock Plan, as amended, and form of stock option agreement.
10.4(3)
 
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, and forms of subscription agreement and notice of withdrawal.
10.5
 
Lease agreement: 410 East Plumeria Drive, San Jose, California between FSP Montague Business Center Corp., a Delaware Corporation and AltiGen Communications, Inc., dated April 16, 2009.
10.6(1)
 
Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Philip McDermott, dated June 8, 1999.
10.7(9)
 
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement by and between Philip McDermott and the Company, dated March 6, 2009.
10.8(7)
 
Executive Employment Agreement by and between Jeremiah J. Fleming and the Company, dated December 18, 2007.
10.9(9)
 
Executive Employment Agreement by and between Gilbert Hu and the Company, dated March 6, 2009.
10.10(2)++
 
OEM Agreement between AltiSys Communications and AltiGen Communications, Inc., dated January 18, 1999.
10.12(4)++
 
Distribution Agreement between Synnex Information Technologies, Inc. and AltiGen Communications, Inc. dated December 22, 1999.
10.14++
 
Reseller Agreement between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and AltiGen Communications, Inc. dated August 28, 2009.
10.15(12)
 
2009 Equity Incentive Plan and form of stock option agreement thereunder.
10.16(12)
 
2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
21.1(1)
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
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, filed herewith.
 
 
81

 
 
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, filed 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 December 31, 2001.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
(7)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-K (No. 000-27427).
(8)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 (No. 000-27427).
(9)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-K on March 10, 2009.
(10)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A on April 23, 2009.
(11)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-K on April 23, 2009.
(12)
Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 on June 29, 2009.
++
Confidential treatment was granted for certain portions of this exhibit.

 
82