e10qsb
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-QSB

(X) QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2004

OR

(  ) TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to                

Commission file number 000-19608

ARI Network Services, Inc.


(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter.)

     
WISCONSIN   39-1388360

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)    

11425 W. Lake Park Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224


(Address of principal executive office)

Issuer’s telephone number (414) 973-4300

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 [ü]      NO [  ]

As of December 10, 2004 there were 5,963,347 shares of the registrant’s shares outstanding.

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one).

YES [  ]      NO [ü]

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ARI Network Services, Inc.

FORM 10-QSB

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004

INDEX

         
    Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
Item 1 Financial statements
       
    3-4  
    5  
    6  
    7-8  
    8-17  
    18  
       
    18  
    18  
    19  
 302 Certification
 302 Certification
 906 Certification
 906 Certification

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ARI Network Services, Inc.

Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
                 
    October 31   July 31
    2004
  2004
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash
  $ 3,170     $ 3,357  
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $65 at October 31, 2004 and $44 at July 31, 2004
    752       1,121  
Prepaid expenses and other
    109       187  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    4,031       4,665  
Equipment and leasehold improvements:
               
Computer equipment
    4,670       4,607  
Leasehold improvements
    73       73  
Furniture and equipment
    1,497       1,491  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    6,240       6,171  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    5,684       5,630  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net equipment and leasehold improvements
    556       541  
Other assets
    39       15  
Capitalized software product costs
    10,805       10,203  
Less accumulated amortization
    9,374       9,233  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net capitalized software product costs
    1,431       970  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Assets
  $ 6,057     $ 6,191  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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ARI Network Services, Inc.
Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

                 
    October 31   July 31
    2004
  2004
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of notes payable
  $ 1,000     $ 1,000  
Accounts payable
    282       260  
Deferred revenue
    4,843       5,453  
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    1,185       951  
Accrued sales, use and income taxes
    429       489  
Other accrued liabilities
    623       564  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
    7       10  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    8,369       8,727  
Long term liabilities:
               
Notes payable (net of discount)
    3,033       3,306  
Long term payroll related liabilities
    495       495  
Other long term liabilities
    211       211  
Capital lease obligations
    3       3  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total long term liabilities
    3,742       4,015  
Shareholders’ equity (deficit):
               
Cumulative preferred stock, par value $.001 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2004 and July 31, 2004, respectively
           
Common stock, par value $.001 per share, 25,000,000 shares authorized; 5,963,347 and 5,923,034 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2004 and July 31, 2004, respectively
    5       5  
Common stock warrants and options
    36       36  
Additional paid-in-capital
    93,628       93,625  
Accumulated deficit
    (99,723 )     (100,217 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)
    (6,054 )     (6,551 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
  $ 6,057     $ 6,191  
 
   
 
     
 
 

See notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.

Note: The balance sheet at July 31, 2004 has been derived from the audited balance sheet at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

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ARI Network Services, Inc.

Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three months ended
    October 31
    2004
  2003
Net revenues:
               
Subscriptions, support and other services fees
  $ 2,402     $ 2,289  
Software licenses and renewals
    576       589  
Professional services
    297       407  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    3,275       3,285  
Cost of products and services sold:
               
Subscriptions, support and other services fees
    193       155  
Software licenses and renewals *
    154       462  
Professional services
    82       191  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    429       808  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Gross margin
    2,846       2,477  
Operating expenses:
               
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of software products included in cost of products and services sold)
    54       35  
Customer operations and support
    262       283  
Selling, general and administrative
    1,709       1,758  
Software development and technical support
    421       341  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Operating expenses before amounts capitalized
    2,446       2,417  
Less capitalized portion
    (162 )     (64 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net operating expenses
    2,284       2,353  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Operating income
    562       124  
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense
    (44 )     (81 )
Other, net
    12       29  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total other income (expense)
    (32 )     (52 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income before provision for income taxes
    530       72  
Income tax expense
    (36 )      
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 494     $ 72  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Average common shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    5,951       5,796  
Diluted
    6,248       5,921  
Net income per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.08     $ 0.01  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Diluted
  $ 0.08     $ 0.01  
 
   
 
     
 
 

See notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.

*   Includes amortization of software products of $141 and $443 and excludes other depreciation and amortization shown separately

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ARI Network Services, Inc.

Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three months ended
    October 31
    2004
  2003
Operating activities
               
Net income
  $ 494     $ 72  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Amortization of software products
    141       443  
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discount and excess carrying value over face amount of notes payable
    (21 )     (15 )
Depreciation and other amortization
    54       35  
Stock issued as contribution to 401(k) plan
    37       37  
Net change in receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets
    422       149  
Net change in accounts payable, deferred revenue, accrued liabilities and other long term liabilities
    (392 )     (653 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    735       68  
Investing activities
               
Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements
    (69 )     (17 )
Purchase of assets related to acquisitions
          (108 )
Software product costs capitalized
    (602 )     (64 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (671 )     (189 )
Financing activities
               
Payments under notes payable
    (251 )     (200 )
Payments of capital lease obligations
    (3 )     (7 )
Debt issuance costs incurred
          (20 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    3       2  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (251 )     (225 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net decrease in cash
    (187 )     (346 )
Cash at beginning of period
    3,357       2,120  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash at end of period
  $ 3,170     $ 1,774  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash paid for interest
  $ 64     $ 22  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 55     $  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Noncash investing and financing activities
               
Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisitions
  $     $ 37  
Exchange of equity to debt
          1,000  

See notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.

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Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
October 31, 2004

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for fiscal year end financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended October 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2005. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended July 31, 2004.

2. BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and reflects the potential dilution that could occur if all of the Company’s outstanding stock options and warrants that are in the money were exercised (calculated using the treasury stock method). The following table is a reconciliation of the weighted average number of common shares and equivalents outstanding in the calculation of basic and diluted net income per common share (in thousands) for the periods indicated.

                 
    Three months ended
    October 31
    2004
  2003
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    5,951       5,796  
Dilutive effect of stock options
    297       125  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    6,248       5,921  

3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has stock-based compensation plans. SFAS No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure” requires companies with stock-based compensation plans to disclose the pro forma effect of stock-based compensation on earnings and earnings per share. The following table sets forth the effect on earnings and earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data) of stock-based compensation had the cost been determined based upon the fair value at the grant date for awards under the plan using the Black-Scholes valuation method.

                 
    Three months ended
    October 31
    2004
  2003
Net income, as reported
  $ 494     $ 72  
Stock-based compensation using the fair value method
    (35 )     (20 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Pro forma net income
  $ 459     $ 52  
Net income per share
               
Basic - as reported
  $ 0.08     $ 0.01  
Basic - pro forma
  $ 0.08     $ 0.01  
Diluted - as reported
  $ 0.08     $ 0.01  
Diluted - pro forma
  $ 0.07     $ 0.01  

4. NOTES PAYABLE

On April 24, 2003, the Company restructured its debt. In exchange for previously outstanding securities, the Company issued to a group of investors (collectively, the “New Holders”), in aggregate, $500,000 in cash, new unsecured notes in the amount of $3.9 million (the “New Notes”) and new warrants for 250,000 common shares, exercisable at $1.00 per share (the “New Warrants”). The interest rate on the New Notes is the prime interest rate plus 2%. The New Notes are payable in $200,000 quarterly installments commencing March 31, 2004 through December 31, 2005 and $300,000 quarterly installments commencing March 31, 2006 until paid in full. The New Notes do not contain any financial covenants, but the Company is restricted from permitting certain liens on its assets. In addition, in the event of payment default that is not cured within ninety (90) days, Taglich Brothers, Inc., one of the New Holders, has the right to appoint one designee to the Company’s Board of Directors. The New Warrants were estimated to have a value of $36,000, of which the unamortized amount reduces the carrying amount of the debt.

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In accordance with SFAS No. 15, “Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings,” the exchange of the previously outstanding securities for $500,000 in cash, the New Notes and the New Warrants was accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring and no gain was recorded. Instead the liability in excess of the future cash flows to the New Holders, which was originally approximately $322,000, remains on the balance sheet as a long term debt and is being amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the New Notes.

On August 7, 2003, the Company purchased from WITECH Corporation 1,025,308 shares of the Company’s common stock, 30,000 common stock warrants and 20,350 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $200,000 at closing and an $800,000 promissory note which is payable quarterly through September 30, 2007, at the prime interest rate plus 2%.

5. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

On August 7, 2003, the Company adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan designed to protect the interests of common shareholders from an inadequate or unfair takeover, but not affect a takeover proposal which the Board of Directors believes is fair to all shareholders. Under the Shareholder Rights Plan adopted by the Board of Directors, all shareholders of record on August 18, 2003 received one Preferred Share Purchase Right for each share of common stock they owned. These Rights trade in tandem with the common stock until and unless they are triggered. Should a person or group acquire more than 10% of ARI’s common stock (or if an existing holder of 10% or more of the common stock were to increase its position by more than 1%), the Rights would become exercisable for every shareholder except the acquirer that triggered the exercise. The Rights, if triggered, would give the other shareholders the ability to purchase additional stock of ARI at a substantial discount. The rights will expire on August 18, 2013, and can be redeemed by the Company for $0.01 per Right at any time prior to a person or group becoming a 10% shareholder.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION

Results of Operations

Total revenue for the quarter ended October 31, 2004 decreased $10,000 or less than 1% compared to the same period last year, primarily due to a decrease in revenues from the Company’s non-North American catalog products in the Equipment Industry. Earnings increased from net income of $72,000, or $0.01 per share for the quarter ended October 31, 2003 to net income of $494,000 or $0.08 per share for the quarter ended October 31, 2004. Management believes that the Company will have modest revenue growth and continue to be profitable for the remainder of fiscal 2005, although there can be no assurance that this will occur.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

General

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon its financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to customer contracts, bad debts, capitalized software product costs, financing instruments, revenue recognition and other accrued expenses. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue for use of the network and for information services is recognized in the period such services are utilized. Revenue from annual or periodic maintenance fees, license and license renewal fees and catalog subscription fees is recognized ratably over the period the service is provided. Arrangements that include acceptance terms beyond the Company’s standard terms are not recognized until acceptance has occurred. If collectibility is not considered probable, revenue is recognized when the fee is collected. Arrangements that include professional services are evaluated to determine whether those services are essential to the functionality of other elements of the arrangement. When professional services are not considered essential, the revenue allocable to the professional services is recognized as the services are performed. When professional services are considered

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essential, revenue under the arrangement is recognized pursuant to contract accounting using the percentage-of-completion method with progress-to-completion measured based upon labor hours incurred. When the current estimates of total contract revenue and contract cost indicate a loss, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is made. Revenue on arrangements with customers who are not the ultimate users (resellers) is deferred if there is any contingency on the ability and intent of the reseller to sell such software to a third party.

Bad Debts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company currently reserves for most amounts due over 90 days, unless there is reasonable assurance of collectibility. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions about accrued expenses that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Equipment and leasehold improvements and capitalized software product costs are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the related asset or group of assets, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset or group of assets.

Debt Instruments

The Company valued debt discounts for Common Stock Warrants and Options granted in consideration for Notes Payable using the Black Scholes valuation method. Non-cash interest expense is recorded for the amortization of the debt discount over the term of the debt.

Deferred Tax Asset

The tax effect of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities and the estimated tax benefit from tax net operating losses are reported as deferred tax assets and liabilities in the balance sheet. An assessment of the likelihood that net deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income is performed. Because the ultimate realizability of deferred tax assets is highly subject to the outcome of future events, the amount established as valuation allowances is considered to be a significant estimate that is subject to change in the near term. To the extent a valuation allowance is established or there is a change in the allowance during a period, the change is reflected with a corresponding increase or decrease in the tax provision in the statement of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its employee stock option plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. Under APB Opinion No. 25, no stock-based compensation is reflected in net income, as all options granted under the plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant and the related number of shares granted is fixed at that point in time.

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Revenues

The Company is a leading provider of electronic parts catalogs and related technology and services to increase sales and profits for dealers in the manufactured equipment market. The Company currently provides 78 catalogs of manufactured equipment from 65 manufacturers to approximately 28,000 dealers in more than 100 countries in 12 segments of the worldwide manufactured equipment market including outdoor power, power sports, motorcycles, recreation vehicles, marine, construction, floor maintenance, agricultural equipment, auto and truck parts after-market and others primarily in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. Collectively, dealers and distributors have over 88,000 catalog subscriptions. The Company supplies three types of software and services: (1) robust Web and CD-ROM interactive electronic parts catalogs, (2) integrated marketing services including template-based website services and technology-enabled direct mail services and (3) communication or transaction services. The Company’s primary product line is electronic cataloging; the other products are supplementary offerings that leverage its position in the catalog market.

The following table sets forth certain Catalog, Customer and Subscription information by region derived from the Company’s financial and customer databases. The number of distinct distributors and dealers is estimated because some subscriptions are distributed by third parties (including manufacturers), which may or may not inform ARI of the distributors and/or dealers to which the subscription is distributed. Because the estimating methodology is still being refined, comparisons to prior quarters may or may not be indicative of business trends.

Catalog, Customer and Subscription Information by Region
(As of October 31, 2004)

                                         
            Distinct           Distinct   Distinct
    Catalogs   Manufacturers   Subscriptions   Distributors   Dealers
                            (Estimated)   (Estimated)
North American
    71       55       71,635       108       19,367  
Non-North American
    68       10       16,956       18       8,640  
Included in both Regions
    (61 )                        
Total
    78       65       88,591       126       28,007  
         
“Catalog”
  =   A separately sold and/or distributed parts catalog. A manufacturer may have more one catalog. More than one brand or distinct product line may be included in a catalog.
“Distinct Manufacturer”
  =   A single independent manufacturer, not owned by another manufacturer, served by ARI. Distinct manufacturers are included in the region they most serve even if they have catalogs in both regions.
“Subscription”
  =   Catalogs subscribed to by a single dealer or distributor. A dealer or distributor may subscribe to more than one catalog.
“Distinct Distributor”
  =   A single independent distributor, not owned by another distributor, served by ARI. A distributor generally buys from manufacturers and sells to dealers.
“Distinct Dealer”
  =   A single independent servicing dealer, not owned by another dealer, served by ARI.

As part of its historical business practice, the Company continues to provide electronic directory and transaction services to U.S. and Canadian agribusiness industry. As the Company focuses on its core businesses in the Equipment industry, revenues in the non-equipment industry are expected to continue to decline during fiscal 2005.

Management reviews the Company’s recurring vs. non-recurring revenue in the aggregate and within the North American Equipment, non-North American Equipment and non-Equipment industries and by product category within the Equipment Industry.

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The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain revenue information derived from the Company’s unaudited financial statements.

Revenue by Industry Sector
(In thousands)

                         
    Three months ended    
    October 31   Percent
    2004
  2003
  Change
Industry Sector:
                       
Equipment Industry
                       
North American
                       
Recurring
  $ 2,492     $ 2,355       6 %
Non-recurring
    395       366       8 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Subtotal
    2,887       2,721       6 %
Non-North American
                       
Recurring
    224       295       (24 %)
Non-recurring
          68       (100 %)
 
   
 
     
 
         
Subtotal
    224       363       (38 %)
Total Equipment Industry
                       
Recurring
    2,716       2,650       3 %
Non-recurring
    395       434       (9 %)
 
   
 
     
 
         
Subtotal
    3,111       3,084       1 %
Non-equipment Industry
                       
Recurring
    164       201       (18 %)
Non-recurring
                 
 
   
 
     
 
         
Subtotal
    164       201       (18 %)
Total Revenue
                       
Recurring
    2,880       2,851       1 %
Non-recurring
    395       434       (9 %)
 
   
 
     
 
         
Grand Total
  $ 3,275     $ 3,285       0 %
 
   
 
     
 
         

Revenue by Product in the Equipment Industry
(In thousands)

                         
    Three months ended    
    October 31   Percent
    2004
  2003
  Change
Product:
                       
Equipment Industry
                       
Catalog and related
                       
Recurring
  $ 2,599     $ 2,517       3 %
Non-recurring
    395       428       (8 %)
 
   
 
     
 
         
Subtotal
    2,994       2,945       2 %
Communications
                       
Recurring
    117       133       (12 %)
Non-recurring
          6       (100 %)
 
   
 
     
 
         
Subtotal
    117       139       (16 %)
 
   
 
     
 
         
Total Equipment Industry
  $ 3,111     $ 3,084       1 %
 
   
 
     
 
         

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Recurring revenues are derived from catalog subscription fees, catalog data update fees, software maintenance and support fees, software license renewals, network traffic and support fees and other miscellaneous subscription fees. Non-recurring revenues are derived from initial software licenses and professional services fees. Recurring revenue, as a percentage of total revenue, was 88% for the three months ended October 31, 2004 compared to 87% for the same period last year. Management believes that the relationship of approximately three quarters recurring revenue to one quarter non-recurring revenue establishes an appropriate level of base revenue while the Company continues to add new sales to drive future increases in recurring revenue. If the manufacturing sector of the economy improves in the future, the percentage of recurring revenue may be slightly lower, indicating a higher amount of new business. This ratio is expected to fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year, depending on the nature, size and timing of new business.

Equipment Industry

The Equipment Industry has been a growing percentage of the Company’s revenue over the past six years and is composed of several vertical markets including outdoor power, power sports, motorcycles, recreation vehicles, marine, construction, floor maintenance, agricultural equipment, auto and truck parts after-market and others primarily in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. Management’s strategy is to expand the Company’s electronic parts catalog software and services business with dealers in the existing vertical markets and the manufacturers and distributors whose products they sell and service, add supplemental products for existing customers, and then expand to other similar markets in the future. Revenues in the Equipment Industry increased, as a percentage of total revenues, from 94% for the three months ended October 31, 2003 to 95% for the three months ended October 31, 2004.

    North American
 
    Recurring revenues in the North American Equipment Industry increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to an increase in the base revenue of subscription renewals from the Company’s catalog products. Non-recurring revenues in the North American Equipment Industry increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to new customer contracts.
 
    Non-North American
 
    Recurring revenues in the non-North American Equipment Industry decreased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the loss of a customer in the power generation market and the discontinuation of a legacy microfiche publishing application. Non-recurring revenues in the non-North American Equipment Industry decreased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to lack of new sales as the company is in the process of reorganizing its European operations to a dealer-centric model similar to its North American operations.
 
    Catalog and Related Products
 
    Recurring revenues from the Company’s catalog and related products in the Equipment Industry increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to an increase in the Company’s base revenue from catalog customers and an increase in the volume of catalogs purchased by dealers. Management expects recurring catalog and related revenues to continue to increase in the North American Industry and to remain relatively the same as the first quarter of fiscal 2005 in the non-North American Equipment Industry through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.
 
    Communications Products
 
    Revenues from the Company’s communications products decreased for the three months ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to a decline in the base of customers as the Company focused the business primarily on its catalog products. Management expects revenues from communications products will be a declining percentage of total revenue for the remainder of fiscal 2005.

Non-Equipment Industry Business

The Company’s business outside of the Equipment Industry includes sales of database management and electronic communication services to the agricultural inputs industry. Revenues in this business have decreased for the three months ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year because an industry association introduced a competitive offering to our database management services. As a result, many of the agricultural inputs industry participants did not renew their contracts for database management services, which were approximately $500,000 on an annual basis and expire each December. The Company continues to provide electronic communication services to the agricultural inputs industry, but management expects these revenues to continue to decline for the remainder of fiscal 2005.

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Cost of Products and Services Sold

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information regarding revenue and cost of products and services sold which is derived from the Company’s unaudited financial statements.

Cost of Products and Services Sold as a Percent of Revenue by Revenue Type
(In thousands)

                         
    Three months ended    
    October 31   Percent
    2004
  2003
  Change
Subscriptions, support and other services fees
                       
Revenue
  $ 2,402     $ 2,289       5 %
Cost of revenue
    193       155       25 %
Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue
    8 %     7 %        
Software licenses and renewals
                       
Revenue
    576       589       (2 %)
Cost of revenue
    154       462       (67 %)
Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue
    27 %     78 %        
Professional services
                       
Revenue
    297       407       (27 %)
Cost of revenue
    82       191       (57 %)
Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue
    28 %     47 %        
Total
                       
Revenue
  $ 3,275     $ 3,285       0 %
Cost of revenue
    429       808       (47 %)
Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue
    13 %     25 %        

Cost of subscriptions, support and other services fees consists primarily of reseller fees, telecommunications costs, catalog replication and distribution costs. Cost of subscriptions, support and other services fees as a percentage of revenue increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year primarily due to an increase in catalog replication costs absorbed by the Company. Management expects gross margins, as a percent of revenue from subscriptions, support and other services fees, to be relatively consistent from quarter to quarter.

Cost of software licenses and renewals consists primarily of amortization of software products, royalties and software distribution costs. Cost of software license and renewals as a percentage of revenue decreased significantly for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to lower software amortization costs, as the software product costs of PartSmart™ acquired in fiscal 1999, became fully amortized in May, 2004. Gross margins from software licenses and renewals will fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on the level of revenue, while costs remain relatively the same as amortization of software is not directly correlated to the level of revenue generated from software license and renewals. Management expects software amortization costs to increase slightly from the current level for the remainder of the year as the Company releases new products, but still be well below last year.

Cost of professional services consists of customization and catalog production labor. Cost of professional services as a percentage of revenue decreased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the reclassification of catalog production labor that is not directly billed to the manufacturer to cost of subscriptions where the Company realizes revenue for this service. These costs had previously not been segregated from catalog production labor which was billed to the manufacturer. Management expects cost of professional services to fluctuate from quarter to quarter depending on the mix of services sold and on the Company’s performance towards the contracted amount for customization projects.

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Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain operating expense information derived from the Company’s unaudited financial statements.

Operating Expenses
(In thousands)

                         
    Three months ended    
    October 31   Percent
    2004
  2003
  Change
Customer operations and support
    262       283       (7 %)
Selling, general and administrative
    1,709       1,758       (3 %)
Software development and technical support
    421       341       23 %
Less capitalized portion
    (162 )     (64 )     153 %
Depreciation and amortization
    54       35       54 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Net operating expenses
  $ 2,284     $ 2,353       (3 %)
 
   
 
     
 
         

Customer operations and support consists primarily of server room operations, software maintenance agreements for the Company’s core network and customer support costs. Customer operations and support costs decreased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year primarily due to reduced customer operations and support costs for the agricultural inputs industry and continued server room cost reductions. Management expects customer operations and support costs to continue at relatively the same level for the remainder of fiscal 2005.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to decreased legal fees related to the institution of a Shareholder Rights Plan, the Company’s option exchange program and the WITECH equity buy-back agreement in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, offset in part by increased sales and marketing expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. SG&A, as a percentage of revenue, decreased slightly from 54% for the three month period ended October 31, 2003 to 52% for the three month period ended October 31, 2004. Management expects SG&A costs to increase compared to the previous year for the remainder of fiscal 2005 due to investments in new product marketing and the reorganizing of the non-North American business.

The Company’s technical staff (in-house and contracted) performs both software development and technical support and software customization and data conversion services for customer applications. Therefore, management expects fluctuations between software customization and data conversion services and development and technical support expenses quarter to quarter, as the mix of development and customization activities will change based on customer requirements. Software development and technical support costs increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to temporarily open positions in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 and a shift in resources from cost of sales to software development in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. Management expects software development and technical support costs to continue to be higher than the previous year for the remainder of fiscal 2005.

Capitalized software product costs represented 38% of software development and technical support for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to 19% for the same period last year. Capitalized software product costs fluctuate from quarter to quarter depending on the deployment of the Company’s resources between early stage research, software development available for capitalization, data conversion, customer customizations and maintenance and technical support. Management expects that capitalized software product costs will continue to be higher than the previous year for the remainder of fiscal 2005, because of planned product development investments.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year. Management expects depreciation and amortization to increase slightly for the remainder of fiscal 2005, as the Company invests in the business.

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Other Items

Earnings increased from net income of $72,000 for the three month period ended October 31, 2003, to net income of $494,000 for the three month period ended October 31, 2004. The increase in earnings is primarily due to the decrease in software amortization expense. Management expects to continue to generate positive earnings and cash flows for the remainder of fiscal 2005, although there can be no assurance that this will occur.

Interest expense includes both cash and non-cash interest. Interest paid or accrued for payment was approximately $64,000 and $96,000 for the three month periods ended October 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In addition, approximately $21,000 and $15,000 of excess debt principal was amortized to offset interest expense for the three month period ended October 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Acquisitions

Since December 1995, the Company has had a formal business development program aimed at identifying, evaluating and closing acquisitions that augment and strengthen the Company’s market position, product offerings, and personnel resources. Since the program’s inception, five acquisitions have been completed, four of which were fully integrated into the Company’s operations prior to fiscal year 2000.

On October 27, 2003, the Company acquired the technology and customer base of VertX Commerce Corporation (“VertX”). ARI has been reselling the VertX software under the brand name WebsiteSmart™. The acquisition did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The business development program is still an important component of the Company’s long-term growth strategy and the Company expects to continue to pursue it aggressively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain cash flow information derived from the Company’s unaudited financial statements.

Cash Flow Information
(In thousands)

                         
    Three months ended    
    October 31   Percent
    2004
  2003
  Change
Net income
  $ 494     $ 72          
Amortization of software products
    141       443          
Amortization of deferred finance costs and debt discount
    (21 )     (15 )        
Depreciation and other amortization
    54       35          
Stock issued as contribution to 401(k) plan
    37       37          
 
   
 
     
 
         
Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in working capital
    705       572       23 %
Effect of net changes in working capital
    30       (504 )     106 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    735       68       981 %
Net cash used in investing activities
    (671 )     (189 )     (255 %)
 
   
 
     
 
         
Net cash provided by operating and investing activities
  $ 64     $ (121 )     153 %
 
   
 
     
 
         

Net cash provided by operating activities increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the increase in net income and the components of working capital. The effect of net changes in working capital is dependent on the timing of payroll and other cash disbursements, accruals and the timing of invoices and may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Net cash used in investing activities increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same periods last year, primarily due to the acquisition of software from a third party that will be incorporated into a new ARI product and increased in-house capitalized software product costs. Management expects the total of cash provided by operating activities and used in investing activities to be positive for the remainder of fiscal 2005, although there can be no assurance that this result will be ultimately achieved.

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At October 31, 2004, the Company had cash of approximately $3,170,000 compared to approximately $3,357,000 at July 31, 2004.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information related to the Company’s debt derived from the Company’s unaudited financial statements.

Debt Schedule
(In thousands)

                         
    October 31   July 31    
    2004   2004   Net
    (Unaudited)
  (Audited)
  Change
Note payable to WITECH:
                       
Current portion of note payable
    200       200        
Long term portion of note payable
    400       450       (50 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total note payable to WITECH
    600       650       (50 )
Notes payable to New Holders:
                       
Current portion of notes payable
    800       800        
Long term portion of notes payable
    2,500       2,700       (200 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total face value of notes payable to New Holders
    3,300       3,500       (200 )
Carrying value in excess of face amount of notes payable
    157       182       (25 )
Debt discount (common stock warrants and options)
    (24 )     (26 )     2  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total carrying value of notes payable to New Holders
    3,433       3,656       (223 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total debt and receivables financing
  $ 4,033     $ 4,306     $ (273 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

On April 24, 2003, the Company restructured its debt. In exchange for previously outstanding debt and securities, the Company issued to a group of investors (the “New Holders”), in aggregate, $500,000 in cash, new unsecured notes in the amount of $3.9 million (the “New Notes”) and new warrants for 250,000 common shares, exercisable at $1.00 per share (the “New Warrants”). The interest rate on the New Notes is prime plus 2%. The New Notes are payable in $200,000 quarterly installments commencing March 31, 2004 through December 31, 2005 and $300,000 quarterly installments commencing March 31, 2006 until paid in full. The New Notes do not contain any financial covenants, but the Company is restricted from permitting certain liens on its assets. In addition, in the event of payment default that is not cured within ninety (90) days, Taglich Brothers, Inc., one of the New Holders, has the right to appoint one designee to the Company’s Board of Directors. The New Warrants were estimated to have a value of $36,000, of which the unamortized amount reduces the carrying amount of the debt.

On August 8, 2003, the Company repurchased from WITECH Corporation 1,025,308 shares of Common Stock, a warrant to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock at $.24 per share, and 20,350 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with an approximate face value plus accrued and undeclared dividends of $3.5 million. The Company paid $200,000 in cash and issued a four-year note for $800,000, payable quarterly and bearing interest at prime plus 2%. The note does not contain any financial covenants.

On July 9, 2004, the Company entered into a line of credit with Bank One, N.A. which permits the Company to borrow an amount equal to 80% of the book value of all eligible accounts minus $75,000, up to $500,000, and bears interest at prime rate. Eligible accounts include certain non-foreign accounts receivable which are less than 90 days from the invoice date. The line of credit terminates July 9, 2005, and is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The line of credit limits repurchases of common stock, the payment of dividends, liens on assets and new indebtedness, and requires the Company to meet minimum net worth and debt service coverage financial covenants.

Management believes that funds generated from operations will be adequate to fund the Company’s operations, investments and debt payments for the foreseeable future, although additional financing may be necessary if the Company were to complete a material acquisition or to make a large investment in its business.

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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information reconciling earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to the Company’s unaudited financial statements.

Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
(in thousands)

                         
    Three months ended    
    October 31   Percent
    2004
  2003
  Change
Net income
  $ 494     $ 72          
Plus: Interest
    44       81          
Amortization of software products
    141       443          
Other depreciation and amortization
    54       35          
Income tax expense
    36                
 
   
 
     
 
         
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
  $ 769     $ 631       22 %
 
   
 
     
 
         

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) increased for the three month period ended October 31, 2004, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the reduction in operating expenses net of capitalized software product costs. Management believes that EBITDA will continue at the same level for the remainder of fiscal 2005, as the Company invests in the future, although there can be no assurance that this will occur.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation discloses EBITDA (earnings before interest and other taxes, depreciation and amortization) and cash from operations and investment before changes in working capital (“earn/burn rate”), each of which may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In order to fully assess the Company’s financial results, management believes that EBITDA and earn/burn rate are appropriate measures of evaluating operating performance and liquidity, respectively. EBITDA is a commonly used measurement of financial performance. In addition, management believes EBITDA is helpful in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionate impact on the Company’s results of operations in any particular period. The Company believes that cash from operations and investment before changes in working capital items (earn/burn rate) is helpful in determining and measuring the amount of cash generated from the Company’s business, separate and apart from changes caused by changes in working capital items, which, over several periods, tend to offset each other. However, these measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for operating income, cash flows or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and may not necessarily be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-QSB are forward looking statements including revenue growth, future cash flows and cash generation and sources of liquidity. Expressions such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements. Several important factors can cause actual results to materially differ from those stated or implied in the forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to the factors listed on exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended July 31, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements.

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ITEM 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ARI maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports filed by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. ARI carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, ARI’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer concluded that ARI’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of October 31, 2004.

There have been no changes in ARI’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation discussed above that occurred during the quarter ended October 31, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, ARI’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

     During the quarter ended October 31, 2004, the Company did not sell any equity securities which were not registered under the Securities Act or repurchase any of its equity securities.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

31.1   Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
31.2   Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
 
32.1   Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
32.2   Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    ARI Network Services, Inc.
(Registrant)
             
Date: December 15, 2004
      /s/ Brian E. Dearing    
   
 
    Brian E. Dearing, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
 
           
      /s/ Timothy Sherlock    
   
 
    Timothy Sherlock, Chief Financial Officer

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