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TELKONET INC - 10-Q - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations(Edgar Glimpses Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as well as the Company's consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed March 31, 2014. Business Telkonet, Inc., formed in 1999 and incorporated under the laws of the state of Utah, is made up of two synergistic business divisions, EcoSmart Energy Management Technology and EthoStream High Speed Internet Access (HSIA) Network. Our EcoSmart Suite of products (which include Telkonet's legacy "SmartEnergy" products) provides comprehensive savings, management and reporting of a building's room-by-room energy consumption. Telkonet's energy management products are currently installed in over 200,000 rooms in properties within the hospitality, military, educational and healthcare markets. The EcoSmart technology platform is rapidly being recognized as a leading solution-provider for reducing energy consumption, carbon footprints and eliminating the need for new energy generation in these marketplaces - all while improving occupant comfort and convenience. Controlling energy consumption can make a significant impact on a property owner's bottom line, as heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") costs represent a substantial portion of a facility's overall utility bill. Hospitality is a key market for Telkonet. According to the EPA EnergySTAR for Hospitality analysis, the median hotel uses approximately 70,000 Btu/ft2 from all energy sources. Since fewer than 20% of the hotels in North America have an energy management system, there is considerable opportunity to assist those lodging facilities that are more energy intensive than necessary. With approximately 47,000 hotels in the USA alone, the market size is substantial. Telkonet's EthoStream is one of the largest public High-Speed Internet Access ("HSIA") providers in the world, providing services to more than 8.0 million users monthly across a network of greater than 2,300 locations. With a wide range of product and service offerings and one of the most comprehensive management platforms available for HSIA networks, EthoStream offers solutions for any public access location. Our direct sales efforts target the hospitality, education, commercial, utility and government/military markets. Taking advantage of legislation, including the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, or EISA, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we've focused our sales efforts in areas with available public funding and incentives, such as rebate programs offered by utilities for efficiency upgrades. Through our proprietary platform, technology and partnerships with energy efficiency providers, we intend to position our Company as a leading provider of energy management solutions. Telkonet's Series 5 Smart Grid networking technology allows commercial, industrial and consumer users to connect intelligent devices to a communications network using the existing low voltage electrical grid. Series 5 technology uses power line communications, or PLC, technology to transform existing electrical infrastructure into a communications backbone. Operating at 200 Mbps, the PLC platform offers a secure alternative in grid communications, transforming a traditional electrical distribution system into a "smart grid" that delivers electricity in a manner that can save energy, reduce cost and increase reliability. On March 4, 2011, the Company sold its Series 5 PLC product line and related business assets to Dynamic Ratings, Inc. ("Dynamic Ratings"). The sales price was $1,000,000 in cash. In connection with the sale, Dynamic Ratings lent $700,000 to the Company in the form of a 6% promissory note dated March 4, 2011. Concurrently with the sale, the Company entered into a Distributorship Agreement and a Consulting Agreement with Dynamic Ratings. Under the Distributorship Agreement, the Company was designated as a distributor of the Series 5 product to non-utility markets and will receive preferred pricing for purchases of Series 5 product. Under the Consulting Agreement, the Company agreed to provide Dynamic Ratings with ongoing transition assistance and consulting services for the Series 5 product. The Consulting Agreement expired on March 31, 2013. The Distributorship Agreement had an initial term that was to expire on March 31, 2014, but was automatically renewed for one year. Forward-Looking Statements In accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we can obtain a "safe-harbor" for forward-looking statements by identifying those statements and by accompanying those statements with cautionary statements which identify factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the following "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding strategic growth initiatives, growth opportunities and management's expectations regarding orders and financial results for the remainder of 2014 and future periods. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and current assumptions which management believes are reasonable. However, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results encompassed within the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those risks affecting the Company's business as described in the Company's filings with the SEC, including the current reports on Form 8-K, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company expressly disclaims a duty to provide updates to forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or other occurrences. 20 Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate significant estimates used in preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements including those related to revenue recognition, uncollectible accounts receivable, guarantees and product warranties, stock-based compensation, potential impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets, contingent liabilities and business combinations. We base our estimates on historical experience, underlying run rates and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The following are critical judgments, assumptions, and estimates used in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements. Revenue Recognition For revenue from product sales, we recognize revenue in accordance with ASC 605-10, and ASC Topic 13 guidelines that require that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred; (3) the selling price is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management's judgments regarding the fixed nature of the selling prices of the products delivered and the collectability of those amounts. Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances, and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. The guidelines also address the accounting for arrangements that may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets. Multiple-Element Arrangements ("MEAs"): The Company accounts for large contracts that have both product and installation under the MEAs guidance in ASC 605. The Company believes the volume of these large contracts will continue to increase. Arrangements under such contracts may include multiple deliverables, a combination of equipment and services. The deliverables included in the MEAs are separated into more than one unit of accounting when (i) the delivered equipment has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and (ii) delivery of the undelivered service element(s) is probable and substantially in our control. Arrangement consideration is then allocated to each unit, delivered or undelivered, based on the relative selling price of each unit of accounting based first on vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") if it exists, second on third-party evidence ("TPE") if it exists and on estimated selling price ("ESP") if neither VSOE or TPE exist. • VSOE - In most instances, products are sold separately in stand-alone arrangements. Services are also sold separately through renewals of contracts with varying periods. We determine VSOE based on its pricing and discounting practices for the specific product or service when sold separately, considering geographical, customer, and other economic or marketing variables, as well as renewal rates or stand-alone prices for the service element(s). • TPE - If we cannot establish VSOE of selling price for a specific product or service included in a multiple-element arrangement, we use third-party evidence of selling price. We determine TPE based on sales of comparable amount of similar product or service offered by multiple third parties considering the degree of customization and similarity of product or service sold. • ESP - The estimated selling price represents the price at which we would sell a product or service if it were sold on a stand-alone basis. When neither VSOE nor TPE exists for all elements, we determine ESP for the arrangement element based on sales, cost and margin analysis, as well as other inputs based on our pricing practices. Adjustments for other market and Company-specific factors are made as deemed necessary in determining ESP. When MEAs include an element of customer training, it is not essential to the functionality, efficiency or effectiveness of the MEA. Therefore the Company has concluded that this obligation is inconsequential and perfunctory. As such, for MEAs that include training, customer acceptance of said training is not deemed necessary in order to record the related revenue, but is recorded when the installation deliverable is fulfilled. Historically, training revenues have not been significant. We provide call center support services to properties installed by us and also to properties installed by other providers. In addition, we provide the property with the portal to access the Internet. We receive monthly service fees from such properties for our services and Internet access. We recognize the service fee ratably over the term of the contract. The prices for these services are fixed and determinable prior to delivery of the service. The fair value of these services is known due to objective and reliable evidence from contracts and standalone sales. We report such revenues as recurring revenues. 21 Total revenues do not include sales tax as we consider ourselves a pass through conduit for collection and remitting sales tax. New Accounting Pronouncements For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements and their effect on the Company, see "New Accounting Pronouncements" in Note B of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein. EBITDA The Company defines EBITDA as net income (loss), excluding income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, interest income, and depreciation and amortization expense. Management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in certain instances to provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and other non-operating income and expenses ("Adjusted EBITDA") is a metric used by management and frequently used by the financial community. Management believes that adjusted EBITDA provides insight into the Company's operating trends and facilitates comparisons between peer companies, since interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization can differ greatly between organizations as a result of differing capital structures and tax strategies. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain items that are unusual in nature or not comparable from period to period. While management believes that non-GAAP measurements are useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace our GAAP financial results. RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, (Unaudited) 2014 2013 Net loss (778,208 ) $ (411,846 ) Interest expense, net 11,114 16,638 Provision for income taxes 51,312 280Depreciation and amortization expense 66,661 64,118 EBITDA (649,121 ) (330,810 ) Adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 2,024 2,023 Adjusted EBITDA (647,097 ) $ (328,787 ) Revenues The table below outlines product versus recurring revenues for comparable periods: Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 March 31, 2013 Variance Product $ 1,709,644 65 % $ 2,165,500 69 % $ (455,856 ) -21 % Recurring 922,973 35 % 962,134 31 % (39,161 ) -4 % Total $ 2,632,617 100 % $ 3,127,634 100 % $ (495,017 ) -16 % Product Revenue Product revenue principally arises from the sale and installation of EcoSmart Suite of products, SmartGrid and High Speed Internet Access equipment. These include TSE, Telkonet Series 5, Telkonet iWire, and wireless networking products. We market and sell to the hospitality, education, healthcare and government/military markets. The Telkonet Series 5 and the Telkonet iWire products consist of the Telkonet Gateways, Telkonet Extenders, the patented Telkonet Coupler, and Telkonet iBridges. The EcoSmart Suite of products consists of thermostats, sensors, controllers, wireless networking products switches, outlets and a control platform. The HSIA product suite consists of gateway servers, switches and access points. 22 For the three months ended March 31, 2014, product revenue decreased by 21% when compared to the prior year period. Product revenue in 2014 includes approximately $0.7 million attributed to the sale, installation of energy management products, and approximately $1.0 million for the sale and installation of HSIA products. The variance in product revenue can be partially attributed to a $0.1 million decrease in HSIA installations. Two long term EcoSmart projects, both multiple deliverable arrangements that were not completed at the end of the period required a deferral of product revenue of $0.4 million. Recurring Revenue Recurring revenue is primarily attributed to recurring services. The Company recognizes revenue ratably over the service month for monthly support revenues and defers revenue for annual support services over the term of the service period. The recurring revenue consists primarily of HSIA support services and advertising revenue. Advertising revenue is based on impression-based statistics for a given period from customer site visits to the Company's login portal page under the terms of advertising agreements entered into with third-parties. A component of our recurring revenue is derived from fees, less payback costs, associated with approximately 1% of our hospitality customers who do not internally manage guest-related, internet transactions. Recurring revenue includes approximately 2,300 hotels in our broadband network portfolio. We currently support approximately 240,000 HSIA rooms with approximately 8.0 million monthly users. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, recurring revenue decreased by 4% when compared to the prior year period. The variance in recurring revenue was partially attributed to a decrease in advertising revenue. While the net number of properties and rooms has grown from March 31, 2013, additional revenues related to support services has not, contributing to the decrease in recurring revenue. Cost of Sales Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 March 31, 2013 Variance Product $ 1,348,027 79 % $ 1,429,546 66 % $ (81,519 ) -6 % Recurring 254,302 28 % 266,163 28 % (11,861 ) -4 % Total $ 1,602,239 61 % $ 1,695,709 54 % $ (93,380 ) -6 % Costs of Product Sales Costs of product sales include equipment and installation labor related to the sale of SmartGrid and broadband networking equipment, including EcoSmart technology and Telkonet iWire. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, product costs decreased by 6% compared to the prior year period. The majority of the variance was attributed to the decrease in material costs and freight associated with the decrease in EcoSmart installation sales. When compared to the percentage decrease in product sales, the reduction in costs of product sales was not as large. Costs associated with multiple deliverable arrangements not completed at the end of the period are expensed when incurred and not deferred as is the revenue. Costs of Recurring Revenue Recurring costs are comprised of labor and telecommunication services for our Customer Service department. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, recurring costs decreased by 4% when compared to the prior year period. The variance is attributed to the decrease in support payroll and benefit costs associated with recurring sales. Gross Profit Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 March 31, 2013 Variance Product $ 361,617 21 % $ 735,954 34 % $ (374,337 ) -51 % Recurring 668,671 72 % 695,971 72 % (27,300 ) -4 % Total $ 1,030,288 39 % $ 1,431,925 46 % $ (401,637 ) -28 % Gross Profit on Product Revenue The gross profit on product revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased by 51% when compared to the prior year period. The variance was the result of recognizing material and installation costs and deferring revenue associated with multiple deliverable arrangements not completed at the end of the period. Gross Profit on Recurring Revenue Our gross profit associated with recurring revenue decreased by 4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 when compared to the prior year period. The variance was due mainly to a small decrease in advertising revenue which yields higher gross profit margins as well as the decrease in recurring revenue. 23 Operating Expenses Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 2013 Variance Total $ 1,746,070 $ 1,826,853 $ (80,783 ) -2 % During the three months ended March 31, 2014, operating expenses decreased by 2% when compared to the prior year period as outlined below. Research and Development Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 2013 Variance Total $ 296,690 $ 302,142 $ (5,452 ) -2 % Our research and development costs related to both present and future products are expensed in the period incurred. Current research and development costs are associated with product development and integration. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, research and development costs decreased 2% when compared to the prior year period. The variance is due to a reduction in expenditures for test equipment and tooling. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 2013 Variance Total $ 1,382,719 $ 1,460,593 $ (77,874 ) -5 % During the three months ended March 31, 2014, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased over the prior year period by 5%. The decrease is primarily the result of decreased expenditures for legal, sales personnel, travel, consulting fees and costs associated with sales initiatives. Liquidity and Capital Resources We have financed our operations since inception primarily through private and public offerings of our equity securities, the issuance of various debt instruments and asset based lending, and cash generated from operations. Working Capital Our working capital decreased by $832,152 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 from working capital deficit (current liabilities in excess of current assets) of $570,401 at December 31, 2013 to a working capital deficit of $1,402,553 at March 31, 2014. Business Loan On September 11, 2009, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000 with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (the "Department"). The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 2%. Payment of interest and principal is to be made in the following manner: (a) payment of any and all interest that accrues from the date of disbursement commenced on January 1, 2010 and continued on the first day of each consecutive month thereafter through and including December 31, 2010; (b) commencing on January 1, 2011 and continuing on the first day of each consecutive month thereafter through and including November 1, 2016, the Company is required to pay equal monthly installments of $4,426; followed by a final installment on December 1, 2016 which shall include all remaining principal, accrued interest and other amounts owed by the Company to the Department under the Loan Agreement. The Company may prepay amounts outstanding under the Loan Agreement in whole or in part at any time without penalty. The Loan Agreement is secured by substantially all of the Company's assets and the proceeds from this loan were used for the working capital requirements of the Company. The Loan Agreement contains covenants which required, among other things, that the Company keep and maintain 75 existing full-time positions and create and fill 35 additional full-time positions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by December 31, 2012. On June 18, 2012, the Department agreed to permanently waive all penalties associated with the Company's noncompliance with this covenant. The outstanding borrowings under the agreement as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $141,936 and $154,463, respectively. 24 Promissory Note On March 4, 2011, the Company sold all its Series 5 PLC product line assets to Wisconsin-based Dynamic Ratings, Inc. ("Purchaser") under an Asset Purchase Agreement ("APA"). Per the APA, the Company signed an unsecured Promissory Note (the "Note") due to Purchaser in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000. The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 6% and was originally due on March 31, 2014. The Note may be prepaid in whole or in part, without penalty at any time. The Note contains certain earn-out provisions that encompass both the Company's and Purchaser's revenue volumes. Amounts earned under the earn-out provisions were applied against the Note on June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2013. Payments not made when due, by maturity acceleration or otherwise, shall bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the date due until fully paid. Effective April 30, 2013, Purchaser approved an amendment to certain terms of the Note. Telkonet commenced a monthly payment of principal and interest of $20,000 to be applied against the outstanding balance starting May 1, 2013. The interest rate remains unchanged at 6% and the maturity date was extended to January 1, 2016. The outstanding principal balance of the Note as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $453,352 and $506,024, respectively. Revolving Credit Facility On May 31, 2013, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Facility (the "Agreement") with Bridge Bank, NA, (the "Bank) in a principal amount not to exceed $2,000,000. The Agreement is subject to a borrowing base that is equal to the sum of 80% of the Company's eligible accounts receivable and 25% of the eligible inventory. On August 1, 2013 the Agreement was modified to include the eligible receivables and the eligible inventory of Ethostream. The Agreement is available for working capital and other lawful general corporate purposes. The outstanding principal balance of the facility bears interest at Prime Rate plus 2.75%. The Company's borrowing base at March 31, 2014 was approximately $470,000 and the outstanding balance was $201,275. As of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014, the Company was in violation of a financial performance covenant. Although the Company's violation of the financial performance covenant constitutes a default under the Agreement, as of May 15, 2014, the Bank has not chosen to pursue any remedies under the default provisions of the Agreement. The potential remedies available to the Bank include the ability to accelerate the outstanding principal balance of the facility, which was $50,000 as of May 15, 2014, and/or to cease making advances or extending other financial accommodations to the Company. The Company is exploring alternatives regarding the Agreement, which could include modification of the Agreement, termination of the Agreement, which would require the Company to pay the entire outstanding principal balance of the facility, or refinancing the outstanding balance with another lender. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining a modification of the Agreement or financing through another lender, on acceptable terms, if at all. Cash Flow Analysis Cash used in continuing operations was $75,786 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and cash provided by operations was $471,112 during the three months ended March 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, our primary capital needs included business strategy execution, inventory procurement and managing current liabilities. Cash provided by investing activities was $261,333 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and cash used in investing activities was $396,725 during the three months ended March 31, 2013, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company was awarded a contract with a bonding requirement. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company satisfied this requirement with cash collateral supported by an irrevocable standby letter of credit in the amount of $382,000. In March 2014, the Company satisfied all obligations related to the bonding requirement and the cash was released. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company purchased approximately $120,667 of furniture and fixtures to furnish its new corporate office located in Waukesha, Wisconsin. These assets will be depreciated over their respective estimated useful lives. Cash provided by financing activities was $136,076 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and cash used in financing activities was $12,279 during the three months ended March 31, 2013. Our independent registered public accountants report on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern. We have incurred operating losses in past years and are dependent upon our ability to develop profitable operations and/or obtain necessary funding from outside sources, including by the sale of our securities, or obtaining loans from financial institutions, where possible. These factors, among others, raise doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and may also affect our ability to obtain financing in the future. 25 Management expects that global economic conditions will continue to present a challenging operating environment through 2014; therefore working capital management will continue to be a high priority for 2014. The Company continues to manage its sales tax liability of approximately $904,000 by establishing voluntary disclosure agreements ("VDAs") with the applicable states, which establishes a maximum look-back period and payment arrangements. However, if the aforementioned methods prove unsuccessful and the Company is examined or challenged by taxing authorities, there exists possible exposure of an additional $450,000 in sales tax liability, not including any applicable interest and penalties. Prior to 2014, the Company successfully executed and paid in full VDAs in nineteen states totaling approximately $286,000 and is current with the subsequent filing requirements. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company successfully executed and paid in full VDAs in seven states totaling approximately $90,000 and is current with the subsequent filing requirements. In addition, the Company executed VDAs with two other states and has established payment plans with these states. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements The Company has no material off-balance sheet arrangements. Acquisition or Disposition of Property and Equipment During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company had $120,667 of expenditures for furniture and fixtures. The Company does not anticipate any significant purchases of property or equipment during the next twelve months, other than computer equipment and peripherals to be used in the Company's day-to-day operations. We presently lease two commercial office spaces in Germantown, Maryland totaling, in the aggregate, 16,400 square feet. Both leases expire in December 2015. On July 15, 2011, Telkonet executed a sublease agreement for 11,626 square feet of its space located in Germantown, Maryland. On June 27, 2012 the subtenant exercised its option to extend the expiration of the term of the sublease from January 31, 2013 to December 31, 2015. |