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Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc - Recent Material Event
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PART I
Overview
Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. is a Minnesota corporation
incorporated on March 23, 2000. Originally we sought to
apply our proprietary wireless technology in the information
device space and focused on an industrial strength
personal digital assistant. Beginning in the fall of 2002, we
shifted our focus to digital signage solutions and designed and
developed
RoninCast®
software, which we first released in the spring of 2003.
We now provide dynamic digital signage solutions targeting
specific retail and service markets. Through a suite of software
applications marketed as
RoninCast®,
we provide an enterprise-level or hosted content delivery system
that manages, schedules and delivers digital content over
wireless or wired networks. Additionally,
RoninCast®
softwares flexibility allows us to develop custom
solutions for specific customer applications.
In August 2007, we acquired privately held McGill Digital
Solutions, Inc. (now known as Wireless Ronin Technologies
(Canada), Inc. (WRT Canada)). Based in Windsor,
Ontario Canada, WRT Canada provides custom interactive software
solutions, content engineering / creative services,
and is home to our automotive business development team. Through
e-learning
and
e-marketing
WRT Canada develops the competencies and knowledge of the people
who most influence product sales sales associates
and their customers.
Business
Strategy
Our objective is to be the premier provider of dynamic digital
signage systems to customers in our targeted retail and service
markets. To achieve this objective, we intend to pursue the
following strategies:
Focus on Vertical Markets. Our direct sales
force focuses primarily on the following vertical market
segments: automotive, quick serve restaurant (QSR)
and retail. Within retail, we focus both on
retailers, such as department stores and big box,
and consumer good manufacturers, such as brands
being carried within a retail environment. To attract and
influence customers, all three of these vertical markets
continue to seek new mediums that provide greater flexibility
and visual impact in displaying content. We focus on markets in
which we believe our solution offers the greatest advantages in
functionality, implementation and deployment over traditional
media advertising.
Leverage Strategic Relationships. We seek to
develop and leverage relationships with market participants,
such as hardware manufacturers, to integrate complementary
technologies with our solutions. We believe that such strategic
relationships will enable access to emerging new technologies
and standards and increase our market presence.
Market and Brand Our Products and Services
Effectively. Our key marketing objective is to
establish
RoninCast®
dynamic digital signage as an industry standard. Our marketing
initiatives convey the distinguishing and proprietary features
of our products, including wireless networking, centralized
content management and custom software solutions.
Our strategy has included establishing a strong presence at
national trade shows, such as NRF (National Retail Federation),
Globalshop, Digital Signage Expo, InfoComm and Digital Signage
Expo - EAST. NRF is the retail industrys largest trade
show. Globalshop is a U.S. trade show focused on the
in-store shopping experience. Digital Signage Expo, a trade show
dedicated solely to digital signage products, attracts attendees
from a variety of markets, including retail, financial,
hospitality and public spaces. InfoComm is a trade show for the
professional audio/video and information communications
industry. Digital Signage Expo EAST is an East coast
show launched in 2008 dedicated to digital signage and
interactive technology. We also participate in the International
Retail Design Conference (IRDC). IRDC is the premier educational
and networking event for the store design and merchandising
community, drawing speakers and attendees from throughout the
U.S. and abroad.
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Outsource Non-Specialized Operating
Functions. We outsource certain non-specialized
support functions such as system installation, fixturing,
integration and technical field support. In addition, we
purchase from manufacturers such items as stands, mounts, custom
enclosures, monitors and computer hardware. We believe that our
experience in managing complex outsourcing relationships
improves the efficiency of our digital signage solutions and
allows us to focus on developing software solutions.
Create Custom Solutions. Although
RoninCast®
is an enterprise solution designed for an array of standard
applications, we also develop custom systems that meet the
specific business needs of our customers. As digital signage
technology continues to evolve, we believe that creating custom
solutions for our customers is one of the primary
differentiators of our value proposition.
Create Content Solutions. We continue to
expand our strategic planning, creative design and content
engineering abilities. Our creative team develops creative
strategies for both internal and external initiatives. We
continue to produce award-winning work both for our clients and
for our own use. In 2008, much of our marketing and sales
material was created in-house.
Develop New Products. Developing new products
and technologies is critical to our success. Increased
acceptance of digital signage will require technological
advancements to integrate it with other systems such as
inventory control, point-of sale and database applications. In
addition, digital media content is becoming richer and we expect
customers will continue to demand more advanced requirements for
their digital signage networks. We intend to listen to our
customers, analyze the competitive landscape and continually
improve our products.
In February 2008, we launched our first industry-specific
digital signage solution for one of our focused vertical
markets. As an example of new products, RoninCast for
Automotive is built on the
RoninCast®
software platform and WRT Canadas years of experience
working within the automotive industry. The RoninCast for
Automotive system offers an interactive solution that
impacts every area of the dealership, including dealership
showrooms, finance and insurance, and service and parts.
In December 2008, we were once again recognized for vertical
product excellence when VMSD Magazine named
RoninCast®
Digital Menu Boards to the List of Best New Products of 2008.
Industry
Background
Digital Signage. Digital signage is a visually
dynamic, targeted, flexible and affordable way for direct
marketing advertisers to reach consumers. At one point in time,
place-based advertisers settled for the shotgun
blast marketing approach of sending out a general message
to a large group of people, in hopes that it would resonate with
as many members of that group as possible. But that was a
hit-or-miss
approach. Advertisers prefer to send customized messages
tailored to the specific needs, wants and desires of individual
consumers in essence, reaching individuals directly
as opposed to reaching the masses indirectly.
So what is digital signage? The simplest example is a flat-panel
screen, often evident in retail stores, quick serve restaurants,
casinos, banks/financial institutions, and hospitality
environments that digitally features a mix of promotions,
advertisements and entertainment.
Growth of Digital Signage. We believe there
are four primary drivers to the growth of digital signage:
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The
RoninCast®
Solution
RoninCast®
solutions offer a digital alternative to static signage that
provides our customers with a dynamic visual marketing system
designed to enhance the way they advertise, market, deliver and
update their messages to targeted audiences. Our technology can
be combined with interactive touch screens to create new
platforms for assisting with product selection and conveying
marketing messages. For example, we designed the Ford
SYNCtm
interactive touch screen kiosk for auto shoppers at Ford
dealerships.
RoninCast®
software enables us to deliver a turn-key solution that includes
project planning, innovative design services, network
deployment, software training, equipment, hardware
configuration, content development, implementation, maintenance,
24/7 help desk support and a full-service network operations
center.
Our software manages, schedules, and delivers dynamic digital
content over wired or wireless networks. Our solution integrates
proprietary software components and delivers content over
proprietary communication protocols.
RoninCast®
is an enterprise or hosted software solution which addresses
changes in advertising dynamics and other traditional methods of
delivering content. We believe our product provides benefits
over traditional static signage and assists our customers in
meeting their objectives for a successful marketing campaign.
In 2007, we established a full service network operations
center, manned 24/7, in Minnetonka, Minnesota, supported by a
redundant center in Des Moines, Iowa. Our operators send
schedules and content, gather data from the field, flag and
elevate field issues and handle customer calls. The servers in
both locations communicate in real-time with the devices
deployed at our customer locations.
Features
and benefits of the
RoninCast®
system include:
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Industry
Recognition
In February 2008, Wireless Ronin was awarded three Apex Awards
for various projects during the Digital Signage Expo (DSE)
& Interactive Technology Expo (ITE): Environment Design
Integration for KFC/YUM! Brands Menu Boards, Hospitality for
Carnival Corporation and Interactive Innovation for Ford Motor
Company. DSE / ITE is a leading industry show
dedicated to digital signage and interactive technology.
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In March 2008, our company won POPAIs Silver Digital
Signage Award for Hospitality/Entertainment Network
Digital Menu Boards for work done for KFC/YUM! Brands and for
Government / Education / Corporation
Network InfoPoint for work done for
Thomson Reuters. This awards contest through Point of Purchase
Advertising International (POPAI) recognizes the most innovative
and effective marketing at-retail displays and programs that
improve sales and make products memorable and enticing to
consumers.
In September 2008, during the Digital Signage Expo
EAST, Wireless Ronin took home Content Awards for creative
design and execution of in-store solutions for Gabberts Fine
Furnishings and Interior Design and for the digital signage
content found at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
In addition, VMSD Magazine (Visual Merchandising + Store
Display) recognized RoninCast Digital Menu boards
KFC/YUM! Brands as one of the Best New Products of
2008.
Our
Markets
We generate revenue through system sales, license fees and
separate service fees for consulting, hosting, training, content
development and implementation services, and for ongoing
customer support and maintenance. We currently market and sell
our software and service solutions through our direct sales
force and value added resellers.
We market to companies that deploy
point-of-purchase
advertising or visual display systems and whose business model
incorporates marketing, advertising, or delivery of messages.
Typical applications are retail and service business locations
that depend on traditional static
point-of-purchase
advertising. We believe that any retail businesses promoting a
brand or advertisers seeking to reach consumers at public venues
are also potential customers. We believe that the primary market
segments for digital signage include:
Automotive. RoninCast for Automotive delivers
relevant content to all areas of a dealership and to special
events like auto shows. It includes pre-built automotive design
templates and content along with our Automotive Content
Management System and Dealer Ad Planner tools. Interactive touch
screens deliver detailed product information that informs and
educates customers and employees alike.
QSR (Quick Serve Restaurants). The use of menu
boards and promotional boards both in-store and in the
drive-through allow QSRs to address the unique challenges of the
industry, allowing for immediate compliance, the ability to
quickly update pricing, and highlight new items.
Retail. Digital signage allows retailers to
set promotions to fit various demographics of customers and
their respective shopping patterns and cycles, and to offer
services that more effectively compete with online retailers.
Digital signage also effectively addresses retailers
challenge of
point-of-purchase
compliance.
Select
Customers
Historically, our business has been dependent upon a few
customers. Our goal is to broaden and diversify our customer
base. Our client base has grown organically and through our
acquisition from 99 clients at the end of 2007 to 200 clients at
the end of 2008. Detail on key customers is as follows:
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Product
Description
RoninCast®
is a dynamic digital signage network solution that combines
scalable, secure, enterprise-compliant, proprietary software
with off the shelf or customer owned hardware. This integrated
solution creates a network capable of controlling management,
scheduling and delivering content from a single location to an
enterprise-level system.
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Master Controller (MC) The MC is divided into
two discrete operational components: the Master Controller
Server (MCS) and the Master Controller Client (MCC). The MCS
provides centralized control over the entire signage network and
is controlled by operators through the MCC graphical user
interface. Content, schedules and commands are submitted by
users through the MCC to be distributed by the MCS to the
End-Point Controllers. Additionally, through the MCS, network
and content reports, and field data are viewed by operators
utilizing the MCC.
End-Point Controller (EPC) The EPC receives
content, schedules and commands from the centralized MCS. It
then passes along the information to the End-Point Viewers in
its local environment. The EPC then sends content, executes
schedules and forwards commands that have been delivered.
Additionally, the EPC monitors the health of the local network
and sends status reports to the MCS.
End-Point Viewer (EPV) The EPV software
displays the content that has been distributed to it from the
EPC or the Site Controller. It keeps track of the name of the
content that is currently playing, and when and how many times
it has played. This information is delivered back to the MCS
through the EPC.
Site Controller (SC) The SC provides
localized control and operation of an installation. It is able
to deliver, broadcast, or distribute schedules and content. The
level of control over these operations can be set at specific
levels to allow local management access to some or all aspects
of the network. The SC also allows information to be reviewed
regarding the status of their local
RoninCast®
network. It is also used as an installation and diagnostic tool.
Network Builder (NB) The NB allows operators
to set up virtual networks of signage that create groups for
specific content distribution. EPVs can be grouped by location,
type, audience, or whatever method the user chooses.
Schedule Builder (SB) The SB provides
users the ability to create schedules for extended content
distribution. Schedules can be created a day, a week, a month or
a year at a time. These schedules are executed by the EPCs at
the local level.
Zone Builder (ZB) The ZB allows screen space
to be divided into discreet sections (zones) that can each play
separate content. This allows reuse of media created from other
sources, regardless of the pixel-size of the destination screen.
Additionally, each zone can be individually scheduled and
managed.
RoninCast®
Wall (RCW) The RCW provides the ability to synch
multiple screens together to create complex effects and
compositions such as an image moving from one screen to the next
screen, or all screens playing new content at one time.
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Database Client (DBC) The DBC allows for
automation of control of the
RoninCast®
network. Information can be retrieved from a database and sent
to the EPVs automatically. This software is best suited for
implementation where information changes on a regular basis,
such as meeting room calendars or arrival and departure times,
or data feeds from the Internet (for example, stock prices or
sports scores).
Event Log Viewer (EVL) The EVL allows the
user to easily analyze logs collected from the field in an
organized manner. Filtering and sorting of data in any aspect
further simplifies the analysis.
Software Development Kit (SDK) The SDK is
provided so that customers can create their own custom
applications that can interface with the
RoninCast®
network. This provides the ultimate in flexibility for our
customers who wish to create their own
look-and-feel.
Key
Components
Key components of our solution include:
User-Friendly
Network Control
When managing the
RoninCast®
network, the ability to easily and intuitively control the
network is critical to the success of the system and the success
of the customer. Customer input has been, and continues to be,
invaluable in the design of the
RoninCast®
Graphical User Interface. Everything from simple design
decisions, such as menu layout, to advanced network
communication, such as seeing the content play on a remote
screen, is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive.
Diverse
Media and Authoring Choices
With the myriad of media design tools available today, it is
vital that
RoninCast®
software stay current with the tools and technologies available.
RoninCast®
software started with Macromedia Flash, and while Flash remains
a large percentage of content created and deployed, we have
continued to innovate and expand the content options available.
Today we offer video (MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, WMV, AVI, QT, MOV),
Macromedia Flash (SWF), still images (JPEG, BMP), and audio
(MP3, WAV). Additionally, raw data feeds (from internal or
Internet sources) can be processed and displayed as tickers that
can be integrated into any screen layout. As media technologies
continue to emerge and advance, we plan to expand the media
choices for
RoninCast®
solutions.
Intelligent
Content Distribution
The size and complexity of the content being sent to digital
displays are growing. In order for
RoninCast®
software to maintain network friendliness across wired and
wireless connections, it is important that as few bytes as
possible are sent. There are several ways that we enable this.
The system utilizes a locally installed librarian that takes
advantage of unused space on the hard-drive to track and manage
content. Only files that are needed at the EPVs are transferred,
saving on network bandwidth.
RoninCast®
software supports content transfer technologies other than
one-to-one
connections. One such technology is multicast satellite
distribution. This is widely used in corporations such as
big-box retailers that distribute large quantities of data to
many locations.
Often it is not the content itself that needs to be changed, but
the information within the content that needs to be changed. If
information updates are needed, instead of creating and sending
a new content file,
RoninCast®
software can facilitate the information swap. Through Macromedia
Flash and the
RoninCast®
Database Client, changing content information (instead of the
content itself), can be facilitated through mechanisms such as
Active Server Pages (ASP, PHP). This reduces updates from
mega-bytes to the few bytes required to display a new piece of
data (such as a price).
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Distributed
Management
In order for
RoninCast®
solutions to be scalable to large organizations, it is necessary
that each individual installation not burden the MC with
everyday tasks that are required to manage a complex network. To
this end, the MC offloads much of its work and monitoring to the
EPCs. On the local network, the EPCs execute schedules, monitor
EPVs, distribute content, and collect data. The only task that
is required of the MC is to monitor and communicate with the
EPCs. In this way, expansion of the
RoninCast®
network by adding an installation does not burden the MC by the
number of screens added, but only by the single installation.
Enterprise-Level Compatibility
RoninCast®
software is designed to easily integrate into large enterprises
and become part of the suite of tools that are used every day.
The
RoninCast®
Server applications (MCS and EPC) run under Windows (2K, XP and
2K+ Server), and Linux server technology. In order to
accommodate our customers network administrators, our
software supports the ability to use ASP and PHP to create
controlled, closed-loop interfaces for the
RoninCast®
system.
Flexible
Network Design
One of the strengths of the
RoninCast®
network is the ease and flexibility of implementation and
expansion.
RoninCast®
software is designed to intelligently and successfully manage
myriad connection options simultaneously, both internally to an
installation and externally to the Internet.
RoninCast®
solutions can be networked using Wired LAN
and/or
Wireless LAN technology. With Wireless LAN, time and costs
associated with installing or extending a hardwired network are
eliminated. Wireless LAN offers customers freedom of
installations and reconfigurations without the high costs of
cabling. Additionally, a new installation can be connected to
the Internet through
dial-up/DSL
telephone modems, wireless data communications or
high-throughput enterprise data-pipes.
In order to communicate with the MCS, a new installation can be
connected to the Internet through
dial-up/DSL
telephone modems, digital mobile communication (such as CDMA or
GPRS), or high-throughput enterprise data-pipes.
Security
Essential to the design of
RoninCast®
software is the security of the network and hence the security
of our customers. In order to provide the most secure
installation possible, we address security at every level of the
system:
RoninCast®
communication, operating system hardening, network security and
user interaction.
RoninCast®
software utilizes an unpublished proprietary communication
protocol to communicate with members of the system. All
information that is sent to or from a network member is
encrypted with an industry standard 256-bit encryption scheme
that is rated for government communication. This includes
content for display as well as commands to the system, such as
those for maintenance and data retrieval. Additionally, all
commands are verified by challenge-response where the receiver
of communication challenges the sender to prove that in fact it
was sent from that sender, and not a potential intruder.
In order for computers to be approved for use on the
RoninCast®
network, their operating systems (whether Windows or Linux) go
through a rigorous hardening process. This hardening removes or
disables extraneous programs that are not required for the core
operation of
RoninCast®
applications. The result is a significantly more stable and
secure base for the system as a whole.
Wireless and wired LAN each pose different levels of security
exposure. Wireless LAN has the most exposure to potential
intruders. However, both can be accessed. In order to create a
secure network, we utilize high-level industry-standard wireless
LAN equipment and configure it with the highest level of
security. When necessary, we work with our customers, analyze
their network security and recommend back-end computer security
hardware and software that will help make both their network and
the
RoninCast®
network as secure as possible.
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RoninCast also uses a username/password mechanism with four
levels of control so that access and functionality can be
granted to a variety of users without having to give complete
control to everyone. The four levels are separated into root
(the highest level of control with complete access to the
system), administrators (access that allows management of
RoninCasts hardware and software), operators (access that
allows the management of the media playing), and auditors
(access that is simply a looking glass that allows
the viewing of device status, media playing, etc.).
Additionally, in order to facilitate efficient management of
access to the system, RoninCast resolves usernames and passwords
with the same servers that already manage a customers
infrastructure.
Network
Operations Center
We offer a full service network operations center
(NOC), manned 24/7, in Minnetonka, Minnesota,
supported by a redundant center in Des Moines, Iowa. The
computers in both locations communicate in real-time with the
devices deployed at our customer locations.
Our NOC operators send schedules and content, gather data from
the field, flag and elevate field issues and handle customer
calls. RoninCasts dynamic nature allows our customers to
purchase subscriptions at the level of service they desire. Some
customers may want us to manage all aspects of their RoninCast
network, whereas other customers may want us to monitor for
field issues, but manage the schedules and content themselves.
In addition to normal RoninCast management, customers can
subscribe to dynamic data from the Internet, such as weather or
stock quotes. This data is received by our servers and
distributed to the desired End-Point Viewers in the field.
Multiple language feeds can be supported with only the needed
information arriving at each location. Due to the scalability of
RoninCast, each Master Controller Server in the NOC can manage
one or many customers.
Our
Suppliers
Our principal suppliers include the following:
We have no long-term agreements with any of our suppliers.
Agreements
with NewSight
On August 10, 2007, we announced that our largest customer
during 2007, NewSight Corporation (NewSight), had
re-prioritized various elements of its planned digital signage
system implementations, including a delay in the rollout of
network installations into large, upscale malls, and the launch,
installation and operation of digital signage networks in
physicians offices. In connection with NewSights
re-prioritization, we agreed to provide digital signage to
retrofit 102 stores of an existing network and newly configure
approximately 79 stores of a grocery store chain in the Midwest,
Meijer, Inc. (Meijer), under a digital signage
agreement.
In consideration of our undertaking to complete the Meijer
Network (as defined below), we agreed to take a promissory note
and security interest in certain equipment, while we understood
NewSight was in the process of raising capital. Effective
October 8, 2007, NewSight issued us a Secured Promissory
Note (the Note) for goods provided and services
rendered, in an original principal amount of $1,760,177. In
connection with the issuance of the Note, we also entered into a
Security Agreement, dated October 12, 2007, with NewSight
pursuant to which we acquired a security interest in certain
collateral of NewSight, consisting of all existing and
after-acquired video screens and monitors and other equipment
for digital signage then or
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thereafter provided by us to NewSight, including all such
equipment located in the Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw,
Michigan and the Asheville Mall in Asheville, North Carolina,
and any grocery store premises operated by Meijer and its
affiliates (the Meijer Network) and all related
hardware, software and parts used in connection with such
equipment or the Meijer Network and all proceeds from such
personal property, but not including any intellectual property
of NewSight (the Collateral). Pursuant to the Note,
this debt obligation would mature on the first to occur of
(1) successful completion of NewSights financing
efforts, or (2) December 31, 2007.
We extended the term of the Note to allow NewSight more time to
complete its financing efforts, on January 7, 2008,
April 4, 2008 and June 5, 2008. In connection with the
first of such extensions, we agreed to credit NewSight customer
deposits aggregating $277,488 against the amount of the Note. In
connection with the second extension, we agreed to terminate
several other agreements we had with NewSight: the physician
office agreement to develop the NewSight on Health
physicians network; the agreement for development of the Pyramid
Mall network; and the
3-D software
development agreement.
The Note, as amended, matured on August 15, 2008.
NewSights aggregate indebtedness to us, including the
Note, accrued interest, and all accrued warehousing fees and
expenses and network operating and maintenance expenses, totaled
$2,761,608, net of deferred revenue of $1,029,796, at such date
(the Aggregate Indebtedness). Given NewSights
inability to obtain financing that would have allowed it to
repay this obligation and given the termination of
NewSights business relationship with Meijer regarding the
Meijer Network, we entered into negotiations with NewSight and
its principal creditor, Prentice Capital Management, L.P.
(Prentice), to obtain ownership of the Collateral
(other than the Released Collateral (as defined below)) (the
Surrendered Collateral) in recognition of our rights
as a secured creditor. The Released Collateral
represented Collateral presently installed at the stores
operated by CBL Associated at the Fashion Square Mall and the
Asheville Mall.
On August 21, 2008, we entered into a Turnover and
Surrender Agreement with NewSight (the Turnover and
Surrender Agreement) under which NewSight surrendered,
transferred and turned over to us, and we accepted, the
Surrendered Collateral in full satisfaction of the Aggregate
Indebtedness. We agreed that, except for the obligations under
the Turnover and Surrender Agreement, NewSight has no further
obligations to us. The Surrendered Collateral was turned over
and surrendered to us on an as is and where
is basis. Under the Turnover and Surrender Agreement,
NewSight granted us an irrevocable license and consent to enter
into any properties licensed to or leased by NewSight for the
purpose of taking possession and control of such collateral.
NewSight further agreed to indemnify and hold us and our
subsidiary, and all of our shareholders, agents, officers and
directors harmless against any and all claims, losses and
expenses (including attorneys fees) related to any claims
against us as a result of a breach of any covenant,
representation or warranty by NewSight in the Turnover and
Surrender Agreement, and claims by any creditor, shareholder or
trustee of NewSight relating to the transfer and surrender under
the Turnover and Surrender Agreement. We and NewSight also
agreed to a mutual release of all claims except obligations
arising under the Turnover and Surrender Agreement.
In addition, we entered into a Consent Agreement with Prentice
on August 21, 2008 (the Consent Agreement)
pursuant to which Prentice consented to the terms and conditions
of the Turnover and Surrender Agreement. The Consent Agreement
also provided for the allocation of any future proceeds received
or paid to us in connection with the Surrendered Collateral or
the Meijer Network. In general, such funds would be applied in
the following manner: (1) first to payment of our expenses
in connection with the turnover and surrender, (2) second
to payment of our expenses in connection with replacing,
modifying or enhancing the Surrendered Collateral,
(3) third to our company in payment of the Aggregate
Indebtedness, (4) fourth the next $100,000 of proceeds
would be allocated 70% to our company and 30% to Prentice, and
(5) fifth all remaining proceeds would be allocated 50% to
our company and 50% to Prentice. These allocations also applied
in the event of the sale or contribution by our company of the
Surrendered Collateral or the Meijer Network. However, such
allocations did not apply to amounts paid or payable to our
company in payment or reimbursement of our monthly costs to
operate or service the Meijer Network. The rights and interests
granted by our company to Prentice under the Consent Agreement
were to expire on the third anniversary of the Consent
Agreement. We and Prentice also generally agreed to a mutual
release of all claims.
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On August 21, 2008, we also entered into an Interim
Operating Agreement with ABC National Television Sales, Inc.
(ABC) and Met/Hodder, Inc. (MH) pursuant
to which the parties continued to operate the Meijer Network
through October 31, 2008 (the Interim Operating
Agreement). We entered into the Interim Operating
Agreement to continue to run the Meijer Network for an interim
period necessary to establish a more permanent arrangement with
respect to the Meijer Network ownership and placement in Meijer
stores. We received $51,000, paid out of advertising revenues on
the Meijer Network, under this agreement in 2008.
Meijer then sent a request for proposal to several national
network providers, including Wireless Ronin Technologies, to
build out the remaining network of 82 stores and continue to
support the existing network of 102 stores in which we owned the
network hardware. We expected Meijer to choose one of these
network providers in the fourth quarter of 2008, with which to
move forward. As of September 30, 2008, we had reclassified
the NewSight account receivable balance of $2,429,884, deferred
revenue of $1,029,796, deferred costs of $585,538, and the
accrued finders fees of $48,464 to Network equipment held
for sale totaling $1,937,162. This asset appeared as a separate
line on our balance sheet as a current asset at
September 30, 2008.
Subsequent to December 31, 2008, Meijer abandoned plans to
maintain the network. As a result, we moved approximately
$171,000 of equipment from the in-box collateral base into
inventory and recorded an impairment loss in the fourth quarter
of 2008 on the remaining $1,766,072 of network equipment held
for sale.
Agreement
with Marshall Special Assets Group, Inc.
On February 13, 2007, we terminated the strategic
partnership agreement with The Marshall Special Assets Group,
Inc. (Marshall) which we had entered into in May
2004. Pursuant to the terms of a mutual termination, release and
agreement, we paid Marshall $653,995 and we agreed to pay a fee
in connection with sales of our software and hardware to
customers, distributors and resellers for use exclusively in the
ultimate operations of or for use in a lottery (End
Users). Under such agreement, we will pay Marshall
(i) 30% of the net invoice price for the sale of our
software to End Users, and (ii) 2% of the net invoice price
for the sale of hardware to End Users, in each case collected by
us on or before February 12, 2012, with a minimum annual
payment of $50,000 for three years. Marshall will pay 50% of the
costs and expenses incurred by us in relation to any test
installations involving sales or prospective sales to End Users.
In 2008 and 2007, we recorded $50,000 of expense pursuant to the
minimum payment for 2008 and 2007 required under the agreement.
Ongoing
Development
Ongoing product development is essential to our ability to stay
competitive in the marketplace as a solution provider. We
believe that the functionality and capabilities of our product
offerings are competitive advantages and that we must continue
to invest in them to maintain our competitive position. The
digital signage market is subject to rapid technological change
including new communication technologies, new computer hardware
and display technologies, as well as the expansion of media
display options. Client requirements are also evolving rapidly.
To remain successful, we must continually adapt to these and
other changes. We incurred research and development expenses of
$2,541,267 in 2008, $1,197,911 in 2007 and $875,821 in 2006.
Services
Our services are integral to our ability to provide customers
with successful digital signage solutions. We offer a wide range
of services from consulting, project planning, design, content
development, training, hosting and implementation services, to
ongoing customer support and maintenance. Generally, we charge
our customers for services on a
fee-for-service
basis.
Wireless Ronin also offers existing and prospective clients with
robust and turnkey content creation capabilities. Our graphic
shops in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Minnetonka, Minnesota are
staffed with competent and experienced artists who excel at
converting existing assets into appealing digital assets.
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Consulting: We work with clients to determine
the ultimate hardware and software solution tailored to the
specific requirements for their environment.
Creative: With design experience and an
outstanding record of customer satisfaction, our creative team
helps make our clients marketing and advertising
initiatives a reality.
Content Engineering: Our content engineering
group is tasked with the architecture, production and
development of advanced interactive content as well as all
e-learning
content creation producing relevant, valuable, and measureable
results that engage and motivate customers and consumers alike.
Content Deployment: Our content deployment
group offers robust content creation and deployment capabilities
for non-interactive applications which includes planning,
re-purposing of existing content and the development of visual
communications.
Project Management: Our project management
team has experience with large-scale implementations and
installations keeping the goals of timeliness,
effectiveness and customer satisfaction in mind.
Fixturing: Whether our clients have their own
partners or need our assistance, we work with clients to
incorporate the
RoninCast®
technology into their environments.
Installation: We have the experience to roll
out large scale projects and single location installations
without unexpected delays or expenses.
Training: We provide training with every
purchase of
RoninCast®
software.
Hosting: For clients requiring assistance with
operating their networks, we offer the service of a Network
Operations Center for any network hosting needs.
Maintenance and Support: Our support staff is
available 24/7 for assistance with any issue. Standard
maintenance, including software upgrades, is included under the
annual maintenance agreement.
Intellectual
Property
As of March 9, 2009, we had received one design patent and
three U.S. patent applications and one Canadian patent
application remained pending relating to various aspects of our
RoninCast®
delivery system. For the two U.S. patent applications, we
filed utility applications to follow on to previously filed
provisional applications. Highly technical patents can take up
to six years to issue and we cannot assure you that any patents
will be issued, or if issued, that the same will provide
significant protection to us.
We currently have U.S. federal trademark registrations for
WIRELESS
RONIN®
and RONIN
CAST®,
and for RONINCAST and
Design®.
RONIN
CAST®
and RONIN CAST and
Design®
have been registered in the European Union. RONIN CAST and
Design®
is registered in Canada. We have several trademarks pending
action by various patent and trademark offices as described
below:
RONINCAST®
and Design (Color Logo) is pending registration in Canada and
registered in the European Union and the U.S.
The WR (Circle Design) is pending registration in
Canada and has been allowed in the U.S.
COMMUNICATING AT
LIFESPEEDtm
is pending in Canada and registered in the U.S. and the
European Union.
Federal trademark registrations continue indefinitely so long as
the trademarks are in use and periodic renewals and other
required filings are made. We review our trademarks and
registration requirements with the help of trademark legal
counsel and may, from time to time, abandon registered
trademarks or file new applications for trademarks if then
current registrations no longer accurately reflect our use of
those trademarks.
In February 2006, we received a letter from MediaTile Company
USA, advising us that it filed a patent application in June 2005
relating solely and narrowly to the use of cellular delivery
technology for digital signage. The letter contains no
allegation of an infringement of MediaTiles patent
application. MediaTiles
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patent application has not been examined by the U.S. Patent
Office. Therefore, we have no basis for believing our systems or
products would infringe any pending rights of MediaTile. We
asked MediaTile in a responsive letter to keep us apprised of
their patent application progress in the Patent Office. As of
March 9, 2009, MediaTile has not provided the responsive
letter requested nor has MediaTile contacted us regarding its
patent application.
Competition
We compete with EnQii and Stratacache as digital signage
providers. Within our primary verticals of automotive, quick
serve restaurant and retail, our competitors include Broadsign,
Scala, Omnivex, Hughes, Texas Digital, c-nario,
Harris-Infocaster, Planar/Coolsign and Cisco Systems.
Touch-screen competitors include Netkey and Nanonation. During
2008 both EnQii and Stratacache raised capital and, although we
have no access to detailed information regarding our
competitors respective operations, some or all of these
entities may have significantly greater financial, technical and
marketing resources than we do and may be able to respond more
rapidly than we can to new or emerging technologies or changes
in customer requirements. We believe that our direct sales
force, our full service network operations center, our complete
digital signage solutions and our brand awareness are the
primary factors affecting our competitive position. We also
compete with standard advertising media, including print,
television and billboards.
Territories
Our company sells products and services primarily throughout
North America. In the year ended December 31, 2008, we
derived 85% of net sales in the U.S. and 15% of net sales in
Canada, based on location of end customer. For more information,
see Note 10 (Segment Information and Major
Customers).
Regulation
We are subject to regulation by various federal and state
governmental agencies. Such regulation includes radio frequency
emission regulatory activities of the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission, the consumer protection laws of the
U.S. Federal Trade Commission, product safety regulatory
activities of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
and environmental regulation in areas in which we conduct
business. Some of the hardware components which we supply to
customers may contain hazardous or regulated substances, such as
lead. A number of U.S. states have adopted or are
considering takeback bills which address the
disposal of electronic waste, including CRT style and flat panel
monitors and computers. Electronic waste legislation is
developing. Some of the bills passed or under consideration may
impose on us, or on our customers or suppliers, requirements for
disposal of systems we sell and the payment of additional fees
to pay costs of disposal and recycling. As of the date of this
report, we have not determined that such legislation or proposed
legislation will have a material adverse impact on our business.
Employees
We often refer to our employees as associates. As of
March 9, 2009, we had a full-time workforce of 94, of which
77 were employees (associates), 13 were contractors engaged
through agencies and four were independent contractors engaged
directly by us. Fifty members of our workforce operate out of
our headquarters located in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The others
operate out of our office located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Our workforce is engaged in programming, networking, designing,
training, sales/marketing and administration areas.
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Executive
Officers of the Registrant
The following table provides information with respect to our
executive officers as of March 9, 2009. Each executive
officer has been appointed to serve until his or her successor
is duly appointed by the Board of Directors or his or her
earlier removal or resignation from office. There are no
familial relationships between any director or executive officer.
James C. Granger has served as our President, Chief
Executive Officer and Director since December 2008. Prior to
joining Wireless Ronin, Mr. Granger served as President of
Toptech Systems, Inc., a provider of software, hardware and data
services. Prior to Toptech, Mr. Granger was President and
Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Norstan Inc., a
communications solutions and services company, from November
2000 to February 2004. Mr. Granger served as Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Biometrics,
Inc., now part of L-1 Identity Solutions Inc., a provider of
identification information systems that employ biometric
technology, from January 1997 to November 2000. He was President
of Access Platform Systems Division at ADC Telecommunications,
Inc., a provider of broadband communications network
infrastructure products and related services from 1995 to 1997.
Mr. Granger served as Vice President of Consumer Markets
Operations, and before that, as Vice President of Marketing, at
Sprint/United Telephone from 1989 to 1995.
Darin P. McAreavey has served as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer since March 2009. Mr. McAreavey worked
for Xiotech Corporation from September 2007 to March 2009 as its
Chief Financial Officer. From February 2007 to September 2007,
Mr. McAreavey worked for Global Capacity Group as its Chief
Financial Officer. Mr. McAreavey was the Chief Financial
Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer for Stellent,
Inc. from May 2006 to February 2007 and that companys
Corporate Controller from September 2004 to May 2006.
Mr. McAreavey worked at Computer Network Technology from
August 1995 to September 2004 where he held several management
level finance positions including Director of Finance. From
November 1993 to August 1995, Mr. McAreavey was a
Supervising Senior for KPMG LLP. Mr. McAreavey began his
professional career as a Senior Accountant at Eide
Helmeke & Co. from July 1991 to November 1993.
Scott W. Koller has served as Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer since March 2009. Mr. Koller
previously served as Executive Vice President of Sales and
Project Management since October of 2008. Mr. Koller was
Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing from February
2007 until October 2008. From November 2004 through January
2007, Mr. Koller served as our Senior Vice President of
Sales and Marketing. From December 2003 to November 2004,
Mr. Koller served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
for Rollouts Inc. From August 1998 to November 2003,
Mr. Koller served in various roles with Walchem
Corporation, including the last three years as Vice President of
Sales and Marketing. Mr. Koller served in the
U.S. Naval Nuclear Power Program from 1985 to 1992.
Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc., or persons acting on our
behalf, or outside reviewers retained by us making statements on
our behalf, or underwriters of our securities, from time to
time, may make, in writing or orally, forward-looking
statements as defined under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This Cautionary Statement, when
used in conjunction with an identified forward-looking
statement, is for the purpose of qualifying for the safe
harbor provisions of the Litigation Reform Act and is
intended to be a readily available written document that
contains factors which could cause results to differ materially
from such forward-looking statements. These factors are in
addition to any other cautionary statements, written or oral,
which may be made, or referred to, in connection with any such
forward-looking statement.
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The following matters, among others, may have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity,
results of operations or prospects, financial or otherwise, or
on the trading price of our common stock. Reference to this
Cautionary Statement in the context of a forward-looking
statement or statements shall be deemed to be a statement that
any one or more of the following factors may cause actual
results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking
statement or statements.
Risks
Related to Our Business
Our
operations and business are subject to the risks of an early
stage company with limited revenue and a history of operating
losses. We have incurred losses since inception, and we have had
only nominal revenue. We may not ever become or remain
profitable.
Since inception, we have had limited revenue from the sale of
our products and services, and we have incurred net losses. We
incurred net losses of $20,692,361 and $10,086,385 for the years
ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of
December 31, 2008, we had an accumulated deficit of
$64,212,458.
We have not been profitable in any year of our operating history
and anticipate incurring additional losses into the foreseeable
future. We do not know whether or when we will become
profitable. Even if we are able to achieve profitability in
future periods, we may not be able to sustain or increase our
profitability in successive periods. We may require additional
financing in the future to support our operations. For further
information, please review the risk factor Adequate funds
for our operations may not be available, requiring us to curtail
our activities significantly below.
We have formulated our business plans and strategies based on
certain assumptions regarding the acceptance of our business
model and the marketing of our products and services. However,
our assessments regarding market size, market share, market
acceptance of our products and services and a variety of other
factors may prove incorrect. Our future success will depend upon
many factors, including factors which may be beyond our control
or which cannot be predicted at this time.
Our
success depends on our
RoninCast®
system achieving and maintaining widespread acceptance in our
targeted markets. If our products contain errors or defects, our
business reputation may be harmed.
Our success will depend to a large extent on broad market
acceptance of
RoninCast®
software and our other products and services among our
prospective customers. Our prospective customers may still not
use our solutions for a number of other reasons, including
preference for static signage, unfamiliarity with our
technology, preference for competing technologies or perceived
lack of reliability. We believe that the acceptance of
RoninCast®
software and our other products and services by our prospective
customers will depend on the following factors:
Our software is complex and must meet stringent user
requirements. Our products could contain errors or defects,
especially when first introduced or when new models or versions
are released, which could cause our customers to reject our
products, result in increased service costs and warranty
expenses and harm our reputation. We must develop our products
quickly to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital signage
and communications market. In the future, we may experience
delays in releasing new products as problems are corrected. In
addition, some undetected errors or defects may only become
apparent as new functions are added to our products. Delays,
costs and damage to our reputation due to product defects could
harm our business.
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World-wide
efforts to cut capital spending, general economic uncertainty,
and a weakening global economy could have a material adverse
effect on us.
Disruptions in the economy and constraints in the credit markets
have caused companies to reduce or delay capital investment.
Some of our prospective customers may cancel or delay spending
on the development or roll-out of capital and technology
projects with us due to the economic downturn. Furthermore, the
downturn has adversely affected certain industries in
particular, including the automotive and restaurant industries,
in which we have major customers. We could also experience lower
than anticipated order levels from current customers,
cancellations of existing but unfulfilled orders, and extended
payment or delivery terms. The economic crisis could also
materially impact us through insolvency of our suppliers or
current customers. While we have down-sized our operations to
reflect the decrease in demand, we may not be successful in
mirroring current demand.
We may
experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating
results.
We may experience variability in our total sales on a quarterly
basis as a result of many factors, including the condition of
the electronic communication and digital signage industry in
general, shifts in demand for software and hardware products,
technological changes and industry announcements of new products
and upgrades, absence of long-term commitments from customers,
timing and variable lead-times of customer orders, delays in or
cancellations of customer orders, variations in component costs
and/or
adverse changes in the supply of components, variations in
operating expenses, changes in our pricing policies or those of
our competitors, the ability of our customers to pay for
products and services, effectiveness in managing our operations
and changes in economic conditions in general. We may not
consider it prudent to adjust our spending levels on the same
timeframe; therefore, if total sales decline for a given
quarter, our operating results may be materially adversely
affected. As a result of the potential fluctuations in our
quarterly operating results, we believe that
period-to-period
comparisons of our financial results should not be relied upon
as an indication of future performance. Further, it is possible
that in future quarters our operating results will be below the
expectations of public market analysts and investors. In such
event, the price of our common stock would likely be materially
adversely affected.
Due to
our dependence on a limited number of customers, we are subject
to a concentration of credit risk.
Chrysler (BBDO Detroit / Windsor) accounted for 44.5%
of our total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2008.
In the case of insolvency by one of our significant customers,
an account receivable with respect to that customer might not be
collectible, might not be fully collectible, or might be
collectible over longer than normal terms, each of which could
adversely affect our financial position. In one case in the
past, we converted a customers account receivable into a
secured note receivable then into the underlying collateral,
which we ultimately wrote off. In the future, if we convert
other accounts receivable into notes receivable or obtain the
collateral underlying notes receivable, we may not be able to
fully recover the amount due, which could adversely affect our
financial position. Furthermore, the value of the collateral
which serves to secure any such obligation is likely to
deteriorate over time due to obsolescence caused by new product
introductions and due to wear and tear suffered by those
portions of the collateral installed and in use. There can be no
assurance that we will not suffer credit losses in the future.
The
integration and operation of McGill Digital Solutions may
disrupt our business and create additional expenses and we may
not achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. In the
event we elect to expand our business through additional
acquisitions, we cannot assure that such future acquisitions, if
pursued and consummated, will be advantageous or
profitable.
Integration of an acquisition involves numerous risks, including
difficulties in converting information technology systems and
assimilating the operations and products or services of an
acquired business, the diversion of managements attention
from other business concerns, risks of entering markets in which
we have limited or no direct prior experience, assumption of
unknown liabilities, increased accounting and financial
reporting risk, the potential loss of key associates
and/or
customers, difficulties in completing strategic
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initiatives already underway in the acquired or acquiring
companies, unfamiliarity with partners of the acquired company,
and difficulties in attracting additional key employees
necessary to manage acquired operations, each of which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
In August 2007, we acquired McGill Digital Solutions, Inc. (now
Wireless Ronin Technologies (Canada), Inc.), a Canadian company
based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. We have significantly
decreased the workforce in the Windsor office. As part of this
downsizing, we have taken measures to consolidate reporting
relationships and business functions across both our
headquarters and Windsor offices. We have also taken steps to
integrate technologies developed by staff in our headquarters
with those developed in our Windsor office. Successfully joining
those technologies is complicated, time-consuming and may not
ultimately prove successful either technically or in terms of
providing a commercially successful product or set of products.
We cannot assure you that these changes to our workforce,
organizational structure or products will prove to be beneficial
or without unforeseen risks over either the short or long term
future. We cannot assure you that these risks or other
unforeseen factors will not offset the intended benefits of the
acquisition, in whole or in part.
In addition, we now have additional duties and liabilities
related to having offices and operations in Canada. These risks
and costs include the need to comply with local laws and
regulatory requirements, as well as changes in those laws and
requirements, such as regarding employment and severance issues,
tax issues, tariffs and duties, and protection of our
intellectual property rights.
Finally, we may determine to grow through future acquisitions of
technologies, products or businesses. We may complete future
acquisitions using cash, or through issuances of equity
securities which could be dilutive, or through the incurrence of
debt which could contain restrictive covenants. In addition,
acquisitions may result in significant amortization expenses
related to intangible assets. Such methods of financing could
adversely affect our earnings. We cannot assure you that we will
be successful in integrating any business acquired in the
future. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will pursue or
consummate future acquisitions or that any acquisitions, if
consummated, will be advantageous or profitable for our company.
Most
of our contracts are terminable by our customers with limited
notice and without penalty payments, and early terminations
could have a material effect on our business, operating results
and financial condition.
Most of our contracts are terminable by our customers following
limited notice and without early termination payments or
liquidated damages due from them. In addition, each stage of a
project often represents a separate contractual commitment, at
the end of which the customers may elect to delay or not to
proceed to the next stage of the project. We cannot assure you
that one or more of our customers will not terminate a material
contract or materially reduce the scope of a large project. The
delay, cancellation or significant reduction in the scope of a
large project or number of projects could have a material
adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial
condition.
Our
prospective customers often take a long time to evaluate our
products, with this lengthy and variable sales cycle making it
difficult to predict our operating results.
It is difficult for us to forecast the timing and recognition of
revenue from sales of our products because our prospective
customers often take significant time evaluating our products
before purchasing them. The period between initial customer
contact and a purchase by a customer may be more than one year.
During the evaluation period, prospective customers may decide
not to purchase or may scale down proposed orders of our
products for various reasons, including:
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Our prospective customers routinely require education regarding
the use and benefit of our products. This may also lead to
delays in receiving customers orders.
Adequate
funds for our operations may not be available, requiring us to
curtail our activities significantly.
Based on our current and anticipated expense levels and our
existing capital resources, we anticipate that our cash will be
adequate to fund our operations for at least the next twelve
months. Our future capital requirements, however, will depend on
many factors, including our ability to successfully market and
sell our products, develop new products and establish and
leverage our strategic partnerships and reseller relationships.
In order to meet our needs should we not become cash flow
positive or should we be unable to sustain positive cash flow,
we may be required to raise additional funding through public or
private financings, including equity financings. Any additional
equity financings may be dilutive to shareholders, and debt
financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants.
Adequate funds for our operations, whether from financial
markets, collaborative or other arrangements, may not be
available when needed or on terms attractive to us, especially
in light of recent turmoil in the credit markets. If adequate
funds are not available, our plans to expand our business may be
adversely affected and we could be required to curtail our
activities significantly. We may need additional funding in the
future. Necessary funding may not be available on terms that are
favorable to the company, if at all.
Difficulty
in developing and maintaining relationships with third party
manufacturers, suppliers and service providers could adversely
affect our ability to deliver our products and meet our
customers demands.
We rely on third parties to manufacture and supply parts and
components for our products and provide order fulfillment,
installation, repair services and technical and customer
support. Our strategy to rely on third party manufacturers,
suppliers and service providers involves a number of significant
risks, including the loss of control over the manufacturing
process, the potential absence of adequate capacity, the
unavailability of certain parts and components used in our
products and reduced control over delivery schedules, quality
and costs. For example, we do not generally maintain a
significant inventory of parts or components, but rely on
suppliers to deliver necessary parts and components to third
party manufacturers, in a timely manner, based on our forecasts.
If delivery of our products and services to our customers is
interrupted, or if our products experience quality problems, our
ability to meet customer demands would be harmed, causing a loss
of revenue and harm to our reputation. Increased costs,
transition difficulties and lead times involved in developing
additional or new third party relationships could adversely
affect our ability to deliver our products and meet our
customers demands and harm our business.
Reductions
in hardware costs will likely decrease hardware pricing to our
customers and would reduce our per unit revenue.
Our product pricing includes a standard percentage markup over
our cost of product components, such as computers and display
monitors. As such, any decrease in our costs to acquire such
components from third parties will likely be reflected as a
decrease in our hardware pricing to our customers. Therefore,
reductions in such hardware costs could potentially reduce our
revenues.
Because our business model relies upon strategic partners and
resellers, we expect to face risks not faced by companies with
only internal sales forces.
We currently sell most of our products through an internal sales
force. We anticipate that strategic partners and resellers will
become a larger part of our sales strategy. We may not, however,
be successful in forming relationships with qualified partners
and resellers. If we fail to attract qualified partners and
resellers, we may not be able to expand our sales network, which
may have an adverse effect on our ability to generate revenue.
Our anticipated reliance on partners and resellers involves
several risks, including the following:
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Our
industry is characterized by frequent technological change. If
we are unable to adapt our products and develop new products to
keep up with these rapid changes, we will not be able to obtain
or maintain market share.
The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing
technology, evolving industry standards, changes in customer
needs, heavy competition and frequent new product introductions.
If we fail to develop new products or modify or improve existing
products in response to these changes in technology, customer
demands or industry standards, our products could become less
competitive or obsolete.
We must respond to changing technology and industry standards in
a timely and cost-effective manner. We may not be successful in
using new technologies, developing new products or enhancing
existing products in a timely and cost effective manner. Our
pursuit of necessary technology may require substantial time and
expense. We may need to license new technologies to respond to
technological change. These licenses may not be available to us
on commercially reasonable terms or at all. We may not succeed
in adapting our products to new technologies as they emerge.
Furthermore, even if we successfully adapt our products, these
new technologies or enhancements may not achieve market
acceptance.
We
recently replaced many members of our management and effected a
substantial reduction in our associate headcount, and our
failure to successfully adapt to these changes and/or a failure
by our new management team to successfully manage our operations
may adversely affect our business.
In 2008 we replaced a large portion of our management team,
including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer,
Executive Vice President of Engineering and Product Development,
Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer and
Executive Vice President of Content Engineering. We only
recently hired a permanent Chief Financial Officer and a Vice
President of Product Development. These transitions could create
uncertainty and confusion among our employees, customers and
shareholders. In addition, the transitions may adversely affect
or delay customer purchase decisions or decisions about the
strategic direction of our business and raise concerns among our
employees, customers and shareholders, all of which could affect
our business, operating results and financial position. Our
future success depends on the ability of our senior management
team, including a Chief Executive Officer who has been with the
company only since December 2008 and a Chief Financial Officer
who has been with the Company only since March 2009, to work
together to successfully implement our strategies and manage our
operations.
Furthermore, we made two substantial reductions in corporate
headcount, which we refer to as RIFs, in the fourth quarter of
2008. The RIFs could create uncertainty and confusion among our
current employees, customers and suppliers. In addition, the
RIFs might not result in the cost savings or efficiencies we
anticipate. The RIFs will require our remaining employees to
fulfill new roles that they had not been filling in the past,
and such staff reductions can cause increased attrition among
remaining employees. If we cannot operate our business in an
effective manner, it may adversely affect our business,
operating results and financial position.
Our
future success depends on key personnel and our ability to
attract and retain additional personnel.
Our key personnel include:
If we fail to retain our key personnel or to attract, retain and
motivate other qualified employees, our ability to maintain and
develop our business may be adversely affected. Our future
success depends significantly on the continued service of our
key technical, sales and senior management personnel and their
ability to execute our growth strategy. The loss of the services
of our key employees could harm our business.
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We may be unable to retain our employees or to attract,
assimilate and retain other highly qualified employees who could
migrate to other employers who offer competitive or superior
compensation packages.
Our
ability to execute our business strategy depends on our ability
to protect our intellectual property, and if any third parties
make unauthorized use of our intellectual property, or if our
intellectual property rights are successfully challenged, our
competitive position and business could suffer.
Our success and ability to compete depends substantially on our
proprietary technologies. We regard our copyrights, service
marks, trademarks, trade secrets and similar intellectual
property as critical to our success, and we rely on trademark
and copyright law, trade secret protection and confidentiality
agreements with our employees, customers and others to protect
our proprietary rights. Despite our precautions, unauthorized
third parties might copy certain portions of our software or
reverse engineer and use information that we regard as
proprietary. In addition, confidentiality agreements with
employees and others may not adequately protect against
disclosure of our proprietary information.
As of March 9, 2009, we had one U.S. patent, and three
U.S. and one Canadian patent applications pending relating
to various aspects of our
RoninCast®
system. We cannot provide assurance that any additional patents
will be granted. Even if they are granted, our patents may be
successfully challenged by others or invalidated. In addition,
any patents that may be granted to us may not provide us a
significant competitive advantage. Although we have been granted
patents and trademarks, they could be challenged in the future.
If future trademark registrations are not approved because third
parties own these trademarks, our use of these trademarks would
be restricted unless we enter into arrangements with the third
party owners, which might not be possible on commercially
reasonable terms or at all. If we fail to protect or enforce our
intellectual property rights successfully, our competitive
position could suffer. We may be required to spend significant
resources to monitor and police our intellectual property
rights. We may not be able to detect infringement and may lose
competitive position in the market. In addition, competitors may
design around our technology or develop competing technologies.
Intellectual property rights may also be unavailable or limited
in some foreign countries, which could make it easier for
competitors to capture market share.
Our
industry is characterized by frequent intellectual property
litigation, and we could face claims of infringement by others
in our industry. Such claims are costly and add uncertainty to
our business strategy.
The digital media and communications industry is characterized
by uncertain and conflicting intellectual property claims and
frequent intellectual property litigation, especially regarding
patent rights. We could be subject to claims of infringement of
third party intellectual property rights, which could result in
significant expense and could ultimately result in the loss of
our intellectual property rights. From time to time, third
parties may assert patent, copyright, trademark or other
intellectual property rights to technologies that are important
to our business. In addition, because patent applications in the
United States are not publicly disclosed until the patent is
issued, applications may have been filed which relate to our
industry of which we are not aware. We may in the future receive
notices of claims that our products infringe or may infringe
intellectual property rights of third parties. Any litigation to
determine the validity of these claims, including claims arising
through our contractual indemnification of our business
partners, regardless of their merit or resolution, would likely
be costly and time consuming and divert the efforts and
attention of our management and technical personnel. If any such
litigation resulted in an adverse ruling, we could be required
to:
MediaTile Company USA has informed us that it filed a patent
application in 2004 related to the use of cellular technology
for delivery of digital content. We currently use cellular
technology to deliver digital
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content on a limited basis. While MediaTile has not alleged that
our products infringe its rights, it may so allege in the
future. We have not received any communications from MediaTile
subsequent to its initial contact with us in February 2006,
though we cannot assure you that MediaTile will not take up the
matter again and seek to either bar us from using an allegedly
infringing technology or seek a royalty for our use of such an
allegedly infringing technology.
Our
business may be adversely affected by malicious applications
that interfere with, or exploit security flaws in, our products
and services.
Our business may be adversely affected by malicious applications
that make changes to our customers computer systems and
interfere with the operation and use of our products. These
applications may attempt to interfere with our ability to
communicate with our customers devices. The interference
may occur without disclosure to or consent from our customers,
resulting in a negative experience that our customers may
associate with our products. These applications may be difficult
or impossible to uninstall or disable, may reinstall themselves
and may circumvent other applications efforts to block or
remove them. In addition, we offer a number of products and
services that our customers download to their computers or that
they rely on to store information and transmit information over
the Internet. These products and services are subject to attack
by viruses, worms and other malicious software programs, which
could jeopardize the security of information stored in a
customers computer or in our computer systems and
networks. The ability to reach customers and provide them with a
superior product experience is critical to our success. If our
efforts to combat these malicious applications fail, or if our
products and services have actual or perceived vulnerabilities,
there may be claims based on such failure or our reputation may
be harmed, which would damage our business and financial
condition.
We
could have liability arising out of our previous sales of
unregistered securities.
Prior to our initial public offering, we financed our
development and operations with proceeds from the sale to
accredited investors of debt and equity securities. These
securities were not registered under federal or state securities
laws because we believed such sales were exempt under
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
under Regulation D under the Securities Act. In addition,
we issued stock purchase warrants to independent contractors and
associates as compensation or as incentives for future
performance in reliance upon the exemption provided by
Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the
Securities Act. We have received no claim that such sales were
in violation of securities registration requirements under such
laws, but should a claim be made, we would have the burden of
demonstrating that sales were exempt from such registration
requirements. In addition, it is possible that a purchaser of
our securities could claim that disclosures to them in
connection with such sales were inadequate, creating potential
liability under the anti-fraud provisions of federal and state
securities or other laws. If successful, claims under such laws
could require us to pay damages, perform rescission offers,
and/or pay
interest on amounts invested and attorneys fees and costs.
Depending upon the magnitude of a judgment against us in any
such actions, our financial condition and prospects could be
materially and adversely affected.
We
compete with other companies that have more resources, which
puts us at a competitive disadvantage.
The market for digital signage software is highly competitive
and we expect competition to increase in the future. Some of our
competitors or potential competitors have significantly greater
financial, technical and marketing resources than our company.
These competitors may be able to respond more rapidly than we
can to new or emerging technologies or changes in customer
requirements. They may also devote greater resources to the
development, promotion and sale of their products than our
company.
We expect competitors to continue to improve the performance of
their current products and to introduce new products, services
and technologies. Successful new product introductions or
enhancements by our competitors could reduce sales and the
market acceptance of our products, cause intense price
competition or make our products obsolete. To be competitive, we
must continue to invest significant resources in research and
development, sales and marketing and customer support. If we do
not have sufficient resources to make these investments or are
unable to make the technological advances necessary to be
competitive, our
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competitive position will suffer. Increased competition could
result in price reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced
margins and loss of market share. Our failure to compete
successfully against current or future competitors could
adversely affect our business.
Our
results of operations may depend upon selling our products to
customers requiring large-scale rollouts and large-scale
monitoring and maintenance, which we have not previously
conducted.
Our results of operations may depend upon selling our products
to those companies, and within those industries, that have many
sites that could benefit from digital signage systems. Digital
signage systems installation projects deploying hundreds or even
thousands of systems present significant technical and
logistical challenges that we have not yet demonstrated our
ability to overcome. Digital signage technology employs
sophisticated hardware and software that constantly evolves.
Sites into which digital signage systems may be installed vary
widely, including such factors as interference with wireless
networks, ambient light, extremes of temperature and other
factors that may make each individual location virtually unique.
Managing the process of installing hundreds or thousands of
dynamic, complicated digital signage systems into unique
environments may present difficulties that we have not yet faced
on projects performed to date with smaller numbers of digital
signage systems. If our customers opt to engage us to provide
system monitoring and maintenance services through our network
operations center (NOC) on one or more large-scale
implementations, we may not successfully or profitably monitor
and maintain the hardware, software and content in a manner
satisfactory to our customers or in compliance with our
contractual obligations. The efficiency and effectiveness of NOC
monitoring and maintenance are directly affected by our software
and that softwares ability to monitor our customers
systems. For large-scale implementations, we may need to further
develop our software to facilitate efficient and effective
system monitoring and maintenance. We cannot assure you that we
will succeed in developing our software, digital signage
systems, project management and infrastructure to successfully
implement, monitor, manage and maintain large-scale
implementation projects or ongoing operations. Our failure to do
so could harm our business and financial condition.
We may
be subject to sales and other taxes, which could have adverse
effects on our business.
In accordance with current federal, state and local tax laws,
and the constitutional limitations thereon, we currently collect
sales, use or other similar taxes in state and local
jurisdictions where we have a physical presence that we
understand to be sufficient to require us to collect and remit
such taxes. One or more state or local jurisdictions may seek to
impose sales tax collection obligations on us and other
out-of-state
companies which engage in commerce with persons in that state.
Several U.S. states have taken various initiatives to
prompt more sellers to collect local and state sales taxes.
Furthermore, tax law and the interpretation of constitutional
limitations thereon are subject to change. In addition, new or
expanded business operations in states where we do not currently
have a physical presence sufficient to obligate us to collect
and remit taxes could subject shipments of goods into or
provision of services in such states to sales tax under current
or future laws. If our company grows, increased sales of our
products and services to locations in various states and
municipalities may obligate us to collect and remit sales tax
and to pay state income and other taxes based upon increased
presence in those jurisdictions. We will endeavor to collect,
remit and pay those state and local taxes that we owe according
to applicable law. State and local tax laws are, however,
subject to change, highly complex and diverse from jurisdiction
to jurisdiction. If one or more state or local jurisdictions
successfully asserts that we must collect sales or other taxes
beyond our current practices or that we owe unpaid sales or
other taxes and penalties, it could adversely affect our
business and financial condition.
We have received tax notices from local jurisdictions in
Michigan seeking payment of property taxes for digital signage
systems originally owned by NewSight Corporation in Meijer, Inc.
stores but later subject to our collateral interest when we
converted the NewSight account receivable to a secured
promissory note. Subsequent to our contractual agreement with
NewSight to take ownership of hardware composing the digital
signage networks to satisfy NewSights debt, local
jurisdictions in Michigan asserted that we owed property taxes
on such systems. We have transferred ownership of these systems
to Meijer, Inc. and its affiliates for a nominal sum. We made
this transfer in light of the facts that the network was not
useful to us and that the costs of removing the hardware would
be far greater than any amount we could recover from selling
that
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hardware. As a result, we believe that we owe nothing to the
local taxing authorities but this is a determination that could
be subject to dispute. We do not believe that any amount that we
expend to resolve the matter will be material but we cannot
assure you of the outcome with certainty.
Our
results of operations could be adversely affected by changes in
foreign currency exchange rates, particularly fluctuations in
the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian
dollar.
Since a portion of our operations and revenue occur outside the
United States and in currencies other than the U.S. dollar,
our results could be adversely affected by changes in foreign
currency exchange rates. Additionally, given our ownership of
Wireless Ronin Technologies (Canada), Inc., changes in the
exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian
dollar can significantly affect company balances and our results
of operations. Although we periodically use forward contracts to
manage our exposure associated with forecasted international
revenue transactions denominated in U.S. dollars, our
business, results of operations and financial condition could be
adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Risks
Related to Our Securities
We are
subject to financial reporting and other requirements for which
our accounting, other management systems and resources may not
be adequately prepared.
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and
other expenses that we did not incur as a private company,
including costs associated with public company reporting
requirements and corporate governance requirements, including
requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as
rules implemented by the SEC and NASDAQ.
In the event we identify significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that
we cannot remediate in a timely manner, or if we are unable to
receive a positive attestation from our independent registered
public accounting firm with respect to our internal control over
financial reporting, investors and others may lose confidence in
the reliability of our financial statements, and the trading
price of our common stock and ability to obtain any necessary
equity or debt financing could suffer. In addition, if our
independent registered public accounting firm is unable to rely
on our internal control over financial reporting in connection
with its audit of our financial statements, and if it is unable
to devise alternative procedures in order to satisfy itself as
to the material accuracy of our financial statements and related
disclosures, it is possible that we would be unable to file our
annual report with the SEC, which could also adversely affect
the trading price of our common stock and our ability to secure
any necessary additional financing, and could result in the
delisting of our common stock from NASDAQ and the ineligibility
of our common stock for quotation on the OTC
Bulletin Board. In that event, the liquidity of our common
stock would be severely limited and the market price of our
common stock would likely decline significantly.
In addition, the foregoing regulatory requirements could make it
more difficult or more costly for us to obtain certain types of
insurance, including directors and officers
liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced
policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs
to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact of these
events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and
retain qualified persons to serve on our Board of Directors, on
Board committees or as executive officers.
If we
fail to comply with the NASDAQ requirements for continued
listing, our common stock could be delisted from NASDAQ, which
could hinder our investors ability to trade our common
stock in the secondary market.
Generally, our common stock must sustain a minimum bid price of
at least $1.00 per share and we must satisfy the other
requirements for continued listing on NASDAQ. If our common
stock is delisted from NASDAQ, trading in our common stock would
likely thereafter be conducted in the
over-the-counter
markets in the so-called pink sheets or the OTC
Bulletin Board. In such event, the liquidity of our common
stock would likely be impaired, not only in the number of shares
which could be bought and sold, but also through delays in the
timing of the transactions, and there would likely be a
reduction in the coverage of our company
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by securities analysts and the news media, thereby resulting in
lower prices for our common stock than might otherwise prevail.
In light of the economic downturns broad effects on the
stock prices of its listed companies, NASDAQ suspended its $1.00
minimum bid price rule in October 2008. This rule suspension is
currently scheduled to expire April 19, 2009. Our stock
price fell below $1.00 during the fourth quarter of 2008 and
traded below $1.00 during the first quarter of 2009, during the
rule suspension period. If our stock price is similarly low
after NASDAQ lifts the suspension of this rule, we could be
subject to delisting from NASDAQ. In addition, we could also be
subject to delisting from NASDAQ if we fail to maintain
compliance with the other requirements for continued listing
which are still in full force.
The
market price of our stock may be subject to wide
fluctuations.
The price of our common stock may fluctuate, depending on many
factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be
related to our operating performance. These fluctuations could
cause our investors to lose part or all of their investment in
our shares of common stock. Factors that could cause
fluctuations include, but are not limited to, the following:
Our
articles of incorporation, bylaws and Minnesota law may
discourage takeovers and business combinations that our
shareholders might consider in their best
interests.
Anti-takeover provisions of our articles of incorporation,
bylaws and Minnesota law could diminish the opportunity for
shareholders to participate in acquisition proposals at a price
above the then current market price of our common stock. For
example, while we have no present plans to issue any preferred
stock, our Board of Directors, without further shareholder
approval, may issue up to 16,666,666 shares of undesignated
preferred stock and fix the powers, preferences, rights and
limitations of such class or series, which could adversely
affect the voting power of our common stock. In addition, our
bylaws provide for an advance notice procedure for nomination of
candidates to our Board of Directors that could have the effect
of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control.
Further, as a Minnesota corporation, we are subject to
provisions of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, or MBCA,
regarding control share acquisitions and
business combinations. We may, in the future,
consider adopting additional anti-takeover measures. The
authority of our Board of Directors to issue undesignated
preferred stock and the anti-takeover provisions of the MBCA, as
well as any future anti-takeover measures adopted by us, may, in
certain circumstances, delay, deter or prevent takeover attempts
and other changes in control of our company not approved by our
Board of Directors.
We do
not anticipate paying cash dividends on our shares of common
stock in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our shares
of common stock. We intend to retain any future earnings to fund
the operation and expansion of our business and, therefore, we
do not anticipate
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paying cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the
foreseeable future. As a result, capital appreciation, if any,
of our common stock will be the sole source of gain for
investors in our common stock for the foreseeable future.
A
substantial number of shares are eligible for future sale by our
current investors and the sale of those shares could adversely
affect our stock price.
We have registered for resale 2,315,722 shares of our
outstanding common stock and 1,802,523 shares underlying
warrants under the registration statement that was originally
declared effective by the SEC on February 8, 2007. If these
shares, or additional shares that may be eligible for resale
into the market, are sold, or if it is perceived that they will
be sold, in the public market, the trading price of our common
stock could be adversely affected.
None.
We conduct our U.S. operations from a leased facility
located at 5929 Baker Road in Minnetonka, Minnesota. We lease
approximately 19,089 square feet of office and warehouse
space under a lease that extends through January 31, 2013.
In addition, we lease office space of approximately
14,930 square feet to support our Canadian operations at a
facility located at 4510 Rhodes Drive, Suite 800, Windsor,
Ontario, Canada under a lease that extends through June 30,
2009. We also lease our former headquarters facility of
approximately 8,610 square feet at 14700 Martin Drive, Eden
Prairie, Minnesota. This lease was originally scheduled to
expire on November 30, 2009. On March 6, 2009, we
signed a lease termination agreement on the Martin Drive
facility, subject to the sale of the property, which is
scheduled to take place on March 19, 2009.
We believe the facilities used in our operations are suitable
for their respective uses and are adequate to meet our current
needs.
We were not party to any material legal proceedings as of
March 9, 2009.
None.
PART II
Market
Information
Our common stock has traded on the NASDAQ Global Market since
September 21, 2007, and was previously traded on the NASDAQ
Capital Market since November 27, 2006, under the symbol
RNIN. The following table sets forth, for the
periods indicated, the high and low closing prices for our
common stock as
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reported by that market. Such quotations reflect inter-dealer
prices, without retail
mark-up,
mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual
transactions.
Holders
As of March 9, 2009, we had 99 holders of record of our
common stock.
Dividend
Policy
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common
stock. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to
operate and expand our business, and we do not anticipate paying
cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be at the
discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our
results of operations, earnings, capital requirements,
contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by
our Board of Directors.
Securities
Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation
Plans
See Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Shareholder Matters in Item 12
for information regarding securities authorized for issuance
under our equity compensation plans.
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Stock
Performance Graph
The performance graph compares our cumulative shareholder return
with the Nasdaq Composite Index and issuers with similar market
capitalizations, as denoted by the Russell 2000 Index (because
we are unable to reasonably identify a peer group). The table
below compares the cumulative total return assuming $100 was
invested as of November 27, 2006 (the date of our initial
public offering), in our common stock, the Nasdaq Composite
Index and the Russell 2000 Index. The graph assumes the
reinvestment of all dividends. The indexes are weighted based on
market capitalization at the time of each reported data point.
COMPARISON
OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG WIRELESS RONIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC., NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX AND THE RUSSELL 2000 INDEX
ASSUMES $100
INVESTED ON NOV. 27, 2006
ASSUMES DIVIDENDS REINVESTED FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 2008
Sales of
Unregistered Securities During the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year
2008
On October 15, 2008, an accredited investor who held a
five-year warrant for the purchase of 1,666 shares of
common stock at $0.09 per share exercised such warrant. We
obtained gross proceeds of $150 in connection with this warrant
exercise.
On December 23, 2008, an accredited investor who held a
five-year warrant for the purchase of 13,888 shares of
common stock at $0.09 per share exercised such warrant. We
obtained gross proceeds of $1,250 in connection with this
warrant exercise.
The proceeds of each of the foregoing exercises were applied to
working capital for general corporate purposes.
The foregoing issuances were made in reliance upon the exemption
provided in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The
certificates representing such securities contain restrictive
legends preventing sale, transfer or other disposition, unless
registered under the Securities Act. The recipients of such
securities received, or had access to, material information
concerning our company, including, but not limited to, our
periodic reports and current reports, as filed with the SEC. No
discount or commission was paid in connection with the issuance
of shares upon the exercise of such warrants.
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The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of
results of future operations, and should be read in conjunction
with Item 7, Managements Discussion and
Analysis Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and the consolidated financial statements and
related notes thereto included in Item 8 of this
Form 10-K
to fully understand factors that may affect the comparability of
the information presented below.
Forward-Looking
Statements
The following discussion contains various forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Exchange Act. Although we believe that, in making any such
statement, our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions,
any such statement may be influenced by factors that could cause
actual outcomes and results to be materially different from
those projected. When used in the following discussion, the
words anticipates, believes,
expects, intends, plans,
estimates and similar expressions, as they relate to
us or our management, are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those anticipated, certain of which are beyond our control,
are set forth herein under the caption Risk
Factors.
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Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by,
forward-looking statements. Accordingly, we cannot be certain
that any of the events anticipated by forward-looking statements
will occur or, if any of them do occur, what impact they will
have on us. We caution you to keep in mind the cautions and
risks described in this document and to refrain from attributing
undue certainty to any forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date of the document in which they appear. We do
not undertake to update any forward-looking statement.
Overview
Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. is a Minnesota corporation
that has designed and developed application-specific visual
marketing solutions. We provide dynamic digital signage
solutions targeting specific retail and service markets through
a suite of software applications collectively called
RoninCast®.
RoninCast®
is an enterprise-level content delivery system that manages,
schedules and delivers digital content over wireless or wired
networks. Our solutions, digital alternatives to static signage,
provide our customers with a dynamic visual marketing system
designed to enhance the way they advertise, market and deliver
their messages to targeted audiences. Our technology can be
combined with interactive touch screens to create new platforms
for conveying marketing messages.
Our
Sources of Revenue
We generate revenues through system sales, license fees and
separate service fees, including consulting, content development
and implementation services, as well as ongoing customer support
and maintenance, including product upgrades. We currently market
and sell our software and service solutions through our direct
sales force and value added resellers.
Our
Expenses
Our expenses are primarily comprised of three categories: sales
and marketing, research and development and general and
administrative. Sales and marketing expenses include salaries
and benefits for our sales associates and commissions paid on
sales. This category also includes amounts spent on the hardware
and software we use to prospect new customers, including those
expenses incurred in trade shows and product demonstrations. Our
research and development expenses represent the salaries and
benefits of those individuals who develop and maintain our
software products including
RoninCast®
and other software applications we design and sell to our
customers. Our general and administrative expenses consist of
corporate overhead, including administrative salaries, real
property lease payments, salaries and benefits for our corporate
officers and other expenses such as legal and accounting fees.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or GAAP,
requires us 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 revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
those estimates. In recording transactions and balances
resulting from business operations, we use estimates based on
the best information available. We use estimates for such items
as depreciable lives, volatility factors in determining fair
value of option grants, tax provisions, provisions for
uncollectible receivables and deferred revenue. We revise the
recorded estimates when better information is available, facts
change or we can determine actual amounts. These revisions can
affect operating results. We have identified below the following
accounting policies that we consider to be critical.
Revenue
Recognition
We recognize revenue primarily from these sources:
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We apply the provisions of Statement of Position
(SOP)
97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition, as amended by
SOP 98-9
Modification of
SOP 97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain
Transactions to all transactions involving the sale of
software licenses. In the event of a multiple element
arrangement, we evaluate if each element represents a separate
unit of accounting taking into account all factors following the
guidelines set forth in Emerging Issues Task Force Issue
No. 00-21
(EITF 00-21)
Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.
We recognize revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an
arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred, which is
when product title transfers to the customer, or services have
been rendered; (iii) customer payment is deemed fixed or
determinable and free of contingencies and significant
uncertainties; and (iv) collection is probable. We assess
collectability based on a number of factors, including the
customers past payment history and its current
creditworthiness. If it is determined that collection of a fee
is not reasonably assured, we defer the revenue and recognize it
at the time collection becomes reasonably assured, which is
generally upon receipt of cash payment. If an acceptance period
is required, revenue is recognized upon the earlier of customer
acceptance or the expiration of the acceptance period.
Multiple-Element Arrangements We enter into
arrangements with customers that include a combination of
software products, system hardware, maintenance and support, or
installation and training services. We allocate the total
arrangement fee among the various elements of the arrangement
based on the relative fair value of each of the undelivered
elements determined by vendor-specific objective evidence
(VSOE). In software arrangements for which we do not have VSOE
of fair value for all elements, revenue is deferred until the
earlier of when VSOE is determined for the undelivered elements
(residual method) or when all elements for which we do not have
VSOE of fair value have been delivered.
We have determined VSOE of fair value for each of our products
and services. The fair value of maintenance and support services
is based upon the renewal rate for continued service
arrangements. The fair value of installation and training
services is established based upon pricing for the services. The
fair value of software and licenses is based on the normal
pricing and discounting for the product when sold separately.
The fair value of hardware is based on a stand-alone market
price.
Each element of our multiple element arrangement qualifies for
separate accounting with the exception of undelivered
maintenance and service fees. We defer revenue under the
residual method for undelivered maintenance and support fees
included in the price of software and amortize fees ratably over
the appropriate period. We defer fees based upon the
customers renewal rate for these services.
Software
and software license sales
We recognize revenue when a fixed fee order has been received
and delivery has occurred to the customer. We assess whether the
fee is fixed or determinable and free of contingencies based
upon signed agreements received from the customer confirming
terms of the transaction. Software is delivered to customers
electronically or on a CD-ROM, and license files are delivered
electronically.
System
hardware sales
We recognize revenue on system hardware sales generally upon
shipment of the product to the customer. Shipping charges billed
to customers are included in sales and the related shipping
costs are included in cost of sales.
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Professional
service revenue
Included in services and other revenues are revenues derived
from implementation, maintenance and support contracts, content
development and training. The majority of consulting and
implementation services and accompanying agreements qualify for
separate accounting. Implementation and content development
services are bid either on a fixed-fee basis or on a
time-and-materials
basis. For
time-and-materials
contracts, we recognize revenue as services are performed. For a
fixed-fee contract, we recognize revenue upon completion of
specific contractual milestones or by using the
percentage-of-completion
method.
Software
development services
Software development revenue is recognized monthly as services
are performed per fixed fee contractual agreements.
Software
design and development services
Revenue from contracts for technology integration consulting
services where we design/redesign, build and implement new or
enhanced systems applications and related processes for clients
are recognized on the
percentage-of-completion
method in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants Statement of Position
81-1,
Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and
Certain Production-Type Contracts
(SOP 81-1).
Percentage-of-completion
accounting involves calculating the percentage of services
provided during the reporting period compared to the total
estimated services to be provided over the duration of the
contract. Estimated revenues for applying the
percentage-of-completion
method include estimated incentives for which achievement of
defined goals is deemed probable. This method is followed where
reasonably dependable estimates of revenues and costs can be
made. Estimates of total contract revenue and costs are
continuously monitored during the term of the contract, and
recorded revenue and costs are subject to revision as the
contract progresses. Such revisions may result in increases or
decreases to revenue and income and are reflected in the
financial statements in the periods in which they are first
identified. If estimates indicate that a contract loss will
occur, a loss provision is recorded in the period in which the
loss first becomes probable and reasonably estimable. Contract
losses are determined to be the amount by which the estimated
direct and indirect costs of the contract exceed the estimated
total revenue that will be generated by the contract and are
included in cost of sales and classified in accrued expenses in
the balance sheet.
Revenue recognized in excess of billings is recorded as unbilled
services. Billings in excess of revenue recognized are recorded
as deferred revenue until revenue recognition criteria are met.
Implementation
services
Implementation services revenue is recognized when installation
is completed.
Maintenance
and support contracts
Maintenance and support consists of software updates and
support. Software updates provide customers with rights to
unspecified software product upgrades and maintenance releases
and patches released during the term of the support period.
Support includes access to technical support personnel for
software and hardware issues.
Maintenance and support revenue is recognized ratably over the
term of the maintenance contract, which is typically one to
three years. Maintenance and support is renewable by the
customer. Rates for maintenance and support, including
subsequent renewal rates, are typically established based upon a
specified percentage of net license fees as set forth in the
arrangement.
Basic
and Diluted Loss per Common Share
Basic and diluted loss per common share for all periods
presented is computed using the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding. Basic weighted average shares
outstanding include only outstanding common shares. Diluted net
loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the
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weighted average common and potential dilutive common shares
outstanding computed in accordance with the treasury stock
method. Shares reserved for outstanding stock warrants and
options totaling 3,611,273, 3,543,283 and 3,072,637 for 2008,
2007 and 2006, respectively, were excluded from the computation
of loss per share as their effect was antidilutive.
Deferred
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized in the financial statements
for the tax consequences in future years of differences between
the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial
reporting amounts based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax
rates. Temporary differences arise from net operating losses,
reserves for uncollectible accounts receivables and inventory,
differences in depreciation methods, and accrued expenses.
Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce
deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation
In the first quarter of 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004),
Share-Based Payment, (SFAS 123R),
which revises SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation (SFAS 123) and supersedes
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25).
Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is
based on the value of the portion of share-based awards that are
ultimately expected to vest during the period. The fair value of
each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of
restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares
granted and the closing price of our common stock on the date of
grant. Compensation expense for all share-based payment awards
is recognized using the straight-line amortization method over
the vesting period. We adopted SFAS 123R effective
January 1, 2006, prospectively for new equity awards issued
subsequent to January 1, 2006. Stock-based compensation
expense of $1,312,955, $1,167,171 and $787,214 was charged to
operating expenses during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. No
tax benefit has been recorded due to the full valuation
allowance on deferred tax assets that we have recorded.
In March 2005 the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107
(SAB 107), which provides supplemental
implementation guidance for SFAS 123R. In December 2007,
the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110
(SAB 110) which expresses the view of the staff
regarding the use of a simplified method in
developing an estimate of expected term for stock options. Since
we have little historical data to rely upon, we have applied the
provisions of SAB 107 and SAB 110 in our application
of SFAS 123R.
We account for equity instruments issued for services and goods
to non-employees under SFAS 123R, Share-Based
Payment;
EITF 96-18,
Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other
Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling,
Goods or Services; and
EITF 00-18,
Accounting Recognition for Certain Transactions Involving
Equity Instruments Granted to Other Than Employees.
Generally, the equity instruments issued for services and goods
are shares of our common stock or warrants to purchase shares of
our common stock. These shares or warrants generally are
fully-vested, nonforfeitable and exercisable at the date of
grant and require no future performance commitment by the
recipient. We expense the fair market value of these securities
over the period in which the related services are received.
See Note 9 in the Consolidated Financial Statements in this
Form 10-K
for further information regarding the impact of our adoption of
SFAS 123R and the assumptions we use to calculate the fair
value of share-based compensation.
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Results
of Operations
Our results of operations for the years ended 2008, 2007 and
2006 were as follows:
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Our results of operations as a percentage of sales for the years
ended 2008, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:
2008
compared to 2007
Sales
Our sales increased 23% to $7.4 million in 2008 from
$6.0 million in 2007. The increase in sales in 2008 was the
result of new customer relationships, the expansion of existing
customer relationships and a full year of sales from our
Canadian operations, offset by the loss of a large customer from
2007. Our acquisition of McGill Digital Solutions, Inc. in
August of 2007 generated approximately 41% and 23% of our total
sales in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Cost
of Sales
Cost of sales increased 69% to $6.6 million in 2008 from
$3.9 million in 2007. Cost of sales included inventory
write-down amounts of $64,688 and $73,018 in 2008 and 2007,
respectively. The cost of sales increase was primarily
attributable to a higher cost of hardware sales, higher costs to
deliver content sales, installation costs related to one
significant customer, an increased investment in our network
operations center and a full year of costs from our Canadian
operations.
Operating
Expenses
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Our sales and
marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and
related expenses, advertising, promotional and product marketing
expenses. Sales and marketing expense increased 43% to
$4.0 million in 2008 from $2.8 million in 2007. The
increase in 2008 was due primarily to increased personnel and
related expenses to support our growth initiatives as well as
stock-based compensation
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expense related to stock options. We believe that sales and
marketing expenses will decrease in 2009 compared to 2008, as we
continue to control expenses in the current economic environment.
Research and Development Expenses. Our
research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel
costs and related expenses associated with developing and
enhancing our
RoninCast®
system. Research and development expense increased 112% to
$2.5 million in 2008, from $1.2 million in 2007. The
increase in 2008 was due primarily to increased personnel and
related expenses to support our growth initiatives and added
features and functionality to our
RoninCast®
software to support our vertical market strategy, as well as
severance expense (described in detail below) incurred to align
expenses with current client projects. We believe that research
and development expenses will decrease in 2009 compared to 2008,
as we continue to control expenses in the current economic
environment.
General and Administrative Expenses. Our
general and administrative expenses consist primarily of the
cost of executive, accounting, and administrative personnel and
related expenses, insurance expense, professional fees for
legal, tax and audit and compliance expenses. General and
administrative expense increased 40% to $11.3 million in
2008, from $8.0 million in 2007. The increase in 2008 was
due primarily to increased personnel and related expenses to
support our growth initiatives, stock-based compensation expense
related to employee and director stock options and severance
expense incurred to align expenses with sales levels. We believe
that general and administrative expenses will decrease in 2009
compared to 2008, as we continue to control expenses in the
current economic environment.
In 2008, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
resigned from our company. We recorded a total of $733,000 of
severance expense related to these separations.
On November and December 2008, we announced workforce reductions
of 35 and 27 people, respectively, including both employees
and contractors at both our U.S. and Canadian operations.
Coupled with three other U.S. employee resignations prior
to the December reduction in force, these actions resulted in an
approximate 40 percent total headcount reduction during the
fourth quarter of 2008. These two workforce reductions were
intended to align our expense base with the current level of
sales and projects, and improve the overall efficiency of the
organization. The combined severance charge from the two
workforce reductions totaled approximately $274,000. Of such
charge, $94,000 related to general and administrative expense,
and $180,000 was related to research and development expense. We
anticipate that quarterly operating expenses will decline by
approximately $2.0 million commencing in the first quarter
of 2009, due to these workforce reductions and other lower
non-labor
related expenses.
Depreciation and amortization expense. Our
depreciation and amortization expense consists primarily of
depreciation of computer equipment and office furniture and the
amortization of purchased software, leasehold improvements made
to our leased facilities and amortization of our
acquisition-related intangible assets recorded from our
acquisition of McGill Digital Solutions in August 2007.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 88% to
$1.2 million in 2008, from $0.7 million in 2007. The
increase in 2008 was due primarily to purchases of
$1.1 million of capital equipment in 2008. We believe that
depreciation and amortization expense will decrease in 2009
compared to 2008, as we continue to control capital expenditures
in the current economic environment and as a result of the full
impairment of intangible assets during 2008.
Impairment of Network Equipment Held for
Sale. In the third quarter of 2008, we
re-classified a net receivable balance of $1.9 million to
network equipment held for sale when NewSight Corporation
defaulted on its note payable obligation and we took ownership
of collateral including in-box inventory and an installed
digital signage network in 102 Meijer stores. At the time of
re-classification, Meijer was seeking a new network owner and we
intended to sell the network to the new owner. Subsequent to
December 31, 2008, Meijer abandoned plans to maintain the
network. As a result, we moved approximately $171,000 of
equipment from the in-box collateral base into inventory and
recorded an impairment loss in the fourth quarter of 2008 on the
remaining $1.8 million of network equipment held for sale.
Impairment of Intangible Assets. In the fourth
quarter of 2008, we recorded an impairment charge for the assets
related to the 2007 acquisition of McGill Digital Solutions. We
reviewed the carrying value of all long-lived assets, including
intangible assets with finite lives, for impairment in
accordance with Statement of
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Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 (FAS 144).
Under FAS 144, impairment losses are recorded whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value
of an asset may not be recoverable. We tested the intangible
assets acquired in the 2007 acquisition for impairment in the
fourth quarter of 2008 and determined that the underlying
assumptions and economic conditions surrounding the initial
valuation of these assets had significantly changed and an
impairment loss was recorded for the total $1.3 million of
net book value of these intangible assets.
Termination of Partnership Agreement. On
February 13, 2007, we terminated the strategic partnership
agreement with The Marshall Special Assets Group, Inc.
(Marshall) which we had entered into in May 2004.
Pursuant to the terms of a mutual termination, release and
agreement, we paid Marshall $653,995 and we agreed to pay a fee
in connection with sales of our software and hardware to
customers, distributors and resellers for use exclusively in the
ultimate operations of or for use in a lottery (End
Users). Under such agreement, we will pay Marshall
(i) 30% of the net invoice price for the sale of our
software to End Users, and (ii) 2% of the net invoice price
for the sale of hardware to End Users, in each case collected by
us on or before February 12, 2012, with a minimum annual
payment of $50,000 for three years. Marshall will pay 50% of the
costs and expenses incurred by us in relation to any test
installations involving sales or prospective sales to End Users.
In 2008 and 2007, we recorded $50,000 of expense pursuant to the
minimum payment for 2008 and 2007 required under the agreement.
Interest
Expense
In 2008 and 2007, interest expense of $22,484 and $40,247,
respectively, was attributable to capital lease obligations.
2007
compared to 2006
Sales
Our sales increased 90% to $6.0 million in 2007 from
$3.1 million in 2006. The increase in sales in 2007 was the
result of new customer relationships and the expansion of
existing customer relationships. Our acquisition of McGill
Digital Solutions, Inc. in August of 2007 generated
approximately 23% of our total sales in 2007. Our sales in 2006
included over $700,000 of license fees deferred in previous
years from two strategic relationships that have since been
terminated.
Cost
of Sales
Cost of sales increased 152% to $3.9 million in 2007 from
$1.5 million in 2006. Cost of sales included inventory
write-down amounts of $73,018 and $37,410 in 2007 and 2006,
respectively. The cost of sales increase was primarily
attributable to increased system hardware and services sales.
Operating
Expenses
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Our sales and
marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and
related expenses, advertising, promotional and product marketing
expenses. Sales and marketing expense increased to
$2.8 million in 2007 from $1.5 million in 2006. The
increase in 2007 was due primarily to increased personnel and
related expenses to support our growth initiatives as well as
stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock
options.
Research and Development Expenses. Our
research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel
costs and related expenses associated with developing and
enhancing our
RoninCast®
system. Research and development expense increased to
$1.2 million in 2007 from $0.9 million in 2006. The
increase in 2007 over 2006 was due primarily to increased
personnel and related expenses to support our growth initiatives
as well as stock-based compensation expense related to employee
stock options.
General and Administrative Expenses. Our
general and administrative expenses consist primarily of the
cost of executive, accounting, and administrative personnel and
related expenses, insurance expense, professional fees for
legal, tax and audit and compliance expenses. General and
administrative expense increased to
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$8.0 million in 2007 from $2.4 million in 2006. The
increase in 2007 over 2006 was due primarily to increased
personnel and related expenses to support our growth initiatives
as well as stock-based compensation expense related to employee
and director warrants and stock options.
Depreciation and amortization expense. Our
depreciation and amortization expense consists primarily of
depreciation of computer equipment and office furniture and the
amortization of purchased software, leasehold improvements made
to our leased facilities and amortization of our
acquisition-related intangible assets recorded from our
acquisition of McGill Digital Solutions in August 2007.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased to
$0.7 million in 2007 from $1.2 million in 2006. The
$1.2 million in 2006 included $0.9 million of
financing cost amortization. Net of financing cost amortization,
depreciation and amortization increased $0.4 million in
2007 due primarily to the $1.5 million of capital equipment
purchases in 2007.
Termination of Partnership Agreement. On
February 13, 2007, we terminated the strategic partnership
agreement with The Marshall Special Assets Group, Inc.
(Marshall) which we had entered into in May 2004.
Pursuant to the terms of a mutual termination, release and
agreement, we paid Marshall $653,995 and we agreed to pay a fee
in connection with sales of our software and hardware to
customers, distributors and resellers for use exclusively in the
ultimate operations of or for use in a lottery (End
Users). Under such agreement, we will pay Marshall
(i) 30% of the net invoice price for the sale of our
software to End Users, and (ii) 2% of the net invoice price
for the sale of hardware to End Users, in each case collected by
us on or before February 12, 2012, with a minimum annual
payment of $50,000 for three years. Marshall will pay 50% of the
costs and expenses incurred by us in relation to any test
installations involving sales or prospective sales to End Users.
In 2007, we recorded $50,000 of expense pursuant to the minimum
payment for 2007 required under the agreement.
Interest
Expense
In 2007, interest expense of $22,484 was attributable to capital
lease obligations. In 2006, we incurred interest expense of
$10.1 million due to higher debt levels in 2006 versus
2007. The debt instruments outstanding during 2006 included a
coupon cost and non-cash accounting expense for debt discounts
and beneficial conversion. Cash payments for interest were
$2.2 million for 2006, and the remaining interest expense
was primarily attributable to warrant valuation and beneficial
conversion.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2008, we had $13,594,642 of cash, cash
equivalents and marketable securities, and working capital of
$13,770,035. As of December 31, 2008, we did not have any
significant debt, with the exception of capital leases. We plan
to use our available cash to fund operations, which includes the
continued development of our products and attraction of
customers. Based on our current expense levels, we anticipate
that our cash will be adequate to fund our operations through
2009.
Operating
Activities
We do not currently generate positive cash flow from operating
activities. Our investments in infrastructure have outweighed
sales generated to-date. As of December 31, 2008, we had an
accumulated deficit of $64,212,458. The cash flow used in
operating activities was $14,910,215, $9,651,181 and $4,959,741
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. In 2008, net cash used by operating activities was
attributable to our net loss and increases in accounts
receivable and prepaid expenses and decreases in accounts
payable and deferred revenue, partially offset by decreases in
inventory and corporate income taxes receivable and increases in
accrued liabilities. In 2007, net cash used by operating
activities was attributable to our net loss and increases in
accounts receivable, inventories and other current assets,
partially offset by increases in deferred revenue, accounts
payable and accrued liabilities. In 2006, net cash used by
operating activities was attributable to our net loss and
increases in accounts receivable and other current assets and a
decrease in deferred revenue, partially offset by increases in
accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
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Investing
Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $5,304,480 for the
year ended December 31, 2008. Net cash used in investing
activities was $11,823,943 and $7,487,705 for the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. In 2008, net cash
provided by investing activities was the result of net sales of
marketable securities of $6,355,898 offset by purchases of
property and equipment of $1,051,418. In 2007, net cash used in
investing activities was the result of net purchases of
marketable securities of $7,474,821; cash paid for acquisitions,
net of cash received, of $2,877,201; and purchases of property
and equipment of $1,471,921. In 2006, net cash used in investing
activities was the result of purchases of marketable securities
of $7,176,779 and purchases of property and equipment of
$310,926.
On August 16, 2007, we acquired McGill Digital Solutions,
Inc. (now WRT Canada), based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. We
acquired the shares of McGill from the sellers for cash
consideration of $3,190,563, subject to potential adjustments,
and 50,000 shares of our common stock. We incurred $178,217
in direct costs related to the acquisition. In addition, we
agreed to pay earn-out consideration to the sellers of up to
$1,000,000 (CAD) and 50,000 shares of our common stock if
specified earn-out criteria were met in 2007 and 2008. The 2007
and 2008 earn-out criteria were not met and no earn-out was paid
for either year.
Financing
Activities
We have financed our operations primarily from sales of common
stock and the issuance of notes payable to vendors, shareholders
and investors. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007
and 2006, we generated a net $497,865, $27,692,266 and
$20,586,247 from financing activities, respectively.
In 2008, we received $225,360 from the sale of
143,573 shares of common stock to our associates through
our 2007 Associate Stock Purchase Plan. We received $372,300
from the exercise of outstanding warrants. We used $99,795 in
the payment of capital leases.
In June 2007, we sold 4,290,000 shares and a selling
shareholder sold 1,000,000 shares of our common stock at
$7.00 per share pursuant to a registration statement on
Form SB-2,
which was declared effective by the SEC on June 13, 2007.
We obtained approximately $27.1 million in net proceeds as
a result of this follow-on offering. We also received $1,160,720
from the exercise of outstanding warrants and stock options in
2007. In April 2007, we invested $50,000 in a bank certificate
of deposit that was required for our banks credit card
program. This cash is classified as restricted cash on our
balance sheet. We also deposited $400,000 cash in a bank as
collateral for a letter of credit issued to support the
landlords upfront investments totaling $492,000 in
connection with a new lease for office space. The collateral is
reduced over time as the letter of credit is reduced. The term
of the letter of credit is 31 months.
On November 30, 2006, we sold 5,175,000 shares of our
common stock at $4.00 per share in our initial public offering
pursuant to a registration statement on
Form SB-2,
which was declared effective by the SEC on November 27,
2006. We obtained approximately $18.0 million in net
proceeds as a result of this offering. As a result of the
closing of this offering, we also issued the following
unregistered securities on November 30, 2006:
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On December 30, 2006, we issued 1,798,611 shares of
common stock to holders of 12% convertible bridge notes upon the
conversion of $5,413,429 principal amount and $342,126 in
accrued interest on such notes. The remaining 12% convertible
bridge notes not converted in a principal amount of $335,602,
with accrued interest of $70,483, were repaid in cash. We were
obligated to repay the notes within 30 days of the closing
of our initial public offering, which took place on
November 30, 2006.
Disruptions in the economy and constraints in the credit markets
have caused companies to reduce or delay capital investment.
Some of our prospective customers may cancel or delay spending
on the development or roll-out of capital and technology
projects with us due to the economic downturn. Furthermore, the
downturn has adversely affected certain industries in
particular, including the automotive and restaurant industries,
in which we have major customers. We could also experience lower
than anticipated order levels from current customers,
cancellations of existing but unfulfilled orders, and extended
payment or delivery terms. The economic crisis could also
materially impact us through insolvency of our suppliers or
current customers. While we have down-sized our operations to
reflect the decrease in demand, we may not be successful in
mirroring current demand.
Chrysler (BBDO Detroit / Windsor) accounted for 44.5%
of our total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2008.
In the case of insolvency by one of our significant customers,
an account receivable with respect to that customer might not be
collectible, might not be fully collectible, or might be
collectible over longer than normal terms, each of which could
adversely affect our financial position. In one case in the
past, we converted a customers account receivable into a
secured note receivable then into the underlying collateral,
which we ultimately wrote off. In the future, if we convert
other accounts receivable into notes receivable or obtain the
collateral underlying notes receivable, we may not be able to
fully recover the amount due, which could adversely affect our
financial position. Furthermore, the value of the collateral
which serves to secure any such obligation is likely to
deteriorate over time due to obsolescence caused by new product
introductions and due to wear and tear suffered by those
portions of the collateral installed and in use. There can be no
assurance that we will not suffer credit losses in the future.
Based on our current and anticipated expense levels and our
existing capital resources, we anticipate that our cash will be
adequate to fund our operations for at least the next twelve
months. Our future capital requirements, however, will depend on
many factors, including our ability to successfully market and
sell our products, develop new products and establish and
leverage our strategic partnerships and reseller relationships.
In order to meet our needs should we not become cash flow
positive or should we be unable to sustain positive cash flow,
we may be required to raise additional funding through public or
private financings, including equity financings. Any additional
equity financings may be dilutive to shareholders, and debt
financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants.
Adequate funds for our operations, whether from financial
markets, collaborative or other arrangements, may not be
available when needed or on terms attractive to us, especially
in light of recent turmoil in the credit markets. If adequate
funds are not available, our plans to expand our business may be
adversely affected and we could be required to curtail our
activities significantly. We may need additional funding in the
future. Necessary funding may not be available on terms that are
favorable to the company, if at all.
Off
Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
Contractual
Obligations
Although we have no material commitments for capital
expenditures, we anticipate continued capital expenditures
consistent with our anticipated growth in operations,
infrastructure and personnel. We expect that our operating
expenses will decrease in 2009 as we continue to control
expenses in the current economic environment.
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Operating
and Capital Leases
At December 31, 2008, our principal commitments consisted
of long-term obligations under operating leases. We conduct our
U.S. operations from a leased facility located at
5929 Baker Road in Minnetonka, Minnesota. We lease
approximately 19,089 square feet of office and warehouse
space under a lease that extends through January 31, 2013.
In addition, we lease office space of approximately
14,930 square feet to support our Canadian operations at a
facility located at 4510 Rhodes Drive, Suite 800, Windsor,
Ontario, Canada under a lease that extends through June 30,
2009. We also lease our former headquarters facility of
approximately 8,610 square feet at 14700 Martin Drive, Eden
Prairie, Minnesota. We do not occupy this building and do not
anticipate sub-leasing this facility through the expiration of
our lease on November 30, 2009. As of December 31,
2008, we have recognized a liability for anticipated remaining
net costs on this lease obligation. The remaining liability at
December 31, 2008 was $141,700. On March 6, 2009, we
signed a lease termination agreement on the Martin Drive
facility, subject to the sale of the property, which is
scheduled to take place on March 19, 2009. Assuming the
property sells as planned, during the first quarter of 2009 we
will reverse approximately six months of rent expense we
previously accrued for this property.
The following table summarizes our obligations under contractual
agreements as of December 31, 2008 and the time frame
within which payments on such obligations are due.
Based on our working capital position at December 31, 2008,
we believe we have sufficient working capital to meet our
current obligations.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value
Measurements (SFAS 157), which defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles, and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. SFAS 157 applies under other existing
accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value
measurements, as the FASB previously concluded in those
accounting pronouncement that fair value is the relevant
measurement attribute. Accordingly, SFAS 157 does not
require any new fair value measurements. Effective
January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157 as it relates to
financial assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on a
recurring basis and it has had no material impact on our
financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities Including an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 115 (SFAS 159) which permits
entities to elect to measure many financial instruments and
certain other items at fair value that are not currently
required to be measured at fair value. This election is
irrevocable. SFAS 159 was effective in the first quarter of
fiscal 2008. We have not elected to apply the fair value option
to any of our financial instruments and, therefore, there has
been no material impact on our financial statements.
During December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141
(Revised 2007), Business Combinations
(SFAS 141 (Revised 2007)). While this statement
retains the fundamental requirement of SFAS 141 that the
acquisition method of accounting (which SFAS 141 called the
purchase method) be used for all business combinations,
SFAS 141 (Revised 2007) now establishes the principles
and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination:
recognizes and measures in its financial statements the
identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any
noncontrolling interests in the acquiree; recognizes and
measures the goodwill
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acquired in the business combination or the gain from a bargain
purchase; and determines what information should be disclosed in
the financial statements to enable the users of the financial
statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the
business combination. SFAS 141 (Revised 2007) is
effective for fiscal years beginning on or after
December 15, 2008. We do not believe the adoption of
SFAS 141 (Revised 2007) will have a material impact on
our financial statements.
During December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial
Statements an amendment of ARB No. 51
(SFAS 160). This statement establishes
accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests
in subsidiaries and for the deconsolidation of subsidiaries and
clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an
ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be
reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements.
This statement also requires expanded disclosures that clearly
identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent
owners and the interests of the noncontrolling owners of a
subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years
beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We do not believe
the adoption of SFAS 160 will have a material impact on our
financial statements.
In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position
(FSP)
No. 157-2,
Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157
(FSP 157-2),
which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 until
January 1, 2009 for all non-financial assets and
non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized
or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a
recurring basis. These non-financial items include assets and
liabilities such as reporting units measured at fair value in a
goodwill impairment test and non-financial assets acquired and
liabilities assumed in a business combination. We do not expect
that the adoption of the remainder of SFAS 157 will have a
material impact on our financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, an amendment of FAS 133
(SFAS 161). This statement changes the
disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging
activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced
disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative
instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related
hedged items are accounted for under Statement 133 and its
related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments
and related hedged items affect an entitys financial
position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161
is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after
November 15, 2008. We do not believe the adoption of
SFAS 161 will have a material impact on our financial
statements.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP
No. 142-3,
Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible
Assets
(FSP 142-3),
which amends the factors an entity should consider in developing
renewal or extension assumptions used in determining the useful
life of recognized intangible assets under FASB Statement
No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
This new guidance applies prospectively to intangible assets
that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets
in business combinations and asset acquisitions.
FAS 142-3
is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2008.
Early adoption is prohibited. We will assess the impact of
FSP 142-3
if and when future acquisitions occur.
In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP
No. 133-1
and FASB Interpretation
No. 45-4
(FSP
SFAS 133-1
and
FIN 45-4),
Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain
Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB
Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective
Date of FASB Interpretation No. 45
(FIN 45), Guarantors Accounting and
Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect
Guarantees of Indebtedness to Others, to require
additional disclosure about the current status of the
payment/performance risk of a guarantee. The provisions of the
FSP that amend SFAS 133 and FIN 45 and effective for
reporting periods ending after November 15, 2008. FSP
SFAS 133-1
and
FIN 45-4
also clarifies the effective date in SFAS 161. Disclosures
required by SFAS 161 are effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after
November 15, 2008. The adoption of FSP
SFAS 133-1
and
FIN 45-4
is not expected to have a material impact on our financial
statements.
In October 2008, the FASB issued
FSP 157-3,
Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the
Market for That Asset Is Not Active
(FSP 157-3).
FSP 157-3
clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is
not active and addresses application issues such as the use of
internal assumptions when relevant
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observable data does not exist, the use of observable market
information when the market is not active and the use of market
quotes when assessing the relevance of observable and
unobservable data.
FSP 157-3
is effective for all periods presented in accordance with
SFAS 157. The guidance in
FSP 157-3
is effective immediately and did not have a material impact on
our financial statements.
In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP
No. 140-4
and
FIN 46R-8
(FSP 140-4
and
FIN 46R-8),
Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about
Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest
Entities.
FSP 140-4
and
FIN 46R-8
require additional disclosures about transfers of financial
assets and involvement with variable interest entities
(VIEs). The requirements apply to transferors,
sponsors, servicers, primary beneficiaries and holders of
significant variable interests in a variable interest entity or
qualifying special purpose entity. Disclosures required by
FSP 140-4
and
FIN 46R-8
are effective for our company in the first quarter of fiscal
2009. Because we have no VIEs, the adoption is not
expected to have a material impact our financial statements.
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash
equivalents, marketable securities, and accounts receivables. We
maintain our accounts for cash and cash equivalents and
marketable securities principally at one major bank. We invest
our available cash in United States government securities and
money market funds. We have not experienced any significant
losses on our deposits of our cash, cash equivalents, or
marketable securities.
We currently have outstanding approximately $71,000 of capital
lease obligations at fixed interest rates. We do not believe our
operations are currently subject to significant market risks for
interest rates or other relevant market price risks of a
material nature.
Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may adversely impact our
consolidated financial position as well as our consolidated
results of operations. Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may
adversely impact our financial position as the assets and
liabilities of our Canadian operations are translated into
U.S. dollars in preparing our consolidated balance sheet.
These gains or losses are recognized as an adjustment to
shareholders equity through accumulated other
comprehensive income.
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on
Page F-1.
None.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that
is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed
in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized
and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs
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 disclosures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(e)
and
15d-15(e)).
Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our
Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31,
2008, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
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Managements
Annual Report On Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal
control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act
Rule 13a-15(f),
is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our
principal executive and principal financial officers and
effected by our Board of Directors, management and other
personnel, 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 and includes those
policies and procedures that:
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods
are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of
compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. All
internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have
inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined
to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with
respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.
In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set
forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated
Framework. Based on this assessment, management believes that as
of December 31, 2008, our internal control over financial
reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation
report on our internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2008.
Changes
in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the quarter ended
December 31, 2008, that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control
over financial reporting.
Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation
report on our internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2008. The attestation report of Virchow,
Krause & Company, LLP, on our internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 is included on
page F-2
of this
Form 10-K
and is incorporated by reference herein.
None.
Table of Contents
PART III
We incorporate by reference the information contained under the
captions Proposal 1 Election of
Directors, Our Board of Directors and
Committees and Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance in our definitive proxy
statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held
June 11, 2009.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to the Annual Report
on
Form 10-K
and Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of
Regulation S-K,
information regarding our executive officers is provided in
Part I of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K
under separate caption.
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is
applicable to all of our employees, officers (including our
principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer or controller, and persons
performing similar functions) and directors. Our Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics satisfies the requirements of
Item 406(b) of
Regulation S-K
and applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. Our Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics is posted on our internet website at
www.wirelessronin.com and is available, free of charge, upon
written request to our Chief Financial Officer at 5929 Baker
Road, Suite 475, Minnetonka, MN 55345. We intend to
disclose any amendment to or waiver from a provision of our Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics that requires disclosure on our
website at www.wirelessronin.com.
We incorporate by reference the information contained under the
captions Our Board of Directors and Committees
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation, Our Board of Directors and
Committees Compensation Committee Report,
Non-Employee Director Compensation and
Executive Compensation in our definitive proxy
statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held
June 11, 2009.
We incorporate by reference the information contained under the
caption Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management and Equity Compensation Plan
Information in our definitive proxy statement for the
annual meeting of shareholders to be held June 11, 2009.
We incorporate by reference the information contained under the
captions Our Board of Directors and Committees and
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions in
our definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held June 11, 2009.
We incorporate by reference the information contained under the
caption Proposal 3: Ratification of Appointment of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in our
definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held June 11, 2009.
Table of Contents
PART IV
(a) See Index to Consolidated Financial
Statements on
page F-1
and Exhibit Index on
page E-1.
(b) See Exhibit Index on
page E-1.
(c) Not applicable.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with 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, in the City of Minnetonka, State of Minnesota, on
March 13, 2009.
Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.
James C. Granger
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
POWERS OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints James C. Granger and
Darin P. McAreavey as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments
to this report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC,
granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact and agent, or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed
below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant, and
in the capacities and on the date indicated.
INDEX TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.
Table of Contents
Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders, Audit Committee and Board of Directors
Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.
Minnetonka, MN
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2008
and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders equity (deficit) and cash flows for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. We also have
audited Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008,
based on criteria established in Internal Control
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Wireless Ronin
Technologies, Inc.s management is responsible for these
consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting, and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting, included in the accompanying
Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting included in Item 9A Controls and
Procedures. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the
companys internal control over financial reporting 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 audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement and whether
effective internal control over financial reporting was
maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the
consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management,
and evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement
presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial
reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal
control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a
material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design
and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinions.
A companys 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. A companys
internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
companys assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future
periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree
of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. as of
December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31,
2008, 2007 and 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, Wireless
Ronin Technologies, Inc. maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in
Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO).
/s/ Virchow,
Krause & Company, LLP
Minneapolis, MN
March 13, 2009
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WIRELESS
RONIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Table of Contents
WIRELESS
RONIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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