e425
Filed by ScanSoft, Inc. Pursuant to Rule 425
Under the Securities Act of 1933
And Deemed Filed Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Nuance Communications, Inc.
Commission File No.: 333-125496
Final Transcript
Conference Call Transcript
SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Event Date/Time: Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM ET
Event Duration: N/A
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Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
CORPORATE PARTICIPANTS
Paul Ricci
ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Jamie Arnold
ScanSoft, Inc. CFO; Sr. VP
CONFERENCE CALL PARTICIPANTS
Jeff Van Rhee
Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Mike Latimore
Raymond James & Associates Analyst
John Mayetta (ph)
Needham & Co. Analyst
Michael Kern (ph)
Adams Harkness Analyst
PRESENTATION
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by and welcome to the fiscal third quarter 2005
earnings results conference call. At this time all participants are in a listen-only mode. Later we
will conduct a question-and-answer session with instructions being given at that time. If you
should require assistance during the call, please press star then zero. As a reminder this
conference is being recorded.
I would like to turn the conference over to our presenters. We have Mr. Paul Ricci, CEO of
ScanSoft, and joining him is Mr. Jamie Arnold, CFO of ScanSoft. To lead things off, Mr. Ricci.
Please go ahead.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us today.
Before we begin I need to remind everyone that the matters we are discussing this afternoon include
predictions, estimates, expectations, and other forward-looking statements. These statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. You should
refer to our recent SEC filings and public announcements for a detailed list of risk factors.
ScanSoft recorded a strong quarter of revenue and earnings growth as we achieved solid execution
and performance across most of our business. As you saw in the release, we reported revenue of 56.8
million, 23% higher than in the June quarter of 2004. Revenue was strong across all of our speech
markets: Network, Embedded, and Dictation, and within the latest versions of our expanded family of
PDF products, launched in May. If we exclude revenues from Phonetics, ART, and Rhetorical, all
acquired earlier in this fiscal year, organic revenues were just above 54 million or about 17%
higher than the same quarter last year.
Speech revenues in the quarter totaled 40.8 million and grew approximately 37% year over year.
Excluding revenues from these recent acquisitions, organic revenue growth for Speech was about 26%.
ScanSofts Network Speech revenues achieved a new record level this quarter, with particular
strength in North America and sustained growth in telecommunications. We continue to experience the
benefits from ongoing investments and expanding our solutions portfolio, enhancing our services
capabilities, and growing our channel network. Network Speech revenues were about 23.1 million
worldwide and grew approximately 33% year over year. Organically, ScanSofts Network revenue grew
about 25%.
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Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Our success in Network Speech derives from the deployment of enterprise-wide solutions, comprising
a portfolio of technologies, applications, and professional services. We believe that our ability
to combine core technologies, applications, and services sets us apart from others and in
particular we believe that the capabilities of our professional services team differentiates us in
the eyes of our customers in our ability to ensure their success. Because of the growing importance
of our services revenue, we were especially pleased this quarter at continued improvement of the
operating metrics and margins in that segment of the business.
We continue to gain new customers in our target markets, signing new or follow-on contracts with
global businesses including Marriott, Social Security Administration, and BlueCross BlueShield.
I also note that we continue to see good success and continued demand within Telecommunications
where this quarter we added business from BellSouth, SBC, Verizon, and Verizon Wireless. We expect
our partner-focused sales execution model to continue creating revenue growth across our targeted
vertical markets including Telecommunications, Financial Services, and Travel and Hospitality, as
large enterprises in these sectors strive to improve costs and enhance the satisfaction rates of
their customer care operations.
ScanSofts Embedded Speech revenues reached their highest level, increasing by more than 49% year
over year to $7.1 million in the quarter. Please note, though, that this growth benefited from
revenues associated with the ART acquisition.
We see progress in our performance in competitive bids with important customer successes that
include Plantronics, Motorola, BMW, Nokia, and Magneti Marelli. We believe that as these design
wins convert to deployed solutions, they will create further growth for us in Embedded Speech
revenues. We remain optimistic about the prospects in coming quarters in two main segments of the
embedded market: Voice activation in the automobile and voice enablement of various functionality
on cellular phones.
This quarter, Dragon Naturally Speaking again performed well as we saw sustained customer demand
and momentum following the introduction of version 8 late last year. Excluding the modest revenues
from recently acquired MedRemote, Dictation revenues grew 40% year over year in the quarter and for
the first nine months of this fiscal year are up 50% over the same period last year.
Awareness of the value and performance of Dragon 8 continues to grow within our target markets,
particularly within the medical and health care fields, and has fueled greater adoption for our
family of dictation solutions. Were pleased to formally welcome the employees of MedRemote after
closing the acquisition in May. MedRemote has been established as a premier provider of health care
transcription solutions and the combination of our organizations provides us with an expanded suite
of health care focus speech automation solutions. Our interest in the health care transcription
market increases as we see signs of increased acceptance of Dragon-based solutions in that market
and the growing effectiveness of our channels in addressing that demand.
Imaging revenues were 16.0 million, about at our planned level, down 1% from the same quarter last
year. PDF-related revenues grew by more than 35% from the same quarter last year, but we also
experienced, as anticipated, a sharp decline in OmniPage revenues as we completed the final quarter
just prior to launch. Youll note separately that we announced a new version of OmniPage, Version
15 earlier today. Our PDF products capitalize on the growing use of the PDF format for sharing
electronic business documents within organizations and tap into the attractive opportunity of
delivering specific PDF features and pricing to meet the needs of the average business user.
As weve discussed previously, our objective is to leverage our channels, technology, and brand
awareness in imaging products to provide an attractive alternative in the growing market for PDF
capabilities. This quarters results do provide additional evidence that were realizing this
objective.
Along with these areas of success, we had two of disappointment that I should comment briefly upon.
First, international sales in our productivity applications were not as strong as we had hoped.
This is the first quarter in a long while in which this has been the case, therefore, I do not see
it as part of a larger trend. Nonetheless well be increasingly focusing on it in the coming
months. Second, our cash collections in the quarter were
mediocre. While several factors contributed to this, really it is just a case of poor execution.
Please be assured that here too we will be bringing renewed focus and energy to the issue.
And now, before I return to speak about guidance for the current quarter, I want to turn the call
over to Jamie.
Jamie Arnold - ScanSoft, Inc. CFO; Sr. VP
Thank you, Paul. Good afternoon, everyone.
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Before I discuss the financial results of the quarter, I want to remind everyone again that we
changed our fiscal year-end to September 30th from December 31st. Please note that all quarterly
comparisons correspond to the same calendar quarter; in this case, the third fiscal quarter of 2005
is compared with the second calendar quarter of 2004.
To recap Pauls introductory comments, revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was 56.8
million, up 23% from 46.1 million for the same period a year ago. License revenue was 40.4 million,
up 5.7 million from 34.7 million. Services revenue was 16.4 million, up 5 million from 11.4 million
for the same period last year. Speech revenue was 40.8, up 10.9 or 37% year-over-year. Imaging
revenue was 16 million, down approximately 200,000 or 1% year-over-year. International revenue
accounted for approximately 31% of total revenue in Q3 of 2005 compared with 28% in the same period
a year ago.
Net income for the quarter on a GAAP basis was $200,000 or break-even per common share compared
with a net loss of 400,000 or break-even per share for the same period in 2004. In addition to
using GAAP results in evaluating our business, management also believes it is useful to measure
results using a nonGAAP measure of net income or loss, which excludes as applicable the
amortization of intangible assets, noncash stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, and
certain noncash tax and interest expenses. Please see the GAAP to nonGAAP reconciliation in the
press release on our website. Using this nonGAAP measure, net income was 5.9 million or $.05 per
diluted share in the quarter compared with net income of 4.3 million or $.04 per diluted share a
year ago.
Turning to operating expenses. On a nonGAAP basis, third quarter cost of revenue was approximately
26% of revenue for a growth margin of 74% compared with cost of revenue of 25% and gross margin of
75% a year ago. The decrease in gross margin year-over-year is primarily attributable to services
revenue being a larger percentage of total revenue. Please note that these gross margins exclude
acquisition-related amortizations.
Looking at gross margins for services, they were 35% in the quarter as compared to 31% in the same
period of last year. Service margins improved year-over-year as we realized additional leverages by
delivering more service revenue with fewer incremental resources and realizing the planned
improvements in service staff utilization.
To complete the picture, product gross margins were 89% in this quarter and 90% in the comparable
quarter of 2004. Again, please note that these gross margins exclude acquisition-related
amortization.
R&D was approximately 10 million or 18% of revenue versus 8.6 million or 19% of revenue a year ago.
The increase in revenues year over year slightly more than offset the increased R&D expenses, which
are primarily from the acquisitions of ART and Phonetics.
SG&A spending was 25.9 million or 46% of revenue as compared to 21.6 million or 47% of revenue in
the same period a year ago. Expenses increased by approximately 4.3 million year over year, owing
additional expenses associated with new sales personnel, marketing programs, and expenses related
to Sarbanes-Oxley. Actual sales and marketing expenses in the quarter were materially below our
plan, but this favorable variance was partially offset by substantially greater than planned
expenses in G&A, mostly associated with Sarbanes-Oxley efforts. Direct and indirect
Sarbanes-Oxley-related expenses in the quarter were between 1 million and 1.5 million.
In other income and expense for Q3 we had a foreign exchange gain of approximately $.5 million,
owing mostly to the appreciation of the dollar against the Euro.
Turning to the balance sheet, the Company used cash from operations this quarter of 6.9 million.
Based substantially on increased working capital needs, as accounts receivable increased we paid
certain accrued expenses and we realized deferred revenues. Day sales outstanding were 59 days
excluding deferred revenues versus 55 days a year ago. Depreciation was approximately 1.2 million,
and capital expenditures were approximately 2.2 million. ScanSoft exited the quarter with cash and
marketable securities of 26.3 million as compared to 29.7 million at the end of last quarter.
And now I will turn the call back over to Paul.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Thanks, Jamie. Before discussing our expectations for the fourth quarter, I want to comment
briefly on the Nuance acquisition. As you all know, in May we announced the agreement to merge with
Nuance. Since then we have been working diligently toward securing the necessary approvals and
planning for the pending integration targeted at the close we expect to occur in September.
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Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
ScanSoft has completed several complex acquisitions and integrations in recent years, and has
applied a successful, disciplined process to ensure that the company can deliver upon its plans.
Weve approached the Nuance transaction in a similar fashion and have put in place dedicated
resources to help us to manage the process and to position the combined company for an orderly and
swift integration. Were taking full advantage of the time prior to close to complete plans
regarding product road maps, channel strategies, organizational structure, and other components of
the integration.
Im pleased with how the ScanSoft and Nuance employees have responded to the merger and approached
the integration planning. An environment of collaboration and cooperation between our respective
management teams and employees hs evolved into a shared commitment to the integration process and
enthusiasm for the opportunities that lie ahead. Through the Companys efforts our technology and
product plans are advancing smoothly, our channels are eager to work with a combined organization
that will be stronger than ever before.
Turning now to guidance, as mentioned in last weeks announcement of preliminary results, we expect
to benefit from the momentum that has built in the past three quarters in our core Speech segments:
Network speech for enterprises and select vertical markets, Embedded technology in automotive and
cellular, and Dictation for the automation of health care transcription.
Were also optimistic about the evidence of our results in the PDF product family line. We do
expect as well to see benefits over this quarter and next from the new release of OmniPage. At the
same time, we encourage investors to be mindful of the potential disruptions this quarter from the
closing and integration of the Nuance transaction. We also remind investors that the September
quarter is historically a seasonally weak quarter for us.
Taking all of these factors into account, were comfortable with the range of current analyst
expectations for revenue in the fourth fiscal quarter 2005 of 53 million to 56.5 million. We expect
measured expense growth in the quarter, and therefore, also believe that the range of analysts GAAP
earnings between a $0.01 loss and a $0.01 gain per share and nonGAAP earnings between 3 and $0.05
cents per diluted share are reasonable. Please note that these figures do not include estimates for
Nuance revenue or merger-related expenses or restructuring charges.
In closing, let me emphasize that this is an exciting moment for ScanSoft as we continue to execute
against our strategy, build momentum for our Speech and PDF solutions, and make progress towards
closing the Nuance acquisition and planning the pending integration. In a quarter where we could
have easily been distracted, I am pleased with how the organization and our employees remain
focused on serving our customers and achieving results. This was a solid quarter of execution on
our strategy and vision, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead.
This concludes our formal remarks and we will now take your questions.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Operator
Thank you. [OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS] Our first question comes from the line of Jeff Van Rhee of
Craig Hallum. Please go ahead.
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Hey, guys. Real nice performance this quarter. Handful of questions here. First, Paul, if you
start with the Dragon, that kind of growth is just doubly impressive given how long its been since
weve seen the new product rollout. Can you talk to whats changed in that market? Is it still
going to continue to be so product cycle-centric, or do you think weve started to see a new phase
of sort of market characteristics for that space?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Well, lets see. I think youve asked two questions. Let me answer them in turn. I think what
has changed is are two things. First, I believe that the latest version of Dragon has received
attention as a product that raises the performance level of dictation recognition to a level that
is far more productive and therefore more willing to be embraced, particularly in the health care
and medical field.
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Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Secondly, I think we have done a good job of building our channels and learning how to execute in
channels, both through direct license sales, through our software reseller channels, and through
our health care OEMs to reach the health care market. So I think its the combination of those two
things.
With respect to the other part of your question, I do think that there will always be some benefit
from a product launch, but if one looks at the performance over the last several quarters, we
clearly are seeing a sustained level of growth that goes beyond just a launch phenomenon and were
operating at a higher level of performance in the business than we have previously.
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Okay. As it relates to the deferred revenues, you went from 13.8 in Q1 and 16.4 Q2 and then
back down to 12.6. So, I guess a two-part question. One, can you talk to the deferred revenue line?
Was there anything particularly unusual that drove that dip? And secondly, can you comment on
visibility as it relates to your forward guidance now versus maybe what you entered the second
quarter with or entered the June quarter with?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Your question about forward guidance is about guidance on deferred revenues?
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
No, no, no. Theres two questions. I guess I just want an explanation on deferreds, if theres
anything unusual there, and a separate, maybe linked though, question is visibility in general. And
maybe youd just correlate that to your forward guidance in terms of what kind of visibility youve
got into those forward numbers.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
All right. So, I think Im going to let Jamie take the question on deferred revenue and then
Ill come back on the question of guidance.
Jamie Arnold - ScanSoft, Inc. CFO; Sr. VP
Jeff, the question on the deferred going up in the March quarter and coming back down, part of
that increase was related to the acquisitions that we closed. They brought some deferred revenues
related to projects that had not been completed, and we completed those projects. Thats why the
deferred is back down closer to the original levels that you saw in December. Theyre primarily
project-related in the consulting arena.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Jeff, on the question of guidance, your question is about the visibility in guidance?
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Right.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
I think that our visibility is getting a little better each quarter. I think that our systems
and our ability to develop predictive models is improving. I also think we benefit from a very
diverse set of revenue streams and a very diverse set of channels.
But, of course, we do also have acquisitions from time to time, and we know from experience that
the first couple of quarters of any acquisition are somewhat less predictable than the subsequent
quarters. So we have to balance those. But were relatively pleased with the predictive capability
weve had over the last couple of quarters.
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Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Okay. Last question. Service margins, where do you think they can go? I mean, you had real
good progress from the December to the March quarter and then maybe a 100 basis point dip here.
Where do they go and how fast do they get there?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Well, I think what we are striving to do is to deliver serial improvement, sequential
improvement in our services margins, quarter over quarter, and we have done that based on the
terrific work of our professional our network and embedded services organizations. We ought to
be able to continue to do that. It will come through a combination of operational improvements as
well as focusing more and more on the high value and distinct services that we have as compared
with other companies.
I think that well the rate of progress may slow a bit just because it gets more difficult as we
move higher up the gross profit levels. But I think well continue to make progress, and I dont
know how high it can go. Thats going to be a function on how well we can differentiate our
services over time.
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Thanks. Great quarter.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Thank you.
Operator
Thank you. Our next questions comes from the line of Mike Latimore of Raymond James &
Associates. Please go ahead.
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Good afternoon. Great results there. On the license line or product line, what was the growth
in speech-related license revenue would you say, year over year?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Im sorry. The question was what was the growth in speech-related license revenues. Well, as
imaging was essentially flat year over year, all of the licensing growth had to have been
substantially would have been in Speech.
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Thats great. And then, I think you gave this earlier in the call, but did you break out the
actual absolute numbers for network speech and Dragon?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Could you just repeat the question. It was a little garbled.
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Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Yes. I was just wondering, did you earlier in the call, did you provide the absolute numbers
for network speech and Dragon in the quarter?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
I did. And I can do that again. Hold on one moment. Network speech revenues were 23.1 million,
and the dictation revenues were actually, I didnt give that. But I will. Well dig that out
while were searching here.
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Okay. Thanks.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Okay.
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
And then how about whats your general expectations for acquired revenue in the September
quarter?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Well, I dont have a separate forecast for acquired revenues in the quarter. Im sorry. I just
dont have that. I can get a general revenue range for the Company, but
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Thats fine. And then, this is your first year where your fiscal year ends in September. Would
you expect maybe a little less sort of negative seasonality? I mean, a lot of times theres more
incentive to kind of close deals. I was thinking fiscal year-end?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
We have we are we have built some of that into our plan. We despite the historical
downtrend in seasonality in this quarter, our guidance is actually relatively flat.
And the answer to your earlier question is that Dictation revenues are about 10.6 in the quarter.
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Okay. Great.
Operator
Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of John Mayetta [ph] of Needham and Company.
Please go ahead.
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Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
John Mayetta - Needham & Co. Analyst
Thanks very much. I guess the first question I had is, I think it was last week, ScanSoft had
filed I believe it was an 8-K that talked about the R&D integration plan that the technical
integration team has. And I think the next milestone is an executive review of that R&D integration
plan. I was wondering if you could give us some color as to when that executive review may take
place.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
We have numerous reviews going on in the integration process across all the functions. There
is an upcoming technical executive review in about two weeks time. Maybe that was the reference in
the 8-K. Im not sure.
John Mayetta - Needham & Co. Analyst
Okay. Okay. Paul, you had mentioned that there was some softness in productivity in the
international markets. Was that contained to any one specific geography?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Yes, Europe. It wasnt horrific. It just wasnt quite at the level weve had such good
performance from our European productivity team in the past that we were, to be honest, a little
surprised.
John Mayetta - Needham & Co. Analyst
Okay. Thank you very much.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Thank you.
Operator
Thank you. [OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS] We do have a question from the lane of Michael Kern with
Adams Harkness. Please go ahead.
Michael Kern - Adams Harkness Analyst
Hi. Last quarter you had gave preliminary guidance for the combined company. Im just
wondering if youre sticking by that guidance again?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
For fiscal year 06?
Michael Kern - Adams Harkness Analyst
Yes. For fiscal year 06.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Okay. We have not changed or updated that guidance, so that guidance stands.
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Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Michael Kern - Adams Harkness Analyst
Okay. Thank you very much.
Operator
Thank you. [OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS] We do have a follow-up question from Jeff Van Rhee of Craig
Hallum.
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Two quick questions, actually. The organic Embedded growth, I think you gave it, but ART had
some impact. How about the organic?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
I didnt give the number, but the number without ART would have been roughly 25%, I think,
Jeff. But I dont have the exact number here.
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
And I know that thats shown some pretty healthy growth. Have you started to see end of the
leverage took a little while to make itself evident as you were sending engineering teams and you
had some other costs. But the thought was that it should be very leveragable. Where have you gone
on margins for that segment?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Operating margins, you mean?
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Yes.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
We dont break out operating margins by segment.
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Have you at a minimum could you just say youve started to see that some of the leverage of
some of these production or design wins have hit production?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Its clear that the that were getting operating leverage from that business, because the
expenses in that business are relatively flat in the face of growth. As you would imagine, its a
highly OEM sales market model, so sales expenses grow only modestly, and theres some R&D expense
growth. So it is a business that allows leverages and licenses grow
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Okay. And then lastly, the Q4 expenses, you said to look for an increase, maybe marginal, in
the OpEx side. Wheres the incremental spending coming, other than commissions?
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© 2005 Thomson Financial. Republished with permission. No part of this publication may be
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
There will be some year-end increase in sales expenses for exactly that reason. We people
will well anticipate some people overachieving and therefore well get some of that phenomenon.
Well have operating marketing expenses associated with the launch of OmniPage 15. And then
there are some investments that we have to modestly increase in the business as we prepare for
fiscal year 06 and the growth plans in 06.
Finally, one last thing, which is we did mention in the call that the Sarbanes expenses were
running very high this quarter, and they will certainly run as high Im sorry, very high in the
quarter just finished. They will certainly run at least as high in this quarter, this being, of
course, a pivotal quarter in that process.
Jeff Van Rhee - Craig Hallum Capital Analyst
Okay. Great.
Operator
Thank you. We have a question from Mike Latimore of Raymond James & Associates. Please go
ahead.
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Paul, maybe you can give us just a little update on what your customers reactions have been
to the merger at this point? Have you noticed any customer sort of holding back just around
wanting to see what maybe the eventual technology path will be or anything like that?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Well, we certainly have customers that ask questions about that, but I am unaware of any lost
of any delayed transactions or lost transactions because of that. I know that others in the IVR
industry have speculated about that in their calls. But we did not see evidence of that.
I think both our customers and our channel partners have generally been quite enthusiastic.
Obviously, our customers are making large investments and strategic investments in network speech,
and therefore to the extent this makes us a stronger, more vibrant, more innovative, technically
innovative company, thats exciting for them and thats in their interest, and I think our partners
have felt the same way because we have had, of course, quite a partner-centric strategy.
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Just maybe an update on any pricing trends or are the trends similar to last quarter? Anything
more or less?
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Well, I should say that the network speech business is an increasingly competitive business as
we see activities by Microsoft, IBM, and others. And Ive said in the past and I continue to
believe today that that robust competition is going to it has and is it is going to continue to
create pricing pressure in the business. And we accept that as part of the model and we have to
plan around it.
Mike Latimore - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
All right. Thanks.
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Thomson StreetEvents
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streetevents@thomson.com
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11 |
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© 2005 Thomson Financial. Republished with permission. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial.
Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
Thank you.
Operator
Thank you. One moment, please. We have no more questions in queue. Please continue.
Paul Ricci - ScanSoft, Inc. CEO
All right. Well, thank you very much, then, for joining us for our third quarter fiscal year
05 conference call. I look forward to talking to you again next quarter. Good afternoon. Bye-bye.
Operator
Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, this conference will be available for replay after 8 p.m.
Central time today through midnight, August 23, 2005. You may access the AT&T teleconference replay
system at any time by dialing 1-800-475-6701 and entering the access code 792067. Internal
participants may dial 320-365-3844. Those numbers again are 1-800-475-6701 and 320-365-3844, access
code 792067.
That does conclude our conference for today. Thank you for your participation and for using AT&T
executive teleconference service. You may now disconnect.
ScanSoft, Inc.
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
(in 000s, except per share amounts)
Unaudited
GAAP: Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2005
Net Income Per Share Guidance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
Low |
|
|
High |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
53,000 |
|
|
$ |
56,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP net income (loss), per share |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets, per share |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets, per share |
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
Stock based compensation, per share |
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
Restructuring and other charges, per share |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Non-cash interest expense, per share |
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Non-cash taxes, per share |
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP net income (loss), per share |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computing non-GAAP net income (loss), per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares: basic |
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common and
common equivalent shares: diluted |
|
|
123,000 |
|
|
|
123,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScanSoft, Inc.
Reconciliation of Supplemental Financial Information
(in 000s, except per share amounts)
Unaudited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP Financial Measures: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP Gross Margin Percentages |
|
|
70.5 |
% |
|
|
69.0 |
% |
|
|
69.8 |
% |
|
|
69.9 |
% |
Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
6.1 |
% |
|
|
4.3 |
% |
|
|
6.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP gross margin |
|
|
73.6 |
% |
|
|
75.1 |
% |
|
|
74.1 |
% |
|
|
76.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP Gross Margin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product revenue |
|
$ |
40,387 |
|
|
$ |
34,691 |
|
|
$ |
125,150 |
|
|
$ |
106,327 |
|
Service revenue |
|
|
16,427 |
|
|
|
11,436 |
|
|
|
45,355 |
|
|
|
29,446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
56,814 |
|
|
$ |
46,127 |
|
|
$ |
170,505 |
|
|
$ |
135,773 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of product licenses |
|
|
4,352 |
|
|
|
3,541 |
|
|
|
14,335 |
|
|
|
11,586 |
|
Cost of professional services |
|
|
10,663 |
|
|
|
7,939 |
|
|
|
29,933 |
|
|
|
20,576 |
|
Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
2,805 |
|
|
|
7,260 |
|
|
|
8,656 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP gross margin |
|
|
40,047 |
|
|
|
31,842 |
|
|
|
118,977 |
|
|
|
94,955 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
2,805 |
|
|
|
7,260 |
|
|
|
8,656 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP gross margin |
|
$ |
41,799 |
|
|
$ |
34,647 |
|
|
$ |
126,237 |
|
|
$ |
103,611 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP net income (loss) |
|
$ |
160 |
|
|
$ |
(410 |
) |
|
$ |
2,299 |
|
|
$ |
(1,893 |
) |
Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
2,805 |
|
|
|
7,260 |
|
|
|
8,656 |
|
Amortization of other intangible assets |
|
|
1,083 |
|
|
|
635 |
|
|
|
2,731 |
|
|
|
2,154 |
|
Restructuring and other charges |
|
|
2,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,739 |
|
|
|
1,428 |
|
Stock based compensation |
|
|
580 |
|
|
|
530 |
|
|
|
1,934 |
|
|
|
1,024 |
|
Non-cash interest expense |
|
|
286 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
638 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
Non-cash taxes |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
652 |
|
|
|
1,008 |
|
|
|
1,014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP net income (loss) |
|
$ |
5,945 |
|
|
$ |
4,255 |
|
|
$ |
18,609 |
|
|
$ |
12,582 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP net income (loss) basic: |
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP net income (loss) diluted: |
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computing non-GAAP net income (loss)
per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares: basic |
|
|
108,713 |
|
|
|
103,881 |
|
|
|
106,414 |
|
|
|
102,099 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common and
common equivalent shares: diluted |
|
|
116,417 |
|
|
|
113,494 |
|
|
|
114,029 |
|
|
|
112,639 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
On August 1, 2005, ScanSoft filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No.
333-125496) containing a definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed
transaction. Investors and security holders are urged to carefully read the Registration Statement
and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as it contains important information about ScanSoft,
Nuance, the transaction and related matters. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies
of the Registration Statement and the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other
documents filed with the SEC by ScanSoft and Nuance through the web site maintained by the SEC at
www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the
Registration Statement and the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus from ScanSoft by
contacting ScanSoft Investor Relations at (978) 977-2000 or from Nuance by contacting Nuance
Investor Relations at (650) 847-0000.
ScanSoft and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the
solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of ScanSoft and Nuance in connection with the
proposed transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive
officers in the proposed transaction is included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus described
above. Additional information regarding these directors and executive officers is also included in
ScanSofts proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the
SEC on January 28, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SECs web site at
www.sec.gov and from ScanSoft by contacting ScanSoft Investor Relations at (978) 977-2000.
Nuance and its directors and executive officers also may be deemed to be participants in the
solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of ScanSoft and Nuance in connection with the
proposed transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive
officers in the proposed transaction is included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus described
above. Additional information regarding these directors and executive officers is also included in
Nuances proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC
on May 2, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SECs web site at www.sec.gov and
from Nuance by contacting Nuance Investor Relations at (650) 847-0000.
SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this document regarding ScanSofts fiscal third quarter financial results; the future
demand for, performance of, and opportunities for growth in ScanSofts speech solutions and
productivity applications; the growth of the speech industry and the demand for speech solutions;
the continued strength of existing products, services and relationships as well as the introduction
of new products, services and relationships; the proposed transaction between ScanSoft and Nuance,
the integration planning efforts, and any other statements about ScanSoft managements future
expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact
(including statements containing the words believes, plans, anticipates, expects, or
estimates or similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements.
There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: fluctuations in
demand for ScanSofts existing and future products; economic conditions in the United States and
abroad; ScanSofts ability to control and successfully manage its expenses, inventory and cash
position; the effects of competition, including pricing pressure; possible defects in ScanSofts
products and technologies; the ability to consummate the proposed Nuance transaction; the
ability of ScanSoft to successfully integrate Nuances operations and employees; the ability to
realize anticipated synergies from acquired businesses; and the other factors described in
ScanSofts Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended September 30, 2004 and ScanSofts most
recent quarterly report filed with the SEC, as well as the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
described above. ScanSoft disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a
result of developments occurring after the date of this document.
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Thomson StreetEvents
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streetevents@thomson.com
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617.603.7900 |
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www.streetevents.com
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12 |
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© 2005 Thomson Financial. Republished with permission. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial.
Final Transcript
Aug. 09. 2005 / 4:30PM, SSFT Q3 2005 ScanSoft, Inc. Earnings Conference Call
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Thomson StreetEvents
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© 2005 Thomson Financial. Republished with permission. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial.