Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
File No. 333-94777
This is the initial public offering of Eprise Corporation, and we are offering 4,000,000 shares of our common stock. The initial public offering price is $15.00 per share.
Our common stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "EPRS."
INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
PRICE TO DISCOUNTS AND EPRISE
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS CORPORATION
Per share $ 15.00 $ 1.05 $ 13.95
Total $60,000,000 $4,200,000 $55,800,000
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We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to 600,000 additional
shares to cover any over-allotments.
DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN
DAIN RAUSCHER WESSELS
WIT SOUNDVIEW
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MARCH 23, 2000.
INSIDE FRONT COVER
The inside front cover of the prospectus depicts the following:
The upper left-hand corner displays the Eprise logo with the words "Eprise Corporation" underneath.
The title bar at the top of the page states: "The Eprise Solution."
In the center of the page, there is a diagram with three sections. The left-hand section contains four captions stating, in descending order, "Corporate Info," "Product Info," "Sales Tools" and "Support Info." Each caption is accompanied by a related illustration. The center section of the diagram shows a transparent cylinder labeled "Web Server," which contains another cylinder labeled "Eprise Participant Server(TM)" and displays a drawing of the Eprise Participant Server product box. The internal cylinder also contains the caption "Corporate Look and Feel." The right-hand section of the diagram contains a drawing of two computer screens. The upper screen is labeled "Sales Rep's View" and contains the illustrations from the left-hand section of the diagram representing Corporate Info, Product Info and Sales Tools. The lower screen is labeled "Customer's View" and contains the illustrations representing Product Info, Corporate Info and Support Info.
Beneath the diagram, there is a caption that reads:
"EPRISE PARTICIPANT SERVER permits a business to manage its Web site content by:
- distributing responsibility for contribution and management of different types of corporate content;
- maintaining a central repository where business managers can easily organize, retrieve and re-use the business's Web site content; and
- delivering content to targeted Web site audiences."
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before buying shares in this offering. You should read the entire prospectus carefully.
EPRISE CORPORATION
Eprise provides software products and services that enable businesses to manage the information contained on their Web sites. Eprise Participant Server, our core product, provides a comprehensive, out-of-the-box Web content management solution that enables an enterprise to distribute Web content management and content approval rights broadly within the organization with minimal involvement by technical personnel. Customers can quickly deploy Eprise Participant Server and use it to keep their Web sites up to date without the need for substantial technical assistance or customization. We believe that these features make Eprise Participant Server the most cost-effective Web content management solution currently available.
Creating dynamic, up-to-date Web site content has become an increasingly complex and critically important business process. As businesses develop and expand their use of the Internet for business communications and electronic commerce, the number of Web sites and the amount of Web content continue to grow worldwide at an unprecedented pace. This has created a strong demand for Web content management software, resulting in increased capital expenditures on Web content management solutions. IDC estimates that the market for Web development life-cycle management software, which includes Web content management software, will grow from $76.4 million in 1998 to $1.6 billion in 2003.
The Eprise Participant Server product line has been designed to meet all of the important needs for Web content management software. It permits an enterprise to delegate to appropriate individuals within the organization the right to create and manage Web content. It also permits the enterprise to target the content that is seen by each category of Web site user, such as employees, customers and business partners. At the same time, business rules can be created to ensure that the overall Web site content is carefully controlled and the Web site design has a consistent look and feel.
Eprise Participant Server is based on widely accepted, non-proprietary industry standards so that it can easily be integrated with other Internet infrastructure software, such as databases, back office systems, and e-commerce and application servers. It employs a technical architecture that is highly scalable so that it can manage the Web site content of even the largest of enterprises. Customers can also use readily available software development tools to adapt and customize Eprise Participant Server to meet their specific business needs.
Eprise also offers a variety of optional professional services to complement Eprise Participant Server. Through our Eprise Advantage Program, an Eprise professional evaluates and designs a Web content management plan for each customer. During and after the implementation phase, our professional services team and alliance partners are available to provide advice and technical assistance, including building unique applications for the customer's business. We also provide customer training, maintenance and support.
We principally market our products domestically through our direct sales force, and we intend to increase our global presence. We target enterprise level accounts and dot-com companies for which the use of the Internet is a fundamental part of their strategy. To extend our market reach, we also have business relationships with a number of systems integrators and Web developers. In addition, we are making substantial investments in research and development in order to continue to expand and enhance Eprise Participant Server and to develop new products.
To date, we have licensed Eprise Participant Server to more than 40 customers, including Bausch & Lomb, Eastman Chemical, EMC, Hartford Financial, Hewlett-Packard, Lincoln Financial Group, Novell, Sharp Electronics and SmartMoney.com.
We were incorporated in Delaware in September 1992. Our principal executive offices are located at 1671 Worcester Road, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701, and our telephone number is (508) 872-0200. Our World Wide Web address is www.eprise.com. The information on our Web site is not part of this prospectus.
"Eprise" and "Eprise Participant Server" are registered trademarks of Eprise Corporation. "E-business Experts," "Eprise Advantage Program," "Eprise Web Catalyst," "Eprise Integration Agent," and the Eprise logo are trademarks of Eprise Corporation. All other trademarks, service marks or trade names referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
THE OFFERING
Common stock offered by Eprise..... 4,000,000 shares
Common stock to be outstanding
after the offering................. 22,943,440 shares
Use of proceeds.................... Working capital and general corporate
purposes, including expansion of sales,
distribution and marketing activities;
development of technology; capital
expenditures; funding of future operating
losses; and repayment of debt
Nasdaq National Market symbol...... EPRS
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Common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on shares outstanding as of December 31, 1999. It excludes:
- 2,225,264 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $0.71 per share, all of which options are exercisable, subject to repurchase restrictions on the option shares, and
- 432,151 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $2.78 per share, all of which warrants are exercisable.
Except as presented in the financial statements or as otherwise specified in this prospectus, all information in this prospectus:
- assumes no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option;
- does not reflect the exercise by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. of a portion of its warrant for 28,713 shares of common stock effective upon the closing of the offering;
- reflects a 1-for-2.55 reverse split of our common stock; and
- reflects the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock into a total of 16,105,845 shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering.
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
The summary financial information below sets forth a summary of the results
of our operations and summary information about our assets, liabilities and
capital. In 1997, Eprise changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to December
31. The statement of operations data for the twelve months ended December 31,
1997 has been computed by summing the unaudited results of operations for the
four fiscal quarters in the period ended December 31, 1997. The data for pro
forma net loss per share treats our outstanding preferred stock as though it
were common stock from the date of original issuance. You should read this
information along with our discussion in "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our financial statements
and notes to those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. As
discussed in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the 1999
financial information has been restated.
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
FOUR MONTHS OR YEAR ENDED
YEAR ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 31,
AUGUST 31, DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------
1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
---------- ------------ ------- ------- -------------
(RESTATED)(1)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total revenues............................ $1,420 $ 303 $ 1,222 $ 807 $ 3,659
Gross profit.............................. 902 18 643 347 2,534
Total operating expenses.................. 1,481 1,082 2,048 5,744 9,422
Operating loss............................ (579) (1,064) (1,405) (5,397) (6,888)
Net loss.................................. (733) (1,164) (1,615) (5,261) (6,600)
Loss to common shareholders............... $ (733) $(1,166) $(1,617) $(5,275) $(28,230)
====== ======= ======= ======= ========
Loss per share............................ $(0.35) $ (0.54) $ (0.76) $ (2.40) $ (11.42)
====== ======= ======= ======= ========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding............................. 2,073 2,156 2,118 2,200 2,473
====== ======= ======= ======= ========
Pro forma loss per share.................. $ (0.50)
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Pro forma weighted average common shares
outstanding............................. 13,274
========
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The following table presents a summary of our balance sheet at December 31, 1999:
- on an actual basis;
- on a pro forma basis to reflect the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into a total of 16,105,845 shares of common stock, which will occur upon the closing of this offering; and
- on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect the sale of 4,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price of $15.00 per share after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses and the application of the estimated net proceeds from this offering.
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999
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PRO FORMA
ACTUAL PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
------------- --------- -----------
(RESTATED)(1)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 22,455 $22,455 $77,230
Working capital............................................. 22,977 22,977 77,752
Total assets................................................ 25,534 25,534 80,309
Total liabilities........................................... 1,977 1,977 1,812
Redeemable preferred stock.................................. 35,316 -- --
Total stockholders' equity (deficiency)..................... (11,758) 23,558 78,498
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RISK FACTORS
This offering involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below together with the other information about Eprise in this prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. If one or more of the following risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you might lose all or part of your investment. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF LOSSES, AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE OR SUSTAIN PROFITABILITY.
We incurred net losses of $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 and $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1999. As of December 31, 1999, we had an accumulated deficit of $36.0 million. We have not yet achieved profitability and we expect to incur net losses for the foreseeable future. To date, we have funded our operations from the sale of equity securities and have not generated cash from operations. We expect to continue to incur significant research and development, selling and marketing, and general and administrative expenses and, as a result, we will need to generate significant revenues to achieve and maintain profitability. Although our revenues have grown significantly in recent quarters, we cannot be certain that we can sustain these growth rates or that we will achieve sufficient revenues for profitability. If we do achieve profitability, we cannot be certain that we can sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the future. See "Summary Financial Information," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and the financial statements and notes to those statements found elsewhere in this prospectus.
OUR LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY MAKES EVALUATING OUR BUSINESS DIFFICULT.
Eprise was founded in 1992 as a provider of online interactive games. We made the transition to our current business in 1997 and, as a result, have a limited operating history. We are still in the early stages of our development, which makes the evaluation of our business operations and our prospects difficult. We shipped our first commercial Web content management software product in February 1998. Since that time, we have derived substantially all of our revenues from licensing our Eprise Participant Server product and related services. As a result of our limited operating history, we cannot forecast operating expenses based on our historical results. Our ability to forecast accurately our quarterly revenue is limited because our software products have a long sales cycle, making it difficult to predict the quarter in which sales revenue will be recognized. We would expect our business, operating results and financial condition to be materially adversely affected if our revenues do not meet our projections, and that net losses in a given quarter could be even greater than expected.
OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THEM TO PREDICT OUR FUTURE PERFORMANCE.
Our revenues and operating results are likely to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. A number of factors are likely to cause these variations, including:
- demand for our products and services;
- the timing of sales of our products and services;
- the timing of customer orders and product implementation;
- unexpected delays in introducing new products and services;
- increased expenses, whether related to selling and marketing, research and development or general and administrative;
- changes in the rapidly evolving market for Web content management solutions;
- the mix of product license and service revenue; and
- the timing and size of sales derived through our strategic partners.
Accordingly, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful. Investors should not rely on the results of one quarter as an indication of our future performance.
We plan to increase our operating expenditures to expand our sales and marketing operations, develop new distribution channels, fund greater levels of research and development, broaden professional services and support and improve operational and financial systems. If our revenues do not increase along with these expenses, our business, operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected and net losses in a given quarter could be greater than expected. Although we have limited historical financial data, we believe that our quarterly operating results may experience seasonal fluctuations due to clients' fiscal year budgeting cycles and purchasing patterns.
ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS HAVE LICENSED OUR PRODUCT, AND OUR WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTION MAY NEVER ACHIEVE BROAD MARKET ACCEPTANCE.
We first introduced Eprise Participant Server in February 1998 and delivered a second major release in April 1999. To date, only a limited number of customers have licensed Eprise Participant Server, and an even smaller number are operating Web sites using the most recent version. Therefore, we have not demonstrated broad market acceptance of Eprise Participant Server. If our product does not gain broad market acceptance, or if it fails to meet customer expectations, our business would be harmed.
A LARGE PORTION OF OUR REVENUES ARE CURRENTLY DERIVED FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS.
Although we believe that our customer concentration will decrease as we continue to build our client base, we expect that a small number of customers will continue to account for a substantial portion of revenues in the near term. As a result, our inability to secure major customers during a given period or the loss of existing customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our largest customer in 1998, American Express, accounted for 58% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 1998. Two of our customers accounted for an aggregate of 23% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999.
IF WE DO NOT SUCCESSFULLY EXPAND OUR DIRECT SALES AND SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR SALES OR SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMERS.
In the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, we licensed substantially all of our products through our direct sales organization. As of February 25, 2000, we had 20 direct sales representatives. Our future success depends on substantially increasing the size and scope of our direct sales force, both domestically and internationally. There is intense competition for personnel, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to attract, assimilate or retain additional qualified sales personnel on a timely basis. Moreover, we believe that as our sales increase, and given the large-scale deployment required by our customers, we will need to hire and retain a number of highly trained customer service and support personnel. As of February 25, 2000, our customer service and support organization included 18 individuals. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to increase the size of our customer service and support
organization on a timely basis to provide the high quality of support required by our customers. Failure to add additional sales and customer service representatives would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
IF WE DO NOT SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAIN AND EXPAND OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIRECT SALES CHANNELS, OUR SALES COULD DECLINE OR GROW MORE SLOWLY THAN EXPECTED.
To offer products and services to a larger customer base, our direct sales force must establish and expand relationships with alliance partners, including systems integrators, consulting firms, Web developers and application service providers who build customer solutions based on Eprise Participant Server. We must also build relationships, which we refer to as original equipment manufacturer or OEM relationships, with companies offering complementary products that can package our software along with their products. We are currently investing, and we intend to continue to invest, significant resources to develop these relationships. If our efforts are unsuccessful, our sales growth would be adversely affected. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to market our products effectively through our established partners. Further, these third parties are under no obligation to recommend or support our products. These companies could recommend or give higher priority to the products of other companies or to their own products. A significant shift by these companies toward favoring competing products could negatively affect our license and service revenues. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to attract additional distribution partners for desired distribution arrangements. The loss of distribution partners or failure to establish new relationships could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
WE NEED TO MANAGE OUR GROWTH EFFECTIVELY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE AND CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR OPERATIONS.
We have expanded our operations rapidly since inception. We intend to expand in the foreseeable future to pursue existing and potential opportunities. This rapid growth places a significant demand on management, administrative and operations resources. Our ability to compete effectively and to manage our anticipated future growth requires us to continue to improve our financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures on a timely basis. We recently hired a significant number of employees, and must continue to add personnel to maintain our ability to grow in the future. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so successfully. Failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect upon our business, operating results and financial condition.
WE MUST HIRE AND RETAIN SKILLED PERSONNEL IN A TIGHT LABOR MARKET.
Qualified personnel are in great demand throughout the computer software, hardware and networking industries. The demand for qualified personnel is particularly acute in the New England area because of the large number of software and other high technology companies and the low unemployment rate in the region. Our success depends in large part upon our ability to attract, train, motivate and retain highly-skilled employees, particularly sales and marketing personnel, software engineers, and technical support personnel. We have had difficulty hiring these highly-skilled employees in the past. If we are unable to attract and retain the highly-skilled technical personnel that are integral to our sales, marketing, product development and customer support teams, the rate at which we can generate sales and develop new products or product enhancements may be limited. This inability could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
COMPETITION COULD REDUCE OUR REVENUES AND MARKET SHARE, AND PREVENT US FROM EXPANDING IN THE FUTURE.
The market for Web content management software and services is rapidly evolving and highly competitive and there are a number of products that compete directly with our software solutions. Our clients' requirements and the technology available to satisfy those requirements continually change. Some of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing, technical and other competitive resources than we do. This may enable them to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, or to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products. In addition, other companies could develop new products or incorporate additional functionality into their existing products that could directly compete with our products. Barriers to entering the software market are relatively low. Furthermore, cooperative relationships among our competitors could increase their ability to address the Web site content management needs of our prospective customers, and they could rapidly acquire significant market share. We cannot guarantee that we will compete successfully against existing or new competitors. Further, competitive pressures may require us to lower the prices of our software and services. Failure to compete successfully would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND OUR PRODUCT LINE TO MEET THE RAPID CHANGES IN THE MARKET FOR WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY, OUR BUSINESS WILL BE UNABLE TO GROW.
To succeed, we will need to enhance our current Eprise Participant Server product and develop new products on a timely basis to keep pace with developments related to Internet technology and to satisfy the increasingly sophisticated requirements of our customers. The market for our products is marked by rapid technological change, frequent new product introductions and Internet-related technology enhancements, uncertain product life cycles, changes in client demands and evolving industry standards. We cannot be certain that we will successfully develop and market new products or new product enhancements compliant with present or emerging Internet technology standards. New products based on new technologies or new industry standards can rapidly render existing products obsolete and unmarketable. Internet commerce technology is complex and new products and product enhancements can require long development and testing periods. Any delays in developing, testing and releasing enhanced or new products could harm our business. New products or upgrades may not be released according to schedule or may contain defects when released. Either situation could result in adverse publicity, loss of sales, delay in market acceptance of our products or customer claims against us, any of which could harm our business. If we do not develop, license or acquire new software products, or deliver enhancements to existing products on a timely and cost-effective basis, our business will be harmed.
WE HAVE RELIED ON AND EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO RELY ON SALES OF OUR EPRISE PARTICIPANT SERVER LINE FOR OUR REVENUES.
Since 1998, we have derived substantially all of our revenues from licenses of, and services related to, Eprise Participant Server. We expect that revenues from this product will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues for the foreseeable future. A decline in the price of Eprise Participant Server or our inability to increase license sales of Eprise Participant Server would seriously harm our business and operating results. In addition, our future financial performance will depend upon the successful development, introduction and customer acceptance of enhanced versions of Eprise Participant Server and future products. Failure to deliver the enhancements or products that customers want could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
OUR LENGTHY SALES CYCLES REQUIRE EXPENDITURE OF RESOURCES THAT WILL NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN A SALE.
We typically experience long sales cycles. These sales cycles generally vary by customer from three to six months. Because the licensing of our products generally involves a significant capital expenditure by the customer, our sales process is subject to lengthy approval processes and delays. We often devote significant time and resources to a prospective customer, including costs associated with multiple site visits, product demonstrations and feasibility studies, without any assurance that the prospective customer will decide to license our products.
YEAR 2000 PROBLEMS MAY CAUSE PRODUCT ERRORS OR FAILURES THAT COULD DIVERT PERSONNEL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
We have designed Eprise Participant Server and its add-on modules to be Year 2000 compliant and have not been advised of any Year 2000 issues related to those products. One prototype product (a precursor of Eprise Participant Server), which was licensed to one customer and may currently be in use, may not be Year 2000 compliant and may need to be upgraded or its use discontinued. We have not been advised of any Year 2000 problems by this customer to date. Further, although we have not been made aware of any Year 2000 problem relating to the hardware and software used by our customers in connection with our products to date, these problems may exist. Should any of these problems develop, they may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
In addition, we utilize software, computer technology and other services internally developed and provided by third party vendors that may have Year 2000 issues. Although we have not experienced any of these problems to date, the failure of our internal computing systems or of systems provided by third party vendors to be Year 2000 compliant could materially adversely affect our business.
IF OUR PRODUCTS FAIL TO REMAIN COMPATIBLE WITH MAJOR COMMERCIAL OPERATING PLATFORMS, OUR SALES WOULD DECREASE.
Our products currently operate on the Microsoft Windows NT and Sun Solaris operating systems. In addition, our products are required to interoperate with Web servers, browsers and database servers. We must, therefore, continually modify and enhance our products to keep pace with changes in these operating systems and servers. If our products are not compatible with new operating systems, Web servers, browsers or database servers that achieve sufficient market penetration, our business will be harmed. In addition, uncertainties related to the timing and nature of new product announcements, or introductions or modifications by vendors of operating systems or browsers, could also harm our business.
POTENTIAL DEFECTS IN OUR PRODUCTS COULD CAUSE SALES TO DECREASE AND COULD SUBJECT US TO FUTURE WARRANTY CLAIMS.
Our products are complex and might contain undetected software errors or failures when new versions are released. We cannot guarantee that, despite testing by us and by current and prospective customers, we will not find errors in existing products, new products or product enhancements after commercial release. These errors may result in loss or delay of market acceptance, which could have a material adverse effect upon our business, operating results and financial condition.
IF WE LOSE ANY KEY PERSONNEL, OR FAIL TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL, WE MAY BE UNABLE TO CONTINUE EXPANDING OUR BUSINESS AND PRODUCT LINE.
The loss of the services of one or more of our key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. We do not maintain key person life insurance on any executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to retain our key personnel. Our future success also depends on our continuing ability to attract, assimilate and retain highly qualified sales, technical and managerial personnel. Competition for these individuals is intense, and there can be no assurance that we can attract, assimilate or retain them in the future.
WE HAVE A LIMITED ABILITY TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND OTHERS COULD INFRINGE ON OR MISAPPROPRIATE OUR PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AND INFORMATION.
Our software is proprietary and is protected by trade secret, copyright and trademark laws, license agreements, confidentiality agreements with employees and nondisclosure and other contractual requirements imposed on our customers, consulting partners and others. We cannot guarantee that these protections will adequately protect our proprietary rights or that our competitors will not independently develop products that are substantially equivalent or superior to our products. In addition, the laws of countries in which our products may be licensed in the future may not protect our products and intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Although we believe that our products, trademarks and other proprietary rights do not infringe upon the proprietary rights of third parties, we cannot guarantee that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us. The cost of pursuing, enforcing or defending infringement claims can be substantial and can also require significant management attention.
RISKS RELATED TO THE INTERNET INDUSTRY
IF THE USE OF THE INTERNET DOES NOT EXPAND, THE DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS MAY STAGNATE OR DECLINE.
Our future success depends heavily on the Internet being accepted and widely used. If Internet use does not continue to grow or grows more slowly than expected, our business, operating results and financial condition would be materially adversely affected. Consumers and businesses may reject the Internet as a viable communications medium for a number of reasons, including potentially inadequate network infrastructure, security concerns, slow development of enabling technologies or insufficient commercial support. The Internet infrastructure may not be able to support the demands placed on it by increased Internet usage and bandwidth requirements. In addition, delays in the development or adoption of new standards and protocols required to handle an increased level of Internet activity or increased government regulation could cause the Internet to lose its viability as a commercial medium. Even if the required infrastructure, standards, protocols or complementary products, services or facilities are developed, we may incur substantial expenses adapting our solutions to changing or emerging technologies.
WE CANNOT BE SURE THAT A SUSTAINABLE MARKET FOR OUR PRODUCTS WILL DEVELOP.
The market for Web content management software and services is new and rapidly evolving, and the size and potential growth of this new market and the direction of its development are uncertain. We have licensed our products to a small number of customers. We expect that we will continue to need intensive marketing and sales efforts to educate prospective clients about the uses and benefits of our products and services. Enterprises that have invested substantial resources in other methods of conducting business over the Internet may be reluctant to adopt a new approach that may replace, limit or compete with their existing systems. Any of these factors could inhibit the growth and market acceptance of our products
and services. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that a viable market for our products will emerge, or if it does emerge, that it will be sustainable.
IF THE INTERNET OR E-COMMERCE BECOMES SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION OR OTHER FUTURE LAWS, USE OF AND DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS COULD DECLINE.
We are not currently required to comply with direct regulation by any domestic or foreign governmental agency, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally and any laws or regulations directly applicable to the Internet. However, due to the increasing popularity of the Internet, it is possible that laws may be adopted regarding the Internet, any of which could materially harm our business. For example, because our products can be used for the solicitation of personal data from individual consumers, our business could be limited by laws regulating the solicitation, collection or processing of this data. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibits the transmission of some types of information and content over the Internet. Legislation imposing potential liability for information collected or disseminated through our products could adversely affect our business. In addition, the increased attention focused upon liability issues as a result of the Telecommunications Act could limit the growth of Internet commerce, which could decrease demand for our products.
Export regulations, either in their current form or as may be subsequently enacted, may limit our ability to distribute our software outside the United States. The unlawful export of our software could also harm our business. Although we take precautions against unlawful export of our software, the global nature of the Internet makes if difficult to effectively control the distribution of software.
Furthermore, the growth and development of the Internet may lead to more stringent consumer protection laws that may impose additional burdens on companies conducting business online. The adoption of any additional laws may decrease Internet use or impede the growth of Internet use, which may lead to a decrease in the demand for our products and services or an increase in the cost of doing business. Further, the imposition of new sales or other taxes could limit the growth of Internet commerce generally and, as a result, the demand for our products. Although recent federal legislation limits the imposition of state and local taxes on Internet-related sales, there is a possibility that Congress may not renew this legislation, in which case state and local governments would be free to impose taxes on goods and services purchased on the Internet.
RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING
OUR COMMON STOCK PRICE IS LIKELY TO BE VOLATILE AND COULD DROP UNEXPECTEDLY.
The market for securities of most high technology companies has been highly volatile. It is likely that the market price of our common stock will fluctuate widely in the future. Factors affecting the trading price of our common stock are likely to include:
- responses to quarter-to-quarter variations in our results of operations;
- the announcement of new products or product enhancements by us or our competitors;
- technological innovation by us or our competitors;
- general market conditions or market conditions specific to particular industries; and
- changes in earnings estimates by analysts.
WE HAVE ADOPTED ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS THAT COULD AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK OR OUR ABILITY TO SELL OUR BUSINESS.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or effect a change of control in our management, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, the provisions of Delaware law and our stock incentive plans relating to an acquisition or change in control of Eprise may also have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a sale. See "Description of Capital Stock."
WE HAVE BROAD DISCRETION TO USE THE OFFERING PROCEEDS AND HOW WE INVEST THESE PROCEEDS MAY NOT YIELD A FAVORABLE, OR ANY, RETURN.
The net proceeds of this offering are allocated generally for working capital and general corporate purposes. Thus, our management has broad discretion over how these proceeds are used and could spend the proceeds in ways with which you may not agree. We cannot assure you that the proceeds will be invested in a way that yields a favorable, or any, return for us.
SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR SALE AFTER THIS OFFERING MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR STOCK PRICE.
Once a trading market develops for our common stock, many of our stockholders will have an opportunity to sell their stock for the first time. More than 11,600,000 shares, or almost three times the number of shares sold in this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, will become eligible for sale in the public market at various dates beginning 180 days after the date of this prospectus. Sales of a substantial number of shares of common stock in the public market, or the threat that substantial sales might occur, could cause the market price of our stock to decrease significantly. These factors could also make it difficult for us to raise additional capital by selling stock. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
YOU WILL INCUR IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION.
The offering price of our common stock is substantially higher than the book value per share. As a result, investors purchasing our common stock in the offering will incur immediate and substantial dilution. In addition, we have issued options and warrants to acquire common stock at prices significantly below the offering price. To the extent these outstanding options and warrants are exercised, there will be further dilution. See "Dilution."
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements under "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation," "Business" and elsewhere in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and are identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expects," "plans," "intends," "seeks," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various important factors, including the risks outlined under "Risk Factors." These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform such statement to actual results.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We anticipate that our net proceeds from the sale of 4,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering will be approximately $54.9 million, at the initial public offering price of $15.00 per share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. If the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, we estimate that the net proceeds will be approximately $63.3 million.
The principal purposes of this offering are to obtain additional capital, create a public market for our common stock and facilitate our future access to the public capital markets.
We anticipate that we will use substantially all of the net proceeds for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including:
- expansion of sales, distribution and marketing activities;
- development of technology;
- capital expenditures;
- funding of future operating losses; and
- repayment of a term note outstanding to Silicon Valley Bank in the amount of approximately $165,000.
We have not allocated any specific portion of the net proceeds to any particular purposes, and our management will have the ability to allocate the proceeds at its discretion. A portion of the net proceeds may be used for the acquisition of businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, agreements or commitments with respect to any such transaction and are not in any negotiations with respect to any such transaction. Pending these uses, the net proceeds will be invested in government securities and other short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. Future dividends, if any, will be determined by the board of directors. Our current loan agreement prohibits the payment of any dividends on our capital stock.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 1999 on an actual, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted basis. The "actual" column reflects our capitalization as of December 31, 1999 on a historical basis, without any adjustments to reflect subsequent events or anticipated events. As discussed in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the 1999 financial information has been restated. The "pro forma" column reflects our capitalization as of December 31, 1999 with adjustments for the following:
- the filing prior to the closing of this offering of an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizing 90,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock.
- the automatic conversion of all of the shares of Series A, Series B and Series C preferred stock into an aggregate of 16,105,845 shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering.
The "pro forma as adjusted" column reflects our capitalization as of December 31, 1999 with the preceding "pro forma" adjustments plus:
- the receipt of the net proceeds and the anticipated use of such proceeds from our sale of 4,000,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price of $15.00 per share.
None of the columns set forth below reflects as of December 31, 1999:
- the potential issuance of 600,000 shares of common stock issuable under the overallotment option granted to the underwriters of this offering.
- outstanding warrants to purchase 432,151 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $2.78 per share (assuming conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock warrants to common stock warrants).
- outstanding options to purchase 2,225,264 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $0.71 per share.
The information shown in the table below is qualified by, and should be read in conjunction with, our more detailed financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999
-----------------------------------------
ACTUAL PRO FORMA
(RESTATED)(1) PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
------------- --------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
Current portion of equipment line of credit................. $ 86 $ 86 $ --
======== ======== ========
Long-term equipment line of credit, less current portion.... 79 79 --
======== ======== ========
Redeemable preferred stock:
Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par
value, 10,842,920 shares authorized, 10,515,925 shares
issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized,
issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as
adjusted............................................... 5,192 -- --
Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par
value, 14,320,446 shares authorized, issued and
outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued and
outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted....... 8,569 -- --
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AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999
-----------------------------------------
ACTUAL PRO FORMA
(RESTATED)(1) PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
------------- --------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par
value, 16,500,000 shares authorized, 16,233,766 issued
and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued
and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted... 21,555 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Total redeemable preferred stock............................ 35,316 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Stockholders equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 41,663,366 shares
authorized, 41,070,137 shares issued and outstanding,
actual; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted... -- -- --
Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 58,500,000 shares
authorized, 2,837,595 shares issued and outstanding,
actual; 58,500,000 shares authorized, 18,943,440 shares
issued and outstanding, pro forma; 90,000,000 shares
authorized, 22,943,440 shares issued and outstanding,
pro forma as adjusted.................................. 3 19 23
Additional paid-in capital................................ 24,333 59,633 114,569
Accumulated deficit....................................... (36,025) (36,025) (36,025)
Notes receivable from officers............................ (69) (69) (69)
-------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)................... (11,758) 23,558 78,498
-------- -------- --------
Total capitalization.............................. $ 23,723 $ 23,723 $ 78,498
======== ======== ========
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DILUTION
The pro forma net tangible book value of Eprise as of December 31, 1999 was approximately $23.6 million, or $1.24 per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents the amount of total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the pro forma shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 1999. Pro forma net tangible book value gives effect to the conversion to common, as of December 31, 1999, of all outstanding shares of preferred stock. After giving effect to the issuance and sale of the 4,000,000 shares of common stock offered by this prospectus at the initial public offering price of $15.00 per share and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, the pro forma net tangible book value of Eprise as of December 31, 1999 would have been $78.5 million, or $3.42 per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $2.18 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $11.58 per share to new investors. The following table illustrates this per share dilution.
Initial public offering price per share..................... $15.00
Pro forma net tangible book value per share at December
31, 1999............................................... $ 1.24
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share
attributable to new investors.......................... 2.18
-------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after
offering.................................................. 3.42
------
Dilution per share to new investors......................... $11.58
======
|
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis, as of December 31, 1999, the differences between the number of shares of common stock purchased from Eprise, the aggregate cash consideration paid and the average price per share paid by existing stockholders and new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commission and offering expenses payable by Eprise:
SHARES PURCHASED TOTAL CONSIDERATION
-------------------- --------------------- AVERAGE PRICE
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNTS PERCENT PER SHARE
---------- ------- ----------- ------- -------------
Existing stockholders......... 18,943,440 82.6% $38,998,840 39.4% $ 2.06
New investors................. 4,000,000 17.4 60,000,000 60.6 15.00
---------- ----- ----------- ----- ------
Total....................... 22,943,440 100.0% $98,998,840 100.0% $ 4.31
========== ===== =========== ===== ======
|
The discussion and tables above assume no exercise of any stock options or warrants outstanding as of December 31, 1999. As of December 31, 1999, there were options outstanding to purchase a total of 2,225,264 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $0.71 per share and warrants outstanding to purchase 303,918 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $3.42 per share and 326,995 shares of Series A preferred stock (convertible into 128,233 shares of common stock) at an exercise price of $0.49695 per share. To the extent that any of these options or warrants are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial data presented below as of December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 and for the year ended August 31, 1997, the four months ended December 31, 1997 and the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 have been derived from our audited financial statements, included elsewhere in this prospectus. As discussed in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the 1999 financial data has been restated. Selected financial data as of August 31, 1997 have been derived from our audited financial statements, which are not included in this prospectus. The selected financial data as of August 31,1995 and 1996 and for the years ended August 31, 1995 and 1996 have been derived from our unaudited financial statements, which in the opinion of management include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such information in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In 1997, Eprise changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to December 31. The statement of operations data for the 12 months ended December 31, 1997 has been derived by summing the unaudited results of operations for the four fiscal quarters in the period ended December 31, 1997. The data for proforma loss per share treats our outstanding preferred stock as though it were common stock from the date of original issuance. The information set forth below should be read along with our "Management's Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our financial statements and notes to those statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
FOUR TWELVE
MONTHS MONTHS YEARS ENDED
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------ DEC. 31, DEC. 31, ------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
------ ------ ------ -------- -------- -------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) (RESTATED)(1)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Software licenses.................................. $ -- $ -- $ 33 $ 65 $ 65 $ 345 $ 2,355
Services........................................... 1,104 1,192 1,387 238 1,157 462 1,304
------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- --------
Total revenues................................... 1,104 1,192 1,420 303 1,222 807 3,659
Cost of revenues..................................... 458 567 518 285 579 460 1,125
------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- --------
Gross profit......................................... 646 625 902 18 643 347 2,534
Operating expenses:
Research and development........................... -- 131 180 327 459 2,149 2,360
Selling and marketing.............................. -- 291 800 392 879 2,349 5,056
General and administrative......................... 1,014 332 501 363 710 1,246 2,006
------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- --------
Total operating expenses......................... 1,014 754 1,481 1,082 2,048 5,744 9,422
------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- --------
Operating loss....................................... (368) (129) (579) (1,064) (1,405) (5,397) (6,888)
Other income (expense), net.......................... (18) (26) (154) (100) (210) 136 288
------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- --------
Net loss............................................. (386) (155) (733) (1,164) (1,615) (5,261) (6,600)
Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred
stock.............................................. -- -- -- (2) (2) (15) (21,630)
------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- --------
Loss to common shareholders.......................... $ (386) $ (155) $ (733) $(1,166) $(1,617) $(5,276) $(28,230)
====== ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= ========
Loss per share....................................... $(0.20) $(0.08) $(0.35) $ (0.54) $ (0.76) $ (2.40) $ (11.42)
====== ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding........... 1,822 2,064 2,073 2,156 2,118 2,200 2,473
====== ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= ========
Pro forma loss per share............................. $ (0.50)
========
Pro forma weighted average common shares
outstanding........................................ 13,274
========
|
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1995 1996 1997 1997 1998 1999
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ -------------
(IN THOUSANDS) (RESTATED)(1)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents.................... $ 26 $ -- $ 105 $ 3,136 $ 6,357 $ 22,455
Working capital (deficit).................... (341) (508) (1,358) 2,389 5,829 22,977
Total assets................................. 320 408 335 3,647 7,075 25,534
Long-term debt............................... 202 144 -- -- 158 79
Redeemable preferred stock................... -- -- -- 5,004 13,740 35,316
Total stockholders' deficiency............... (370) (521) (1,220) (2,327) (7,583) (11,758)
|
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes which appear elsewhere in this prospectus.
GENERAL
Eprise, originally named Inner Circle Technologies and then NovaLink, was founded in 1992 as a provider of online interactive games. Between 1994 and 1997, our principal business shifted to creating and hosting Web sites for corporate clients. During this period, we encountered recurring problems arising out of the inadequacy of software tools that were commercially available to build and maintain Web sites. Realizing that there was an opportunity to streamline and automate these processes, we began to develop a software product called Eprise Participant Server to facilitate the construction and updating of Web sites. We shipped our first commercial product in early 1998. Eprise now markets and sells version 2.5 of Eprise Participant Server.
We have completed three rounds of venture capital financing since December 1997, for over $38.0 million in gross proceeds, from investors including Prism Venture Partners, Alliance Technology Ventures and Brookside Capital Partners.
OVERVIEW
We changed our fiscal year end from August 31 to December 31 in 1997. Our financial information for the last eight months of the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 and the four months ended December 31, 1997 contained in this prospectus has been combined in order to present a comparable accounting period for 1997 to the audited year ended December 31, 1998. Future references to the year 1997 or 1998 mean the twelve months ended December 31 unless otherwise indicated.
We generate revenues from two principal sources: (1) license fees for our software products and (2) professional services and technical support revenues derived from consulting, implementation, training and maintenance services related to our software products. In the year ended December 31, 1999, two customers accounted for 23% of our total revenues. In the year ended December 31, 1998, one customer accounted for 58% of our total revenues.
As our revenue generated from license sales has increased, our gross profit margins have improved. License revenue represented 73% of total revenue in the fourth quarter of 1999. License sales produce significantly higher margins than service sales due to nominal costs associated with licenses and their delivery.
Software licenses. Customers typically pay an up-front, one-time fee for a perpetual non-exclusive license of our software. Generally, the amount of the fee is based on the number of licensed servers. To date, software license revenues have principally come from direct sales to customers. The sales cycle for our products is typically three to six months. Although we have limited historical financial data, we believe that our quarterly operating results may experience seasonal fluctuations due to clients' fiscal year budgeting cycles and purchasing patterns. Because of our server-based licensing, we experience significant variation in the size of our licensing transactions.
We generally recognize license fee revenues upon delivery of the product. If the product is subject to acceptance and/or return and refund, we defer revenues until acceptance has occurred or the refund period has expired.
Services. Services revenues consist principally of revenues derived from professional services associated with the implementation and integration of our software products, training of customers' employees and ongoing customer support, which primarily includes customer technical support services and product enhancements. We deliver professional services on either a fixed price basis or a time and materials basis. We generally complete implementation and training services within three to six months following license contract signing.
We recognize revenues from professional services as such services are performed. We recognize maintenance revenues, which are invoiced annually in advance, ratably over the term of the maintenance agreement, which is generally 12 months. Our maintenance revenues currently account for less than 10% of total revenues. As part of these agreements, we provide product enhancements and technical support services to customers for an annual fee, which typically amounts to 20% of the license fee. While a 60-day warranty is included in the software license, maintenance agreements typically are entered into as of the date of the software license. Maintenance agreements are renewable at the discretion of the customer. As of December 31, 1999, there have been 31 customers who have entered into maintenance agreements with Eprise. Of the 31 contracts, to date two have expired, and have not currently been renewed. The remaining contracts have not yet come up for renewal.
Backlog. Delivery lead times for our products are very short and, consequently, substantially all of our license fee revenues in each quarter result from orders received in that quarter. Accordingly, we generally only maintain a backlog for our professional services and maintenance activities, and we believe that our backlog at any point in time is not a reliable indicator of future revenues and earnings.
Cost of revenues. The costs associated with software licenses, including CDs and packaging, arise primarily from the production of software products, and have not been significant in any period presented, nor are they expected to be significant in the foreseeable future. Cost of services revenues consists primarily of salaries and related personnel costs and other allocated expenses of our consulting, support and training organizations, as well as costs related to servicing our legacy products.
Research and development. We maintain a product development staff to enhance our existing products and to develop new products. Software costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility of the software is determined, after which any additional costs are capitalized. To date, we have expensed all software development costs because development costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility have been minimal.
Selling and marketing. We license our products primarily through our direct sales force. Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of costs associated with personnel, sales commissions, office facilities, travel and promotional events such as trade shows, seminars and technical conferences, advertising and public relations programs.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses include salaries and related personnel expenses and other costs of the finance, human resources, information technology and administrative functions at Eprise.
Restatement. As discussed in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the 1999 Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated.
Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's 1999 consolidated financial statements, management determined that the Company had incorrectly accounted for the issuance of the Series C preferred stock in 1999. Because of the proximity of the issuance of the Series C to the commencement of the Company's proposed stock offering, the Company has concluded that a beneficial conversion feature was present in the preferred stock on the date of issuance. For purposes of evaluating this beneficial conversion feature, the Company considers that the
mid-point value implied in the preliminary range of prices for the proposed stock offering ($9.00) represents the fair value of the common stock on the date the Series C was issued.
In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Abstract No. 98-5, "Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable Conversion Ratios," the proceeds from the Series C financing were allocated between the conversion feature and the preferred stock; because the fair value of the common stock ($9.00) was significantly in excess of the conversion price implicit in the Series C stock ($3.93), the entire amount of net proceeds ($21,555,501) were allocated to the conversion feature. Because the preferred stock is immediately convertible into common stock, an immediate dividend or accretion of $21,555,501 was recorded from common stockholders' equity to the carrying value of the Series C preferred stock.
In addition, the Company had originally estimated that for grants of stock options in September and October 1999, the fair value of the underlying common stock was $3.93 per share. The Company has concluded that this estimate does not fully reflect the fair value of the common stock at such times. The Company has concluded that $9.00 more accurately represents the fair value of common stock during the period these grants were made and has adjusted its estimates of compensation cost related to those option grants accordingly.
See Note 10 to Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth our operating results for the periods indicated as a percentage of revenues.
FOUR TWELVE
YEARS ENDED MONTHS MONTHS YEARS ENDED
AUGUST 31, ENDED ENDED DEC. 31,
------------ DEC. 31, DEC. 31, ----------------
1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- -------- -------- -------- ----
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUES)
Revenues:
Software licenses............................ --% 2% 21% 5% 43% 64%
Services..................................... 100 98 79 95 57 36
--- --- ---- ---- ---- ----
Total revenues........................ 100 100 100 100 100 100
--- --- ---- ---- ---- ----
Cost of revenues............................... 48 37 94 47 57 31
--- --- ---- ---- ---- ----
Gross profit................................... 52 63 68 53 43 69
Operating expenses:
Research and development..................... 11 13 108 38 266 65
Selling and marketing........................ 24 56 129 72 291 138
General and administrative................... 28 35 120 58 154 55
--- --- ---- ---- ---- ----
Total operating expenses.............. 63 104 357 168 711 258
--- --- ---- ---- ---- ----
Operating loss................................. (11) (41) (351) (115) (668) (188)
Other income (expense), net.................... (2) (11) (33) (17) 17 8
--- --- ---- ---- ---- ----
Net loss....................................... (13)% (52)% (384)% (132)% (651)% (180)%
=== === ==== ==== ==== ====
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YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
Software licenses. Revenues from software licenses increased by 582.6% to approximately $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to $345,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase in revenues from software licenses was primarily due to the release of version 2.0 of Eprise Participant Server in April 1999 and the resulting increases in license deliveries during 1999. All license revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999 were attributable to new customers compared to 30% attributable to new customers for the year ended December 31, 1998.
Services. Revenues from services increased by 182.3% to approximately $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to $462,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998. Approximately 88% of the increase in revenues from services is attributable to consulting, 9% to training, and 3% to implementation revenue generated by new software license sales. Approximately 58% of services revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999 were attributable to new customers compared to 51% for the year ended December 31, 1998.
Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues, which primarily relate to services because costs of licenses are insignificant, increased by 144.6% to approximately $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to $460,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998. However, as a percentage of total revenues, cost of revenues decreased to 31% for the year ended December 31, 1999 from 57% for the year December 31, 1998. This was primarily due to a larger percentage of total revenues being derived from software license fees (which have significantly higher gross profit margins) in the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to the year ended December 31, 1998, more efficient implementation of our products and better utilization of service personnel.
Research and development. Research and development expenses increased by 9.8% to approximately $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to approximately $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase was primarily attributable to
employee-related expenses incurred in the year ended December 31, 1999 for the continued development of Version 2.0 of Eprise Participant Server and future product releases.
Selling and marketing. Selling and marketing expenses increased by 115.2% to approximately $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to approximately $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. Approximately 72% of the increase in selling and marketing expenses was attributable to an increase in the number of sales and sales support personnel as we expanded our direct sales force. In addition, approximately 19% of the increase was attributable to significant cost increases in marketing programs and public relations activities as we expanded our presence in the market and further developed our brand.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by 61.0% to approximately $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase in general and administrative expenses primarily reflects personnel increases and the related costs associated with supporting our recent and anticipated revenue growth.
Compensation cost for stock options. Options were granted during 1999 at exercise prices which were the best estimate of our board of directors as to the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. However, subsequent to the grant date, management concluded that for grants after the release of the new version of Eprise Participant Server, these estimates may not have fully reflected the impact of this release. Management has determined that for grants made from May to August 1999, $3.93 is a more reliable estimate of the fair value of the common stock during this period. For grants subsequent to August 1999, management determined that the mid-point of the preliminary price range for our anticipated public offering represented the best estimate of the fair value of the common stock during this period. For grants during 1999, compensation cost aggregated approximately $6.8 million, which will be amortized to expense over the four year vesting period of the option grants. For the year ended December 31, 1999, compensation expense recorded related to these grants aggregated $524,000.
Other income (expense). Other income and expense consisted primarily of interest income on invested cash balances and interest expense on borrowings. The increase in other income between the two periods was the result of higher cash balances generated from our second round of venture capital financing in August 1998 and our private placement financing in November 1999.
Income taxes. During the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, we reported losses for both financial and income tax purposes. No provision or benefit for income taxes was recorded in either period. At December 31, 1999, we had net operating loss carry forwards for federal and state income tax purposes aggregating $13.5 million available to offset future taxable income. These loss carry forwards expire in varying amounts through 2014. At December 31, 1999, we had federal and state tax credits aggregating $319,000 available to reduce future taxes payable, expiring through 2014. Because of changes in ownership that have occurred, including the proposed offering, our ability to fully utilize these carry forwards is likely to be limited.
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Software licenses. Revenues from software licenses increased by 430.8% to $345,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $65,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. The increase in revenues from software licenses was primarily due to the first commercial release of Eprise Participant Server in February 1998 and an increase in the number of licenses delivered. Revenues from software license fees for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1997 resulted from a limited number of license sales of a preliminary version of the product.
Approximately 30% of license revenues for the year ended December 31, 1998 were attributable to new customers compared to 100% for the year ended December 31, 1997.
Services. Revenues from services decreased by 60.1% to $462,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to approximately $1.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. The decrease in revenues from services was attributable to the fact that prior to the first commercial release of Eprise Participant Server in February 1998, we derived the majority of our revenues from Web site development; supporting and operating, or hosting, customer Web sites; and online interactive games. During these periods, these revenues decreased as we focused on development and marketing of Eprise Participant Server.
Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues, which primarily relate to services because costs of licenses are not significant, decreased by 20.6% to $460,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $579,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. Cost of services revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997 included data communication costs associated with our hosting of customers' Web sites. The decrease in services revenues between the two periods was due to a decrease in services revenues associated with Web site hosting and development.
Research and development. Research and development expenses increased by 368.2% to approximately $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $459,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. Approximately 80% of the increase was due to increased payroll and related expenses associated with the expansion of our product development staff, which was required for the continued development of Eprise Participant Server. In addition, approximately 19% of the increase was due to consulting and contract programmer expenses incurred in the year ended December 31, 1998 to supplement our product development staff in the development of version 2.0 of Eprise Participant Server.
Selling and marketing. Selling and marketing expenses increased by 167.2% to approximately $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $879,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. Approximately 75% of the increase in selling and marketing expenses was due to an increase in the number of sales and sales support personnel as we developed and expanded our direct sales force in 1998. Additionally, with the first commercial release of Eprise Participant Server in February 1998, approximately 25% of the increase was due to marketing expenses incurred for market awareness programs associated with the product launch.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased
by 75.5% to approximately $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1998
compared to $710,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997.
Approximately 60% of the increase in general and administrative expenses was due
to costs associated with the recruitment and hiring of our Chief Executive
Officer and other executive management staff in 1998 following the first round
of venture financing and approximately 40% of the increase was due to costs
associated with the move to our new facilities in October 1997.
Other income (expense). Other income, consisting of interest income, increased to $164,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $6,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. The increase in interest income resulted from interest earned on invested cash balances generated from our first round of venture capital financing in December 1997. Other expense, consisting of interest expense, decreased to $28,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $216,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997. The majority of interest expense incurred in 1997 was associated with borrowings from a financial institution under an accounts receivable factoring arrangement.
Income taxes. During the year ended December 31, 1998 and the twelve months ended 1997, we reported losses for both financial and income tax purposes. No provision or benefit for income taxes was recorded in either year.
FOUR MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
Software licenses. Revenues from software licenses for the four months ended December 31, 1997 were $65,000. The increase in software license revenues compared to the full year ended August 31, 1997, was primarily attributable to the release of the preliminary version of Eprise Participant Server and the initial deliveries of the product to customers.
Services. Revenues from services totaled $238,000 for the four months ended December 31, 1997. These revenues primarily related to consulting services provided for initial installations of Eprise Participant Server and, on a monthly basis, were reduced from levels realized in the year ended August 31, 1997. This decrease in revenues was attributable to the fact that prior to the release of Eprise Participant Server, we derived a majority of our revenues from Web site development, Web site hosting and online interactive games.
Cost of revenues. Costs of revenues, which primarily relate to services because costs of licenses are not significant, totaled $285,000 for the four months ended December 31, 1997. As a percentage of revenues, cost of services revenues was 94.1%, compared to 36.5% in the year ended August 31, 1997. The increase in cost of services and other revenues as a percentage of revenues is attributable to the decrease in revenues discussed above, as we began to exit our original lines of business.
Research and development. Research and development expenses totaled $327,000 for the four months ended December 31, 1997. As a percentage of revenues, research and development expenses were 107.9%, compared to 12.7% for the year ended August 31, 1997. This increase in research and development expenses as a percentage of revenues is attributable primarily to increased salaries, benefits, and recruiting expenses associated with an increase in product development personnel during the four months ended December 31, 1997.
Selling and marketing. Selling and marketing expenses totaled $392,000 for the four months ended December 31, 1997. Spending in this category, on a monthly basis compared to monthly spending during the year ended August 31, 1997, rose due to an increase in the number of sales and sales support personnel during the period.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses totaled $363,000 for the four months ended December 31, 1997. Spending in this category, on a monthly basis compared to monthly spending during the year ended August 31, 1997, rose due to an increase in the number of personnel during the period to support our anticipated growth.
Other income (expense). Other expense for the four months ended December 31, 1997 totalled $99,000 and consisted principally of interest expense related to outstanding borrowings during the period under an accounts receivable factoring arrangement.
Income taxes. During the four months ended December 31, 1997, we reported a loss for both financial and income tax purposes. No provision or benefit for income taxes was recorded during the period.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997
Software licenses. Revenues from software licenses were $345,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $33,000 for the year ended August 31, 1997. The increased revenues from software licenses were the result of the first commercial release of Eprise Participant Server in February 1998. In the year ended August 31, 1997, revenues from software licenses were derived from the sale of a preliminary version of Eprise Participant
Server. Eprise derived the majority of its revenues during the year ended August 31, 1997 from Web site development, Web site hosting and online interactive games.
Services. Revenues from services decreased by 66.7% to $462,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to approximately $1.4 million for the year ended August 31, 1997. The decrease in revenues from services was attributable to the fact that for the year ended August 31, 1997, prior to the release of Eprise Participant Server, Eprise derived the majority of its revenues from Web site development, Web site hosting and online interactive games.
Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues, which primarily relate to services as costs of licenses are not significant, decreased by 11.2% to $460,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $518,000 for the year ended August 31, 1997. The decrease in cost of revenues was primarily due to the significant reduction of data communications expenses associated with the operation of online interactive games and Web site hosting.
Research and development. Research and development expenses increased by 1,093.9% to approximately $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $180,000 for the year ended August 31, 1997. Approximately 73% of the increase was due to increased salaries, benefits and recruiting expenses associated with an increase in the number of research and development personnel. In addition, approximately 16% of the increase was due to consulting and contract programmer expenses incurred in the year ended December 31, 1998 to supplement our research and development staff in the development of version 2.0 of Eprise Participant Server.
Selling and marketing. Selling and marketing expenses increased by 193.6% to approximately $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $800,000 for the year ended August 31, 1997. Approximately 40% of the increase in selling and marketing expenses was due to the hiring of sales and sales support personnel as Eprise developed and expanded its direct sales force in 1998. Additionally, with the first commercial release of Eprise Participant Server in February 1998, approximately 60% of the increase was due to increased marketing expenses for market awareness programs associated with the product launch.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by 148.7% to approximately $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $501,000 for the year ended August 31, 1997. Approximately 88% of the increase in general and administrative expenses was due to costs associated with the recruitment and hiring of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive management staff in 1998 following the first round of venture financing and approximately 12% of the increase was due to costs associated with our move to new facilities in October 1997.
Other income (expense). Interest income increased to $164,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $3,000 for the year ended August 31, 1997. The increase in interest income resulted from interest earned on invested cash balances generated from our two rounds of venture capital financing in December 1997 and August 1998. Interest expense decreased to $28,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 compared to $157,000 for the year ended August 31, 1997. The majority of interest expense incurred in 1997 was associated with borrowings from a financial institution under an accounts receivable factoring arrangement.
Income taxes. During the years ended December 31, 1998 and August 31, 1997, we reported losses for both financial and income tax purposes. No provision for or benefit from income taxes was recorded in either year.
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents our unaudited results of operations for each of our last eight quarters up to and including the quarter ended December 31, 1999, and also presents such
information as a percentage of our total revenue for the periods indicated. The unaudited results of operations have been prepared on substantially the same basis as the audited statements of operations contained in this prospectus and include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, that we consider necessary to present this information fairly when read in conjunction with our financial statements and accompanying notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The operating results in any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.
QUARTER ENDED
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MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEP. 30, DEC. 31, MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEP. 30, DEC. 31,
1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Software licenses.. $ 76 $ 101 $ -- $ 168 $ 108 $ 223 $ 524 $ 1,500
Services........... 95 148 104 115 53 305 399 547
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total
revenues..... 171 249 104 283 161 528 923 2,047
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Cost of revenues..... 149 94 101 116 126 161 415 423
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Gross profit......... 22 155 3 167 35 367 508 1,624
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating expenses:
Research and
development...... 421 473 624 631 568 545 558 689
Selling and
marketing........ 571 605 550 623 765 1,099 1,203 1,989
General and
administrative... 249 301 344 352 364 410 444 788
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating
expenses..... 1,241 1,379 1,518 1,606 1,697 2,054 2,205 3,466
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating loss....... (1,219) (1,224) (1,515) (1,439) (1,662) (1,687) (1,697) (1,842)
Other income
(expense), net..... 19 7 28 82 55 33 18 182
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss............. $(1,200) $(1,217) $(1,487) $(1,357) $(1,607) $(1,654) $(1,679) $(1,660)
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QUARTER ENDED
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MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEP. 30, DEC. 31, MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEP. 30, DEC. 31,
1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUES)
PERCENT OF TOTAL
REVENUES:
Revenues:
Software licenses.. 44% 41% --% 59% 67% 42% 57% 73%
Services........... 56 59 100 41 33 58 43 27
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total
revenues..... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Cost of revenues..... 87 38 97 41 78 30 45 21
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Gross profit......... 13 62 3 59 22 70 55 79
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating expenses:
Research and
development...... 247 190 600 223 353 103 60 34
Selling and
marketing........ 333 243 529 220 475 208 130 97
General and
administrative... 146 121 331 124 226 79 48 38
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating
expenses..... 726 554 1,460 567 1,054 390 238 169
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating loss....... (713) (492) (1,457) (508) (1,032) (320) (183) (90)
Other income
(expense), net..... 11 3 27 29 34 6 2 8
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss............. (702)% (489)% (1,430)% (479)% (998)% (314)% (181)% (82)%
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Our quarterly operating results have varied in the past and may vary significantly in the future depending on many factors including, among others:
- demand for our products and services;
- the timing of sales of our products and services;
- the timing of customer orders and product implementation;
- unexpected delays in introducing new products and services;
- increased expenses, whether related to selling and marketing, product development or general administration;
- changes in the rapidly evolving market for Web content management solutions;
- the mix of product license and service revenue; and
- the timing and size of sales derived through our strategic partners.
Furthermore, we believe that the purchase of our products is relatively discretionary and generally involves a significant commitment of capital. As a result, purchases of our products may be deferred or canceled in the event of a downturn in any potential customer's business or the economy in general.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
From our inception through 1997, we primarily financed our operations and met our capital expenditure requirements through funds generated from operations, funds borrowed from several stockholders and a director, and funds borrowed from Silicon Valley Bank. Since December 1997, we have raised over $38.0 million in venture capital and private placement funding in order to expand the product development and sales and marketing efforts of the business.
At December 31, 1999, our primary source of liquidity consisted of cash totaling approximately $22.5 million as well as accounts receivable of approximately $2.0 million. Accounts receivable increased by approximately $1.9 million in 1999, primarily as a result of our increase in revenues during the fourth quarter of 1999. We expect that as we continue to expand our revenue base, our accounts receivable will increase proportionally. On November 8, 1999, we raised cash proceeds of approximately $23.4 million, after expenses, from the sale of an aggregate of 16,233,766 shares of Series C preferred stock. In addition, we have a borrowing agreement with Silicon Valley Bank that provides us with a working capital revolving line of credit and a capital equipment line of credit. The working capital line of credit, which expires on March 26, 2000, provides for borrowings up to a maximum amount equal to the lesser of $1.0 million or a percentage of eligible accounts receivable. Borrowings under the line are subject to financial performance covenants, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the bank's prime rate plus 1%, and are collateralized by all of our tangible assets. There have been no borrowings to date under the working capital line of credit and as of December 31, 1999 there was $1.0 million available under the line. As of December 31, 1999, the equipment line of credit had expired and is subject to renewal, and there were no borrowings outstanding under the equipment line of credit. At December 31, 1999, there was a term note outstanding relating to a previous equipment line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank totaling $164,675. At December 31, 1998, we were not in compliance with maximum net loss covenants contained in the line of credit agreements. The bank waived the events of noncompliance, and the covenants were amended. At December 31, 1999, we were in compliance with all of the terms of our line of credit agreements.
Our operating activities have used cash in the current fiscal year and each of the last two fiscal years. During the calendar years 1999, 1998 and 1997, cash used in operating activities of approximately $6.9 million, $5.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively, resulted from net losses of approximately $6.4 million, $5.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 1999, the cash operating loss was primarily a result of payroll and related expenditures, as well as marketing programs representing approximately 15% of revenues, and research and development representing approximately 10% of revenues (excluding payroll and
related expenditures). For the year ended December 31, 1998, the cash operating loss was primarily a result of payroll and related expenditures, as well as marketing programs representing approximately 8% of revenues, and research and development representing approximately 10% of revenues (excluding payroll and related expenditures). We expect the trend in cash operating losses to continue at a rate equal to or greater than the current rate as we increase and expand our distribution capability and continue our product development.
Cash used in investing activities was approximately $366,000, $350,000 and $212,000 in the calendar years 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The cash used in investing activities was primarily used for purchases of computer systems and software for internal development used to support our growth, as well as furniture and equipment to accommodate the increased number of personnel.
Cash provided by financing activities amounted to approximately $23.4 million, $8.8 million and $4.7 million in the calendar years 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. In November 1999, approximately $23.4 million was provided from the sale of Series C preferred stock to approximately 200 venture capital investors and other qualified investors who were existing stockholders of Eprise or clients of our private placement agent. In 1998, approximately $8.5 million was provided from the sale of Series B Preferred Stock to seven institutional venture capital investors and their affiliates and one accredited individual. In calendar year 1997, approximately $4.9 million was provided from the sale of, and conversion of a note payable into, Series A preferred stock issued to three institutional venture capital investors and one accredited individual.
We currently anticipate that the net proceeds from the issuance of Series C preferred stock on November 8, 1999, and the net proceeds from this offering, together with our current cash and equivalents and line of credit, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need to raise additional funds in future periods through public or private financings, or other arrangements. Any additional financings, if needed, might not be available on reasonable terms or at all. Failure to raise capital when needed could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, additional dilution could result. In addition, any equity securities issued might have rights, preferences or privileges senior to our common stock.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants released Statement of Position No. 98-9 ("SOP 98-9"), "Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to Certain Transactions." SOP 98-9 amends SOP 97-2 to provide guidance related to determination of the allocation of revenues in multiple element contracts under certain circumstances. SOP 98-9 will be effective for transactions entered into in our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2000. Eprise does not expect that adoption of SOP 98-9 will have a material impact on financial position or the results of operations.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. The new standard requires that all companies record derivatives on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the values of those derivatives would be accounted for based on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. Management is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 133 on our financial statements. Eprise will adopt this accounting standard on January 1, 2001, as required.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
We have designed Eprise Participant Server and its add-on modules to be Year 2000 compliant, and, as a result, to date we have not experienced Year 2000 problems related to these products. We licensed a precursor of Eprise Participant Server that may not be Year 2000 compliant to one customer, but have not been advised of any Year 2000 problems by such customer to date.
The majority of the computer programs and hardware we currently use in our own internal operations did not require replacement or modification as a result of the Year 2000 issue.
We believe that our significant vendors and service providers are Year 2000 compliant and have not, to date, been made aware that any of our significant vendors or service providers have suffered Year 2000 disruptions in their systems.
Accordingly, we do not anticipate incurring material expenses or experiencing any material operational disruptions as a result of any Year 2000 problems.
BUSINESS
Eprise provides software products and services that enable businesses to maintain, update, expand and otherwise manage the information contained on their Web sites. Our core product, Eprise Participant Server, enables a business organization to distribute this Web content management function among the appropriate individuals within the enterprise who are charged with particular aspects of the Web business. These individuals need no knowledge of programming languages or other technical skills to use Eprise Participant Server, thereby minimizing a customer's reliance on information technology professionals and consultants. Eprise Participant Server ensures, however, that changes to Web content are carefully managed through rules contained in the software which govern Web content access and approval rights. Eprise Participant Server permits an enterprise to have Web site content which is dynamic, up to the minute and responsive to the needs of customers, business partners, employees and others who visit the enterprise's Web site. Our product can be easily integrated with a customer's existing Web site infrastructure and it can be extended to provide enhanced, customized functionality. We believe that Eprise Participant Server's comprehensive, out-of-the-box functionality makes it the most cost-effective Web content management solution currently available.
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
The Internet has evolved into a critical sales, s