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Alarm.com

alrm · NASDAQ Technology
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Ticker alrm
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Technology
Industry Software - Application
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2018 Annual Report · Alarm.com
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2018

Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Access Control • Analytics • Audio • Doorbell Camera • Door Locks • Door & Window Sensors • Energy Monitoring 

Yellow Brick Road Ventures, LLC 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Garage Doors • Image Sensor • Irrigation • Lights • Smoke Detectors • Thermostats • Video Cameras • Water Sensors

S E R V I C E   P R OV I D E R   S O L U T I O N S

Alarm.com Academy • Business Intelligence Tools • Customer Connections • Home Builder Program 

Marketing Portal • MobileTech Application • Remote Toolkit • Partner Portal • Web Services

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CORPORATE INFORMATION

President and Chief Executive Officer

Stephen Trundle

Alarm.com 

Timothy McAdam

General Partner

Corporate Headquarters

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.

8281 Greensboro Drive, Suite 100

Tysons, VA 22102

Phone: 877.389.4033

Technology Crossover Ventures

Stock Listing

Donald Clarke

Chief Financial Officer

Plex Systems, Inc.

Michelle Lee

Technology and 

Intellectual Property Advisor

Darius G. Nevin

Member

G3 Capital Partners, LLC

Hugh Panero

Owner

Mayo Shattuck

Chairman

Exelon Corporation

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Stephen Trundle

President and Chief Executive Officer 

Steve Valenzuela

Chief Financial Officer

Jeffrey Bedell

Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer 

David Hutz

Chief Systems Architect 

Daniel Kerzner

Chief Product Officer 

Jean-Paul Martin

Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder 

Daniel Ramos

Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary

Alarm.com Holdings Inc. stock is publicly traded  

on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the  

ticker symbol: ALRM

Investor Relations

investors.alarm.com

Contact ir@alarm.com

Our investor relations website is located at  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

1800 Tysons Boulevard

McLean, VA 22102

Transfer Agent

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Phone: 1.800.937.5449

www.astfinancial.com

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

June 5, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. ET

8281 Greensboro Drive, Suite 100

Tysons, VA 22102 

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

Nominating 

& Corporate 

Governance

Audit

Compensation

Timothy McAdam

Donald Clarke

Michelle Lee

Darius G. Nevin

Hugh Panero

Mayo Shattuck

Chairman 

of the Board

Chair

Member

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

OR

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

For the transition period from                      to

Commission File Number: 001-37461

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
8281 Greensboro Drive, Suite 100, Tysons, Virginia

(Address of principal executive offices)

26-4247032
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
22102

(zip code)

Tel: (877) 389-4033 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 

 Yes  

No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. 

Yes  

No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject 
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 

Yes  

No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to 
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required 
to submit such files). 

Yes   

No 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained 
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in 
Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting 
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and 
"emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Emerging growth company

Accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying 

with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    

Yes  

 No   

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 29, 2018 was $1.3 

billion, based on a closing price of $40.38 per share of the registrant's common stock as reported on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. For 
purposes of this computation, all officers, directors, and 10% beneficial owners of the registrant are deemed to be affiliates. Such determination 
should not be deemed to be an admission that such officers, directors or 10% beneficial owners are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant.

As of February 20, 2019, there were 48,182,307 outstanding shares of the registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection 

with the registrant’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed subsequent to the date hereof, are incorporated by reference into 
Part III of this Form 10-K. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days following the 
end of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.

Business

Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Properties
Legal Proceedings

PART II.

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Consolidated Statements of Equity
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Item 9. 
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures
Item 9B.  Other Information

PART III.

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

PART IV.

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary 
Signatures

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, or this Annual Report, contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of 
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that reflect our current expectations regarding future events, our strategy, future 
operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management. The 
forward-looking statements are contained principally in Part I, Item 1. "Business," Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors," and Part II, Item 
7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," but are also contained elsewhere
in this Annual Report. Forward-looking statements include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical
fact. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "objective," "ongoing," "plan," "predict," "project," "potential," "should," "will," or
"would," or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. These
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity,
performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this
prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our
expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. Forward-looking statements include statements about:

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our ability to continue to increase revenue, maintain existing subscribers and sell new services to new and existing
subscribers;
our ability to add new service provider partners, maintain existing service provider partner relationships and increase
the productivity of our service provider partners;
the effects of increased competition as well as innovations by new and existing competitors in our market;
our ability to adapt to technological change and effectively enhance, innovate and scale our solution;
our ability to effectively manage or sustain our growth;
potential acquisitions and integration of complementary business and technologies;
our ability to maintain, or strengthen awareness of, our brand;
perceived or actual security, integrity, reliability, quality or compatibility problems with our solutions, including related to
security breaches in our systems, our subscribers’ systems, unscheduled downtime, or outages;
statements regarding future revenue, hiring plans, expenses, capital expenditures, capital requirements and stock
performance;
our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel and further expand our overall headcount;
our ability to develop relationships with service provider partners in order to expand internationally;
our ability to stay abreast of new or modified laws and regulations that currently apply or become applicable to our
business both in the United States and internationally;
our ability to maintain, protect and enhance our intellectual property;
costs associated with defending intellectual property infringement and other claims; and
other risks detailed below in Item 1A. "Risk Factors."

You should refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" section of this Annual Report for a discussion of important factors that may 

cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a result of 
these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report will prove to be accurate. 
Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant 
uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us 
or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame or at all. We undertake no 
obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, 
except as required by law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of 
any date subsequent to the date of this Annual Report.

Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report to "Alarm.com," 

the "company," "we," "us," "our" and similar references refer to Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. and, where appropriate, our 
consolidated subsidiaries.

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

PART I.

Alarm.com is the leading platform for the intelligently connected property. We offer a comprehensive suite of cloud-based 

solutions for smart residential and commercial properties, including interactive security, video monitoring, intelligent automation, 
energy management and wellness solutions. Millions of property owners depend on our technology to intelligently secure, 
monitor and manage their residential and commercial properties. In the last year alone, our platforms processed more than 200 
billion data points generated by over 90 million connected devices. We believe that this scale of subscribers, connected devices 
and data operations makes us the leader in the connected property market.

Our solutions are delivered through an established network of over 8,000 trusted service providers, who are experts at 
selling, installing and supporting our solutions. We primarily generate Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS, and license revenue 
through our service provider partners, who resell these services and pay us monthly fees. We also generate hardware and other 
revenue, primarily from our service provider partners and distributors. Our hardware sales include connected devices that enable 
our services, such as video cameras, gateway modules and smart thermostats. 

We enter into contracts with our service provider partners that establish pricing for access to our platform solutions and for 
the sale of hardware. These contracts typically have an initial term of one year, with subsequent renewal terms of one year. Our 
service provider partners typically enter into contracts with our subscribers, which our service provider partners have indicated 
range from three to five years in length. Our service provider partners are free to market and sell our products under their own 
guidelines at prices to the consumer that they establish independently. We believe that the length of the service relationship with 
residential and commercial property owners, combined with our robust SaaS platforms and over 15 years of operating 
experience, contribute to a compelling business model.

We have experienced significant growth since our company's inception in 2000. We generated total revenue of $420.5 
million, $338.9 million and $261.1 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our SaaS and license revenue was $291.1 
million, $236.3 million and $173.5 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, representing a compound annual growth rate of 
29.5%. We also generated net income of $21.5 million, $29.3 million and $10.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as 
well as Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP metric, of $93.1 million, $71.6 million and $49.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, 
respectively. See footnote 4 to the table contained in the section of this Annual Report titled "Selected Financial Data" for a 
reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in 
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP.

Our Solutions and Integrated Platforms

Our technology platforms are designed to make connected properties safer, smarter and more efficient. Our solutions are 

used in both smart residential and commercial properties, which we refer to as the connected property market and we have 
designed our technology platforms for all market participants. This includes not only the residential and commercial property 
owners who subscribe to our services, but also the hardware partners who manufacture devices that integrate with our platforms 
and the service provider partners who install and maintain our solutions.

Our service provider partners can deploy our interactive security, video monitoring, intelligent automation and energy 
management solutions as stand-alone offerings or as combined solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers. 
Our technology enables subscribers to seamlessly connect to their property through our family of mobile apps, websites, and 
new engagement platforms like voice control through Amazon Echo and Google Home, wearable devices like the Apple Watch, 
and TV platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

Subscriber Solutions

Interactive Security 

Interactive security is the entry point for most of our smart home and business subscribers. Our dedicated, two-way cellular 
connection between the property and our platforms is designed to be tamper resistant and to meet the high reliability standards 
for life safety services. Our solution integrates monitoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with emergency response through 
trusted and integrated central monitoring stations. Subscribers can use our services to control and monitor their security 
systems, as well as connected security devices including motion sensors, door locks, garage doors, thermostats and video 
cameras. The capabilities associated with this solution include:

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Alarm Transmission. We transmit alarm signals from monitored properties through our platforms to over 1,000 third-
party central monitoring stations staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with live operators ready to initiate 
emergency response.

Always-On Monitoring. Whether the security system is armed or disarmed, sensors continuously monitor activity at the 
property so subscribers can be made aware of system events in all kinds of situations.

Insights Engine. Our proprietary machine learning algorithms help safeguard connected properties by learning the 
unique activity patterns at the property and automatically notifying the subscriber of unexpected activity. Facial 
recognition technology enhances unexpected activity alerts by enabling certain security panels with built-in cameras to 
proactively monitor for unauthorized sharing or theft of an authorized user's security system codes. By analyzing 
pictures taken when the security panel is disarmed, the system can associate a specific person with a specific user 
code. If a different person uses that same code, Alarm.com can send an alert to the home or business owner, providing 
an added layer of security, awareness and control.

Real-Time Alerts. Notifications for any type of system event are delivered through push notifications, short message 
service, or SMS, or email, based on the subscriber's preference.

Managed Access and Enterprise Control. Subscribers can manage their property through permission-based access, 
including individualized user codes and rules based on time and day. Property managers and business owners can 
utilize our Enterprise Control service to remotely manage employees’ access to the security system, door locks and 
property partitions across multiple locations.

Wellness. Our technology can learn daily living patterns of an aging family member through monitoring of activity data 
from security and specialized sensors and identify anomalies in real-time that may indicate a problem. Alerts can be 
sent to notify family members or caregivers when there are critical changes in patterns or an emergency is detected.

Video Monitoring

Our high definition video monitoring solution can provide a direct view into the property, capture footage of critical events 
and provide visual peace of mind. We offer indoor and outdoor camera solutions for residential and commercial properties at 
varying price points. We also provide a doorbell video camera solution that supports two-way audio with guests at the door.

The capabilities associated with our video monitoring solution include:

Video Analytics: Our video analytics engine provides an intelligent new layer of security and awareness for residential 
and commercial property owners. Object classification and object tracking technology can distinguish between people, 
vehicles and animals, determine an object's direction of movement and measure the duration of activity. Our 
subscribers can selectively control and manage notifications and assign virtual zones and multi-directional "tripwires" so 
they can monitor their properties for highly specific activity. 

Live Streaming. Subscribers can securely access live video feeds through the web and mobile apps at any time.

Smart Clip Capture. Our video solutions can automatically record clips based on motion detection or system events, like 
an alarm, a door opening or someone disarming the security panel.

Secure Cloud Storage. Video clips are uploaded to our cloud-based storage system for secure storage and remote 
viewing.

Video Alerts. Smart clips can be automatically sent via SMS, push notifications or email as soon as they are recorded.

Continuous High Definition Recording. Onsite recording up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week is enabled through 
our Stream Video Recorder, or SVR, and can be played back securely, from anywhere, through the web and mobile 
apps.

Commercial Video Surveillance. Tailored for small and medium sized businesses, our commercial video surveillance 
offering provides leading commercial-grade network cameras to support a wide range of business needs, enabling 
multi-camera installations with continuous recording, cloud based storage and mobile access.

Intelligent Automation and Energy Management

Our solution provides enhanced monitoring and control for a large ecosystem of connected devices, including thermostats, 

lights, locks, power meters, shades and other devices. Increasing awareness of energy usage and providing intelligent control 

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over connected devices enables subscribers to create personalized automation rules and schedules. We believe our solutions 
can reduce energy waste as well as increase comfort and convenience for our subscribers. The capabilities associated with this 
solution include:

Scenes. A customizable scenes button within the Alarm.com app provides the ability to adjust multiple devices in the 
property with a single command. For example, a homeowner leaving the house can arm the security system, lock the 
front door, close the garage door and adjust the thermostat with a single command.

Smart Thermostat Schedules. Machine learning algorithms analyze system activity patterns to recommend thermostat 
schedules that increase energy efficiency when the property is not likely to be occupied.

  Responsive Savings. Smart thermostats connected to our platforms can automatically respond to sensors and other 
devices in the property to conserve energy. For example, when the security system is armed away, an arming state 
used when the property is not occupied, the thermostat can automatically adjust to save energy.

Precision Comfort. Remote temperature sensors enable a subscriber to manage comfort in a specific area within their 
property. For example, a homeowner can set a desired temperature for a child's nursery to improve the child’s comfort. 
Subscribers can easily customize detailed schedules and rules to have the right temperature in the right location at the 
right time.

Energy Usage Monitoring. Real-time and historical energy usage data for the entire property and individual devices can 
give subscribers greater insight into the property’s energy consumption profile, which could encourage more efficient 
use of energy-consuming devices.

Environmental Monitoring. Subscribers can utilize environmental sensors with our platforms to monitor and control their 
property. For example, a leak detected by a basement water sensor can automatically shut off a water line, or a 
property owner can be alerted to a sump-pump failure and react accordingly.

  Geo-Services. Geo-Services use a phone’s geo-location to determine when to notify a subscriber of specific system 
conditions, or to automatically adjust system settings. Subscribers who have enabled Geo-Services can be notified if 
they leave home and forgot to lock a door, close the garage door, arm their security system or close a window. 
Additionally, smart thermostats and lights can be automatically adjusted based on the subscriber's location. Subscribers 
can create multiple geo-fences and customize the opt-in feature to meet their specific needs.

  Demand Response Programs. Utilities can reduce or shift power consumption during peak demand periods by 

accessing connected thermostats and other connected appliances that participate in the utility's program. Managed at 
scale, these voluntary programs can significantly reduce costs for utilities. In addition to enabling subscribers to 
participate in these programs through our energy management solution, our EnergyHub subsidiary aggregates a 
diverse set of smart thermostats, enabling utilities to leverage these devices to operate demand response programs 
and improve the results of certain demand response events through our SaaS platforms.

Commercial Solutions

In addition to our residential solutions, we offer Alarm.com for Business, a security solution for small and medium 

businesses, ranging from single-site to multi-location enterprises. Alarm.com for Business combines intelligent intrusion 
detection, video surveillance, access control and energy management into a single solution through Alarm.com's app and online 
interfaces. Our Smarter Access Control solution, part of the unified Alarm.com for Business platform, helps solve many of the 
challenges faced by small business owners, with an array of always-on operational tools that can improve management and 
control. Our solution enhances and simplifies business operations, streamlines security, saves energy and provides insights into 
customer habits. Additionally, our business insights tools provide actionable intelligence, including open and close trends by 
location, peak periods of activity and customer traffic and energy savings opportunities. Key benefits of the commercial offering 
include:

  Daily Safeguards. Smarter business security keeps subscribers' properties and business locations secure with 

automatic arming at a certain time each day or after a certain period of inactivity.

  Commercial Grade Video Solutions. Connected commercial cameras communicate with the security system, capturing 
clips as activity occurs, and clips are uploaded to our cloud-based storage system for secure storage and remote 
viewing. Subscribers can receive real-time alerts and instantly view footage through the web or mobile apps if the alarm 
goes off, a door is unlocked, or unexpected activity occurs outside of normal business hours. Business owners can 
assess the situation and take appropriate action at any time of day and from any location. 

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Energy Savings. Our smarter thermostat helps subscribers reduce energy costs automatically, even if someone forgets 
to adjust the temperature when they're closing up at the end of the day, generating a return on investment.

Protection for Valuables and Inventory. Quick notifications keep business owners in the know about individuals entering 
or exiting the back office, the supply room, or any other specific rooms or doors.

Access Control. Business owners and managers can easily add and delete access for new employees and departing 
employees in a few clicks, without calling the alarm company or worrying about spare keys. 

  Operational Insights. Visibility into activity patterns and trends can help business owners make smarter decisions 

around staffing, promotions, energy use and more. Reports show activity patterns across the business, helping owners 
spot new opportunities for staffing, traffic flow and promotions. 

Early Problem Identification. Early identification of activity such as unexpected entry after hours, or doors propped open 
that could cause energy waste or safety concerns, helps business owners quickly respond to problematic situations. 
Alarm.com provides a time stamped log of which users armed or disarmed the system or entered the property using 
their keycard. 

Simple to Use. Alarm.com’s smartphone app is intuitive to use, with visibility and control of every solution available 
within a single dashboard. 

Professionally Supported. Smarter business security powered by Alarm.com is supported by our authorized service 
provider partners from start to finish, with installation, configuration and technical support included. Our service provider 
partners are trained and equipped with Alarm.com’s advanced digital tools.

Easy to Maintain. Alarm.com’s solutions are cloud-based, so no additional IT resources are needed. 

Service Provider Solutions

We also offer a comprehensive suite of enterprise-grade business management solutions for our service provider partners. 
We are committed to helping our service provider partners grow their businesses, efficiently manage their customer bases and 
maximize the value of their Alarm.com accounts. We believe these services strengthen our partnerships with service providers 
as they build their businesses on our platforms. Capabilities associated with these solutions include:

Service Provider Portal. Our permission-based online portal provides account management, sales, marketing, training 
and support tools. Through this portal, our service provider partners can activate and manage their Alarm.com customer 
accounts, order equipment, access invoices and billing, remotely program customer systems, obtain sales and 
marketing services and engage in training.

Installation and Support. The ease of installation and cost of supporting connected property solutions are critical 
considerations for our service provider partners. We support the end-to-end process for deploying and managing our 
solutions with tools that make installation and support more efficient.

•  MobileTech Application and Remote Toolkit. Our installation and troubleshooting mobile app, designed for 
service provider technicians, facilitates the successful installation, programming and support of equipment 
while either on-site at subscribers’ properties or while working remotely. Service provider technicians and 
customer service personnel can access a collection of remote system management tools and panel settings 
through the Remote Toolkit using the MobileTech application and our service provider portal, including service 
appointment reminders, device notes, quick links and MobileTech Podcasts. These features help to increase 
accuracy of installations, decrease time spent on-site and reduce support calls and return visits, which saves 
subscribers and service providers money while increasing subscriber satisfaction.

Business Management. Our services deeply integrate with our service provider partners’ offerings and provide 
increased business insight into their customer base and key business health metrics.

•  Web Services. Our web services allow our service provider partners to integrate their existing customer 

management software and tools with our platforms. This creates a unified interface for our service provider 
partners to seamlessly perform functions like creating a new customer account or upgrading a service plan.

•  Business Intelligence. Our powerful business intelligence tools provide service providers with crucial insights 

into the performance of their Alarm.com subscriber account base. Business Intelligence provides key 
operational metrics related to account plan adoption, attrition and service quality to help service provider 
partners grow their business and improve customer retention.

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•  Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Our SecurityTrax offering enhances our platforms with a cloud-
based CRM and enterprise resource planning solution. Expressly developed for security service providers, 
SecurityTrax automates business processes across the entire customer lifecycle for more efficient customer 
management and support operations.

Sales, Marketing & Training. Our comprehensive customer lifecycle sales and marketing services are available to help 
our service provider partners effectively market and sell our solutions.

•  Marketing Portal. We provide a broad suite of marketing and sales tools and resources for our service 

provider partners, including our MobileSales app, co-brandable landing pages, mobile optimized websites with 
integrated lead capture, social media, videos, images, collateral, direct mail and event materials.

•  Alarm.com Academy. We offer comprehensive in-person training programs to our service provider partners. 

Additionally, we offer online courses through a learning management system, enabling our service provider 
partners to access training on the full suite of Alarm.com solutions anytime.

•  Customer Connections. We help our service provider partners maximize the value of existing accounts by 

offering targeted in-app messaging and e-mail communications to existing subscribers. These campaigns are 
designed to increase engagement, drive upsell opportunities and enable referrals for our service provider 
partners.

  Home Builder Program. Our home builder program includes hardware and service plans designed to facilitate 

partnerships between home builders and our service provider partners. Home builders can rapidly deploy a full-range of 
our smart home solutions in new communities and model homes, while minimizing risks and costs by depending on our 
nationwide network of service provider partners for hardware installation and ongoing support.  

Benefits of Our Solutions

Residential and commercial properties are ripe for reinvention. The intersection of significant technology trends, like the 
broad adoption of mobile devices, the emergence of the Internet of Things, or IoT, the power of big data and the extensibility of 
the cloud, makes the connected property possible. Security systems, thermostats, door locks, video cameras, lights, garage 
doors and other devices that were once inert can now be intelligent and connected. Our intelligently connected property solutions 
provide a wealth of benefits to our subscribers and our service provider partners.

Benefits to Subscribers:

Single Connected Platform. Our cloud-based platforms provide subscribers with a single point of integrated control 
across a diverse ecosystem of IoT devices. Solutions are easily personalized to suit the individual subscriber’s needs.

  Reliable Network Communications. Our platforms utilize a highly secure, highly reliable, dedicated cellular 

connection which mitigates common vulnerabilities of systems that are connected via the phone line or wired networks, 
such as power outages, cut phone lines, or broadband connectivity issues.

Intelligent and Actionable. Our platforms aggregate real-time, multi-point data about property activity and system 
status. We have developed a highly scalable data analytics engine to deliver unique features and capabilities based on 
insights derived from this growing set of data. For example, learning detailed activity patterns in a property enables our 
platforms to proactively alert the subscriber about unexpected events. Our platforms continue to learn and adapt to 
become more personalized over time.

  Broad Device Compatibility. Our platforms support a wide variety of connected devices and communications 

protocols, allowing seamless integration and automation of many devices, as well as the addition of new devices in the 
future.

  Accessible and Affordable. Our platforms offer an affordable alternative to expensive automation systems, legacy 

residential and commercial control products and disparate point product solutions.

Trusted Provider. We have established a reputation and brand as a trusted and reliable technology provider. We 
respect the privacy of our subscribers and do not sell their data. Our reputation is strengthened through our network of 
over 8,000 service provider partners, who have significant expertise in the delivery of our SaaS platforms and suite of 
solutions.

7

 
 
 
 
Benefits to Service Provider Partners:

  New Revenue Generation Opportunities. Our solutions help broaden our service provider partners' offerings beyond 
traditional security to also include comprehensive smart residential and commercial solutions like intelligent automation, 
video monitoring and energy management. They can access new market opportunities and drive incremental recurring 
monthly revenue by expanding their offerings with our solutions. We offer training, tools and other resources to help our 
service provider partners fully leverage the breadth and depth of our platforms.

Expanded Set of Value-Added Services. We provide value-added services to our service provider partners, including 
training, marketing, installation and support tools and business intelligence analytics. This support helps our service 
provider partners more efficiently acquire, install and support their customers on our platforms.

Improved Service Provider Economics. Our cloud-based platforms can help reduce our service provider partners’ 
service delivery and support costs. Remote Toolkit enables our service provider partners to remotely configure, support 
and upgrade their customer's hardware or software, eliminating the cost of an in-person service call. In addition, we 
believe our service provider partners can generate more revenue from each subscriber by providing services beyond 
traditional security.

  Broad Device Interoperability. We have an open platform which allows service provider partners to respond to market 
innovation and consumer demands for connected devices. Device hardware is deeply integrated into our platforms to 
provide a more cohesive experience than stand-alone products deliver. For example, we launched video analytics in 
October 2018 to help our service provider partners address growing consumer interest with a differentiated and fully 
integrated solution. Furthermore, our platforms support various broadly adopted communications protocols used in 
many automation devices, including Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, cellular and broadband. Our open platforms and interoperability 
give our service provider partners a wide selection of devices to suit their customers' needs now and in the future.

Competitive Advantages

We believe the benefits we can deliver to our subscribers and our service provider partners create a significant competitive 

advantage in the connected property market.

Scale of Subscriber Base and Service Provider Coverage. Our platforms currently support millions of residential and 
commercial subscribers and we have over 8,000 service provider partners who market, sell and support Alarm.com 
solutions. In 2018, our platforms processed more than 200 billion data points generated by over 90 million connected 
devices. We believe the combination of the size of our subscriber base, service provider network and the volume of 
data generated by the integrated devices on our platforms creates a competitive advantage for us.

Security Grade, Cloud-Based Architecture. We built our platforms with a cloud-based, multi-tenant architecture that 
allows for real-time updates and upgrades. Our platforms were purpose-built from the ground up with life safety 
standards at the core.

  Highly Scalable Data Analytics Engine. We processed more than 200 billion data points in 2018. As consumer 

preferences shift towards more proactive, intelligence-based features, we believe that our investments in proprietary 
analytics give us a competitive advantage.

Trusted Brand. We believe that our leading position in our space is an indicator that we have developed a trusted 
brand with service providers and consumers for innovative and reliable technology and service. Our iOS and Android 
mobile apps have each been downloaded millions of times and both apps consistently have impressive user ratings.

  Commitment to Innovation. We are a pioneer in the intelligently connected property market and we continue to make 
significant investments in innovative research and development. Our investment has resulted in 193 issued patents as 
of December 31, 2018 and numerous patent applications pending which we believe can help ensure that our 
technology remains competitively differentiated and legally protected.

Growth Strategy

We intend to maintain our leadership position by continuing to develop and deploy innovative technologies and by 

expanding our ecosystem of partners. Our key growth strategies include:

  Drive SaaS and license revenue growth and add new service providers. We will continue to focus on helping our 

service provider partners succeed in driving adoption of our full suite of services. We offer sales and marketing 
resources to help our service provider partners become more effective in selling our solutions and we will continue to 

8

 
 
 
 
 
make significant investments to support our service provider network. In addition, we plan to continue to expand our 
network of service provider partners.

  Upgrade traditional security customers to our solutions. We believe there is a significant opportunity for our service 
provider partners to expand adoption of our connected solutions within their customer base. We intend to leverage our 
status as a trusted provider to drive consumer interest in our offerings and enable our service provider partners to 
upgrade their legacy security customers to our connected property solutions.

  Continue to invest in our platforms. As a pioneer in connected home and business solutions, we have made 

significant investments in building our platforms over the last 19 years. We intend to continue to invest heavily to add 
additional innovative offerings and broaden our suite of solutions. As the market for IoT grows and more devices 
become connected, we are building technology and partnerships to connect these devices to our platforms.

Expand international presence. We are investing in international expansion because we believe there is a significant 
global market opportunity for our products and services. Today, our products are currently localized and available in 
approximately 40 countries outside of North America, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Iceland, 
Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and Turkey. We intend to continue to grow our 
number of international subscribers by strengthening our presence in existing markets and expanding to additional 
markets.

Expand into the small and medium business market segment. We believe there is significant opportunity to expand 
our products and services to small and medium businesses, ranging from single-site to multi-location enterprises. We 
intend to leverage many of our existing solutions and our newly introduced Alarm.com for Business solution to provide 
such businesses with visibility into their key operational activities, keep businesses secure, provide facility access to 
employees and vendors remotely and manage their energy costs. 

  Channel expansion. Today, many consumers purchase connected devices through a security service provider. 

Continued growth in the connected property market has invited new participants into the space that can complement 
our current partner ecosystem. We intend to continue to develop partnerships with heating, ventilation and air 
conditioning installers, property management companies, utility companies, insurance providers and other services 
companies to expand avenues into residential and commercial properties.

Pursue selective strategic acquisitions. We may selectively pursue future acquisitions of businesses, technologies, 
or products that complement our platforms or align with our overall growth strategy. Such acquisitions could expand our 
team and/or technology portfolio to help us add new features to our platforms, accelerate the pace of our innovation or 
help us access attractive markets.

Market Opportunity

Our addressable market consists of both residential and commercial properties. Our residential subscribers are typically 
owners of single-family homes and our commercial subscribers often include retail businesses, restaurants, commercial facilities 
and professional offices.

We believe there is an opportunity to significantly increase the adoption of our solutions as more residential and commercial 

property owners look to add monitored security systems. According to research data published by IHS Markit in 2018, 
approximately 20% of U.S. broadband households had professionally monitored security systems in 2017 and this percentage is 
expected to grow to approximately 23% by 2022. 

We also believe that the major technology trends of mobile access, the IoT, big data and cloud technology will continue to 

create opportunities to connect people with their properties in new ways. These trends will continue to make connected services 
and devices more broadly available and affordable for property owners across North America and worldwide. According to a 
2017 Parks Associates industry report, 26% of U.S. broadband households owned at least one smart home device in 2017. 
Parks Associates’ research suggests that sales of smart home devices will continue to grow as nearly 55 million devices are 
expected to be sold in 2020 alone. We believe that the trends highlight a significant opportunity for market participants, including 
Alarm.com.

Our Technology

Cloud Services Platform

Our internal engineering teams have designed and developed our core technology. As an industry leader, we believe we 
have robust cloud service platforms for the intelligently connected property. Our cloud services platforms manage communication 
with the system at the property, intelligently direct alerts and notifications, learn patterns and identify anomalies and manage 

9

 
 
 
video processing and storage. Additionally, our platforms enable device integrations through application program interfaces, or 
APIs, and offer our service provider partners extensive workflow efficiency services.

Since our inception, we have utilized a multi-tenant SaaS platform architecture to enable rapid innovation in a scalable 

environment. Our platforms are architected to scale and our technology team has developed proprietary cloud-based 
applications to support our service provider partners and subscribers. Security and life safety are mission critical components of 
our service offering; thus, we are committed to high reliability standards. We operate our Alarm.com cloud services platform 
through two redundant network operations centers located in Phoenix, Arizona and Ashburn, Virginia. Each center is designed to 
run the entire Alarm.com platform independent of the other.

Cybersecurity

The solutions we provide rely on technology and data, and cybersecurity is a crucial part of our business. We dedicate 
substantial resources to the protection of our data, systems and infrastructure. We have implemented and continue to maintain a 
comprehensive information security program consisting of policies, procedures, and technology designed to maintain the privacy, 
security and integrity of our data, confidential information, systems and networks. Among other things, the program includes 
controls designed to limit and monitor access to our systems, networks and data, prevent inappropriate or unauthorized access 
or modification, and monitor for threats or vulnerability.

Hardware and Manufacturing

We are involved in designing and manufacturing various types of hardware that enable our solutions, including:

  Cellular Communication Modules. We offer cellular communications modules that are tightly integrated with security 

system control panels, sensors and other devices. We regularly pioneer technical advances in this space, including the 
expansion of our deployment of security services hardware with 4G LTE cellular network connections. All of our 
modules, designed by our device engineering team and manufactured in the United States by a contract manufacturing 
partner, provide a dedicated and fully managed two-way cellular connection between the subscriber’s property and our 
cloud platforms. The modules run our proprietary firmware and enable:

•  Real-time analysis of system events reported by security sensors and other devices.

• 

• 

Local automation rule execution.

The management of message transmissions to our cloud platforms for further processing.

Image Sensor. Our image sensor, designed by our device engineering team and manufactured in the United States by 
a contract manufacturing partner, is a wireless, battery-operated, passive infrared motion sensor that captures images 
based on various system triggers. These images are transmitted by our cellular communications module to our cloud 
platforms. Subscribers can securely view images through our website and mobile apps, as well as customize their 
notification settings to have new images automatically sent via SMS and email.

Video Cameras. We offer a suite of high definition, Internet Protocol, or IP, video cameras to enable our video 
monitoring services. Our indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell cameras include options for night vision capabilities as well 
as wireless or Power over Ethernet communication features. We also offer a network video recording device, the SVR, 
for on premise, continuous video recording seamlessly connected to our cloud platforms for remote playback through 
our user interfaces. Our video cameras and SVRs are specified to our platforms through proprietary software. 

Alarm.com Smart Thermostat. Our Smart Thermostat combines elegant design, sophisticated cloud services and 
advanced energy management features. It was designed by our Building 36 and device engineering teams to work in 
concert with other devices in the connected property. It communicates with the Alarm.com communications module via 
Z-wave and supports both battery power and common wire power installation.

•  Remote temperature sensors can pair with our Smart Thermostat to enable temperature set points for any 

room in the property, not just the room where the thermostat is installed. Our Smart Thermostat supports 
multiple remote temperature sensors for precise temperature control for a residential or commercial property.

•  We designed our Smart Thermostat to be easy to install and support remotely. The MobileTech app assists in 

proper wiring and installation and Remote Toolkit enables remote access to the thermostat settings for easy 
troubleshooting and support.

10

 
 
 
Research and Development

We invest substantial resources in research and development to enhance our platforms and applications, support our 
technology infrastructure, develop new capabilities and conduct quality assurance testing. We expect to invest significantly in 
continued research and development efforts to expand the capabilities of our technology. Our research and development of new 
products and services is a multidisciplinary effort across our product management, program management, software engineering, 
device engineering, quality engineering, configuration management and network operations teams. As of December 31, 2018, 
we had 500 employees engaged in research and development functions.

Service Provider Network

Our trusted service provider partner network is key in driving the adoption of connected home and commercial solutions. 
Our solutions are sold, installed, and serviced by a network of independent licensed, professional service provider partners. Our 
channel network currently consists of over 8,000 active service provider partners, including smaller local providers, larger 
regional providers and national service providers with thousands of employees. We have also seen growth in other areas of our 
channel network, including new providers in the intelligent automation, HVAC, property management and insurance markets.

We believe this highly trusted, established network is a core strength that enables an efficient and scalable customer 
acquisition model, allowing us to focus on technology innovation. We also believe that the combination of our solutions and our 
service provider partners’ expertise is the most effective way to drive mass market adoption of the intelligently connected 
property.

The traditional security and home automation market is highly fragmented with approximately 15,000 security dealers 
nationally. According to the February 2019 Barnes Buchanan Conference Report, the top 5 dealers represented 35% of all 
industry recurring monthly revenue in 2018. The distribution of revenue among our service provider partners is reflective of the 
industry overall. Monitronics International, Inc., rebranded and now doing business as Brinks Home Security, represented greater 
than 10% but not more than 15% of our revenue in 2016 and 2017. ADT LLC represented greater than 15% but not more than 
20% of our revenue in 2017 and 2018.

Subscribers

Our platforms currently support millions of residential and commercial subscribers. We define the number of subscribers as 

the number of residential or commercial properties to which we are delivering at least one of our solutions. A subscriber who 
subscribes to one of our service level packages as well as one or more of our a la carte add-ons is counted as one subscriber. 
Our number of subscribers does not include the customers of our service provider partners to whom we license our intellectual 
property, as they do not utilize one of our SaaS platforms. Our subscriber acquisition cost payback period has historically been 
less than one year.

Sales and Marketing

The goal of our sales team is to help our service provider partners succeed in selling, installing and supporting our full suite 
of solutions. Our sales team is also responsible for recruiting new service provider partners to Alarm.com. We also have a global 
business development team dedicated to establishing new service provider and distribution relationships in international 
markets.

Our marketing team is focused on empowering our service provider partners to effectively promote and sell our solutions. 
We design, develop and provide end-to-end marketing services including tools and content for lifecycle marketing to help our 
service providers build awareness, create interest, activate subscribers, develop and maintain the ongoing customer relationship, 
increase customer engagement, and generate upsell and referral opportunities. While we offer tools and services to assist our 
service providers when they are marketing to potential subscribers, we do not control or influence the marketing activities 
performed by our service providers, as they are free to select the marketing tools they believe will be the most effective. Our 
contracts with our service providers require that they comply with all applicable rules and laws when engaging in marketing 
activities. We also offer comprehensive training opportunities through our Alarm.com Academy, including in-person training 
courses and an online learning management system.

We believe our sales and marketing approach enables us to expand our breadth of service providers, provide highly 

customized services and scale quickly. As of December 31, 2018, we had 288 employees engaged in sales and marketing 
functions.

11

Service Provider Support

We support the full suite of software and hardware products on the Alarm.com platform through a highly trained and 
experienced team of professionals based in the United States. We primarily support our service provider partners. Our service 
provider partners, in turn, support their customers, who are our subscribers. To that end, subscribers occasionally reach us 
directly with support needs and we either assist the subscriber directly or, when appropriate, route the subscriber to the 
appropriate service provider partner for additional assistance.

We offer high-quality support to our service providers via phone, web ticketing and email. With every interaction, our team is 

committed to exceptional customer satisfaction and industry-leading response times. We use a tiered structure to efficiently 
escalate and resolve issues of varying complexity and to scale our support organization as we grow. Our staff is multilingual and 
we continue to grow our language capabilities to support our international expansion.

Our Competition

The market in which we participate for connected property solutions is fragmented, highly competitive and constantly 

evolving. We expect competition to continue from existing competitors as well as potential new market entrants in the interactive 
security, video monitoring, intelligent automation and energy management markets. Our current competitors include providers of 
other technology platforms for the connected property with interactive security, including Honeywell International Inc., Resideo 
Technologies Inc., Telular Corporation (acquired by AMETEK, Inc.), SecureNet Technologies, LLC, Alula (formed following the 
merger of ipDatatel, LLC and Resolution Products, LLC), and United Technologies Corporation, which sell solutions to service 
providers, cable operators, technology retailers and other residential and commercial automation providers. We also compete 
with interactive, monitored security solutions sold directly to subscribers by firms like Scout and SimpliSafe. In addition, our 
service provider partners compete with managed service providers, such as cable television, telephone and broadband 
companies like Comcast, AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc., and providers of point products, including Google Inc.'s 
Nest Labs, Inc. which offers the Nest Secure security system as well as a smart thermostat, the Nest Protect smart smoke 
detector and video cameras. Amazon.com offers Amazon Home Services security packages with bundled equipment and 
professional installation, and Amazon Key, a security camera and smart lock integration feature. Ring Inc., owned by 
Amazon.com, offers a connected video doorbell, video cameras and an integrated security system, Ring Alarm. Samsung's 
SmartThings offers a security system and a home automation and awareness hub. Arlo Technologies, Inc. offers connected 
video cameras, a connected video doorbell, and smart security devices. Apple Inc. offers a feature that allows some 
manufacturers’ connected devices and accessories to be controlled through its HomeKit service available in Apple’s iOS 
operating system. Additionally, Canary and other companies offer all in one video monitoring and awareness devices. In addition, 
we may compete with other large technology companies that offer control capabilities among their products, applications and 
services, and that may have ongoing development efforts to address the broader connected home market.

Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly 

greater financial, technical, sales, marketing, distribution and other resources than we have. We expect to encounter new 
competitors as we enter new markets as well as increased competition, both domestically and internationally, from other 
established and emerging residential and commercial security monitoring, video monitoring and automation, wellness, and 
energy management companies as well as large technology companies. In addition, there may be new technologies that are 
introduced that reduce demand for our solutions or make them obsolete. Our current and potential competitors may also 
establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties and rapidly acquire significant market share, or they 
may acquire third-party technology or solution providers that we partner with and choose not to offer those solutions on our 
platforms. Increased competition could also result in price reductions and loss of market share, any of which could result in lower 
revenue and negatively affect our ability to grow our business. We believe the principal competitive factors in the connected 
property market include the following:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

simplicity and ease of use;

ability to offer persistent awareness, control, and intelligent automation;

breadth of features and functionality provided;

flexibility of the solutions and ability to personalize for the individual consumer;

compatibility with a wide selection of third-party devices;

pricing, affordability, and accessibility;

sales reach and local installation and support capabilities; and

brand awareness and reputation.

12

We believe that we compete favorably with respect to each of these factors. Additionally, we believe that our cloud-based 

software platforms, intelligently connected property solutions, and proven scalability help further differentiate us from 
competitors. Nevertheless, our competitors may have substantially greater financial, technical and other resources, greater 
brand recognition, larger sales and marketing budgets and broader distribution channels than we do.

Our Intellectual Property

Our success and ability to compete effectively depend in part on our ability to protect our proprietary technology and to 

establish and adequately protect our intellectual property rights. To accomplish these objectives, we rely on a combination of 
patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws in the United States and other jurisdictions, as well as license agreements, 
confidentiality agreements and other contractual protections.

As of December 31, 2018, we owned 188 issued United States utility patents, one issued United States design patent, three 
issued Canadian patents and one issued Australian patent that are scheduled to expire between 2021 and 2037. We continue to 
file patent applications and as of December 31, 2018, we had 178 pending utility patent applications and 45 provisional patent 
applications filed in the United States. We also had ten pending patent applications in Canada, nine pending patent applications 
in Europe, eight pending patent applications in Australia and 20 international patent applications pending under the Patent 
Cooperation Treaty. The claims for which we have sought patent protection apply to both our platforms and solutions. Our patent 
and patent applications generally apply to the features and functions of our platforms, and solutions and the applications 
associated with our platforms. We also have, and may be required to seek, licenses under patents or intellectual property rights 
owned by third parties, including open-source software and other commercially available software.

We also rely on several registered and unregistered trademarks to protect our brand. We have 19 registered trademarks in 

the United States, including Alarm.com and the Alarm.com logo and design, and six registered trademarks in Canada.

We seek to protect our intellectual property rights by requiring our employees and independent contractors involved in 
development to enter into agreements acknowledging that all inventions, trade secrets, works of authorship, developments, 
concepts, processes, improvements and other works generated by them on our behalf are our intellectual property, and 
assigning to us any rights, including intellectual property rights, that they may claim in those works.

We expect that products in our industry may be subject to third-party infringement lawsuits as the number of competitors 
grows and the functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. We have brought infringement claims against 
third parties in the past and may do so in the future to defend our intellectual property position. In addition, from time to time, we 
may face claims by third parties that we infringe upon or misappropriate their intellectual property rights, and we may be found to 
be infringing upon or to have misappropriated such rights. In the future, we, or our service providers or subscribers, may be the 
subject of legal proceedings alleging that our solutions or underlying technology infringe or violate the intellectual property rights 
of others.

Employees

As of December 31, 2018, we had 884 full-time employees. We also engage consultants and temporary employees from 
time to time. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements and we consider our relations with our 
employees to be good.

Corporate Information

We were founded in 2000 as a business unit within MicroStrategy Incorporated. We were incorporated in 2003 under the 
name Alarm.com Incorporated as a majority-owned subsidiary of MicroStrategy. MicroStrategy sold all its interests in Alarm.com 
Incorporated in 2009 and we established Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. in connection with the sale transaction. Our principal 
executive offices are located at 8281 Greensboro Drive, Suite 100, Tysons, Virginia 22102. Our telephone number is 
(877) 389-4033. We completed our initial public offering in July 2015 and our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global 
Select Market under the symbol "ALRM."

On January 1, 2017, we acquired certain assets of ObjectVideo, Inc., or ObjectVideo, that constituted a business now called 

ObjectVideo Labs, LLC, or ObjectVideo Labs, including products, technology portfolio and engineering team. ObjectVideo is a 
pioneer in the fields of video analytics and computer vision with technology that extracts meaning and intelligence from video 
streams in real-time to enable object tracking, pattern recognition and activity identification. 

On March 8, 2017, we acquired certain assets related to the Connect business unit of Icontrol Networks, Inc., or Icontrol, 

and all of the outstanding equity interests of the two subsidiaries through which Icontrol conducted its Piper business. Connect 
provides a custom, on-premise interactive security and home automation platform for ADT Pulse® and several other service 
providers. Piper provides an all-in-one video and home automation hub. 

13

Available Information

Our website is located at www.alarm.com and our investor relations website is located at http://investors.alarm.com. Our 
Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports 
filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange 
Act, are available free of charge on our investor relations website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file 
such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site 
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information. The address of the SEC’s website is 
www.sec.gov.

Webcasts of our earnings calls and certain events we participate in or host with members of the investment community are 

on our investor relations website. Additionally, we provide notifications of news or announcements regarding our business and 
financial performance, SEC filings, investor events, and our press and earnings releases, as part of our investor relations 
website. Investors and others can receive real-time notifications of new information posted on our investor relations website by 
signing up for email alerts and RSS feeds. Further corporate governance information, including our corporate governance 
guidelines and board committee charters, is also available on our investor relations website under the heading "Corporate 
Governance." The contents of our websites are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-
K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual 
references only.

14

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to numerous risks. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below, in 
addition to other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as our other public filings with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial 
condition, results of operations and prospects and cause the trading price of our common stock to decline.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Our quarterly results of operations have fluctuated and are likely to continue to fluctuate. As a result, we may fail to 
meet or exceed the expectations of investors or securities analysts, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Our quarterly operating results, including the levels of our revenue, gross margin, cash flow and deferred revenue, may 
fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, including revenue related to the product mix that we sell, the relative sales related to 
our platforms and solutions and other factors which are outside of our control. If our quarterly revenue or results of operations fall 
below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Fluctuations 
in our results of operations may be due to a number of factors, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the portion of our revenue attributable to software as a service, or SaaS, and license versus hardware and other sales;

our ability to manage the businesses we have acquired, and to integrate and manage any future acquisitions of 
businesses;

fluctuations in demand, including due to seasonality, for our platforms and solutions;

changes in pricing by us in response to competitive pricing actions;

our ability to increase, retain and incentivize the service provider partners that market, sell, install and support our 
platforms and solutions;

the ability of our hardware vendors to continue to manufacture high-quality products and to supply sufficient products to 
meet our demands;

the timing and success of introductions of new solutions, products or upgrades by us or our competitors and the 
entrance of new competitors;

changes in our business and pricing policies or those of our competitors;

the ability to accurately forecast revenue as we generally rely upon our service provider partner network to generate 
new revenue;

our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses and the costs of the hardware we purchase;

changes in U.S. trade policies, including new or potential tariffs or penalties on imported products;

competition, including entry into the industry by new competitors and new offerings by existing competitors;

issues related to introductions of new or improved products such as shortages of prior generation products or short-
term decreased demand for next generation products;

perceived or actual problems with the security, integrity, reliability, quality or compatibility of our solutions, including 
those related to security breaches in our systems, our subscribers’ systems, unscheduled downtime, or outages;

the amount and timing of expenditures, including those related to expanding our operations, including through 
acquisitions, increasing research and development, introducing new solutions or paying litigation expenses;

the ability to effectively manage growth within existing and new markets domestically and abroad;

changes in the payment terms for our platforms and solutions;

collectibility of receivables due from service provider partners and other third parties;

15

• 

• 

the strength of regional, national and global economies; and

the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, power outages, floods and other catastrophic 
events or man-made problems such as terrorism or global or regional economic, political and social conditions.

Due to the foregoing factors and the other risks discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, you should not rely 

on quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of our future performance. You should not 
consider our recent revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth or results of one quarter as indicative of our future performance. See 
the Non-GAAP Measures section of Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations," for a discussion of the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the 
most comparable GAAP measurement, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

We may not sustain our growth rate and we may not be able to manage any future growth effectively.

We have experienced significant growth and also have substantially expanded our operations in a short period of time. Our 

revenue increased from $167.3 million in 2014 to $420.5 million in 2018. We do not expect to achieve similar growth rates in 
future periods. You should not rely on our operating results for any prior quarterly or annual periods as an indication of our future 
operating performance. If we are unable to maintain expected revenue growth in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of 
prior period revenue, our financial results could suffer and our stock price could decline.

Our future operating results depend, to a large extent, on our ability to successfully manage our anticipated expansion and 
growth. To successfully manage our growth and obligations as a public company, we believe we must effectively, among other 
things:

•  maintain our relationships with existing service provider partners and add new service provider partners;

• 

increase our subscriber base and help our service provider partners maintain and improve their revenue retention rates, 
while also expanding their cross-sell effectiveness;

•  manage our relationships with our hardware vendors and other key suppliers;

• 

• 

• 

add, train and integrate sales and marketing personnel;

expand our international operations; and

continue to implement and improve our administrative, financial and operational systems, procedures and controls.

We intend to continue to invest in research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative functions 

and other areas to grow our business. We are likely to recognize the costs associated with these increased investments earlier 
than some of the anticipated benefits and the return on these investments may be lower, or may develop more slowly, than we 
expect, which could adversely affect our operating results.

If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, we may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities or develop 

new solutions or enhancements to our existing solutions and we may fail to satisfy subscriber and service provider partner 
requirements, maintain the quality of our solutions, execute on our business plan or respond to competitive pressures, which 
could result in our financial results suffering and a decline in our stock price.

We have expanded our business rapidly in recent periods. If we fail to manage the expansion of our operations and 
infrastructure effectively, we may be unable to execute our business plan, maintain high levels of service or address 
competitive challenges adequately.

We increased our number of full-time employees from 400 as of December 31, 2014 to 884 as of December 31, 2018. Our 
growth has placed, and may continue to place, a significant strain on our managerial, administrative, operational, financial and 
other resources. We intend to further expand our overall business, service provider partner network, subscriber base, headcount 
and operations, including by acquiring other businesses. Creating a global organization and managing a geographically 
dispersed workforce will require substantial management effort and significant additional investment in our infrastructure. We will 
be required to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and our reporting procedures to ensure 
timely and accurate reporting of our operational and financial results and we may not be able to do so effectively. As such, we 
may be unable to manage our expenses effectively in the future, which may negatively impact our gross profit or operating 
expenses in any particular quarter. If we fail to manage our anticipated growth and change in a manner that preserves the key 
aspects of our corporate culture, the quality of our solutions may suffer, which could negatively affect our brand and reputation 
and harm our ability to retain and attract service provider partners and consumers.

16

From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings where a negative outcome, including an adverse litigation 
judgment or settlement, could expose us to monetary damages or limit our ability to operate our business, resulting in 
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We are involved and have been involved in the past in legal proceedings from time to time. For example, on June 2, 2015, 
Vivint filed a lawsuit against us alleging that our technology directly and indirectly infringes six patents purchased by Vivint. On 
December 30, 2015, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against us, alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer 
Protection Act, or TCPA. On October 25, 2018, we entered into a definitive settlement agreement, or the Settlement Agreement, 
with the plaintiffs to settle the class action lawsuit for $28.0 million. On December 19, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the 
Northern District of California, or the Court, granted preliminary approval of the Settlement Agreement. The settlement is not 
final, however, unless and until the Settlement Agreement is approved by the Court following a notice period and a fairness 
hearing. See the section of this Annual Report titled "Legal Proceedings" for additional information on each of these matters. We 
may not be able to accurately assess the risks related to any of these suits, and we may be unable to accurately assess our level 
of exposure as the results of any such litigation, investigations and other legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable and 
expensive. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, damage our 
reputation, require significant amounts of management time and divert significant resource. Companies in our industry have 
been subject to claims related to patent infringement, regulatory matters, and product liability, as well as contract and 
employment-related claims. As a result of patent infringement and other intellectual property proceedings, we have, and may be 
required to seek in the future, licenses under patents or intellectual property rights owned by third parties, including open-source 
software and other commercially available software, which can be costly, or cross-license agreements relating to our and third-
party intellectual property. The outcome of legal claims and proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, and a 
negative outcome could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of 
operations.

Our business operates in a regulated industry.

Our business, operations and service provider partners are subject to various U.S. federal, state and local consumer 

protection laws, licensing regulation and other laws and regulations, and, to a lesser extent, similar Canadian laws and 
regulations. Our advertising and sales practices and that of our service provider partner network are subject to regulation by the 
U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, in addition to state consumer protection laws. The FTC and the Federal 
Communications Commission have issued regulations that place restrictions on, among other things, unsolicited automated 
telephone calls to residential and wireless telephone subscribers by means of automatic telephone dialing systems and the use 
of prerecorded or artificial voice messages. If our service provider partners were to take actions in violation of these regulations, 
such as telemarketing to individuals on the "Do Not Call" registry or using automatic telephone dialing systems and prerecorded 
or artificial voice messages, we could be subject to fines, penalties, private actions or enforcement actions by government 
regulators. For example, on December 30, 2015, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against us, alleging violations of the 
TCPA. On December 19, 2018, the Court granted preliminary approval of a Settlement Agreement we entered into with the 
plaintiffs to settle the case. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, which remains subject to final Court approval, we have 
agreed, among other things, to pay total cash consideration of $28.0 million into a settlement fund, and to implement certain 
business practice changes to increase awareness of TCPA compliance. See the section of this Annual Report titled "Legal 
Proceedings" for additional information on this matter. Although we have taken steps to insulate ourselves from any such 
wrongful conduct by our service provider partners, and to contractually require our service provider partners to comply with these 
laws and regulations, no assurance can be given that we will not be exposed to liability as result of our service provider partners’ 
conduct. Further, to the extent that any changes in law or regulation further restrict the lead generation activity of our service 
provider partners, these restrictions could result in a material reduction in subscriber acquisition opportunities, reducing the 
growth prospects of our business and adversely affecting our financial condition and future cash flows. In addition, most states in 
which we operate have licensing laws directed specifically toward the monitored security services industry. Our business relies 
heavily upon cellular telephone service to communicate signals. Cellular telephone companies are currently regulated by both 
federal and state governments. Changes in laws or regulations could require us to change the way we operate, which could 
increase costs or otherwise disrupt operations. In addition, failure to comply with any such applicable laws or regulations could 
result in substantial fines or revocation of our operating permits and licenses, including in geographic areas where our services 
have substantial penetration, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. 
Further, if these laws and regulations were to change or if we fail to comply with such laws and regulations as they exist today or 
in the future, our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

17

The markets in which we participate are highly competitive and many companies, including large technology 
companies, broadband and security service providers and other managed service providers, are actively targeting the 
home automation, security monitoring, video monitoring and energy management markets. If we are unable to compete 
effectively with these companies, our sales and profitability could be adversely affected.

We compete in several markets, including security, video, automation, energy management and wellness solutions. The 

markets in which we participate are highly competitive and competition may intensify in the future.

Our ability to compete depends on a number of factors, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

our platforms and solutions’ functionality, performance, ease of use, reliability, availability and cost effectiveness relative 
to that of our competitors’ products;

our success in utilizing new and proprietary technologies to offer solutions and features previously not available in the 
marketplace;

our success in identifying new markets, applications and technologies;

our ability to attract and retain service provider partners;

our name recognition and reputation;

our ability to recruit software engineers and sales and marketing personnel; and

our ability to protect our intellectual property.

 Consumers may prefer to purchase from their existing suppliers rather than a new supplier regardless of product 
performance or features. In the event a consumer decides to evaluate a new home automation, security monitoring, video 
monitoring, energy management, or wellness solution, the consumer may be more inclined to select one of our competitors 
whose product offerings are broader than those that we offer.

Our current competitors include providers of other technology platforms for the connected property with interactive security, 

including Honeywell International Inc., Resideo Technologies Inc., Telular Corporation (acquired by AMETEK, Inc.), SecureNet 
Technologies, LLC, Alula (formed following the merger of ipDatatel, LLC and Resolution Products, LLC), and United 
Technologies Corporation, which sell solutions to service providers, cable operators, technology retailers and other residential 
and commercial automation providers. We also compete with interactive, monitored security solutions sold directly to subscribers 
by firms like Scout and SimpliSafe. In addition, our service provider partners compete with managed service providers, such as 
cable television, telephone and broadband companies like Comcast, AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc., and providers 
of point products, including Google Inc.'s Nest Labs, Inc. which offers the Nest Secure security system as well as a smart 
thermostat, the Nest Protect smart smoke detector and video cameras. Amazon.com offers Amazon Home Services security 
packages with bundled equipment and professional installation, and Amazon Key, a security camera and smart lock integration 
feature. Ring Inc., owned by Amazon.com, offers a connected video doorbell, video cameras and an integrated security system, 
Ring Alarm. Samsung's SmartThings offers a security system and a home automation and awareness hub. Arlo Technologies, 
Inc. offers connected video cameras, a connected video doorbell, and smart security devices. Apple Inc. offers a feature that 
allows some manufacturers’ connected devices and accessories to be controlled through its HomeKit service available in Apple’s 
iOS operating system. Additionally, Canary and other companies offer all in one video monitoring and awareness devices. In 
addition, we may compete with other large technology companies that offer control capabilities among their products, 
applications and services, and have ongoing development efforts to address the broader connected home market.

Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly 

greater financial, technical, sales, marketing, distribution and other resources than we have. We expect to encounter new 
competitors as we enter new markets as well as increased competition, both domestically and internationally, from other 
established and emerging home automation, security monitoring, video monitoring and automation, wellness, and energy 
management companies as well as large technology companies. In addition, there may be new technologies that are introduced 
that reduce demand for our solutions or make them obsolete. Our current and potential competitors may also establish 
cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties and rapidly acquire significant market share. Increased 
competition could also result in price reductions and loss of market share, any of which could result in lower revenue and 
negatively affect our ability to grow our business.

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Aggressive business tactics by our competitors may reduce our revenue.

Increased competition in the markets in which we compete may result in aggressive business tactics by our competitors, 

including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

selling at a discount;

offering products similar to our platforms and solutions on a bundled basis at no charge;

announcing competing products combined with extensive marketing efforts;

providing financing incentives to consumers; and

asserting intellectual property rights irrespective of the validity of the claims.

Our service provider partners may switch and offer the products and services of competing companies, which would 
adversely affect our sales and profitability. Competition from other companies may also adversely affect our negotiations with 
service provider partners and suppliers, including, in some cases, requiring us to lower our prices. Opportunities to take market 
share using innovative products, services and sales approaches may also attract new entrants to the field. We may not be able 
to compete successfully with the offerings and sales tactics of other companies, which could result in the loss of service provider 
partners offering our platforms and solutions and, as a result, our revenue and profitability could be adversely affected.

If we fail to compete successfully against our current and future competitors, or if our current or future competitors employ 
aggressive business tactics, including those described above, demand for our platforms and solutions could decline, we could 
experience cancellations of our services to consumers, or we could be required to reduce our prices or increase our expenses.

The proper and efficient functioning of our network operations centers and data back-up systems is central to our 
solutions.

Our solutions operate with a hosted architecture and we update our solutions regularly while our solutions are operating. If 
our solutions and/or upgrades fail to operate properly, our solutions could stop functioning for a period of time, which could put 
our users at risk. Our ability to keep our business operating is highly dependent on the proper and efficient operation of our 
network operations centers and data back-up systems. Although our network operations centers have back-up computer and 
power systems, if there is a catastrophic event, natural disaster, terrorist attack, security breach or other extraordinary event, we 
may be unable to provide our subscribers with uninterrupted monitoring service or may be unable to adequately protect 
confidential information and data from unauthorized access or loss. Furthermore, because data back-up systems are susceptible 
to malfunctions and interruptions (including those due to equipment damage, power outages, human error, computer viruses, 
computer hacking, data corruption and a range of other hardware, software and network problems), we cannot guarantee that 
we will not experience data back-up failures in the future. A significant or large-scale, security breach, malfunction or interruption 
of our network operations centers or data back-up systems could adversely affect our ability to keep our operations running 
efficiently or could result in unauthorized access to or loss of data. If such an event results in unauthorized access to or loss of 
service provider partner, subscriber, employee or other personally identifiable data subject to data privacy and security laws and 
regulations, then it could result in substantial fines by U.S. federal and state authorities, foreign data privacy authorities in the 
European Union, or the EU, Canada, and other countries, and/or private claims by companies or individuals. If a malfunction or 
security breach results in a wider or sustained disruption, it could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, 
financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

We sell security and life safety solutions and if our solutions fail for any reason, we could be subject to liability and our 
business could suffer.

We sell security and life safety solutions, which are designed to secure the safety of our subscribers and their residences or 
commercial properties. If these solutions fail for any reason, including due to defects in our software, a carrier outage, a failure of 
our network operations centers, a failure on the part of one of our service provider partners or user error, we could be subject to 
liability for such failures and our business could suffer.

Our platforms and solutions may contain undetected defects in the software, infrastructure, third-party components or 
processes. If our platforms or solutions suffer from defects, we could experience harm to our branded reputation, claims by our 
subscribers or service provider partners or lost revenue during the period required to address the cause of the defects. We may 
find defects in new, acquired or upgraded solutions, resulting in loss of, or delay in, market acceptance of our platforms and 
solutions, which could harm our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Since solutions that enable our platforms are installed by our service provider partners, if they do not install or maintain such 

solutions correctly, our platforms and solutions may not function properly. If the improper installation or maintenance of our 

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platforms and solutions leads to service or equipment failures after introduction of, or an upgrade to, our platforms or a solution, 
we could experience harm to our branded reputation, claims by our subscribers or service provider partners or lost revenue 
during the period required to address the cause of the problem. Further, we rely on our service provider partners to provide the 
primary source of support and ongoing service to our subscribers and, if our service provider partners fail to provide an adequate 
level of support and services to our subscribers, it could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial 
condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Any defect in, or disruption to, our platforms and solutions could cause consumers not to purchase additional solutions from 
us, prevent potential consumers from purchasing our platforms and solutions or harm our reputation. Although our contracts with 
our service provider partners limit our liability to our service provider partners for these defects, disruptions or errors, we 
nonetheless could be subject to litigation for actual or alleged losses to our service provider partners or our subscribers, which 
may require us to spend significant time and money in litigation or arbitration, or to pay significant settlements or damages. 
Defending a lawsuit, regardless of its merit, could be costly, divert management's attention and affect our ability to obtain or 
maintain liability insurance on acceptable terms and could harm our business. Although we currently maintain some warranty 
reserves, we cannot assure you that these warranty reserves will be sufficient to cover future liabilities.

Failure to maintain the security of our information and technology networks, including information relating to our 
service provider partners, subscribers and employees, could adversely affect us.

We are dependent on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit and store 

electronic information and, in the normal course of our business, we collect and retain certain information pertaining to our 
service provider partners, subscribers and employees, including credit card information for many of our service provider partners 
and certain of our subscribers. If security breaches in connection with the delivery of our solutions allow unauthorized third 
parties to access any of this data or obtain control of our subscribers’ systems, our reputation, business, financial condition, cash 
flows and results of operations could be harmed.

The legal, regulatory and contractual environment surrounding information security, privacy and credit card fraud is 

constantly evolving and companies that collect and retain such information are under increasing attack by cyber-criminals around 
the world. Further, as the regulatory focus on privacy issues continues to increase and worldwide laws and regulations 
concerning the protection of personal information expand and become more complex, these potential risks to our business will 
intensify. A significant actual or potential theft, loss, fraudulent use or misuse of service provider partner, subscriber, employee or 
other personally identifiable data, whether by third parties or as a result of employee malfeasance or otherwise, non-compliance 
with our contractual or other legal obligations regarding such data or a violation of our privacy and security policies with respect 
to such data could result in loss of confidential information, damage to our reputation, early termination of our service provider 
partner contracts, litigation, regulatory investigations or actions and other liabilities or actions against us, including significant 
fines by U.S. federal and state authorities, foreign data privacy authorities in the EU, Canada, and other countries and private 
claims by companies and individuals for violation of data privacy and security regulations. Moreover, to the extent that any such 
exposure leads to credit card fraud or identity theft, we may experience a general decline in consumer confidence in our 
business, which may lead to an increase in attrition rates or may make it more difficult to attract new subscribers. If any one of 
these risks materializes our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations could be materially and adversely 
affected.

If our security measures are breached, including any breaches caused by cyber-attacks, our reputation may be 
damaged, we may be exposed to significant liabilities under U.S. and foreign laws, and our business and results of 
operations may be adversely affected.

Cyber-attacks from computer hackers and cyber criminals and other malicious Internet-based activity continue to increase 

generally, and perpetrators of cyber-attacks may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, ransomware, malware, DNS 
attacks, wireless network attacks, attacks on our cloud networks, phishing attempts, distributed denial of service attacks and 
other advanced persistent threats or malicious software programs that attack our products and services, our networks and 
network endpoints or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of our products, services and networks. Techniques used to 
obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a 
target. As a result, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. We 
cannot be certain that advances in cyber-capabilities or other developments will not compromise or breach the technology 
protecting the networks that access our platforms and solutions, and we can make no assurance that we will be able to detect, 
prevent, timely and adequately address or mitigate the negative effects of cyber-attacks or other security breaches. 

Security breaches of, or sustained attacks against, our networks and infrastructure could create system disruptions and 
shutdowns that could result in disruptions to our operations or unauthorized access to or loss of our data. If such an event results 
in unauthorized access to or loss of any data subject to data privacy and security laws and regulations, then we could be subject 
to substantial fines by U.S. federal and state authorities, foreign data privacy authorities in the EU, Canada, and other countries, 
and private claims by companies or individuals. A system disruption, shutdown, or loss of data may result in adverse publicity 
and therefore adversely affect the market's perception of the security and reliability of our services. A cyber-attack may cause 

20

additional costs, such as investigative and remediation costs, and the costs of providing individuals and/or data owners with 
notice of the breach, legal fees and the costs of any additional fraud detection activities required by law, a court or a third-party. 
Additionally, some of our customer contracts require us to indemnify customers from damages they may incur as a result of a 
breach of our networks and systems. There can be no assurance that the limitation of liability provisions in our contracts for a 
security breach would be enforceable or would otherwise protect us from any such liabilities or damages with respect to any 
particular claim. While we maintain general liability insurance coverage and coverage for technology errors or omissions, we 
cannot assure you that such coverage will be available in sufficient amounts to cover one or more large claims related to a 
breach, will continue to be available on acceptable terms or at all. If any one of these risks materializes our business, financial 
condition, cash flows or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We rely on our service provider partner network to acquire additional subscribers, and the inability of our service 
provider partners to attract additional subscribers or retain their current subscribers could adversely affect our 
operating results.

Substantially all of our revenue is generated through the sales of our platforms and solutions by our service provider 
partners, who incorporate our solutions in certain of the products and packages they sell to their customers, and our service 
provider partners are responsible for subscriber acquisition, as well as providing customer service and technical support for our 
platforms and solutions to the subscribers. We provide our service provider partners with specific training and programs to assist 
them in selling and providing support for our platforms and solutions, but we cannot assure that these steps will be effective. In 
addition, we rely on our service provider partners to sell our platforms and solutions into new markets in the intelligent and 
connected property space. If our service provider partners are unsuccessful in marketing, selling and supporting our platforms 
and solutions, our operating results could be adversely affected.

In order for us to maintain our current revenue sources and grow our revenues, we must effectively manage and grow 
relationships with our service provider partners. Recruiting and retaining qualified service provider partners and training them in 
our technology and solutions requires significant time and resources. If we fail to maintain existing service provider partners or 
develop relationships with new service provider partners, our revenue and operating results would be adversely affected. In 
addition, to execute on our strategy to expand our sales internationally, we must develop relationships with service provider 
partners that sell into these markets.

Any of our service provider partners may choose to offer a product from one of our competitors instead of our platforms and 
solutions, elect to develop their own competing solutions or simply discontinue their operations with us. For example, we entered 
into a license agreement in November 2013 with Vivint Inc., or Vivint, pursuant to which we granted a license to use the 
intellectual property associated with our connected home solutions. Under the terms of this arrangement, Vivint has transitioned 
from selling our solutions directly to its customers to selling its own home automation product to its new customers. We now 
generate revenue from a monthly fee charged to Vivint on a per customer basis from sales of this service provider partner’s 
product; however, these monthly fees are less on a per customer basis than fees we receive from our SaaS solutions. Therefore, 
we receive less revenue on a per customer basis from Vivint compared to our SaaS subscriber base, which may result in a lower 
revenue growth rate. We must also work to expand our network of service provider partners to ensure that we have sufficient 
geographic coverage and technical expertise to address new markets and technologies. While it is difficult to estimate the total 
number of available service provider partners in our markets, there are a finite number of service provider partners that are able 
to perform the types of technical installations required for our platforms and solutions. In the event that we saturate the available 
service provider pool, or if market or other forces cause the available pool of service providers to decline, it may be increasingly 
difficult to grow our business. If we are unable to expand our network of service provider partners, our business could be 
harmed.

As the consumers’ product and service options grow, it is important that we enhance our service provider partner footprint by 

broadening the expertise of our service provider partners, working with larger and more sophisticated service provider partners 
and expanding the mainstream solutions our service provider partners offer. If we do not succeed in this effort, our current and 
potential future service provider partners may be unable or unwilling to broaden their offerings to include our connected property 
solutions, resulting in harm to our business.

We receive a substantial portion of our revenue from a limited number of service provider partners, and the loss of, or a 
significant reduction in, orders from one or more of our major service provider partners would result in decreased 
revenue and profitability. 

Our success is highly dependent upon establishing and maintaining successful relationships with a variety of service 
provider partners. We market and sell our platforms and solutions through a channel assisted sales model and we derive 
substantially all of our revenue from these service provider partners. We generally enter into agreements with our service 
provider partners outlining the terms of our relationship, including service provider pricing commitments, installation, 
maintenance and support requirements, and our sales registration process for registering potential sales to subscribers. These 
contracts typically have an initial term of one year, with subsequent renewal terms of one year, and are terminable at the end of 
the initial term or renewal terms without cause upon written notice to the other party. In some cases, these contracts provide the 

21

service provider partner with the right to terminate prior to the expiration of the term without cause upon 30 days written notice, 
or, in the case of certain termination events, the right to terminate the contract immediately. While we have developed a network 
of over 8,000 service provider partners to sell, install and support our platforms and solutions, we receive a substantial portion of 
our revenue from a limited number of channel partners and significant customers. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 
2017 and 2016, our 10 largest revenue service provider partners accounted for 57%, 60% and 60% of our revenue. Monitronics 
International, Inc., rebranded and now doing business as Brinks Home Security, represented greater than 10% but not more than 
15% of our revenue in 2016 and 2017. ADT LLC represented greater than 15% but not more than 20% of our revenue in 2017 
and 2018.

We anticipate that we will continue to be dependent upon a limited number of service provider partners for a significant 
portion of our revenue for the foreseeable future and, in some cases, a portion of our revenue attributable to individual service 
provider partners may increase in the future. The loss of one or more key service provider partners, a reduction in sales through 
any major service provider partners or the inability or unwillingness of any of our major service provider partners to pay for our 
platforms and solutions would reduce our revenue and could impair our profitability.

Substantially all of the revenues associated with the non-hosted software platform, or Software platform, are from a 
single customer and the loss of this customer could harm our operating results.

In March 2017, we acquired certain assets related to the Connect business unit of Icontrol Networks, Inc., or Icontrol, and all 
of the outstanding equity interests of the two subsidiaries through which Icontrol conducted its Piper business, which we refer to 
in this report as the Acquisition. Historically, ADT LLC, or ADT, has accounted for substantially all of the revenue of the Connect 
business unit. While we amended our master service agreement with ADT to cover services provided with respect to the 
Software platform, we cannot assure you that we will be able to meet the conditions set forth in the amended agreement or that 
ADT will use the Software platform for its new customers or keep its existing customers on the Software platform. In addition, 
even if ADT continues to use the Software platform, we cannot assure you that the revenue from ADT or new accounts added by 
ADT will reach or exceed historical levels in any future period. We may not be able to offset any unanticipated decline in revenue 
from ADT with revenues from new customers or other existing customers. Because the Software platform relies on ADT for 
substantially all of its revenue, any negative developments in ADT’s business, or any decrease in revenue from or loss of ADT as 
a customer could harm our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We have relatively limited visibility regarding the consumers that ultimately purchase our solutions, and we often rely 
on information from third-party service providers to help us manage our business. If these service providers fail to 
provide timely or accurate information, our ability to quickly react to market changes and effectively manage our 
business may be harmed.

We sell our solutions through service provider partners. These service provider partners work with consumers to design, 

install, update and maintain their connected home and commercial installations and manage the relationship with our 
subscribers. While we are able to track orders from service provider partners and have access to certain information about the 
configurations of their Alarm.com systems that we receive through our platforms, we also rely on service provider partners to 
provide us with information about consumer behavior, product and system feedback, consumer demographics and buying 
patterns. We use this channel sell-through data, along with other metrics, to forecast our revenue, assess consumer demand for 
our solution, develop new solutions, adjust pricing and make other strategic business decisions. Channel sell-through data is 
subject to limitations due to collection methods and the third-party nature of the data and thus may not be complete or accurate. 
If we do not receive consumer information on a timely or accurate basis, or if we do not properly interpret this information, our 
ability to quickly react to market changes and effectively manage our business may be harmed.

Consumers may choose to adopt point products that provide control of discrete functions rather than adopting our 
connected property platforms. If we are unable to increase market awareness of the benefits of our unified solutions, 
our revenue may not continue to grow, or it may decline.

Many vendors have emerged, and may continue to emerge, to provide point products with advanced functionality for use in 

connected properties, such as a video doorbell or thermostat that can be controlled by an application on a smartphone. We 
expect more and more consumer electronic and consumer appliance products to be network-aware and connected — each very 
likely to have its own smart device (phone or tablet) application. Consumers may be attracted to the relatively low costs of these 
point products and the ability to expand their connected property control solution over time with minimal upfront costs, despite 
some of the disadvantages of this approach, may reduce demand for our connected property solutions. If so, our service 
provider partners may switch and offer the point products and services of competing companies, which would adversely affect 
our sales and profitability. If a significant number of consumers in our target market choose to adopt point products rather than 
our connected property solutions, then our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations will be harmed, and 
we may not be able to achieve sustained growth or our business may decline.

22

 
Mergers or other strategic transactions involving our competitors could weaken our competitive position, which could 
adversely affect our ability to compete effectively and harm our results of operations.

Our industry is highly fragmented, and we believe it is likely that some of our existing competitors will consolidate or be 
acquired. In addition, some of our competitors may enter into new alliances with each other or may establish or strengthen 
cooperative relationships with systems integrators, third-party consulting firms or other parties. Any such consolidation, 
acquisition, alliance or cooperative relationship could adversely affect our ability to compete effectively and lead to pricing 
pressure and our loss of market share and could result in a competitor with greater financial, technical, marketing, service and 
other resources, all of which could harm our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We are dependent on our connected property solutions, and the lack of continued market acceptance of our connected 
property solutions would result in lower revenue.

Our connected property solutions account for substantially all of our revenue and will continue to do so for the foreseeable 

future. As a result, our revenue could be reduced by:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

any decline in demand for our connected property solutions;

the failure of our connected property solutions to achieve continued market acceptance;

the introduction of products and technologies that serve as a replacement or substitute for, or represent an 
improvement over, our connected property solutions;

technological innovations or new communications standards that our connected property solutions do not address; and

our inability to release enhanced versions of our connected property solutions on a timely basis.

We are vulnerable to fluctuations in demand for Internet-connected devices in general and interactive security systems in 

particular. If the market for connected home and commercial solutions grows more slowly than anticipated or if demand for 
connected home and commercial solutions does not grow as quickly as anticipated, whether as a result of competition, product 
obsolescence, technological change, unfavorable economic conditions, uncertain geopolitical environments, budgetary 
constraints of our consumers or other factors, we may not be able to continue to increase our revenue and earnings and our 
stock price would decline.

A significant decline in our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate would have an adverse effect on our business, 
financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We generally bill our service provider partners based on the number of subscribers they have on our platforms and the 

features being utilized by subscribers on a monthly basis in advance. Subscribers could elect to terminate our services in any 
given month. If our efforts and our service provider partners’ efforts to satisfy our existing subscribers are not successful, we may 
not be able to retain them or sell additional functionality to them and, as a result, our revenue and ability to grow could be 
adversely affected. We track our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate on an annualized basis, as reflected in the section 
of this Annual Report titled "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Other 
Business Metrics — SaaS and License Revenue Renewal Rate." However, our service provider partners, who resell our services 
to our subscribers, have indicated that they typically have three to five-year service contracts with our subscribers. Our SaaS and 
license revenue renewal rate is calculated across our entire subscriber base, including subscribers whose contract with their 
service provider reached the end of its contractual term during the measurement period, as well as subscribers whose contract 
with their service provider has not reached the end of its contractual term during the measurement period, and is not intended to 
estimate the rate at which our subscribers renew their contracts with our service provider partners. As a result, we may not be 
able to accurately predict future trends in renewals and the resulting churn. Subscribers may choose not to renew their contracts 
for many reasons, including the belief that our service is not required for their needs or is otherwise not cost-effective, a desire to 
reduce discretionary spending, or a belief that our competitors’ services provide better value. Additionally, our subscribers may 
not renew for reasons entirely out of our control, such as moving a residence or the dissolution of their business, which is 
particularly common for small to mid-sized businesses. A significant increase in our churn would have an adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

23

If we are unable to develop new solutions, sell our platforms and solutions into new markets or further penetrate our 
existing markets, our revenue may not grow as expected.

Our ability to increase sales will depend, in large part, on our ability to enhance and improve our platforms and solutions, 
introduce new solutions in a timely manner, sell into new markets and further penetrate our existing markets. The success of any 
enhancement or new solution or service depends on several factors, including the timely completion, introduction and market 
acceptance of enhanced or new solutions, the ability to maintain and develop relationships with service providers, the ability to 
attract, retain and effectively train sales and marketing personnel and the effectiveness of our marketing programs. Any new 
product or service we develop or acquire may not be introduced in a timely or cost-effective manner, and may not achieve the 
broad market acceptance necessary to generate significant revenue. Any new markets into which we attempt to sell our 
platforms and solutions, including new vertical markets and new countries or regions, may not be receptive. Our ability to further 
penetrate our existing markets depends on the quality of our platforms and solutions and our ability to design our platforms and 
solutions to meet consumer demand.

We benefit from integration of our solutions with third-party platform providers. If these developers choose not to 
partner with us, or are acquired by our competitors, our business and results of operations may be harmed.

Our solutions are incorporated into the hardware of our third-party platform providers. For example, our hardware platform 

partners produce control devices that deliver our platform services to subscribers. It may be necessary in the future to 
renegotiate agreements relating to various aspects of these solutions or other third-party solutions. The inability to easily 
integrate with, or any defects in, any third-party solutions could result in increased costs, or in delays in new product releases or 
updates to our existing solutions until such issues have been resolved, which could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and future prospects and could damage our reputation. In 
addition, if these third-party solution providers choose not to partner with us, choose to integrate their solutions with our 
competitors’ platforms, or are unable or unwilling to update their solutions, our business, financial condition, cash flows and 
results of operations could be harmed. Further, if third-party solution providers that we partner with or that we would benefit from 
partnering with are acquired by our competitors, they may choose not to offer their solutions on our platforms, which could 
adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We rely on wireless carriers to provide access to wireless networks through which we provide our wireless alarm, 
notification and intelligent automation services, and any interruption of such access would impair our business.

We rely on wireless carriers to provide access to wireless networks for machine-to-machine data transmissions, which are 

an integral part of our services. Our wireless carriers may suspend wireless service to expand, maintain or improve their 
networks, or may discontinue or sunset older wireless networks as new technology evolves. Any suspension or other interruption 
of services would adversely affect our ability to provide our services to our service provider partners and subscribers and may 
adversely affect our reputation. In addition, the inability to provide uninterrupted services, maintain our existing contracts with our 
wireless carriers or enter into new contracts with such wireless carriers could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

If we are unable to adapt to technological change, including maintaining compatibility with a wide range of devices, our 
ability to remain competitive could be impaired.

The market for connected home and commercial solutions is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent 

introductions of new products and evolving industry standards. Our ability to attract new subscribers and increase revenue from 
existing subscribers will depend in significant part on our ability to anticipate changes in industry standards, to continue to 
enhance our existing solutions or introduce new solutions on a timely basis to keep pace with technological developments, and 
to maintain compatibility with a wide range of connected devices in residential and commercial properties. We may change 
aspects of our platforms and may utilize open source technology in the future, which may cause difficulties including 
compatibility, stability and time to market. The success of this or any enhanced or new product or solution will depend on several 
factors, including the timely completion and market acceptance of the enhanced or new product or solution. Similarly, if any of 
our competitors implement new technologies before we are able to implement them, those competitors may be able to provide 
more effective products than ours, possibly at lower prices. Any delay or failure in the introduction of new or enhanced solutions 
could harm our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

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The technology we employ may become obsolete, and we may need to incur significant capital expenditures to update 
our technology.

Our industry is characterized by rapid technological innovation. Our platforms and solutions interact with the hardware and 

software technology of systems and devices located at our subscribers’ properties and we depend upon cellular, broadband and 
other telecommunications providers to provide communication paths to our subscribers in a timely and efficient manner. We may 
be required to implement new technologies or adapt existing technologies in response to changing market conditions, consumer 
preferences or industry standards, which could require significant capital expenditures. The discontinuation of cellular 
communication technology, cellular networks or other services by telecommunications service providers can affect our services 
and require our subscribers to upgrade to alternative and potentially more expensive, technologies. 

It is also possible that one or more of our competitors could develop a significant technical advantage that allows them to 
provide additional or superior quality products or services, or to lower their price for similar products or services, which could put 
us at a competitive disadvantage. Our inability to adapt to changing technologies, market conditions or consumer preferences in 
a timely manner could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

We depend on our suppliers, and the loss of any key supplier could materially and adversely affect our business, 
financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Our hardware products depend on the quality of components that we procure from third-party suppliers. Reliance on 

suppliers, as well as industry supply conditions, generally involves several risks, including the possibility of defective parts, which 
can adversely affect the reliability and reputation of our platforms and solutions, and a shortage of components and reduced 
control over delivery schedules and increases in component costs, which can adversely affect our profitability. We have several 
large hardware suppliers from which we procure hardware on a purchase order basis, including one supplier that supplied 
products and components in an amount equal to 25% of our hardware and other revenue for the year ended December 31, 
2018. If these suppliers are unable to continue to provide a timely and reliable supply, we could experience interruptions in 
delivery of our platforms and solutions to our service provider partners, which could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. If we were required to find alternative sources of supply, 
qualification of alternative suppliers and the establishment of reliable supplies could result in delays and a possible loss of sales, 
which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Growth of our business will depend on market awareness and a strong brand, and any failure to develop, maintain, 
protect and enhance our brand would hurt our ability to retain or attract subscribers.

We believe that building and maintaining market awareness, brand recognition and goodwill in a cost-effective manner is 
important to our overall success in achieving widespread acceptance of our existing and future solutions and is an important 
element in attracting new service provider partners and subscribers. An important part of our business strategy is to increase 
service provider and consumer awareness of our brand and to provide marketing leadership, services and support to our service 
provider partner network. This will depend largely on our ability to continue to provide high-quality solutions, and we may not be 
able to do so effectively. While we may choose to engage in a broader marketing campaign to further promote our brand, this 
effort may not be successful. Our efforts in developing our brand may be hindered by the marketing efforts of our competitors 
and our reliance on our service provider partners and strategic partners to promote our brand. If we are unable to cost-effectively 
maintain and increase awareness of our brand, our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations could be 
harmed.

We operate in the emerging and evolving connected property market, which may develop more slowly or differently 
than we expect. If the connected property market does not grow as we expect, or if we cannot expand our platforms 
and solutions to meet the demands of this market, our revenue may decline, fail to grow or fail to grow at an 
accelerated rate, and we may incur operating losses.

The market for solutions that bring objects and systems not typically connected to the Internet, such as home automation, 
security monitoring, video monitoring, energy management and wellness solutions, into an Internet-like structure is in an early 
stage of development, and it is uncertain how rapidly or how consistently this market will develop and the degree to which our 
platforms and solutions will be accepted into the markets in which we operate. Some consumers may be reluctant or unwilling to 
use our platforms and solutions for a number of reasons, including satisfaction with traditional solutions, concerns about 
additional costs, concerns about data privacy and lack of awareness of the benefits of our platforms and solutions. Our ability to 
expand the sales of our platforms and solutions into new markets depends on several factors, including the awareness of our 
platforms and solutions, the timely completion, introduction and market acceptance of our platforms and solutions, the ability to 
attract, retain and effectively train sales and marketing personnel, the ability to develop relationships with service providers, the 
effectiveness of our marketing programs, the costs of our platforms and solutions and the success of our competitors. If we are 
unsuccessful in developing and marketing our platforms and solutions into new markets, or if consumers do not perceive or 
value the benefits of our platforms and solutions, the market for our platforms and solutions might not continue to develop or 
might develop more slowly than we expect, either of which would harm our revenue and growth prospects.

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Risks of liability from our operations are significant.

The nature of the solutions we provide, including our interactive security solutions, potentially exposes us to greater risks of 
liability for employee acts or omissions, or technology or system failure than may be inherent in other businesses. Substantially 
all of our service provider partner agreements contain provisions limiting our liability to service provider partners and our 
subscribers in an attempt to reduce this risk. However, in the event of litigation with respect to these matters, we cannot assure 
you that these limitations will be enforced, and the costs of such litigation could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, 
there can be no assurance that we are adequately insured for these risks. Certain of our insurance policies and the laws of some 
states may limit or prohibit insurance coverage for punitive or certain other types of damages or liability arising from gross 
negligence.

Our strategy includes pursuing acquisitions, and our potential inability to successfully integrate newly-acquired 
technologies, assets or businesses may harm our financial results. Future acquisitions of technologies, assets or 
businesses, which are paid for partially or entirely through the issuance of stock or stock rights, could dilute the 
ownership of our existing stockholders.

We believe part of our growth will continue to be driven by acquisitions of other companies or their technologies, assets and 
businesses. On March 8, 2017, we acquired Icontrol's Connect and Piper business units and we have acquired other businesses 
in the past. For example, we acquired EnergyHub, Inc. in 2013, we acquired the assets of Horizon Analog, Inc. and Secure-i, 
Inc., in December 2014, we acquired the assets of HiValley Technology Inc. in March 2015 and we acquired certain assets of 
ObjectVideo, Inc. in January 2017. These acquisitions and any other acquisitions we may complete in the future will give rise to 
certain risks, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

incurring higher than anticipated capital expenditures and operating expenses;

failing to assimilate and integrate the operations and personnel or failing to retain the key personnel of the acquired 
company or business;

failing to retain customers, service providers and other third-party business partners seeking to terminate or renegotiate 
their relationships with us;

failing to integrate the acquired technologies, or incurring significant expense to integrate acquired technologies into our 
platforms and solutions;

disrupting our ongoing business;

encountering complexities associated with managing a larger, more complex and growing business;

diverting our management’s attention and other company resources;

failing to maintain uniform standards, controls and policies;

incurring significant accounting charges;

impairing relationships with employees, service provider partners or subscribers;

finding that the acquired technology, asset or business does not further our business strategy, that we overpaid for the 
technology, asset or business or that we may be required to write off acquired assets or investments partially or entirely;

failing to realize the expected synergies of the transaction;

being exposed to unforeseen liabilities and contingencies that were not identified prior to acquiring the company; and

being unable to generate sufficient revenue and profits from acquisitions to offset the associated acquisition costs.

Fully integrating an acquired technology, asset or business into our operations may take a significant amount of time. We 
may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered with acquisitions. To the extent we do not 
successfully avoid or overcome the risks or problems related to any such acquisitions, or fail to manage the acquired business or 
execute our integration and growth strategy in an efficient and effective manner, our business, financial condition, cash flows and 
results of operations could be harmed. Acquisitions also could impact our financial position and capital requirements, or could 
cause fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results of operations. Acquisitions could include significant goodwill and intangible 

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assets, which may result in future impairment charges that would reduce our stated earnings. We may incur significant costs in 
our efforts to engage in strategic transactions and these expenditures may not result in successful acquisitions.

We expect that the consideration we might pay for any future acquisitions of technologies, assets or businesses could 
include stock, rights to purchase stock, cash or some combination of the foregoing. If we issue stock or rights to purchase stock 
in connection with future acquisitions, net income per share and then-existing holders of our common stock may experience 
dilution.

We may pursue business opportunities that diverge from our current business model, which may cause our business 
to suffer.

We may pursue business opportunities that diverge from our current business model, including expanding our platforms and 
solutions and investing in new and unproven technologies. We can offer no assurance that any such new business opportunities 
will prove to be successful. Among other negative effects, our pursuit of such business opportunities could reduce operating 
margins and require more working capital, subject us to additional federal state, and local laws and regulations, materially and 
adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Evolving government and industry regulation and changes in applicable laws relating to the Internet and data privacy 
may increase our expenditures related to compliance efforts or otherwise limit the solutions we can offer, which may 
harm our business and adversely affect our financial condition.

As Internet commerce continues to evolve, federal, state or foreign agencies have adopted and could in the future adopt 
regulations covering issues such as user privacy and content. We are particularly sensitive to these risks because the Internet is 
a critical component of our SaaS business model. In addition, taxation of products or services provided over the Internet or other 
charges imposed by government agencies or by private organizations for accessing the Internet may be imposed. Any regulation 
imposing greater fees for Internet use or restricting information exchange over the Internet could result in a decline in the use of 
the Internet and the viability of Internet-based services, which could harm our business.

Our platforms and solutions enable us to collect, manage and store a wide range of data related to our subscribers’ 

interactive security, intelligent automation, video monitoring, energy management and wellness systems. A valuable component 
of our platforms and solutions is our ability to analyze this data to present the user with actionable business intelligence. We 
obtain our data from a variety of sources, including our service provider partners, our subscribers and third-party providers. We 
cannot assure you that the data we require for our proprietary data sets will be available from these sources in the future or that 
the cost of such data will not increase. The United States federal government and various state governments have adopted or 
proposed limitations on the collection, distribution, storage and use of personal information. Several foreign jurisdictions, 
including the European Union and the United Kingdom, have adopted legislation (including directives or regulations) that is more 
rigorous governing data collection and storage than in the United States.

On June 28, 2018, the State of California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, or CCPA, which is scheduled 

to take effect on January 1, 2020. The CCPA governs the collection, sale and use of California residents’ personal information, 
and it will have significant impacts on businesses’ handling of personal information and existing privacy policies and procedures. 
The CCPA, as well as data privacy laws that have been proposed in other states, may limit our ability to use, process and store 
certain data, which may decrease adoption of our platforms and solutions, increase our costs for compliance, and harm our 
business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. In addition, the CCPA may subject us to regulatory fines by 
the State of California, individual claims, and increased commercial liabilities. 

The United States and the European Union, or EU, have a cooperative program for transferring personal data, referred to as 

the Privacy Shield, that went into effect on August 1, 2016. We have self-certified our compliance with the Privacy Shield 
framework since September 2016, and we use Model Contracts to transfer personal data from the EU to the United States in 
compliance with the European Commission’s Directive on Data Protection. However, the validity of these data transfer 
mechanisms is continually being challenged in EU courts and by the EU Parliament. Further uncertainty may result if the United 
Kingdom, or UK, and the EU are unable to finalize an agreement on a transition period during which EU law would continue to 
apply to the UK beyond the UK’s potential withdrawal from the EU on March 29, 2019. As a result of these ongoing challenges, 
there will continue to be significant regulatory uncertainty surrounding the validity of data transfers from the EU and the UK to the 
United States. 

The EU issued a new General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, that went into effect on May 25, 2018. Prior to May 25, 

2018, we updated existing privacy and data security measures to comply with GDPR. As guidance on compliance with GDPR 
from the EU data protection authorities evolves over time, our privacy or data security measures may be deemed or perceived to 
be in noncompliance with current or future laws and regulations, which may subject us to litigation, regulatory investigations or 
other liabilities. Further, in the event of a breach of personal information that we hold, we may be subject to governmental fines, 
individual claims, remediation expenses and/or harm to our reputation. Moreover, if future laws and regulations limit our ability to 
use and share this data or our ability to store, process and share data over the Internet, demand for our platforms and solutions 

27

could decrease, our costs could increase, and our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations could be 
harmed.

In April 2018, we introduced a solution for certain service provider partners who may be subject to the Health Insurance 
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and its implementing regulations, or HIPAA, which regulates the use and disclosure of 
Protected Health Information, or PHI. As a result, we are subject to HIPAA when PHI is accessed, created, maintained or 
transmitted through our solution by these service provider partners. We have implemented additional privacy and security 
policies and procedures, as well as administrative, physical and technical safeguards to enable our solution to be HIPAA 
compliant. Additionally, HIPAA compliance has required us to put in place certain agreements with contracting partners and to 
appoint a Privacy Officer and Security Officer. If our privacy and security policies or other safeguards for PHI are deemed to be in 
noncompliance by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, we may be subject to litigation, 
regulatory investigations or other liabilities. Further, in the event of a breach of PHI that we hold, we may be subject to 
governmental fines, individual claims under state privacy laws governing personal health information, remediation expenses and/
or harm to our reputation. Furthermore, if future changes to HIPAA or state privacy laws governing PHI expand the definition of 
PHI or put more restrictions on our ability to use, process and store PHI, then HIPAA compliance for our solutions as currently 
constituted may be costly both financially and in terms of administrative resources. Ongoing compliance efforts may take 
substantial time and require the assistance of external resources, such as attorneys, information technology, and/or other 
consultants and advisors. 

We rely on the performance of our senior management and highly skilled personnel, and if we are unable to attract, 
retain and motivate well-qualified employees, our business and results of operations could be harmed.

We believe our success has depended, and continues to depend, on the efforts and talents of senior management and key 
personnel, including Stephen Trundle, our Chief Executive Officer, and our senior information technology managers. Our future 
success depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees. 
Qualified individuals are in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract them. In addition, the loss of any of our 
senior management or key personnel could interrupt our ability to execute our business plan, as such individuals may be difficult 
to replace. If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees or retaining and motivating existing employees, our 
business and results of operations could be harmed.

We provide minimum service level commitments to certain of our service provider partners, and our failure to meet 
them could cause us to issue credits for future services or pay penalties, which could harm our results of operations.

Certain of our service provider partner agreements currently, and may in the future, provide minimum service level 
commitments regarding items such as uptime, functionality or performance. If we are unable to meet the stated service level 
commitments for these service provider partners or suffer extended periods of service unavailability, we are or may be 
contractually obligated to provide these service provider partners with credits for future services, provide services at no cost or 
pay other penalties, which could adversely impact our revenue. We do not currently have any reserves on our balance sheet for 
these commitments.

We have indemnity obligations to certain of our service provider partners for certain expenses and liabilities, which 
could force us to incur substantial costs.

We have indemnity obligations to certain of our service provider partners for certain claims regarding our platforms and 
solutions, including security breach, product recall, epidemic failure, and product liability claims. As a result, in the case of any 
such claims against these service provider partners, we could be required to indemnify them for losses resulting from such 
claims or to refund amounts they have paid to us. We expect that some of our service provider partners may seek 
indemnification from us in the event that such claims are brought against them. In addition, we may elect to indemnify service 
provider partners where we have no contractual obligation to do so and we will evaluate each such request on a case-by-case 
basis. If a service provider partner elects to invest resources in enforcing a claim for indemnification against us, we could incur 
significant costs disputing it. If we do not succeed in disputing it, we could face substantial liability.

The Acquisition subjects us to significant additional liabilities for which we will not be indemnified.

In connection with the Acquisition, we assumed certain historic liabilities of the Connect and Piper business units, including 
pre-closing liabilities relating to current and former employees of the Connect and Piper business units, pre-closing compliance 
by the Connect and Piper business units with applicable laws and pre-closing performance by the Connect and Piper business 
units of the assumed contracts. In addition, we assumed any liabilities that may arise from certain pending intellectual property 
litigation. In addition to the known liabilities we assumed, there could be unasserted claims or assessments that we failed or 
were unable to discover or identify in the course of performing due diligence investigations and there may be liabilities that are 
neither probable nor estimable at this time which may become probable and estimable in the future. Further, while the terms of 
the Acquisition transaction documents provide for us to be indemnified for breaches of certain representations and warranties 
made about the Connect and Piper business units, the liabilities that arise may not entitle us to contractual indemnification or our 

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contractual indemnification may not be effective. Any such liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material 
adverse effect on our business and our prospects.

We may not be able to secure additional financing on favorable terms, or at all, to meet our future capital needs.

In the future, we may require additional capital to respond to business opportunities, challenges, acquisitions or unforeseen 

circumstances and may determine to engage in equity or debt financings or enter into credit facilities for other reasons. In the 
future, we may not be able to timely secure debt or equity financing on favorable terms or at all. Any debt financing obtained by 
us in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational 
matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including 
potential acquisitions. If we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity, convertible debt securities or other 
securities convertible into equity, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution in their percentage ownership of our 
company, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of holders of our 
common stock. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, when we require it, our 
ability to continue to grow or support our business and to respond to business challenges could be limited.

Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets represent a significant portion of our total assets, and we may never 
realize the full value of our intangible assets.

As of December 31, 2018, we had $142.7 million of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill and other 

identifiable intangible assets are recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition. We review such assets for impairment at least 
annually. Impairment may result from, among other things, deterioration in performance, adverse market conditions, adverse 
changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes that restrict the activities of or affect the solutions we offer, 
challenges to the validity of certain registered intellectual property, reduced sales of certain products or services incorporating 
registered intellectual property, increased attrition and a variety of other factors. The amount of any quantified impairment must 
be expensed immediately as a charge to results of operations. Depending on future circumstances, it is possible that we may 
never realize the full value of our intangible assets. Any future determination of impairment of goodwill or other identifiable 
intangible assets could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Comprehensive tax reform bills could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The U.S. government has enacted comprehensive tax legislation that includes significant changes to the taxation of 

business entities. These changes include, among others, (i) a permanent reduction to the corporate income tax rate, (ii) a partial 
limitation on the deductibility of business interest expense, (iii) a shift of the U.S. taxation of multinational corporations from a tax 
on worldwide income to a territorial system (along with certain rules designed to prevent erosion of the U.S. income tax base) 
and (iv) a one-time tax on accumulated offshore earnings held in cash and illiquid assets, with the latter taxed at a lower rate. 
Notwithstanding the reduction in the corporate income tax rate, the overall impact of this tax reform is uncertain, and our 
business and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We may be subject to additional tax liabilities, which would harm our results of operations.

We are subject to income, sales, use, value added and other taxes in the United States and other countries in which we 

conduct business, which laws and rates vary greatly by jurisdiction. Certain jurisdictions in which we do not collect sales, use, 
value added or other taxes on our sales may assert that such taxes are applicable, which could result in tax assessments, 
penalties and interest, and we may be required to collect such taxes in the future. Significant judgment is required in determining 
our worldwide provision for income taxes. These determinations are highly complex and require detailed analysis of the available 
information and applicable statutes and regulatory materials. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions 
and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the 
final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be different from our historical tax practices, provisions and 
accruals. If we receive an adverse ruling as a result of an audit, or we unilaterally determine that we have misinterpreted 
provisions of the tax regulations to which we are subject, our tax provision, results of operations or cash flows could be harmed. 
In addition, liabilities associated with taxes are often subject to an extended or indefinite statute of limitations period. Therefore, 
we may be subject to additional tax liability (including penalties and interest) for a particular year for extended periods of time.

Our business is subject to the risks of earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, power outages, floods and other catastrophic 
events, and to interruption by man-made problems such as terrorism or global or regional economic, political and 
social conditions.

A significant natural disaster, such as an earthquake, hurricane, fire, flood, or a significant power outage could harm our 
business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Natural disasters could affect our hardware vendors, our 
wireless carriers or our network operations centers. Further, if a natural disaster occurs in a region from which we derive a 
significant portion of our revenue, such as metropolitan areas in North America, consumers in that region may delay or forego 
purchases of our platforms and solutions from service providers in the region, which may harm our results of operations for a 

29

particular period. In addition, terrorist acts or acts of war could cause disruptions in our business or the business of our hardware 
vendors, service providers, subscribers or the economy as a whole. More generally, these geopolitical, social and economic 
conditions could result in increased volatility in worldwide financial markets and economies that could harm our sales. Given our 
concentration of sales during the second and third quarters, any disruption in the business of our hardware vendors, service 
provider partners or subscribers that impacts sales during the second or third quarter of each year could have a greater impact 
on our annual results. All of the aforementioned risks may be augmented if the disaster recovery plans for us, our service 
provider partners and our suppliers prove to be inadequate. To the extent that any of the above results in delays or cancellations 
of orders, or delays in the manufacture, deployment or shipment of our platforms and solutions, our business, financial condition, 
cash flows and results of operations would be harmed.

Downturns in general economic and market conditions and reductions in spending may reduce demand for our 
platforms and solutions, which could harm our revenue, results of operations and cash flows.

Our revenue, results of operations and cash flows depend on the overall demand for our platforms and solutions. Concerns 

about the systemic impact of a potential widespread recession, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of 
credit and the global housing and mortgage markets have contributed to increased market volatility, decreased consumer 
confidence and diminished growth expectations in the U.S. economy and abroad. The current unstable general economic and 
market conditions have been characterized by a dramatic decline in consumer discretionary spending and have 
disproportionately affected providers of solutions that represent discretionary purchases. While the decline in consumer spending 
has recently moderated, these economic conditions could still lead to continued declines in consumer spending over the 
foreseeable future, and may have resulted in a resetting of consumer spending habits that may make it unlikely that such 
spending will return to prior levels for the foreseeable future.

During weak economic times, the available pool of service providers may decline as the prospects for home building and 
home renovation projects diminish, which may have a corresponding impact on our growth prospects. In addition, there is an 
increased risk during these periods that an increased percentage of our service provider partners will file for bankruptcy 
protection, which may harm our reputation, revenue, profitability and results of operations. In addition, we may determine that the 
cost of pursuing any claim may outweigh the recovery potential of such claim. Likewise, consumer bankruptcies can 
detrimentally affect the business stability of our service provider partners. Prolonged economic slowdowns and reductions in new 
home construction and renovation projects may result in diminished sales of our platforms and solutions. Further worsening, 
broadening or protracted extension of the economic downturn could have a negative impact on our business, revenue, results of 
operations and cash flows.

Failure to comply with laws and regulations could harm our business.

We conduct our business in the United States and are expanding internationally in various other countries. We are subject to 

regulation by various federal, state, local and foreign governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, agencies responsible 
for monitoring and enforcing employment and labor laws, workplace safety, product safety, environmental laws, consumer 
protection laws, antitrust laws, federal securities laws and tax laws and regulations.

We are subject to the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. § 201, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 

1977, as amended, the U.S. Travel Act, and possibly other anti-bribery laws, including those that comply with the Organization 
for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in 
International Business Transactions and other international conventions. Anti-corruption laws are interpreted broadly and prohibit 
our company from authorizing, offering, or providing directly or indirectly improper payments or benefits to recipients in the public 
or private-sector. Certain laws could also prohibit us from soliciting or accepting bribes or kickbacks. Our company has direct 
government interactions and in several cases uses third-party representatives, including dealers, for regulatory compliance, 
sales and other purposes in a variety of countries. These factors increase our anti-corruption risk profile. We can be held liable 
for the corrupt activities of our employees, representatives, contractors, partners and agents, even if we did not explicitly 
authorize such activity. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with anti-
corruption laws, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, representatives, contractors, partners, and agents will 
comply with these laws and policies.

We are also subject to data privacy and security laws, anti-money laundering laws (such as the USA PATRIOT Act), and 

import/export laws and regulations in the United States and in other jurisdictions.

Our global operations require us to import from and export to several countries, which geographically stretches our 

compliance obligations. Our platforms and solutions are subject to export control and import laws and regulations, including the 
U.S. Export Administration Regulations, U.S. Customs regulations, and various economic and trade sanctions regulations 
administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Controls. Exports of our platforms and solutions must 
be made in compliance with these laws and regulations. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we and certain of 
our employees could be subject to substantial civil or criminal penalties, including the possible loss of export or import privileges; 
fines, which may be imposed on us and responsible employees or managers; and, in extreme cases, the incarceration of 

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responsible employees or managers. In addition, if our service provider partners fail to obtain appropriate import, export or re-
export licenses or authorizations, we may also be adversely affected through reputational harm and penalties. Obtaining the 
necessary authorizations, including any required license, for a particular sale may be time-consuming, is not guaranteed and 
may result in the delay or loss of sales opportunities. In addition, changes in our platforms or solutions or changes in applicable 
export or import laws and regulations may create delays in the introduction and sale of our platforms and solutions in 
international markets, prevent our service provider partners with international operations from deploying our platforms and 
solutions or, in some cases, prevent the export or import of our platforms and solutions to certain countries, governments or 
persons altogether. Any change in export or import laws and regulations, shift in the enforcement or scope of existing laws and 
regulations, or change in the countries, governments, persons or technologies targeted by such laws and regulations, could also 
result in decreased use of our platforms and solutions, or in our decreased ability to export or sell our platforms and solutions to 
existing or potential service provider partners with international operations. Any decreased use of our platforms and solutions or 
limitation on our ability to export or sell our platforms and solutions would likely adversely affect our business, financial condition, 
cash flows and results of operations.

In addition, our software contains encryption technologies, certain types of which are subject to U.S. and foreign export 
control regulations and, in some foreign countries, restrictions on importation and/or use. Any failure on our part to comply with 
encryption or other applicable export control requirements could result in financial penalties or other sanctions under the U.S. 
export regulations, including restrictions on future export activities, which could harm our business and operating results. 
Regulatory restrictions could impair our access to technologies needed to improve our platforms and solutions and may also limit 
or reduce the demand for our platforms and solutions outside of the United States.

Furthermore, U.S. export control laws and economic sanctions programs prohibit the shipment of certain products and 
services to countries, governments and persons that are subject to U.S. economic embargoes and trade sanctions. Even though 
we take precautions to prevent our platforms and solutions from being shipped or provided to U.S. sanctions targets, our 
platforms and solutions could be shipped to those targets or provided by third-parties despite such precautions. Any such 
shipment could have negative consequences, including government investigations, penalties and reputational harm. 
Furthermore, any new embargo or sanctions program, or any change in the countries, governments, persons or activities 
targeted by such programs, could result in decreased use of our platforms and solutions, or in our decreased ability to export or 
sell our platforms and solutions to existing or potential service provider partners, which would likely adversely affect our 
business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Changes in laws that apply to us could result in increased regulatory requirements and compliance costs which could harm 

our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. In certain jurisdictions, regulatory requirements may be 
more stringent than in the United States. Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could subject us to 
whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, mandatory product recalls, enforcement actions, disgorgement 
of profits, fines, damages, civil and criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension or debarment from contracting with certain 
governments or other customers, the loss of export privileges, multi-jurisdictional liability, reputational harm, and other collateral 
consequences. If any governmental or other sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal 
litigation, our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations could be materially harmed. In addition, 
responding to any action will likely result in a materially significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and an 
increase in defense costs and other professional fees. Enforcement actions and sanctions could further harm our business, 
financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

If the U.S. insurance industry were to change its practice of providing incentives to homeowners for the use of alarm 
monitoring services, we could experience a reduction in new subscriber growth or an increase in our subscriber 
attrition rate.

It has been common practice in the U.S. insurance industry to provide a reduction in rates for policies written on residences 

that have monitored alarm systems. There can be no assurance that insurance companies will continue to offer these rate 
reductions. If these incentives were reduced or eliminated, new homeowners who otherwise may not feel the need for alarm 
monitoring services would be removed from our potential subscriber pool, which could hinder the growth of our business, and 
existing subscribers may choose to disconnect or not renew their service contracts, which could increase our attrition rates. In 
either case, our results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely affected.

We face many risks associated with our international business operations and our plans to expand internationally, 
which could harm our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We anticipate that our efforts to operate and continue to expand our business internationally will entail additional costs and 
risks as we establish our international offerings and develop relationships with service provider partners to market, sell, install, 
and support our platforms, solutions and brand in other countries. Revenue in countries outside of North America accounted for 
2%, 1% and less than 1% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. We have limited 
experience in selling our platforms and solutions in international markets outside of North America or in conforming to the local 
cultures, standards, or policies necessary to successfully compete in those markets, and we may be required to invest significant 

31

resources in order to do so. We may not succeed in these efforts or achieve our consumer acquisition, service provider 
expansion or other goals. In some international markets, consumer preferences and buying behaviors may be different, and we 
may use business or pricing models that are different from our traditional model to provide our platforms and solutions to 
consumers in those markets or we may be unsuccessful in implementing the appropriate business model. Our revenue from new 
foreign markets may not exceed the costs of establishing, marketing, and maintaining our international offerings. In addition, the 
current instability in the eurozone could have many adverse consequences on our international expansion, including sovereign 
default, liquidity and capital pressures on eurozone financial institutions, reducing the availability of credit and increasing the risk 
of financial sector failures and the risk of one or more eurozone member states leaving the euro, resulting in the possibility of 
capital and exchange controls and uncertainty about the impact of contracts and currency exchange rates.

In addition, conducting expanded international operations subjects us to additional risks that we do not generally face in our 

North American markets. These risks include:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

localization of our solutions, including the addition of foreign languages and adaptation to new local practices, as well as 
certification and other regulatory requirements;

lack of experience in other geographic markets;

strong local competitors;

the cost and burden of complying with, lack of familiarity with, and unexpected changes in, foreign legal and regulatory 
requirements, including the development of policies and procedures for different countries when requirements under 
privacy regulations in such countries may conflict or be inconsistent with one another;

difficulties in managing and staffing international operations;

increased costs due to new or potential tariffs, penalties, trade restrictions and other trade barriers;

fluctuations in currency exchange rates or restrictions on foreign currency;

potentially adverse tax consequences, including the complexities of transfer pricing, value added or other tax systems, 
double taxation and restrictions and/or taxes on the repatriation of earnings;

dependence on third parties, including commercial partners with whom we do not have extensive experience;

increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;

political, social, and economic instability, terrorist attacks, and security concerns in general; and

reduced or varied protection for intellectual property rights in some countries.

Operating in international markets also requires significant management attention and financial resources. The investment 
and additional resources required to establish operations and manage growth in other countries may not produce desired levels 
of revenue or profitability.

Our software contains encryption technologies, certain types of which are subject to U.S. and foreign export control 
regulations and, in some foreign countries, restrictions on importation and/or use. Any failure on our part to comply with 
encryption or other applicable export control requirements could result in financial penalties or other sanctions under the 
U.S. export regulations, including restrictions on future export activities, which could harm our business and operating results. 
Regulatory restrictions could impair our access to technologies needed to improve our platforms and solutions and may also limit 
or reduce the demand for our platforms and solutions outside of the United States.

The incurrence of debt may impact our financial position and subject us to additional financial and operating 
restrictions.

On October 6, 2017, we entered into a $125.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, or the 2017 Facility, with Silicon 

Valley Bank, or SVB, as administrative agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as documentation agent, and a syndicate of 
lenders. Upon entry into the 2017 Facility, we borrowed $72.0 million, which was used to repay the previously outstanding 
balance under our previous credit facility. The outstanding balance of the 2017 Facility was $67.0 million as of December 31, 
2018. On November 30, 2018, we amended the 2017 Facility to incorporate the parameters that must be met for us to 
repurchase our outstanding common stock under the stock repurchase program authorized by our board of directors on 
November 29, 2018.

32

 
Our overall leverage and certain covenants and obligations contained in the related documentation could adversely affect 

our financial health and business and future operations by, among other things:

• making it more difficult to satisfy our obligations, including under the terms of the 2017 Facility;

•

•

•

•

limiting our ability to refinance our debt on terms acceptable to us or at all;

limiting our flexibility to plan for and adjust to changing business and market conditions and increasing our vulnerability
to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

limiting our ability to use our available cash flow to fund future acquisitions, working capital, business activities, and
other general corporate requirements; and

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, to fund growth or for general corporate purposes,
even when necessary to maintain adequate liquidity.

Furthermore, substantially all of our assets, including our intellectual property, secure the 2017 Facility. If an event of default 
under the credit agreement occurs and is continuing, SVB may request the acceleration of the related debt and foreclose on the 
underlying security interests.

In addition, our 2017 Facility restricts our ability to make dividend payments and requires us to maintain certain leverage 

ratios, which may restrict our ability to invest in future growth. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

The LIBOR calculation method may change and LIBOR is expected to be phased out after 2021.

Our 2017 Facility permits interest on the outstanding principal balance to be calculated based on LIBOR, plus an applicable 
margin based on our consolidated leverage ratio. On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, or the FCA, announced 
that it will no longer require banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. In the meantime, actions by the FCA, 
other regulators or law enforcement agencies may result in changes to the method by which LIBOR is calculated. At this time, it 
is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted in the United 
Kingdom or elsewhere.

Our financial results may be adversely affected by changes in accounting principles applicable to us.

Our accounting policies are critical to the manner in which we present our results of operations and financial condition. Many 
of these policies are highly complex and involve many assumptions, estimates and judgments. A change in accounting standards 
or practices, in particular with respect to revenue recognition, could harm our operating results and may even affect our reporting 
of transactions completed before the change is effective. GAAP rules are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting 
Standards Board, or FASB, the SEC and other various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting 
principles. For example, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" or Topic 842, effective 
January 1, 2019, which requires lessees to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use 
assets on the balance sheet. Refer to Note 2, "Recent Accounting Pronouncements," in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information about the impact of this accounting standard and other new accounting pronouncements. 
Implementation of new accounting standards could have a significant effect on our financial results, and any difficulties in 
implementing these pronouncements could cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations, which could result in 
regulatory discipline and harm investors’ confidence in us.

Our accounting is becoming more complex, and relies upon estimates or judgments relating to our critical accounting 
policies. If our accounting is erroneous or based on assumptions that change or prove to be incorrect, our operating 
results could fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, resulting in a decline in our stock price.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, and also to comply with many 
complex requirements and standards. We devote substantial resources to compliance with accounting requirements and we 
base our estimates on our best judgment, historical experience, information derived from third parties, and on various other 
assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments 
about the carrying values of assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. 
However, various factors are causing our accounting to become complex. For example, as a result of our acquisition of the 
Connect business unit of Icontrol, we now recognize revenue relating to the delivery of software relating to the Software platform 
under different revenue recognition standards than those that apply to delivery of our services under the Alarm.com platforms. 
Ongoing evolution of our business, and any future acquisitions, may compound these complexities. Our operating results may be 
adversely affected if we make accounting errors or our judgments prove to be wrong, assumptions change or actual 

33

circumstances differ from those in our assumptions, which could cause our operating results to fall below the expectations of 
securities analysts and investors or guidance we may have provided, resulting in a decline in our stock price and potential legal 
claims. Significant judgments, assumptions and estimates used in preparing our consolidated financial statements include those 
related to revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, business combinations, and income taxes.

Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property

If we fail to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights adequately, our business could be harmed.

We believe that our proprietary technology is essential to establishing and maintaining our leadership position. We seek to 
protect our intellectual property through trade secrets, copyrights, confidentiality, non-compete and nondisclosure agreements, 
patents, trademarks, domain names and other measures, some of which afford only limited protection. We also rely on patent, 
trademark, trade secret and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, 
unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our technology or to obtain and use information that we regard as 
proprietary. Our means of protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate or our competitors may independently develop 
similar or superior technology, or design around our intellectual property. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not 
protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as the laws of the United States. Intellectual property protections may also be 
unavailable, limited or difficult to enforce in some countries, which could make it easier for competitors to capture market share. 
Our failure or inability to adequately protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights could harm our business, financial 
condition, cash flows and results of operations.

To prevent substantial unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights, it may be necessary to prosecute actions for 
infringement and/or misappropriation of our proprietary rights against third parties. See the section of this Annual Report titled 
"Legal Proceedings" for additional information on such actions. Any such action could result in significant costs and diversion of 
our resources and management's attention, and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in such action. Furthermore, 
many of our current and potential competitors have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to enforce their 
intellectual property rights than we do. Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing 
upon or misappropriating our intellectual property.

An assertion by a third party that we are infringing its intellectual property could subject us to costly and time-
consuming litigation or expensive licenses that could harm our business and results of operations.

The industries in which we compete are characterized by the existence of a large number of patents, copyrights, trademarks 
and trade secrets, and by frequent litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. 
We have been involved with patent litigation suits in the past and we may be involved with and subject to similar litigation in the 
future to defend our intellectual property position. For example, on June 2, 2015, Vivint filed a lawsuit against us in U.S. District 
Court, District of Utah, alleging that our technology directly and indirectly infringes six patents that Vivint purchased. Vivint is 
seeking permanent injunctions, enhanced damages and attorneys' fees. See the section of this Annual Report titled "Legal 
Proceedings" for additional information on this matter. Should Vivint prevail on its claims that one or more elements of our 
solution infringe one or more of its patents, we could be required to pay damages of Vivint’s lost profits and/or a reasonable 
royalty for sales of our solution, enjoined from making, using, and selling our solution if a license or other right to continue selling 
such elements is not made available to us or we are unable to design around such patents, and required to pay ongoing royalties 
and comply with unfavorable terms if such a license is made available to us. While we believe we have valid defenses to Vivint’s 
claims, any of these outcomes could result in a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we were to prevail, this litigation 
could continue to be costly and time-consuming, divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business 
operations and dissuade potential customers from purchasing our solution, which would also materially harm our business. 
During the course of litigation, we anticipate announcements of the results of hearings and motions, and other interim 
developments related to the litigation. If securities analysts or investors regard these announcements as negative, the market 
price of our common stock may decline.

We might not prevail in any intellectual property infringement litigation given the complex technical issues and inherent 

uncertainties in such litigation and our service provider partner contracts may require us to indemnify them against certain 
liabilities they may incur as a result of our infringement of any third party intellectual property. Defending such claims, regardless 
of their merit, could be time-consuming and distracting to management, result in costly litigation or settlement, cause 
development delays or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements. In addition, we currently have a limited portfolio of 
issued patents compared to our larger competitors, and therefore may not be able to effectively utilize our intellectual property 
portfolio to assert defenses or counterclaims in response to patent infringement claims or litigation brought against us by third 
parties. Further, litigation may involve patent holding companies or other adverse patent owners who have no relevant products 
or revenues and against which our potential patents provide no deterrence, and many other potential litigants have the capability 
to dedicate substantially greater resources to enforce their intellectual property rights and to defend claims that may be brought 
against them. Given that our platforms and solutions integrate with many aspects of a property, the risk that our platforms and 
solutions may be subject to these allegations is exacerbated. As we seek to extend our platforms and solutions, we could be 
constrained by the intellectual property rights of others. If our platforms and solutions exceed the scope of in-bound licenses or 

34

violate any third party proprietary rights, we could be required to withdraw those solutions from the market, re-develop those 
solutions or seek to obtain licenses from third parties, which might not be available on reasonable terms or at all. Any efforts to 
re-develop our platforms and solutions, obtain licenses from third parties on favorable terms or license a substitute technology 
might not be successful and, in any case, might substantially increase our costs and harm our business, financial condition, cash 
flows and results of operations. If we were compelled to withdraw any of our platforms and solutions from the market, our 
business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations could be harmed.

We have indemnity obligations to certain of our service provider partners for certain expenses and liabilities resulting 
from intellectual property infringement claims regarding our platforms and solutions, which could force us to incur 
substantial costs.

We have indemnity obligations to certain of our service provider partners for intellectual property infringement claims 

regarding our platforms and solutions. As a result, in the case of infringement claims against these service provider partners, we 
could be required to indemnify them for losses resulting from such claims or to refund amounts they have paid to us. We expect 
that some of our service provider partners may seek indemnification from us in connection with infringement claims brought 
against them. In addition, we may elect to indemnify service provider partners where we have no contractual obligation to 
indemnify them and we will evaluate each such request on a case-by-case basis. If a service provider partner elects to invest 
resources in enforcing a claim for indemnification against us, we could incur significant costs disputing it. If we do not succeed in 
disputing it, we could face substantial liability.

The use of open source software in our platforms and solutions may expose us to additional risks and harm our 
intellectual property.

Some of our platforms and solutions use or incorporate software that is subject to one or more open source licenses and we 

may incorporate open source software in the future. Open source software is typically freely accessible, usable and modifiable. 
Certain open source software licenses require a user who intends to distribute the open source software as a component of the 
user's software to disclose publicly part or all of the source code to the user's software. In addition, certain open source software 
licenses require the user of such software to make any derivative works of the open source code available to others on 
potentially unfavorable terms to us or at no cost.

The terms of many open source licenses to which we are subject have not been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts, and 

accordingly there is a risk that those licenses could be construed in a manner that imposes unanticipated conditions or 
restrictions on our ability to commercialize our platforms and solutions. In that event, we could be required to seek licenses from 
third parties in order to continue offering our platforms and solutions, to re-develop our platforms and solutions, to discontinue 
sales of our platforms and solutions or to release our proprietary software code under the terms of an open source license, any 
of which could harm our business. Further, given the nature of open source software, it may be more likely that third parties 
might assert copyright and other intellectual property infringement claims against us based on our use of these open source 
software programs. Litigation could be costly for us to defend, have a negative effect on our business, financial condition, cash 
flows and results of operations or require us to devote additional research and development resources to change our solutions.

Although we are not aware of any use of open source software in our platforms and solutions that would require us to 

disclose all or a portion of the source code underlying our core solutions, it is possible that such use may have inadvertently 
occurred in deploying our platforms and solutions. Additionally, if a third party software provider has incorporated certain types of 
open source software into software we license from such third party for our platforms and solutions without our knowledge, we 
could, under certain circumstances, be required to disclose the source code to our platforms and solutions. This could harm our 
intellectual property position as well as our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock has been and will likely continue to be volatile.

The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially as a result of a variety of 
factors, some of which are related in complex ways. Since shares of our common stock were sold in our initial public offering in 
June 2015 at a price of $14.00 per share, our stock price has ranged from an intraday low of $10.26 to an intraday high of 
$60.20 through December 31, 2018. The market price of our common stock may decline regardless of our operating 
performance, resulting in the potential for substantial losses for our stockholders, and may fluctuate significantly in response to 
numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the factors listed below and other factors described in this 
"Risk Factors" section:

• 

• 

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and operating results;

the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these 
projections;

35

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our company, changes in financial estimates by any 
securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;

ratings changes by any securities analysts who follow our company;

variance in our financial performance from expectations of securities analysts;

announcements by us or our competitors of significant business developments, technical innovations, acquisitions or 
new solutions;

changes in the prices of our platforms and solutions;

changes in our projected operating and financial results;

changes in laws or regulations applicable to our platforms and solutions or marketing techniques, or our industry in 
general;

our involvement in any litigation, including any lawsuits threatened or filed against us;

our sale of our common stock or other securities in the future;

changes in senior management or key personnel;

trading volume of our common stock;

changes in the anticipated future size and growth rate of our market; and

general economic, regulatory and market conditions in the United States and abroad.

The stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the 
market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the 
operating performance of those companies. Broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political, 
regulatory and market conditions, may negatively impact the market price of our common stock. In the past, companies that have 
experienced volatility in the market price of their securities have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the 
target of this type of litigation in the future, which could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could cause our market price to 
decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales might 

occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of 
additional equity securities. We are unable to predict the effect that sales, particularly sales by our directors, executive officers, 
and significant stockholders, may have on the prevailing market price of our common stock. Additionally, the shares of common 
stock subject to outstanding options under our equity incentive plans and the shares reserved for future issuance under our 
equity incentive plans, as well as shares issuable upon vesting of restricted stock awards, will become eligible for sale in the 
public market in the future, subject to certain legal and contractual limitations. Moreover, some holders of shares of our common 
stock have rights, subject to certain conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering their shares or to include 
their shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or our stockholders. We have also registered shares of 
common stock that we may issue under our employee equity incentive plans. Accordingly, these shares may be able to be sold 
freely in the public market upon issuance as permitted by any applicable vesting requirements.

Our actual operating results may differ significantly from any guidance provided.

Our guidance, including forward-looking statements, is prepared by management and is qualified by, and subject to, a 
number of assumptions and estimates that, while presented with numerical specificity, are inherently subject to significant 
business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies are beyond 
our control and are based upon specific assumptions with respect to future business decisions, some of which will change. We 
generally state possible outcomes as high and low ranges which are intended to provide a sensitivity analysis as variables are 
changed but are not intended to represent that actual results could not fall outside of the suggested ranges.

Guidance is necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions of the guidance 
furnished by us will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. In particular, guidance relating to the anticipated 

36

results of operations of an acquired business is inherently more speculative in nature than other guidance as management will, 
necessarily, be less familiar with the business, procedures and operations of the acquired business. Accordingly, any guidance 
with respect to our projected financial performance, in particular with respect to our projected post-Acquisition financial 
performance, is necessarily only an estimate of what management believes is realizable as of the date the guidance is given. 
Actual results will vary from the guidance and the variations may be material. Investors should also recognize that the reliability 
of any forecasted financial data will diminish the farther in the future that the data is forecasted.

Actual operating results may be different from our guidance, and such differences may be adverse and material. In light of 

the foregoing, investors are urged to put the guidance in context and not to place undue reliance on it. In addition, the market 
price of our common stock may reflect various market assumptions as to the accuracy of our guidance. If our actual results of 
operations fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline 
substantially.

We are obligated to develop and maintain a system of effective internal controls over financial reporting. These internal 
controls may be determined to be not effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as 
a result, the value of our common stock.

We have been and are required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, 

among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis. This assessment 
includes disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. 
During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial 
reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective and would be required to disclose any material 
weaknesses identified in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. While we have established certain 
procedures and control over our financial reporting processes, we cannot assure you that these efforts will prevent restatements 
of our financial statements in the future. 

Our independent registered public accounting firm is also required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to 
report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment includes disclosure of any material 
weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. For future reporting periods, our 
independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at 
which our controls are documented, designed or operating. We may not be able to remediate any future material weaknesses, or 
to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion.

If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered 

public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, investors 
could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could cause the price of our common 
stock to decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by regulatory authorities, including the SEC and Nasdaq. 
Failure to remediate any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to maintain other effective control 
systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or publish negative reports 
about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock depends, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts 

publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If our financial performance fails to meet 
analyst estimates or one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our shares, our 
share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish 
reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.

We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future and, as a result, your ability to achieve a return on your 
investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

We do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We anticipate that we will retain all of our future 
earnings for use in the development of our business and for general corporate purposes. Any determination to pay dividends in 
the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and subject to the restrictions on paying dividends in our 2017 Facility 
and any future indebtedness. Accordingly, investors must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may 
never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investments.

37

Concentration of ownership among our current directors, executive officers and their affiliates may limit an investor's 
ability to influence significant corporate decisions.

As of December 31, 2018, our directors and executive officers, together with their affiliates, beneficially own a significant 
percentage of our outstanding capital stock. As a result, these stockholders, acting together, will have substantial influence over 
the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant 
corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets. This concentration of ownership could delay, 
defer or prevent a change in control of the company, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination, which in 
turn could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of us more 
difficult, limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management and limit the market price of 
our common stock.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing 

a change in control or changes in our management. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and 
restated bylaws include provisions that:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

authorize our board of directors to issue preferred stock, without further stockholder action and with voting liquidation, 
dividend and other rights superior to our common stock;

require that any action to be taken by our stockholders be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting and not by 
written consent, and limit the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings;

establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting, including 
proposed nominations of persons for director nominees;

establish that our board of directors is divided into three classes, with directors in each class serving three-year 
staggered terms;

require the approval of holders of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors to adopt, amend or 
repeal our bylaws or amend or repeal the provisions of our certificate of incorporation regarding the election and 
removal of directors and the ability of stockholders to take action by written consent or call a special meeting;

prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors; and

provide that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the vote of a majority of directors then in office, 
even though less than a quorum.

These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management 
by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the 
members of our management. In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of 
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any of 
a broad range of business combinations with any "interested" stockholder for a period of three years following the date on which 
the stockholder became an "interested" stockholder. Any of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be 
willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock, and they could deter potential acquirers of our company, thereby 
reducing the likelihood that you would receive a premium for your common stock in an acquisition.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the 
exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ 
ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.

Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an 
alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or 
proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, 
officers or other employees to us or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the 
Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws 
or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this choice of forum 
provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 
or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation 
provides that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our common stock is deemed to 
have notice of and consented to the foregoing provision. The forum selection clause in our amended and restated certificate of 
incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.

38

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our Facilities

Our principal offices, located in Tysons, Virginia, occupy 160,406 square feet of commercial space under a lease that we 

entered into in August 2014 and expires in 2026. We have amended our lease to expand our square footage as we continue to 
grow. Our Alarm.com segment uses this facility for sales and marketing, research and development, customer service and 
administrative purposes.

Our Alarm.com segment also has offices in Bloomington, Minnesota; Boston Massachusetts; Centennial, Colorado; Fort 

Lauderdale, Florida; Lawrence, Kansas; Provo, Utah; Redwood City, California; and Amsterdam, Netherlands, and owns 
demonstration homes in Falls Church, Virginia and Boca Raton, Florida. We and our subsidiaries use these properties for sales 
and training, research and development, technical support and administrative purposes.

Our Other segment has offices in Brooklyn, New York; Nags Head, North Carolina; Needham, Massachusetts; Portland, 
Oregon; and Ottawa, Canada. Our subsidiaries use these properties for sales and training, research and development, technical 
support and administrative purposes.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In September 2014, Icontrol Networks, Inc., or Icontrol, filed a Complaint in the United States District Court, District of 
Delaware, asserting that SecureNet Technologies, LLC, or SecureNet, infringes certain U.S. Patents owned by Icontrol, patents 
now owned by Alarm.com through a subsidiary. In March 2015, Icontrol voluntarily agreed to dismiss the case, reserving the right 
to refile. In September 2015, Icontrol refiled the case against SecureNet in the same district court alleging infringement of some 
of the same patents. In March 2017, Alarm.com acquired certain assets and intellectual property from Icontrol, including the 
patents in suit and the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit. The Court conducted a jury trial in February 2019, which resulted in a 
finding that upheld the validity of the patent claims in one of the patents at issue, but that SecureNet did not infringe certain 
claims of the three Icontrol patents in suit. Any appeal of the verdict will be due 30 days after the Court enters a final judgment.

On August 24, 2017, Alarm.com Incorporated and its wholly owned subsidiary ICN Acquisition, LLC, filed a patent 

infringement complaint against ipDatatel, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The parties 
subsequently stipulated to transfer the case to the Southern District of Texas. The complaint seeks injunctive relief to stop the 
further sale of the infringing ipDatatel’s products and systems, and damages for the infringement of Alarm.com’s patents. The 
complaint asserts that the technology in the ipDatatel products infringe one or more claims of Alarm.com’s patents: United States 
Patent Numbers 7,113,090; 7,633,385; 7,956,736; 8,478,871; and 9,141,276. If the litigation is successful, Alarm.com will be 
entitled to receive monetary damages, injunctive relief, and any other relief, including attorneys' fees, from ipDatatel. The Court 
has scheduled commencement of trial in August 2019. ipDatatel's motion for dismissal based on alleged patent ineligibility as to 
each patent in suit was denied without prejudice but ipDatatel renewed the motion. On July 26, 2018, ipDatatel answered the 
complaint by denying the patent infringement allegations and asserting several affirmative defenses, including invalidity and 
unenforceability. ipDatatel also asserted antitrust counterclaims based on alleged inequitable conduct in connection with the 
prosecution of one or more patents-in-suit. In September 2018, ipDataTel filed petitions for inter partes review of four of the 
patents-in-suit before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board, or PTAB. On October 19, 2018, the Court issued a claim 
construction which, among other things, determined that certain claim terms of two of the patents-in-suit were indefinite. Fact 
discovery is ongoing and opening expert reports are due in March 2019.

39

On April 25, 2017, Alarm.com Incorporated and its wholly owned subsidiary ICN Acquisition, LLC, filed a patent infringement 

complaint against Protect America, Inc., or Protect America, and SecureNet Technologies, LLC, or SecureNet, in the United 
States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The complaint seeks injunctive relief to stop the further sale of the 
infringing Protect America and SecureNet products and systems, and damages for the infringement of Alarm.com’s patents. The 
complaint asserts that the technology in the Protect America and SecureNet Alarm Systems products infringe one or more claims 
of Alarm.com’s patents: United States Patent Numbers 7,113,090; 7,633,385; 8,395,494; 8,493,202; 8,612,591; 8,860,804; and 
9,141,276. If the litigation is successful, Alarm.com will be entitled to receive monetary damages, injunctive relief, and any other 
relief, including attorneys' fees, from Protect America and SecureNet. In June 2017, Alarm.com filed an amended complaint 
against Protect America only and voluntarily dismissed SecureNet from the suit, reserving the right to refile. In September 2017, 
Alarm.com voluntarily dismissed the amended complaint in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia and 
refiled a complaint against Protect America, with substantially the same allegations, in the United States District Court of the 
Eastern District of Texas. The parties subsequently stipulated to transfer the case to the Western District of Texas. The Court has 
scheduled a claim construction hearing for May 2019, but has not yet scheduled a jury trial.

On June 2, 2015, Vivint, Inc., or Vivint, filed a lawsuit against us in U.S. District Court, District of Utah, alleging that our 
technology directly and indirectly infringes six patents that Vivint purchased. Vivint is seeking permanent injunctions, enhanced 
damages and attorneys' fees. We answered the complaint on July 23, 2015. Among other things, we asserted defenses based 
on non-infringement and invalidity of the patents in question. On August 19, 2016, the U.S. District Court, District of Utah stayed 
the litigation pending inter partes review by the PTAB of five of the patents in suit. In March 2017, the PTAB issued final written 
decisions relating to two patents finding all challenged claims unpatentable. In May 2017, the PTAB issued final written decisions 
relating to the remaining three patents that found certain claims unpatentable, while certain other claims were not found to be 
unpatentable. Vivint appealed the decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or the Federal Circuit, and we 
cross-appealed. In July 2018, the Federal Circuit issued orders affirming the PTAB’s March 2017 decisions that invalidated all 
challenged claims of two patents. The U.S. District Court, District of Utah lifted the stay on the litigation on June 26, 2017, with 
Vivint proceeding with its case on four of the six patents in its complaint. No trial date has been set. In September 2017, the U.S. 
Patent and Trademark Office, or PTO, ordered ex parte reexaminations of certain claims of two of the remaining patents in suit, 
at our request. On October 30, 2018 and November 5, 2018, the PTO issued final office actions in the pending reexaminations 
rejecting all claims being examined as unpatentable over the prior art. On December 7, 2018, the U.S. District Court, District of 
Utah ordered that (i) litigation regarding the nine claims (from two patents) rejected by the PTO during the reexaminations be 
stayed until May 15, 2019 and (ii) a hearing on the parties’ cross motions for claim construction and Alarm.com’s motions for 
partial summary judgment as to invalidity and infringement be set for April 3, 2019. On December 20, 2018, the Federal Circuit 
issued an order regarding the inter partes review of three of the remaining patents in suit that vacated, reversed and remanded 
the PTAB’s ruling with regard to the construction of a term (“communication device identification code”) as requested by 
Alarm.com and affirmed the PTAB’s May 2017 rulings invalidating certain of the Vivint patents in all other respects.

Should Vivint prevail  in proving Alarm.com infringes one or more of its patent claims, we could be required to pay damages 
of Vivint’s lost profits and/or a reasonable royalty for sales of our solution, enjoined from making, using and selling our solution if 
a license or other right to continue selling such elements is not made available to us or we are unable to design around such 
patents, and required to pay ongoing royalties and comply with unfavorable terms if such a license is made available to us. While 
we believe we have valid defenses to Vivint’s claims, any of these outcomes could result in a material adverse effect on our 
business. Even if we were to prevail, this litigation could continue to be costly and time-consuming, divert the attention of our 
management and key personnel from our business operations and dissuade potential customers from purchasing our solution, 
which would also materially harm our business. During the course of litigation, we anticipate announcements of the results of 
hearings and motions, and other interim developments related to the litigation. If securities analysts or investors regard these 
announcements as negative, the market price of our common stock may decline.

On December 30, 2015, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against us in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District 
of California, or the Court, alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA. The complaint does not allege 
that Alarm.com itself violated the TCPA, but instead seeks to hold us responsible for the marketing activities of one of our service 
providers as well as calls made by one of this service provider’s sub-dealer agents under principles of agency and vicarious 
liability. On August 30, 2018, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the case for total cash consideration of $28.0 million. 
On October 25, 2018, we entered into a definitive settlement agreement, or Settlement Agreement, and submitted it to the Court 
for approval. In entering into the definitive settlement agreement, we are making no admission of liability. 

Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, among other things, (1) we agreed to pay total cash consideration of $28.0 million 

into a settlement fund, (2) we agreed to implement certain business practice changes to increase awareness of TCPA 
compliance, (3) each party to the Settlement Agreement agreed to a mutual release of claims relating to any claim or potential 
claim relating to the marketing activities described in the complaint, and (4) each party covenanted not to sue the other with 
regard to the released claims. In addition, we have agreed to no longer allow the service provider identified in the litigation as 
purportedly violating the TCPA to continue activating new accounts for Alarm.com products and services after preliminary Court 
approval of the Settlement Agreement.  

40

On December 19, 2018, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary approval of the Settlement Agreement and 
certified the class for settlement purposes. The Preliminary Approval Order provides that the administrator must commence the 
notice process no later than February 18, 2019. Class members will have sixty days from the commencement of notice to file 
claims, opt out of the settlement or object to the settlement. The Final Approval Hearing is currently scheduled for August 13, 
2019.

We made an initial payment of $5.0 million to the settlement administrator on January 2, 2019, and the remaining payment 
will take place ten business days after the effective date of the Settlement Agreement, which is five business days following the 
later of the following events: (1) the date upon which the time expires for filing a notice of appeal of the Court’s Final Approval 
Order and Judgment; or (2) if there is an appeal or appeals of the Final Approval Order and Judgment, and the appellate court 
enters an order either dismissing the appeal(s) or affirming the Final Approval Order and Judgment without material modification, 
the date upon which the time expires for seeking review of that order. The release of claims includes all alleged damages 
incurred related to the lawsuit. Any attorneys’ fees awarded by the Court and all costs of notice and claims administration will be 
paid from the settlement fund. 

On August 14, 2017, Alarm.com filed a lawsuit against ABS Capital Partners, Inc., ABS Partners V, LLC, ABS Partners VII, 
LLC, and Ralph Terkowitz in the Delaware Court of Chancery, or the Chancery Court. On September 22, 2017, Alarm.com filed 
an amended complaint against ABS Capital Partners, Inc., ABS Partners V, LLC, and ABS Partners VII, LLC, alleging claims of 
misappropriation of trade secrets and misappropriation of confidential information. The amended complaint seeks damages, 
declaratory relief, and injunctive relief enjoining the defendants from using Alarm.com’s trade secrets and confidential information 
to compete with Alarm.com. On October 6, 2017, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. On June 15, 2018, the 
Chancery Court dismissed our complaint. On July 13, 2018, Alarm.com filed a Notice of Appeal with the Delaware Supreme 
Court. On August 30, 2018, Alarm.com filed its Opening Brief in the Delaware Supreme Court. The defendants filed a response 
on October 1, 2018, and Alarm.com filed a reply on October 16, 2018. On February 6, 2019, the Supreme Court of Delaware 
heard oral argument on the appeal, and on February 7, 2019, the Supreme Court of Delaware summarily affirmed the Chancery 
Court’s dismissal of our complaint.

On March 29, 2018, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against us by Nick Fisher in the U.S. District Court for the 
Northern District of Illinois, alleging violations of the TCPA, and the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention 
Act, or TCFAPA. The complaint alleged that Alarm.com and another defendant, Nortek Security & Control LLC, violated the TCPA 
and TCFAPA through purportedly unauthorized telephone calls to Fisher, and sought to hold us responsible for the alleged calls, 
including under principles of agency and vicarious liability. The complaint sought monetary damages under the TCPA and 
TCFAPA, injunctive relief, and other relief, including attorneys' fees. We answered the complaint and filed a motion to dismiss the 
complaint on June 18, 2018. On November 1, 2018, the Court granted our motion to dismiss the complaint without prejudice as 
to plaintiff’s claims alleging vicarious liability for violations of the TCPA, and with prejudice as to plaintiff’s remaining claims. 

In addition to the matters described above, we may be a party to litigation and subject to claims incident to the ordinary 
course of business, and we may be required to provide indemnification to certain of our service provider partners for certain 
claims regarding our solutions. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we currently 
believe that the final outcome of these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business. 
Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of 
management resources and other factors.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

41

PART II.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER 
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock commenced trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 26, 2015 and trades under the 
symbol “ALRM.” Prior to June 26, 2015, there was no public market for our common stock. On February 20, 2019, the closing 
price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was $64.70 per share.

Holders

As of February 20, 2019, there were 51 stockholders of record of our common stock, one of which is Cede & Co., a nominee 

for Depository Trust Company, or DTC. All of the shares of common stock held by brokerage firms, banks and other financial 
institutions as nominees for beneficial owners are deposited into participant accounts at DTC, and are considered to be held of 
record by Cede & Co. as one stockholder.

Dividends

We cannot provide any assurance that we will declare or pay cash dividends on our common stock in the future. We 

currently anticipate that we will retain all of our future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business and 
we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Additionally, our ability to pay dividends on our common 
stock is limited by restrictions under the terms of the agreements governing our 2017 Facility with Silicon Valley Bank, as 
amended, as further disclosed under "Sources of Liquidity" in Part II Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations." Payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the board of directors 
after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, 
the requirements of current or then-existing debt instruments and other factors the board of directors deems relevant.

Stock Performance Graph

This performance graph shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of 

the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by 
reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act.

The following graph shows a comparison for the period June 26, 2015 (the date our common stock commenced trading on 

The Nasdaq Global Select Market) through December 31, 2018 of the cumulative total return for (i) our common stock, (ii) the 
Nasdaq Composite Index and (iii) Standard & Poor's 500 Index, or S&P 500 Index assuming an initial investment of $100 on 
June 26, 2015 and reinvestment of all dividends. The returns in the graph are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible 
future performance of our common stock.

42

June 26,
2015

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2018

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. $
Nasdaq Composite
S&P 500

$

100
100
100

$

99
99
97

$

165
106
107

$

224
136
127

307
131
119

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Use of Proceeds

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Stock Repurchase Program. On November 29, 2018, our board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program, under 
which we are authorized to purchase up to an aggregate of $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock from time to time on 
the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, block trades, tender offers and by any combination of the foregoing, in 
accordance with federal securities laws, during the two-year period ending November 29, 2020. To date, we have not purchased 
any shares pursuant to this stock repurchase program. 

43

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and the 
selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are derived from our audited consolidated financial 
statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years 
ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 
2014 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report. Our historical results are 
not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future. The selected financial data should be read together with 
Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and in conjunction with our 
consolidated financial statements, related notes, and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The 
following tables set forth our selected consolidated financial and other data for the years ended and as of December 31, 2018, 
2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except share and per share data). Information about prior period acquisitions that 
may affect the comparability of the selected financial information presented below is included in Item 1. Business. Further 
information about the $28.0 million expense recorded in general and administrative expense in 2018, which relates to the 
agreement reached to settle the legal matter alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, and may 
affect the comparability of the selected financial information presented below, is disclosed in Item 3. “Legal Proceedings.”

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Year Ended December 31,

Revenue:

SaaS and license revenue

Hardware and other revenue

Total revenue

Cost of revenue(1):

Cost of SaaS and license revenue

Cost of hardware and other revenue

Total cost of revenue

Operating expenses:

Sales and marketing(2)

General and administrative(2)

Research and development(2)

Amortization and depreciation

Total operating expenses

Operating income

Interest expense

Other income / (expense), net

Income before income taxes

(Benefit from) / provision for income taxes

Net income

Dividends paid to participating securities

Income allocated to participating securities

$ 291,072

$ 236,283

$ 173,540

$ 140,936

129,422

420,494

102,654

338,937

87,566

261,106

67,952

208,888

$ 111,515
55,797

167,312

44,933

100,782

145,715

55,902

95,750

89,204

21,721

35,610

80,578

116,188

43,490

55,396

72,755

17,734

262,577

189,375

12,202

(2,918)

2,415

11,699

(9,825)

21,524

—

(3)

33,374

(2,199)

1,066

32,241

2,990

29,251

—

(13)

30,229

69,151

99,380

38,980

57,926

44,272

6,490

147,668

14,058

(190)

513

14,381

4,227

10,154

—

(12)

25,722

51,652

77,374

32,240

35,473

40,002

5,808

113,523

17,991

(178)

(348)

17,465

5,697

11,768

(18,987)

23,007

44,172

67,179

25,836

26,113

23,193

3,991

79,133

21,000

(196)

(485)

20,319

6,817

13,502

—

—

(12,939)

Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders

$

21,521

$

29,238

$

10,142

$

(7,219) $

563

44

Per share information attributable to common 
stockholders:
Net income / (loss) per share:

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic
Diluted

Cash dividends declared per share

Other Financial and Operating Data:
SaaS and license revenue renewal rate(3)
Adjusted EBITDA(4)

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

$
$

0.45
0.43

$
$

0.63
0.59

$
$

0.22
0.21

$
$

(0.30) $
(0.30) $

0.25
0.14

47,633,739
49,692,184
$

46,682,141
49,153,948

45,716,757
47,875,522

— $

— $

— $

24,108,362
24,108,362
0.36

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

2,276,694
3,890,121
—

$

2014

93%

93%

94%

93%

93%

$ 93,081

$ 71,628

$ 49,034

$ 34,370

$ 28,321

2018

2017

As of December 31,
2016

2015

2014

Balance sheet and other data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Working capital(5)
Total assets
Redeemable convertible preferred stock
Total long-term obligations
Total stockholders' equity / (deficit)
_____________________
(1) Excludes amortization and depreciation shown in operating expenses below.

$ 146,061
152,793
440,985
—
88,126
277,589

$

(2) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:

2018

96,329
119,433
371,641
—
94,311
232,827

$ 140,634
150,485
261,245
—
30,297
191,249

$ 128,358
131,971
226,095
—
26,885
170,131

$

42,572
45,854
120,932
202,456
17,572
(121,844)

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

2014

Stock-based compensation expense data:
Sales and marketing
General and administrative
Research and development

Total stock-based compensation expense

$

$

1,196
4,901
7,332
13,429

$

$

561
2,638
4,214
7,413

$

$

536
1,430
2,035
4,001

$

$

372
2,486
1,266
4,124

$

$

338
1,862
1,067
3,267

(3) We measure our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate on a trailing 12-month basis by dividing (a) the total SaaS and license

revenue recognized during the trailing 12-month period from subscribers on our Alarm.com platform who were subscribers on the
first day of the period, by (b) total SaaS and license revenue we would have recognized during the period from those same 
subscribers assuming no terminations, or service level upgrades or downgrades. The SaaS and license revenue renewal rate 
represents both residential and commercial properties. Our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate is expressed as an annualized 
percentage. Our service provider partners, who resell our services to our subscribers, have indicated that they typically have three 
to five-year service contracts with our subscribers. Our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate is calculated across our entire 
subscriber base on the Alarm.com platform, including subscribers whose contract with their service provider reached the end of its 
contractual term during the measurement period, as well as subscribers whose contract with their service provider has not reached 
the end of its contractual term during the measurement period, and is not intended to estimate the rate at which our subscribers 
renew their contracts with our service provider partners. We believe that our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate allows us to 
measure our ability to retain and grow our SaaS and license revenue and serves as an indicator of the lifetime value of our 
subscriber base.

45

(4) We define Adjusted EBITDA as our net income before interest and other income / (expense), net, provision for income taxes, 

amortization and depreciation expense, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition-related expense and legal costs and 
settlement fees incurred in connection with non-ordinary course litigation and other disputes, particularly costs involved in ongoing 
intellectual property litigation. We do not consider these items to be indicative of our core operating performance. The non-cash 
items include amortization and depreciation expense, stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and the sale of 
common stock, goodwill and intangible impairment charges and gain from the release of an acquisition-related contingent liability. 
Included in 2015 stock-based compensation expense is $0.8 million related to the repurchase of an employee's stock awards. We 
do not adjust for ordinary course legal expenses resulting from maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property portfolio and 
license agreements. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the table below for a 
reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in 
accordance with GAAP.

We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this report because it is a key measure that our management uses to understand and 
evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to generate future operating plans, to make strategic decisions regarding the 
allocation of capital and to make investments in initiatives that are focused on cultivating new markets for our solutions. We also 
use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, as performance measures under our executive bonus plan. 
Further, we believe the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA facilitates comparisons of our operating 
performance on a period-to-period basis and, in the case of exclusion of acquisition-related expense and certain historical legal 
expenses, excludes items that we do not consider to be indicative of our core operating performance. Accordingly, we believe that 
Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the 
same manner as our management and board of directors. 

Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for 
analysis of our financial results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: (a) although depreciation and amortization 
are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA 
does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements; 
(b) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; (c) Adjusted EBITDA does 
not reflect the potentially dilutive impact of equity-based compensation; (d) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that 
may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and (e) other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate 
Adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these and other limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside our other GAAP-based financial 
performance measures, net income and our other GAAP financial results. The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted 
EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for each of the periods indicated (in thousands).

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

2014

Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income
Adjustments:

Interest expense and other income, net
(Benefit from) / provision for income taxes
Amortization and depreciation expense
Stock-based compensation expense
Acquisition-related expense
Litigation expense

Total adjustments
Adjusted EBITDA

$

21,524

$

29,251

$

10,154

$

11,768

$

13,502

503
(9,825)
21,721
13,429
—
45,729
71,557
93,081

$

1,133
2,990
17,734
7,413
5,895
7,212
42,377
71,628

$

(323)
4,227
6,490
4,001
11,098
13,387
38,880
49,034

$

526
5,697
5,808
4,124
100
6,347
22,602
34,370

$

681
6,817
3,991
3,267
—
63
14,819
28,321

$

(5) In the fourth quarter of 2015, we retrospectively adopted ASU 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) Balance Sheet Classification of 
Deferred Taxes," which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes and requires entities to classify deferred income tax 
liabilities and assets for each jurisdiction as noncurrent on the balance sheet. Due to the adoption of this pronouncement, we 
retrospectively reclassified the previously reported current portion of deferred tax assets to long-term deferred tax assets for the 
balance sheet and other data table above resulting in a change in working capital as of December 31, 2014.

46

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our 

consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report. 
Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report, including 
information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and 
uncertainties. You should review Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in this 
Annual Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described 
in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

Overview

Alarm.com is the leading platform for the intelligently connected property. We offer a comprehensive suite of cloud-based 

solutions for smart residential and commercial properties, including interactive security, video monitoring, intelligent automation, 
energy management and wellness solutions. Millions of property owners depend on our technology to intelligently secure, 
monitor and manage their residential and commercial properties. In the last year alone, our platforms processed more than 200 
billion data points generated by over 90 million connected devices. We believe that this scale of subscribers, connected devices 
and data operations makes us the leader in the connected property market.

Our solutions are delivered through an established network of over 8,000 trusted service providers, who are experts at 
selling, installing and supporting our solutions. We primarily generate Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS, and license revenue 
through our service provider partners, who resell these services and pay us monthly fees. Our service provider partners have 
indicated that they typically have three to five-year service contracts with residential and commercial property owners who use 
our solutions. We also generate hardware and other revenue, primarily from our service provider partners and distributors. Our 
hardware sales include connected devices that enable our services, such as video cameras, gateway modules and smart 
thermostats. We believe that the length of service relationship with residential and commercial property owners, combined with 
our robust platforms and over 15 years of operating experience, contribute to a compelling business model.

Our technology platforms are designed to make connected properties safer, smarter and more efficient. Our solutions are 

used in both smart residential and commercial properties, which we refer to as the connected property market and we have 
designed our technology platforms for all market participants. This includes not only the residential and commercial property 
owners who subscribe to our services, but also the hardware partners who manufacture devices that integrate with our platforms 
and the service provider partners who install and maintain our solutions.

Our service provider partners can deploy our interactive security, video monitoring, intelligent automation and energy 
management solutions as stand-alone offerings or as combined solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers. 
Our technology enables subscribers to seamlessly connect to their property through our family of mobile apps, websites, and 
new engagement platforms like voice control through Amazon Echo and Google Home, wearable devices like the Apple Watch, 
and TV platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

Executive Overview and Highlights of 2018 and 2017 Results

We primarily generate SaaS and license revenue, our largest source of revenue, through our service provider partners who 

resell our services and pay us monthly fees. Our service provider partners sell, install and support Alarm.com solutions that 
enable residential and commercial property owners to intelligently secure, connect, control and automate their properties. Our 
service provider partners have indicated that they typically have three to five-year service contracts with residential or 
commercial property owners. Our subscribers consist of all of the properties maintained by those residential and commercial 
property owners to which we are delivering at least one of our solutions. We derive a portion of our revenue from licensing our 
intellectual property to third parties on a per customer basis. SaaS and license revenue represented 69%, 70% and 66% of our 
revenue in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

We also generate SaaS and license revenue from monthly fees charged to service providers on a per subscriber basis for 
access to our non-hosted software platform, or Software platform. The non-hosted software for interactive security, automation 
and related solutions is typically deployed and operated by the service provider in its own network operations center. Software 
license revenue represented 10%, 9% and 0% of our revenue in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

We also generate revenue from the sale of hardware, including video cameras, cellular radio modules, thermostats, image 

sensors and other peripherals, that enables our solutions. We have a rich history of innovation in cellular technology that enables 
our robust SaaS offering. Hardware and other revenue represented 31%, 30% and 34% of our revenue in 2018, 2017 and 2016, 
respectively. We typically expect hardware and other revenue to fluctuate as a percentage of total revenue.

47

Highlights of our financial performance for the periods covered in this Annual Report include:

•

•

•

•

SaaS and license revenue increased 23% to $291.1 million in 2018 from $236.3 million in 2017. SaaS and license
revenue increased 36% to $236.3 million in 2017 from $173.5 million in 2016.

Total revenue increased 24% to $420.5 million in 2018 from $338.9 million in 2017. Revenue increased 30% to $338.9
million in 2017 from $261.1 million in 2016.

Net income was $21.5 million in 2018, $29.3 million in 2017 and $10.2 million in 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measurement of operating performance, increased to $93.1 million in 2018 from $71.6
million in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $71.6 million in 2017 from $49.0 million in 2016.

Please see Non-GAAP Measures below in this section of this Annual Report for a discussion of the limitations of Adjusted 
EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most comparable measurement in 
accordance with GAAP, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Geographic Areas

We believe there is significant opportunity to expand our international business, as 2% of our total revenue during the year 

ended December 31, 2018 originated from customers located outside of North America. Our products are currently localized and 
available in approximately 40 countries outside of North America.

Recent Developments

In October 2018, we launched our newly deployed video analytics service that leverages our artificial intelligence 
architecture. Our video analytics engine provides an intelligent new layer of security and awareness for residential and 
commercial property owners. Object classification and object tracking technology can distinguish between people, vehicles and 
animals, determine an object's direction of movement and measure the duration of activity. Our subscribers can selectively 
control and manage notifications and assign virtual zones and multi-directional "tripwires" so they can monitor their properties for 
highly specific activity. 

On November 29, 2018, our board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program, under which we are authorized to 

purchase up to an aggregate of $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock from time to time on the open market or in 
privately negotiated transactions, block trades, tender offers and by any combination of the foregoing, in accordance with federal 
securities laws, during the two-year period ending November 29, 2020. The stock repurchase program does not obligate us to 
purchase any stock and the number of shares repurchased, if any, and the timing of repurchases will depend on a number of 
factors, including, but not limited to, stock price, trading volume and general market conditions and other factors. The repurchase 
program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time in our discretion. To date, we have not purchased any shares 
pursuant to this stock repurchase program. We intend to finance any repurchases under the stock repurchase program using 
cash on hand.

Other Business Metrics

We regularly monitor a number of financial and operating metrics in order to measure our current performance and estimate 
our future performance. Our other business metrics may be calculated in a manner different than similar other business metrics 
used by other companies and include the following (dollars in thousands):

SaaS and license revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

SaaS and license revenue renewal rate

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

$

291,072

$

236,283

$

173,540

93,081

71,628

49,034

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

93%

93%

94%

48

 
 
SaaS and License Revenue

We believe that SaaS and license revenue is an indicator of the productivity of our existing service provider partners and 

their ability to activate and maintain subscribers using our intelligently connected property solutions, our ability to add new 
service provider partners reselling our solutions, the demand for our intelligently connected property solutions and the pace at 
which the market for these solutions is growing.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA represents our net income before interest expense, other income, net, (benefit from) / provision for income 

taxes, amortization and depreciation expense, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition-related expense and legal costs 
and settlement fees incurred in connection with non-ordinary course litigation and other disputes, particularly costs involved in 
ongoing intellectual property litigation. We do not consider these items to be indicative of our core operating performance. The 
non-cash items include amortization and depreciation expense and stock-based compensation expense. We do not adjust for 
ordinary course legal expenses resulting from maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property portfolio and license 
agreements.

Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure that our management uses to understand and evaluate our core operating performance 

and trends to generate future operating plans, to make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital, and to make 
investments in initiatives that are focused on cultivating new markets for our solutions. In particular, the exclusion of certain 
expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA facilitates comparisons of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis and, 
in the case of exclusion of acquisition-related adjustments and certain historical legal expenses, excludes items that we do not 
consider to be indicative of our core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with 
GAAP and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with 
GAAP. Please see Non-GAAP Measures in this section for a discussion of the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA and a 
reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most comparable GAAP measurement, for the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016.

SaaS and License Revenue Renewal Rate

We measure our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate on a trailing 12-month basis by dividing (a) the total SaaS and 

license revenue recognized during the trailing 12-month period from our subscribers on our Alarm.com platform who were 
subscribers on the first day of the period, by (b) total SaaS and license revenue we would have recognized during the period 
from those same subscribers assuming no terminations, or service level upgrades or downgrades. The SaaS and license 
revenue renewal rate represents both residential and commercial properties. Our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate is 
expressed as an annualized percentage. Our service provider partners, who resell our services to our subscribers, have 
indicated that they typically have three to five-year service contracts with our subscribers. Our SaaS and license revenue 
renewal rate is calculated across our entire subscriber base on the Alarm.com platform, including subscribers whose contract 
with their service provider reached the end of its contractual term during the measurement period, as well as subscribers whose 
contract with their service provider has not reached the end of its contractual term during the measurement period, and is not 
intended to estimate the rate at which our subscribers renew their contracts with our service provider partners. We believe that 
our SaaS and license revenue renewal rate allows us to measure our ability to retain and grow our SaaS and license revenue 
and serves as an indicator of the lifetime value of our subscriber base.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)

In May 2014, the Financing Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, and International Accounting Standards Board jointly 

issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," a new revenue 
recognition standard that provides a framework for addressing revenue issues, improves the comparability of revenue 
recognition practices across industries, provides useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure 
requirements and simplifies the presentation of financial statements. On January 1, 2018, we adopted Topic 606 by applying the 
modified retrospective transition method to all of our contracts. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to 
be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the periods presented. 

The adoption of Topic 606 did not have a material impact on our revenue recognition policies, however, as a result of 
adopting the new standard, we changed our treatment of commissions paid to employees, which we previously expensed as 
incurred. Under the new standard, we capitalize a portion of our commission costs as an incremental cost of obtaining a contract 
and amortize our commission costs over a period of three years, which is consistent with the period over which the products and 
services related to the commission are transferred to the customer. Based on the results of our evaluation, the adoption of Topic 
606 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. Additionally, 
the cumulative effect to the opening balance sheet on January 1, 2018 from the adoption of Topic 606 was not material.

49

Components of Operating Results

Our fiscal year ends on December 31. The key elements of our operating results include:

Revenue

We derive our revenue from three primary sources: the sale of cloud-based SaaS services on our integrated Alarm.com 
platform, the sale of licenses and services on the Software platform and the sale of hardware products. We sell our platform and 
hardware solutions to service provider partners that resell our solutions and hardware to residential and commercial property 
owners, who are the service provider partners’ customers.

SaaS and License Revenue. We generate the majority of our SaaS and license revenue primarily from monthly fees 
charged to our service provider partners sold on a per subscriber basis for access to our cloud-based intelligently connected 
property platform and related solutions. Our fees per subscriber vary based upon the service plan and features utilized. 

We offer multiple service level packages for our platform solutions including a range of solutions and a range of a la carte 

add-ons for additional features. The fee paid by our service provider partners each month for the delivery of our solutions is 
based on the combination of packages and add-ons enabled for each subscriber. We utilize tiered pricing plans where our 
service provider partners may receive prospective pricing discounts driven by volume.

We also generate SaaS and license revenue from the fees paid to us when we license our intellectual property to third 
parties for use of our patents. In addition, in certain markets our EnergyHub subsidiary sells its demand response service for an 
annual service fee, with pricing based on the number of subscribers or amount of aggregate electricity demand made available 
for a utility’s or market’s control.

Software License Revenue.  Our SaaS and license revenue also includes our software license revenue from monthly fees 

charged to service providers sold on a per subscriber basis for access to our Software platform. The non-hosted software for 
interactive security, automation and related solutions is typically deployed and operated by the service provider in its own 
network operations center. Our agreements for the Software platform solution typically include software and services, such as 
post-contract customer support, or PCS. 

Hardware and Other Revenue.  We generate hardware and other revenue primarily from the sale of video cameras and 

cellular radio modules that provide access to our cloud-based platforms and, to a lesser extent, the sale of other devices, 
including image sensors and peripherals. We primarily transfer hardware to our customers upon delivery to the customer, which 
corresponds with the time at which the customer obtains control of the hardware. We record a reserve against revenue for 
hardware returns based on historical returns. 

Hardware and other revenue may also include activation fees charged to some of our service provider partners for activation 

of a new subscriber account on our platforms, as well as fees paid by service provider partners for our marketing services. The 
decision whether to charge an activation fee is based in part on the expected number of subscribers to be added by our service 
provider partners and as a result, many of our largest service provider partners do not pay an activation fee. 

Cost of Revenue

Our cost of SaaS and license revenue primarily includes the amounts paid to wireless network providers and, to a lesser 
extent, the costs of running our network operations centers which are expensed as incurred, as well as patent and royalty costs 
in connection with technology licensed from third-party providers. Our cost of SaaS and license revenue also includes our cost of 
software license revenue, which primarily includes the payroll and payroll-related costs of the department dedicated to providing 
service exclusively to those service providers that host the Software platform. Our cost of hardware and other revenue primarily 
includes cost of raw materials, tooling and amounts paid to our third-party manufacturer for production and fulfillment of our 
cellular radio modules and image sensors, and procurement costs for our video cameras, which we purchase from an original 
equipment manufacturer, and other devices. Our cost of hardware and other revenue also includes royalty costs in connection 
with technology licensed from third-party providers. 

We record the cost of SaaS and license revenue as expenses are incurred, which corresponds to the delivery period of our 

services to our subscribers. We record the cost of hardware and other revenue when the hardware and other services are 
delivered to the service provider partner, which occurs when control of the hardware and other services transfers to the service 
provider partner. Our cost of revenue excludes amortization and depreciation. 

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses consist of sales and marketing, general and administrative, research and development and 
amortization and depreciation expenses. Salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, benefits and other personnel related 

50

costs are the most significant components of each of these expense categories, excluding amortization and depreciation. We 
include stock-based compensation expense in connection with the grant of stock options and other forms of equity compensation 
in the applicable operating expense category based on the respective equity award recipient’s function (sales and marketing, 
general and administrative or research and development). We grew from 784 employees as of January 1, 2018 to 884 
employees as of December 31, 2018, and we expect to continue to hire new employees to support the projected future growth of 
our business.

Sales and Marketing Expense.  Sales and marketing expense consists primarily of personnel and related expenses for our 

sales and marketing teams, including salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, benefits, travel, and commissions. Our 
sales and marketing teams engage in sales, account management, service provider partner support, advertising, promotion of 
our products and services and marketing.

The number of employees in sales and marketing functions increased from 242 as of January 1, 2018 to 288 as of 
December 31, 2018. We expect to continue to invest in our sales and marketing activities to expand our business both 
domestically and internationally and, as a result, expect our sales and marketing expense to increase on an absolute dollar 
basis. We intend to increase the size of our sales force and our service provider partner support team to provide additional 
support to our existing service provider partner base to drive their productivity in selling our solutions as well as to enroll new 
service provider partners in North America and in international markets. 

General and Administrative Expense.  General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel and related 
expenses for our administrative, legal, human resources, finance and accounting personnel, including salaries, bonuses, stock-
based compensation, benefits and other personnel costs. Additional expenses included in this category are legal costs, including 
those that are incurred to defend and license our intellectual property, as well as non-personnel costs, such as travel related 
expenses, rent, subcontracting and professional fees, audit fees, tax services, and insurance expenses. Also included in general 
and administrative expenses are acquisition-related expenses, which consist primarily of legal, accounting and professional 
service fees directly related to acquisitions, valuation gains or losses on acquisition-related contingent liabilities.

The number of employees in general and administrative functions increased from 95 as of January 1, 2018 to 96 as of 
December 31, 2018. Excluding intellectual property litigation and acquisition-related costs, we expect general and administrative 
costs to increase prospectively as our business grows. This includes cost increases related to accounting, finance, and legal 
personnel, additional external legal, audit fees and other expenses associated with regulations governing public companies. 
While somewhat unpredictable, we also expect to continue to incur costs related to litigation involving intellectual property. See 
the section of this Annual Report titled "Legal Proceedings" for additional information on litigation.

Research and Development Expense.  Research and development expense consists primarily of personnel and related 

expenses for our employees working on our product development and software and device engineering teams, including 
salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, benefits and other personnel costs. Also included are non-personnel costs such 
as consulting and professional fees paid to third-party development resources.

The number of employees in research and development functions grew from 447 as of January 1, 2018 to 500 as of 

December 31, 2018. Our research and development efforts are focused on innovating new features and enhancing the 
functionality of our platforms and the solutions we offer to our service provider partners and subscribers. We will also continue to 
invest in efforts to extend our platforms to adjacent markets and internationally. We expect research and development expenses 
to increase on an absolute dollar basis and as a percentage of revenue in the short term to maintain our leadership position in 
the development of intelligently connected property technology, and continued enhancement of our Enterprise Tools platform for 
our service provider partners.

Amortization and Depreciation.  Amortization and depreciation consists of amortization of intangible assets originating from 
our acquisitions as well as our internally-developed capitalized software. Our depreciation expense is related to investments in 
property and equipment. Acquired intangible assets include developed technology, customer related intangibles, trademarks and 
trade names. We expect in the near term that amortization and depreciation may fluctuate based on our acquisition activity, 
development of our platforms and capitalized expenditures.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of interest expense associated with our credit facilities. On October 6, 2017, we entered into a 
$125.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, or the 2017 Facility, with SVB, as administrative agent, PNC Bank, National 
Association, as documentation agent, and a syndicate of lenders. The 2017 Facility is available to us to refinance existing debt 
and for general corporate and working capital purposes as permitted under the terms of the 2017 Facility. Interest expense is 
expected to remain relatively consistent in 2019 as compared to 2018.

51

Other Income, Net 

Other income, net consists of our portion of the income or loss from our minority investments in other businesses accounted 

for under the equity method and interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents and our notes receivable.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This legislation made significant changes in U.S. tax 

law, including a reduction in the corporate tax rate, changes to net operating loss carryforwards and carrybacks and a repeal of 
the corporate alternative minimum tax. The legislation reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.

We are subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes as well as foreign income taxes. During the ordinary course of 

business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As a result, we 
recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. Our effective tax rates were different from the 
statutory rate primarily due to the tax windfall benefits from employee stock-based payment transactions, research and 
development tax credits claimed, and state taxes, partially offset by the impact of non-deductible meal and entertainment 
expenses. We recognize excess tax windfall benefits on a discrete basis in the quarter in which it occurs, and we anticipate that 
our effective tax rate will vary from quarter to quarter depending on our stock price and exercises of stock options under our 
equity incentive plans each period.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our selected consolidated statements of operations and data as a percentage of revenue for 

the periods presented (in thousands):

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Revenue:

SaaS and license revenue

Hardware and other revenue

Total revenue

Cost of revenue: (1)

Cost of SaaS and license revenue

Cost of hardware and other revenue

Total cost of revenue

Operating expenses:

Sales and marketing (2)

General and administrative (2)

Research and development (2)

Amortization and depreciation

Total operating expenses

Operating income

Interest expense

Other income, net

Income before income taxes

(Benefit from) / provision for income taxes

Net income

_______________

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

$

%

$

%

$

%

$ 291,072

129,422

69% $ 236,283
31
102,654

420,494

100

338,937

70% $ 173,540

66%

30

100

87,566

261,106

34

100

44,933

100,782

145,715

55,902

95,750

89,204

21,721

262,577

12,202

(2,918)

2,415
11,699
(9,825)

$ 21,524

11

24

35

13

23

21

5
62

3
(1)
1

35,610

80,578

116,188

43,490

55,396

72,755

17,734

189,375

33,374

(2,199)

1,066

32,241

3
(2)
5% $ 29,251

2,990

10

24

34

13

16

22

5

56

10

—

—

10

1

30,229

69,151

99,380

38,980

57,926

44,272

6,490

147,668

14,058

(190)

513

14,381

4,227

12

26

38

15

22

17

2

56

6

—

—

6

2

9% $ 10,154

4%

(1)  Excludes amortization and depreciation shown in operating expenses below.
(2)  Operating expenses include stock-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):

52

 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

Stock-based compensation expense data:

Sales and marketing

General and administrative

Research and development

Total stock-based compensation expense

$

$

1,196

$

561

$

4,901

7,332
13,429

$

2,638

4,214
7,413

$

536

1,430

2,035
4,001

The following table sets forth the components of cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue:

Components of cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue:

Cost of SaaS and license revenue as a percentage of SaaS and license revenue

Cost of hardware and other revenue as a percentage of hardware and other revenue

Total cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue

15%

78%

35%

15%

78%

34%

17%

79%

38%

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2016

Revenue 

Revenue

SaaS and license revenue

Hardware and other revenue

Total revenue

2018 Compared to 2017

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

$

$

291,072

129,422

420,494

$

$

236,283

102,654

338,937

$

$

173,540

87,566

261,106

23%

26%

24%

36%

17%

30%

The $81.6 million increase in total revenue in 2018 compared to 2017 was the result of a $54.8 million, or 23%, increase in 

our SaaS and license revenue and a $26.8 million, or 26%, increase in our hardware and other revenue. Our software license 
revenue included within SaaS and license revenue increased $11.6 million to $41.3 million in 2018 compared to as compared 
to $29.7 million during the same period in the prior year. The increase in our Alarm.com segment SaaS and license revenue in 
2018 was primarily due to growth in our subscriber base, including the revenue impact from subscribers we added in 2017. 
Additionally, the increase in the software license revenue was due to the timing of the acquisition of certain assets and assumed 
certain liabilities of the Connect line of business and all of the outstanding equity interests of the two subsidiaries through which 
Icontrol conducted its Piper line of business in June 2016, or the Acquisition. To a lesser extent, SaaS and license revenue 
increased in the period due to an increase in license fees. The increase in hardware and other revenue in 2018 compared to 
2017 was primarily due to an increase in the volume of video cameras sold. Our Other segment contributed 8% of the increase 
in SaaS and license revenue and 7% of the increase in hardware and other revenue in 2018 compared to 2017. The increase in 
SaaS and license revenue for our Other segment in 2018 was from our remote access management solution and our energy 
management and demand response solutions. The increase in hardware and other revenue for our Other segment in 2018 was 
primarily due to the timing of hardware sales related to our remote access management solution.

2017 Compared to 2016

The $77.8 million increase in total revenue in 2017 compared to 2016 was the result of a $62.7 million, or 36%, increase in 

our SaaS and license revenue and a $15.1 million, or 17%, increase in our hardware and other revenue. The increase in our 
Alarm.com segment SaaS and license revenue in 2017 was primarily due to growth in our subscriber base, including the 
revenue impact from subscribers we added in 2016 and due to service providers and their subscribers on our Software platform. 
To a lesser extent, SaaS and license revenue increased in the period due to an increase in license fees. The increase in 
hardware and other revenue in 2017 compared to 2016 was due to an increase in the volume of video cameras sold including 
several new product offering releases in 2017, and due to increases in volume of other peripherals sold including the system 
enhancement module. Our Other segment contributed 6% of the increase in SaaS and license revenue and 12% of the increase 
in hardware and other revenue in 2017 compared to 2016. The increase in SaaS and license revenue for our Other segment in 
2017 was from our remote access management solution and our energy management and demand response solutions. The 

53

 
 
 
 
 
increase in hardware and other revenue for our Other segment in 2017 was primarily due to an increase in video cameras sold 
and hardware sold to support our remote access management solution.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue(1)

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

Cost of SaaS and license revenue

Cost of hardware and other revenue

Total cost of revenue

$

$

44,933

100,782

145,715

$

$

35,610

80,578

116,188

$

$

30,229

69,151
99,380

26%

25%
25%

18%

17%
17%

  % of total revenue

 ________________

35%

34%

38%

(1) Excludes amortization and depreciation shown in operating expenses.

2018 Compared to 2017

The $29.5 million increase in cost of revenue in 2018 compared to 2017 was the result of a $20.2 million, or 25%, increase 

in cost of hardware and other revenue and a $9.3 million, or 26%, increase in cost of SaaS and license revenue. Our cost of 
software license revenue included within cost of SaaS and license revenue increased $0.4 million to $1.7 million during 2018 as 
compared to $1.2 million during the same period in the prior year. The increase in cost of Alarm.com segment hardware and 
other revenue related primarily to an increase in the number of hardware units shipped in 2018 compared to 2017. The increase 
in cost of Alarm.com segment SaaS and license revenue related primarily to the growth in our subscriber base, which drove a 
corresponding increase in amounts paid to wireless network providers and, to a lesser extent, the costs of running our network 
operations centers. Additionally, the increase in the cost of software license revenue was due to the timing of the 
Acquisition. Cost of hardware and other revenue as a percentage of hardware and other revenue remained relatively consistent 
at 78% for 2018 and 2017. Cost of SaaS and license revenue as a percentage of SaaS and license revenue remained relatively 
consistent at 15% for 2018 and 2017. Cost of software license revenue as a percentage of software license revenue remained 
relatively consistent at 4% during 2018 and 2017. 

2017 Compared to 2016

The $16.8 million increase in cost of revenue in 2017 compared to 2016 was the result of a $5.4 million, or 18%, increase in 
cost of SaaS and license revenue and an $11.4 million, or 17%, increase in cost of hardware and other revenue. The increase in 
cost of Alarm.com segment SaaS and license revenue related primarily to the growth in our subscriber base, which drove a 
corresponding increase in amounts paid to wireless network providers and, to a lesser extent, the costs of running our network 
operations centers. Cost of SaaS and license revenue as a percentage of SaaS and license revenue was 15% for 2017 and 17% 
for 2016. The decrease in cost of sales relative to our revenue growth was due to the achievement of economies of scale related 
to the growth in our subscriber base including the addition of the subscribers of our Software platform, which has a higher gross 
margin profile but lower revenue per subscriber. The increase in cost of hardware and other revenue related primarily to our 
increase in hardware and other revenue. Cost of hardware and other revenue as a percentage of hardware and other revenue 
was 78% for 2017 and 79% for 2016. The decrease in cost of hardware as a percentage of hardware and other revenue is a 
reflection of the mix of product sales during the periods. 

Sales and Marketing Expense

Sales and marketing

% of total revenue

2018 Compared to 2017

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

$

55,902

$

43,490

$

38,980

29%

12%

13%

13%

15%

The $12.4 million increase in sales and marketing expense in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to increases in our 

marketing programs to support our service provider partners’ efforts to enroll new subscribers and expand the adoption of our 
solutions. Additionally, the increase in sales and marketing was due to increases in headcount for our service provider partner 
support team to support our growth. As a result, our marketing expense for our Alarm.com segment increased $8.0 million during 
2018 as compared to 2017. Our personnel and related costs for our Alarm.com segment, including salary, benefits, stock-based 

54

 
 
 
compensation and travel expenses, increased by $3.0 million during 2018 and our expenses for external consultants increased 
by $0.5 million. Sales and marketing expense from our Other segment remained relatively consistent during 2018 as compared 
to 2017. The overall number of employees in our sales and marketing teams increased from 242 as of December 31, 2017 to 
288 as of December 31, 2018. Sales and marketing expense as a percentage of total revenue was 13% for 2018 and 2017. 

2017 Compared to 2016

The $4.5 million increase in sales and marketing expense in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to increases in 
headcount for our sales force, service provider partner support team, and use of consultants to support our growth and for 
international expansion and marketing initiatives. As a result, our personnel and related costs for our Alarm.com segment, 
including salary, benefits, stock-based compensation and travel expenses, increased by $3.5 million in 2017. This increase was 
partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease in marketing expense for our Alarm.com segment due to a marketing initiative we 
undertook in 2016 that did not recur in 2017. Sales and marketing expense from our Other segment increased by $2.2 million in 
2017 due to an increase in employee headcount and associated personnel and related costs as well as expenses related to the 
use of consultants to support our growth. The overall number of employees in our sales and marketing teams increased from 
219 as of December 31, 2016 to 242 as of December 31, 2017. Sales and marketing expense as a percentage of total revenue 
was 13% and 15% for 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative

% of total revenue

2018 Compared to 2017

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

$

95,750

$

55,396

$

57,926

73%

(4)%

23%

16%

22%

The $40.4 million increase in general and administrative expense in 2018 compared to 2017 was due in part to a $39.9 
million increase in legal expenses primarily resulting from a $28.0 million expense for the agreement reached to settle the legal 
matter alleging violations of the TCPA by one of our service providers as well as this service provider's sub-dealer agents within 
our Alarm.com segment. Additionally, there was a $3.0 million increase in personnel and related costs for our Alarm.com 
segment due to an increase in employee headcount to support our operational growth. Finally, there was a $3.3 million 
impairment recorded on a secured subordinate convertible promissory note, or Promissory Note, provided to one of our suppliers 
during 2018 that did not occur in 2017. These increases were partially offset by a $5.0 million decrease in acquisition-related 
expenses related to the Acquisition. General and administrative expenses from our Other segment increased by $0.5 million 
during 2018 as compared to 2017, primarily due to a $0.8 million increase in expense for external consultants offset by a 
decrease in employee-related expenses. The overall number of employees in general and administrative functions increased 
from 95 as of December 31, 2017 to 96 as of December 31, 2018.

2017 Compared to 2016

The $2.5 million decrease in general and administrative expense in 2017 compared to 2016 was due in part to a $6.2 million 

decrease in legal expenses related to ongoing intellectual property litigation within our Alarm.com segment as well as a $6.4 
million decrease in acquisition-related expenses related to the Acquisition. These decreases were partially offset by a $5.0 million 
increase in personnel and related costs for our Alarm.com segment due to an increase in employee headcount to support our 
operational growth and from our acquisitions in the first quarter of 2017. In addition, there was a $2.3 million increase in expense 
for external consultants within our Alarm.com segment to support our growth and compliance with the regulations governing 
public companies as well as a $1.3 million increase in rent expense. General and administrative expenses from our Other 
segment decreased by $1.0 million in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to a $1.3 million decrease in personnel and related 
costs primarily as a result of a $1.2 million adjustment during the third quarter of 2016 to increase the fair value of subsidiary 
stock awards granted to the employees of one of our subsidiaries. The overall number of employees in general and 
administrative functions increased from 68 as of December 31, 2016 to 95 as of December 31, 2017.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development

% of total revenue

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

$

89,204

$

72,755

$

44,272

23%

64%

21%

22%

17%

55

 
 
 
 
2018 Compared to 2017

The $16.4 million increase in research and development expense in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to an 

increase in headcount of employees in research and development functions. Our personnel and related costs for our Alarm.com 
segment increased by $13.7 million in 2018 compared to 2017. Research and development expense from our Other segment 
remained relatively consistent during 2018 as compared to 2017. The overall number of employees in research and development 
functions increased from 447 as of December 31, 2017 to 500 as of December 31, 2018.

2017 Compared to 2016

The $28.5 million increase in research and development expense in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to an 
increase in headcount of employees in research and development functions as a result of the Acquisition and the ObjectVideo 
Labs acquisition. Our personnel and related costs for our Alarm.com segment increased by $19.2 million in 2017 compared to 
2016. In addition, expense for external consultants and information technology to support our research and development 
personnel increased by $4.0 million in 2017. Research and development expense from our Other segment increased by $2.8 
million in 2017 compared to 2016, due to a $1.7 million increase in personnel and related expense and a $0.4 million increase in 
expense for external consultants. The overall number of employees in research and development functions increased from 320 
as of December 31, 2016 to 447 as of December 31, 2017.

Amortization and Depreciation

Amortization and depreciation

$

21,721

$

17,734

$

6,490

22%

173%

% of total revenue

5%

5%

2%

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

2018 Compared to 2017

The $4.0 million increase in amortization and depreciation in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to customer 

relationships, developed technology and trade name intangibles acquired in connection with the Acquisition.

2017 Compared to 2016

The $11.2 million increase in amortization and depreciation in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to customer 

relationships, developed technology and trade name intangibles acquired in connection with the Acquisition and the ObjectVideo 
Labs acquisition in the first quarter of 2017.

Interest Expense

Interest expense

% of total revenue

2018 Compared to 2017

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

$

(2,918)

$

(2,199)

$

(190)

33%

1,057%

(1)%

—%

— %

The $0.7 million increase in interest expense in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to a higher average outstanding 

balance on our credit facilities as a result of the Acquisition.

2017 Compared to 2016

The $2.0 million increase in interest expense in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to interest incurred on the 
additional $67.0 million drawn under our 2014 Facility and 2017 Facility during the first quarter of 2017 to fund the Acquisition.

56

 
 
 
 
Other Income, Net

Other income, net

% of total revenue

2018 Compared to 2017

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

$

2,415

$

1,066

$

1%

—%

513

—%

127%

108%

Other net income, net increased $1.3 million during 2018 as compared to 2017. Included in other income, net was interest 

income earned on our cash balance and interest income earned on notes receivable.

2017 Compared to 2016

Included in other income, net was interest income earned on our cash balance and interest income earned on notes 

receivable partially offset from a loss of an equity method investment that is in the start-up phase of its operations.

(Benefit from) / Provision for Income Taxes

(Benefit from) / Provision for Income Taxes

$

(9,825)

$

2,990

$

4,227

(429)%

(29)%

% of total revenue

(2)%

1%

2%

Year Ended December 31,

% Change

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

2018 Compared to 2017

Our effective tax rate decreased to (84.0)% in 2018 from 9.3% in 2017, primarily related to an increase in the tax windfall 

benefits from the exercise of employee stock options as well as the research and development tax credits in 2018 as compared 
to 2017.

Our provision for income taxes decreased by $12.8 million in 2018 as compared to 2017. This decrease was primarily 

related to a decrease in our income before income taxes, as well as an increase in our deferred tax assets.

2017 Compared to 2016

Our effective tax rate decreased to 9.3% in 2017 from 29.4% in 2016. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily 

related to recognizing the tax windfall benefits from the exercise of employee stock options through the income statement 
provision for income taxes in the period incurred. We adopted the accounting provision that simplified the tax for employee stock-
based payment transactions in the first quarter of 2017. Accordingly, previous tax windfall benefits were required to be recorded 
in additional paid-in capital. These decreases in the effective tax rate were partially offset by the effects of the Tax Act signed into 
law on December 22, 2017. As a result of the enacted law, we were required to revalue deferred tax assets and liabilities at the 
rate in effect when the deferred tax balances are scheduled to reverse. This revaluation resulted in an additional $8.8 million of 
income tax expense and a corresponding reduction in the deferred tax asset.

Additionally, our benefit from income taxes increased due to our 2016 research and development tax credit study that was 
finalized during the second quarter of 2017, resulting in a higher 2016 and 2017 tax credit benefit than we had been previously 
recording.

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following table shows selected unaudited quarterly consolidated statement of operations data for each of our eight most 

recently completed quarters, as well as the percentage of revenue for each line item. In the opinion of management, the 
information for each of these quarters has been prepared on the same basis as our audited financial statements and include all 
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary for the fair statement of financial information in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This information should be read in conjunction with the audited 
consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. Historical results are not necessarily 
indicative of results that may be achieved in future periods, and operating results for quarterly periods are not necessarily 
indicative of operating results for a full year.

57

 
 
 
 
The selected consolidated statements of operation data in amounts and as a percentage of total revenue are presented 

below (amounts in thousands):

Mar. 31,
2017

June 30,
2017

Sept. 30,
2017

Dec. 31,
2017

Mar. 31,
2018

June 30,
2018

Sept. 30,
2018

Dec. 31,
2018

Revenue:

SaaS and license revenue

$

50,226

$

58,928

$

61,924

$

65,205

$

67,988

$

70,968

$ 74,292

$

77,824

Hardware and other revenue

Total revenue

Cost of revenue:

Cost of SaaS and license
revenue

Cost of hardware and other
revenue

Total cost of revenue

Total operating expenses

Net income / (loss)

Net income / (loss) per share:

Basic

Diluted

As a percent of total revenue:

Revenue:

SaaS and license revenue

Hardware and other revenue

Total revenue

Cost of revenue:

Cost of SaaS and license
revenue

Cost of hardware and other
revenue

Total cost of revenue

Total operating expenses

Net income

Quarterly Trends

23,968

74,194

27,060

85,988

28,038

89,962

23,588

88,793

24,768

92,756

33,520

104,488

37,556

111,848

33,578

111,402

8,092

8,500

9,545

9,473

10,806

11,027

11,501

11,599

18,543

26,635

43,074

3,963

0.09

0.08

$

$

$

$

21,335

29,835

50,257

9,865

0.21

0.20

$

$

$

$

22,288

31,833

47,728

15,103

0.32

0.31

$

$

$

$

18,412

27,885

48,316

320

0.01

0.01

$

$

$

$

17,571

28,377

52,386

10,515

0.22

0.21

$

$

$

$

25,461

36,488

30,491

41,992

$

$

$

$

59,490

$ 86,550

10,733

0.23

0.22

$

$

$

(7,652)

(0.16)

(0.16)

$

$

$

$

27,259

38,858

64,151

7,928

0.16

0.16

68%

32%

100%

11%

25%

36%

58%

5%

69%

31%

100%

10%

25%

35%

58%

11%

69%

31%

100%

11%

25%

35%

53%

17%

73%

27%

100%

11%

21%

31%

54%

—%

73%

27%

100%

12%

19%

31%

56%

11%

68%

32%

100%

11%

24%

35%

57%

10%

66 %

34 %

100 %

10 %

27 %

38 %

77 %

(7)%

70%

30%

100%

10%

25%

35%

57%

7%

Our quarterly SaaS and license revenue has increased sequentially for all periods presented due to growth in our subscriber 

base driven by the effectiveness of our service provider partners’ ability to resell our services and due to service providers and 
their subscribers on our Software platform. Hardware and other revenue fluctuates from quarter to quarter based on the timing of 
hardware orders from our service providers and hardware distributors.

The cost of revenue, in absolute dollars, has increased over time corresponding to the increase in revenue. The cost of 
revenue as a percent of revenue is lower in quarters when SaaS and license revenue represents a greater percentage of total 
revenue. Our cost of SaaS and license revenue as a percentage of SaaS and license revenue has been between 14% and 16% 
for all periods presented.

Operating expenses have generally increased over time. Our most significant operating expenses are employee-related 

costs, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation. Research and development personnel have attributed to 
approximately 65% of our headcount increase over the eight quarters presented. We continue to invest in research and 
development to enhance our SaaS solution capabilities for both our residential and commercial subscribers and to enhance our 
suite of enterprise tools that enable our service provider partners to expand their business. During the three months ended 

58

 
September 30, 2018, we recorded a $28.0 million expense related to an agreement reached in 2018 to settle the legal matter 
alleging violations of the TCPA. During the three months ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a $3.3 million impairment of 
the Promissory Note provided to one of our suppliers based on our assessment of recoverability that considered financial data of 
the supplier, the collateralized assets securing the loan and our position as a secured creditor relative to other secured creditors 
of the supplier. 

Segment Information

We have two reportable segments: Alarm.com and Other. Our Alarm.com segment represents our cloud-based and 
Software platforms for the intelligently connected property and related solutions that contributed 93%, 94% and 94% of our 
revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Our Other segment is focused on researching, developing and 
offering residential and commercial automation solutions and energy management products and services in adjacent markets. 
The consolidated subsidiaries that make up our Other segment are in the investment stage and have incurred significant 
operating expenses relative to their revenue.

Our Alarm.com segment increased from 710 employees as of January 1, 2018 to 803 employees as of December 31, 2018. 

Our Other segment increased from 74 employees as of January 1, 2018 to 81 employees as of December 31, 2018. Inter-
segment revenue includes sales of hardware between our segments.

The following table presents our revenue, inter-segment revenue and operating expenses by segment (in thousands):

SaaS and
License
Revenue

2018

Hardware
and Other
Revenue

Year Ended December 31,
2017

Operating
Expenses

SaaS and
License
Revenue

Hardware
and Other
Revenue

Operating
Expenses

SaaS and
License
Revenue

2016

Hardware
and Other
Revenue

Operating
Expenses

Alarm.com

Other

Inter-segment Alarm.com

Inter-segment Other

$ 278,013

$ 119,221

$ 243,835

$ 227,583

$

92,445

$ 171,436

$ 168,732

$

79,049

$ 133,818

13,059

—

—

20,316

(4,749)

(5,366)

18,742

8,700

—

—

—

—

15,154

(2,945)

(2,000)

17,939

4,808

—

—

—

—

14,018

(2,863)

(2,638)

13,850

—

—

Total

$ 291,072

$ 129,422

$ 262,577

$ 236,283

$ 102,654

$ 189,375

$ 173,540

$

87,566

$ 147,668

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated 

financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial 
statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure 
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue, 
costs and expenses during the reported period. In accordance with GAAP, we base our estimates on historical experience and 
on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these 
estimates under different assumptions or conditions, and to the extent that there are differences between our estimates and 
actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be 
affected. Our most critical accounting policies are summarized below. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a 
description of our other significant accounting policies.

Revenue

We derive our revenue from three primary sources: the sale of cloud-based SaaS services on our integrated Alarm.com 
platform, the sale of licenses and services on the Software platform and the sale of hardware products. We sell our platform and 
hardware solutions to service provider partners that resell our solutions and hardware to residential and commercial property 
owners, who are the service provider partners’ customers.

To determine the transaction price, we analyze all of the performance obligations included in the contract. We consider the 

terms of the contract and our customary business practices, which typically do not include financing components or non-cash 
consideration. We have variable consideration in the form of retrospective volume discounts, rebate incentives, restocking fees 
and assurance-type warranties. The significant inputs related to variable consideration include the volume and amount of 
products and services sold historically and expected to be sold in the future, the availability and performance of our services and 
the historical and expected number of returns. Depending on the type of variable consideration and its predictability, we may 
apply an “expected value” approach or a “most likely amount” approach. We estimate the variable consideration at the onset of a 
contract and include the variable consideration within the transaction price if it is probable that a significant reversal of the 
variable consideration would not occur in the future. When determining whether the amount of variable consideration included in 

59

the transaction price should be constrained, we look at the history of hardware purchased and subscribers added by our service 
provider partners to estimate the likelihood of those service provider partners obtaining the retrospective volume discounts and 
rebates. At times, our contracts include consideration payable to a customer in the form of fixed discounts or rebates. We record 
the consideration payable to a customer as a reduction to the transaction price resulting in a reduction to revenue over the 
service period.

If we enter into contracts that contain multiple promised services, we evaluate which of the promised services represent 
separate performance obligations based on whether or not the promised services are distinct and whether or not the services are 
separable from other promises in the contract. If these criteria are met, then we allocate the transaction price to the performance 
obligations using the relative stand-alone selling price method at contract inception.

In determining the relative estimated selling prices, we consider market conditions, entity-specific factors and information 

about the customer or class of customer. Any discount within the contract is allocated proportionately to all of the separate 
performance obligations in the contract unless the terms of discount relate specifically to the entity’s efforts to satisfy some but 
not all of the performance obligations.

SaaS and License Revenue. We generate the majority of our SaaS and license revenue primarily from monthly fees 
charged to our service provider partners sold on a per subscriber basis for access to our cloud-based intelligently connected 
property platform and related solutions. We also generate SaaS and license revenue from the fees paid to us when we license 
our intellectual property to third parties for use of our patents. We recognize revenue from SaaS services on a monthly basis as 
we satisfy our performance obligations. 

Software License Revenue.  Our SaaS and license revenue also includes our software license revenue from monthly fees 
charged to service providers sold on a per subscriber basis for access to our Software platform. Under the usage-based royalty 
exception, we recognize revenue on a monthly basis over the period during which the services are expected to be performed. 

Hardware and Other Revenue.  We generate hardware and other revenue primarily from the sale of video cameras and 

cellular radio modules that provide access to our cloud-based platforms and, to a lesser extent, the sale of other devices, 
including image sensors and peripherals. We recognize hardware and other revenue as we satisfy our performance obligations, 
which occurs when the hardware is received by our service provider partner or distributor, net of a reserve for estimated returns. 

When determining the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to for the sale of our hardware, we estimate the 

variable consideration associated with customer returns. We record a reserve against revenue for hardware returns based on 
historical returns, which was 2% of hardware and other revenue for each of the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, 2017 
and 2016. We evaluate our hardware reserve on a quarterly basis or if there is an indication of significant changes in return 
experience. Historically, our returns of hardware have not significantly differed from our estimated reserve. Additionally, we 
provide assurance-type warranties related to the intended functionality of the products and services provided and those 
warranties typically allow for the return of hardware up to one year past the date of sale. These warranties were not identified as 
separate performance obligations. 

Hardware and other revenue may also include activation fees charged to some of our service provider partners for activation 

of a new subscriber account on our platforms, as well as fees paid by service provider partners for our marketing services. The 
decision whether to charge an activation fee is based in part on the expected number of subscribers to be added by our service 
provider partners and as a result, many of our largest service provider partners do not pay an activation fee. We record activation 
fees initially as deferred revenue and we recognize these fees ratably over the expected term of the subscribers’ account which 
we estimate is ten years based on our annual attrition rate. 

We do not expect any material changes in the near term to the underlying assumptions used to recognize revenue during 
the year ended December 31, 2018. However, if changes in these assumptions occur, and, should those changes be significant, 
they could have a material impact on our SaaS and license revenue as well as our hardware and other revenue.

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires 

disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit 
price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between 
market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy, which requires an 
entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs:

Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at 

the measurement date;

60

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for similar assets and liabilities, either 

directly or indirectly; quoted prices in markets that are not active; and

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity.

The Level 3 liability for the subsidiary unit awards relates to agreements established with employees of our subsidiaries for 
cash awards contingent upon the subsidiary companies meeting certain financial milestones such as revenue, working capital, 
EBITDA and EBITDA margin. We account for these subsidiary awards using fair value and establish liabilities for the future 
payment for the repurchase of subsidiary units under the terms of the agreements based on estimating revenue, working capital, 
EBITDA and EBITDA margin of the subsidiary units over the periods of the awards through the anticipated repurchase dates. We 
estimated the fair value of each liability by using a Monte Carlo simulation model for determining each of the projected measures 
by using an expected distribution of potential outcomes. The fair value of each liability is calculated with thousands of projected 
outcomes, the results of which are averaged and then discounted to estimate the present value. At each reporting date until the 
respective payment dates, we will remeasure the liability, using the same valuation approach based on the applicable 
subsidiary's revenue and future collection of financed customer receivables, the unobservable inputs, and we will record any 
changes in the employee's compensation expense. Some of the awards are subject to the employees' continued employment 
and therefore recorded on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period. The Level 3 liability for the subsidiary unit 
awards was $0.4 million as of December 31, 2018.

Based on this assessment of fair value, we remeasured the Level 3 liabilities, and recorded less than $0.1 million in general 
and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2018. We have not made any material changes in the accounting 
methodology used to determine the fair value of the subsidiary unit awards. We do not expect any material changes in the near 
term to the underlying assumptions used to determine the unobservable inputs used to calculate the fair value of the subsidiary 
unit awards as of December 31, 2018. However, if changes in these assumptions occur, and, should those changes be 
significant, we may be exposed to additional realized losses in general and administrative expense.

Stock-Based Compensation

We compensate our executive officers, board of directors, employees and consultants with stock-based compensation plans 

under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2015 Plan. We record stock-based compensation expense based upon the award’s 
grant date fair value and use an accelerated attribution method, net of actual forfeitures, in which compensation cost for each 
vesting tranche in an award is recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for that tranche. We 
estimate the fair value of each option granted on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires 
us to estimate the risk-free interest rate, expected term, expected stock price volatility and dividend yield. The risk-free interest 
rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates for constant maturity U.S. Treasury securities consistent with the 
expected term of our stock options. The expected term represents the period of time the stock options are expected to be 
outstanding and is based on the "simplified method." Under the "simplified method," the expected term of an option is presumed 
to be the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term. We use the "simplified method" due to the lack 
of sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to otherwise estimate the expected term of the 
stock options. Expected volatility is based on historical volatilities of our stock and publicly traded stock of comparable 
companies over the estimated expected term of the stock options.

We do not expect any material changes in the near term to the underlying assumptions used to calculate stock-based 
compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2018. However, if changes in these assumptions occur, and, should 
those changes be significant, they could have a material impact on our stock-based compensation expense.

Business Combinations

We are required to allocate the purchase price of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets 

acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date based upon their estimated fair values. The net assets and results of 
operations of an acquired entity are included in our consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. Acquisition-
related costs are expensed as incurred. Goodwill as of the acquisition date represents the excess of the purchase consideration 
of an acquired business over the fair value of the underlying net tangible and intangible assets acquired net of liabilities 
assumed. This allocation and valuation require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with 
respect to long-lived and intangible assets.

Critical estimates in valuing intangible assets include, but are not limited to, estimates about future expected cash flows from 

customer contracts, customer lists, proprietary technology and non-competition agreements, the acquired company’s brand 
awareness and market position, assumptions about the period of time the brand will continue to be used in our solutions, as well 
as expected costs to develop the in-process research and development into commercially viable products and estimated cash 
flows from the projects when completed, and discount rates. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions we believe 
to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. Assumptions may be incomplete or inaccurate, and 
unanticipated events and circumstances may occur.

61

 
Other estimates associated with the accounting for these acquisitions may change as additional information becomes 

available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

During the measurement period, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Any 

adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period are recorded in the reporting period in 
which the adjustment amounts are determined. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments 
are recorded to earnings.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long-lived Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of (1) the aggregate of the fair value of consideration transferred in a business combination, 

over (2) the fair value of assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units, which are our 
operating segments or one level below our operating segments. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to annual impairment 
tests. We perform our annual impairment review of goodwill on October 1 and when a triggering event occurs between annual 
impairment tests. We test our goodwill at the reporting unit level. We perform either a qualitative analysis or a quantitative 
analysis every year depending on the changes to our goodwill balance as well as changes in our business and the economy. 
Qualitative factors we consider include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, 
company specific events, changes in circumstances and market capitalization. The amount of goodwill impairment is calculated 
as the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. 

For our 2018 annual impairment review, we performed a qualitative assessment for our Alarm.com reporting unit, our only 
reporting unit with a goodwill balance. Based on the results of our qualitative assessment, we determined that it was not more 
likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Therefore, we 
concluded that there was no goodwill impairment as of October 1, 2018. Our assessment was performed as of October 1, 2018, 
and we have determined there have been no triggering events from our assessment date through December 31, 2018.

Intangible Assets and Long-lived Assets

Intangible assets are initially valued at fair value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of 

intangible asset. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for 
impairment if indicators of impairment arise. The fair value of the intangible assets is compared with their carrying value and an 
impairment loss would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. 

We evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets are measured by comparison of the 
carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the asset is considered 
to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the 
impaired asset.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we determined there were no indicators of impairment of our intangible assets with 

definite lives or long-lived assets.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method as required by accounting standards codification, or ASC 

740, "Income Taxes," which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax 
consequences of events that are included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax 
rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax 
assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such 
a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary 
differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. During 2013, in 
connection with the EnergyHub acquisition, we acquired significant net operating losses, a deferred tax asset, which we 
recorded at its expected realizable value. Based on our historical and expected future taxable earnings, we believe it is more 
likely than not that we will realize all of the benefit of the existing deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. 
Accordingly, we have not recorded a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

62

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions based upon our business operations in those 

jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating uncertain tax positions. We record uncertain tax positions in 
accordance with ASC 740-10 on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that 
the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position, and (2) with respect to those tax positions that 
meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely 
to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. We record interest and penalties as a component of our 
income tax provision.

Impairment of Notes Receivable

Notes receivable are presented net of an allowance for uncollectibility, if any. We accrue interest on notes receivable based 
on the contractual terms of the note. Outstanding notes receivable that are aged 30 days or more from the contractual payment 
date are considered past due. Notes receivable are evaluated for impairment at least quarterly. Impairment occurs when it is 
deemed probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. We 
periodically assess our notes receivable for collectibility and impairment by considering internal factors such as payment status, 
collateral value, the probability of collecting payments when due and credit quality as well as external factors such as economic 
conditions. We do not accrue interest on notes receivable that are considered impaired or are greater than 90 days past due 
based on their contractual payment terms. Notes receivable may be placed on nonaccrual status earlier if, in management’s 
opinion, a timely collection of the full principal and interest becomes uncertain. After a note receivable has been placed in 
nonaccrual status, interest will be recognized when cash is received. A note receivable may be returned to accrual status after all 
of the customer’s delinquent balances of principal and interest have been settled, and collection of all remaining contractual 
amounts due is reasonably assured.

Based on our assessment of the collectibility of our Promissory Note provided to one of our suppliers as of and for the year 

ended December 31, 2018, we recorded an impairment of $3.3 million. Additionally, subsequent to December 31, 2018, we 
provided the supplier an additional $3.1 million and accrued additional interest, increasing the outstanding principal and interest 
balance of the Promissory Note to $6.6 million. The $3.1 million provided in 2019 as well as additional funding we expect to 
provide will be assessed for impairment in future periods after considering the progress of the supplier's financial restructuring. If 
changes in the assumptions used to assess the collectibility and impairment of our notes receivable occur, and, should those 
changes be significant, they could have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements for information related to recently issued accounting standards.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital

The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net and working capital, for the periods 

indicated (in thousands):

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Working capital

$

As of December 31,
2017

2018

$

146,061
49,510
152,793

$

96,329
40,634
119,433

2016

140,634
29,810
150,485

We define working capital as current assets minus current liabilities. Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 

2018 are available for working capital purposes. We do not enter into investments for trading purposes, and our investment 
policy is to invest any excess cash in short term, highly liquid investments that limit the risk of principal loss; therefore, our cash 
and cash equivalents are held in demand deposit accounts that generate very low returns. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2018, we had $146.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. We consider all highly liquid instruments 

purchased with an original maturity from the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. To date, we have 
principally financed our operations through cash generated by operating activities and, to a lesser extent, through private and 
public equity financings.

We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with our 2017 Facility, and our future cash flows from operating 
activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated operating cash needs for at least the next 12 months. Over the next 12 months, 

63

 
we expect our capital expenditure requirements to be approximately $11.0 million, primarily related to the continued build out of 
our leased office space to support our increasing headcount, including entry into an amendment to expand the office space 
leased for our corporate headquarters, as well as purchases of computer software and equipment. On August 30, 2018, we 
reached an agreement in principle to settle a putative class action lawsuit filed against us and Alarm.com Incorporated in the 
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The tentative settlement was subject to the negotiation and execution of 
a definitive settlement agreement and Court approval. On October 25, 2018, we entered into a definitive settlement agreement, 
or the Settlement Agreement, with the plaintiffs. An initial payment of $5.0 million was made by us to the settlement administrator 
on January 2, 2019, and the remaining payment of $23.0 million shall take place ten business days after the effective date of the 
Settlement Agreement, which is five business days following the later of the following events: (1) the date upon which the time 
expires for filing a notice of appeal of the Court’s Final Approval Order and Judgment; or (2) if there is an appeal or appeals of 
the Final Approval Order and Judgment, and the appellate court enters an order either dismissing the appeal(s) or affirming the 
Final Approval Order and Judgment without material modification, the date upon which the time expires for seeking review of that 
order.  

In October 2018, we entered into a Promissory Note with one of our suppliers, which was amended in November 2018, 
January 2019 and February 2019 as a result of the supplier's financial restructuring. As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding 
balance of the Promissory Note was $3.4 million prior to any adjustments for impairment. The Promissory Note was funded by 
converting $2.0 million of prepaid assets and a disbursement of $1.3 million of cash. Based on our recoverability assessment, we 
believed it was probable that the Promissory Note was fully impaired as of December 31, 2018. Accordingly, an impairment of 
$3.3 million and a reduction of $0.1 million of paid-in-kind interest was recorded during the three months ended December 31, 
2018. Subsequent to December 31, 2018, we provided the supplier additional funding of $3.1 million and accrued additional 
interest, increasing the outstanding principal and interest balance of the Promissory Note to $6.6 million. The $3.1 million 
provided as well as additional funding we expect to provide will be assessed for impairment after considering the future progress 
of the supplier's financial restructuring.

Our future working capital and capital expenditure requirements will depend on many factors, including the rate of our 
revenue growth, the amount and timing of our investments in human resources and capital equipment, future acquisitions and 
investments, and the timing and extent of our introduction of new solutions and platform and solution enhancements. To the 
extent our cash and cash equivalents, together with our 2017 Facility, and cash flows from operating activities are insufficient to 
fund our future activities, we may need to borrow additional funds through our bank credit arrangements or raise funds from 
public or private equity or debt financings. If we raise additional funds through the incurrence of indebtedness, such 
indebtedness would likely have rights that are senior to holders of our equity securities and could contain covenants that restrict 
our operations. Any additional equity financing would be dilutive to our current stockholders.

Sources of Liquidity 

Our 2017 Facility is a revolving credit facility with SVB, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders to finance 

working capital and certain permitted acquisitions and investments. The 2017 Facility is available to us to refinance existing debt 
and for general corporate and working capital purposes including acquisitions, and has a current borrowing capacity of $125.0 
million. We have the option to increase the borrowing capacity of the 2017 Facility to $175.0 million with the consent of the 
lenders.

As of December 31, 2018, $67.0 million was outstanding under the 2017 Facility, no letters of credit were outstanding and 

$58.0 million remained available for borrowing under the 2017 Facility. The 2017 Facility contains various financial and other 
covenants that require us to maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio, and limit our 
capacity to incur other indebtedness, liens, make certain payments including dividends, and enter into other transactions without 
approval of the lenders. The 2017 Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets, including our intellectual property. As of 
December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all covenants under the 2017 Facility. Our outstanding amounts under the 2017 
Facility are due at maturity in October 2022. The 2017 Facility is discussed in more detail below under "Debt Obligations."

Dividends

We did not declare or pay dividends in the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 or 2016. We cannot provide any 
assurance that we will declare or pay cash dividends on our common stock in the future. We currently anticipate that we will 
retain all of our future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying 
cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Additionally, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is limited by restrictions 
under the terms of the agreements governing the 2017 Facility. Payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion 
of the board of directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, current and 
anticipated cash needs, the requirements of current or then-existing debt instruments and other factors the board of directors 
deems relevant.

64

Historical Cash Flows

The following table sets forth our cash flows for the periods indicated (in thousands):

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities

Operating Activities

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

$

$

60,710
(13,377)
2,399

$

57,187
(168,795)
67,303

22,600
(11,426)
1,102

Cash flows from operating activities have typically been generated from our net income and by changes in our operating 

assets and liabilities, particularly from accounts receivable and inventory, adjusted for non-cash expense items such as 
amortization and depreciation, deferred income taxes and stock-based compensation.

For 2018, cash flows from operating activities were $60.7 million, an increase of $3.5 million from 2017, as the result of 
a $13.6 million increase in cash from operating assets and liabilities partially offset by a $7.7 million decrease in net income and 
a $2.3 million decrease in non-cash items.

The $13.6 million increase in cash from operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to the $28.0 million expense 
recorded during 2018 for the agreement reached to settle the legal matter alleging violations of the TCPA, which was not paid as 
of December 31, 2018. This increase in cash from operating assets and liabilities was partially offset by a $5.5 million increase in 
the change in inventory related to the purchase of long lead-time parts, a $2.8 million settlement of the liability related to the 
subsidiary unit awards during 2018 and differences in timing of collection of receipts and payments of disbursements. 

The $2.3 million decrease in non-cash items was primarily due to a $14.0 million increase in the change in deferred income 
taxes, primarily due to the increase in deferred income taxes resulting from the $28.0 million expense recorded during 2018 for 
the agreement reached to settle the legal matter alleging violations of the TCPA. This decrease in non-cash items was partially 
offset by a $6.0 million increase in stock-based compensation resulting from additional grants of stock options and restricted 
stock units during 2018. Additionally, there was a $4.0 million increase in amortization and depreciation primarily due to the 
additional amortization of customer relationships, developed technology and trade name intangibles acquired from the 
Acquisition in the first quarter of 2017. 

For 2017, cash flows from operating activities were $57.2 million, an increase of $34.6 million from 2016, as the result of 
a $19.1 million increase in net income and a $17.9 million increase in non-cash items, partially offset by a $2.4 million reduction 
in cash from operating assets and liabilities.

The $17.9 million increase in non-cash items was primarily due to an $11.2 million increase in amortization and depreciation 
primarily due to the additional amortization of customer relationships, developed technology and trade name intangibles acquired 
from the Acquisition and the ObjectVideo Labs acquisition in the first quarter of 2017.  Additionally, there was a $3.4 million 
increase in stock-based compensation resulting from additional grants of stock options and restricted stock units during 2017, as 
well as a $2.2 million increase in the change in deferred income taxes primarily due to a reduction in the carrying value of our net 
deferred tax assets resulting from the Tax Act. The $2.4 million reduction in cash from operating assets and liabilities was 
primarily due to differences in timing of collection of receipts and payments of disbursement as well as a decrease in the change 
in our deferred rent balance resulting from the move to our corporate headquarters in 2016.

Investing Activities

Our investing activities typically include acquisitions, capital expenditures, notes receivable issued to companies with 
offerings complementary to ours and proceeds from the repayment of those notes receivable. Our capital expenditures have 
primarily been for general business use, including leasehold improvements as we have expanded our office space to 
accommodate our growth in headcount, computer equipment used internally, and expansion of our network operations centers.

For 2018, our cash flows used in investing activities was $13.4 million as compared to $168.8 million in 2017. The $155.4 

million decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to our payment of $154.3 million, net of cash acquired, for 
our acquisitions in the first quarter of 2017.

For 2017, our cash flows used in investing activities was $168.8 million as compared to $11.4 million in 2016. The $157.4 

million increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to our payment of $154.3 million, net of cash acquired, for 
our acquisitions in the first quarter of 2017. In addition, we issued $8.0 million in loans to distribution partners in 2017 as 

65

compared to $3.1 million in 2016. These increases in cash used in investing activities were partially offset by a $1.6 
million increase in receipts of payments on notes receivable in 2017 as compared to 2016.

Financing Activities

Cash generated by financing activities includes borrowings under credit facilities and proceeds from the issuance of 

common stock from employee stock option exercises and from our employee stock purchase plan. Cash used in financing 
activities typically includes repurchases of common stock and repayments of debt.

For 2018, cash flows from financing activities was $2.4 million compared to $67.3 million in 2017. The $64.9 

million decrease in cash flows from financing activities was primarily due to the $64.3 million of net proceeds borrowed under the 
credit facilities during 2017 related to the Acquisition in March 2017.

For 2017, cash flows from financing activities was $67.3 million compared to $1.1 million in 2016. The $66.2 million increase 

in cash flows from financing activities was primarily due to the $139.0 million of proceeds borrowed under the credit facilities 
partially offset by repayments of $74.7 million under the credit facilities that did not occur in 2016 related to the Acquisition in 
March 2017 and the refinancing of the 2014 Facility in October 2017.

Contractual Obligations

Presented below is information about our material contractual obligations and the periods in which those future payments 

are due as of December 31, 2018. Future events could cause actual payments to differ from these estimates. As of 
December 31, 2018, the following table summarizes our contractual obligations and the effect such obligations are expected to 
have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands): 

Contractual Obligations

1 Year

2 to 3 Years

4 to 5 Years

More Than
5 Years

Total

Debt:

Principal payments

Interest payments1
Unused line fee payments

Operating lease commitments

Subsidiary unit award liabilities2
Other long-term liabilities

Other commitments3
Total contractual obligations

$

— $

— $

3,093

118

7,044
200

255
894

6,194

236

14,142
—

953
311

$

67,000
2,364

89

13,067
—

—
—

— $
—

—

14,838
—

442
—

67,000
11,651

443

49,091
200

1,650
1,205

$

11,604

$

21,836

$

82,520

$

15,280

$

131,240

_______________
(1) The 2017 Facility incurs interest at a variable rate. The projected variable interest payments assume no change in the Eurodollar Base

Rate, or LIBOR, from December 31, 2018.

(2) Represents the current portion of our expected cash payments for our liability to repurchase subsidiary unit awards for our professional

residential property management and vacation rental management subsidiary.

(3) Represents amounts due under multi-year, non-cancelable contracts with third-party vendors, as well as other commitments.

The commitment amounts in the table above are associated with contracts that are enforceable and legally binding and that 
specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum services to be used, fixed, minimum or variable price provisions, and the 
approximate timing of the actions under the contracts. The table does not include obligations under agreements that we can 
cancel without a significant penalty.

As of December 31, 2018, we had no outstanding letters of credit under our 2017 Facility.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, including entities sometimes 

referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities that were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet 
arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. We do not engage in off-balance sheet financing arrangements. 
In addition, we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts.

66

Debt Obligations

On October 6, 2017, we entered into a $125.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, or the 2017 Facility, with SVB, 
as administrative agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as documentation agent, and a syndicate of lenders. Upon entry into 
the 2017 Facility, we borrowed $72.0 million, which was used to repay the previously outstanding balance under our previous 
credit facility. The 2017 Facility matures in October 2022 and includes an option to further increase the borrowing capacity to 
$175.0 million with the consent of the lenders. Costs incurred in connection with the 2017 Facility were capitalized and are being 
amortized as interest expense over the term of the 2017 Facility. The 2017 Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets, 
including our intellectual property. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we repaid $4.0 million and $1.0 million 
of the outstanding balance of the 2017 Facility.

The outstanding principal balance on the 2017 Facility accrues interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either (1) LIBOR, 

plus an applicable margin based on our consolidated leverage ratio, or (2) the highest of (a) the Wall Street Journal prime rate, 
(b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, or (c) LIBOR plus 1.00% plus an applicable margin based on our consolidated leverage 
ratio. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we elected for the outstanding principal balance to accrue interest at LIBOR plus 
1.50%, LIBOR plus 1.75%, LIBOR plus 2.00%, and LIBOR plus 2.50% when our consolidated leverage ratio is less than 
1.00:1.00, greater than or equal to 1.00:1.00 but less than 2.00:1.00, greater than or equal to 2.00:1.00 but less than 3.00:1.00 
and greater than or equal to 3.00:1.00, respectively. The 2017 Facility also carries an unused line commitment fee of 0.20%. For 
the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the effective interest rate on the credit facilities was 4.13%, 4.16% and 
5.81%.

The carrying value of the 2017 Facility was $67.0 million and $71.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 
The 2017 Facility includes a variable interest rate that approximates market rates and, as such, we classified the liability as Level 
2 within the fair value hierarchy and determined that the carrying amount of the 2017 Facility approximated its fair value as of 
December 31, 2018 and 2017. The 2017 Facility contains various financial and other covenants that require us to maintain a 
maximum consolidated leverage ratio not to exceed 3.50:1.00 and a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 
1.25:1.00. As of December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants and there were no 
events of default. The 2017 Facility also contains customary conditions to borrowings and events of default and contains various 
negative covenants, including covenants that restrict our ability to dispose of assets, merge with or acquire other entities, incur 
indebtedness, incur encumbrances, make certain payments including dividends, make investments or engage in transactions 
with affiliates without approval of the lenders.

On November 30, 2018, we amended the 2017 Facility to incorporate the parameters that must be met for us to repurchase 
our outstanding common stock under the stock repurchase program authorized by our board of directors on November 29, 2018.

Non-GAAP Measures

We define Adjusted EBITDA as our net income before interest expense and other income, net, (benefit from) / provision for 
income taxes, amortization and depreciation, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition-related expense and legal costs 
and settlement fees incurred in connection with non-ordinary course litigation and other disputes, particularly costs involved in 
ongoing intellectual property litigation. We do not consider these items to be indicative of our core operating performance. The 
non-cash items include amortization and depreciation expense, stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and 
other forms of equity compensation, including, but not limited to, the sale of common stock. We do not adjust for ordinary course 
legal expenses resulting from maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property portfolio and license agreements. Adjusted 
EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the table below for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to 
net income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. 

We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this report because it is a key measure that our management uses to understand and 

evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to generate future operating plans, to make strategic decisions regarding 
the allocation of capital and to make investments in initiatives that are focused on cultivating new markets for our solutions. We 
also use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, as performance measures under our executive 
bonus plan. Further, we believe the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA facilitates comparisons of our 
operating performance on a period-to-period basis and, in the case of exclusion of acquisition-related expense and certain 
historical legal expenses, excludes items that we do not consider to be indicative of our core operating performance. Accordingly, 
we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our 
operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors.

Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a 

substitute for analysis of our financial results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: (a) although depreciation 
and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and 
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure 
requirements; (b) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; (c) Adjusted 
EBITDA does not reflect the potentially dilutive impact of equity-based compensation; (d) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax 

67

payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and (e) other companies, including companies in our industry, 
may calculate Adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these and other limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside our other GAAP-based financial 

performance measures, net income and our other GAAP financial results. The following table presents a reconciliation of 
Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for each of the periods indicated (in thousands):

Adjusted EBITDA:

Net income

Adjustments:

Interest expense and other income, net

(Benefit from) / provision for income taxes

Amortization and depreciation expense

Stock-based compensation expense

Acquisition-related expense

Litigation expense

Total adjustments

Adjusted EBITDA

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

$

21,524

$

29,251

$

10,154

503

(9,825)

21,721

13,429

—

45,729

71,557

1,133

2,990

17,734

7,413

5,895

7,212

42,377

$

93,081

$

71,628

$

(323)

4,227

6,490

4,001

11,098

13,387

38,880

49,034

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market 
prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates, as well as to a lesser extent, 
foreign exchange rates and inflation.

Interest Rate Risk

We are primarily exposed to changes in short-term interest rates with respect to our cost of borrowing under our 2017 
Facility with SVB. We monitor our cost of borrowing under our various facilities, taking into account our funding requirements, 
and our expectation for short-term rates in the future. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, an increase or decrease in the interest 
rate on our 2017 Facility with SVB by 100 basis points would increase or decrease our annual interest expense by approximately 
$0.7 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Because substantially all of our revenue and operating expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars, we do not believe that our 
exposure to foreign currency exchange risk is material to our business, financial condition or results of operations. If a significant 
portion of our revenue and operating expenses becomes denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars, we may not be able 
to effectively manage this risk, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by 
translation and by transactional foreign currency conversions.

Inflation Risk

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If our 

costs become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price 
increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

68

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Operations 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Consolidated Statements of Equity
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Page
70

72
73
74
76
77
111

69

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the 
"Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and equity 
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes and financial statement 
schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). We also have 
audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in 
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by 
the COSO.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for 
revenues from contracts with customers in 2018.

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control 
over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in 
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express 
opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting 
based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities 
laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, 
whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material 
respects.  

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement 
of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. 
Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated 
financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal 
control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the 
risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based 
on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the 
circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of
the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

70

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, Virginia
March 1, 2019

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2009.

71

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

Revenue:

SaaS and license revenue

Hardware and other revenue

Total revenue

Cost of revenue(1):

Cost of SaaS and license revenue

Cost of hardware and other revenue

Total cost of revenue

Operating expenses:

Sales and marketing

General and administrative

Research and development

Amortization and depreciation

Total operating expenses

Operating income

Interest expense

Other income, net

Income before income taxes

(Benefit from) / provision for income taxes

Net income

Income allocated to participating securities

Net income attributable to common stockholders

Per share information attributable to common stockholders:

Net income per share:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

 _______________

$

291,072

$

236,283

$

129,422

420,494

44,933

100,782

145,715

55,902

95,750

89,204

21,721

102,654

338,937

35,610

80,578

116,188

43,490

55,396

72,755

17,734

262,577

189,375

12,202

(2,918)

2,415

11,699

(9,825)

21,524

(3)

33,374

(2,199)

1,066

32,241

2,990

29,251

(13)

173,540

87,566

261,106

30,229

69,151

99,380

38,980

57,926

44,272

6,490

147,668

14,058

(190)

513

14,381

4,227

10,154

(12)

$

$

$

21,521

$

29,238

$

10,142

0.45

0.43

$

$

0.63

0.59

$

$

0.22

0.21

47,633,739

49,692,184

46,682,141

49,153,948

45,716,757

47,875,522

(1) Exclusive of amortization and depreciation shown in operating expenses below.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

72

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

December 31,

2018

2017

$

146,061

$

49,510

22,990

9,502

96,329

40,634

14,177

12,796

228,063

163,936

27,757

79,067

63,591

28,952

13,555

23,459

94,286

63,591

18,444

7,925

$

440,985

$

371,641

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Accounts receivable, net

Inventory, net

Other current assets

Total current assets

Property and equipment, net

Intangible assets, net

Goodwill

Deferred tax assets

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

$

58,430

$

13,484

3,356

75,270

7,820

67,000

13,306

29,084

12,127

3,292

44,503

9,386

71,000

13,925

163,396

138,814

Accrued compensation

Deferred revenue

Total current liabilities

Deferred revenue

Long-term debt

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

Stockholders’ equity

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

—

—

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 48,103,038 and 47,215,720 shares

issued; and 48,102,081 and 47,202,310 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and
December 31, 2017, respectively.

Additional paid-in capital

Accumulated deficit

Total stockholders’ equity

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

481

341,139

(64,031)

277,589

$

440,985

$

472

321,032

(88,677)

232,827

371,641

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

73

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

Provision for doubtful accounts
Reserve for product returns
Provision for notes receivable
Amortization on patents and tooling
Amortization and depreciation
Amortization of debt issuance costs
Deferred income taxes
Change in fair value of contingent liability
Undistributed losses from equity investees
Stock-based compensation
Disposal of property and equipment

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of business acquisitions):

Accounts receivable
Inventory
Other assets
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Deferred revenue
Other liabilities

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows used in investing activities:

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Additions to property and equipment
Investment in cost and equity method investees
Issuances of notes receivable
Receipt of payment on notes receivable
Purchases of patents and patent licenses
Cash flows used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from credit facility
Repayments of credit facility
Payments of debt issuance costs
Payments of long-term consideration for business acquisitions
Repurchases of common stock
Issuances of common stock from equity based plans
Cash flows from financing activities

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

$

21,524

$

29,251

$

10,154

149
273
3,319
900
21,721
108
(11,482)
—
—
13,429
1,410

(9,298)
(8,813)
115
30,615
(1,502)
(1,758)
60,710

—
(11,015)
—
(1,287)
—
(1,075)
(13,377)

—
(4,000)
—
—
(1)
6,400
2,399
49,732
96,329
146,061

$

453
2,055
—
965
17,734
97
2,488
—
120
7,413
828

(1,911)
(3,335)
(2,542)
3,774
(517)
314
57,187

(154,289)
(10,464)
(42)
(8,000)
4,000
—
(168,795)

139,000
(74,700)
(438)
—
(9)
3,450
67,303
(44,305)
140,634
96,329

$

648
2,071
—
786
6,490
103
263
(230)
81
4,001
—

(11,181)
(4,068)
(837)
10,458
636
3,225
22,600

—
(9,055)
(139)
(3,073)
2,441
(1,600)
(11,426)

—
—
(131)
(417)
(11)
1,661
1,102
12,276
128,358
140,634

$

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

74

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Continued
(in thousands)

Supplemental disclosures:

Cash paid for interest
Cash (received from) / paid for income taxes, net of refunds

Noncash investing and financing activities:
Assumed options from business acquisition
Cash not yet paid for capital expenditures

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

$

$

2,695
(2,052)

—
1,857

$

2,010
1,805

1,375
322

181
6,021

—
1,235

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

75

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(in thousands)

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Treasury
Stock

Accumulated
Deficit

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

Balance as of December 31, 2015

— $

Common stock issued in connection 

with equity based plans

Vesting of common stock subject to 

repurchase

Stock-based compensation expense

Tax benefit from stock-based awards, 
net

Retirement of treasury stock

Net income

—

—

—

—

—

—

Balance as of December 31, 2016

— $

Adoption of accounting standard on
employee share based payments

Common stock issued in connection 

with equity based plans

Vesting of common stock subject to 

repurchase

Stock-based compensation expense

Stock options assumed from

acquisition

Net income

—

—

—

—

—

—

Balance as of December 31, 2017

— $

Adoption of accounting standard on

revenue recognition

Common stock issued in connection 

with equity based plans

Vesting of common stock subject to 

repurchase

Stock-based compensation expense

Net income

—

—

—

—

—

Balance as of December 31, 2018

— $

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

45,485

$

455

$

297,781

$

(42) $

(128,063) $

170,131

593

64

—

—

—

—

5

1

—

—

—

—

1,656

253

4,001

5,048

(42)

—

—

—

—

—

42

—

—

—

—

—

—

10,154

46,142

$

461

$

308,697

$

— $

(117,909) $

—

1,045

15

—

—

—

—

11

—

—

—

—

31

3,439

77

7,413

1,375

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(19)

—

—

—

—

29,251

47,202

$

472

$

321,032

$

— $

(88,677) $

—

888

12

—

—

—

9

—

—

—

—

6,391

55

13,661

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,122

—

—

—

21,524

48,102

$

481

$

341,139

$

— $

(64,031) $

1,661

254

4,001

5,048

—

10,154

191,249

12

3,450

77

7,413

1,375

29,251

232,827

3,122

6,400

55

13,661

21,524

277,589

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

76

 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Note 1. Organization

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. (referred to herein as Alarm.com, the Company, or we) is the leading platform for the intelligently 
connected property. We offer a comprehensive suite of cloud-based solutions for the smart residential and commercial property, 
including interactive security, video monitoring, intelligent automation and energy management. Millions of property owners 
depend on our technology to intelligently secure, monitor and manage their residential and commercial properties. Our solutions 
are delivered through an established network of over 8,000 trusted service provider partners, who are experts at selling, 
installing and supporting our solutions. We derive revenue from the sale of our cloud-based Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS, 
services, license fees, software, hardware, activation fees and other revenue. Our fiscal year ends on December 31.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries 

after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Equity investments over which we are able to exercise significant 
influence but do not control the investee are accounted for using the equity method.

We determine whether we have a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting 
interest entity or a variable interest entity, or VIE. Voting interest entities are entities that have sufficient equity and provide equity 
investor voting rights that give them power to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations. The usual condition 
for a controlling financial interest in a voting interest entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. In VIEs, a controlling 
financial interest is attained through means other than voting rights and the entities lack one or more of the characteristics of a 
voting entity.

We have unconsolidated equity investments in third-party businesses. Equity investments with readily determinable fair 

values are recorded at fair value. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values are recorded using the 
measurement alternative. Under the alternative, we measure investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less 
impairment, adjusted for observable price changes from orderly transactions for identical or similar investments. We make a 
separate election to use the measurement alternative for each eligible investment, and reassess whether an investment qualifies 
for the alternative at each reporting period. Adjustments resulting from impairment, fair value, or observable price changes are 
recorded in other income, net in our consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the 
United States of America, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts 
of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the 
reporting period. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and 
experience. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those 
estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowance for 
hardware returns, estimates of obsolete inventory, long-term incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, income taxes, 
legal reserves, contingent consideration and goodwill and intangible assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity from the date of purchase of three months or 

less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we have invested $117.4 million and $65.6 million in cash 
equivalents in the form of money market funds with one financial institution, respectively. We consider these money market funds 
to be Level 1 financial instruments (see Note 9).

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are principally derived from sales to customers located in the United States and Canada. Substantially 

all of our sales in Canada are transacted in U.S. dollars. Revenue in countries outside of North America accounted for 2%, 1% 
and less than 1% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Accounts receivable 
balances related to service providers partners outside of North America were 4% as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Our 
accounts receivable are stated at estimated realizable value. We utilize the allowance method to provide for doubtful accounts 
based on management’s evaluation of the collectibility of the amounts due. Our estimate is based on historical collection 
experience and a review of the current status of accounts receivable. Each of our service provider partners is evaluated for 
creditworthiness through a credit review process at the inception of the arrangement or if risk indicators arise during our 
arrangement at such other time. Our terms for hardware sales to our service provider partners and distributors typically allow for 

77

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

returns for up to one year. We apply our estimate as a percentage of sales monthly, based on historical data, as a reserve 
against revenue to account for our provision for returns. We have not experienced write-offs for uncollectible accounts or sales 
returns that have differed significantly from our estimates.

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable are presented net of an allowance for uncollectibility, if any. We accrue interest on notes receivable based 
on the contractual terms of the note. Outstanding notes receivable that are aged 30 days or more from the contractual payment 
date are considered past due. Notes receivable are evaluated for impairment at least quarterly. Impairment occurs when it is 
deemed probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Factors 
considered in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting payments when 
due. We do not accrue interest on notes receivable that are considered impaired or are greater than 90 days past due based on 
their contractual payment terms. Notes receivable may be placed on nonaccrual status earlier if, in management’s opinion, a 
timely collection of the full principal and interest becomes uncertain. After a note receivable has been placed in nonaccrual 
status, interest will be recognized when cash is received. A note receivable may be returned to accrual status after all of the 
customer’s delinquent balances of principal and interest have been settled, and collection of all remaining contractual amounts 
due is reasonably assured. 

In October 2018, we entered into a secured subordinate convertible promissory note, or Promissory Note, with one of our 

suppliers, which was amended in November 2018, January 2019 and February 2019 as a result of the supplier's financial 
restructuring. The outstanding receivable balance of the Promissory Note was $3.4 million as of December 31, 2018, including 
paid-in-kind interest. We evaluated whether there was an impairment on the $3.4 million Promissory Note and as part of our 
quarterly recoverability assessment, we considered financial data of the supplier, the collateralized assets securing the 
Promissory Note and our position as a secured creditor relative to other secured creditors of the supplier. Based on this 
assessment, we believed it was probable that the Promissory Note was fully impaired as of December 31, 2018. Accordingly, an 
impairment charge of $3.3 million and a reduction of $0.1 million of paid-in-kind interest was recorded during the three months 
ended December 31, 2018. The impairment charge was included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated 
statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 8 for further details on the Promissory Note with the 
supplier.

 Subsequent to December 31, 2018, we provided the supplier additional funding of $3.1 million and accrued additional 

interest, increasing the outstanding principal and interest balance of the Promissory Note to $6.6 million. The $3.1 million 
provided as well as additional funding we expect to provide will be assessed for impairment after considering the future progress 
of the supplier's financial restructuring. Other than the $3.4 million loan with the supplier in 2018, there were no allowances for 
uncollectibility on other notes receivable and there were no notes receivable in nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2018 and 
2017. We will continue to evaluate the recoverability of the notes receivable in future periods. 

Inventory

Our inventory, which is comprised of raw materials and finished goods, includes materials used to produce our wireless 
communications network enabled radios, video cameras, home automation system parts and peripherals, is stated at the lower 
of cost or net realizable value, and is charged to cost of sales on a first in, first out, or FIFO, basis when the inventory is shipped 
from our manufacturer and received by our service provider partners. We periodically evaluate our inventory quantities for 
obsolescence based on criteria such as customer demand and changing technology and record an obsolescence write-off when 
necessary.

Internal-Use Software

We capitalize the costs directly related to the development of internal-use software for our platforms during the application 

development stage of the projects. Such costs primarily include payroll and payroll-related costs for engineers and product 
development employees directly associated with the development project. Our internal-use software is reported at cost less 
accumulated depreciation. Depreciation begins once the project is ready for its intended use, which is usually when the code 
goes into production in weekly software builds on our platforms. We depreciate the asset on a straight-line basis over a period of 
three years, which is the estimated useful life. We update our software for our SaaS multi-tenant platforms on a weekly basis 
utilizing continuous agile development methods, which primarily consists of bug-fixes and user interface changes. We evaluate 
whether a project should be capitalized if it adds significant functionality to our platforms. Maintenance activities or minor 
upgrades are expensed in the period performed.

78

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

External Software

Costs incurred in researching and developing a computer software product that will be marketed and sold are charged to 

expense when incurred until technological feasibility is established. Technological feasibility is established upon completion of a 
detailed program design or, in its absence, completion of a working model (a beta version). After technological feasibility is 
established, certain payroll and payroll-related costs are capitalized for engineers and product development employees directly 
associated with the development project. Cost capitalization ceases when the product is available for general release. Our non-
hosted software is typically developed in an agile environment with frequent revisions to product release features and functions. 
Agile development results in a short duration between completion of the detailed program design and beta release. Accordingly, 
as of December 31, 2018, we do not have any capitalized external software due to the shorter development cycle associated 
with agile development.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

We derive our revenue from three primary sources: the sale of cloud-based SaaS services on our integrated Alarm.com 
platform, the sale of licenses and services on our non-hosted software platform, or Software platform, and the sale of hardware 
products. We sell our platform and hardware solutions to service provider partners that resell our solutions and hardware to 
residential and commercial property owners, who are the service provider partners’ customers. Our subscribers consist of all of 
the properties maintained by those residential and commercial property owners to which we are delivering at least one of our 
solutions. We also sell our hardware to distributors who resell the hardware to service provider partners. We enter into contracts 
with our service provider partners that establish pricing for access to our platform solutions and for the sale of hardware. These 
contracts typically have an initial term of one year, with subsequent renewal terms of one year. Our service provider partners 
typically enter into contracts with our subscribers, which our service provider partners have indicated range from three to five 
years in length.

Our hardware includes cellular radio modules that enable access to our cloud-based platforms, as well as video cameras, 
image sensors and other peripherals. Our service provider partners may purchase our hardware in anticipation of installing the 
hardware in a residential or commercial property when they create a new subscriber account, or for use in existing subscriber 
properties. The purchase of hardware occurs in a transaction that is separate and typically in advance of the purchase of our 
platform services. The performance obligation is satisfied when the hardware is received by our service provider partner or 
distributor. Service provider partners transact with us to purchase our platform solutions and resell our solutions to a new 
subscriber, or to upgrade or downgrade the solutions of an existing subscriber, at which time the subscriber’s access to our 
platform solutions is enabled and the delivery of the services commences. Our performance obligation related to providing our 
platform solutions is satisfied on a daily basis as the subscriber uses the platform services. The purchase of platform solutions 
and the purchase of hardware are separate transactions as revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or 
services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for 
those goods or services. We generate all of our revenue from contracts with customers.

SaaS and license revenue associated with our contracts is invoiced and revenue is recognized at an amount that 

corresponds directly with the value of the performance completed to date. Additionally, the consideration received from hardware 
sales corresponds directly with the stand-alone selling price of the hardware. As a result, we have elected to use the practical 
expedient related to the amount of transaction price allocated to the unsatisfied performance obligations and therefore, we have 
not disclosed the total remaining revenue expected to be recognized on all contracts or the expected period over which the 
remaining revenue would be recognized for the current period or any period presented before January 1, 2018.

To determine the transaction price, we analyze all of the performance obligations included in the contract. We consider the 

terms of the contract and our customary business practices, which typically do not include financing components or non-cash 
consideration. We have variable consideration in the form of retrospective volume discounts, rebate incentives, restocking fees 
and assurance-type warranties. The significant inputs related to variable consideration include the volume and amount of 
products and services sold historically and expected to be sold in the future, the availability and performance of our services and 
the historical and expected number of returns. Depending on the type of variable consideration and its predictability, we may 
apply an "expected value" approach or a "most likely amount" approach. We estimate the variable consideration at the onset of a 
contract and include the variable consideration within the transaction price if it is probable that a significant reversal of the 
variable consideration would not occur in the future. When determining whether the amount of variable consideration included in 
the transaction price should be constrained, we look at the history of hardware purchased and subscribers added by our service 
provider partners to estimate the likelihood of those service provider partners obtaining the retrospective volume discounts and 
rebates. At times, our contracts include consideration payable to a customer in the form of fixed discounts or rebates. We record 
the consideration payable to a customer as a reduction to the transaction price resulting in a reduction to revenue over the 
service period.

If we enter into contracts that contain multiple promised services, we evaluate which of the promised services represent 
separate performance obligations based on whether or not the promised services are distinct and whether or not the services are 

79

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

separable from other promises in the contract. If these criteria are met, then we allocate the transaction price to the performance 
obligations using the relative stand-alone selling price method at contract inception. 

In determining the relative estimated selling prices, we consider market conditions, entity-specific factors and information 

about the customer or class of customer. Any discount within the contract is allocated proportionately to all of the separate 
performance obligations in the contract unless the terms of discount relate specifically to the entity’s efforts to satisfy some but 
not all of the performance obligations. 

For our standard service provider agreements, we have used a portfolio approach for purposes of revenue recognition, as 

each agreement has similar characteristics and we do not expect the effects of applying this approach would have a material 
impact on our financial statements as compared to assessing each agreement individually.

SaaS and License Revenue

We generate the majority of our SaaS and license revenue primarily from monthly fees charged to our service provider 
partners sold on a per subscriber basis for access to our cloud-based intelligently connected property platform and related 
solutions. Our fees per subscriber vary based upon the service plan and features utilized.

Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with our service provider partners, we bill a monthly fee to our service 
provider partners in advance of the month of service, with the exception of the initial partial month of service, which is paid in 
arrears. Due to the limited period of time between receipt of payment and delivery of service, we have not accounted for these 
advance payments as significant financing components. We typically transfer the promised SaaS services to our customers over 
time, which is evidenced by the fact that the customers receive and consume the benefits provided by our performance of the 
services as such services are rendered. As a result, we recognize revenue from SaaS services on a monthly basis as we satisfy 
our performance obligations. We have demonstrated that we can sell our SaaS offering on a stand-alone basis, as it can be sold 
separately from hardware and activation services. As there is neither a minimum required initial service term nor a stated 
renewal term in our contractual arrangements, we recognize revenue over the period of service, which is monthly. Our service 
provider partners typically incur and pay the same monthly fee per subscriber account for the entire period a subscriber account 
is active.

We offer multiple service level packages for our platform solutions including a range of solutions and a range of a la carte 

add-ons for additional features. The fee paid by our service provider partners each month for the delivery of our solutions is 
based on the combination of packages and add-ons enabled for each subscriber. We utilize tiered pricing plans where our 
service provider partners may receive prospective pricing discounts driven by volume.

We also generate SaaS and license revenue from the fees paid to us when we license our intellectual property to third 
parties for use of our patents. We bill a monthly fee to third parties based on the number of customers that were active during the 
prior month. We apply the usage-based royalty exception to recognize license revenue because the sole or predominant item to 
which the royalty relates is the license of intellectual property. Under the usage-based royalty exception, we recognize revenue 
on a monthly basis over the period of service. In addition, in certain markets our EnergyHub subsidiary sells its demand 
response service for an annual service fee, with pricing based on the number of subscribers or amount of aggregate electricity 
demand made available for a utility’s or market’s control.

Software License Revenue

Our SaaS and license revenue also includes our software license revenue from monthly fees charged to service providers 
sold on a per subscriber basis for access to our Software platform. The non-hosted software for interactive security, automation 
and related solutions is typically deployed and operated by the service provider in its own network operations center. Our 
agreements for the Software platform solution typically include software and services, such as post-contract customer support, or 
PCS. Software sales that include multiple elements are typically allocated to the various elements using the relative stand-alone 
selling price method. We apply the usage-based royalty exception to recognize license revenue associated with software hosted 
by our customers because the predominant item to which the royalty relates is the license of intellectual property. Under the 
usage-based royalty exception, we recognize revenue on a monthly basis over the period during which the services are 
expected to be performed. Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with our service provider partners, we are entitled to 
payment of a monthly fee that is billed per subscriber for the month of service. Our software license revenue during the years 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $41.3 million, $29.7 million and $0, respectively.

80

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Hardware and Other Revenue

We generate hardware and other revenue primarily from the sale of video cameras and cellular radio modules that provide 
access to our cloud-based platforms and, to a lesser extent, the sale of other devices, including image sensors and peripherals. 
We primarily transfer hardware to our customers upon delivery to the customer, which corresponds with the time at which the 
customer obtains control of the hardware. As a result, we recognize hardware and other revenue as we satisfy our performance 
obligations, which occurs when the hardware is received by our service provider partner or distributor, net of a reserve for 
estimated returns. There are a few contracts in which we provide shipping and handling services to the customer after control of 
the hardware transfers to the customer. In these instances, we have elected to account for shipping and handling costs as 
activities performed to fulfill the promise to transfer hardware to the customer and not as a separate promised service.

Amounts due from the sale of hardware are payable in accordance with the terms of our agreements with our service 
provider partners or distributors, and are not contingent on resale to end-users, or to service provider partners in the case of 
sales of hardware to distributors. Payment for our hardware is typically due within 30 days from shipment, with the exception of 
certain hardware finance arrangements, which are paid over a 36-month period. Our distributors sell directly to our service 
provider partners under terms between the two parties.

When determining the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to for the sale of our hardware, we estimate the 

variable consideration associated with customer returns. We record a reserve against revenue for hardware returns based on 
historical returns. For each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, our reserve against revenue for hardware 
returns was 2% of hardware and other revenue. We evaluate our hardware reserve on a quarterly basis or if there is an 
indication of significant changes in return experience. Historically, our returns of hardware have not significantly differed from our 
estimated reserve. Additionally, we provide assurance-type warranties related to the intended functionality of the products and 
services provided and those warranties typically allow for the return of hardware up to one year past the date of sale. These 
warranties were not identified as separate performance obligations.

Hardware and other revenue may also include activation fees charged to some of our service provider partners for activation 

of a new subscriber account on our platforms, as well as fees paid by service provider partners for our marketing services. Our 
service provider partners use services on our platforms, such as support tools and applications, to assist in the installation of our 
solutions in subscriber properties. This installation marks the beginning of the service period on our platforms and, on occasion, 
we earn activation revenue for fees charged for this service. The activation fee is non-refundable, separately negotiated and 
specified in our contractual arrangements with our service provider partners and is charged to the service provider partner for 
each subscriber activated on our platforms. The decision whether to charge an activation fee is based in part on the expected 
number of subscribers to be added by our service provider partners and as a result, many of our largest service provider 
partners do not pay an activation fee. Activation fees are not offered on a stand-alone basis separate from our SaaS offering and 
are billed and received at the beginning of the arrangement. We record activation fees initially as deferred revenue and we 
recognize these fees ratably over the expected term of the subscribers’ account which we estimate is ten years based on our 
annual attrition rate. The portion of these activation fees included in current and long-term deferred revenue as of our balance 
sheet date represents the amounts that will be recognized ratably as revenue over the following twelve months, or longer as 
appropriate, until the ten-year expected term is complete. The balance of deferred revenue for activation fees was $9.2 million 
and $10.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which combines current and long-term balances.

Cost of Revenue

Our cost of SaaS and license revenue primarily includes the amounts paid to wireless network providers and, to a lesser 
extent, the costs of running our network operations centers which are expensed as incurred, as well as patent and royalty costs 
in connection with technology licensed from third-party providers. Our cost of SaaS and license revenue also includes our cost of 
software license revenue, which primarily includes the payroll and payroll-related costs of the department dedicated to providing 
service exclusively to those service providers that host the Software platform. Our cost of software license revenue during the 
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $1.7 million, $1.2 million and $0, respectively. Our cost of hardware and 
other revenue primarily includes cost of raw materials, tooling and amounts paid to our third-party manufacturer for production 
and fulfillment of our cellular radio modules and image sensors, and procurement costs for our video cameras, which we 
purchase from an original equipment manufacturer, and other devices. Our cost of hardware and other revenue also includes 
royalty costs in connection with technology licensed from third-party providers. 

We record the cost of SaaS and license revenue as expenses are incurred, which corresponds to the delivery period of our 

services to our subscribers. We record the cost of hardware and other revenue when the hardware and other services are 
delivered to the service provider partner, which occurs when control of the hardware and other services transfers to the service 
provider partner. Our cost of revenue excludes amortization and depreciation. 

81

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Contract Asset and Contract Liability Balances

At contract inception, we assess the goods and services promised in our contracts with customers and identify a 

performance obligation for each distinct promise to transfer a good or service, or bundle of goods or services. To identify the 
performance obligations, we consider all of the goods or services promised in the contract, whether explicitly stated or implied 
based on customary business practices. We record a contract asset when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring a 
promised good or service. Contract assets can be conditional or unconditional depending on whether another performance 
obligation must be satisfied before payment can be received. We receive payments from our service provider partners based on 
the billing schedule established in our contracts. All of the accounts receivable presented in the balance sheet represent 
unconditional rights to consideration. We do not have any assets from contracts containing conditional rights and we do not have 
any assets from satisfied performance obligations that have not been invoiced. 

We recognize an asset related to the costs incurred to obtain a contract only if we expect to recover those costs and we 
would not have incurred those costs if the contract had not been obtained. We recognize an asset from the costs incurred to 
fulfill a contract if the costs (i) are specifically identifiable to a contract, (ii) enhance resources that will be used in satisfying 
performance obligations in future and (iii) are expected to be recovered. Our contract assets consist of capitalized commission 
costs. Based on the policy above, we capitalize a portion of our commission costs as an incremental cost of obtaining a contract. 
When calculating the incremental cost of obtaining a contract, we exclude any commission costs related to metrics that could be 
satisfied without obtaining a contract, including training-related metrics. We amortize our commission costs over a period of three 
years, which is consistent with the period over which the products and services related to the commission are transferred to the 
customer. The three-year period was determined based on our review of historical enhancements and upgrades to our products 
and services. We applied the portfolio approach to account for the amortization of contract costs as each contract has similar 
characteristics.

The current portion of capitalized commission costs is included in other current assets within our consolidated balance 
sheets. The non-current portion of capitalized commission costs is reflected in other assets within our consolidated balance 
sheets. We amortized capitalized commission costs of $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. There were no 
amortized commission costs during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

We review the capitalized costs for impairment at least annually. Impairment exists if the carrying amount of the asset 
recognized from contract costs exceeds the remaining amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for providing 
the goods and services to which such asset relates, less the costs that relate directly to providing those good and services and 
that have not been recognized as an expense. We did not record an impairment loss on our capitalized commission costs or any 
other contract assets during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

The changes in our contract assets are as follows (in thousands):

Beginning of period balance

Commission costs capitalized in period

Amortization of capitalized commission costs

End of period balance

Year Ended
December 31,

2018

$

$

—

4,864

(1,983)

2,881

Contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized with the 
associated revenue recognized under the contract. All of the deferred revenue presented in the balance sheet represents 
contract liabilities resulting from advance cash receipts from customers or amounts billed in advance to customers from the sale 
of services. Changes in deferred revenue are due to our performance under the contract as well as to cash received from new 
contracts for which services have not been provided.

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ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The changes in our contract liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

Beginning of period balance

Revenue deferred in current period

Revenue recognized from amounts included in contract liabilities

End of period balance

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

$

$

12,678

$

3,954

(5,456)

11,176

$

12,625

6,844

(6,791)

12,678

The revenue recognized from amounts included in contract liabilities primarily relates to prepayment contracts with 

customers as well as payments of activation fees.

Research and Development

Our research and development costs consist primarily of personnel and related expenses for our employees working on our 

product development and software and device engineering teams, including salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, 
benefits and other personnel costs. Our research and development of new products and services is a multidisciplinary effort 
across our product management, program management, software engineering, device engineering, quality engineering, 
configuration management and network operations teams. Also included are non-personnel costs, such as consulting and 
professional fees paid to third-party development resources. We invest substantial resources in research and development to 
enhance our platforms and applications, support our technology infrastructure, develop new capabilities and conduct quality 
assurance testing. 

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires 

disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit 
price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between 
market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy, which requires an 
entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs:

Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at 

the measurement date;

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for similar assets and liabilities, either 

directly or indirectly; quoted prices in markets that are not active; and

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity.

The carrying amount of financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable 

approximates fair value because of the short maturity and liquidity of those instruments.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis - in 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded liabilities for 

subsidiary unit awards and a contingent consideration liability related to acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis.

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis - We measure certain assets, including property and equipment, 

goodwill, intangible and long-lived assets, cost and equity method investments at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These 
assets are recognized at fair value when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consists principally of cash and cash 

equivalents and accounts receivables. All of our cash and cash equivalents are held at financial institutions that management 
believes to be of high credit quality. Our cash and cash equivalent accounts may exceed federally insured limits at times. We 
have not experienced any losses on cash and cash equivalents to date. To manage accounts receivable risk, we evaluate the 
credit worthiness of our service provider partners and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts. The majority of our accounts 
receivable balance is due from our service provider partners in North America. We assess the concentrations of credit risk with 
respect to accounts receivables based on one industry and geographic region and believe that our reserve for uncollectible 
accounts is appropriate based on our history and this concentration.

83

 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Stock-Based Compensation

We compensate our executive officers, board of directors, employees and consultants with stock-based compensation plans 

under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2015 Plan. We record stock-based compensation expense based upon the award’s 
grant date fair value and use an accelerated attribution method, net of actual forfeitures, in which compensation cost for each 
vesting tranche in an award is recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for that tranche. Our equity 
awards generally vest over five years and are settled in shares of our common stock. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, we 
recognized compensation expense of $13.4 million, $7.4 million and $4.0 million, respectively, and associated income tax benefit 
of $7.6 million, $12.7 million and $5.0 million, respectively, in connection with our stock-based compensation plans. We account 
for stock-based compensation arrangements with non-employees using a fair value approach. The fair value of these options is 
measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model reflecting the same assumptions as applied to employee options in each 
of the reported periods, other than the expected life, which is assumed to be the remaining contractual life of the option.

Our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 2015 ESPP, allows eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at 

90% of the fair market value of the closing price on the purchase date. The maximum number of shares of our common stock 
that a participant may purchase during any calendar year is limited to the lesser of 10% of the participant's base compensation 
for that year or the number of shares with a fair market value of $15,000. The 2015 ESPP is considered compensatory for 
purposes of share-based compensation expense. Compensation expense is recognized for the amount of the discount, net of 
actual forfeitures, over the six-month purchase period. 

401(k) Defined Contribution Plan

We adopted the Alarm.com Holdings 401(k) Plan, or the Plan, on April 30, 2009. All of our employees are eligible to 

participate in the Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2018, our discretionary match was 100% of employee contributions up 
to 10% of salary and up to a $4,000 maximum match. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, our discretionary 
match was 100% of employee contributions up to 6% of salary and up to a $3,000 maximum match. We recognized 
compensation expense of $2.7 million, $1.8 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 
related to our matching contributions.

Business Combinations

We are required to allocate the purchase price of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets 

acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date based upon their estimated fair values. The net assets and results of 
operations of an acquired entity are included in our consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. Acquisition-
related costs are expensed as incurred. Goodwill as of the acquisition date represents the excess of the purchase consideration 
of an acquired business over the fair value of the underlying net tangible and intangible assets acquired net of liabilities 
assumed. This allocation and valuation require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with 
respect to long-lived and intangible assets.

Critical estimates in valuing intangible assets include, but are not limited to, estimates about future expected cash flows from 

customer contracts, customer lists, proprietary technology and non-competition agreements, the acquired company’s brand 
awareness and market position, assumptions about the period of time the brand will continue to be used in our solutions, as well 
as expected costs to develop the in-process research and development into commercially viable products and estimated cash 
flows from the projects when completed, and discount rates. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions we believe 
to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. Assumptions may be incomplete or inaccurate, and 
unanticipated events and circumstances may occur.

Other estimates associated with the accounting for these acquisitions may change as additional information becomes 

available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long-lived Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of (1) the aggregate of the fair value of consideration transferred in a business combination, 

over (2) the fair value of assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units, which are our 
operating segments or one level below our operating segments. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to annual impairment 
tests. We perform our annual impairment review of goodwill on October 1 and when a triggering event occurs between annual 
impairment tests. We test our goodwill at the reporting unit level. We perform either a qualitative analysis or a quantitative 
analysis every year depending on the changes to our goodwill balance as well as changes in our business and the economy.  
Qualitative factors we consider include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, 
company specific events, changes in circumstances and market capitalization. The amount of goodwill impairment is calculated 
as the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. 

84

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

For our 2018 annual impairment review, we performed a quantitative assessment for our Alarm.com reporting unit, our only 

reporting unit with a goodwill balance. Based on the results of our qualitative assessment, we determined that it was not more 
likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Therefore, we 
concluded that there was no goodwill impairment as of October 1, 2018. Our assessment was performed as of October 1, 2018, 
and we have determined there have been no triggering events from our assessment date through December 31, 2018.

Intangible Assets and Long-lived Assets

Intangible assets are initially valued at fair value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of 

intangible asset. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. We evaluate the 
recoverability of our intangible assets with definite lives and long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of intangible assets with definite lives and 
long-lived assets are measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the 
asset is expected to generate. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the 
difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we determined there were no impairments of our intangible assets with definite 

lives or long-lived assets.

Advertising Costs

We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs totaled $11.4 million, $4.1 million and $4.6 million for the years 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Advertising costs are included within sales and marketing expenses on 
our consolidated statements of operations.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method as required by accounting standards codification, or ASC 

740, "Income Taxes," which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax 
consequences of events that are included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax 
rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax 
assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such 
a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary 
differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. During 2013, in 
connection with the EnergyHub acquisition, we acquired significant net operating losses, a deferred tax asset, which we 
recorded at its expected realizable value. Based on our historical and expected future taxable earnings, we believe it is more 
likely than not that we will realize all of the benefit of the existing deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. 
Accordingly, we have not recorded a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions based upon our business operations in those 

jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating uncertain tax positions. We record uncertain tax positions in 
accordance with ASC 740-10 on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that 
the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position, and (2) with respect to those tax positions that 
meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely 
to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. We record interest and penalties as a component of our 
income tax provision.

Comprehensive Income

Our comprehensive income for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was equal to our net income 

disclosed in the consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings per Share, or EPS

Our basic net income per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing the net income attributable to 

common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.

Our diluted net income per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by giving effect to all potentially dilutive 
common stock when determining the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. For purposes of the diluted net 

85

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

income per share calculation, options to purchase common stock, redeemable convertible preferred stock, restricted stock units 
and unvested shares issued upon the early exercise of options that are subject to repurchase are considered to be potential 
common stock.

We have issued securities other than common stock that participate in dividends ("participating securities"), and therefore 

utilize the two-class method to calculate net income per share. These participating securities include redeemable convertible 
preferred stock and unvested shares issued upon the early exercise of options that are subject to repurchase, both of which 
have non-forfeitable rights to participate in any dividends declared on our common stock. The two-class method requires a 
portion of net income to be allocated to the participating securities to determine the net income attributable to common 
stockholders. Net income attributable to the common stockholders is equal to the net income less dividends paid on redeemable 
convertible preferred stock and unvested shares with any remaining earnings allocated in accordance with the bylaws between 
the outstanding common and preferred stock as of the end of each period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):

In May 2014, the Financing Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, and International Accounting Standards Board jointly 

issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," a new revenue 
recognition standard that provides a framework for addressing revenue issues, improves the comparability of revenue 
recognition practices across industries, provides useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure 
requirements and simplifies the presentation of financial statements. From March to December 2016, amendments to Topic 606 
were issued to clarify numerous accounting topics, including, but not limited to: (i) the implementation guidance on principal 
versus agent considerations, (ii) the identification of performance obligations, (iii) the licensing implementation guidance, (iv) the 
objective of the collectibility criterion, (v) the application of the variable consideration guidance and modified retrospective 
transition method, (vi) the way in which impairment testing is performed and (vii) the disclosure requirements for revenue 
recognized from performance obligations. This guidance permits the use of either a full retrospective method or a modified 
retrospective method. This guidance was effective beginning January 1, 2018.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted Topic 606 by applying the modified retrospective transition method to all of our contracts. 

Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the 
periods presented. The adoption of Topic 606 did not have a material impact on our revenue recognition policies, however, as a 
result of adopting the new standard, we changed our treatment of commissions paid to employees, which we previously 
expensed as incurred. Under the new standard, we capitalize a portion of our commission costs as an incremental cost of 
obtaining a contract and amortize our commission costs over a period of three years, which is consistent with the period over 
which the products and services related to the commission are transferred to the customer. Based on the results of our 
evaluation, the adoption of Topic 606 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended 
December 31, 2018. Additionally, the cumulative effect to the opening balance sheet on January 1, 2018 from the adoption of 
Topic 606 was not material.

Other Accounting Standards:

On May 10, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Scope of 
Modification Accounting," which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The 
update provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity 
would be required to apply modification accounting under Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718. Specifically, an 
entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions and classification of the awards are the same 
immediately before and after the modification. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, 
and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2017-09 during the first quarter of 
2018 and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

On January 5, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a 
Business," which provides guidance to assist entities in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. 
To be considered a business, an acquisition would have to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly 
contribute to the ability to create outputs. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and 
interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2017-01 during the first quarter of 2018 
and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial 
Liabilities (Topic 825-10)" and in February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, "Technical Corrections and Improvements to 
Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10)." These ASUs require entities to carry all investments in equity securities at fair 

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ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. Under these standards, equity investments that do not have readily 
determinable fair values are measured at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price 
changes in orderly transactions for an identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The guidance in ASU 2016-01 is 
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance in 
ASU 2018-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years 
beginning after June 15, 2018. We adopted ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2018-03 in 2018 and the adoption of these ASUs did not 
have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Not Yet Adopted

On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)," which provides 
guidance designed to provide financial statement users with more information about the expected credit losses on financial 
instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. When determining such 
expected credit losses, the guidance requires companies to apply a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and 
requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The 
amendment is effective on a modified retrospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods 
within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We 
are currently assessing the impact this pronouncement may have on our trade receivables and notes receivables.

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" or Topic 842, which requires lessees to 
recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet. The update also 
requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash 
flows arising from leases. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and 
interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We plan to adopt Topic 842 effective January 1, 2019. 
The update must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. In July 2018, the FASB amended the update to allow 
entities to apply the transition requirements of Topic 842 at the adoption date rather than at the beginning of the earliest 
comparative period presented. We plan to use this optional transition method, which will require us to record the effect of initially 
applying Topic 842 as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings on January 1, 2019.

We plan to use the package of practical expedients for the adoption of Topic 842, which will allow us not to reassess: (i) 
whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (iii) 
whether initial direct costs for any existing leases qualify for capitalization under Topic 842. Additionally, we plan to use the 
hindsight practical expedient when determining the lease term and assessing impairment of right-of-use assets. While we are still 
evaluating the impact the update will have on our consolidated financial statements, we estimate that the adoption of Topic 842 
will result in the recognition of approximately $28.4 million of leased right-of-use assets, $1.1 million of property and equipment, 
$29.4 million of lease liabilities, net of the reduction to deferred rent liability, and less than $0.1 million as a reduction of 
accumulated deficit, within the consolidated balance sheets as of January 1, 2019. We do not expect the adoption of Topic 842 
to have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations.

On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - 
Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement," which provides guidance designed to improve the 
effectiveness of fair value measurement disclosures in notes to the financial statements. The update removes several existing 
disclosure requirements, including, but not limited to: (i) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of 
the fair value hierarchy, (ii) the policy for timing of transfers between levels and (iii) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value 
measurements. The update also adds additional disclosure requirements for public companies, including but not limited to: (i) the 
changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value 
measurements held at the end of the reporting period and (ii) the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs 
used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The update also modifies and clarifies several existing disclosure 
requirements. The amendment in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods 
within those fiscal years. The additional disclosure requirements and one of the modifications to an existing disclosure 
requirement should be applied prospectively while all other disclosure changes should be applied retrospectively to all periods 
presented upon the effective date. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact this pronouncement may 
have on our fair value measurement disclosures; however, this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on our 
consolidated financial statements.

87

 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Note 3. Accounts Receivable, Net

The components of accounts receivable, net are as follows (in thousands):

Accounts receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for product returns
Accounts receivable, net

December 31,

2018

2017

$

$

52,850
(1,425)
(1,915)
49,510

$

$

44,554
(1,449)
(2,471)
40,634

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded a provision for doubtful accounts of $0.1 million, $0.5 

million and $0.6 million, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded a $0.3 million, $2.1 million and $2.1 million reserve 

for product returns in our hardware and other revenue, respectively. Historically, we have not experienced write-offs for 
uncollectible accounts or sales returns that have differed significantly from our estimates.

Note 4. Inventory, Net

The components of inventory, net are as follows (in thousands):

Raw materials
Finished goods

Total inventory, net

Note 5. Property and Equipment, Net

December 31,

2018

2017

$

$

6,396
16,594
22,990

$

$

7,484
6,693
14,177

Furniture and fixtures, computer software and equipment, leasehold improvements and real property are recorded at cost 

and presented net of depreciation. We record land at historical cost. During the application development phase, we record 
capitalized development costs in our construction in progress account and then reclass the asset to internal-use software when 
the project is ready for its intended use, which is usually when the code goes into production. Furniture and fixtures and 
computer software and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from three to five years. Internal-
use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over a three-year period. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-
line basis over the shorter of the lease terms or the asset lives. Real property is amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 years.

The components of property and equipment, net are as follows (in thousands):

Furniture and fixtures
Computer software and equipment
Internal-use software
Construction in progress
Leasehold improvements
Real property
Land

Total property and equipment

Accumulated depreciation

Property and equipment, net

December 31,

2018

2017

4,102
16,228
5,072
3,790
18,338
707
508
48,745
(20,988)
27,757

$

$

3,699
11,624
1,643
4,605
15,849
502
398
38,320
(14,861)
23,459

$

$

Depreciation expense related to property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $5.7 

million, $5.4 million and $4.7 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to internal-use software of $0.8 million, $0.4 
million and $0.4 million was included in those expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

88

 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Within the Alarm.com segment, we disposed of and wrote off $1.4 million and $0.8 million of capitalized costs to research and 
development expenses within the consolidated statements of operations primarily related to the design of internal-use software 
that no longer met the requirements for capitalization during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no 
disposals and write-offs of property and equipment that impacted the consolidated statements of operations during the year 
ended December 31, 2016.

Note 6. Acquisitions

Connect and Piper Business Units from Icontrol Networks, Inc.

On March 8, 2017, in accordance with the asset purchase agreement we entered into with Icontrol Networks, Inc., or 
Icontrol, on June 23, 2016, we acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the Connect line of business and all of 
the outstanding equity interests of the two subsidiaries through which Icontrol conducted its Piper line of business, or the 
Acquisition. Connect provides an interactive security and home automation platform for service providers. Piper provides an all-
in-one video and home automation hub. We expect the addition of new technology infrastructure, talent, key relationships and 
hardware devices to help accelerate our development of intelligent, data-driven smart residential and commercial property 
services. 

 The cash consideration was $148.5 million, after the estimated working capital adjustment, of which $14.5 million was 
deposited in escrow and was released in accordance with the asset purchase agreement upon the finalization of indemnification 
obligations of Icontrol stockholders and the final determination of closing working capital. We used $81.5 million of cash on hand 
and drew $67.0 million under our senior line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank, or SVB, and a syndicate of lenders to fund the 
Acquisition. 

The Acquisition also included non-cash consideration. In accordance with the terms of the asset purchase agreement, we 
were obligated to assume the Icontrol 2013 Equity Incentive Plan and Icontrol 2003 Stock Plan, or collectively, the Icontrol Plans, 
and converted the 2,001,387 unvested employee stock options into 70,406 Alarm.com stock options using a conversion ratio 
stated in the agreement to convert the original exercise price and number of options. The fair value of the unvested stock options 
on the date of the Acquisition was $1.7 million calculated using a Black-Scholes model with a volatility and risk-free interest rate 
over the expected term of the options and the closing price of the Alarm.com common stock on the date of acquisition. We 
applied our graded vesting accounting policy to the fair value of these assumed options and determined $1.4 million of the fair 
value was attributable to pre-combination services and was included as a component of total purchase consideration. The 
remaining $0.3 million of the fair value was determined to be attributable to post-combination services and will be recognized 
over the remaining service periods of the stock options.

The table below sets forth the purchase consideration and the fair value allocation of the tangible and intangible net assets 

acquired (in thousands):

Calculation of Purchase Consideration:

Cash paid, net of working capital adjustment

Assumed stock options

Total consideration

Estimated Tangible and Intangible Net Assets:

Cash

Accounts receivable 

Current assets

Long-term assets

Customer relationships

Developed technology

Trade name

Current liabilities

Long-term liabilities

Goodwill

Total estimated tangible and intangible net assets

89

March 8, 2017

$

$

$

$

148,500

1,375

149,875

211
11,421

883

4,446

93,260

4,770

170

(1,608)

(288)

36,610

149,875

 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Goodwill of $36.6 million reflects the value of acquired workforce and synergies we expect to achieve from integrating 
support for Connect's security service providers and for the Software platform. The goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes. 
We allocated goodwill to reporting units based on expected benefit from our synergies, and have allocated the goodwill to the 
Alarm.com segment.

The purchase price allocation for the Acquisition was finalized during the third quarter of 2017. The final fair value of the 
assets and liabilities related to the Acquisition reflects an increase of $0.1 million in tangible assets, net and a decrease of $0.1 
million in goodwill based on working capital adjustments identified by us.

Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired and Intangibles

In accordance with ASC 805, the business units acquired in the Acquisition constituted a business and the assets and 
liabilities were recorded at their respective fair values as of March 8, 2017. We developed our estimate of the fair value of 
intangible net assets using a multi-period excess earnings method for customer relationships, the relief from royalty method for 
the developed technology and the relief from royalty method for the trade name. 

Customer Relationships

We recorded the customer relationships intangible separately from goodwill based on determination of the length, strength 

and contractual nature of the relationship that Connect shared with its customers. We valued two groups of customer 
relationships using the multi-period excess earnings method, an income approach. We used several assumptions in the income 
approach, including attrition and renewal rate, margin and discount rate. We are amortizing the first customer relationship, 
valued at $92.5 million, on an attribution basis derived from the discounted cash flows of the model over an estimated useful life 
of twelve years and the second group of customer relationships, valued at $0.8 million, on the same basis, over an estimated 
useful life of four years.

Developed Technology

Developed technology primarily consists of intellectual property of proprietary software that is marketed for sale. The 

Software platform is software for interactive security, automation and related solutions that is typically deployed and operated by 
the service provider in its own network operations center. We valued the developed technology by applying the relief from royalty 
method, an income approach. We used several assumptions in the relief from royalty method, which included royalty rate and 
discount rate. We are amortizing the Connect developed technology, valued at $4.4 million, on an attribution method based on 
the discounted cash flows of the model over an estimated useful life of three years. Other developed technologies, valued at 
$0.3 million, were also acquired. 

Trade Name

We determined that there was no fair value for the Connect trade name as the largest service provider partner for Connect 
had re-branded the interactive security and automation platform and marketed it under the service provider partner's own name. 
We valued the other trade names acquired using a relief from royalty method. We used several assumptions in the income 
approach, including royalty and discount rates. We are amortizing the other trade names, valued at $0.2 million, on an attribution 
basis derived from the discounted cash flows of the model over an estimated useful life of three years. 

Deferred Tax Asset

The equity interests in the subsidiaries we acquired provided for a carryover tax basis in goodwill and intangible assets that 

arose from a previous acquisition. We recorded a deferred tax asset of $4.1 million that represents the excess of the carryover 
tax basis in those previously acquired goodwill and intangible assets over the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets we 
recorded on the date of the Acquisition.

ObjectVideo

On January 1, 2017, in accordance with an asset purchase agreement, we acquired certain assets of ObjectVideo, Inc., or 
ObjectVideo, that constituted a business now called ObjectVideo Labs, LLC, or ObjectVideo Labs, including products, technology 
portfolio and engineering team. ObjectVideo is a pioneer in the fields of video analytics and computer vision with technology that 
extracts meaning and intelligence from video streams in real-time to enable object tracking, pattern recognition and activity 
identification. We anticipate that the ObjectVideo Labs engineering team's capabilities and expertise will accelerate our research 
and development of video services and video analytic applications. In addition, ObjectVideo Labs will continue to perform 
advanced research and engineering services for the federal government. The consideration included $6.0 million of cash paid at 
closing. 

90

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The table below sets forth the purchase consideration and the fair value allocation of the tangible and intangible net assets 

acquired (in thousands):

Calculation of Purchase Consideration:

Cash paid, net of working capital adjustment

Estimated Tangible and Intangible Net Assets:

Developed technology

Current liabilities

Goodwill

Total estimated tangible and intangible net assets

January 1, 2017

$

$

$

6,000

3,800

(58)

2,258

6,000

Goodwill of $2.3 million reflects the value of acquired workforce and expected synergies from pairing ObjectVideo Labs' 

video analytics capabilities with our offerings. The goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes. 

The purchase price allocation for the ObjectVideo Labs acquisition was finalized during the third quarter of 2017. The final 

fair value of the assets and liabilities related to the ObjectVideo Labs acquisition reflects an increase of $0.4 million in developed 
technology and a decrease of $0.4 million in goodwill as well as a corresponding change to amortization of the developed 
technology based on our use of the replacement cost method to value the developed technology.

Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired and Intangibles

In accordance with ASC 805, the assets and liabilities of ObjectVideo Labs we acquired were recorded at their respective 
fair values as of January 1, 2017, the date of the acquisition. We developed our estimate of the fair value of intangible assets 
using the replacement cost method for the developed technology. 

Developed Technology

Developed technology recorded separately from goodwill consists of intellectual property such as proprietary software used 

internally for revenue producing activities. ObjectVideo Labs proprietary software consists of source code and video analytics 
testing programs used internally to provide video analytics consulting services and research and development to customers and 
for the SaaS Alarm.com platform. We valued the developed technology by applying the replacement cost method. We used 
several assumptions in this cost approach, which included analyzing costs that a company would expect to incur to recreate an 
asset of equivalent utility. We are amortizing the developed technology, valued at $3.8 million, on a straight-line basis over an 
estimated useful life of two years which coincides with the rapidly developing technology of video analytics.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The following unaudited pro forma data is presented as if the Acquisition and ObjectVideo Labs were included in our 

historical consolidated statements of operations beginning January 1, 2016. These pro forma results do not necessarily 
represent what would have occurred if all the business combinations had taken place on January 1, 2016, nor do they represent 
the results that may occur in the future.

This pro forma financial information includes our historical financial statements and those of our business combinations with 

the following adjustments: (i) we adjusted the pro forma amounts for income taxes, (ii) we applied interest expense as if the 
additional borrowing for the acquisitions were as of January 1, 2016, (iii) we adjusted for amortization expense assuming the fair 
value adjustments to intangible assets had been applied beginning January 1, 2016, and (iv) we adjusted for transaction fees 
incurred and reclassified them to January 1, 2016.

91

 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The pro forma adjustments were based on available information and upon assumptions that we believe are reasonable to 
reflect the impact of these acquisitions on our historical financial information on a supplemental pro forma basis, as follows (in 
thousands):

Revenue
Net income
Net income per diluted share

Business Combinations in Operations

Pro forma
Year Ended December 31,

2017

2016

$

$

350,007
33,191
0.68

$

$

322,238
6,173
0.13

The operations of each of the business combinations discussed above were included in the consolidated financial 

statements as of each of their respective acquisition dates. The following table presents the revenue and earnings of the 
business combinations in the year of acquisition as reported within the consolidated financial statements (in thousands):

Revenue
Net loss

Year Ended
December 31, 2017
33,418
$
(4,072)

For the Acquisition, we included the results of Connect's operations since its acquisition date in the Alarm.com segment and 

the results of Piper's operations since its acquisition date in the Other segment. We included the results of ObjectVideo Labs 
operations since its acquisition date in the Alarm.com segment.

Note 7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net

The changes in goodwill by reportable segment are outlined below (in thousands):

Balance as of January 1, 2017
Goodwill acquired
Balance as of December 31, 2017
Goodwill acquired
Balance as of December 31, 2018

Alarm.com

Other

Total

$

$

24,723
38,868
63,591
—
63,591

$

$

— $
—
—
—
— $

24,723
38,868
63,591
—
63,591

On January 1, 2017, we acquired ObjectVideo Labs and recorded $2.3 million of goodwill in the Alarm.com segment. On 

March 8, 2017, in connection with the Acquisition, we recorded $36.6 million of goodwill in the Alarm.com segment. There were 
no impairments of goodwill recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 or 2016. As of December 31, 2018, the 
accumulated balance of goodwill impairments was $4.8 million, which is related to our acquisition of EnergyHub in 2013.

The following table reflects changes in the net carrying amount of the components of intangible assets (in thousands):

Balance as of January 1, 2017
Intangible assets acquired
Amortization

Balance as of December 31, 2017

Amortization

Balance as of December 31, 2018

Customer
Relationships
3,363
$
93,260
(8,097)
88,526
(11,262)
77,264

$

$

$

Developed
Technology

Trade Name

Total

1,048
8,570
(4,086)
5,532
(3,854)
1,678

$

$

157
170
(99)
228
(103)
125

$

$

4,568
102,000
(12,282)
94,286
(15,219)
79,067

We recorded $15.2 million, $12.3 million and $1.8 million of amortization related to our intangible assets for the years ended 

December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. There were no impairments of long-lived assets during the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

92

 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following tables reflect the weighted-average remaining life and carrying value of finite-lived intangible assets (in 

thousands):

December 31, 2018

Customer relationships
Developed technology
Trade name
Other

Total intangible assets

Customer relationships
Developed technology
Trade name
Other

Total intangible assets

Gross
Carrying
Amount

103,926
13,959
1,084
234
119,203

Gross
Carrying
Amount

103,926
13,959
1,084
234
119,203

$

$

$

$

Accumulated
Amortization
$

(26,662) $
(12,281)
(959)
(234)
(40,136) $

Net
Carrying
Value

77,264
1,678
125
—
79,067

Weighted-
Average
Remaining Life
9.9
2.1
2.4
—

$

$

December 31, 2017
Net
Carrying
Value

Accumulated
Amortization
$

(15,400) $
(8,427)
(856)
(234)
(24,917) $

88,526
5,532
228
—
94,286

Weighted-
Average
Remaining Life
10.8
2.1
3.3
—

The following table reflects the future estimated amortization expense for intangible assets (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 and thereafter

Total future amortization expense

Amortization
13,644
$
12,217
11,062
9,371
7,842
24,931
79,067

$

Note 8. Other Assets

Purchases of Patents and Patent Licenses

From time to time, we enter into agreements to purchase patents or patent licenses. The carrying value, net of amortization, 
of our purchased patents and patent licenses was $2.9 million and $2.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, $0.5 million of patent costs were included in other current assets and $2.4 million and $1.9 
million of patent costs were included in other assets, respectively. In October 2018, we purchased six patents for $1.1 million, 
which increased our historical patent costs related to purchased patents and patent licenses to $5.9 million. We are amortizing 
the patent costs over the estimated useful lives of the patents, which range from three years to twelve years. Patent cost 
amortization of $0.5 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million was included in cost of SaaS and license revenue in our consolidated 
statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Patent cost amortization of less 
than $0.1 million was included in amortization and depreciation in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended 
December 31, 2018. There was no amortization of patent costs included in amortization and depreciation during the years ended 
December 31, 2017 and 2016.

93

 
 
 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Loan to a Distribution Partner

In September 2016, we entered into dealer and loan agreements with a distribution partner. The dealer agreement enables 
the distribution partner to resell our SaaS services and hardware to their subscribers. Under the loan agreements, we agreed to 
loan the distribution partner up to $4.0 million, collateralized by all assets owned by the distribution partner. The advance period 
for the loan was amended in August 2017 to begin each year on September 1 and end each year on December 31. Interest on 
the outstanding principal accrued at a rate per annum equal to the greater of 6.0% or the Eurodollar Base Rate, or LIBOR, plus 
4.0%, as determined on the first date of each annual advance period. The repayment of principal and accrued interest was due 
in three installments beginning in July and ending in August following the advance period. The term date of the loan was August 
31, 2019; however, the borrower had the option to extend the term of the loan for two successive terms of one year each.

In May 2018, the loan agreement with our distribution partner was amended to convert the entire $4.0 million note 
receivable outstanding into a $4.0 million term loan. The term loan matures on July 31, 2022 and requires annual principal 
repayments of $1.0 million on July 31 of each year, commencing on July 31, 2019. The term loan also requires monthly interest 
payments, with interest accruing on the outstanding principal balance at a rate per annum equal to 6.0% through June 30, 2018 
and a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR rate on the first of any interest period plus 7.0% beginning on July 1, 2018. As of 
December 31, 2018, $1.0 million and $3.0 million of the note receivable balance was included in other current assets and other 
assets in our consolidated balance sheets, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the $4.0 million note receivable balance was 
included in other current assets.

In April 2017, we entered into a subordinated credit agreement with an affiliated entity of the distribution partner and loaned 
the affiliated entity $3.0 million, with a maturity date of November 21, 2022. Interest on the outstanding principal balance accrues 
at a rate of 8.5% per annum and requires monthly interest payments. The $3.0 million loan receivable balance was included in 
other assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recognized $1.3 million and $1.2 million of revenue from the 

distribution partners associated with these loans.

Loan to a Supplier

In October 2018, we entered into a Promissory Note with one of our suppliers, which was amended in November 2018, 
January 2019 and February 2019 as a result of the supplier's financial restructuring. Under the Promissory Note, we agreed to 
provide the supplier up to $6.6 million, collateralized by all assets owned by the supplier and subject to certain liens from another 
secured creditor. Interest on the outstanding principal is accrued at a rate per annum equal to 12.0%, of which 6.0% per annum 
is payable in cash and the remaining 6.0% per annum is payable in kind. The repayment of accrued interest is due quarterly 
beginning with the quarter ending March 31, 2019. The repayment of principal is due at the term date, which is the earlier of (i) 
October 3, 2023, (ii) the occurrence of a change of control, (iii) one day following the maturity day of the supplier's senior 
indebtedness or (iv) immediately upon the acceleration of the supplier's senior indebtedness.

As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding balance on the Promissory Note was $3.4 million, including paid-in-kind interest, 

and was included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets prior to any adjustments for impairment. The Promissory 
Note was funded by converting $2.0 million of prepaid assets and a disbursement of $1.3 million of cash. Based on our 
recoverability assessment, we believed it was probable that the Promissory Note was fully impaired as of December 31, 2018. 
Accordingly, an impairment of $3.3 million and a reduction of $0.1 million of paid-in-kind interest was recorded during the three 
months ended December 31, 2018. The impairment charge was included in general and administrative expense in our 
consolidated statements of operations. See Note 2 for further details on our recoverability assessment and subsequent 
agreements with the supplier.

94

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Note 9. Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

Fair value measurements in:
Assets:

Money market account

Total

Liabilities:

Subsidiary unit awards

Total

Fair value measurements in:
Assets:

Money market account

Total

Liabilities:

Subsidiary unit awards

Total

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis as of
December 31, 2018

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

117,392

117,392

$

$

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

117,392

117,392

385

385

$

$

385

385

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis as of
December 31, 2017

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

65,620

65,620

$

$

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

3,160

3,160

$

$

65,620

65,620

3,160

3,160

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

The following table summarizes the change in fair value of the Level 3 liabilities for subsidiary unit awards with significant 

unobservable inputs (in thousands):

Beginning of period balance

Total losses included in earnings

Settlements

End of period balance

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant 
Unobservable Inputs

Year Ended
December 31, 2018

Year Ended
December 31, 2017

$

$

3,160

$

27

(2,802)

385

$

2,768

392

—

3,160

The money market account is included in our cash and cash equivalents in our consolidated balance sheets. Our money 

market assets are valued using quoted prices in active markets.

The liability for the subsidiary unit awards relates to agreements established with employees of our subsidiaries for cash 

awards contingent upon the subsidiary companies meeting certain financial milestones such as revenue, working capital, 
EBITDA and EBITDA margin. We account for these subsidiary awards using fair value and establish liabilities for the future 
payment for the repurchase of subsidiary units under the terms of the agreements based on estimating revenue, working capital, 
EBITDA and EBITDA margin of the subsidiary units over the periods of the awards through the anticipated repurchase dates. We 
estimated the fair value of each liability by using a Monte Carlo simulation model for determining each of the projected measures 
by using an expected distribution of potential outcomes. The fair value of each liability is calculated with thousands of projected 
outcomes, the results of which are averaged and then discounted to estimate the present value. At each reporting date until the 
respective payment dates, we will remeasure these liabilities, using the same valuation approach based on the applicable 
subsidiary's revenue and future collection of financed customer receivables, the unobservable inputs, and we will record any 
changes in the employee's compensation expense. Some of the awards are subject to the employees' continued employment 
and therefore recorded on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we 
settled $2.8 million of the liability related to the subsidiary unit awards. The remaining liability balances are included in either 
accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities or other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets (see Note 
11).

95

 
 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

We monitor the availability of observable market data to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within 

the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of 
financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the 
reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. 
We also monitor the value of the investments for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. No other-than-temporary 
impairments occurred during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Note 10. Liabilities

The components of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

Accounts payable

Accrued expenses

Subsidiary unit awards

Other current liabilities

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

The components of other liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

$

$

20,214

$

17,008

34,557

200

3,459

4,301

2,802

4,973

58,430

$

29,084

Deferred rent

Other liabilities

Other liabilities

Note 11. Debt, Commitments and Contingencies

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

$

$

11,656

1,650

13,306

$

$

12,279

1,646

13,925

The debt, commitments and contingencies described below would require us, or our subsidiaries, to make payments to third 

parties under certain circumstances.

Debt

On October 6, 2017, we entered into a $125.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, or the 2017 Facility, with SVB, 
as administrative agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as documentation agent, and a syndicate of lenders. Upon entry into 
the 2017 Facility, we borrowed $72.0 million, which was used to repay the previously outstanding balance under our previous 
credit facility. The 2017 Facility matures in October 2022 and includes an option to further increase the borrowing capacity to 
$175.0 million with the consent of the lenders. Costs incurred in connection with the 2017 Facility were capitalized and are being 
amortized as interest expense over the term of the 2017 Facility. The 2017 Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets, 
including our intellectual property. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we repaid $4.0 million and $1.0 million 
of the outstanding balance of the 2017 Facility.

The outstanding principal balance on the 2017 Facility accrues interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either (1) LIBOR, 

plus an applicable margin based on our consolidated leverage ratio, or (2) the highest of (a) the Wall Street Journal prime rate, 
(b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, or (c) LIBOR plus 1.00% plus an applicable margin based on our consolidated leverage 
ratio. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we elected for the outstanding principal balance to accrue interest at LIBOR plus 
1.50%, LIBOR plus 1.75%, LIBOR plus 2.00%, and LIBOR plus 2.50% when our consolidated leverage ratio is less than 
1.00:1.00, greater than or equal to 1.00:1.00 but less than 2.00:1.00, greater than or equal to 2.00:1.00 but less than 3.00:1.00 
and greater than or equal to 3.00:1.00, respectively. The 2017 Facility also carries an unused line commitment fee of 0.20%. For 
the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the effective interest rate on the credit facilities was 4.13%, 4.16% and 
5.81%.

The carrying value of the 2017 Facility was $67.0 million and $71.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The 2017 

Facility includes a variable interest rate that approximates market rates and, as such, we classified the liability as Level 2 within 
the fair value hierarchy and determined that the carrying amount of the 2017 Facility approximated its fair value as of 
December 31, 2018 and 2017. The 2017 Facility contains various financial and other covenants that require us to maintain a 
maximum consolidated leverage ratio not to exceed 3.50:1.00 and a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 

96

 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

1.25:1.00. As of December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants and there were no 
events of default.

On November 30, 2018, we amended the 2017 Facility to incorporate the parameters that must be met for us to repurchase 
our outstanding common stock under the stock repurchase program authorized by our board of directors on November 29, 2018 
(see Note 12).

Commitments and Contingencies

Repurchase of Subsidiary Units

In 2011, we formed a subsidiary that offers to professional residential property management and vacation rental 

management companies technology solutions for remote monitoring and control of properties, including access control and 
energy management. Since its formation, we granted an award of subsidiary stock to the founder and president. The vesting of 
the award is based upon the subsidiary meeting certain minimum financial targets from the date of commercial availability, which 
was determined to be June 1, 2013, until the fourth anniversary. In 2016, we amended the term of the award, extending the 
valuation date for the first payment in cash to December 31, 2017, amending the financial targets and allowing for payments in 
cash based on the future collection of financed customer receivables from 2018 to 2020 that existed as of the valuation date. 
During 2018, we settled $2.8 million of the liability related to the subsidiary unit awards. We recorded a liability of $0.2 million in 
accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.2 million in other liabilities related to this commitment in 
our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018. We recorded a liability of $2.8 million in accounts payable, accrued 
expenses and other current liabilities and a liability of $0.4 million in other liabilities related to this commitment in our 
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017.

At each reporting date until the respective payment dates, we will remeasure these liabilities, and we will record any 

changes in fair value in general and administrative expense (see Note 9).

Leases

We lease office space and office equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through 

2026. We recognize rent expense for lease payments on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term and amortize tenant 
improvement allowances over the term of the lease. In August 2014, we signed a lease for new office space in Tysons, Virginia, 
where we relocated our headquarters in February 2016. The lease term ends in 2026 and includes a five-year renewal option, an 
$8.0 million tenant improvement allowance and scheduled rent increases. During 2016, we entered into amendments to this 
lease which provided for 30,662 square feet of additional office space and an additional $1.7 million in tenant improvement 
allowance. We took possession of the additional space in February 2017 and we were allowed to utilize the tenant improvement 
allowance for design prior to moving into the space. In October 2018, we entered into another amendment to the lease for our 
corporate headquarters, which provides for 23,493 square feet of additional office space and an additional $1.1 million in tenant 
improvement allowance. We took possession of the additional space in November 2018 and have not utilized the tenant 
improvement allowance for the additional space. As of December 31, 2018, $9.7 million of the total $10.8 million tenant 
improvement allowance was utilized.

Rent expense was $6.3 million, $6.2 million and $4.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 

respectively.

The following table presents the future minimum lease payments under the non-cancelable operating leases as of 

December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 and thereafter
Total

Minimum Lease Payments
7,044
$
7,168
6,974
6,719
6,348
14,838
49,091

$

97

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Indemnification Agreements

We have various agreements that may obligate us to indemnify the other party to the agreement with respect to certain 
matters. Generally, these indemnification provisions are included in contracts arising in the normal course of business. Although 
we cannot predict the maximum potential amount of future payments that may become due under these indemnification 
agreements, we do not believe any potential liability that might arise from such indemnity provisions is probable or material.

Letters of Credit

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had no outstanding letters of credit under the 2017 Facility.

Legal Proceedings 

In September 2014, Icontrol Networks, Inc., or Icontrol, filed a Complaint in the United States District Court, District of 
Delaware, asserting that SecureNet Technologies, LLC, or SecureNet, infringes certain U.S. Patents owned by Icontrol, patents 
now owned by Alarm.com through a subsidiary. In March 2015, Icontrol voluntarily agreed to dismiss the case, reserving the right 
to refile. In September 2015, Icontrol refiled the case against SecureNet in the same district court alleging infringement of some 
of the same patents. In March 2017, Alarm.com acquired certain assets and intellectual property from Icontrol, including the 
patents in suit and the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit. The Court conducted a jury trial in February 2019, which resulted in a 
finding that upheld the validity of the patent claims in one of the patents at issue, but that SecureNet did not infringe certain 
claims of the three Icontrol patents in suit. Any appeal of the verdict will be due 30 days after the Court enters a final judgment.

On August 24, 2017, Alarm.com Incorporated and its wholly owned subsidiary ICN Acquisition, LLC, filed a patent 

infringement complaint against ipDatatel, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The parties 
subsequently stipulated to transfer the case to the Southern District of Texas. The complaint seeks injunctive relief to stop the 
further sale of the infringing ipDatatel’s products and systems, and damages for the infringement of Alarm.com’s patents. The 
complaint asserts that the technology in the ipDatatel products infringe one or more claims of Alarm.com’s patents: United States 
Patent Numbers 7,113,090; 7,633,385; 7,956,736; 8,478,871; and 9,141,276. If the litigation is successful, Alarm.com will be 
entitled to receive monetary damages, injunctive relief, and any other relief, including attorneys' fees, from ipDatatel. The Court 
has scheduled commencement of trial in August 2019. ipDatatel's motion for dismissal based on alleged patent ineligibility as to 
each patent in suit was denied without prejudice but ipDatatel renewed the motion. On July 26, 2018, ipDatatel answered the 
complaint by denying the patent infringement allegations and asserting several affirmative defenses, including invalidity and 
unenforceability. ipDatatel also asserted antitrust counterclaims based on alleged inequitable conduct in connection with the 
prosecution of one or more patents-in-suit. In September 2018, ipDataTel filed petitions for inter partes review of four of the 
patents-in-suit before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board, or PTAB. On October 19, 2018, the Court issued a claim 
construction which, among other things, determined that certain claim terms of two of the patents-in-suit were indefinite. Fact 
discovery is ongoing and opening expert reports are due in March 2019.

On April 25, 2017, Alarm.com Incorporated and its wholly owned subsidiary ICN Acquisition, LLC, filed a patent infringement 

complaint against Protect America, Inc., or Protect America, and SecureNet Technologies, LLC, or SecureNet, in the United 
States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The complaint seeks injunctive relief to stop the further sale of the 
infringing Protect America and SecureNet products and systems, and damages for the infringement of Alarm.com’s patents. The 
complaint asserts that the technology in the Protect America and SecureNet Alarm Systems products infringe one or more claims 
of Alarm.com’s patents: United States Patent Numbers 7,113,090; 7,633,385; 8,395,494; 8,493,202; 8,612,591; 8,860,804; and 
9,141,276. If the litigation is successful, Alarm.com will be entitled to receive monetary damages, injunctive relief, and any other 
relief, including attorneys' fees, from Protect America and SecureNet. In June 2017, Alarm.com filed an amended complaint 
against Protect America only and voluntarily dismissed SecureNet from the suit, reserving the right to refile. In September 2017, 
Alarm.com voluntarily dismissed the amended complaint in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia and 
refiled a complaint against Protect America, with substantially the same allegations, in the United States District Court of the 
Eastern District of Texas. The parties subsequently stipulated to transfer the case to the Western District of Texas. The Court has 
scheduled a claim construction hearing for May 2019, but has not yet scheduled a jury trial.

On June 2, 2015, Vivint, Inc., or Vivint, filed a lawsuit against us in U.S. District Court, District of Utah, alleging that our 
technology directly and indirectly infringes six patents that Vivint purchased. Vivint is seeking permanent injunctions, enhanced 
damages and attorneys' fees. We answered the complaint on July 23, 2015. Among other things, we asserted defenses based 
on non-infringement and invalidity of the patents in question. On August 19, 2016, the U.S. District Court, District of Utah stayed 
the litigation pending inter partes review by the PTAB of five of the patents in suit. In March 2017, the PTAB issued final written 
decisions relating to two patents finding all challenged claims unpatentable. In May 2017, the PTAB issued final written decisions 
relating to the remaining three patents that found certain claims unpatentable, while certain other claims were not found to be 
unpatentable. Vivint appealed the decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or the Federal Circuit, and we 
cross-appealed. In July 2018, the Federal Circuit issued orders affirming the PTAB’s March 2017 decisions that invalidated all 
challenged claims of two patents. The U.S. District Court, District of Utah lifted the stay on the litigation on June 26, 2017, with 
Vivint proceeding with its case on four of the six patents in its complaint. No trial date has been set. In September 2017, the U.S. 

98

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Patent and Trademark Office, or PTO, ordered ex parte reexaminations of certain claims of two of the remaining patents in suit, 
at our request. On October 30, 2018 and November 5, 2018, the PTO issued final office actions in the pending reexaminations 
rejecting all claims being examined as unpatentable over the prior art. On December 7, 2018, the U.S. District Court, District of 
Utah ordered that (i) litigation regarding the nine claims (from two patents) rejected by the PTO during the reexaminations be 
stayed until May 15, 2019 and (ii) a hearing on the parties’ cross motions for claim construction and Alarm.com’s motions for 
partial summary judgment as to invalidity and infringement be set for April 3, 2019. On December 20, 2018, the Federal Circuit 
issued an order regarding the inter partes review of three of the remaining patents in suit that vacated, reversed and remanded 
the PTAB’s ruling with regard to the construction of a term (“communication device identification code”) as requested by 
Alarm.com and affirmed the PTAB’s May 2017 rulings invalidating certain of the Vivint patents in all other respects.

Should Vivint prevail in proving Alarm.com infringes one or more of its patent claims, we could be required to pay damages 
of Vivint’s lost profits and/or a reasonable royalty for sales of our solution, enjoined from making, using and selling our solution if 
a license or other right to continue selling such elements is not made available to us or we are unable to design around such 
patents, and required to pay ongoing royalties and comply with unfavorable terms if such a license is made available to us. The 
outcome of the legal claim and proceeding against us cannot be predicted with certainty. We believe we have valid defenses to 
Vivint’s claims. Based on currently available information, we determined a loss is not probable or reasonably estimable at this 
time.

On December 30, 2015, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against us in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District 
of California, or the Court, alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA. The complaint does not allege 
that Alarm.com itself violated the TCPA, but instead seeks to hold us responsible for the marketing activities of one of our service 
providers as well as calls made by one of this service provider’s sub-dealer agents under principles of agency and vicarious 
liability. On August 30, 2018, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the case for total cash consideration of $28.0 million. 
On October 25, 2018, we entered into a definitive settlement agreement, or Settlement Agreement, and submitted it to the Court 
for approval. In entering into the definitive settlement agreement, we are making no admission of liability. 

Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, among other things, (1) we agreed to pay total cash consideration of $28.0 million 

into a settlement fund, (2) we agreed to implement certain business practice changes to increase awareness of TCPA 
compliance, (3) each party to the Settlement Agreement agreed to a mutual release of claims relating to any claim or potential 
claim relating to the marketing activities described in the complaint, and (4) each party covenanted not to sue the other with 
regard to the released claims. In addition, we have agreed to no longer allow the service provider identified in the litigation as 
purportedly violating the TCPA to continue activating new accounts for Alarm.com products and services after preliminary Court 
approval of the Settlement Agreement.  

On December 19, 2018, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary approval of the Settlement Agreement and 
certified the class for settlement purposes. The Preliminary Approval Order provides that the administrator must commence the 
notice process no later than February 18, 2019. Class members will have sixty days from the commencement of notice to file 
claims, opt out of the settlement or object to the settlement. The Final Approval Hearing is currently scheduled for August 13, 
2019.

We made an initial payment of $5.0 million to the settlement administrator on January 2, 2019, and the remaining payment 
will take place ten business days after the effective date of the Settlement Agreement, which is five business days following the 
later of the following events: (1) the date upon which the time expires for filing a notice of appeal of the Court’s Final Approval 
Order and Judgment; or (2) if there is an appeal or appeals of the Final Approval Order and Judgment, and the appellate court 
enters an order either dismissing the appeal(s) or affirming the Final Approval Order and Judgment without material modification, 
the date upon which the time expires for seeking review of that order. The release of claims includes all alleged damages 
incurred related to the lawsuit. Any attorneys’ fees awarded by the Court and all costs of notice and claims administration will be 
paid from the settlement fund. 

The $28.0 million settlement is reflected in general and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of 
operations for the year ended December 31, 2018. The unpaid amount of the settlement is reflected as an accrued expense in 
accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities within our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 
2018.

On August 14, 2017, Alarm.com filed a lawsuit against ABS Capital Partners, Inc., ABS Partners V, LLC, ABS Partners VII, 
LLC, and Ralph Terkowitz in the Delaware Court of Chancery, or the Chancery Court. On September 22, 2017, Alarm.com filed 
an amended complaint against ABS Capital Partners, Inc., ABS Partners V, LLC, and ABS Partners VII, LLC, alleging claims of 
misappropriation of trade secrets and misappropriation of confidential information. The amended complaint seeks damages, 
declaratory relief, and injunctive relief enjoining the defendants from using Alarm.com’s trade secrets and confidential information 
to compete with Alarm.com. On October 6, 2017, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. On June 15, 2018, the 
Chancery Court dismissed our complaint. On July 13, 2018, Alarm.com filed a Notice of Appeal with the Delaware Supreme 
Court. On August 30, 2018, Alarm.com filed its Opening Brief in the Delaware Supreme Court. The defendants filed a response 
on October 1, 2018, and Alarm.com filed a reply on October 16, 2018. On February 6, 2019, the Supreme Court of Delaware 

99

  
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

heard oral argument on the appeal, and on February 7, 2019, the Supreme Court of Delaware summarily affirmed the Chancery 
Court’s dismissal of our complaint.

On March 29, 2018, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against us by Nick Fisher in the U.S. District Court for the 
Northern District of Illinois, alleging violations of the TCPA, and the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention 
Act, or TCFAPA. The complaint alleged that Alarm.com and another defendant, Nortek Security & Control LLC, violated the TCPA 
and TCFAPA through purportedly unauthorized telephone calls to Fisher, and sought to hold us responsible for the alleged calls, 
including under principles of agency and vicarious liability. The complaint sought monetary damages under the TCPA and 
TCFAPA, injunctive relief, and other relief, including attorneys' fees. We answered the complaint and filed a motion to dismiss the 
complaint on June 18, 2018. On November 1, 2018, the Court granted our motion to dismiss the complaint without prejudice as 
to plaintiff’s claims alleging vicarious liability for violations of the TCPA, and with prejudice as to plaintiff’s remaining claims. 

In addition to the matters described above, we may be a party to litigation and subject to claims incident to the ordinary 
course of business, and we may be required to provide indemnification to certain of our service provider partners for certain 
claims regarding our solutions. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we currently 
believe that the final outcome of these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business. 

Other than the preceding matters, we are not a party to any lawsuit or proceeding that, in the opinion of management, is 
reasonably possible or probable of having a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 
We reserve for contingent liabilities based on ASC 450, "Contingencies," when it is determined that a liability, inclusive of 
defense costs, is probable and reasonably estimable. Litigation is subject to many factors that are difficult to predict, so there can 
be no assurance that, in the event of a material unfavorable result in one or more claims, we will not incur material costs.

Note 12. Stockholders' Equity

Authorized shares

We are authorized to issue two classes of stock, common stock and preferred stock. On June 9, 2015, the board of directors 

amended and restated our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, effective upon the closing of our IPO on July 1, 
2015, and authorized us to issue up to 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred 
stock.

Common and Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were 48,103,038 and 47,215,720 shares of common stock issued, and 

48,102,081 and 47,202,310 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were 
no preferred shares issued and outstanding. Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share.

Stock Repurchase Program

On November 29, 2018, our board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program, under which we are authorized to 
purchase up to an aggregate of $75.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock during the two-year period ending 
November 29, 2020. No shares of the Company's stock were repurchased under this program during the year ended 
December 31, 2018.

Note 13. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is included in the following line items in the consolidated statements of operations (in 

thousands):

Stock-based compensation expense data:
Sales and marketing
General and administrative
Research and development

Total stock-based compensation expense

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

$

$

1,196
4,901
7,332
13,429

$

$

561
2,638
4,214
7,413

$

$

536
1,430
2,035
4,001

100

 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following table summarizes the components of non-cash stock-based compensation expense (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

Stock options and assumed options
Restricted stock units
Restricted stock awards
Employee stock purchase plan

Total stock-based compensation expense
Tax benefit from stock-based awards

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

$

$
$

3,511
9,770
1
147
13,429
7,581

$

$
$

3,913
3,366
19
115
7,413
12,719

$

$
$

3,783
141
—
77
4,001
5,048

We issue stock options pursuant to our 2015 Plan. The 2015 Plan allows for the grant of stock options to employees and for 
the grant of nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, or RSUs, 
performance-based stock awards, and other forms of equity compensation to our employees, directors and non-employee 
directors and consultants.

In June 2015, our board of directors adopted and our stockholders approved our 2015 Plan pursuant to which we initially 

reserved a total of 4,700,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2015 Plan, which included shares of our common 
stock previously reserved for issuance under our Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2009 Plan. The 
number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2015 Plan will automatically increase on January 1 each 
year, for a period of not more than ten years, commencing on January 1, 2016 through January 1, 2024, by 5% of the total 
number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares 
as may be determined by the board of directors. As a result of the adoption of the 2015 Plan, no further grants may be made 
under the 2009 Plan. As of December 31, 2018, 7,455,706 shares remained available for future grant under the 2015 Plan.

Stock Options

Stock options under the 2015 Plan have been granted at exercise prices based on the closing price of our common stock on 

the date of grant. Stock options under the 2009 Plan were granted at exercise prices as determined by the board of directors to 
be the fair market value of our common stock. Our stock options generally vest over a five-year period and each option, if not 
exercised or forfeited, expires on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. 

Certain stock options granted under the 2015 Plan and previously granted under the 2009 Plan may be exercised before the 

options have vested. Unvested shares issued as a result of early exercise are subject to repurchase by us upon termination of 
employment or services at the original exercise price. The proceeds from the early exercise of stock options are initially recorded 
as a current liability and are reclassified to common stock and additional paid-in capital as the awards vest and our repurchase 
right lapses. There were 957 and 13,281 unvested shares of common stock outstanding subject to our right of repurchase as of 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We repurchased 107 and 1,492 of these unvested shares of common stock related 
to early exercised stock options in connection with employee terminations during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, 
respectively. We recorded less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current 
liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets for the proceeds from the early exercise of the unvested stock options as of 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We account for stock-based compensation options based on the fair value of the award as of the grant date. We recognize 

stock-based compensation expense using the accelerated attribution method, net of actual forfeitures, in which compensation 
cost for each vesting tranche in an award is recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for that 
tranche.

We value our stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the input of subjective 

assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, expected term, expected stock price volatility and dividend yield. The risk-free 
interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates for constant maturity U.S. Treasury securities consistent with the 
expected term of our stock options. The expected term represents the period of time the stock options are expected to be 
outstanding and is based on the "simplified method." Under the "simplified method," the expected term of an option is presumed 
to be the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term. We use the "simplified method" due to the lack 
of sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to otherwise estimate the expected term of the 
stock options. Expected volatility is based on historical volatilities of our stock and publicly traded stock of comparable 
companies over the estimated expected term of the stock options.

101

 
 
 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

There were 219,450, 252,100 and 653,900 stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 
2016, respectively. We declared and paid dividends in June 2015 in anticipation of our IPO, which we closed on July 1, 2015. 
Subsequent to the IPO, we do not expect to declare or pay dividends on a recurring basis. As such, we assume that the dividend 
rate is 0%.

The following table summarizes the assumptions used for estimating the fair value of stock options granted:

Volatility
Expected term
Risk-free interest rate
Dividend rate

Year Ended December 31,
2017
44.4 - 61.6%
6.3 years
2.0 - 2.2%
—%

2018
41.9 - 60.8%
6.3 years
2.3 - 3.0%
—%

2016
47.6 - 50.6%
5.6 - 6.3 years
1.3 - 1.9%
—%

The following table summarizes stock option activity:

Outstanding as of December 31, 2017

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Expired

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2018
Exercisable as of December 31, 2018

Number of
Options
2,686,976
219,450
(804,640)
(31,486)
(12,500)
2,057,800
2,058,757
1,326,800

Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share

$

$
$
$

10.67
40.27
6.39
17.21
15.08
15.37
15.37
9.42

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

6.4

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
72,823
$

32,738

75,101
75,139
56,329

6.3
6.3
5.4

$
$
$

The weighted average grant date fair value for our stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 

and 2016 was $19.43, $14.95 and $8.77, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $3.5 million, $3.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of 
stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $32.7 million, $35.0 million and $14.1 
million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the total compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized was 
$4.6 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years. Cash received from exercises of stock 
options was $5.2 million, $2.6 million and $1.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Stock Options Assumed from Acquisition

On March 8, 2017, we completed the Acquisition and assumed the Icontrol Plans. The assumed unvested stock options are 

exercisable for 70,406 shares of Alarm.com common stock. On March 15, 2017, we filed a Form S-8 Registration Statement 
related to the Acquisition. The registration also covers an additional 2,308,615 shares of common stock that were automatically 
added to the shares authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan pursuant to an evergreen provision contained in the 2015 Plan 
and an additional 461,723 shares of common stock that were automatically added to the shares authorized for issuance under 
the 2015 ESPP, pursuant to an evergreen provision contained in the 2015 ESPP.  

 In accordance with the terms of the asset purchase agreement, we were obligated to assume the Icontrol Plans, and 
converted the 2,001,387 unvested employee stock options into 70,406 Alarm.com stock options using a conversion ratio stated 
in the agreement to convert the original exercise price and number of options. The fair value of the unvested stock options on the 
date of the Acquisition was $1.7 million calculated using a Black-Scholes model with a volatility and risk-free interest rate over 
the expected term of the options and the closing price of the Alarm.com common stock on the date of acquisition. We applied our 
graded vesting accounting policy to the fair value of these assumed options and determined $1.4 million of the fair value was 
attributable to pre-combination services and was included as a component of total purchase consideration. The remaining $0.3 
million of the fair value was determined to be attributable to post-combination services and will be recognized over the remaining 
service periods of the stock options.

102

 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following table summarizes the assumptions used for estimating the fair value of stock options assumed from the 

Connect business unit of Icontrol:

Volatility

Expected term

Risk-free interest rate

Dividend rate

Year Ended December 31,

2017

42.7 - 44.4%

2.5 - 5.0 years

1.4 - 2.0%

—%

The following table summarizes the assumed stock option activity:

Number of
Options

Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share

Outstanding as of December 31, 2017

Exercised
Forfeited

Expired

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2018
Exercisable as of December 31, 2018

41,639
(17,603)
(1,666)

(737)
21,633
21,633
15,142

$

$
$
$

5.88
5.16
4.55

4.48
6.61
6.61
5.94

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

7.2

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
1,327
$
682

6.5
6.5
6.3

$
$
$

979
979
696

      The weighted average grant date fair value for the assumed stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2017 
was $4.78. There were no new grants assumed under the Icontrol Plans in 2018. The total fair value of assumed stock options 
vested during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.1 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of assumed stock 
options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively.  As of 
December 31, 2018, the total compensation cost related to the nonvested awards not yet recognized was less than $0.1 million, 
which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.7 years. Cash received from exercises of stock options was $0.1 
million and less than $0.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Restricted Stock Awards

In March 2017, we assumed 1,622 stock options from Connect upon completion of the Acquisition, which were early 

exercised according to the provisions of the Icontrol Plans for which the employees had not yet provided service for the 
applicable vesting periods. We canceled those stock options and issued restricted stock awards, or RSAs, with no exercise price 
at the fair value of Alarm.com common stock upon the closing of the Acquisition and recorded less than $0.1 million of 
compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no outstanding RSAs as of 
December 31, 2018. There were no repurchases of RSAs during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016. We 
repurchased 750 RSAs in connection with employee terminations during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Restricted Stock Units

There was an aggregate of 381,545, 534,146 and 61,482 RSUs granted to certain of our employees during the years ended 

December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The RSUs vest over a five-year period from the vesting commencement date, which is 
generally the grant date. We account for RSUs based on the fair value of the award as of the grant date. We recognize stock-
based compensation expense using the accelerated attribution method, net of actual forfeitures, in which compensation cost for 
each vesting tranche in an award is recognized ratably from the grant date to the vesting date for that tranche. The condition for 
vesting of the RSUs is based on continued employment. As of December 31, 2018, the total unrecognized compensation 
expense related to RSU awards granted amounted to $21.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average 
period of 2.7 years.

103

 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following table summarizes RSU activity:

Outstanding as of December 31, 2017

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2018

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Number of
RSUs

Weighted
Average Grant 
Date Fair Value

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)

558,268
381,545
(36,051)
(32,010)
871,752
871,752

$

$
$

34.71
43.03
32.29
37.04
38.37
38.37

$

$
$

21,075

1,734

45,218
45,218

Our board of directors adopted our 2015 ESPP in June 2015. As of December 31, 2018, 2,030,995 shares have been 
reserved for future grant under the 2015 ESPP, with provisions established to increase the number of shares available on 
January 1 of each subsequent year for nine years. The annual automatic increase in the number of shares available for issuance 
under the 2015 ESPP is the lesser of 1% of each class of common stock outstanding as of December 31 of the preceding fiscal 
year, 1,500,000 shares of common stock, or such lesser number as determined by the board of directors. The 2015 ESPP allows 
eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at 90% of the fair market value, rounded up to the nearest cent, 
based on the closing price of our common stock on the purchase date. The maximum number of shares of our common stock 
that a participant may purchase during any calendar year shall not exceed such number of shares having a fair market value 
equal to the lesser of $15,000 or 10% of the participant's base compensation for that year.

The 2015 ESPP is considered compensatory for purposes of share-based compensation expense due to the 10% discount 

on the fair market value of the common stock. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, an aggregate of 29,131, 
25,616 and 31,797 shares were purchased by employees for which we recognized $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million of 
compensation expense, respectively. Compensation expense is recognized for the amount of the discount, net of actual 
forfeitures and voluntary withdrawals, over the six-month purchase period.

Note 14. Earnings Per Share

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The components of basic and diluted EPS are as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

Net income

Less: income allocated to participating securities
Net income attributable to common stockholders (A)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic (B)

Dilutive effect of stock options, RSUs and RSAs

Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted (C)
Net income per share:

Basic (A/B)
Diluted (A/C)

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

$

$

21,524
(3)
21,521
47,633,739
2,058,445
49,692,184

$

$

29,251
(13)
29,238
46,682,141
2,471,807
49,153,948

10,154
(12)
10,142
45,716,757
2,158,765
47,875,522

0.45
0.43

$
$

0.63
0.59

$
$

0.22
0.21

$

$

$
$

104

 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following securities have been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 

as the inclusion of these securities would have an anti-dilutive effect:

Stock options
RSAs
RSUs
Common stock subject to repurchase

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

229,294
—
148,175
957

258,917
129
188,050
13,281

197,350
—
25,640
29,835

Participating securities are composed of certain stock options granted under the 2015 Plan, and previously granted under 
the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, that may be exercised before the options have vested. Unvested shares have a non-forfeitable 
right to dividends. Unvested shares issued as a result of early exercise are subject to repurchase by us upon termination of 
employment or services at the original exercise price. The common stock subject to repurchase is no longer classified as 
participating securities when shares revert to common stock outstanding as the awards vest and our repurchase right lapses.

Note 15. Significant Service Providers

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, our 10 largest revenue service provider partners accounted for 
57%, 60% and 60% of our consolidated revenue. One of our service provider partners within the Alarm.com segment individually 
represented greater than 15% but not more than 20% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Another 
one of our service provider partners in the Alarm.com segment individually represented greater than 10% but not more than 15% 
of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 One individual service provider partner in the Alarm.com segment represented more than 10% of accounts receivable as 

of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Note 16. Income Taxes

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Tax Act, was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This legislation made significant 

changes in U.S. tax law, including a reduction in the corporate tax rate, changes to net operating loss carryforwards and 
carrybacks and a repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax. The legislation reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate 
from 35% to 21%. As a result of the enacted Tax Act, we were required to revalue deferred tax assets and liabilities at the rate in 
effect when the deferred tax balances are scheduled to reverse. This revaluation resulted in an additional $8.8 million of income 
tax expense and a corresponding reduction in the deferred tax asset which was recorded during the year ended December 31, 
2017.

Additionally, on December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 

118, or SAB 118, to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary 
information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the 
Tax Act. Specifically, SAB 118 provides a measurement period for companies to evaluate the impacts of the Tax Act on their 
financial statements. We completed the accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act during the three months ended 
September 30, 2018 and decreased our provisional estimate from $8.8 million to $8.7 million.

105

 
 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The components of our income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

Current

Federal
State
Foreign
Total Current
Deferred

Federal
State
Foreign
Total Deferred
Total

$

$

$

741
653
263
1,657

584
(88)
6
502

(8,821)
(2,643)
(18)
(11,482)
(9,825) $

3,837
(1,368)
19
2,488
2,990

$

$

7,227
1,829
—
9,056

(4,283)
(546)
—
(4,829)
4,227

The difference between the income tax expense at the federal statutory rate and income tax expense in the consolidated 

statements of operations is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

Federal statutory rate
State income tax expense, net of federal benefits
Nondeductible meals and entertainment
Nondeductible employee fringe benefits
Research and development tax credits
Tax windfall benefits
Change in tax rate due to tax reform
Change in tax rate
Other
Effective rate

21.0 %
(3.4)
2.1
1.3
(48.7)
(55.7)
—
(1.4)
0.8
(84.0)%

35.0%
0.1
0.6
—
(16.1)
(36.5)
27.8
(0.6)
(1.0)
9.3%

35.0%
4.9
1.6
—
(10.8)
—
—
(0.1)
(1.2)
29.4%

106

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The components of our net deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows (in thousands):

Deferred tax assets, non-current

Provision for doubtful accounts
Provision for notes receivable
Accrued expenses
Deferred revenue
Deferred rent
Stock-based compensation
Acquisition costs
Subsidiary unit compensation
Equity investments
Net operating losses
Tax credits
Intangible assets and prepaid patent licenses
Other

Total deferred tax assets, non-current
Deferred tax liabilities, non-current

Intangible assets and prepaid patent licenses
Depreciation
Sales commissions
Contingent liability

Total deferred tax liabilities, non-current
Net deferred tax assets, non-current

$

December 31,

2018

2017

576
829
9,588
2,226
3,334
6,064
3,092
138
119
1,210
5,140
758
158
33,232

$

714
—
2,362
2,455
3,384
3,613
3,310
1,413
116
1,357
2,546
156
160
21,586

(12)
(3,393)
(704)
(172)
(4,281)
28,951

$

(74)
(2,917)
—
(171)
(3,162)
18,424

$

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits (without related interest expense) is as 

follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

Beginning balance
Additions based on tax positions of the current year
Additions based on tax positions of prior year
Additions resulting from acquisitions
Decreases due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations
Decreases related to settlements of prior year tax positions
Ending balance

$

$

1,973
857
147
—
(176)
—
2,801

$

$

681
718
373
277
(76)
—
1,973

$

$

506
197
79
—
—
(101)
681

Our effective income tax rates were (84.0)%, 9.3% and 29.4% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 
respectively. Our effective tax rates were below the statutory rate primarily due to the tax windfall benefits from employee stock-
based payment transactions and research and development tax credits claimed, partially offset by the impact of non-deductible 
meal and entertainment expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2018, state taxes also contributed to an effective tax rate 
that was below the statutory rate.

We recognize a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more 
likely than not that some portion, or all, of net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on our historical and expected 
future taxable earnings, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize all of the benefit of the existing deferred tax 
assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Accordingly, we have not recorded a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2018 
and 2017.

We apply guidance for uncertainty in income taxes that requires the application of a more likely than not threshold to the 

recognition and de-recognition of uncertain tax positions. If the recognition threshold is met, this guidance permits us to 
recognize a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, in our judgment, is more likely than not to be 

107

 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

realized upon settlement. We recorded unrecognized tax benefits of $0.8 million, $1.0 million and $0.2 million for research and 
development tax credits claimed during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We also recorded an 
unrecognized tax benefit of $0.3 million within our Canadian subsidiary related to an existing net operating loss acquired as part 
of the Acquisition in 2017.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we accrued $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million of total interest related to 
unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a 
component of income tax expense.

We are not aware of any events that make it reasonably possible that there would be a significant change in our 

unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months. Our cumulative liability for uncertain tax positions was $2.8 million and 
$2.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and if recognized, would reduce our income tax expense and the 
effective tax rate.

We file income tax returns in the United States and Canada. We are no longer subject to U.S. income tax examinations for 

years prior to 2015, with the exception that operating loss carryforwards generated prior to 2015 may be subject to tax audit 
adjustment. We are generally no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 
2015.

As of December 31, 2018, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $5.3 million, which are scheduled to begin to 
expire in 2030, As of December 31, 2018, we had state net operating loss carryforwards of $2.0 million, which are scheduled to 
begin to expire in 2027. As of December 31, 2018, we had federal research and development tax credit carryforwards of $4.3 
million, which are scheduled to begin to expire in 2037. As of December 31, 2018, we had state research and development tax 
credit carryforwards of $3.2 million, which are scheduled to begin to expire in 2021.The federal net operating loss carryforward 
arose in connection with the 2013 acquisition of EnergyHub. Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards may be subject to 
annual limitations due to ownership change limitations as provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Note 17. Segment Information

We have two reportable segments:

• 

Alarm.com segment

•  Other segment

Our chief operating decision maker is our chief executive officer. Management determined the operational data used by the 

chief operating decision maker is that of the two reportable segments. Management bases strategic goals and decisions on 
these segments and the data presented below is used to measure financial results.

Our Alarm.com segment represents our cloud-based and Software platforms for the intelligently connected property and 

related solutions that contributed 93%, 94% and 94% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. 
Our Other segment is focused on researching, developing and offering residential and commercial automation solutions and 
energy management products and services in adjacent markets. Inter-segment revenue includes sales of hardware between our 
segments.

108

ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Management evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on operating income (loss) 
as compared to prior periods and current performance levels. The reportable segment operational data is presented in the table 
below (in thousands):

SaaS and license revenue
Hardware and other revenue
Total revenue
Operating income / (loss)
Assets

SaaS and license revenue
Hardware and other revenue
Total revenue
Operating income / (loss)
Assets

SaaS and license revenue
Hardware and other revenue
Total revenue
Operating income / (loss)

$

$

$

$

$

$

Alarm.com

278,013
119,221
397,234
16,927
482,666

Alarm.com

227,583
92,445
320,028
41,439
405,915

Alarm.com

168,732
79,049
247,781
21,282

Year Ended December 31, 2018
Intersegment 
Alarm.com

Intersegment 
Other

Other

13,059
20,316
33,375
(4,708)
19,629

$

— $

— $

(4,749)
(4,749)
(273)
(61,309)

(5,366)
(5,366)
256
(1)

Year Ended December 31, 2017
Intersegment 
Alarm.com

Intersegment 
Other

Other

8,700
15,154
23,854
(8,248)
19,144

$

— $

— $

(2,945)
(2,945)
(175)
(53,267)

(2,000)
(2,000)
358
(151)

Year Ended December 31, 2016
Intersegment 
Alarm.com

Intersegment 
Other

Other

4,808
14,018
18,826
(7,229)

$

— $

— $

(2,863)
(2,863)
(312)

(2,638)
(2,638)
317

Total

291,072
129,422
420,494
12,202
440,985

Total

236,283
102,654
338,937
33,374
371,641

Total

173,540
87,566
261,106
14,058

Our SaaS and license revenue for the Alarm.com segment included software license revenue of $41.3 million, $29.7 million 
and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. There was no software license revenue recorded 
for the Other segment during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Depreciation and amortization expense was $21.4 million, $17.4 million and $6.3 million for the Alarm.com segment for the 

years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense was $0.3 million, $0.3 
million and $0.2 million for the Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Additions to 
property and equipment were $11.7 million, $9.3 million and $5.7 million for the Alarm.com segment for the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Additions to property and equipment were $0.1 million, $0.1 million and less 
than $0.1 million for the Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

We derived substantially all revenue from North America for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. 

Substantially all our long-lived assets were in North America as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Note 18. Related Party Transactions

Installation Partner

Our installation partner in which we have a 48.2% ownership interest performs installation services for security dealers and 
also provides installation services for us and certain of our subsidiaries. We account for this investment using the equity method. 
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, our investment balance in our installation partner was $0. During the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded $0.4 million, $0.7 million and $1.3 million of cost of hardware and other 
revenue in connection with this installation partner. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the accounts payable balance to our 
installation partner was less than $0.1 million. In September 2014, we loaned $0.3 million to our installation partner under a 
secured promissory note that accrued interest at 8.0%. Interest was payable monthly with the entire principal balance plus 
accrued but unpaid interest due at maturity in September 2018.

109

 
 
 
ALARM.COM HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Note 19. Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

The following table shows selected unaudited quarterly consolidated statement of operations data for each of our eight most 
recently completed quarters. In the opinion of management, the information for each of these quarters has been prepared on the 
same basis as our audited financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and 
accruals, necessary for the fair statement of financial information in accordance with GAAP. Historical results are not necessarily 
indicative of results that may be achieved in future periods, and operating results for quarterly periods are not necessarily 
indicative of operating results for a full year. Further, information about the $28.0 million expense recorded in general and 
administrative expense during the three months ended September 30, 2018, which relates to the agreement reached to settle 
the legal matter alleging violations of the TCPA and may affect the comparability of the quarterly financial data presented below, 
is included in Note 11. Information about the $3.3 million expense recorded in general and administrative expense during the 
three months ended December 31, 2018, which relates to the impairment of the Promissory Note provided to one of our 
suppliers and may affect the comparability of the quarterly financial data presented below, is included in Note 2 and Note 8. The 
selected consolidated statements of operation data in amounts are presented below (in thousands, except per share data):

Three Months Ended

Mar. 31,
2017
$ 74,194
26,635

June 30,
2017
$ 85,988
29,835

Sept. 30,
2017
$ 89,962
31,833

Dec. 31,
2017
$ 88,793
27,885

Mar. 31,
2018
$ 92,756
28,377

June 30,
2018
$ 104,488
36,488

Sept. 30,
2018
$ 111,848
41,992

Dec. 31,
2018
$ 111,402
38,858

3,963

9,865

15,103

320

10,515

10,733

(7,652)

7,928

Total revenue
Total cost of revenue

Net income / (loss)
Net income / (loss) per share:

Basic
Diluted

$
$

0.09
0.08

$
$

0.21
0.20

$
$

0.32
0.31

$
$

0.01
0.01

$
$

0.22
0.21

$
$

0.23
0.22

$
$

(0.16) $
(0.16) $

0.16
0.16

110

 
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.
Schedule II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
(In thousands)

Description
Year ended December 31, 2018

Allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for product returns
Allowance for notes receivable

Year ended December 31, 2017

Allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for product returns

Year ended December 31, 2016

Allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for product returns

Balance at
Beginning of
Year

Additions
Charged
Against
Revenue

Additions
Charged to
Other
Accounts

Deductions

Balance at
End of Year

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,449
2,471
—

1,282
2,314

1,315
2,116

— $

273
—

— $

2,055

— $

2,071

$

$

$

149
—
3,319

453
—

648
—

(173) $
(829)
—

(286) $

(1,898)

(681) $

(1,873)

1,425
1,915
3,319

1,449
2,471

1,282
2,314

111

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed 
by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, 
within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to 
the company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely 
decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed 
and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its 
judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the 
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2018. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure 
controls and procedures as of December 31, 2018, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of 
such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as 
defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our management, under the supervision and with the participation 
of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control 
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the results of its evaluation, 
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018. Our 
independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited our financial statements included in 
this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. 
The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is incorporated by reference to Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter ended 

December 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial 
reporting.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believes that our disclosure controls and 

procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their 
objectives and are effective at the reasonable assurance level. However, our management does not expect that our disclosure 
controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no 
matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control 
system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits 
of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of 
controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These 
inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because 
of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of 
two or more people or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon 
certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in 
achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes 
in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a 
cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

112

PART III.

We will file a definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting, or our 2019 Proxy Statement, with the SEC, pursuant to 

Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year. Accordingly, certain information required by Part III has 
been omitted under General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K. Only those sections of the 2019 Proxy Statement that specifically 
address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by Item 10 is hereby incorporated by reference to the sections of our 2019 Proxy Statement under 

the captions "Information Regarding Committees of the Board Of Directors," "Election of Directors," "Executive Officers" and 
"Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."

We have adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or the Code of Conduct, applicable to all of our 
employees, executive officers and directors, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal 
accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A current copy of the Code of Conduct is available on the 
Investors section of our website, www.alarm.com, under "Corporate Governance." We intend to disclose on our website any 
amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Conduct that are required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC rules.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference to the sections of our 2019 Proxy Statement under 

the captions "Executive Compensation" and "Director Compensation."

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED 
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference to the sections of our 2019 Proxy Statement under 

the captions "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and "Equity Compensation Plan Information."

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference to the sections of our 2019 Proxy Statement under 

the captions "Transactions with Related Persons" and "Independence of the Board of Directors."

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference to the section of our 2019 Proxy Statement under 

the caption "Principal Accountant Fees and Services."

113

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:

PART IV.

(1) Consolidated Financial Statements and Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule
(3) Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed with this Annual Report as indicated below

(b) Exhibits

Exhibit

Description

2.1

2.2

2.3

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Registrant, 
EnergyHub Holdings, Inc. EnergyHub, Inc. and Shareholder 
Representative Services LLC, as stockholder representative, 
dated May 3, 2013

Asset Purchase Agreement by and among ICN Acquisition, LLC, 
Icontrol Networks, Inc., the Seller Stockholders, Fortis Advisors 
LLC, and the Registrant as Guarantor, dated as of June 23, 2016

Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement by and among 
ICN Acquisition, LLC, Icontrol Networks, Inc., the Seller 
Stockholders, Fortis Advisors LLC, and the Registrant as 
Guarantor, dated November 15, 2016

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the 
Registrant

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant

Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement by and 
among the Registrant and certain of its stockholders, dated July 
11, 2012

Deed of Lease between Registrant and 8150 Leesburg Pike, 
L.L.C., dated April 21, 2009, as amended July 21, 2010, April 28,
2011, January 10, 2012, June 5, 2012, December 7, 2012, March
12, 2013 and May 29, 2013

Deed of Office Lease Agreement between Registrant and 
Marshall Property LLC, dated August 8, 2014

First Amendment to Deed of Office Lease Agreement by and 
between Alarm.com Incorporated and Marshall Property LLC, 
dated May 29, 2015

Second Amendment to Deed of Office Lease Agreement by and 
between Alarm.com Incorporated and Marshall Property LLC, 
dated October 19, 2015

Third  Amendment  to  Deed  of  Office  Lease  Agreement  by 
and  between  Alarm.com  Incorporated  and  Marshall  Property 
LLC, dated May 6, 2016

Fourth Amendment to Deed of Office Lease Agreement by and 
between Alarm.com Incorporated and Marshall Property LLC, 
dated September 15, 2016

Fifth Amendment to Deed of Office Lease Agreement by and 
between Alarm.com Incorporated and Marshall Property LLC, 
dated January 31, 2017

10.8*

10.9†

Sixth Amendment to Deed of Office Lease Agreement by and 
between Alarm.com Incorporated and TMG TMC 3, L.L.C., dated 
October 10, 2018

Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, Form of Non-
Qualified Stock Option Agreement and Form of Early Exercise 
Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement thereunder

Incorporated by Reference
File Number  Exhibit

File Date

Schedule /
Form

S-1

333-204428

2.1

May 22, 2015

8-K

001-37461

2.1 

June 23, 2016

8-K

001-37461

2.1

November 16,
2016

8-K

8-K

S-1

S-1

001-37461

3.1

July 2, 2015

001-37461

333-204428

333-204428

3.2

4.1

4.2

July 2, 2015

May 22, 2015

May 22, 2015

S-1

333-204428 

10.1  May 22, 2015

S-1

333-204428 

10.2  May 22, 2015

10-Q

001-37461

10.1

10-Q

001-37461

10.2

10-Q

001-37461

10.3

10-Q

001-37461

10.3

10-K

001-37461

10.7

August 15,
2016

August 15,
2016

August 15,
2016

November 14,
2016

March 16,
2017

S-1

333-204428 

10.3  May 22, 2015

10.10†

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

10-Q

001-37461

10.1

10.11†

Form of Option Grant Package under 2015 Equity Incentive Plan

10-K

001-37461 

10.10 

August 14,
2015

February 28,
2018

114

10.12†*

Form of RSU Notice and Agreement under 2015 Equity 
Incentive Plan

10.13†

Form of Early Exercise Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement

10-K

001-37461

10.7

10.14†

2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

10-Q

001-37461

10.2

February 29,
2016

August 14,
2015

10.15†

10.16†

10.17

10.18

10.19

Form of Indemnity Agreement by and between Registrant 
and each of its directors and executive officers

Offer Letter by and between the Registrant and Steve 
Valenzuela dated October 12, 2016

Senior Secured Credit Facilities Credit Agreement by and among 
the Registrant, Alarm.com Incorporated, Silicon Valley Bank, 
Bank of America, N.A. and the several lenders from time to time 
parties thereto, dated May 8, 2014

Second Amendment to Credit Agreement by and among the 
Registrant, Alarm.com Incorporated, Silicon Valley Bank, Bank of 
America, N.A. and the several lenders from time to time parties 
thereto, dated December 7, 2015

Third Amendment to Credit Agreement by and among Alarm.com 
Holdings, Inc., Alarm.com Incorporated, Silicon Valley Bank and 
the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, dated 
August 10, 2016

10.20# 

Alarm.com Dealer Program Agreement by and between the 
Registrant and Monitronics Funding LP, dated October 22, 
2007, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated January 15, 
2008 and the Second Amendment dated February 23, 2013

S-1/A

333-204428

10.9

June 11, 2015

8-K

S-1

001-37461

10.1

November 14,
2016

333-204428

10.10 May 22, 2015

10-K

001-37461

10.12

10-Q

001-37461

10.4

February 29,
2016

August 15,
2016

S-1/A

333-204428

10.11

June 19, 2015

Third Amendment to Alarm.com Dealer Program Agreement by 
and between the Registrant and Monitronics International, Inc.

Fourth Amendment to Alarm.com Dealer Program Agreement 
by and between the Registrant and Monitronics International, 
Inc., dated September 13, 2017

10-K

001-37461

10.14

10-Q

001-37461

10.1

Reformed Master Services Agreement by and between Alarm.com 
Incorporated and ADT LLC, effective as of August 19, 2016

10-Q

001-37461

10.2

10-Q

001-37461

10.2

February 29,
2016

November 9,
2017

November 14,
2016

November 9,
2017

8-K

001-37461

10.1

January 23,
2018

10.21#

10.22#

10.23#

10.24

10.25*

10.26

10.27*

21.1*

23.1*

31.1*

31.2*

Senior Secured Credit Facilities Credit Agreement by and among 
the Registrant, Alarm.com Incorporated, Silicon Valley Bank, Bank 
of America, N.A. and the several lenders from time to time parties 
thereto, dated October 6, 2017

First Amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities Credit 
Agreement by and among the Registrant, Alarm.com 
Incorporated, Silicon Valley Bank, Bank of America, N.A. and the 
several lenders from time to time parties thereto, dated November 
30, 2018

Indemnity Agreement by and between the Registrant and Michelle 
K. Lee, dated January 17, 2018

Class Action Settlement Agreement by and between 
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc., Alarm.com Incorporated, Abante 
Rooter and Plumbing, Inc., Mark Hankins and Philip J. Charvat, 
individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent 
registered public accounting firm

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 
13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 
13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002

32.1**

Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial 
Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant 
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

115

101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

* Filed herewith.
**   Furnished herewith.
†   Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
#   Confidential treatment has been granted from the Securities and Exchange Commission as to certain portions of this document.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not applicable.

116

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused 

this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

Date: March 1, 2019

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.

By:

/s/ Stephen Trundle
Stephen Trundle
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 

persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

/s/ Stephen Trundle
Stephen Trundle

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Steve Valenzuela
Steve Valenzuela

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Date

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019

/s/ Timothy McAdam
Timothy McAdam

Chairman of the Board of Directors

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019

/s/ Donald Clarke
Donald Clarke

Director

/s/ Michelle Lee

Director

Michelle Lee

/s/ Darius G. Nevin

Director

Darius G. Nevin

/s/ Hugh Panero
Hugh Panero

Director

/s/ Mayo Shattuck
Mayo Shattuck

Director

117

Access Control • Analytics • Audio • Doorbell Camera • Door Locks • Door & Window Sensors • Energy Monitoring 

Garage Doors • Image Sensor • Irrigation • Lights • Smoke Detectors • Thermostats • Video Cameras • Water Sensors

S E R V I C E   P R OV I D E R   S O L U T I O N S

Alarm.com Academy • Business Intelligence Tools • Customer Connections • Home Builder Program 

Marketing Portal • MobileTech Application • Remote Toolkit • Partner Portal • Web Services

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Stephen Trundle
President and Chief Executive Officer
Alarm.com 

Timothy McAdam
General Partner
Technology Crossover Ventures

Donald Clarke
Chief Financial Officer
Plex Systems, Inc.

Michelle Lee
Technology and 
Intellectual Property Advisor

Darius G. Nevin
Member
G3 Capital Partners, LLC

Hugh Panero
Owner
Yellow Brick Road Ventures, LLC 

Mayo Shattuck
Chairman
Exelon Corporation

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Stephen Trundle
President and Chief Executive Officer 

Steve Valenzuela
Chief Financial Officer

Jeffrey Bedell
Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer 

David Hutz
Chief Systems Architect 

Daniel Kerzner
Chief Product Officer 

Jean-Paul Martin
Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder 

Daniel Ramos
Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary

Corporate Headquarters
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.
8281 Greensboro Drive, Suite 100
Tysons, VA 22102
Phone: 877.389.4033

Stock Listing
Alarm.com Holdings Inc. stock is publicly traded  
on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the  
ticker symbol: ALRM

Investor Relations
Our investor relations website is located at  
investors.alarm.com
Contact ir@alarm.com

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1800 Tysons Boulevard
McLean, VA 22102

Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Phone: 1.800.937.5449
www.astfinancial.com

Annual Meeting of Stockholders
June 5, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. ET
8281 Greensboro Drive, Suite 100
Tysons, VA 22102 

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

Nominating 
& Corporate 
Governance

Audit

Compensation

Timothy McAdam

Donald Clarke

Michelle Lee

Darius G. Nevin

Hugh Panero

Mayo Shattuck

Chairman 
of the Board

Chair

Member

A

L

A

R

M

.

C

O

M

|

2

0

1

8

A

N

N

U

A

L

R

E

P

O

R

T

2018

Annual Report