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Data I/O

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FY2014 Annual Report · Data I/O
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UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C.  20549 

(Mark One) 

FORM 10-K 

(X) 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 

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:                                              0-10394 

DATA I/O CORPORATION 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Washington 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 

91-0864123 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 

6464 185th Ave NE, Suite 101, Redmond, Washington, 98052 
(425) 881-6444 
(Address, including zip code, of registrant’s principle executive offices and telephone number, including area code) 

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

Title of each class 
Common Stock (No Par Value) 

Name of each exchange on which registered 
Nasdaq Capital Market 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act 

None 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes __  No X 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  __ No X 
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 X  No __ 
Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  has  submitted  electronically  and  posted  on  its  corporate  Web  site,  if  any,  every  Interactive  Data  File 
required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).  Yes _X_ 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. _X_ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See 
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” ”accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
 Large accelerated filer __  Accelerated filer __  Non-accelerated filer __  Smaller reporting company X 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  __ No X 

Aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held 
by non-affiliates on the registrant as of June 30, 2014: 
$22,332,445 

Shares of Common Stock, no par value, outstanding as of March 23, 2015: 
7,863,527 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to its May 21, 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated 
into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

1 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATA I/O CORPORATION 
FORM 10-K 
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014 

INDEX 

Item 1. 

Business 

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments 

Item 2. 

Properties 

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings 

Item 4. 

Mine Safety Disclosures 

Item 5. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities 

Item 6. 

Selected Financial Data 

Item 7. 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Item 9A. 

Controls and Procedures 

Item 9B.  Other Information 

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 I 

Part II 

Part III 

Part IV 

Item 15. 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 

Signatures 

2 

Page 

  3 

10 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

18 

19 

25 

26 

44 

45 

45 

46 

46 

46 

47 

47 

48 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.  Business 

PART I 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements 
based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Data I/O Corporation’s industry,  management’s beliefs and 
certain assumptions made by management.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
of Operations – Forward Looking Statements.” 

General 

Data I/O Corporation (“Data I/O”, “We”, “Our”, “Us”) is a global market leader for advanced programming and associated 
intellectual property management solutions used in the manufacturing of flash, microcontrollers, and flash-memory-based 
intelligent  devices.  Data  I/O® designs, manufactures and sells programming systems for electronic device manufacturers, 
specifically targeting high growth areas such as high-volume users of flash memory and microcontrollers.   Most electronic 
products today incorporate one or more programmable semiconductor devices that contain data and operating instructions 
essential for the proper operation of the product. 

Our mission is to deliver high-value systems, software and services to the expanding programmable semiconductor market 
by providing a software-rich programming platform for content delivery.  Programmable devices are used in products such 
as  automobile  electronics,  smartphones,  HDTV,  tablets  and  gaming  systems.    Our  solutions,  some  of  which  include 
associated  intellectual property management, secure content  management  and process control capabilities, enable  us to 
address  the  demanding  requirements  of  the  electronic  device  market,  where  applications  and  intellectual  property 
protection are essential to our customer’s success.  Our largest customers are heavy users of programmable semiconductor 
devices and include original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) in automotive electronics, wireless, consumer electronics 
and the Internet of Things (“IoT”) and their electronic manufacturing service (“EMS”) contract manufacturers. 

Data I/O was incorporated in the State of Washington in 1969 and its business was founded in 1972. 

Industry Background 

We enable companies to improve productivity and reduce costs by providing device programming solutions that allow our 
customers  to  take  intellectual  property  (large  design  and  data  files)  and  protect  and  program  it  into  memory, 
microcontroller  and  logic  devices  quickly  and  cost-effectively.    We  also  provide  services  related  to  hardware  support, 
system  installation  and  repair,  and  device  programming.    Companies  that  design  and  manufacture  products  utilizing 
programmable  electronic  devices,  ranging  from  automobiles  to  cell  phones,  purchase  programming  solutions  from  us.  
Trends  of  increasing  device  densities  and  customers  increasing  their  software  content  file  sizes,  combined  with  the 
increasing numbers of intelligent devices such as smartphones and tablets, are driving demand for our solutions. 

Traditionally, our programming market opportunity focused on the number of semiconductor  devices to be programmed, 
but because of the rapid increase in the density of devices, the focus has shifted in many cases from the number of devices 
to the number of bits per device to be programmed. 

Our automated programming systems integrate both programming and handling functions into a single product solution.  
Quality  conscious  customers,  particularly  those  in  high-volume  manufacturing  and  programming,  continue  to  drive  this 
portion of our business. 

Products 

In  order  to  accommodate  the  expanding  variety  and  quantities  of  programmable  devices  being  manufactured  today,  we 
offer multiple solutions for the numerous types of device mix and volume usage by our customers in the various market 
segments and applications.  We work closely with leading manufacturers of programmable devices to develop our products 
to meet the requirements of a particular device.  Our products are positioned and viewed as  some of the most advanced 
programming  equipment  and  associated 
  Our  PSV7000  Automated 
Programming System has been adopted well by the marketplace and won the Global Technology Award at Productronica in 
November  2013,  the  Circuits  Assembly  NPI  Award  in  March  2014  and  the  EM  Asia  Innovation  Award  in  April  2014.    Our 

intellectual  property  management  solutions. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
newest PSV3000 Automated Programming System, aimed at automating the Asian market, was introduced in July 2014 and 
won the Global Technology Award for Device Programming at SMTA International in September 2014.   

Our programming solutions include a broad range of products, systems, modules and accessories, grouped into two general 
categories: automated programming systems and manual programming systems.  We provide two categories of automated 
programming  systems:  off-line  and  in-line.    Our  automated  systems  have  list  selling  prices  ranging  from  $65,000  to 
$629,000  and  our  manual  systems  have  list  selling  prices  ranging  from  $700  to  $33,000.    Our  common  programming 
platform,  FlashCORE™,  and  our  universal  job  setup  tool,  Tasklink™  for  Windows®,  are  available  in  each  family  of  our 
automated  programming  systems  and  FlashPAK™,  our  manual  programming  system.    In  addition,  we  provide  device 
support  and  service  on  all  of  our  products.    Device  support  is  a  critical  aspect  of  our  business  and  consists  of  writing 
software algorithms for devices and developing socket adapters to hold and connect to the device for programming. 

Our  products  have  both  an  upfront  solution  sale  and  recurring  revenue  elements.    Adapters  are  a  consumable  item  and 
software and maintenance are typically recurring under annual subscription contracts.  We experienced a larger percentage 
of capital equipment sales in 2014 compared to 2013, which we believe was primarily due to a rebound in capital spending. 

Sales Percentage of Total Sales Breakdown by Type 

Sales Type 
  Equipment Sales 
  Adapter Sales 
  Software and Maintenance Sales 
Total 

2014 
60% 
28% 
12% 
100% 

2013 
58% 
28% 
14% 
100% 

Drivers 
Capacity, Process improvement, Technology 
Capacity utilization, New customer products 
Installed base, Added capabilities 

The table below presents our main products and the key features that benefit our customers: 

Products 
PSV & PS Series:  Off-line 
Medium/High Volume, High 
Mix 
(Automated) 

RoadRunner & 
RoadRunner3 Series:   
In-line,  
(Automated) 

Key Features 

 

Fast program and verify speeds 

 
  Up to 96 programming sites 
  Up to 2000 device per hour throughput 
 
 

Supports multiple media types 
Supports quality options – fiber laser, 3D 
coplanarity 
Factory Integration Software & other 
Software 
Just-in-time in-line programming 

 
  Direct integration with placement machine 
supporting SIPLACE, Fuji NXT, Panasonic, 
Universal/Genesis, Assembleon, and 
MYDATA Parallel Programming 
Factory Integration Software 

 

Fast changeover times 
Self-learning “plug-and-play” operation 
Language-independent graphic user 
interface 
FLXHD supports 40 duplication sites 
Scalability 

 
 
  Network control via Ethernet 
 
Stand-alone operation or PC compatible 
 
Parallel programming 
  Breadth of device coverage 

FLX500 & FLXHD:  Off-line, 
Moderate Volume 
(Automated) 

 
 
 

FlashPAK III:  Off-line, Low 
Mix, Low Volume 
(Non-Automated) 

Sprint/Unifamily:  Off-line, 
Low Volume and 
Engineering 
(Non-Automated) 
(Legacy Equipment) 

4 

Customer Benefits 
  High throughput for high density 

Flash programming 

  High flexibility with respect to 
I/O options (tube, tray, tape), 
marking/labeling and vision for 
coplanarity inspection 

  Dramatic reduction in inventory 
carrying and rework costs 
“Zero” footprint 

 
  Rapid return on investment 
(“ROI”) typically realized in a 
matter of months 
Integration with factory systems 

 
  Affordable automation 
  Modular, easy to configure 
 

Intuitive, easy to use graphical 
user interface 
Small footprint 

 
  Validate designs before moving 
down the firmware supply chain 

  Unmatched ease of use in 

manual production systems 

  Universal programmer 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customers 

We  sell  our  solutions  to  customers  worldwide,  many  of  whom  are  world-class  manufacturers  of  electronic  devices 
used in a broad range of industries, as described in the following table:   

Customer Types 

Notable end 
customers 

Business 
drivers 

Programming 
equipment 
drivers 

Buying criteria 

OEMs 

Automotive 
Electronics 

Delphi, Bosch, 
Alpine, Visteon, 
Kostal, Harman 
Becker, Denso, 
Continental, 
Panasonic, Magna 

Safety, navigation 
and infotainment 
devices, drive-by-
wire, increased 
electronic content 

Process 
improvement and 
simplification, 
new product 
rollouts, growing 
file sizes, quality 
control and 
traceability 
Quality, reliability, 
configuration 
control, 
traceability, 
global support, 
intellectual 
property 
protection 

Wireless & 
Consumer 
Electronics 
LG, Motorola, 
Blackberry, Sony, 
HTC, Microsoft, 
ZTE, Amazon 

GPS, Digital Rights 
Management, 
security, flash 
media, video, 
LTE/4G networks, 
applications, 
features & 
functionality of 
converged devices 
Rollout of new 
products that 
incorporate higher 
functionality, more 
memory and new 
technology, e.g.  e-
MMC 

Throughput, 
technical capability 
to support evolving 
technology, global 
support, 
intellectual 
property 
protection, robust 
algorithms, low 
cost 

EMS 
Contract 
Manufacturers 

Pegatron, 
Flextronics, Jabil, 
Wistron, 
Sanmina SCI, 
Foxconn, Leesys, 
Calcomp 

Acquisition of 
OEM factories, 
production 
contract wins 

Programming 
Centers 

Arrow, Avnet, BTV, 
HTV, CPS, EPS, 
Elmitech 

Value-added 
services, logistics 

Industrial & 
Process Control 
Electronics 
Square D, 
Siemens, 
Danfoss, Philips, 
Schneider, 
Endress+Hauser, 
Pilz, Insta, 
Carrier 
Higher 
functionality 
driven by 
increasing 
electronic 
content.  
Internet of 
Things. 

Process 
improvement 
and 
simplification as 
well as new 
product rollouts 

New contracts 
from OEMs, 
programming 
solutions 
specified by 
OEMs 

Quality, 
reliability, 
configuration 
control, 
traceability 

Lowest 
equipment 
procurement 
cost, global 
support 

Capacity utilization 
of their installed 
base of equipment 

Flexibility, lowest 
life-cycle cost-per 
programmed-part, 
low changeover 
time; use of 
multiple vendors 
provides negotiating 
leverage, device 
support availability 

Our solutions address the programming of devices.  Semiconductor devices are a large, growing market, both in terms of 
devices  and  bits  programmed.    According  to  World  Semiconductor  Trade  Statistics  (“WSTS”)  in  February  2015, 
semiconductor device revenues experienced a 9.9% increase for the year 2014 compared to 2013, due to consistent, steady 
growth  across  nearly  all  regions  and  product  categories.    Semiconductor  Industry  Association  (SIA),  representing  U.S. 
leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, recently reported that the industry has achieved record sales in two 
consecutive years and is well-positioned for continued growth in 2015 and beyond. 

We believe that our sales are driven by  many of the same forces that propel the semiconductor industry.  We sell to the 
same firms that buy the semiconductors.  When their business grows, they buy more semiconductors which, in turn, require 
additional programming equipment to maintain production speeds or program new device technologies, driving demand for 
our products or alternative programming methods. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our  device  programming  solutions  currently  target  two  high  growth,  high  volume  markets:  flash  for  mobile  wireless  and 
consumer electronic devices and microcontrollers for automotive electronics and industrial controls.  Additionally, a newer 
growth market for devices is the IoT (Internet of Things). 

Flash unit volume experiencing explosive growth 
Increasing usage of NAND, especially managed NAND like e-MMC 
Start of new technology like UFS 

Growth drivers of flash in Mobile Devices 
 
 
 
  Densities continue to increase, driving the need for more advanced and secure programming capabilities 
  Higher densities driving new usage models such as tablet computers 
 
 

The continuing shift to smartphones like iPhone, Android and new low cost smartphones 
Shift to lower process geometries for eMMC flash, requiring more advanced data retention strategies 

Growth drivers of microcontrollers and flash in Automotive  
 

Consumers  desire  advanced  car  features  requiring  higher  levels  of  sophistication  including  infotainment  products 
(audio,  radio,  dashboard  displays,  navigation  and  wireless  connectivity)  as  well  as  increased  safety  features  and 
optimized engine functionality 
Increasing numbers and size of microcontrollers per vehicle 
Proliferation of programmable microcontrollers to support the next-generation electronic car systems 
Increasing use of high-density flash to provide memory for advanced applications that require programming 

 
 
 

Growth drivers of IoT (Internet of Things)  
  Adding intelligence and processing into devices 
 
 
 

Connecting previously unconnected devices to networks and the internet (such as intelligent thermostats and lighting) 
Emergence of new devices and applications (such as wearables) 
Securely controlling groups of connected devices 

in  consumer  electronics  are  outsourcing  their  device  programming  needs  to  EMS  contract 
Increasingly,  OEMs 
manufacturers to reduce capital expense and maximize profit margins.  At the same time, these OEMs are also increasing 
their  proprietary  software  content  to  accelerate  new  product  introductions  with  more  feature-rich,  application-specific 
versions.  While the outsourcing of manufacturing processes is essential to maximizing an OEM’s profit margin, maintaining 
the integrity and control of the software, the OEM’s core intellectual property, is increasingly complex in this outsourced 
environment,  especially  given  the  global  nature  of  the  manufacturing  supply  chain.    Data  I/O,  with  its  comprehensive 
programming solutions, provides OEMs with the ability to manage, monitor, audit and secure the software supply chain.   

During 2014, we sold products to over 500 customers throughout the world. The following customers represented greater 
than 10% of sales in the applicable year:  

2014 
2013 

2012 

One customer, Data Copy Limited, our distributor in China accounted for approximately 12% of net sales. 
Two  customers,  Data  Copy  Limited,  our  distributor  in  China  and  Di-Tek  Corporation,  our  distributor  in 
Korea  accounted  for  approximately  14%  and  13%  of  net  sales,  respectively.    Blackberry  (formerly 
Research  in  Motion)  did  not  directly  account  for  greater  than  10%  of  sales.    However,  they  influenced 
business  through  their  EMS  contract  manufacturing  partners  that  we  believe  combined  accounted  for 
between 10-15% of net sales. 
Data Copy Limited accounted for approximately 11% of net sales. 

The following customers represented greater than 10% of our consolidated accounts receivable balance as of December 31 
of the applicable year:  

2014 
2013 
2012 

No customers represented greater than 10% of our consolidated accounts receivable. 
Avnet accounted for approximately 12% of our consolidated accounts receivable.  
Three customers, Data Copy Limited, Delphi and Jabil accounted for approximately 16%, 11% and 10% of 
our consolidated accounts receivable, respectively.  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Geographic Markets and Distribution 

We market and sell our products through a combination of direct sales, internal telesales and indirect sales representatives 
and distributors.  We continually evaluate our sales channels against our evolving markets and customers and realign them 
as  necessary  to  ensure  that  we  reach  our  existing  and  potential  customers  in  the  most  effective  and  efficient  manner 
possible. 

U.S. Sales 

We market our products throughout the U.S. using a variety of sales channels, including our own field sales management 
personnel,  independent  sales  representatives  and  direct  telesales.    Our  U.S.  independent  sales  representatives  obtain 
orders on an agency basis, with shipments made directly to the customer by us.  Net sales in the United States for  2014, 
2013 and 2012 were $2,104,000, $2,331,000 and $2,835,000, respectively. 

International Sales 

International sales represented approximately 90%, 88% and 83% of net sales in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.  We 
make  foreign  sales  through  our  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  in  Germany  and  China,  as  well  as  through  independent 
distributors  and  sales  representatives  located  in  46  other  countries.    Our  independent  foreign  distributors  purchase  our 
products in U.S. Dollars for resale and we generally recognize the sale at the time of shipment to the distributor.  As with 
U.S. sales representatives, sales made by international sales representatives are on an agency basis, with shipments made 
directly to the customer by us.   

Net international sales for 2014, 2013, and 2012 were (in millions) $19.8, $16.4 and $14.3 respectively.  We determine total 
international  sales  by  the  international  geographic  area  into  which  the  products  are  sold  and  delivered,  and  include  not 
only sales by foreign subsidiaries but also export sales from the U.S. to our foreign distributors and to our representatives’ 
customers.    International  sales  do  not  include  transfers  between  Data  I/O  and  our  foreign  subsidiaries.    Export  sales  are 
subject to U.S. Department of Commerce regulations.  We have not, however, experienced difficulties to date as a result of 
these  requirements.    We  have  not  made  sales  to  Iran  or  any  Iranian  governmental  entities  or  any  other  blacklisted 
companies or countries. 

Fluctuating exchange rates and other factors beyond our control, such as international monetary stability, tariff and trade 
policies and U.S. and foreign tax and economic policies, affect the level and profitability of international sales.  We cannot 
predict  the  effect  of  such  factors  on  our  business,  but  we  try  to  consider  and  respond  to  changes  in  these  factors, 
particularly as the majority of our costs are U.S. based while the vast majority of our sales are international.  The recent 
strengthening of the U.S. Dollar, especially versus the Euro, is impacting us with regard to sales to European customers. 

Competition 

The  competition  in  the  programming  systems  market  is  highly  fragmented  with  a  large  number  of  smaller  organizations 
offering  less  expensive  solutions.    In  particular,  low  cost  automated  solutions  have  gained  market  share  in  recent  years, 
where the competition is primarily based on price.  Typically, their equipment meets a  “good enough” standard, but with 
reduced quality, traceability, and other software features such as factory integration software.  Many of these competitors 
compete on a regional basis, with local language and support.  In addition, we compete with programming substitutes such 
as “home grown” and other companies’ ISP (In System Programming) solutions.  While we are not aware of any published 
industry market information covering the programming systems market, according to our internal analysis of competitors’ 
revenues, we believe we continue to be the largest competitor in the programming systems equipment market and have 
been gaining market share especially with our new products. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We  primarily  focus  on  automated  programming  solutions  and  believe  our  solutions  offer  numerous  advantages  over 
alternative solutions as described in the following table: 

Benefit Comparison 

Data I/O 
Automated 
Solutions 

In-System 
Programming 
with Test 
Equipment 

Alternative Solutions 

Outsourced 
Programming 

Duplicators 

Manual 
Programming* 

x 
x 
x 
x 
x 

x 
x 
x 
x 

x 

x 
x 

Eliminates production bottlenecks 
Requires few internal engineering resources 
Programs large files quickly 
Supports multiple devices per board easily 
Supports multiple boards per panel easily 
Ensures minimum yield loss 
Enables intellectual property protections 
Automates quality tracking 
Ensures traceability and configuration control 
Minimize risk of human error 
No inventory at risk from software changes 
Just-in-time programming 
Programs after placement of device on board 
Integrates with factory software systems 

x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 

x 

* Data I/O also offers manual programming solutions. 

Business Restructure and Financial Turnaround 

x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 

As  a  result  of  the  business  downturn  we  experienced  and  continued  uncertain  business  outlook  in  2012  and  2013, 
restructuring  actions  were  taken  in  third  quarter  of  2012,  and  in  the  second  and  fourth  quarters  of  2013.    These 
restructuring  actions  included  reductions  in  personnel  as  well  as  the  use  of  contractors,  professionals  and  consultants; 
focusing  on  a  smaller  number  of  development  projects;  and  addressing  the  cost  of  excess  space.    These  actions  have 
reduced  our  annual  operating  expenses  and  lowered  our  breakeven  point,  or  provided  flexibility  to  add  other  critical 
resources and change fixed costs to variable costs through outsourcing.  We achieved a turnaround in profitability in 2014. 

Manufacturing, Raw Materials and Backlog 

We strive to manufacture and provide the best solutions for advanced programming.  We primarily assemble and test our 
products  at  our  principal  facilities  in  Redmond,  Washington  and  Shanghai,  China.  We  outsource  our  circuit  board 
manufacturing  and  fabrication.    We  use  a  combination  of  standard  components,  proprietary  custom  integrated  circuits 
(“ICs”)  and  fabricated  parts  manufactured  to  our  specifications.    Most  components  used  are  available  from  a  number  of 
different  suppliers  and  subcontractors  but  certain  items,  such  as  some  handler  and  programmer  subassemblies,  custom 
integrated circuits, hybrid circuits and connectors, are purchased from single sources.  We believe that additional sources 
can be developed for present single-source components without significant difficulties in obtaining supplies.  We cannot be 
sure that single-source components will always continue to be readily available.  If we cannot develop alternative sources 
for these components, or if we experience deterioration in relationships with these suppliers, there may be price increases, 
minimum order quantities and delays or reductions in product introductions or shipments, which may materially adversely 
affect our operating results.  

In  accordance  with  industry  practices,  generally  all  orders  are  subject  to  cancellation  prior  to  shipment  without  penalty, 
except  for  contracts  calling  for  custom  configuration.    To  date,  such  cancellations  have  not  had  a  material  effect  on  our 
sales volume.  To meet customers’ delivery requirements, we manufacture certain products based upon a combination of 
backlog and anticipated orders.  Most orders are scheduled for delivery within 1 to 60 days after receipt of the order.  Our 
backlog of pending orders was approximately $1,900,000, $1,900,000, and $900,000 as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 
2012, respectively.  The size of backlog at any particular date is not necessarily a meaningful indicator of the trend of our 
business. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and Development 

We  believe  that  continued  investment  in  research  and  development  is  critical  to  our  future  success.    We  continue  to 
develop  new  technologies  and  products  and  enhance  existing  products.    Future  growth  is,  to  a  large  extent,  dependent 
upon the timely development and introduction of new products, as well as the development of algorithms to support the 
latest programmable devices.   Where possible, we  may pursue partnerships and other strategic relationships to add new 
products, capabilities and services.   We are currently focusing our research and development  efforts on strategic growth 
markets,  namely  new  programming  technology  and  automated  handling  systems  for  the  manufacturing  environment, 
including  new  programmer  technologies,  support  for  the  latest  flash  memories  and  microcontrollers,  and  new  software 
capabilities.  We also continue to focus on increasing our capacity and responsiveness for new device support requests from 
customers and programmable integrated circuit manufacturers by revising and enhancing our internal processes and tools.  
In 2013, our research and development efforts resulted in the release of our PSV7000 automated programming system.  In 
2014,  our  research  and  development  efforts  resulted  in  the  release  of  our  new  PSV3000  and  enhancements  for  the 
PSV7000, both automated programming systems. 

During  2014,  2013,  and 2012, we  made  expenditures  for research and development  of  (in  millions)  $4.7,  $4.6, and  $5.6, 
respectively,  representing  21.5%,  24.5%,  and  32.6%  of  net  sales,  respectively.    Research  and  development  costs  are 
generally expensed as incurred. 

Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks and Licenses 

We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks to protect our intellectual property, as well 
as product development and marketing skill, to establish and protect our market position.  We have continued to apply for 
and add new patents to our patent portfolio over the past few years as we developed strategic new technologies. 

We  attempt  to  protect  our  rights  in  proprietary  software  products,  including  TaskLink,  Factory  Integration  Software  and 
other  software  products,  by  retaining  the  title  to  and  copyright  of  the  software  and  documentation,  by  including 
appropriate contractual restrictions on use and disclosure in our licenses, and by requiring our employees to execute non-
disclosure  agreements.    Our  software  products  are  not  typically  sold  separately  from  sales  of  programming  systems.  
However,  on  those  occasions  where  software  is  sold  separately,  revenue  is  recognized  when  a  sales  agreement  exists, 
delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. 

Because of the rapidly changing technology in the semiconductor, electronic equipment and software industries, portions 
of our products might possibly infringe upon existing patents or copyrights, and we  may be required to obtain licenses or 
discontinue  the  use  of  the  infringing  technology.    We  believe  that  any  exposure  we  may  have  regarding  possible 
infringement claims is a reasonable business risk similar to that assumed by other companies in the electronic equipment 
and  software  industries.    However,  any  claim  of  infringement,  with  or  without  merit,  could  be  costly  and  a  diversion  of 
management’s  attention,  and  an  adverse  determination  could  adversely  affect  our  reputation,  preclude  us  from  offering 
certain products, and subject us to substantial liability.  As of December 31, 2014, there were no pending actions regarding 
infringement claims. 

Employees 

As of December 31, 2014, we had a total of 84 employees, of which 40 were located outside the U.S. and 9 of which were 
part time.  We also utilize independent contractors for specialty work, primarily in research and development, and utilize 
temporary workers to adjust capacity to fluctuating demand and for special projects.   Many of our employees are  highly 
skilled and our continued success will depend in part upon our ability to attract and retain employees who can be in great 
demand  within  the  industry.    None  of  our  employees  are  represented  by  a  collective  bargaining  unit  and  we  believe 
relations  with  our  employees  are  favorable.    In  foreign  countries  we  have  employment  agreements  or,  in  China,  the 
Shanghai Foreign Services Co., Ltd. (“FSCO”) labor agreement. 

Environmental Compliance 

Our facilities are subject to numerous laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials or otherwise relating to 
the environment.   Compliance with  environmental laws has not  had, nor is it  expected to have, a  material  effect  on our 
capital expenditures, financial position, results of operations or competitive position. 

9 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Officers of the Registrant 

Set forth below is certain information concerning the executive officers of Data I/O as of March 23, 2015: 

Name 

Age 

Position 

Anthony Ambrose 

53 

President and Chief Executive Officer 

Joel S. Hatlen 

56 

  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

Secretary and Treasurer 

Rajeev Gulati 

51 

Chief Technology Officer, Vice President of Engineering 

Anthony Ambrose joined Data I/O in October 2012 and is our President and Chief Executive Officer.  He was appointed to 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  Data  I/O  in  October  2012.    Prior  to  Data  I/O,  Anthony  was  Owner  and  Principal  of  Cedar  Mill 
Partners, LLC, a  strategy consulting firm.  Until 2011, he was Vice President and General Manager at RadiSys Corporation 
where he led three product divisions and worldwide engineering.  At RadiSys, he established the telecom platform business 
and  grew  it  to  over  $125M  in  annual  revenues.   Until  2007,  Anthony  was  general  manager  and  held  several  other 
progressively  responsible  positions  at  Intel  Corporation,  where  he  led  development  and  marketing  of  standards  based 
telecommunications platforms, and grew the industry standard server business to over $1B in revenues.  Anthony holds a 
Bachelors of Science in Engineering from Princeton University. 

Joel S. Hatlen joined Data I/O in September 1991 and is our Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer 
since January 1998.   He served as Chief Accounting Officer  since February 1997  and  served as Corporate Controller  from 
December 1993 to December 1997.  Previously, he was Tax Manager and Senior  Tax Accountant.   From September 1981 
until  joining  Data  I/O,  Mr.  Hatlen  was  employed  by  Ernst  &  Young  LLP  as  a  Certified  Public  Accountant,  where  his  most 
recent  position  was  Senior  Manager.    Joel  holds  a  Masters  in  Taxation  from  Golden  Gate  University  and  a  Bachelors  in 
Business Administration in Accounting from Pacific Lutheran University. 

Rajeev Gulati joined Data I/O in July 2013 and is our Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Engineering.  Prior to 
Data I/O, Rajeev served as Director of Software Engineering for AMD responsible for tools, compiler strategy and execution 
from  2006  to  2013.   He has  an  extensive  background  in  software,  systems  and  applying  technology  to  develop  new 
markets.   Previously,  he  served  as  Director  of  Strategy  and  Planning  at  Freescale  from  2004  to  2006;  as  Director  of 
Embedded  Products  at  Metrowerks  (acquired  by  Motorola)  from  2000  to  2004  and  Director  of  Compilers,  Libraries  & 
Performance  Tools  from  1997  to  2000;  and  engineering  and  programmer  positions  at  Apple  Computer,  IBM  and  Pacific-
Sierra Research.  Rajeev holds a Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin 
and a BE in Electrical Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, New Delhi. 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors 

Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results 

Our disclosure and analysis in this Annual Report contains some forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements 
include our current expectations or forecasts of future events.  The reader can identify these statements by the fact that they 
do  not  relate  strictly  to  historical  or  current  facts.    In  particular,  these  include  statements  relating  to  future  action, 
prospective  products,  new  technologies,  establishing  foreign  operations,  future  performance  or  results  of  current  and 
anticipated  products,  sales  efforts,  expenses,  outsourcing  of  functions,  outcome  of  contingencies,  impact  of  regulatory 
requirements, restructure actions and financial results. 

Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report or in any other public statement made may turn out to be 
wrong.  They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make, or known or unknown risks and uncertainties can 
affect these forward-looking statements.  Many factors -- for example, product competition and product development -- will 
be  important  in  determining  future  results.    Moreover,  neither  Data  I/O  nor  anyone  else  assumes  responsibility  for  the 
accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements.  Actual future results may materially vary. 

We  undertake  no  obligation  to  publicly  update  any  forward-looking  statements  after  the  date  of  this  Annual  Report, 
whether  as  a  result  of  new  information,  future  events  or  otherwise.    The  reader  should  not  unduly  rely  on  our  forward-
10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
looking statements.  The reader is advised, however, to consult any future disclosures we make on related subjects in our 10-
Q,  8-K  and  10-K  reports  to  the  SEC  and  press  releases.    Also,  note  that  we  provide  the following  cautionary  discussion  of 
risks,  uncertainties  and  possible  inaccurate  assumptions  relevant  to  our  business.    These  are  factors  that  we  think  could 
cause  our  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  expected  and  historical  results.    Other  factors  besides  those  listed  here 
could also adversely affect us.  This discussion is permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 

RISK FACTORS 

Delays in development, introduction and shipment of new products or services may result in a decline in sales or increased 
costs. 

We develop new engineering and automated programming systems and services.  Significant technological, supplier, 
manufacturing or other problems may delay the development, introduction or production of these products or services. 

For example, we may encounter these problems:  

 

 

 

 

technical  problems  in  the  development  of  a  new  programming  system  platform  or  the  robotics  for  new  automated 
handing systems 

inability to hire qualified personnel or turnover in existing personnel 

delays or failures to perform by us or third parties involved in our development projects 

development of new products or services that are not accepted by the market 

These problems may result in a decline in sales or increased costs. 

Quarterly fluctuations in our operating results may adversely affect our stock price. 

Our operating results tend to vary from quarter to quarter.  Our revenue in each quarter substantially depends upon orders 
received  within  that  quarter.    Conversely,  our  expenditures  are  based  on  investment  plans  and  estimates  of  future 
revenues.  We may, therefore, be unable to quickly reduce our spending if our revenues decline in a given quarter.  As a 
result,  operating  results  for  that  quarter  will  suffer.    Our  results  of  operations  for  any  one  quarter  are  not  necessarily 
indicative of results for any future periods. 

Other factors, which may cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate, include: 

 

 

 

increased competition  

timing of new product announcements and timing of development expenditures 

product or service releases and pricing changes by us or our competitors 

  market acceptance or delays in the introduction of new products or services 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

production constraints 

quality issues 

labor or material 

timing of significant orders 

timing of installation or customer acceptance requirements 

sales channel mix of direct vs. indirect distribution 

civil unrest, war or terrorism 

health issues (such as the outbreak of a virus impacting workers or travel) 

customers’ budgets 

adverse movements in exchange rates, interest rates or tax rates 

11 

 
 

 

 

 

cyclical and seasonal nature of demand for our customers’ products 

general economic conditions in the countries where we sell products 

expenses and obtaining authorizations in setting up new operations or locations 

facilities relocations 

Due  to  any  of  the  foregoing  factors,  it  is  possible  that  in  some  future  quarters,  our  operating  results  will  be  below 
expectations of analysts and investors. 

Our international operations may expose us to additional risks that may adversely affect our business. 

International sales represented approximately 90%, 88%, and 83% of our net revenue for the fiscal years ended December 
31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.  We expect that international sales will continue to be a significant portion of our 
net revenue.  International sales may fluctuate due to various factors, including: 

 

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; with a significant impact due to the recent strength of the U.S. Dollar 
and relative weakness of the Euro, as 39% of our 2014 sales were European-based and of those, a large portion of sales 
through  our  German  subsidiary  are  denominated  in  Euros.    Because  90%  of  our  sales  are  to  international  markets, 
volatile exchange rates may also impact our competiveness and margins 

 

economic uncertainty related to the European sovereign debt situation 

  migration of manufacturing to low cost geographies 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unexpected changes in regulatory requirements 

tariffs and taxes 

difficulties in establishing, staffing and managing foreign operations 

longer average payment cycles and difficulty in collecting accounts receivable 

compliance with applicable export licensing requirements 

product safety and other certification requirements 

difficulties in integrating foreign and outsourced operations 

civil unrest, political and economic instability 

Because  we  have  customers  located  throughout  the  world,  we  have  significant  foreign  receivables.    We  may  experience 
difficulties in collecting these amounts as a result of payment practices of certain foreign customers, economic uncertainty 
and regulations in foreign countries, the availability and reliability of foreign credit information, and potential difficulties in 
enforcing collection terms.   

The European Union and European Free Trade Association (“EU”) has established certain electronic emission and product 
safety  requirements  (“CE”).    As  applicable,  our  products  currently  meet  these  requirements;  however,  failure  to  obtain 
either a CE certification or a waiver for any product may prevent us from marketing that product in Europe.  The EU also has 
directives concerning the Reduction of Hazardous Substances (“RoHS”) and we believe we are classified within the EU RoHS 
Directive  category  list  as  Industrial  Monitoring  and  Control  Equipment  (category  9),  which  is  out  of  scope  until  the 
enforcement  date  of  July  2017.    Failure  to  meet  applicable  directives  or  qualifying  exemptions  may  prevent  us  from 
marketing certain products in Europe or other territories with similar requirements.   

We  have  subsidiaries  in  Germany,  China,  Hong  Kong,  Brazil  and  Canada  and  large  balances  of  cash  are  in  our  foreign 
subsidiaries  (with  45%  in  China).    Our  business  and  financial  condition  is  sensitive  to  currency  exchange  rates  and  any 
restrictions imposed on their currencies including restrictions on repatriations of cash.  Any repatriation of cash could result 
in tax costs and corresponding deferred tax assets with related tax valuation allowances.  Currency exchange fluctuations in 
these countries may adversely affect our investment in our subsidiaries. 

12 

 
A decline in economic and market conditions may result in decreased capital spending and delayed or defaulted payments 
from our customers. 

Our  business  is  highly  impacted  by  capital  spending  plans  and  other  economic  cycles  that  affect  the  users  and 
manufacturers  of  integrated  circuits.    These  industries  are  highly  cyclical  and  are  characterized  by  rapid  technological 
change, short product life cycles and fluctuations in manufacturing capacity and pricing and gross margin pressures.  As we 
experienced in recent years and are currently experiencing, our operations may in the future reflect substantial fluctuations 
from  period-to-period  as  a  consequence  of  these  industry  patterns,  general  economic  conditions  affecting  the  timing  of 
orders from major customers, and other factors affecting capital spending.  In a difficult economic climate it may take us 
longer to receive payments from our customers and some of our customers’ business may fail, resulting in non-payment.    
These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. 

Failure to adapt to technology trends in our industry may hinder our competitiveness and financial results. 

Product and service technology in our industry evolves rapidly, making timely product innovation essential to success in the 
marketplace.  Introducing products and services with improved technologies or features may render our existing products 
obsolete and unmarketable.  Technological advances and trends that may negatively impact our business include:   

 

 

 

 

new  device  package  types,  densities  and  technologies  requiring  hardware  and  software  changes  in  order  to  be 
programmed by our products, particularly certain segments of the high density NAND and e-MMC markets where after 
placement programming is recommended by the semiconductor manufacturers 

reduction in semiconductor process geometries for certain Multi Level Cell (MLC) and Triple Level Cell (TLC) NAND and 
eMMC FLASH memories impact the product data retention through Surface Mount Technology (SMT) reflow.  Improper 
SMT  process  control  can  negatively  impact  the  end  customer’s  ability  to  successfully  program  devices  prior  to 
placement in manufacturing.  This can cause them to change their programing methods away from pre-programming 
to post placement programming techniques, including ISP.  Data I/O is working with semiconductor manufacturers to 
develop best practices to minimize the impact of reflow induced data loss. 

electronics equipment manufacturing practices, such as widespread use of in-circuit programming 

customer software platform preferences different from those on which our products operate 

  more rigid industry standards, which would decrease the value-added element of our products and support services 

If we cannot develop products or services in a timely manner in response to industry changes, or if our products or services 
do not perform well, our business and financial condition  may be adversely affected.  Also, our new products or services 
may contain defects or errors that give rise to product liability claims against us or cause our products to fail to gain market 
acceptance.  Our future success depends on our ability to successfully compete with other technology firms in attracting 
and retaining key technical personnel. 

We  have  a  history  of  recent  operating  losses  and  may  be  unable  to  generate  enough  revenue  to  achieve  and  maintain 
profitability. 

We  have  incurred  operating  losses  in  two  of  the  last  five  years  and  four  of  the  last  ten  years.    We  operate  in  a  cyclical 
industry.  We will continue to examine our level of operating expense based upon our projected revenues.  Any planned 
increases in operating expenses may result in losses in future periods if projected revenues are not achieved.  As a result, 
we may need to generate greater revenues than we have recently  in order to maintain profitability.  However, we cannot 
provide assurance that our revenues will continue to increase and our business strategies may not be successful, resulting 
in future losses. 

We may face increased competition and may not be able to compete successfully with current and future competitors. 

Technological advances have reduced the barriers of entry into the programming systems market.  We expect competition 
to increase from both established and emerging companies.  If we fail to compete successfully against current and future 
sources of competition, our profitability and financial performance will be adversely impacted. 

13 

 
 
 
If our relationship with semiconductor manufacturers deteriorates, our business may be adversely affected. 

We  work  closely  with  most  semiconductor  manufacturers  to  ensure  that  our  programming  systems  comply  with  their 
requirements.  In addition, many semiconductor manufacturers recommend our programming systems for use by users of 
their programmable devices.  Consolidation within the semiconductor industry may impact us.  These working relationships 
enable  us  to  keep  our  programming  systems  product  lines  up  to  date  and  provide  end-users  with  broad  and  current 
programmable device support.   As technology changes occur  that limit  the effectiveness of pre-placement  programming, 
particularly  for  very  small  high  density  NAND  and  e-MMC  devices,  certain  semiconductor  manufacturers  are  not 
recommending  or  may  not  continue  recommending  our  programming  systems  for  these  devices.    Our  business  may  be 
adversely affected if our relationships with semiconductor manufacturers deteriorate. 

Our reliance on a small number of suppliers may result in a shortage of key components, which may adversely affect our 
business, and our suppliers may experience financial difficulties which could impact their ability to service our needs. 

Certain  parts  used  in  our  products  are  currently  available  from  either  a  single  supplier  or  from  a  limited  number  of 
suppliers.  If we cannot develop alternative sources of these components, if sales of parts are discontinued by the supplier, 
if we experience deterioration in our relationship with these suppliers, or if these suppliers require financing, which is not 
available, there may be delays or reductions in product introductions or shipments, which may materially adversely affect 
our operating results. 

Because  we  rely  on  a  small  number  of  suppliers  for  certain  parts,  we  are  subject  to  possible  price  increases  by  these 
suppliers.    Also,  we  may  be  unable  to  accurately  forecast  our  production  schedule.    If  we  underestimate  our  production 
schedule, suppliers may be unable to meet our demand for components.  This delay in the supply of key components may 
have a materially adverse effect on our business.  For suppliers who discontinue parts, we may be required to make lifetime 
purchases covering future requirements.   Over estimation of demand or excessive minimum order quantities will lead to 
excess inventories that may become obsolete. 

Certain  of  our  sockets,  parts  and  boards  are  currently  manufactured  to  our  specifications  by  third-party  foreign  contract 
manufacturers and we are sourcing certain parts or options from foreign manufacturers.  We may not be able to obtain a 
sufficient  quantity  of  these  products  if  and  when  needed  or  the  quality  of  these  parts  or  options  may  not  meet  our 
standards, which may result in lost sales. 

If we are unable to attract and retain qualified third-party distributors and representatives, our business may be adversely 
affected. 

We  have  an  internal  sales  force  and  also  utilize  third-party  distributors  and  representatives.    Therefore,  the  financial 
stability of these distributors and representatives is important.  Their ability to  operate, timely pay us, and to acquire any 
necessary financing may be affected by the current economic climate.  Highly skilled professional engineers use most of our 
products.    To  be  effective,  third-party  distributors  and  representatives  must  possess  significant  technical,  marketing, 
customer relationships and sales resources and must devote their resources to sales efforts, customer education, training 
and  support.    These  required  qualities  limit  the  number  of  potential  third-party  distributors  and  representatives.    Our 
business  will  suffer  if  we  cannot  attract  and  retain  a  sufficient  number  of  qualified  third-party  distributors  and 
representatives to market our products. 

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, we may not be able to compete effectively or operate profitably. 

We  rely  on  patents,  copyrights,  trade  secrets  and  trademarks  to  protect  our  intellectual  property,  as  well  as  product 
development  and  marketing  skill  to  establish  and  protect  our  market  position.    We  attempt  to  protect  our  rights  in 
proprietary software products, including our user interface, product firmware, software module options and other software 
products by retaining the title to and copyright of the software and documentation, by including appropriate contractual 
restrictions on use and disclosure in our licenses, and by requiring our employees to execute non-disclosure agreements. 

Because of the rapidly changing technology in the semiconductor, electronic equipment and software industries, portions 
of our products might possibly infringe upon existing patents or copyrights, and we may be required to obtain licenses or 
discontinue  the  use  of  the  infringing  technology.    We  believe  that  any  exposure  we  may  have  regarding  possible 
infringement claims is a reasonable business risk similar to that assumed by other companies in the electronic equipment 
and  software  industries.    However,  any  claim  of  infringement,  with  or  without  merit,  could  be  costly  and  a  diversion  of 
management’s  attention,  and  an  adverse  determination  could  adversely  affect  our  reputation,  preclude  us  from  offering 

14 

 
 
 
certain products, and subject us to substantial liability. 

We may pursue business acquisitions that could impair our financial position and profitability. 

We may pursue acquisitions of complementary technologies, product lines or businesses.  Future acquisitions may include 
risks, such as: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

burdening management and our operating teams during the integration of the acquisition 

diverting management’s attention from other business concerns 

failing to successfully integrate or monetize the acquired products or technologies 

lack of acceptance of the acquired products by our sales channels or customers 

entering markets where we have no or limited prior experience 

potential loss of key employees of the acquired company 

additional burden of support for an acquired programmer architecture 

Future  acquisitions  may  also  impact  our  financial  position.    For  example,  we  may  use  significant  cash  or  incur  additional 
debt,  which  would  weaken  our  balance  sheet.    We  may  also  capitalize  goodwill  and  intangible  assets  acquired,  the 
impairment  of  which  would  reduce  our  profitability.    We  cannot  guarantee  that  future  acquisitions  will  improve  our 
business or operating results. 

The loss of key employees may adversely affect our operations. 

We have employees located in the U.S., Germany and China.  We also utilize independent contractors for specialty work, 
primarily in research and development, and utilize temporary workers to adjust capacity to fluctuating demand.  Many of 
our  employees  are  highly  skilled  and  our  continued  success  will  depend  in  part  upon  our  ability  to  attract  and  retain 
employees  who  can  be  in  great  demand  within  the  industry.    None  of  our  employees  are  represented  by  a  collective 
bargaining unit and we believe relations with our employees are favorable, though no assurance can be made that this will 
be  the  case  in  the  future.    In  China,  our  workers  are  “leased”  with  the  arrangements  made  under  the  “FSCO”  labor 
agreement and we could be adversely affected if we were unable to continue that arrangement. 

Failure to comply with regulatory requirements may adversely affect our stock price and business. 

As a public company, we are subject to numerous governmental and stock exchange requirements, with which we believe 
we are in compliance.  Our failure to meet  regulatory requirements and exchange listing standards may result  in actions 
such  as:  the  delisting  of  our  stock,  impacting  our  stock’s  liquidity;  SEC  enforcement  actions;  and  securities  claims  and 
litigation. 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have requirements that we may fail to 
meet or we may fall out of compliance with, such as the internal controls auditor attestation required under Section 404 of 
the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002,  with  which  we  are  not  currently  required  to  comply  as  we  are  a  smaller  reporting 
company.    We  assume  that  we  will  continue  to  have  the  status  of  a  smaller  reporting  company  based  on  the  aggregate 
market value of the voting and non-voting shares held as of June 30, 2014.  If we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy 
of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able 
to  ensure  that  we  can  conclude  on  an  ongoing  basis  that  we  have  effective  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting  in 
accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Moreover, effective internal controls, particularly those 
related to revenue recognition, are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent 
financial fraud.  If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be 
harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, and the trading price of our stock could drop 
significantly.   

While  we  have  policies  and  procedures  in  place  designed  to  prevent  corruption  and  bribery,  because  our  business  is 
significantly international, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) could have a significant adverse effect on 
our business due to the disruption and distraction of an investigation, financial penalties and criminal penalties. 

15 

 
 
 
 
Government  regulations  regarding  the  use  of  "conflict"  minerals could  adversely  affect  our  prospects  and  results  of 
operations. 

Regulatory  requirements  regarding  disclosure  of  our  use  of  “conflict”  minerals  mined  from  the  Democratic  Republic  of 
Congo  and  adjoining  countries  could  affect  the  sourcing  and  availability  of  minerals  used  in  the  manufacture  of  certain 
products. Although we do not buy raw materials, manufacture, or produce any electronic equipment using conflict minerals 
directly, some components provided by our suppliers and contained in our products contain conflict minerals.  Our goal is 
for our products to be conflict free.   As a  result, there may only be a  limited pool of  suppliers who provide conflict  free 
metals, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices.  
Single source suppliers may not respond or respond negatively regarding conflict mineral sourcing and we may be unable to 
find alternative sources to replace them.  Also, because our supply chain is complex, we may face reputational challenges 
with  our  customers  and  other  stakeholders  if  we  are  unable  to  sufficiently  verify  the  origins  for  all  metals  used  in  the 
products that we sell.  Further, if we are unable to comply with the new laws or regulations or if our efforts to comply with 
new  laws,  regulations  and  standards  differ  from  the  activities  intended  by  regulatory  or  governing  bodies  due  to 
ambiguities  related  to  practice,  regulatory  authorities  may  initiate  legal  proceedings  against  us.    We  may  need  to  incur 
additional costs and invest additional resources, including management’s time, in order to comply with the new regulations 
and anticipated additional reporting and disclosure obligations. 

We may need to raise additional capital and our future access to capital is uncertain. 

Our past revenues have sometimes been, and our future revenues may again be, insufficient to support the expense of our 
operations  and  any  expansion  of  our  business.    We  may  therefore  need  additional  equity  or  debt  capital  to  finance  our 
operations.  If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations or to obtain funds through additional debt, 
lease or equity financing, we may have to reduce some or all of our development and sales and marketing efforts and limit 
the expansion of our business.   

We believe that we have sufficient cash or working capital available under our operating plan to fund our operations and 
capital  requirements  through  at  least  the  next  one-year  period.    In  the  event  we  may  require  additional  cash  for  U.S. 
operations, it may cause the potential repatriation of cash from the $6.7 million held in our foreign subsidiaries.  Although 
we  have  no  current  repatriation  plans,  there  may  be  tax,  legal  and  other  impediments  to  any  repatriation  actions.    Our 
working capital may be used to fund  possible losses, business growth, project initiatives,  share repurchases and business 
development initiatives including acquisitions, which could reduce our liquidity and result in a requirement for additional 
cash before that time.  Any substantial inability to achieve our current business plan could have a material adverse impact 
on  our  financial  position,  liquidity,  or  results  of  operations  and  may  require  us  to  reduce  expenditures  and/or  seek 
additional financing. 

Therefore, we may seek additional funding through public or private debt or equity financing or from other sources.  We 
have no commitments for additional financing, and given the current economic climate and our financial results,  we may 
experience difficulty in obtaining funding on favorable terms, if at all.  Any financing we obtain may contain covenants that 
restrict our freedom to operate our business or may require us to issue securities that have rights, preferences or privileges 
senior to our Common Stock and may dilute your ownership interest. 

Our stock price may be volatile and, as a result, you may lose some or all of your investment. 

The stock prices of technology companies tend to fluctuate significantly.  We believe factors such as announcements of new 
products or services by us or our competitors and quarterly variations in financial results and outlook may cause the market 
price of our Common Stock to fluctuate substantially.  In addition, overall volatility in the stock market, particularly in the 
technology company sector, is often unrelated to the operating performance of companies.  If these market  fluctuations 
continue in the future, they may adversely affect the price of our Common Stock.   

Cyber security breaches or terrorism could result in liabilities or costs as well as damage to or loss of our data or customer 
access to our website and information systems.  The collection, storage, transmission, use and disclosure of user data and 
personal  information,  if  accessed  improperly,  could  give  rise  to  liabilities  or  additional  costs  as  a  result  of  laws, 
governmental regulations and evolving views of personal privacy rights.  

Cyber security breaches or terrorism could result in the exposure or theft of private or confidential information as well as 
interrupt  our business, including denying customer access  to our website and information systems.   We transmit, and in 
some cases store, end-user data, including personal information.  In jurisdictions around the world, personal information is 
16 

 
becoming  increasingly  subject  to  legislation  and  regulations  intended  to  protect  consumers’  privacy  and  security.    The 
interpretation of privacy and data protection laws and regulations regarding the collection, storage, transmission, use and 
disclosure of such information in some jurisdictions is unclear and evolving.  These laws may be interpreted and applied in 
conflicting ways from country to country and in a manner that is not consistent with our current data protection practices.  
Complying with these varying international requirements could cause us to incur additional costs and change our business 
practices.  Because our services are accessible in many foreign jurisdictions, some of these jurisdictions may claim that we 
are  required  to  comply  with  their  laws,  even  where  we  have  no  local  entity,  employees  or  infrastructure.    We  could  be 
forced to incur significant expenses if we were required to modify our products, our services or our existing security and 
privacy procedures in order to comply with new or expanded regulations. 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

Item 2.  Properties 

We  amended  our  lease  agreement  for  the  Redmond,  Washington  headquarters  facility  effective  February  1,  2011, 
extending the term to August 2016, lowering the square footage to 32,646 and lowering the rental rate.  The lease square 
footage  increased  to  33,676  effective  February  1,  2014.    The  lease  base  annual  rental  payments  during  2014,  2013,  and 
2012 were approximately $531,000, $501,000, and $487,000, respectively. 

In  addition  to  the  Redmond  facility,  approximately  14,000  square  feet  is  leased  at  two  foreign  locations,  including  our 
German  sales,  service  and  engineering  operations  located  in  Munich,  Germany,  and  a  sales,  service,  operations  and 
engineering office located in Shanghai, China. 

During the first quarter of 2014, we renewed our lease agreement for our Munich, Germany facility effective February 1, 
2015 and extending the term through January 2018 and lowering the square footage to approximately 4,306 square feet.  
Effective June 1, 2014, the landlord was able to lease the excess space abandoned as part of Q2 2013 restructure actions to 
another tenant and the lease was revised to end May 31, 2017. 

Our Shanghai, China facility is under a one-year lease starting in 2014, which we expect to extend in 2015. 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings 

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of 
business.    As  of  December  31,  2014,  we  were  not  a  party  to  any  legal  proceedings  or  aware  of  any  indemnification 
agreement claims, the adverse outcome of which in management’s opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a 
material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position. 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not Applicable. 

17 

 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low price information for our Common Stock as reported 
by the NASDAQ Capital Market (NASDAQ symbol is DAIO).  The closing price was $3.38 on December 31, 2014.   

2014 

2013 

Period 

Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 

Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 

High 

$3.83  
3.63  
3.15  
3.48  

$3.25  
3.24  
2.25  
1.92  

Low 

$2.92  
2.67  
2.18  
2.16  

$2.27  
2.02  
1.41  
1.41  

The approximate number of shareholders of record as of March 23, 2015 was 488. 

Except for special cash dividend of $4.15 per share paid on March 8, 1989, we have not paid cash dividends on our Common 
Stock and do not anticipate paying regular cash dividends in the foreseeable future.   

No sales of unregistered securities were made by us during the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

Pursuant  to NASDAQ rules, the initial equity compensation for Rajeev Gulati  was approved by the independent  directors 
and was classified as an employment inducement grant on July 26, 2013 consisting of 100,000 Non-Qualified Stock Options 
vesting quarterly over 4 years with a 6 year life. 

See Item 12 for the Equity Compensation Plan Information. 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 

Not applicable. 

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data 

Not applicable. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  

This  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  includes  forward-looking  statements  within  the  meaning  of  the  Private  Securities 
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  This Act provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to 
provide prospective information about themselves as long as they identify these statements as forward-looking and provide 
meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ from the projected 
results.    All  statements  other  than  statements  of  historical  fact  made  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  are  forward-
looking.    In  particular,  statements  herein  regarding  economic  outlook,  industry  prospects  and  trends;  future  results  of 
operations  or  financial  position;  breakeven  revenue  point;  integration  of  acquired  products  and  operations;  market 
acceptance  of  our  newly  introduced  or  upgraded  products  or  services;  development,  introduction  and  shipment  of  new 
products  or  services;  changing  foreign  operations;  and  any  other  guidance  on  future  periods  are  forward-looking 
statements.    Forward-looking  statements  reflect  management’s  current  expectations  and  are  inherently  uncertain.  
Although  we  believe  that  the  expectations  reflected  in  these  forward-looking  statements  are  reasonable,  we  cannot 
guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, achievements, or other future events.  Moreover, neither Data I/O 
nor anyone else assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements.  We are 
under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this Annual Report.  The Reader should 
not  place  undue  reliance  on  these  forward-looking  statements.    The  following  discussions  and  the  section  entitled  “Risk 
Factors  – Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results” describes some, but not all, of the factors that could cause 
these differences. 

OVERVIEW  

We have renewed our focus on managing the core programming business to return to profitability, while developing and 
enhancing products to drive future revenue and earnings growth.  Our challenge continues to be operating in a cyclical and 
rapidly evolving industry environment.  We achieved a turnaround back to financial profitability in 2014.  We are continuing 
our efforts to balance business geography shifts, exchange rate volatility, increasing costs and strategic investments in our 
business with the level of demand and mix of business we expect.  We continue to manage our costs carefully and create 
strategies for cost reduction. 

We  are  focusing  our  research  and  development  efforts  in  our  strategic  growth  markets,  namely  new  programming 
technology, automated programming systems  and their enhancements for the manufacturing environment and software.  
We  continue  to  focus  on  extending  the  capabilities  and  support  for  our  product  lines  and  supporting  the  latest 
semiconductor  devices,  including  NAND  Flash,  e-MMC,  and  microcontrollers  on  our  newer  products.    In  July  2014,  we 
announced our new PSV3000, Data I/O’s automated programming system, leveraging our technology with a solution aimed 
at the Asian market. 

Our customer focus has been on strategic high volume manufacturers in key market segments like automotive electronics, 
wireless and consumer electronics, industrial controls and IoT (Internet of Things) as well as programming centers. 

BUSINESS RESTRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL TURNAROUND 

During 2012 and 2013, we took restructuring actions to reduce our excess office space and eliminate certain job positions.  
These actions resulted in restructuring costs of $1.2 million in 2013.  A true up of estimates resulted in a  $13,000 charge 
during the first quarter of 2014.  The restructure changes allow us to have the flexibility to add other critical positions or 
change fixed to variable costs through outsourcing.  These actions have been fully implemented.  At  December 31, 2014, 
the  remaining  portion  of  the  reserve  expected  to  be  paid  over  the  next  twelve  months  is  $113,000,  and  the  long  term 
portion is $75,000 and relates to the lease abandonment payments that are scheduled out to August 2016.  We achieved a 
turnaround in profitability in 2014.   

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICY JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
America requires that we make estimates and judgments, which affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues 
and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.  On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, 
including  those  related  to  sales  returns,  bad  debts,  inventories,  intangible  assets,  income  taxes,  warranty  obligations, 
restructuring  charges,  contingencies  such  as  litigation  and  contract  terms  that  have  multiple  elements  and  other 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
complexities  typical  in  the  capital  equipment  industry.    We  base  our  estimates  on  historical  experience  and  other 
assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under 
different assumptions or conditions.   

We  believe  the  following  critical  accounting  policies  affect  the  more  significant  judgments  and  estimates  used  in  the 
preparation of our financial statements:  

Revenue  Recognition:    We  recognize  revenue  at  the  time  the  product  is  shipped.    We  have  determined  that  our 
programming  equipment  has  reached  a  point  of  maturity  and  stability  such  that  product  acceptance  can  be  assured  by 
testing at the factory prior to shipment and that the installation meets the criteria to be considered a separate element.  
These  systems  are  standard  products  with  published  product  specifications  and  are  configurable  with  standard  options.  
The evidence that these systems could be deemed as accepted was based upon having standardized factory production of 
the  units,  results  from  batteries  of  tests  of  product  performance  to  our  published  specifications,  quality  inspections  and 
installation standardization, as well as past product operation validation with the customer and the history provided by our 
installed base of products upon which the current versions were based. 

The revenue related to products requiring installation that is perfunctory is recognized at the time of shipment.  Installation 
that is considered perfunctory includes any installation that can be performed by other parties, such as distributors, other 
vendors, or in most cases the customers themselves.  This takes into account the complexity, skill and training needed as 
well as customer expectations regarding installation. 

We  enter  into  multiple  deliverables  arrangements  that  arise  during  the  sale  of  a  system  that  includes  an  installation 
component,  a  service  and  support  component  and  a  software  maintenance  component.    We  allocate  the  value  of  each 
element based on relative selling prices.  Relative selling price is based on the selling price of the standalone system.  For 
the  installation  and  service  and  support  components,  we  use  what  we  charge  to  distributors  who  perform  these 
components.  For software maintenance components, we use what we charge for annual software maintenance renewals 
after  the  initial  year  the  system  is  sold.    Revenue  is  recognized  on  the  system  sale  based  on  shipping  terms,  installation 
revenue  is  recognized  after  the  installation  is  performed,  and  hardware  service  and  support  and  software  maintenance 
revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement, typically one year. 

When  we  sell  software  separately,  we  recognize  software  revenue  upon  shipment  provided  that  only  inconsequential 
obligations remain on our part and substantive acceptance conditions, if any, have been met. 

We  recognize  revenue  when  persuasive  evidence  of  an  arrangement  exists,  shipment  has  occurred,  the  price  is  fixed  or 
determinable,  the  buyer  has  paid  or  is  obligated  to  pay,  collectability  is  reasonably  assured,  substantive  acceptance 
conditions, if any, have been met, the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product, the buyer’s obligation would 
not be changed in the event of theft, physical destruction or damage to the product, the buyer acquiring the product for 
resale has economic substance apart from us and we do not have significant obligations for future performance to directly 
bring about the resale of the product by the buyer.  We establish a reserve for sales returns based on historical trends in 
product returns and estimates for new items. 

We  transfer  certain  products  out  of  service  from  their  internal  use  and  make  them  available  for  sale.    The  products 
transferred are our standard products in one of the following areas: service loaners, rental or test units; engineering test 
units; or sales demonstration equipment.  Once transferred, the equipment  is sold by our regular  sales channels as used 
equipment  inventory.  These product units often involve  refurbishing and an equipment  warranty, and are conducted as 
sales in our normal and ordinary course of business.  The transfer amount is the product unit’s net book value and the sale 
transaction is accounted for as revenue and cost of goods sold. 

Allowance  for  Doubtful  Accounts:    We  base  the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  receivable  on  our  assessment  of  the 
collectability  of  specific  customer  accounts  and  the  aging  of  accounts  receivable.    If  there  is  deterioration  of  a  major 
customer’s credit worthiness or actual defaults are higher than historical experience, our estimates of the recoverability of 
amounts due to us could be adversely affected.   

Inventory:  Inventories  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  market.    Adjustments  are  made  to  standard  cost,  which 
approximates  actual  cost  on  a  first-in,  first-out  basis.    We  estimate  reductions  to  inventory  for  obsolete,  slow-moving, 
excess  and  non-salable  inventory  by  reviewing  current  transactions  and  forecasted  product  demand.    We  evaluate  our 
inventories  on  an  item  by  item  basis  and  record  inventory  adjustments  accordingly.    If  there  is  a  significant  decrease  in 
demand for our products, uncertainty during product line transitions, or a higher risk of inventory obsolescence because of 
20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
rapidly changing technology and customer requirements, we may be required to increase our inventory adjustments and 
our gross margin could be adversely affected.   

Warranty Accruals:   We accrue for  warranty costs based  on the expected material and labor costs to  fulfill our warranty 
obligations.    If  we  experience  an  increase  in  warranty  claims,  which  are  higher  than  our  historical  experience,  our  gross 
margin could be adversely affected.   

Tax Valuation Allowances:   Given the uncertainty created  by our loss history, as well as the  ongoing uncertain  economic 
outlook for our industry and capital and geographic spending, we expect to continue to limit the recognition of net deferred 
tax assets and accounting for uncertain tax positions and maintain the tax valuation allowances.   At the current time, we 
expect, therefore, that reversals of the tax valuation allowance will take place only as we are able to take advantage of the 
underlying tax loss or other attributes in carry forward.  The transfer pricing and expense or cost sharing arrangements are 
complex areas where judgments, such as the determination of arms-length arrangements, can be subject to challenges by 
different tax jurisdictions.   

Share-based Compensation:  We account for share-based awards made to our employees and directors, including employee 
stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards, using the estimated grant date fair value method of accounting.  For 
options, we estimate the fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires the input of highly subjective 
assumptions, including the option’s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock.  The expected stock price 
volatility  assumption  was  determined  using  the  historical  volatility  of  our  common  stock.    Changes  in  the  subjective 
assumptions required in the valuation model may significantly affect the estimated value of the awards, the related stock-
based compensation expense and, consequently, our results of operations.  Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) shares 
were issued under provisions that do not require us to record any equity compensation expense. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: 

NET SALES 

Net sales by product line 
(in thousands) 
Automated programming systems 
Non-automated programming systems 
Total programming systems 

Net sales by location 
(in thousands) 
United States 
% of total 
International 
% of total 

2014 

Change 

2013 

$15,380  
6,544  
$21,924  

26.3% 
0.0% 
17.1% 

$12,173  
6,544  
$18,717  

2014 

Change 

2013 

$2,104  
9.6% 
$19,820  
90.4% 

(9.7%) 

21.0% 

$2,331  
12.5% 
$16,386  
87.5% 

Net  sales  increased  17.1%  to  $21.9  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014,  from  $18.7  million  in  2013.    On  a 
regional  basis,  net  sales  increased  approximately  55%  in  Europe  and  10%  in  the  Americas,  while  declining  8%  in  Asia 
compared to 2013.  Automated system sales increased dramatically during 2014 while non-automated system sales were 
the same.  We expect to continue to see increases in automated system sales.  On a product basis, sales increased primarily 
due  to  the  first  full  year  of  sales  of  our  PSV7000  automated  programming  system,  offset  in  part,  by  declines  in  the 
Roadrunner, FLX, FlashPak and legacy (Unifamily and Sprint) product lines compared to 2013.  During 2014, we experienced 
a strengthening U.S. Dollar versus foreign currencies, which is significant because approximately 90% of our sales are from 
international markets.  Approximately 39% of our 2014 sales were European based and of those, a large portion of our sales 
through our German subsidiary are denominated in Euros.   

Order bookings were $22.8 million for 2014 up 17% compared to $19.5 million in 2013. Backlog at December 31, 2014 and 
2013 was $1.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively. 

GROSS MARGIN 

(in thousands) 
Gross margin 
Percentage of net sales 

2014 

Change 

2013 

$11,825  
53.9% 

24.3% 

$9,510  
50.8% 

Gross margin as a percentage of sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 53.9%, compared to 50.8% in 2013. The 
change was primarily due to increased factory utilization from higher sales volume and a more favorable product mix.     

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

(in thousands) 
Research and development 
Percentage of net sales 

2014 

Change 

2013 

$4,708  
21.5% 

2.7% 

$4,586  
24.5% 

Research  and  development  (“R&D”)  increased  by  $122,000  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  compared  to  2013, 
primarily related to higher incentive compensation, recruiting costs and professional services, offset in part by savings from 
2013 restructuring actions, cost controls and lower R&D materials. 

We  believe  it  is  essential  to  invest  in  R&D  to  significantly  enhance  our  existing  products  and  to  create  new  products  as 
markets develop and technologies change.  In addition to product development, a  significant  part  of R&D spending is on 
creating  software  and  support  for  new  devices  introduced  by  the  semiconductor  companies.    We  are  focusing  our  R&D 
efforts  on  solutions  for  strategic  growth  markets,  including  new  programming  technology,  automated  programming 
systems for the manufacturing environment and extending the capabilities and support for our programmer architecture.  

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our  R&D  spending  fluctuates  based  on  the  number,  type,  and  the  development  stage  of  our  product  initiatives  and 
projects.   

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE 

(in thousands) 
Selling, general & administrative 
Percentage of net sales 

2014 

Change 

2013 

$5,997  
27.4% 

(6.0%) 

$6,378  
34.1% 

Selling,  General  and  Administrative  (“SG&A”)  expenses  decreased  $381,000  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014 
compared to 2013.  The decrease was primarily related to savings from personnel reductions due  to restructuring actions 
and cost controls, offset in part by higher commissions and incentive compensation. 

INTEREST 

(in thousands) 
Interest income 

2014 

Change 

2013 

$159  

(0.6%) 

$160  

Interest  income  was  slightly  lower  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  compared  to  2013,  primarily  due  to  lower 
invested cash balances. 

INCOME TAXES 

(in thousands) 
Income tax (expense) benefit 

*  not meaningful 

2014 

Change 

2013 

($7) 

* 

$8  

Income  tax  expense  increased  by  $15,000  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  compared  to  2013,  primarily  resulting 
from foreign income tax and 2013 refunds on foreign subsidiary income. 

The  effective  tax  rate  differed  from  the  statutory  tax  rate  primarily  due  to  the  effect  of  valuation  allowances,  as  well  as 
foreign  taxes.    We  have  a  valuation  allowance  of  $11.8  million  and  $12.0  million  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  Our deferred tax assets and valuation allowance have been reduced by approximately $197,000 and $180,000 
associated with the requirements of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  
Given the uncertainty created by our loss history, as well as the ongoing uncertain economic outlook for our industry and 
capital and geographic spending, we expect to continue to limit the recognition of net deferred tax assets and accounting 
for uncertain tax positions and maintain the tax valuation allowances. 

INFLATION AND CHANGES IN FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES 

Sales and expenses incurred by foreign subsidiaries are denominated in the subsidiary’s local currency and translated into 
U.S. Dollar amounts at average rates of  exchange during the year.  We recognized foreign currency transaction gains and 
(losses) of ($160,000) and ($76,000) in 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The transaction gains or losses resulted primarily from 
translation adjustments to foreign inter-company accounts and U.S. Dollar accounts held by foreign  subsidiaries; sales by 
our  German  subsidiary  to  certain  customers,  which  were  invoiced  in  U.S.  Dollars;  and  Brazilian  intercompany  balances.  
Because  90%  of  our  sales  are  to  international  markets,  volatile  exchange  rates  may  also  impact  our  competiveness  and 
margins. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION: 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

(in thousands) 
Working capital 

2014 

Change 

2013 

$13,063  

$819  

$12,244  

At  December  31,  2014,  our  principal  sources  of  liquidity  consisted  of  existing  cash  and  cash  equivalents.    Our  working 
capital increased by $819,000 for the twelve month period ending December 31, 2014 primarily due to the net income for 
the year.  Our current ratio was 3.5 and 3.8 for December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

For the twelve month period ending December 31, 2014, our cash position declined $1,065,000 primarily due to internal 
expenditures for sales demonstration and R&D test equipment and unfavorable exchange rates.  This was offset in part by 
cash provided by operating activities.  

Although  we  have  no  significant  external  capital  expenditure  plans  currently,  we  expect  that  we  will  continue  to  make 
capital expenditures to support our business.  We plan to increase our internally developed sales demonstration and R&D 
test equipment as we develop and release new products.  Capital expenditures are expected to be funded by existing and 
internally generated funds or lease financing. 

As  a  result  of  our  significant  product  development,  customer  support,  selling  and  marketing  efforts,  we  have  required 
substantial  working  capital  to  fund  our  operations.    Over  the  last  few  years  and  through  2013,  we  restructured  our 
operations to lower our costs and operating expenditures in some geographic regions, while investing in other regions.  We 
have created the opportunity: to hire critical product development resources; to lower the level of revenue required for our 
net  income  breakeven  point;  to  offset  in  part,  costs  rising  over  time;  to  preserve  our  cash  position,  and  to  focus  on 
profitable  operations.  See  “Business  Restructure  And  Financial  Turnaround”  discussion  above  for  future  expected 
restructuring related payments.  

We believe that we have sufficient cash or working capital available under our operating plan to fund our operations and 
capital  requirements  through  at  least  the  next  one-year  period.    We  may  require  additional  cash  for  U.S.  operations, 
causing potential repatriation of cash from the $6.7 million held in our foreign subsidiaries.  Although we have no current 
repatriation plans, there may be tax and other impediments to any repatriation actions.  Our working capital may be used 
to  fund  possible  losses,  business  growth,  project  initiatives,  share  repurchases  and  business  development  initiatives 
including  acquisitions,  which  could  reduce  our  liquidity  and  result  in  a  requirement  for  additional  cash  before  that  time.  
Any substantial inability to achieve our current business plan could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, 
liquidity, or results of operations and may require us to reduce expenditures and/or seek additional financing. 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS 

Except  as  noted  in  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  in  Note  7,  “Operating  Lease  Commitments”  and 
Note 8, “Other Commitments”, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements. 

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM 

No stock repurchase programs were in effect during the twelve month period ending December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

NON-GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (GAAP) FINANCIAL MEASURES  

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (“EBITDA”) was $1,540,000 for the year ending December 
31, 2014, compared to a loss of $2,097,000 for the same period in 2013.  Adjusted EBITDA excluding equity compensation 
(a non-cash item) and restructure charge was $1,953,000 for  the year ending December 31,  2014, compared to a  loss of 
$491,000 for the same period in 2013.  Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior 
to,  measures  of  financial  performance  prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP.    We  believe  that  these  non-GAAP  financial 
measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our results and facilitate the comparison of results.  A 
reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA follows: 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (in thousands)  

Net Income (loss) 
   Interest income 
   Taxes 
   Depreciation & amortization, including impairment charge 
EBITDA earnings (loss) 

   Equity compensation 
   Restructure charge 
Adjusted EBITDA earnings (loss) excluding  

   equity compensation and restructure charge 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS 

Year Ended December  31, 

2014 

2013 

$1,099  
(159) 
7  
593  
$1,540  

400  
13  

$1,953  

($2,576) 
(160) 
(8) 
647  
($2,097) 

423  
1,183  

($491) 

In  May  2014,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  2014-09, “Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers,” (ASU  2014-09).  The  standard 
provides companies with a single model for accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes 
current  revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The core principle of the model is to 
recognize  revenue  when  control  of  the  goods  or  services  transfers  to  the  customer,  as  opposed  to  recognizing  revenue 
when  the  risks  and  rewards  transfer  to  the  customer  under  the  existing  revenue  guidance.    ASU  2014-09  is  effective  for 
annual  reporting  periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2016.  Early  adoption  is  not  permitted.  The  guidance  permits 
companies to either apply the requirements retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or apply the requirements in the 
year of adoption, through a cumulative adjustment.  The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on 
its consolidated financial statements. 

In  April 2014,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  2014-08,  “Presentation  of  Financial  Statements  and  Property,  Plant,  and  Equipment,” 
(ASU 2014-08).  This ASU changes the threshold for reporting discontinued operations and adds new disclosures.  The new 
guidance defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is 
classified  as  held  for  sale  and  “represents  a  strategic  shift  that  has  (or  will  have)  a  major  effect  on  our  operations  and 
financial  results.”  For  disposals  of  individually  significant  components  that  do  not  qualify  as  discontinued  operations,  we 
must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component. This guidance is effective for us prospectively for all disposals 
(or  classifications  as  held  for  sale)  of  components  of  an  entity  that  occur  within  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after 
December 15,  2014,  and  interim  periods  within  those  years.  Early  adoption  is  permitted,  but  only  for  disposals  (or 
classifications  as  held  for  sale)  that  have  not  been  reported  in  financial  statements  previously  issued  or  available  for 
issuance.  We  do  not  expect  the  adoption  of  this  guidance  to  have  a  material  impact  on  our  consolidated  financial 
statements. 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

Not applicable. 

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

See pages 26 through 44. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF  INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

Board of Directors and Stockholders 
Data I/O Corporation 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Data I/O Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, the 
“Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive 
income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2014.  Our 
audits of the basic consolidated financial statements included the consolidated financial statement schedule listed in the 
index appearing under Item 15 (Schedule II).  These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the 
responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and 
financial statement schedule based on our audits. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements are free of material misstatement.  We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a 
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such 
opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating 
the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of Data I/O Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and 
their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when 
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material 
respects, the information set forth therein. 

/S/GRANT THORNTON LLP 

Seattle, Washington 
March 27, 2015 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATA I/O CORPORATION 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(in thousands, except share data) 

December 31, 
2014 

December 31, 
2013 

ASSETS 
CURRENT ASSETS: 

Cash and cash equivalents  
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for 
         doubtful accounts of $93 and $87, respectively 
Inventories 
Other current assets 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 

Property, plant and equipment – net 
Other assets 

TOTAL ASSETS 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
CURRENT LIABILITIES: 
Accounts payable 
Accrued compensation  
Deferred revenue 
Other accrued liabilities 
Accrued costs of business restructuring  
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Long-term other payables 

COMMITMENTS 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
Preferred stock - 

Authorized, 5,000,000 shares, including 
200,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating 
Issued and outstanding, none 

Common stock, at stated value - 

Authorized, 30,000,000 shares 
Issued and outstanding, 7,861,141 shares as of December 31, 
2014 and 7,786,053 shares as of December 31, 2013 

Accumulated earnings (deficit) 
Accumulated other comprehensive  income 

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

See notes to consolidated financial statements 

27 

$9,361  

4,109  
4,445  
426  
18,341  

926  
65  
$19,332  

$968  
1,756  
1,801  
640  
113  
5,278  

183  

-  

$10,426  

1,980  
3,770  
395  
16,571  

843  
88  
$17,502  

$720  
1,107  
1,170  
607  
723  
4,327  

313  

-  

-  

-  

18,704  
(5,943) 
1,110  
13,871  
$19,332  

18,343  
(7,042) 
1,561  
12,862  
$17,502  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
DATA I/O CORPORATION 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 

Net Sales 
Cost of goods sold 
Gross margin 

Operating expenses: 

Research and development 
Selling, general and administrative 
Impairment charge 
Provision for business restructuring 

Total operating expenses 
Operating income (loss) 

Non-operating income (expense): 

Interest income 
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) 
Total non-operating income (expense) 

Income (loss) before income taxes  
Income tax (expense) benefit  
Net income (loss) 

Basic earnings (loss) per share 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 
Weighted-average basic shares 
Weighted-average diluted shares  

See notes to consolidated financial statements 

For the Years Ended 
December 31, 

2014 

2013 

$21,924  
10,099  
11,825  

4,708  
5,997  
-  
13  
10,718  
1,107  

159  
(160) 
(1) 
1,106  
(7) 
$1,099  

$0.14  
$0.14  
7,826  
7,948  

$18,717  
9,207  
9,510  

4,586  
6,378  
31  
1,183  
12,178  
(2,668) 

160  
(76) 
84  
(2,584) 
8  
($2,576) 

($0.33) 
($0.33) 
7,767  
7,767  

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATA I/O CORPORATION 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 
(in thousands) 

Net Income (loss) 
Other comprehensive income: 
Foreign currency translation gain 
Comprehensive income (loss) 

See notes to consolidated financial statements 

For the Years Ended 
December 31, 

2014 

2013 

$1,099  

($2,576) 

(451) 
$648  

278  
($2,298) 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATA I/O CORPORATION 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
(in thousands, except share amounts) 

Common Stock 

Shares 

Amount 

Retained 
Earnings 
(Deficit) 

Accumulated 
and Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss) 

Total 
Stockholders' 
Equity 

7,741,686  

$17,928  

($4,466) 

$1,283  

$14,745  

37,241  

(25) 

-  

-  

(25) 

7,126  
-  
-  
-  
7,786,053  

15  
425  
-  
-  
$18,343  

-  
-  
(2,576) 
-  
($7,042) 

-  
-  
-  
278  
$1,561  

1,721  

-  

68,291  

(50) 

-  

-  

5,076  
-  
-  
-  
7,861,141  

15  
396  
-  
-  
$18,704  

-  
-  
1,099  
-  
($5,943) 

-  
-  
-  
(451) 
$1,110  

15  
425  
(2,576) 
278  
$12,862  

-  

(50) 

15  
396  
1,099  
(451) 
$13,871  

Balance at December 31, 2012 
Stock awards issued, net of tax 
   withholding 

Issuance of stock through: 
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
Share-based compensation 
Net income (loss) 
Other comprehensive income 
Balance at December 31, 2013 

Stock options exercised 
Stock awards issued, net of tax 
   withholding 

Issuance of stock through: 
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
Share-based compensation 
Net income (loss) 
Other comprehensive income (loss) 
Balance at December 31, 2014 

       See notes to consolidated financial statements 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATA I/O CORPORATION  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(in thousands) 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 

Net income (loss) 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) 
to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 

Depreciation and amortization 
Loss on disposal of assets 
Equipment transferred to cost of goods sold 
Share-based compensation 
Impairment charge 
Net change in: 

Trade accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Other current assets 
Accrued cost of business restructuring 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Deferred revenue 
Other long-term liabilities 
Deposits and other long-term assets 
     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of tax withholding 

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities 
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 
Cash paid (received) during the period for: 
    Income Taxes 

See notes to consolidated financial statements 

31 

For the Years Ended 
December 31, 

2014 

2013 

$1,099  

($2,576) 

593  
-  
726  
400  
-  

(2,270) 
(754) 
(40) 
(687) 
982  
742  
(72) 
20  
739  

(1,402) 
(1,402) 

(35) 
(35) 
(698) 

(367) 
10,426  
$9,361  

613  
12  
217  
425  
31  

700  
297  
99  
854  
(193) 
(91) 
(56) 
3  
335  

(678) 
(678) 

(10) 
(10) 
(353) 

251  
10,528  
$10,426  

$16  

($85) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATA I/O CORPORATION 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Nature of Operations 

Data I/O  Corporation  (“Data  I/O”,  “We”,  “Our”,  “Us”)  designs,  manufactures  and  sells  programming  systems  used  by 
designers and  manufacturers of electronic products.  Our  programming  system products are used to program integrated 
circuits  (“ICs”  or  “devices”  or  “semiconductors”)  with  the  specific  unique  data  necessary  for  the  ICs  contained  in  various 
products, and are an important tool for the electronics industry experiencing growing use of programmable ICs.  Customers 
for our programming  system  products are located around the world, primarily  in the Far East,  Europe and the  Americas.  
Our manufacturing operations are currently located in Redmond, Washington, United States and Shanghai, China. 

Principles of Consolidation 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  Data I/O  Corporation  and  our  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  
Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
America  (“U.S.  GAAP”)  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of 
assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements,  and  the 
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Significant estimates include: 
  Revenue Recognition 
  Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 
 
  Warranty Accruals 
 
 

Tax Valuation Allowances 
Share-based Compensation 

Inventory 

Foreign Currency Translation 

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date.  Revenues, costs 
and  expenses  of  foreign  subsidiaries  are  translated  at  average  rates  of  exchange  prevailing  during  the  year.    Translation 
adjustments resulting from this process are charged or credited to stockholders’ equity, net of taxes  recognized.  Realized 
and  unrealized  gains  and  losses  resulting  from  the  effects  of  changes  in  exchange  rates  on  assets  and  liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are included in non-operating expense as foreign currency transaction gains and losses. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents 

All highly liquid investments  purchased with an original maturity of  90 days or less are considered cash equivalents.  We 
maintain our cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions in the United States of America, which are insured 
by  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  (FDIC),  and  foreign  jurisdictions.   Deposits  in  U.S.  banks  exceed  the  FDIC 
insurance limit.  We have not experienced any losses on our cash and cash equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents held in 
foreign bank accounts, primarily China, Germany and Canada, totaled $6,739,000 at December 31, 2014 and $8,345,000 at 
December 31, 2013. 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

Certain financial instruments are carried at cost on the consolidated balance sheets, which approximates fair value due to 
their short-term, highly liquid nature.  These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts 
payable and accrued expenses, and other short-term liabilities. 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Receivable 

The  majority  of  our  accounts  receivable  are  due  from  companies  in  the  electronics  manufacturing  industries.    Credit  is 
extended  based  on  an  evaluation  of  a  customer’s  financial  condition  and,  generally,  collateral  is  not  required.    Accounts 
receivable are typically due within 30 to 60 days and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for 
doubtful accounts.  Accounts receivable outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due.  
We determine the allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are 
past  due,  the  industry  and  geographic  payment  practices  involved,  our  previous  bad  debt  experience,  the  customer’s 
current  ability to pay their obligation to  us, and the condition of the general  economy and the industry as a  whole.   We 
write  off  accounts  receivable  when  they  become  uncollectible,  and  payments  subsequently  received  on  such  receivables 
are  credited  to  the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts.    Interest  may  be  accrued,  at  the  discretion  of  management  and 
according to our standard sales terms, beginning on the day after the due date of the receivable.  However, interest income 
is subsequently recognized on these accounts either to the extent cash is received, or when the future collection of interest 
and the receivable balance is considered probable by management. 

Inventories 

Inventories  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  market  with  cost  being  the  currently  adjusted  standard  cost,  which 
approximates  cost  on a first-in, first-out  basis.  We estimate changes to inventory for obsolete,  slow-moving, excess and 
non-salable inventory by reviewing current transactions and forecasted product demand.  We evaluate our inventories on 
an item by item basis and record an adjustment (lower of cost or market) accordingly. 

Property, Plant and Equipment 

Property, plant  and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost  and depreciation is calculated over 
the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the  related  assets  or  lease  terms  on  the  straight-line  basis.    We  depreciate  substantially  all 
manufacturing and office equipment  over periods of  three to seven years.   We depreciate leasehold improvements over 
the remaining portion of the lease or over the expected life of the asset if less than the remaining term of the lease. 

We regularly review all of our property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate  that  the  carrying  value  may  not  be  recoverable.    If  the  total  of  future  undiscounted  cash  flows  is  less  than  the 
carrying amount of these assets, an impairment loss, if any, based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value 
of the assets, is recorded.  Based on this evaluation,  no impairment was noted for property, plant and equipment for the 
years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.   

Patent Costs 

We expense external costs, such as filing fees and associated attorney fees, incurred to obtain initial patents, but capitalize 
as  intangible  assets  acquired  patents.  We  also  expense  costs  associated  with  maintaining  and  defending  patents 
subsequent to their issuance. 

Income Taxes 

Income  taxes  are  computed  at  current  enacted  tax  rates,  less  tax  credits  using  the  asset  and  liability  method.    Deferred 
taxes are adjusted both for items that do not have tax consequences and for the cumulative effect of any changes in tax 
rates from those previously  used to determine deferred tax assets or liabilities.  Tax provisions include amounts that are 
currently payable, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities that arise because of temporary differences between the 
timing  of  when  items  of  income  and  expense  are  recognized  for  financial  reporting  and  income  tax  purposes,  and  any 
changes in the valuation allowance caused by a change in judgment about the reliability of the related deferred tax assets.  
A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized.   

Share-Based Compensation 

All stock-based compensation awards are measured based on estimated fair values on the date of grant and recognized as 
compensation expense on the straight-line single-option method.  Our share-based compensation is reduced for estimated 
forfeitures  at  the  time  of  grant  and  revised  as  necessary  in  subsequent  periods  if  actual  forfeitures  differ  from  those 
estimates.   

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue Recognition 

We  recognize  revenue  at  the  time  the  product  is  shipped.    We  have  determined  that  our  programming  equipment  has 
reached  a  point  of  maturity  and  stability  such  that  product  acceptance  can  be  assured  by  testing  at  the  factory  prior  to 
shipment  and  that  the  installation  meets  the  criteria  to  be  considered  a  separate  element.    These  systems  are  standard 
products  with  published  product  specifications  and  are  configurable  with  standard  options.    The  evidence  that  these 
systems could be deemed as accepted was based upon having  standardized  factory production of the units, results from 
batteries  of  tests  of  product  performance  to  our  published  specifications,  quality 
installation 
standardization, as well as past product operation validation with the customer and the history provided by our installed 
base of products upon which the current versions were based. 

inspections  and 

The revenue related to products requiring installation that is perfunctory is recognized at the time of shipment.  Installation 
that is considered perfunctory includes any installation that can be performed by other parties, such as distributors, other 
vendors, or in most cases the customers themselves.  This takes into account the complexity, skill and training needed as 
well as customer expectations regarding installation. 

We  enter  into  multiple  deliverables  arrangements  that  arise  during  the  sale  of  a  system  that  includes  an  installation 
component,  a  service  and  support  component  and  a  software  maintenance  component.    We  allocate  the  value  of  each 
element based on relative selling prices.  Relative selling price is based on the selling price of the standalone system.  For 
the  installation  and  service  and  support  components,  we  use  what  we  charge  to  distributors  who  perform  these 
components.  For software maintenance components, we use what we charge for annual software maintenance renewals 
after  the  initial  year  the  system  is  sold.    Revenue  is  recognized  on  the  system  sale  based  on  shipping  terms,  installation 
revenue  is  recognized  after  the  installation  is  performed,  and  hardware  service  and  support  and  software  maintenance 
revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement, typically one year. 

When  we  sell  software  separately,  we  recognize  software  revenue  upon  shipment  provided  that  only  inconsequential 
obligations remain on our part and substantive acceptance conditions, if any, have been met. 

We  recognize  revenue  when  persuasive  evidence  of  an  arrangement  exists,  shipment  has  occurred,  the  price  is  fixed  or 
determinable,  the  buyer  has  paid  or  is  obligated  to  pay,  collectability  is  reasonably  assured,  substantive  acceptance 
conditions, if any, have been met, the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product, the buyer’s obligation would 
not be changed in the event of theft, physical destruction or damage to the product, the buyer acquiring the product for 
resale has economic substance apart from us and we do not have significant obligations for future performance to directly 
bring about the resale of the product by the buyer.  We establish a reserve for sales returns based on historical trends in 
product returns and estimates for new items. 

Sales were recorded net of actual sales returns and changes to the associated sales return reserve.  Sales return reserves 
were $55,000 and $50,000 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   

We  transfer  certain  products  out  of  service  from  their  internal  use  and  make  them  available  for  sale.    The  products 
transferred are our standard products in one of the following areas: service loaners, rental or test units; engineering test 
units; or sales demonstration equipment.  Once transferred, the equipment  is sold by our regular  sales channels as used 
equipment  inventory.  These product units often involve  refurbishing and an equipment  warranty, and are conducted as 
sales in our normal and ordinary course of business.  The transfer amount is the product unit’s net book value and the sale 
transaction is accounted for as revenue and cost of goods sold. 

Research and Development 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. 

Advertising Expense 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.  Total advertising expenses were approximately $78,000 and $152,000 in 2014 
and 2013, respectively. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warranty Expense 

We  record  a  liability  for  an  estimate  of  costs  that  we  expect  to  incur  under  our  basic  limited  warranty  when  product 
revenue  is  recognized.    Factors  affecting  our  warranty  liability  include  the  number  of  units  sold  and  historical  and 
anticipated  rates  of  claims  and  costs  per  claim.    We  normally  provide  a  warranty  for  our  products  against  defects  for 
periods ranging from ninety days to one year.  We provide for the estimated cost that may be incurred under our product 
warranties and periodically assess the adequacy of our warranty liability based on changes in the above factors.  We record 
revenues on extended warranties on a straight-line basis over the term of the related warranty contracts.  Service costs are 
expensed as incurred.   

Classifications 

Certain prior periods’ balances have been reclassified to conform to the presentation used in the current period. 

Earnings (Loss) Per Share 

Basic earnings (loss) per share exclude any dilutive effects of stock options.  Basic earnings (loss) per share are computed 
using  the  weighted-average  number  of  common  shares  outstanding  during  the  period.    Diluted  earnings  per  share  are 
computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during 
the period.  The common stock equivalent shares from equity awards used in calculating diluted earnings per share  were 
122,000 and 0 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Options to purchase 361,161 and 904,656 
shares of common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, but  were excluded from the 
computation of diluted EPS for the period then ended because the options were anti-dilutive.   

Diversification of Credit Risk 

Financial instruments,  which  potentially  subject  us to concentrations of credit risk,  consist  primarily  of trade receivables.  
Our trade receivables are geographically dispersed and include customers in many different industries.  As of December 31, 
2014, no customers accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated accounts receivable balance.  As of December 31, 
2013,  one  customer,  Avnet,  accounted  for  more  than  12%  of  our  consolidated  accounts  receivable  balance.    Our 
consolidated  accounts  receivable  balance  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013  includes  foreign  accounts  receivable  in  the 
functional  currency  of  our  foreign  subsidiaries  amounting  to  $1,208,000  and  $886,000,  respectively.    We  generally  do 
business with our foreign distributors in U.S. Dollars.  We believe that risk of loss is significantly reduced due to the diversity 
of  our  end-customers  and  geographic  sales  areas.    We  perform  on-going  credit  evaluations  of  our  customers’  financial 
condition and require collateral, such as letters of credit and bank guarantees, or prepayment whenever deemed necessary. 

New Accounting Pronouncements 

In  May  2014,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  2014-09, “Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers,” (ASU  2014-09).  The  standard 
provides companies with a single model for accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes 
current  revenue  recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The core principle of the model is to 
recognize  revenue  when  control  of  the  goods  or  services  transfers  to  the  customer,  as  opposed  to  recognizing  revenue 
when  the  risks  and  rewards  transfer  to  the  customer  under  the  existing  revenue  guidance.    ASU  2014-09  is  effective  for 
annual  reporting  periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2016.  Early  adoption  is  not  permitted.  The  guidance  permits 
companies to either apply the requirements retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or apply the requirements in the 
year of adoption, through a cumulative adjustment.  The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on 
its consolidated financial statements. 

In  April 2014,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  2014-08,  “Presentation  of  Financial  Statements  and  Property,  Plant,  and  Equipment,” 
(ASU 2014-08).  This ASU changes the threshold for reporting discontinued operations and adds new disclosures.  The new 
guidance defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is 
classified  as  held  for  sale  and  “represents  a  strategic  shift  that  has  (or  will  have)  a  major  effect  on  our  operations  and 
financial  results.”  For  disposals  of  individually  significant  components  that  do  not  qualify  as  discontinued  operations,  we 
must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component. This guidance is effective for us prospectively for all disposals 
(or  classifications  as  held  for  sale)  of  components  of  an  entity  that  occur  within  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after 
December 15,  2014,  and  interim  periods  within  those  years.  Early  adoption  is  permitted,  but  only  for  disposals  (or 
classifications  as  held  for  sale)  that  have  not  been  reported  in  financial  statements  previously  issued  or  available  for 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
issuance.  We  do  not  expect  the  adoption  of  this  guidance  to  have  a  material  impact  on  our  consolidated  financial 
statements. 

NOTE 2-PROVISION FOR BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING 

During 2012 and 2013, we took restructuring actions to reduce our excess office space and eliminate certain job positions.  
These actions resulted in restructuring costs of  $1,183,000 in 2013.  A true up of estimates resulted  in a  $13,000 charge 
during the first quarter of 2014.  The restructure changes allow us to have the flexibility to add other critical positions or 
change fixed to variable costs through outsourcing.  These actions have been fully implemented.  At  December 31, 2014, 
the  remaining  portion  of  the  reserve  expected  to  be  paid  over  the  next  twelve  months  is  $113,000,  and  the  long  term 
portion is $75,000 and relates to the lease abandonment payments that are scheduled out to August 2016.   

An analysis of the restructuring is as follows: 

Reserve 
Balance 
Dec. 31, 
2012 

2013 
Expense 

2013 
Payments/ 
Write-Offs 

Reserve 
Balance 
Dec. 31, 
2013 

2014 
Expense 

2014 
Payments/ 
Write-Offs 

Reserve 
Balance 
Dec. 31, 
2014 

 (in thousands)  
 Downsizing US operations:   

    Employee severance  
    Other costs   

 Downsizing foreign operations:   

    Employee severance  
    Other costs   
 Total  

NOTE 3 – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET 

Receivables consist of the following: 

 (in thousands)  

Trade accounts receivable 
Less allowance for doubtful receivables 
Trade accounts receivable, net 

$0  
-  

$457  
273  

$227  
33  

$230  
240  

($16) 
25  

25  
-  
$25  

405  
48  
$1,183  

58  
17  
$335  

372  
31  
$873  

16  
(12) 
$13  

$214  
94  

371  
19  
$698  

$0  
171  

17  
-  
$188  

December 31, 
2014 

December 31, 
2013 

$4,202  
93  
$4,109  

$2,067  
87  
$1,980  

Changes in Data I/O’s allowance for doubtful accounts are as follow: 

 (in thousands)  
Beginning balance 
Bad debt expense (reversal) 
Accounts written-off 
Recoveries 
Ending balance 

December 31, 
2014 

December 31, 
2013 

$87  
6  
-  
-  
$93  

$89  
(2) 
-  
-  
$87  

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 4 – INVENTORIES 

Inventories consisted of the following components: 

 (in thousands)  
Raw material 
Work-in-process 
Finished goods 
Inventories 

December 31, 
2014 

December 31, 
2013 

$2,429  
1,288  
728  
$4,445  

$1,988  
1,309  
473  
$3,770  

NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 

Property and equipment consisted of the following components: 

 (in thousands)  

 Leasehold improvements  
 Equipment  

 Less accumulated depreciation  
 Property and equipment, net  

December 31, 
2014 

December 31, 
2013 

$415  
6,208  
6,623  
5,697  
$926  

$484  
7,015  
7,499  
6,656  
$843  

Total depreciation expense recorded for 2014 and 2013 was $593,000 and $612,000, respectively.  

NOTE 6 – OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES 
Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following components: 

 (in thousands)  

 Product warranty  
 Sales return reserve  
 Other taxes  
 Other  
 Other accrued liabilities  

December 31, 
2014 

December 31, 
2013 

$339  
55  
87  
159  
$640  

$281  
50  
122  
154  
$607  

The changes in our product warranty liability for the year ending December 31, 2014 are follows: 

 (in thousands)  
 Liability, beginning balance  
 Net expenses  
 Warranty claims  
 Accrual revisions  
 Liability, ending balance  

December 31, 
2014 

$281  
841  
(841) 
58  
$339  

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 7 –OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS 

We have commitments under non-cancelable operating leases and other agreements, primarily for factory and office space, 
with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as follows: 

For the years ending December 31: 

 (in thousands)  

2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
Thereafter 
Total 

Operating 
Leases 

$1,027  
608  
36  
4  
3  
-  
$1,678  

Lease and rental expense was $1,041,000 and $1,111,000 in 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Rent expense is recorded on a 
straight line basis, over the term of the lease, for leases that contain fixed escalation clauses, and excludes the portion that 
was  charged  to  restructure  expense.    The  operating  lease  commitments  include  rent  that  is  classified  as  part  of  the 
restructure  accrual.    We  amended  our  lease  agreement  for  the  Redmond,  Washington  headquarters  facility  effective 
February 1, 2011, extending the term to August 2016, lowering the square footage to 32,646 and lowering the rental rate.  
The  lease  base  annual  rental  payments  during  2014  and  2013  were  approximately  $531,000  and  $501,000,  respectively. 
The lease square footage increased to 33,676 effective February 1, 2014. 

In  addition  to  the  Redmond  facility,  approximately  14,000  square  feet  is  leased  at  two  foreign  locations,  including  our 
German  sales,  service  and  engineering  operations  located  in  Munich,  Germany,  and  a  sales,  service,  operations  and 
engineering office located in Shanghai, China. 

During the first quarter of 2014, we renewed our lease agreement for our Munich, Germany facility effective February 1, 
2015 and extending the term through January 2018 and lowering the square footage to approximately 4,306 square feet.  
Effective June 1, 2014, the landlord was able to lease the excess space abandoned as part of Q2 2013 restructure actions to 
another tenant and the lease was revised to end May 31, 2017. 

Our Shanghai, China facility is under a one-year lease starting in 2014, which we expect to extend in 2015. 

NOTE 8 –OTHER COMMITMENTS 

We have purchase obligations for inventory and production costs as well as other obligations such as capital expenditures, 
service  contracts,  marketing,  and  development  agreements.    Arrangements  are  considered  purchase  obligations  if  a 
contract  specifies  all  significant  terms,  including  fixed  or  minimum  quantities  to  be  purchased,  a  pricing  structure  and 
approximate  timing  of  the  transaction.    Most  arrangements  are  cancelable  without  a  significant  penalty,  and  with  short 
notice,  typically  less  than  90  days.    At  December  31,  2014,  the  purchase  commitments  and  other  obligations  totaled 
$1,047,000 of which all but $15,000 are expected to be paid over the next twelve months. 

NOTE 9 – CONTINGENCIES 

As of December 31, 2014, we were not a party to any legal proceedings or aware of any indemnification agreement claims, 
the adverse outcome of which in management’s opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a  material adverse 
effect on our results of operations or financial position.   

NOTE 10 – STOCK AND RETIREMENT PLANS 

Stock Option Plans 

At  December  31,  2014,  there  were  859,324  shares  available  for  future  grant  under  Data  I/O  Corporation  2000  Stock 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Compensation Incentive Plan (“2000 Plan”).  At December 31, 2014 there were 927,087 shares of Common Stock reserved 
for issuance consisting of 589,587 under the 2000 plan and 337,500 under the inducement grant reserves.  Pursuant to this 
2000 Plan, options are granted to our officers and key employees with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the 
Common Stock at the date of grant and generally vest over four years.  Options granted under the plans have a maximum 
term of six years from the date of grant.  Stock awards may also be granted under the 2000 Plan.  Inducement grants were 
made in 2012 and 2013.  In 2012, inducement grants were made to our chief executive officer consisting of 200,000 options 
and 75,000 restricted shares, of which 18,750 shares were issued in both 2014 and 2013.  In 2013, an inducement grant was 
made to our chief technology officer consisting of 100,000 options.  The inducement grants were not made out of the 2000 
Plan shares but were made under the terms of the 2000 Plan. 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan 

Under the  Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), eligible employees may purchase  shares of  our Common Stock  at six-
month intervals at 95% of the fair market value on the last day of each six-month period.  Employees may purchase shares 
having a value not exceeding 10% of their gross compensation during an offering period.  During  2014 and 2013, a total of 
5,076  and  7,126  shares,  respectively,  were  purchased  under  the  plan  at  average  prices  of  $2.89  and  $1.91  per  share, 
respectively.  At December 31, 2014, a total of 60,366 shares were reserved for future issuance.  

Stock Appreciation Rights Plan 

We have a Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (“SAR”) under which each director, executive officer or holder of 10% or more of 
our Common Stock has a SAR with respect to each exercisable stock option.  The SAR entitles the SAR holder to receive cash 
from us for the difference between the market value of the stock and the exercise price of the option in lieu of exercising 
the related option.  SARs are only exercisable following a tender offer or exchange offer for our stock, or following approval 
by shareholders of Data I/O of any merger, consolidation, reorganization or other transaction providing for the conversion 
or exchange of more than 50% of the common shares outstanding.  As no event has occurred, which would make the SARs 
exercisable, and no such event is deemed probable, no compensation expense has been recorded under this plan. 

Director Fee Plan  

We have a Director Fee Plan, not currently in use, which had provided for payment to directors who are not employees of 
Data I/O Corporation by delivery of shares of  our Common Stock.  No shares were issued from the plan for  2014 or 2013 
board service and 151,332 shares remain available in the plan as of December 31, 2014.   

Retirement Savings Plan 

We have a savings plan that qualifies as a cash or deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue 
Code.    Under  the  plan,  participating  U.S.  employees  may  defer  their  pre-tax  salary  or  post-tax  salary  if  Roth  is  elected, 
subject  to  IRS  limitations.    In  fiscal  years  2014  and  2013,  we  contributed  one  dollar  for  each  dollar  contributed  by  a 
participant,  with  a  maximum  contribution  of  4%  of  a  participant’s  earnings.    Our  matching  contribution  expense  for  the 
savings plan was approximately $173,000 and $157,000 in 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

NOTE 11– SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION 

For share-based awards granted, we have recognized compensation expense based on the estimated grant date fair value 
method.    For  these  awards  we  have  recognized  compensation  expense  using  a  straight-line  amortization  method  and 
reduced for estimated forfeitures.   

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The impact on our results of operations of recording share-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 
2013 was as follows: 

 (in thousands)  
Cost of goods sold 
Research and development 
Selling, general and administrative 
Total share-based compensation 

Impact on net income per share: 
Basic and diluted 

Year Ended December  31, 

2014 

2013 

$6  
80  
314  
$400  

$46  
80  
297  
$423  

($0.05) 

($0.05) 

An immaterial amount of share-based compensation was capitalized into inventory for the years ended December 31, 2014 
and 2013, respectively. 

The  fair  values  of  share-based  awards  for  employee  stock  option  awards  were  estimated  at  the  date  of  grant  using  the 
Black-Scholes  valuation model.  The  volatility and expected life of the options used in  calculating the fair value of  share-
based awards may exclude certain periods of historical data that we considered atypical and not likely to occur in future 
periods.  The following weighted average assumptions were used to calculate the fair value of options granted during the 
years ended December 31: 

Risk-free interest rates 
Volatility factors 
Expected life of the option in years 
Expected dividend yield 

Employee Stock 
Options 

2014 

1.31% 
0.51  
4.00  
None 

2013 

0.92% 
0.54  
4.00  
None 

The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes valuation method is based on the implied yield currently available in 
U.S. Treasury securities at maturity with an equivalent term.  We have not recently declared or paid any dividends and do 
not  currently  expect  to  do  so  in  the  future.    The  expected  term  of  options  represents  the  period  that  our  stock-based 
awards  are  expected  to  be  outstanding  and  was  determined  based  on  historical  weighted  average  holding  periods  and 
projected holding periods for the remaining unexercised shares.  Consideration was given to the contractual terms of our 
stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior.  Expected volatility is based on the 
annualized daily historical volatility of our stock over a representative period.  

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted under our stock option plans for the twelve month period 
ending December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $.94 and $.84, respectively.  The following table summarizes stock option activity 
under our stock option plans for the twelve months ended December 31: 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 

Weighted
-Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Weighted-
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life in Years 

2013 

Weighted
-Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Weighted-
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life in Years 

Options 

Options 

Outstanding  at  beginning 
of year 
Granted 
Exercised 
Cancelled, Expired or 
Forfeited 

904,656  
3,000  
(31,250) 

$3.49  
2.30  
3.07  

1,158,405  
133,000  
-  

$4.00  
2.00  
-  

(270,219) 

4.60  

(386,749) 

4.50  

Outstanding at end of year 

606,187  

$3.02  

3.29  

904,656  

$3.49  

3.52  

Vested or expected to vest 
at the end of the period 
Exercisable at end of year 

574,188  
383,001  

$3.07  
$3.49  

3.25  
2.90  

827,155  
486,141  

$4.19  
$3.59  

2.54  
2.54  

The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options is $563,528.  This represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on 
the closing stock price of  $3.38 at December 31,  2014, which  would have been received by award holders had all award 
holders  exercised  their  stock  options  that  were  in-the-money  as  of  that  date.    The  aggregate  intrinsic  value  of  awards 
exercised during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2014 was $8,747. 

Restricted stock award including performance-based stock award activity under our share-based compensation plan was as 
follows: 

2014 

2013 

Awards 

247,075  
189,900  
(85,200) 
(30,875) 
320,900  

Weighted - 
Average 
Grant Date 
Fair Value 

$2.18  
2.88  
2.22  
2.28  
$2.57  

Awards 

130,000  
180,400  
(47,375) 
(15,950) 
247,075  

Weighted - 
Average 
Grant Date 
Fair Value 

$2.60  
1.97  
2.23  
3.13  
$2.18  

Outstanding at beginning of year 
   Granted 
   Vested 
   Cancelled 
Outstanding at end of year 

The  remaining  unamortized  expected  future  compensation  expense  and  remaining  amortization  period  associated  with 
unvested option grants and restricted stock awards are:  

December 31, 
2014 

December 31, 
2013 

Unamortized future compensation expense 

$896,450  

$898,625  

Remaining weighted average amortization period in years 

2.60  

2.57  

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 12– INCOME TAXES 

Components of income (loss) before taxes: 

(in thousands) 
U.S. operations 
Foreign operations 
   Total income (loss) before taxes 

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of: 

(in thousands) 
Current tax expense (benefit) 
   U.S. federal 
   State 
   Foreign 

Deferred tax expense (benefit) – U.S. federal 

   Total income tax expense (benefit) 

Year Ended December  31, 
2013 
2014 

$1,011  
95  
$1,106  

($2,270) 
(314) 
($2,584) 

Year Ended December  31, 
2013 
2014 

$0  
(4) 
11  
7  
-  

$7  

$0  
8  
(16) 
(8) 
-  

($8) 

A reconciliation of our effective income tax and the U.S. federal tax rate is as follows: 

(in thousands) 
Statutory tax 

State and foreign income tax, net of 
federal income tax benefit 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets 
     Total income tax expense (benefit) 

Year Ended December  31, 
2013 
2014 

$376  

(80) 
(289) 
$7  

($879) 

(125) 
996  
($8) 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets are presented 
below: 

(in thousands) 
Deferred income tax assets: 
     Allowance for doubtful accounts 
     Inventory and product return reserves 
     Compensation accruals 
     Accrued liabilities 
     Book-over-tax depreciation and amortization 
     Foreign net operating loss carryforwards 
     U.S. net operating loss carryforwards 
     U.S. credit carryforwards 

Valuation Allowance 
     Total Deferred Income Tax Assets 

Year Ended December  31, 
2013 
2014 

$25  
739  
1,392  
106  
1,018  
970  
6,340  
1,212  
11,802  

(11,802) 
$ -  

$25  
746  
1,341  
28  
1,021  
999  
6,739  
1,142  
12,041  

(12,041) 
$ -  

The  valuation  allowance  for  deferred  tax  assets  decreased  $239,000  during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014,  and 
increased  $1,350,000  during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013.    The  net  deferred  tax  assets  have  a  full  valuation 
allowance  provided  due  to  uncertainty  regarding  our  ability  to  utilize  such  assets  in  future  years.    This  full  valuation 
allowance  evaluation  is  based  upon  our  volatile  history  of  losses  and  the  cyclical  nature  of  our  industry  and  capital 
spending.   Credit  carryforwards consist  primarily  of research and experimental and alternative  minimum tax  credits  with 
expiration  years  from  2020  to  2034.    U.S.  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  are  $18,647,000  at  December  31,  2014  with 
expiration  years  from  2020  to  2034.    Utilization  of  net  operating  loss  and  credit  carryforwards  is  subject  to  certain 
limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

The gross changes in uncertain tax positions resulting in unrecognized tax benefits are presented below: 

(in thousands) 
Unrecognized tax benefits, opening balance 
     Prior period tax position increases 
     Additions based on tax positions related to current year 
Unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance 

Year Ended December  31, 
2013 
2014 

$180  
-  
17  
$197  

$132  
23  
25  
$180  

Historically, we have not incurred any interest or penalties associated with tax matters and no interest or penalties were 
recognized  during  2014.    However,  we  have  adopted  a  policy  whereby  amounts  related  to  penalties  associated  with  tax 
matters are classified as general and administrative expense when incurred and amounts related to interest associated with 
tax matters are classified as interest income or interest expense.   

Tax  years  that  remain  open  for  examination  include  2011,  2012,  2013  and  2014  in  the  United  States  of  America.    In 
addition, tax years from 2000 to 2010 may be subject to examination in the event that we utilize the net operating losses 
and credit carryforwards from those years in its current or future year tax returns.   

NOTE 13 – SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 

We  consider  our  operations  to  be  a  single  operating  segment,  focused  on  the  design,  manufacturing  and  sale  of 
programming systems used by designers and manufacturers of electronic products.   

Major operations outside the U.S. include sales, engineering and service support subsidiaries in Germany and China.  During 
2014, one customer, Data Copy Limited, our distributor in China, accounted for approximately 12% of net sales.  In 2013, 
43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
there were two customers, Data Copy Limited and Di-Tek that accounted for approximately 14% and 13% of our net sales, 
respectively. 

The following tables provide summary operating information by geographic area: 

(in thousands) 
Net sales: 
  U.S. 
  Europe 
  Rest of World 

Included in Europe and Rest of World net sales are 
the following significant balances: 

  Germany 
  China 

Operating income (loss): 
  U.S. 

  Europe 
  Rest of World 

Identifiable assets: 
  U.S. 
  Europe 
  Rest of World 

Year Ended December  31, 
2013 
2014 

$2,104  
8,596  
11,224  
$21,924  

$4,856  
$2,733  

$284  

274  
549  
$1,107  

$7,215  
3,689  
8,428  
$19,332  

$2,331  
5,578  
10,808  
$18,717  

$3,305  
$3,041  

($533) 

(1,269) 
(866) 
($2,668) 

$6,229  
3,701  
7,572  
$17,502  

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

None. 

Item 9A._ Controls and Procedures 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. 

Under  the  supervision  and  with  the  participation  of  our  management,  including  our  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief 
Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as 
defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report 
(the “Evaluation Date”).  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, 
as  of  the  Evaluation  Date,  our  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  were  effective  at  the  reasonable  assurance  level.  
Disclosure controls are controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports 
filed  or  submitted  under  the  Exchange  Act  is  recorded,  processed,  summarized  and  reported  within  the  time  periods 
specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated 
and  communicated  to  our  management,  including  the  CEO  and  CFO,  as  appropriate  to  allow  timely  decisions  regarding 
required disclosure.   

 (b) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. 

Our  management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal  control  over  financial  reporting.    Our 
internal  control  systems  are  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  to  the  Company’s  management  and  board  of 
directors  regarding  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act and 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.   

All internal controls, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.  Therefore, even those systems determined to 
be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statements preparation and presentation. 

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2014.    In  making  this  assessment,  we  used  the  criteria  set  forth  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the 
Treadway  Commission  (“COSO”)  in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  (1992).    Based  on  this  assessment  we 
concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. 

This  annual  report  does  not  include  an  attestation  report  of  the  company’s  registered  public  accounting  firm  regarding 
internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the company’s registered 
public accounting firm pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which permanently 
exempts non-accelerated filers from complying with Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   

(c) Changes in internal controls. 

There were no changes made in our internal controls during the period covered by this report that has materially affected 
or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. 

Item 9B._Other Information 

None. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

PART III 

Information regarding the Registrant’s directors is set forth under “Election of Directors” in our Proxy Statement relating to 
our  annual  meeting  of  shareholders  to  be  held  on  May  21,  2015  and  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference.    Such  Proxy 
Statement  will  be  filed  within  120  days  of  our  year-end.    Information  regarding  the  Registrant’s  executive  officers  is  set 
forth in Item 1 of Part I herein under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”  

Code of Ethics 

We  have  adopted  a  Code  of  Ethics  that  applies  to  all  directors,  officers  and  employees  of  Data  I/O,  including  the  Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.  The key principles of the Code of Ethics are to act legally and with integrity in 
all  work  for  Data  I/O.    The  Code  of  Ethics  is  posted  on  the  corporate  governance  page  of  our  website  at 
http://www.dataio.com/Company/InvestorRelations/CorporateGovernance.aspx.    We  will  post  any  amendments  to  our 
Code of Ethics on our website.  In the unlikely event that the Board of Directors approves any sort of waiver to the Code of 
Ethics  for  our  executive  officers  or  directors,  information  concerning  such  waiver  will  also  be  posted  on  our  website.    In 
addition to posting information regarding amendments and waivers on our website, the same information will be included 
in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver, unless website 
posting of such amendments or waivers is permitted by Nasdaq’s rules. 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation 

Information called for by Part III, Item 11, is included in our Proxy Statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders 
to  be  held  on  May  21,  2015  and  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference.    The  information  appears  in  the  Proxy  Statement 
under the caption “Executive Compensation.”  Such Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of our year-end. 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

Information called for by Part III, Item 12, is included in our Proxy Statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders 
to  be  held  on  May  21,  2015  and  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference.    The  information  appears  in  the  Proxy  Statement 
under the caption “Voting Securities and Principal Holders.”  Such Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of our year 
end. 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information  

The following table gives information about our Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options and rights 
under all of our existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014.  See Notes 10 and 11 of “Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.” 

(a) Number of 
securities to be 
issued upon the 
exercise of 
outstanding options, 
warrants and rights 

(b) Weighted–
average exercise 
price of outstanding 
options, warrants 
and rights 

(c) Number of securities 
remaining available for 
future issuance under 
equity compensation 
plans (excluding 
securities reflected in 
column (a)) 

308,573  

$4.07  

917,304  

300,000  

608,573  

$1.94  

$3.02  

-  

917,304  

Equity compensation plans 
approved by the security 
holders (1) (2) 

Equity compensation plans 
not approved by the security 
holders (3) 

Total 

(1)  Represents  shares  of  our  Common  Stock  issuable  pursuant  to  the  Data  I/O  Corporation  2000  Stock  Incentive 
Compensation  Plan,  1982  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  and  1996  Director  Fee  Plan.    Table  excludes  unvested 
restricted stock awards of 283,400 from the 2000 Plan. 

(2)  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  Plan  (“SAR”)  provides  that  directors,  executive  officers  or  holders  of  10%  or  more  of  our 
Common Stock have an accompanying SAR with respect to each exercisable option.  While the plan has been approved 
by the security holders, no amounts are included in columns (a), (b), or (c) relating to the SAR.   

(3)   Represents  inducement  grants  of  200,000  nonqualified  stock  options  to  Anthony  Ambrose  as  part  of  his  hiring  and 
inducement grants of 100,000 nonqualified stock options to Rajeev Gulati as part of his hiring.  Table excludes unvested 
restricted stock award inducement grants of 37,500 to Anthony Ambrose. 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence  

The information required by this item is contained in, and incorporated by reference from, the Proxy Statement for our 
2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.” 

Item 14._ Principle Accounting Fees and Services 

The information required by this Item with respect to principal accountant fees and services is incorporated by reference to 
the section captioned “Principal Accountant’s Fees and Services” in the Proxy Statement relating to  our annual meeting of 
shareholders to be held on May 21, 2015.  Such Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of our year-end. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 

Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements 

PART IV 

The  following  list  is  a  subset  of  the  list  of  exhibits  described  below  and  contains  all  compensatory  plans,  contracts  or 
arrangements in which any director or executive officer  of Data I/O is a participant, unless the method of allocation of 
benefits thereunder is the same for management and non-management participants: 

(1)   Amended and Restated 1982 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  See Exhibit 10.5. 

(2)   Data I/O Corporation Tax Deferral Retirement Plan and Trust with Great West Financial (formerly Orchard Trust 

Company).  See Exhibits 10.15, 10.16 and 10.17. 

(3)  

Summary of Amended and Restated Management Incentive Compensation Plan.  See Exhibit 10.2. 

(4)   Amended and Restated 1983 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan.  See Exhibit 10.1. 

(5)   Amended and Restated Executive Agreements.  See Exhibit 10.8, 10.20, and 10.23. 

(6)   1996 Director Fee Plan.  See Exhibit 10.4. 

(7)   Data I/O Corporation 2000 Stock Compensation Incentive Plan.  See Exhibit 10.6, 10.11, 10.22 and 10.26. 

(8)  

Form of Option Agreement.  See Exhibit 10.7.   

(9) 

Form of Indemnification Agreement.  See Exhibit 10.18. 

(10)   Letter Agreement with Anthony Ambrose.  See Exhibit 10.21. 

(11)   Letter Agreement with Rajeev Gulati.  See Exhibit 10.24. 

(12)  Form of Restricted Stock Agreement.  See Exhibit 10.12. 

(13)   Letter Agreement with Joel S. Hatlen.  See Exhibit 10.28. 

(14)   Form of Executive Agreement.  See Exhibit 10.27. 

(15)   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.  See Exhibit 10.25. 

(a) 

List of Documents Filed as a Part of This Report: 

(1) 

Index to Financial Statements: 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the two years ended December 31, 2014 and  
December 31, 2013 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for each of the two years ended  
December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 

Page 

    26 

27 

28 

29 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the two years ended December 31, 2014 and 
December 31, 2013   

30 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the two years ended December 31, 2014 and  
December 31, 2013 

31 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                                                                 32 

(2) 

Index to Financial Statement Schedules: 

Schedule II – Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                                                                

All other schedules not listed above have been omitted because the required information is 
included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto, or is not applicable or 
required. 

(3) 

Index to Exhibits: 

3  Articles of Incorporation: 

3.1 

3.2 

3.3 

Data I/O’s restated Articles of Incorporation filed November 2, 1987 (Incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Data I/O’s 1987 Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 
0-10394)). 

Data I/O’s Bylaws as amended and restated as of July 20, 2011 (Incorporated by 
reference to Data I/O’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 26, 2011). 

Certification of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating 
Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Data I/O’s Registration 
Statement on Form 8-A filed March 13, 1998 (File No. 0-10394)). 

4 

Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures: 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.4 

Rights Agreement dated as of April 4, 1998, between Data I/O Corporation and 
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.  as Rights Agent, which includes: as Exhibit 
A thereto, the Form of Right Certificate; and, as Exhibit B thereto, the Summary of 
Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (Incorporated by 
reference to Data I/O’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 13, 1998).   

Rights Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1988, between Data I/O 
Corporation and First Jersey National Bank, as Rights Agent, as amended by 
Amendment No.  1 thereto, dated as of May 28, 1992 and Amendment No.  
2 thereto, dated as of July 16, 1997 (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 
Report on Form 8-K filed on March 13, 1998).   

Amendment No.  1, dated as of February 10, 1999, to Rights Agreement, 
dated as of April 4, 1998, between Data I/O Corporation and ChaseMellon 
Shareholder Services, L.L.C.  as Rights Agent (Incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.1 of Data I/O’s Form 8-A/A dated February 10, 1999).   

Amendment No.  2 to Rights Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2008, between 
Data I/O Corporation and Computershare (formerly BNY Mellon Investor 
Services LLC, and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.).  (Incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Data I/O’s Form 8-K dated April 3, 2008).   

10  Material Contracts: 

10.1  Amended and Restated 1983 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan dated February 3, 1993 

(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of Data I/O’s 1992 Annual Report on 
Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)).   

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.2   Amended and Restated Management Incentive Compensation Plan dated 
January 1, 1997 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of Data I/O’s 
1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)).   

10.3  Amended and Restated Performance Bonus Plan dated January 1, 1997 

(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of Data I/O’s 1997 Annual 
Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)).   

10.4  Amended and Restated Data I/O Corporation 1996 Director Fee Plan 

(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 of Data I/O’s 1997 Annual 
Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)).   

10.5   Amended and Restated 1982 Employee Stock Purchase Plan dated  
May 16, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 2003 Proxy 
Statement dated March 31, 2003). 

10.6  Amended and Restated Data I/O Corporation 2000 Stock Compensation 

Incentive Plan dated May 24, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 
2006 Proxy Statement dated April 6, 2006). 

10.7  Form of Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 2004 

Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)).              

10.8  Amended and Restated Executive Agreement with Joel S. Hatlen dated 

December 31, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 2011 Annual 
Report on Form 10K (File No. 0-10394)).     

10.9 

Lease, Redmond East Business Campus between Data I/O Corporation and 
Carr Redmond PLCC dated February 28, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to 
Data I/O’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10K (File No. 0-10394)). 

10.10  Second Amendment to Lease, (Redmond East) between Data I/O Corporation 
and Arden Realty Limited Partnership, made as of January 31, 2011.  
(Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K 
(File No. 0-10394)). 

10.11  Amended and Restated Data I/O Corporation 2000 Stock Compensation 

Incentive Plan approved May 17, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Data 
I/O’s 2011 Proxy Statement filed April 5, 2011). 

10.12  Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to 

Exhibit 10.29 of Data I/O’s June 30, 2006 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File 
No. 0-10394)).            

10.13  Patent Purchase Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2008)). 

10.14  First Amendment to the Patent Purchase Agreement (Incorporated by 

reference to Data I/O’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2008). 

10.15  Great West Financial (formerly Orchard Trust Company) Defined 

Contribution Prototype Plan and Trust (Incorporated by reference to Data 
I/O’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)). 

10.16  Great West Financial (formerly Orchard Trust Company) Non-standardized 

401(k) Plan (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 2007 Annual Report on 
Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)). 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.17  Great West Financial (formerly Orchard Trust Company) Defined 

Contribution Prototype Plan and Trust Amendment for Pension Protection 
Act and Heart Act.  (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 2009 Annual 
Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)). 

10.18  Form of Indemnification Agreement.  (Incorporated by reference to Data 

I/O’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)). 

10.19  Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 29, 2011, with the Miller Trust, for 

acquisition of Software Technology (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 3, 2011 with portions omitted 
pursuant to a confidential treatment request, and by reference to Data I/O’s 
Form 10-Q filed April 3, 2012, which included the redacted portions that had 
been made in the original Form 8-K filing). 

10.20  Executive Agreement with Anthony Ambrose dated October 25, 2012. 

(Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K 
(File No. 0-10394)). 

10.21  Letter Agreement with Anthony Ambrose (Incorporated by reference to Data 

I/O’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2012). 

10.22  Amended and Restated Data I/O Corporation 2000 Stock Compensation 

Incentive Plan approved May 10, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Data 
I/O’s 2012 Proxy Statement filed April 3, 2012). 

10.23  Executive Agreement with Rajeev Gulati dated July 25, 2013.  (Incorporated 
by reference to Data I/O’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-
10394)). 

10.24  Letter Agreement with Rajeev Gulati (Incorporated by reference to Data I/O’s 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2013). 

10.25  Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference 

to Exhibit 10.29 of Data I/O’s March 31, 2014 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 
(File No. 0-10394)). 

10.26  Amended and Restated Data I/O Corporation 2000 Stock Compensation 

Incentive Plan approved April 30, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.30 of Data I/O’s March 31, 2014 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 
0-10394)). 

10.27  Form of Executive Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 of 
Data I/O’s June 30, 2014 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 0-10394)) 

10.28  Letter Agreement with Joel S. Hatlen (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 

10.32 of Data I/O’s June 30, 2014 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 0-
10394)). 

21.1  Subsidiaries of the Registrant                                                                                                                 

23.1  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  

31  Certification – Section 302: 

31.1 
31.2 

Chief Executive Officer Certification 
Chief Financial Officer Certification 

32  Certification – Section 906: 

51 

55 

56 

57 
58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1 
32.2 

Chief Executive Officer Certification 
Chief Financial Officer Certification 

59 
60 

101 

Interactive Date Files Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES 

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. 

DATED:   March 27, 2015 

DATA I/O CORPORATION 
(REGISTRANT) 

By: /s/Anthony Ambrose 
Anthony Ambrose 
President and Chief 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. 

NAME & DATE 

TITLE 

By: /s/Anthony Ambrose________  March 27, 2015 
      Anthony Ambrose 

President and Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer), Director 

By: /s/Joel S. Hatlen____________  March 27, 2015 
       Joel S. Hatlen 

Chief Financial Officer 
Vice President 
Secretary, Treasurer  
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

By: /s/Douglas W. Brown_______ _ March 27, 2015   

Director 

Douglas W. Brown 

By: /s/Brian T. Crowley_______ ___ March 27, 2015   

Director 

Brian T. Crowley 

By: /s/Alan B. Howe____________ _ March 27, 2015  
      Alan B. Howe 

Director 

By: /s/Mark J. Gallenberger_______ March 27, 2015   
      Mark J. Gallenberger 

Director 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATA I/O CORPORATION 
SCHEDULE II – CONSOLIDATED VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS 

Balance 
at 
Beginning 
of Period 

Charged/ 
(Credited) 
to Costs 
and 
Expenses 

Deductions-
Describe 

Balance 
at End of 
Period 

$89  

($2) 

$ -  

(1) 

$87  

$87  

$6  

$ -  

(1) 

$93  

 (in thousands)  
Year Ended December 31, 2013: 

       Allowance for bad debts 

Year Ended December 31, 2014: 

       Allowance for bad debts 

(1)  Uncollectable accounts  

written off, net of recoveries 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 21.1 

DATA I/O CORPORATION 

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT 

The following table indicates the name, jurisdiction of incorporation and basis of ownership of each of Data I/O’s 
subsidiaries:   

Name of Subsidiary 
Data I/O International, Inc. 

RTD, Inc. 

State or Jurisdiction 
of Organization 

Washington 

Washington 

Data I/O FSC International, Inc. 

Territory of Guam 

Data I/O Canada Corporation 

Canada 

Data I/O China, Ltd. 

Data I/O GmbH 

Hong Kong, China 

Germany 

Data I/O Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. 

China 

Brazil 
Data I/O Programação de Sistemas Ltda.                                         

Percentage of 
Voting Securities 
Owned 
100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 23.1 

CONSENT OF GRANT THORNTON, LLP, INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

We have issued our report dated March 27, 2015, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule 
included in the Annual Report of Data I/O Corporation on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.  We hereby 
consent to the incorporation by reference of said report in the Registration Statements of Data I/O Corporation on Form S-8 
(File Nos. 002-76164, 002-86785, 002-98115, 002-78394, 33-95608, 33-66824, 33-42010, 33-26472, 33-54422, 333-20657, 
333-55911, 33-02254, 33-03958, 333-107543, 333-81986, 333-48595, 333-121861, 333-151006, 333-166730, and 333-
175840) and on Form S-3 (File No. 333-121566). 

/s/Grant Thornton LLP  

Seattle, Washington 
March 27, 2015 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.1 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer 
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 
As Adopted Pursuant to  
Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Data I/O Corporation; 

I, Anthony Ambrose, certify that: 
1) 
2)  Based upon my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact 
or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances 
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this 
annual report; 

3)  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 

annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and 
cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; 
4)  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining 

disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and 
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f)0 for the 
registrant and we have: 
a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and 

procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to 
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those 
entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; 

b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over 

financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; 

c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented 
in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and 
procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; 
and 

d)  Disclosed in this annual report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial 

reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth 
fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely 
to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.   

5)  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of 
internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of 
registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 
a)  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control 
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to 
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a 

significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting. 

Date: March 27, 2015  

/s/ Anthony Ambrose  
Anthony Ambrose  
Chief Executive Officer  
(Principal Executive Officer) 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.2 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer 
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 
As Adopted Pursuant to  
Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Data I/O Corporation; 

I, Joel S. Hatlen, certify that: 
1) 
2)  Based upon my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact 
or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances 
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this 
annual report; 

3)  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 

annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and 
cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; 

4)  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining 

disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and 
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f)0 for the 
registrant and we have: 
a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and 

procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to 
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those 
entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; 

b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over 

financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purpose in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented 
in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and 
procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; 
and 

d)  Disclosed in this annual report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial 

reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth 
fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely 
to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

5)    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of 
internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of 
registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 
a)  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control 
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to 
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a 

significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.   

Date: March 27, 2015 

 /s/ Joel S. Hatlen    
Joel S.  Hatlen 
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer) 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.1  

Certification by Chief Executive Officer 
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 
As Adopted Pursuant to  
§ 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

In connection with the annual report of Data I/O Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 
10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Anthony Ambrose, Chief Executive 
Officer of the Company, certify, that pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted 
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 

(1) 

(2) 

The Report fully complies with the requirements of § 13(a) or 
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all 
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations 
of the Company. 

 /s/ Anthony Ambrose 
Anthony Ambrose 
Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

Date: March 27, 2015 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.2  

Certification by Chief Financial Officer 
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 
As Adopted Pursuant to  
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

In connection with the annual report of Data I/O Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 
10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Joel S. Hatlen, Chief Financial Officer of 
the Company, certify, that pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 

(1) 

(2) 

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) 
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all 
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations 
of the Company. 

 /s/ Joel S. Hatlen 
Joel S.  Hatlen 
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer) 

Date: March 27, 2015  

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
61