Making care
collaboration easier.
18
ANNUAL REPORT
Spok delivers clinical information to
care teams when and where it matters
most to improve patient outcomes.
All of the organizations on the
U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-19
Best Hospitals Honor Roll
rely on Spok.
© 2019 Spok, Inc. Spok is a trademark of Spok Holdings, Inc. Spok Care Connect and Spok Mobile are trademarks
of Spok, Inc. Other names and trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.
A message from the President and Chief Executive Officer
To Our Stockholders:
In 2018 Spok made substantial progress
accelerating Spok Care Connect® platform
development. We aligned our resources
and focus where needed most to increase
the Company’s long-term growth potential.
We successfully completed the third year
of our five-year transformation plan, and we
believe we are well-positioned for continued
progress throughout 2019.
Before I talk about our many achievements
in 2018, I want to underscore where we are
strategically, with respect to our business
plan and outlook. For the past few years we
have laid out a strategy where Spok would
pivot from a telecommunications company
to a provider of clinical communication
software solutions, with an initial primary
focus on the North American healthcare
market. That transformation included
substantial investment in the evolution
of our Spok Care Connect platform. I
am pleased to inform you that our
transformation is on track, and we continue
to see the benefits from investments in our
software solutions platform.
This transformation marked a shift in our
strategic direction for healthcare, our largest
customer segment. Spok’s five-year plan
signaled a very intentional move from
offering our customers “point”, or single-
product, solutions for call center software,
alarm management, and secure messaging
to offering them a single integrated
platform. We believe this approach is the
right use of our capital and will create
sustainable and long-term value for our
stockholders, as Spok takes advantage of
the large opportunity in the U.S. healthcare
market.
“Our strategy is simple: Create beautiful software that
delights our customers, retain our wireless subscribers and
revenue for as long as possible, and demonstrate a path
to long-term top line growth and profitability. For the past
few years we have laid out a strategy where Spok would
pivot from a telecommunications company to a provider of
software solutions. Let me take this opportunity to thank
our investors for joining us in this ongoing transformation
and for your continued support.”
– Vincent D. Kelly
President and Chief Executive Officer
Late in 2018, the introduction of that
platform was well-received by over 150 of
our customers at Spok’s annual Connect
Conference. This year we continued to
build on our industry-leading reputation
when we publicly introduced the evolution
of the Spok Care Connect platform at the
HIMSS19 conference in Orlando. The
announcement and our progress were
incredibly well received, and we continue to
get positive feedback on it.
Let me take this opportunity to thank our
investors for joining us in this ongoing
transformation and for your continued
support. We are a company with the
majority of our revenues still coming from
our wireless paging base. We believe this
will change over time as software revenue
increases exceed the continuing decline in
wireless revenue and as we move from a
flat top line to a growing top and bottom line
over time.
While our wireless base has slowed in its
year-over-year erosion and outperforms
our own forecasts on a regular basis, we
still believe it will continue to shrink over
time and that we need to invest in the
growth potential of our healthcare software
initiative. However, in the near-term, let
me reiterate that our wireless revenue
base is key to our strategic footprint
and transformation as it gives us the
financial flexibility to invest in our software
communications solutions and continues to
provide valuable customer relationships to
leverage.
Cash Returned to Shareholders
Dividends and Share Repurchases
$29.0
$25.2
$23.6
$15.1
$12.3
$16.8
$30.0
$25.0
$20.0
$15.0
$10.0
$5.0
$0.0
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Dividend Distribu�on to Shareholders
Share Repurchases
2017 dividends: Includes the $5.2 million special dividend that was declared in December 2016 and paid in January 2017
Business Review
Spok’s consolidated 2018 revenues were
on plan and totaled $169.5 million*, down
less than 1 percent from 2017, reflecting
continued, planned erosion in our paging
base. During the year, we continued to
invest in our business to enhance our
product offerings and maintain a strong
balance sheet. At year end, our cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments
balance was $87.3 million with no debt.
Our ability to generate cash allowed us to
make key strategic investments for long-
term growth and execute against our capital
allocation plan. In 2018, Spok returned
$23.6 million to stockholders in the form
of dividends and share repurchases. Spok
also generated more than $10 million in net
cash provided by operating activities during
2018 that partially offset cash returned to
stockholders and capital expenditures.
In 2018, we continued our investments to
grow our software solutions capability, while
maintaining our valuable wireless revenue
stream. Software revenues were up nearly
5 percent from 2017, totaling approximately
$75.2 million* for the year. Full-year
software revenue reflects a continuing
trend of greater than 99 percent renewal
rates on software maintenance contracts.
This provides us with a recurring and stable
revenue stream. In fact, when you consider
our wireless revenue base, nearly 79
percent of our total revenue is recurring in
nature.
20%
reduction in sepsis mortality rate
for patients with MEWS 7-11
University of Utah Health
Software bookings grew by nearly 5 percent
from the prior year, totaling $81.3 million
in 2018, reflecting increased demand for
Spok solutions as well as an increase in
average deal size. Our pipeline of marketing
qualified sales leads also remained
strong. Demand remained strongest in
North American markets, specifically
among hospitals and other healthcare
organizations where we sold solutions for
smartphone communications, call center
management, secure texting, clinical
alerting, and emergency notification to both
new and existing customers. Although we
are greatly encouraged by the software
revenue momentum we saw in 2018,
and, in particular, the nearly 10 percent
growth we saw in the second half of the
year, we expect it will take more time for
the Company to grow meaningfully on an
annual basis, as we complete the build-out
and introduction of the new Spok cloud-
native platform solution.
*FOOTNOTE: On January 1, 2018, Spok adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,
using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Unless otherwise
stated, results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts have not been
adjusted, and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting under ASC 605. As such, adjusted to exclude the
adoption of ASC 606, consolidated revenue for 2018 was $167.5 million and software revenue totaled $73.3 million.
Wireless subscriber and revenue trends
continued to improve in 2018 as we
exceeded our expectations for gross
placements, net unit churn, revenue, and
average revenue per unit (ARPU). Our
year- over-year rate of paging unit erosion
declined from prior year levels, as the net
number of units lost during the year was
down 5,000 units from 2017.
Our year-over- year rate of wireless revenue
erosion was a historically-low 6.8 percent
for 2018, a 90-basis point improvement
from the prior year and a sharp reduction
from the 10.1 percent we saw three years
ago. We were especially pleased to see
these positive trends continue in our top-
performing healthcare segment, with the
highest rate of gross placements and
lowest rate of unit disconnects.
Consolidated operating expenses, which
exclude depreciation, amortization,
accretion and impairment, were up less
than 9 percent from 2017 and were at
the mid-point of the guidance that we
had provided at the beginning of the year.
Noteworthy was that our team was able
to achieve this performance with a nearly
31 percent increase in product research
and development (R&D) expenses over
the same period in order to support our
investment in the Spok Care Connect
platform. Net of product R&D costs, the
modest increases in year-over-year operating
expenses reflected a cost structure that
is fully aligned with the demand levels
we saw during the year. We continue to
manage operating expenses closely, and
the efficiencies we have been able to
implement across our cost structure provide
a solid financial platform as we continue to
make investments in areas that support our
strategy for long-term growth.
Other key operating metrics for 2018
included:
• Software backlog totaled $40.4 million at
December 31, 2018, compared to $42.3
million at the end of 2017.
• The renewal rate for software
maintenance revenue in 2018 continued
to exceed 99 percent.
• Annual wireless paging unit erosion
totaled 57,000 units, or 5.4 percent, in
2018, down from the prior year level of
unit erosion of 62,000 units. Paging units
in service at December 31, 2018, totaled
992,000, compared to 1,049,000 at the
end of the prior year.
• Total paging ARPU was $7.39 in 2018,
compared to $7.51 in 2017.
• In 2018, consolidated operating
expenses (excluding depreciation,
amortization and accretion) totaled
$161.9 million, compared to $148.8
million in 2017.
• For 2018, capital expenses totaled $5.9
million, compared to $9.2 million in 2017.
• The number of full-time equivalent
employees at December 31, 2018,
totaled 596, the same as year-end 2017.
• Capital returned to stockholders in 2018
totaled $23.6 million. This came in the
form of approximately $10.1 million
from the regular quarterly dividend and
approximately $13.5 million from share
repurchases.
• The Company’s cash, cash equivalents
and short-term investments balance at
December 31, 2018, was $87.3 million,
compared to $107.2 million at December
31, 2017.
Case Study:
Bermuda
Hospitals Board
Bermuda Hospitals Board
Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is the
only hospital on the island of Bermuda and
includes the King Edward VII Memorial
Hospital, Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute,
and the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre.
Located in the western North Atlantic
Ocean, 650 miles from North Carolina, this
324-bed hospital serves over 65,000 island
residents and an annual tourist population of
692,000.
The Challenge
BHB is focused on providing accurate and
efficient communications, especially during
disasters and other major events. However,
BHB was using several outdated legacy
systems to contact key personnel, taking
upward of three hours to reach clinical team
members and requiring staff to manually
manage a time-intensive call log. BHB
needed to simplify how they communicated
and make it easier for care teams to
connect.
Decreased disaster response
time from 150 minutes to
<30 minutes
The Solution
After implementing the Spok Care
Connect® platform, BHB is able to support
an IT strategy focused on standardization
and automation. Spok solutions for web
directory, emergency notification, and
secure messaging allow BHB to support a
bring your own device (BYOD) environment
where clinicians can safely send and receive
messages containing patient
information. In addition, BHB is using
Spok speech recognition to ease operator
overload by pre-recording responses to
routine information requests from patients
and their families, such as visiting hours.
The Outcome
By focusing on faster alerts using Spok
emergency notifications and secure
messaging application, BHB better manages
major incidents and has shortened response
time for Code Blue alerts by 50 percent. In
addition, they decreased disaster response
time from an average of 150 minutes to
less than 30 minutes. As a result of these
changes, BHB staff can focus on patient
care and not worry about extraneous
administrative tasks. In the future, BHB
plans to enhance hospital workflows
using Spok clinical alerting to efficiently
route messages from nurse call to nurses’
preferred mobile devices.
“We knew that if we could find a
communication platform that did
everything, we would not only advance
our technology, we’d substantially impact
patient care. For me, the opportunities
with Spok Care Connect are endless.”
– Lloyd Holder
Vice President of IT Services
Bermuda Hospitals Board
Overall, we are pleased with Spok’s
operating performance and our solid
financial platform. In 2018, we continued to
transform Spok into a company positioned
to achieve long-term growth.
2018 Accomplishments
Our strategy is simple: Create beautiful
software that delights our customers, retain
our wireless subscribers and revenue for as
long as possible, and demonstrate a path to
long-term top line growth and profitability.
Spok is proud to be a leader in healthcare
communications. We support the critical
function of delivering information to care
teams when and where it matters most to
improve patient outcomes. We believe that
in the near term, the U.S. healthcare market
offers the greatest opportunity for growth.
In 2018, we welcomed more than 70
new customers, who join a prestigious
list of more than 1,900 hospitals and
health systems in the U.S. who rely on
Spok for their communications. For the
sixth consecutive year, this customer
list includes all 30 adult and children’s
hospitals on the U.S. News and World
Report’s Best Hospitals Honor Roll. These
hospitals rely on our solutions to help
them provide the best care. Our healthcare
customers are an important part of our
future growth, as they continue to expand
their enterprise communications, and add
more of our services and solutions. Secure
text messaging remains one of our best-
performing solutions, with 2018 sales up
from the prior year.
Other key accomplishments in 2018
included:
• We announced key strategic
partnerships with companies such as
Zebra Technologies, Spectralink, and
Bernoulli Health.
• Members of our leadership team were
keynote speakers at numerous C-suite
conferences.
• Spok received recognition as the No.1
provider of secure communications by
Black Book Market Research.
Our team intends to carry this momentum
throughout 2019 to stimulate long-term
growth.
Additionally, we took our Spok Care
Connect message to the market. Our
strategy of offering a single platform, single
database, and single technology that create
an enterprise solution for our healthcare
customers has now been validated and
endorsed by both customers and industry
analysts. We are confident we are on the
right path for our future.
50%
Reduction in critical code launch time
University of Maryland
Capital Region Health
“Spok Care Connect was the clear choice to standardize
our communications. We are excited that we can now work
with one vendor to improve multiple workflows across our
care teams.”
– Darrell Messersmith, MSPT, CHCIO
CMIO and CIO
Vail Health
unified approach to communications
across their enterprise.
• The large potential market opportunity
as we further penetrate the $2.5-4 billion
healthcare IT communications market.
• Business simplification, as we previously
offered our customers too many
different products in multiple versions on
several different platforms.
• Competitive positioning, as we
concluded that no competitor offers a
single, integrated platform for healthcare
communications.
As a result of listening to what our
customers have been telling us and our
work with our innovation partners, we
were proud to introduce the next evolution
of our Spok Care Connect platform at the
HIMSS19 conference.
Our core foundation of clinical
communication is strong. And we are
proud of the work our employees have
done in support of this mission. We have
accomplished so much together since we
became Spok. We are laser focused on
making Spok Care Connect the leading
clinical communication and collaboration
platform for the healthcare industry.
Spok has many loyal, satisfied customers
and strengths as an organization. This
is evidenced by our extremely high
maintenance renewal rates and positive
customer feedback. However, our goal is to
be the best we can be in a very competitive
environment and the only way to do that is
to invest in our future and take our solution
set to the next level.
2019 Business Objectives
As I outlined at the beginning of this letter,
about three years ago, we embarked on a
transformation that was a tidal shift in our
strategic direction for healthcare, our largest
customer segment. This strategy pivot is a
five-year plan that signaled a very intentional
move from offering our customers “point”
solutions, or single-product solutions, for
call center software, alarm management,
and secure messaging to offering them
a cloud-native, single, integrated clinical
communication and collaboration platform
called Spok Care Connect.
We decided to make this shift and focus on
the Spok Care Connect platform for many
reasons, including:
• Customer needs, as our healthcare
customers told us they needed a more
In 2019, we continue our investment
commitment to address near-term
opportunities and to achieve long-term
organic growth. We believe these
investments are critical in support of our
strategy to deliver our industry-leading
clinical communication and collaboration
platform and drive long-term stockholder
value. However, while we believe that we
need to continue investing in our future, we
have completed the bulk of our investments
as we launch the evolution of our Spok Care
Connect platform.
We believe that R&D expense increases
will continue to slow in 2019 and approach
a more steady-state level. We anticipate
that R&D expenses will increase from 2018
levels, although at a much slower pace,
and will be primarily offset by expense
reductions in other categories.
Last, with respect to our capital allocation
strategy, our overall goal has been to
achieve sustainable business growth, while
maximizing long-term stockholder value
through our multi-faceted capital allocation
strategy, which has included:
• Dividends and share repurchases;
• Key strategic investments to improve
our operating platform and infrastructure
and drive long-term organic growth; and
• Potential acquisitions that could provide
additional revenue streams and are
accretive to earnings.
For 2019 we expect to continue paying our
12.5 cents per share quarterly dividend.
We will continue to evaluate our capital
allocation strategy on a quarterly basis and
communicate our plans to you with respect
to dividends, share repurchases, and other
uses of capital each quarter when we report
earnings.
In conclusion, we remain committed to our
core values of putting the customer first,
providing solutions that matter, innovation,
and accountability. We believe our past
results and future plans reflect these values.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our
talented team of employees and our loyal
customers and strategic partners. Together,
we made enormous progress in 2018. We
also want to thank our stockholders for your
continued support as we take this journey
together.
Vincent D. Kelly
President and Chief Executive Officer
April 2019
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018
or
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-32358
SPOK HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
6850 Versar Center, Suite 420
Springfield, Virginia
(Address of principal executive offices)
16-1694797
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
22151-4148
(Zip Code)
(800) 611-8488
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Name of each exchange on which registered
NASDAQ National Market®
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES NO
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to submit such files). YES NO
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”,
and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition
period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the
Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES NO
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $348.1 million based on the closing price of
$17.43 per share on the NASDAQ National Market® on June 30, 2018.
The number of shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding on February 22, 2019 was 19,342,655.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the registrant, which will be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A no later than April 30, 2019, are incorporated by reference into
Part III of this Report.
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Business
Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I
Part II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Statement of Operations
Item 6.
Item 7.
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
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Item 14.
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Item 15.
Item 15.
Signatures
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
Part IV
3
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements and information relating to Spok Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries
(“Spok” or the “Company”) that set forth anticipated results based on management’s current plans, known trends and assumptions. These
statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are
predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “target,” “forecast” and similar expressions, as they relate to Spok are forward-looking statements.
Although these statements are based upon current plans, known trends and assumptions that management considers reasonable, they are
subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to the following:
• Continuing decline in the number of paging units we have in service with customers, commensurate with a continuing decline in
our wireless revenue
• The sales cycle of our software solutions and services can run from six to eighteen months, making it difficult to plan for and meet
our sales objectives and bookings on a steady basis quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year
• Our ability to manage network rationalization to lower our costs without causing disruption of service to our customers
• Our ability to design and develop an integrated clinical communications and collaboration platform to address mobile
communications, clinical alerting, nursing and workflow functions at state of the art hospitals that gains market acceptance and
wide-spread use by customers
• Our ability to address changing market conditions with new or revised software solutions
• Our ability to retain key management personnel and to attract and retain talent within the organization
• Our ability to manage change related to regulation, including laws and regulations affecting hospitals and the healthcare industry
generally
• Competition for our services and products from new technologies or those offered and/or developed from firms that are
substantially larger and have much greater financial and human capital resources
• The reliability of our networks and servers and our ability to prevent cyber-attacks and other security issues and disruptions
• We may experience litigation claiming intellectual property infringement by us, and we may not be able to protect our rights in
intellectual property that we own and develop
• Unauthorized breaches or failures in cybersecurity measures adopted by us and/or included in our products and services
• Those matters discussed in this Annual Report under Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, known trends change, or underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual
results or outcomes may differ materially from past results and those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected,
intended, targeted or forecasted. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to consult all further disclosures the
Company makes in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K that it will file with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”). Also note that, in the risk factors section, the Company provides a cautionary discussion of risks, uncertainties and
possibly inaccurate assumptions relevant to its business. These are factors that, individually or in the aggregate, could cause the Company’s
actual results to differ materially from past results as well as those results that may be anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended,
targeted or forecasted. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risk factors. Consequently, investors should not consider the risk
factor discussion to be a complete discussion of all of the potential risks or uncertainties that could affect Spok’s business, statement of
operations or financial condition, subsequent to the filing of this Annual Report.
4
The terms "we," "us," "our," "Company" and "Spok" refer to Spok Holdings, Inc. and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Spok, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK), is proud to be the global leader in healthcare
communications. We deliver clinical information to care teams when and where it matters most to improve patient outcomes. Top hospitals
rely on the Spok Care Connect suite to enhance workflows for clinicians, support administrative compliance, and provide a better
experience for patients.
Our headquarters is located at 6850 Versar Center, Suite 420, Springfield, Virginia 22151, and our telephone number is 800-611-8488. We
maintain an Internet website at http://www.spok.com. (This website address is for information only and is not intended to be an active link
or to incorporate any website information into this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K ("2018 Form 10-K").)
We are a provider of paging services and select software solutions in the United States and abroad, on a limited basis, in Europe, Canada,
Australia, Asia and the Middle East. We offer our services and products to three major market segments: healthcare, government, and large
enterprise, with a greater emphasis on the healthcare market segment.
Industry Overview
We deliver smart, reliable clinical communication and collaboration solutions to help protect the health, well-being, and safety of people
around the globe, primarily in the United States. Our customers rely on Spok for workflow improvement, secure texting, paging services,
contact center optimization, and public safety response.
We develop, sell, and support enterprise-wide systems primarily for healthcare and other organizations needing to automate, centralize, and
standardize their approach to clinical communications. Our solutions can be found in prominent hospitals; large government agencies;
leading public safety institutions, colleges and universities; large hotels, resorts and casinos; and well-known manufacturers.
Our primary market is healthcare providers, particularly hospitals. We have identified hospitals with 200 or more beds as the primary
targets for our software solutions as well as our paging services. Within this market, we have identified the following dynamics and have
focused our efforts to address these dynamics:
•
•
•
•
•
•
a heightened awareness of the ubiquitous, critical role of communications in healthcare;
an increased focus within hospitals on quality of care and patient safety initiatives;
the importance of confidentiality when sharing information;
increased regulations that may result in process changes, increased documentation and reporting and increased costs;
a continuing focus within hospitals to reduce labor and administrative costs while increasing productivity; and
a broader proliferation of information technology in healthcare as hospitals strive to apply technology to solve their business
problems.
Sales and Marketing
Sales. We market and distribute our clinical communication and collaboration solutions through a direct sales force and an indirect sales
channel.
The direct sales force contracts or sells products, solutions, messaging services and other services directly to customers ranging from small
and medium-sized businesses to companies in the Fortune 1000; healthcare and related businesses; and Federal, state, and local government
agencies. We will continue to market primarily to commercial enterprises, with a focus on healthcare organizations, interested in our
communication solutions. We maintain a sales presence in key markets throughout the United States, and in limited markets internationally
including our Asia-Pacific sales team, in an effort to gain new customers and to retain and increase sales to existing customers. The direct
sales force targets leadership responsible for the procurement of clinical communication and collaboration solutions such as chief
information officers, chief technology officers, chief medical officers, chief nursing officers, information technology directors,
telecommunications directors, and contact center managers. The timing for a direct sale varies, but may take from six to 18 months
depending on the type and scope of software solution.
5
The indirect sales force complements our direct sales force. Through relationships with alliance partners we are able to sell our solutions to
a wider customer base. For paging services that we do not provide directly, we contract with and invoice an intermediary for airtime
services. For our software sales, our relationships with alliance partners assist us in broadening the distribution of our products and further
diversifying into markets outside healthcare.
Marketing. We have a centralized marketing function, which is focused on supporting our solutions and sales efforts by strengthening our
corporate brand, generating sales leads, and facilitating the sales process. Our principal marketing programs include:
• Content marketing (eBriefs, case studies, brochures, videos, infographics, and more) as an underlying foundation of all marketing
campaigns or initiatives;
• Website development and maintenance, which provides product and Company information, customer support options, paging
capabilities, as well as thought leadership and engagement;
• Participation at trade shows and industry events, such as Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, College of
Healthcare Information Management Executives, Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems, American
Organization of Nurse Executives, Becker's Healthcare Conference, and other Healthcare Information technology related shows
and conferences;
• Webinars about customer successes, current industry trends, and our solutions;
• Social media involvement to provide information regarding upcoming educational events or new product offerings;
•
• Newsletters and blog posts to provide information about industry trends and our solutions to customers, prospects, and alliances;
Industry analyst relationships;
and
• Annual customer conferences that solicit feedback on our solutions and services.
Licenses and Messaging Networks
In order to provide our wireless services, we hold licenses to operate on various frequencies in the 900 MHz narrowband. We are licensed
by the United States Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) to operate Commercial Mobile Radio Services (“CMRS”). These
licenses are required to provide one-way and two-way messaging services over our networks.
We operate local, regional and nationwide one-way networks, which enable subscribers to receive messages over a desired geographic area.
One-way networks operating in 900 MHz frequency bands utilize the FLEX™ protocol developed by Motorola Mobility, Inc.
(“Motorola”). The FLEX™ protocol has advantages of functioning at higher network speeds (which increases the volume of messages that
can be transmitted over the network) and of having more robust error correction (which facilitates message delivery to a device with fewer
transmission errors).
Our two-way networks utilize the ReFLEX 25™ protocol, also developed by Motorola. ReFLEX 25™ promotes spectrum efficiency and
high network capacity by dividing coverage areas into zones and sub-zones. Messages are directed to the zone or sub-zone where the
subscriber is located, allowing the same frequency to be reused to carry different traffic in other zones or sub-zones. As a result, the
ReFLEX 25™ protocol allows the two-way network to transmit substantially more messages than a one-way network using the FLEX™
protocols. The two-way network also provides for assured message delivery. The network stores, for a limited amount of time, messages
that could not be delivered to a device that is out of coverage for any reason, and when the unit returns to service, those messages are
delivered. The two-way paging network operates under a set of licenses called narrowband Personal Communications Service, which uses
900 MHz frequencies. These licenses require certain minimum five and ten-year build-out commitments established by the FCC, which
have been satisfied.
Although the capacities of our networks vary by geographic area, we have excess capacity at a consolidated level. We have implemented a
plan to manage network capacity and to improve overall network efficiency by consolidating subscribers onto fewer, higher capacity
networks with increased transmission speeds. This plan is referred to as network rationalization. Network rationalization will result in fewer
networks and therefore fewer transmitter locations, which we believe will result in lower operating expenses due primarily to lower site rent
expenses. As we continue to implement our network rationalization plan, we expect to have fewer transmitters that can be removed
efficiently from our networks and still maintain the level of service required for our customers, and thus the benefits of network
rationalization will decline. We expect related cost savings will begin to slow in 2019 as compared to historical cost savings. As we reach
certain minimum frequency commitments, as outlined by the United States Federal Communications Commission, we will be unable to
continue our efforts to rationalize and consolidate our networks. Our messaging networks and related infrastructure are located exclusively
in the United States.
Generally, our software solutions do not require licenses or permits from Federal, state and/or local government agencies in order to be sold
to customers. However, certain of our software products are subject to regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration
("FDA") and are subject to certification by the Joint Interoperability Test Command to be sold to the branches of the armed services of the
United States and the United States government. (see “Regulation” below).
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Our Strategy
Our goal is to continue to execute on our vision of integrated communication and collaboration enterprise solutions. In doing so, we will
strengthen our core product offerings and offer new solutions as we continue to focus on serving the mission critical needs of our
customers, while operating an efficient and profitable business strategy.
Critical aspects of our strategy include:
Growth of our software revenue and bookings — We expect to continue to substantially increase our investment in sales and marketing,
product implementation, product development and customer support to drive software, services and maintenance bookings and revenue
growth. We will continue to focus our sales and marketing efforts in the healthcare market in order to identify opportunities for sales and
close those opportunities in the form of bookings. We have established software revenue and software operations bookings as key
performance objectives for our consolidated operations in 2019.
We have an ongoing initiative to further penetrate the hospital segment in the United States and while we believe there is a significant
opportunity to sell clinical communication and collaboration solutions to hospitals located outside the United States our focus is on the
domestic market. We intend to leverage the strength of our market presence and the breadth of our product offerings to further expand our
customer base in healthcare.
Retention of our wireless subscribers and revenue stream — We will continue to focus on reducing the rate of subscriber disconnects and
minimize the rate of wireless revenue erosion. We continue to have a valuable wireless presence in the healthcare market, particularly in
larger hospitals. We offer a comprehensive suite of wireless messaging products and services focused on healthcare and “campus” type
environments and critical mission notification. We will continue to focus on network reliability and customer service to help minimize the
rate of subscriber disconnects. We have established wireless revenue as a key performance objective for our consolidated operations in
2019.
We recognize that the number of our wireless subscribers, our units in service and the related revenue will continue to decline. We intend to
continue reducing our underlying cost structure impacting this wireless revenue stream. We will reduce payroll and related expenses as well
as network related expenses as necessary in light of the declining wireless revenue. We will integrate and consolidate operations as
necessary to ensure the lowest cost operational platform for our consolidated business. We have established operating and capital
expenditures as a key performance objective for our consolidated operations in 2019.
Invest in our future solutions — The market for clinical communication and collaboration solutions is expected to grow as healthcare
continues to change. Focus on patient satisfaction, population health management, reimbursement changes and emphasis on quality
improvement and care coordination are all driving an evolution in communication and collaboration between previously disparate
departments and systems within and outside hospitals and across the healthcare ecosystem. Maintaining our position as a leader in
healthcare communication and collaboration requires us to continue development of our integrated platform and invest in the key areas of
customer need including: 1) mobility, 2) integrated platform, 3) nursing and physician solutions and 4) alerting. We will continue to
increase our spending on product development and strategy in 2019 and beyond to develop these solutions and compete in the changing
marketplace. Investment in our future solutions is discussed in further detail under "Research and Development." We have established
specific product development related activities as a key performance objective for our consolidated operations in 2019.
Return capital to our stockholders — We understand that our primary objective is to create long-term stockholder value. We will continue
to evaluate how best to deploy our capital resources to support sustainable business growth and maximize stockholder value. We expect to
continue to pay a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share of common stock or $0.50 annually in 2019. We will continue to evaluate both
market and Company factors to determine whether a common stock repurchase program is an appropriate method to return capital to our
stockholders.
Long-term revenue growth through business diversification — We believe that add-on acquisitions of companies or technologies could be
an important part of our future growth. We believe add-on acquisitions of complementary companies or technologies in the healthcare
market could enhance our position with current customers and expand our overall addressable markets. Rapidly and successfully
integrating strategic acquisitions and improving operational efficiencies is a focus of our management team. Given the nature of our
solutions, new technologies can be integrated to accelerate cross-selling opportunities. We evaluate these potential businesses or
technologies to determine if they can be acquired at a reasonable valuation and will be profitably accretive and accelerate our revenue
goals.
To ensure focus on our business strategy we establish specific performance objectives and develop short-term and long-term incentive
plans (“STIP” and "LTIP," respectively) for our management that include a combination of these operating objectives and priorities.
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Our Products and Services
Wireless Products and related Services. We offer subscriptions to one-way or two-way messaging services for a periodic (monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual, or annual) service fee. The level of service fees is generally based upon the type of service provided, the geographic
area covered, the number of devices provided to the customer and the period of commitment. A subscriber to one-way messaging services
may select coverage on a local, regional, or nationwide basis to best meet their messaging needs. Two-way messaging is generally offered
on a nationwide basis. In addition, subscribers either contract for a messaging device from us for an additional fixed monthly fee or they
own a device, having purchased it either from us or from another vendor. We also sell devices to resellers who lease or resell them to their
subscribers and then sell messaging services utilizing our networks. We offer ancillary services, such as voicemail and equipment loss or
maintenance protection, which help increase the monthly recurring revenue we receive along with these traditional messaging services. In
2015 and 2016 we launched new and exclusive one-way (T5) and two-way (T52) alphanumeric pagers, respectively. Both pagers are
configurable to support un-encrypted or encrypted operation. When configured for encryption, they utilize AES-128 bit encryption, screen
locking and remote wipe capabilities. With encryption enabled these new secure paging devices enhance our service offerings to the
healthcare community by adding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") security capabilities to the low cost,
highly reliable and availability benefits of paging.
The demand for one-way and two-way messaging services declined during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and we
believe demand will continue to decline for the foreseeable future. Wireless products and services revenue represented 56%, 59% and 61%
of total consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As demand for one-way and two-way
messaging has declined, we have developed or added service offerings in order to increase our revenue potential and mitigate the decline in
our wireless revenues. We will continue to evaluate opportunities to provide customers the highest value possible.
Software. Dependable clinical communications are paramount for individuals in healthcare and a host of other industries. We offer a
number of solutions, providing our customers with the ability to communicate anywhere, anytime across a number of situations. Our
solutions are used for contact centers, clinical alerting and notification, mobile communications and messaging, and for public safety
notifications. We offer clinical communication and collaboration solutions in four major product categories:
Contact Center
• Spok® Healthcare Console: Provides operators with the information needed to process calls using their computers, with just a
few keystrokes. This solution integrates with the customers’ existing phone systems and is used by the operator group to answer
incoming calls to the contact center. Operators can quickly and accurately perform directory searches and code calls, as well as
messaging and paging by individual, groups, and roles using the Spok Healthcare Console’s computer telephony integration
("CTI") and directory capabilities.
• Spok® Web-Based Directory: Makes employee contact information more accessible and enables staff to send messages quickly
right from the directory. Authenticated users can log on anywhere, anytime to perform a variety of important updates to contact
information and on-call schedules, search the directory, and send important messages.
• Spok® Web-Based On-Call Scheduling: Keeps personnel, calendars and on-call scheduling information updated, even with
thousands of staff, using a secure web portal to maintain and allow password-protected access to the latest on-call schedules and
personnel information.
• Spok® Speech: Enables the organization to process routine phone requests, including transfers, directory assistance, messaging
and paging without live operators and with more ease-of-use than touchtone menus.
• Spok® Call Recording and Quality Management: Records, monitors, and scores operators’ conversations to allow for better
management of calls, helping improve customer service.
Clinical Alerting
• Spok® Messenger: Provides an intelligent, FDA, 510(k)-cleared solution that connects virtually all crucial alert systems,
including nurse call, fire, security, patient monitoring, and building management to mobile staff via their wireless communication
devices. This solution provides the ability to reach mobile team members within seconds of an alert, improving overall workflow,
staff productivity, and the comfort and safety of everyone in the facility.
• Spok® e.Notify: Enables organizations to quickly and reliably notify and confirm team member availability during emergency
situations without relying on calling trees, thereby reducing confusion that may arise in an emergency situation. This solution
automatically delivers messages, collects responses, escalates issues to others, and logs all activities for reporting and analysis
purposes.
• Spok® Critical Test Results Management: Automates and streamlines the process of delivering critical test results to the right
clinicians to help ensure patient safety. This solution can send messages from the cardiology, laboratory and radiology
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departments by means of encrypted smartphone communications, two-way paging, secure email, secure text, images, annotations,
and voice to a variety of endpoints such as workstations, laptops, tablets, smartphones, pagers, and other wireless devices.
Mobile Communications
• Spok Mobile®: Simplifies communications and strengthens care by using smartphones and tablets for secure code alerts, patient
updates, results, consult requests, and much more. Allows users to access the full directory of accurate contact information to send
messages/photos/videos to smartphones and other devices, and to ensure clinical communications are logged, all with security,
traceability, and reliability.
• Spok® Device Preference Engine: Facilitates voice conversations among doctors and caregivers by enabling users to choose the
desired communication method based on factors such as message priority.
Public Safety
• Spok® pc/psap: Speeds emergency dispatch by giving Public Safety Answering Point ("PSAP") call-takers an easy-to-use,
standards-based, graphical interface that integrates the underlying phone system, mapping systems, and other resources for critical
information availability. 9-1-1 call-takers are able to instantly involve police, fire, EMT, and hazardous material personnel with a
single click of the mouse or touch of the screen.
• Spok® Enterprise Alert: Directs emergency personnel to a 9-1-1 caller’s exact location (building, floor, room), helping to ensure
speed, accuracy, and reliability of response. The E9-1-1 software provides real-time, onsite notification when 9-1-1 is dialed, and
works to decrease emergency response time.
Services. We offer a variety of professional services to assist our customers in the successful implementation of, and to maximize the
benefits obtained from the use of, our software solutions. We also offer support services to enhance and refine the customers experience
throughout their relationship with Spok.
• Professional Services: We offer a full suite of professional services which are provided by a dedicated group of professional
service employees. Our professional services include consultation, implementation, and training services. For software solution
implementations, our professional services staff uses a branded, consistent methodology that provides a comprehensive phased
work plan for both new software installations and/or upgrades. In support of our implementation methodology, we manage the
various aspects of the process through a professional services automation tool. We may also use third-party professional services
firms to implement our solutions for customers depending on the circumstances. Professional services revenue represented 11% of
total consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 10% of total consolidated revenue for each of the years
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
• Software License Updates and Product Support (Maintenance): Software license updates and product support, which is
generally referred to as maintenance when sold to customers, is an important offering to customers who utilize our software
solutions. In order to support our products that provide clinical communication and collaboration solutions to our customer’s
organizations, we have a dedicated customer support organization. The customer support organization provides support 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and the service can be accessed via telephone, email or the Internet via the Spok webpage.
The Spok support service is augmented by third party services where needed. Software license updates and product support are
generally priced together as a percentage of the software licenses for which these services will be provided. Largely all of our
customers purchase maintenance when they purchase new software licenses after which renewals generally occur on an annual
basis and are paid in advance. Software license updates provide customers with rights to unspecified product upgrades as well as
maintenance and patch releases that are released during the term of the support period. Software license updates and product
support revenue (i.e. maintenance revenue) represented 23%, 23% and 21% of total consolidated revenue for the years ended
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 respectively.
Sources of Equipment
We do not manufacture the messaging devices our customers need to take advantage of our services or the network equipment we use to
provide messaging services. We have relationships with several vendors to purchase new messaging devices. Used messaging devices are
available in the secondary market from various sources. We believe existing inventory, returns of devices from customers that canceled
services, and purchases from other available sources of new and reconditioned devices will be sufficient to meet expected messaging device
requirements for the foreseeable future. We negotiate contractual terms with our vendors that do not directly relate to the manufacturing of
the network equipment or messaging devices. The network equipment and messaging devices are generic on which we may place our logo
or label.
We sell third party equipment for use with our software solutions. The third-party equipment that we sell is generally available and does not
require any specialty manufacturing to accommodate our software solutions.
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We currently have inventory and network equipment on hand that we believe will be sufficient to meet our wireless and software equipment
requirements for the foreseeable future.
Intellectual Property
As of December 31, 2018, we held 71 trademarks and 17 patents which we believe are important to protect our intellectual property. We
believe our intellectual property distinguishes our business from our competition and are integral to our continued success in the area of
clinical communication and collaboration solutions. The expiration dates of these trademarks range from 2019 to 2032 and can be extended
for 10 year periods upon renewals.
Customers
Our customers include businesses and employees who need to be accessible to their offices or customers, first responders who need to be
accessible in emergencies, and third parties, such as other telecommunication carriers and resellers that pay our Company to use our
networks. Customers include businesses, professionals, management personnel, medical personnel, field sales personnel and service forces,
members of the construction industry and construction trades, real estate brokers and developers, sales and services organizations, specialty
trade organizations, manufacturing organizations and government agencies.
We offer our communication services and products primarily in the United States and to three major market segments: healthcare,
government and large enterprise, but with a greater emphasis on the healthcare market segment. For the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016, revenues from healthcare customers accounted for approximately 77.9%, 74.6% and 70.3% of our total revenues,
respectively. We expect the trend of an increasing percentage of our total revenue to come from the healthcare segment to continue, even as
our total revenue declines due to our subscriber erosion from our wireless services. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our
total revenues in 2018, 2017 or 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, foreign sales represented approximately
2.9%, 2.6% and 3.2% of our consolidated revenue, respectively.
We pursue close, long-term relationships with our customers because we believe strong customer relationships enable us to retain our
current customer base and expand our services and revenue to that customer base.
Backlog
Our software backlog of undelivered or in-progress orders was $40.4 million and $42.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017,
respectively. Of the current backlog, we expect to deliver and complete all but $7.2 million in 2019.
Competition
The competitors and degree of competition vary among our various product categories. Competition is particularly strong for our wireless
messaging services. Within the wireless industry, companies compete on the basis of price, coverage area, services offered, transmission
quality, network reliability, and customer service. We compete by maintaining competitive pricing for our products and services, by
providing broad coverage options through high-quality, reliable messaging networks and by providing quality customer service. Direct
competitors for wireless messaging services include American Messaging Service, LLC and a variety of other regional and local providers.
We also compete with a broad array of wireless messaging services provided by mobile telephone companies, including AT&T Mobility
LLC, Sprint Nextel Corporation, T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Verizon Wireless, Inc. This competition has intensified as prices for the services
of mobile telephone companies have declined and as those companies have incorporated messaging capabilities into their mobile phone
devices. Many of these companies possess far greater financial, technical and other resources than we do.
Most personal communications service and other mobile phone devices currently sold in the United States are capable of sending and
receiving one-way and two-way messages. Most subscribers that purchase these services no longer need to subscribe to a separate
messaging service. As a result, many one-way and two-way messaging subscribers can readily switch to cellular, personal communications
service and other mobile telephone services. The decrease in prices and increase in capacity and functionality for cellular, personal
communications service, WiFi, and other mobile telephone services have led many subscribers to select combined voice and messaging
services from mobile telephone companies as an alternative to our stand-alone messaging services.
We also have a number of competitors whose software products compete with one or more modules of our clinical communication and
collaboration solutions. These competitors are a mix of privately held and public companies that offer a number of call center, alerting and
mobile communication products. Our primary competitive advantages include having:
• An integrated product suite;
• A communication-driven workflow;
• Certifications, such as those through the Joint Interoperability Test Command (See "Joint Interoperability Test Command" below)
and the FDA; and
• A complete directory of contacts throughout the customer enterprise.
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Although there are no competitors that offer a similar comprehensive set of software modules that match our product offerings, there are
several competitors who offer software similar to many of our solutions. As we continue our transition to a software company the
Company's competitive landscape will continue to evolve. Selected competitors for portions of our product portfolio include:
• Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. - Mobile communications solutions;
• Appfolio, Inc. - Cloud-based software solutions;
• Boingo Wireless, Inc. - Mobile communications solutions;
• Castlight Health, Inc. - Software as a service health benefits platform;
• Computer Programs and Systems, Inc. - Healthcare IT solutions;
• Everbridge, Inc. - Clinical alerting solutions;
• Evolent Health, Inc. - Healthcare delivery and payment solutions;
• Five9, Inc. - Cloud-based solutions;
• Globalstar, Inc. - Mobile communications solutions;
• HealthStream, Inc. - healthcare development solutions;
• LivePerson,Inc. - Mobile and online messaging solutions;
• MobileIron, Inc. - Mobile communications solutions;
• Model N, Inc. - Revenue management cloud solutions;
• NextGen Healthcare, Inc. - Medical and Dental software, services, and analytic solutions;
• ORBCOMM Inc. - Network connectivity and device management solutions; and
• Vocera Communications, Inc. - Mobile communications solutions;
In addition, substantially larger companies in the electronic medical records ("EMR") space such as Epic Systems Corporation,
Athenahealth, Inc. and Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. may choose to offer software related solutions similar to our clinical
communication and collaboration solutions, or may acquire one of our competitors.
Research and Development
We maintain a product development group, a substantial portion of which is focused on developing new software products, especially with
respect to developing an integrated platform for communications solutions and additional enhancements. Within our research and
development group is a separate task force focused on ongoing maintenance and enhancement of existing point-solution products. Our
product development group uses a methodology that balances enhancement requests from a number of sources including customers,
regulatory requirements, the professional services staff, customer support incidents, known defects, market and technology trends, and
competitive requirements. These requests are reviewed and prioritized based on criteria that include the potential for increased revenue,
customer/employee satisfaction, possible cost savings, and development time and expense.
We continue to focus our product development activities on developing our clinical communication and collaboration, Spok Care
Connect®. This unified communication solution focuses on four key areas of customer need: mobility offerings, an integrated platform,
alerting, and nursing solutions. The development of Spok Care Connect requires a multi-year effort by a dedicated product development
staff and will be deployed in multiple phases which include planned development and enhancements. We believe that development of the
Spok Care Connect Platform will drive long-term stockholder value and play an important role in determining the future success of our
strategy.
We plan to continue to invest in our research and development efforts to build a fully integrated communications and workflow platform for
hospitals focused on mobility, critical alerting, and nursing care with full enterprise accessibility. However, we expect our research and
development expenses will begin to grow at a slower pace in 2019.
Employees
At both December 31, 2018 and 2017 we had 596 full time equivalent (“FTE”) employees, respectively. Our employees are not represented
by labor unions or covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Regulation
Federal Regulation
The FCC issues licenses to use radio frequencies necessary to conduct our business and regulate many aspects of the operations that support
our wireless revenue. Licenses granted to us by the FCC have varying terms, generally of up to ten years, at which time the FCC must
approve renewal applications. In the past, FCC renewal applications generally have been granted upon showing compliance with FCC
regulations and adequate service to the public. Other than those still pending, the FCC has thus far granted each license renewal that we
have requested.
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The Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), requires radio licensees, including us, to obtain prior approval
from the FCC for the assignment or transfer of control of any construction permit or station license or authorization of any rights
thereunder. The FCC has thus far granted each assignment or transfer request we have made in connection with a change of control.
The Communications Act also places limitations on foreign ownership of CMRS licenses, which constitute the majority of our licenses.
These foreign ownership restrictions limit the percentage of stockholders’ equity that may be owned or voted, directly or indirectly, by non-
United States citizens or their representatives, foreign governments or their representatives, or foreign corporations. Our Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation permits the redemption of our equity from stockholders where necessary to ensure compliance with
these requirements.
The FCC’s rules and regulations require us to pay a variety of fees that otherwise increase our costs of doing business. For example, the
FCC requires licensees, including Spok, to pay levies and fees, such as universal service fees, to cover the costs of certain regulatory
programs and to promote various other societal goals. These requirements increase the cost of the services provided. By law, we are
permitted to bill our customers for these regulatory costs and we typically do so.
Additionally, the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act of 1994, (“CALEA”) and certain rules implementing CALEA
require some telecommunication companies, including Spok, to design and/or modify their equipment in order to allow law enforcement
personnel to “wiretap” or otherwise intercept messages. Other regulatory requirements restrict how we may use customer information and
prohibit certain commercial electronic messages, even to our own customers.
In addition, the FCC’s rules require us to pay other carriers for the transport and termination of some telecommunication traffic. As a result
of various FCC decisions over the last few years, we no longer pay fees for the termination of traffic originating on the networks of local
exchange carriers providing wireline services interconnected with our services. In some instances, we received refunds for prior payments
to certain local exchange carriers. We have entered into a number of interconnection agreements with local exchange carriers in order to
resolve various issues regarding charges imposed by local exchange carriers for interconnection.
Failure to follow the FCC’s rules and regulations can result in a variety of penalties, ranging from monetary fines to the loss of licenses.
Additionally, the FCC has the authority to modify licenses, or impose additional requirements through changes to its rules.
The FDA has determined software systems that connect to medical devices are subject to regulation as medical devices as defined by the
federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“the FDC Act”). Since our middleware software products connect to medical devices, we are
required to comply with the FDC Act’s requirements, including but not limited to: registration and listing, labeling, medical device
reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events), removal and correction, and good manufacturing practice requirements. We
have complied with the regulatory requirements of the FDC Act, and registered and received the necessary clearances for our products. As
we modify and/or enhance our software products (including our middleware product), we may be required to request FDA clearance before
we are permitted to market these products.
In addition, our software solutions may handle or have access to personal health information subject in the United States to the HIPAA, the
Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”), and related regulations. These statutes and related
regulations impose numerous requirements regarding the use and disclosure of personal health information with which we help our
customers comply. Our failure to accurately anticipate or interpret these complex and technical laws could subject us to civil and/or
criminal liability. We believe that we are in compliance with these laws and their related regulations.
Although these and other regulatory requirements have not, to date, had a material adverse effect on our operating results, such
requirements could have a material impact on our operating results in the future. We monitor discussions at the FCC and FDA on pending
changes in regulatory policy or regulations; however, we are unable to predict what changes, if any, may occur in 2019 to regulatory policy
or regulations.
State Regulation
As a result of the enactment by the United States Congress of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (“OBRA”) in August 1993,
states are now generally preempted from exercising rate or entry regulation over any of our operations. States are not preempted, however,
from regulating “other terms and conditions” of our operations, including consumer protection and similar rules of general applicability.
Zoning requirements are also generally permissible, however, provisions of the OBRA prohibit local zoning authorities from unreasonably
restricting wireless services. States that regulate our services also may require us to obtain prior approval of (1) the acquisition of
controlling interests in other paging companies and (2) a change of control.
At this time, we are not aware of any proposed state legislation or regulations that would have a material adverse impact on our business.
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Joint Interoperability Test Command ("JITC") Certification
JITC is a military organization that tests technology for use by the branches of the armed services of the United States and the United States
federal government. JITC certification is required of all systems with joint interfaces or joint information exchanges with other systems
used by these organizations and is done to ensure all systems operate effectively together. All information technology and national security
systems that exchange and use information to enable units or forces to operate effectively in joint, combined, coalition and interagency
operations and simulations must be certified. Once a system has been certified under this program, the certification must be renewed every
four years or after any changes that may affect interoperability. The interoperability certification process consists of four basic steps, which
are:
Identify (interoperability) requirements;
•
• Develop certification approach (planning);
• Perform interoperability test and evaluation; and
• Report certifications and statuses.
We submit and receive JITC certification for certain of our products through the Defense Information Systems Agency ("DISC"), which
allows us to sell and implement our solutions at federal government agencies. We currently certify a console, web, speech, mass
notification, public safety answering point, call recording and campus 911 product with JITC. We have a roadmap to renew the existing
certifications with new releases of existing products and to bring additional products to JITC to increase the products that can be sold into
Federal agencies.
Available Information
We make available on our website at http://www.spok.com, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-
Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically
filed with, or furnished to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The SEC also maintains an Internet site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov. We also make available on our website, and in print, if any stockholder or other person so requests, our code of
business conduct and ethics entitled “Code of Ethics” which is applicable to all employees and directors, our “Corporate Governance
Guidelines” and the charters for all committees of our Board of Directors, including Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance.
Any changes to our Code of Ethics or waiver, if any, of our Code of Ethics for executive officers or directors will be posted on that website.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following important factors, among others, could cause our actual operating results to differ materially from those indicated or
suggested by forward-looking statements made in this 2018 Form 10-K or presented elsewhere by management from time to time.
The rate of wireless subscriber and revenue erosion could exceed our ability to reduce wireless operating expenses in order to
maintain overall positive operating cash flow.
Our wireless revenue is dependent on the number of subscribers that use our paging devices. Our customers may not renew their
subscriptions after the expiration of their subscription agreements. In addition, our customers may opt for a lower-priced edition of our
offerings or for fewer subscriptions. We have limited historical data with respect to rates of customer subscription renewals, so we cannot
accurately predict customer renewal rates. Our customers’ renewal rates may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors,
including their level of satisfaction with our offerings and their ability to continue their operations and spending levels. Increasing
awareness and concern over HIPAA/HITECH compliance is causing healthcare organizations, our largest customer segment, to re-evaluate
paging subscriptions for clinical use cases when users are not equipped with our encrypted pager offerings.
We face intense competition for subscribers from other paging service providers and alternate wireless communications providers such as
mobile phone and mobile data service providers. There is a risk that our competitors’ products may provide better performance or include
additional features when compared to our offerings. Competitive pressures could also affect the prices we may charge or the demand for our
offerings, resulting in reduced profit margins and loss of market share. Our efforts to compete effectively may not be sufficient, which may
adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
In addition to competition, our customer base may be impacted by the introduction of new technologies. As mobile communications
technology evolves, competitors that provide wireless broadband data services may lower their prices to customers that approach, meet or
undercut our prices for paging services. We are unable to predict how customer perceptions of the value of our wireless services will be
impacted by the development of new wireless technologies. Our continued success will depend on our ability to adapt to rapidly changing
technologies and user preferences, to adapt our offerings to evolving industry standards, to predict user preferences and industry changes in
order to continue to provide value to our customers and to improve the performance and reliability of our offerings. Our failure to adapt to
such changes could harm our business, and our efforts to adapt to such changes could require substantial expenditures on our part to modify
our offerings or infrastructure. Delays in developing, completing or delivering new or enhanced offerings and technologies could result in
delayed or reduced revenue for those offerings and could also adversely affect customer acceptance of those offerings and technologies.
Even if we are able to enhance our existing offerings or introduce new offerings that are well perceived by the market, if our marketing or
sales efforts do not generate interest in or sales for these offerings, they may be unsuccessful.
We expect our wireless subscriber results, units in service and revenue will continue to decline into the foreseeable future. As this revenue
erosion continues, maintaining positive cash flow is dependent on substantial and timely reductions in selected wireless operating expenses.
Reductions in wireless operating expenses require both the reduction of internal costs and negotiation of lower costs from outside vendors.
As we require fewer services and products from our vendors, our negotiating leverage to lower our costs is diminished. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to reduce our wireless operating expenses commensurate with the level of revenue erosion. The inability to
reduce wireless operating expenses would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and statement of income
including our continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating cash flow, continue our research and development
investment in our Spok Care Connect Platform, pay cash dividends to stockholders, and repurchase shares of our common stock.
We may be unable to effectively develop, introduce and deploy our integrated communications platform, Spok Care Connect, which
is the basis for our future growth.
Our future revenue growth depends on our ability to develop, introduce and effectively deploy our communication and collaboration
platform. This multi-year effort will require the coordination of multiple development teams dedicated to this task. Simultaneously with this
new development effort, we must continue to improve and support our existing suite of products to transition to the integrated clinical
communication and collaboration platform. We foresee the following risks inherent in our research and product development efforts:
• Requirements Definition - Our plans for a communication and collaboration platform may not meet the market's needs or
customer expectations and could result in low market demand and/or acceptance.
• Product Scope and Schedule - Product scope may be subject to growth from market-led requirements, new technology, or
competitors expanding product capabilities or entering into adjacencies. We may fail to manage the scope of our software
development activities effectively, resulting in delays to meet key milestones, achieve network solutions on a fully integrated
basis, or solve coding problems in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, the continuing software development efforts on our
existing products could distract management time and focus on developing our communication and collaboration platform.
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• Staffing and Organization - The development of the communication and collaboration platform requires the hiring of new staff.
We may be unable to attract, in a timely manner, the qualified staff to meet our requirements. The organizational changes and new
hires necessary to address our development requirements could create attrition risk for our current staff.
• Operational Readiness - Even if the development of the communication and collaboration platform occurs as we have planned, we
may not be prepared or ready to sell, deliver and support the new platform technology.
Technical problems and higher costs may affect our product development initiatives.
Our future software revenue growth depends on our ability to develop, introduce and effectively deploy new solutions and features to our
existing software solutions. These new features and functionalities are designed to address both existing and new customer requirements.
We may experience technical problems and additional costs as these new features are tested and deployed. Failure to effectively develop
new or improved software solutions could adversely impact software revenue growth and could have a material adverse effect on our
operations, financial condition and statement of operations including our continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating
cash flow, pay cash dividends to stockholders, and repurchase shares of our common stock.
We are dependent on the U.S. healthcare provider market segment for most of our revenue.
Over 75 percent of our revenue for wireless services and software products comes from sales to hospitals and other healthcare provider
organizations in the United States. These customers, both non-profit and for-profit, are greatly affected by healthcare reform and the
reimbursement policies of the federal and state governments and health insurance companies, and any decline in revenue received by our
customers due to adverse economic conditions or legislative or regulatory changes could significantly affect the type and amount of
services and products they order from us. We do not anticipate any flexibility in increasing prices for our wireless services notwithstanding
general inflation due to an unrelenting focus by our customers on their cost structures, and our customers could be slow to invest in our
software products and professional services due to budgetary pressures.
If we are unable to retain key management personnel, we might not be able to find suitable replacements in a timely manner, or at
all, and our business could be disrupted.
Our success is largely dependent upon the continued service, availability and performance of key personnel, including our Chief Executive
Officer, senior management team and other highly skilled personnel, particularly in product development, product strategy and sales. We
believe that there is, and will continue to be, intense competition for qualified personnel in the telecommunication and software industries,
and there is no assurance that we will be able to attract, motivate and retain the personnel necessary for the management and development
of our business. Turnover, particularly among senior management, can also create distractions as we search for replacement personnel,
which could result in significant recruiting, relocation, training and other costs, and could cause operational inefficiencies as replacement
personnel become familiar with our business and operations. In addition, manpower in certain areas may be constrained, which could lead
to disruptions over time. The elimination or reconfiguration of employee responsibilities could impact retention decisions by key executives
and personnel. Also, to the extent we hire personnel from competitors, we may be subject to allegations that they have been improperly
solicited, that they have divulged proprietary or other confidential information, or that their former employers own their inventions or other
work product. Moreover, the loss of these key employees, particularly to a competitor, some of which may be in a position to offer greater
compensation, and any resulting loss of customers could reduce our market share and diminish our brands.
In order to grow our software revenue and bookings and maintain our wireless revenue and subscribers we are dependent on our ability
to effectively manage our employee base in sales and marketing to achieve our sales productivity goals.
Growth in our software revenue and bookings and maintenance of our wireless revenue and subscriber base is dependent on the
productivity of our sales organization. From time to time it may be necessary to reorient our sales representatives to focus on specific
market segments, product lines or new software solutions or to remove underperforming individuals which may require additional resources
to maintain productivity. The impact of these changes could adversely impact our ability to achieve our sales productivity goals. We have
also identified the following risks that could impact our sales productivity:
• Customer Dissatisfaction and Spok's Reputation - We may experience customer dissatisfaction with our solutions that could result
in lost opportunities for sales. Potential low ratings of our solutions may result in us being excluded from consideration by both
customers and prospects with respect to future opportunities. In addition, fewer customer references for our solutions could impact
our ability to prospect new sales.
• Training - Training of our marketing and sales personnel as to the clinical requirements of our healthcare customers and the
complexity of our service offerings, takes time and requires a substantial, continuing investment in new hires as well as long term
employees.
• Competitive Speed - Sales productivity can be impacted by the capabilities of our competitors. There is a risk that competitors can
innovate or partner faster than we do to deliver a unified communications platform.
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• Employee Retention - The impact of the elements noted above can challenge the ability of employees to make sales. This is tough
on morale and can affect employee retention.
We may experience a long sales cycle for our software products.
Our software revenue growth results from a long sales cycle that from initial contact to final sales order may take six to 18 months
depending on the type of software solution. Our software sales and marketing efforts involve educating our customers on the technical
capabilities of our software solutions and the potential benefits from the deployment of our software, as well as educating ourselves as to
the clinical needs of our customers. The inherent unpredictability of decision making in our target market segment of healthcare resulting
from customer budget constraints, multiple approvals and administrative issues may result in fluctuating bookings and revenue from month
to month, quarter to quarter and year to year. Our bookings and corresponding revenue are dependent on actions that have occurred in the
past. Each month we need to spend substantial time, effort, and expense on our marketing and sales efforts that may not result in future
revenue.
Undetected defects or bugs in our products could adversely affect the market acceptance of new products, damage our reputation
with current or prospective customers, and materially and adversely affect our operating costs.
Software products, such as those we offer, may contain defects and bugs when they are first introduced or as new versions are released, or
their release may be delayed due to unforeseen difficulties during product development. If any of our products, including products of
companies we have acquired, or third-party components used in our products, contain defects or bugs, or have reliability, quality or
compatibility problems, we may not be able to successfully design workarounds. Any defects we do not detect and fix in pre-release testing
could cause reduced sales and revenue, damage to our reputation, repair or remediation costs, delays in the release of new products or
versions, or legal liability. There can be no assurance that provisions in our license agreements that limit our exposure to liability will be
sufficient or withstand legal challenge.
Wireless service to our customers could be adversely impacted by network rationalization.
We have an active program to consolidate the number of networks and related transmitter locations, which is referred to as network
rationalization. Network rationalization is necessary to match our technical infrastructure to our smaller subscriber base and to reduce both
site rent and telecommunication costs. The implementation of the network rationalization program could adversely impact service to our
existing subscribers, and there can be no assurance that any efforts to minimize that impact would be successful. This adverse impact could
increase the rate of gross subscriber cancellations and/or the level of wireless revenue erosion. Adverse changes in gross subscriber
cancellations and/or revenue erosion could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be unable to find vendors able to supply us with wireless paging equipment based on future demands.
We purchase paging equipment from third party vendors. This equipment is sold or leased to customers in order to provide wireless
messaging services. The reduction in industry demand for paging equipment has caused various suppliers to cease manufacturing this
equipment or increase prices for devices. There can be no assurance that we will continue to find vendors to supply paging equipment, or
that the vendors will supply equipment at costs that allow us to remain a competitive alternative in the wireless messaging industry. A lack
of paging equipment could impact our ability to provide certain wireless messaging services and could have a material adverse effect on our
business, leading to further wireless revenue erosion.
We may be unable to maintain successful relationships with our channel partners.
We use channel partners such as resellers, consulting firms, original equipment manufacturers, and technology partners to license and
support our products. We rely, to a significant degree, on each of our channel partners to select, screen and maintain relationships with its
distribution network and to distribute our offerings in a manner that is consistent with applicable law and regulatory requirements and our
quality standards. Contract defaults by any of these channel partners or the loss of our relationships with them may materially adversely
affect our ability to develop, market, sell, or support our communication solution offerings. If our indirect distribution channel is disrupted,
we may be required to devote more resources to distribute our offerings directly and support our customers, which may not be as effective
and could lead to higher costs, reduced revenue and growth that is slower than expected.
Recruiting and retaining qualified channel partners and training them in the use of our enterprise technologies requires significant time and
resources. If we fail to devote sufficient resources to support and expand our network of channel partners, our business may be adversely
affected. In addition, because we rely on channel partners for the indirect distribution of our enterprise technologies, we may have little or
no contact with the ultimate end-users of our technologies, thereby making it more difficult for us to establish brand awareness, ensure
proper delivery and installation of our software, support ongoing customer requirements, estimate end-user demand, respond to evolving
customer needs and obtain subscription renewals from end-users.
We may be unable to realize the benefits associated with our deferred income tax assets.
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We have significant deferred income tax assets that are available to offset future taxable income and increase cash flows from operations.
The use of these deferred income tax assets is dependent on the availability of taxable income in future periods. The availability of future
taxable income is dependent on our ability to profitably manage our operations to support a growing base of software revenue offset by
declining wireless subscribers and revenue. To the extent that anticipated reductions in wireless operating expenses do not occur or
sufficient revenue is not generated, we may not achieve sufficient taxable income to allow for use of our deferred income tax assets. The
accounting for deferred income tax assets is based upon an estimate of future results, and any valuation allowance we may apply to our
deferred tax assets may be increased or decreased as conditions change or if we are unable to implement certain tax planning strategies. If
we are unable to use these deferred income tax assets, our financial condition and statement of operations may be materially affected. In
addition, a significant portion of our deferred income tax assets relate to net operating losses. If our ability to utilize these losses is limited,
due to Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382, our financial condition and statement of operations may be materially affected.
Our wireless products are regulated by the FCC and, to a lesser extent, state and local regulatory authorities. Changes in
regulation could result in increased costs to us and our customers.
We are subject to regulation by the FCC and, to a lesser extent, by state and local authorities. Changes in regulatory policy could increase
the fees we must pay to the government or to third parties, and could subject us to more stringent requirements that could cause us to incur
additional capital and/or operating costs. To the extent additional regulatory costs are passed along to customers, those increased costs could
adversely impact subscriber cancellations.
For example, the FCC issued an order in October 2007 that mandated paging carriers (including the Company) along with all other CMRS
providers serving a defined minimum number of subscribers to maintain an emergency back-up power supply at all cell sites to enable
operation for a minimum of eight hours in the event of a loss of commercial power (the “Back-up Power Order”). Ultimately, after a
hearing by the DC Circuit Court and disapproval by the Office of Management and Budget (the “OMB”) of the information collection
requirements of the Back-Up Power Order, the FCC indicated that it would not seek to override the OMB’s disapproval. Rather the FCC
indicated that it would issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the goal of adopting revised back-up power rules. To date, there has
been no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the FCC and we are unable to predict what impact, if any, a revised back-up power rule could
have on our operations, cash flows, ability to continue payment of cash dividends to stockholders, and ability to repurchase shares of our
common stock.
As a further example, the FCC continues to consider changes to the rules governing the collection of universal service fees. The FCC is
evaluating a flat monthly charge per assigned telephone number as opposed to assessing universal service contributions based on
telecommunication carriers’ interstate revenue. There is no timetable for any rulemaking to implement this numbers-based methodology. If
the FCC adopts a numbers-based methodology, our attempt to recover the increased contribution costs from our customers could
significantly diminish demand for our services, and our failure to recover such increased contribution costs could have a material adverse
impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of our software products are regulated by the FDA. The application of or changes in regulations could impact our ability
to market new or revised software products to our customers.
Certain of our software products are regulated by the FDA as medical devices. The classification of our software products as medical
devices means that we are required to comply with certain registration and listing, labeling, medical device reporting, removal and
correction, and good manufacturing practice requirements. Updates to these products or the development of new products could require us
to seek clearance from the FDA before we are permitted to market or sell these software products. In addition, changes to FDA regulations
could impact existing software products or updates to existing products. The impact of delays in FDA clearance or changes to FDA
regulations could impact our ability to market or sell our software products and could have a material adverse effect on our software sales,
financial condition and results of operations, including our continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating cash flow, pay
cash dividends to stockholders and repurchase shares of our common stock.
We have investigated potential acquisitions and may not be able to identify an opportunity at favorable terms or have the ability to
close on financing necessary to consummate the transaction.
We cannot provide any assurances that we will be successful in finding such acquisitions or consummating future acquisitions on favorable
terms. We anticipate that our acquisitions will be financed through a combination of methods, including but not limited to the use of
available cash on hand, and, if necessary, borrowings from third party financial institutions. Disruptions in credit markets and an
unwillingness to lend may limit our ability to finance acquisitions.
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We have investigated potential acquisitions and may be unable to successfully integrate such acquisitions into our business and
may not achieve all or any of the operating synergies or anticipated benefits of those acquisitions.
We continue to evaluate acquisitions of other businesses where we believe such acquisitions will yield increased cash flows, improved
market penetration and/or identified operating efficiencies and synergies. We may face various challenges with our integration efforts,
including the combination and simplification of product and service offerings, sales and marketing approaches and establishment of
combined operations.
We may have limited or no history of owning and operating any business that we acquire. If we were to acquire these businesses, there can
be no assurance that:
•
•
•
•
such businesses will perform as expected;
such businesses will not incur unforeseen obligations or liabilities;
such businesses will generate sufficient cash flow to support the indebtedness, if incurred, to acquire them or the expenditures
needed to develop them; and/or
the rate of return from such businesses will justify the decision to invest the capital to acquire them.
There can be no assurance that we will manage these challenges and risks successfully. Moreover, if we are not successful in completing
transactions that we have pursued or may pursue, our business may be adversely affected, and we may incur substantial expenses and divert
significant management time and resources. In addition, in pursuing and completing such transactions, we could use substantial portions of
our available cash as all or a portion of the purchase price for these transactions or as retention incentives to employees of the acquired
business, or we may incur substantial debt. We could also issue additional securities as all or a portion of the purchase price for these
transactions or as retention incentives to employees of the acquired business, which could cause our stockholders to suffer significant
dilution. Any transaction may not generate additional revenue or profit for us, or may take longer to do so than expected, which may
adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
We may experience litigation claiming intellectual property infringement by us, and we may not be able to protect our rights in
intellectual property that we own and develop.
Intellectual property infringement litigation has become commonplace, particularly in the wireless and software industries in which we
operate. This litigation can be protracted, expensive, and time consuming. There is no assurance that we will remain immune to this
litigation. Any such claims, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming and costly in terms of both resources and management
time.
Third parties may claim we infringe their intellectual property rights. We may receive claims that we have infringed the intellectual
property rights of others, including claims regarding patents, copyrights, and trademarks. The number and types of these claims may grow
as a result of constant technological change in the segments in which our wireless services and software products compete, the extensive
patent coverage of existing technologies, and the rapid rate of issuance of new patents.
Our patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets relating to our wireless services and networks, and our software solutions, are
important assets. The efforts we undertake to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective. Any significant impairment
to our intellectual property rights could harm our business and our ability to compete effectively. Protecting our intellectual property rights
can be costly and time consuming.
We seek to maintain certain of our intellectual property rights as trade secrets, including the source code for many of our software solutions
and innovations. Our source code and system architecture may be reverse engineered by our competitors, or the secrecy of our solutions
and designs could be compromised through a security breach or otherwise, or by our employees or former employees, intentionally or
accidentally. Any compromise of our trade secrets could cause us to lose any competitive advantage our software solutions have and the
investment we have made in developing our products and services.
Our portfolio of issued patents and copyrights may be insufficient to defend ourselves against intellectual property infringement claims, and
the validity and scope of our patents could be challenged by third parties were we to seek to enforce them.
We may encounter issues with privacy and security of personal information.
A substantial portion of our revenue comes from healthcare customers. As part of our business, we (or third parties with whom we contract)
may receive, store and process our data, as well as our customers’ and partners’ private data and personal information. As such, our business
is subject to a variety of federal, state and international laws and regulations that apply to the collection, use, retention, protection,
disclosure, transfer and processing of personal data.
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Our software solutions may handle or have access to personal health information subject in the United States to HIPAA, HITECH and
related regulations as well as legislation and regulations in foreign countries. These statutes and related regulations impose numerous
requirements regarding the use and disclosure of personal health information with which we and our software solutions must comply. Our
failure to accurately anticipate or interpret these complex and technical laws and regulations could subject us to civil and/or criminal
liability. Such failure could adversely impact our ability to market and sell our software solutions to healthcare customers, and have a
material adverse impact on our software sales. In addition to personal health information the Company may handle or have access to
personal information subject in the European Union to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). The GDPR imposes several stringent
requirements for controllers and processors of personal data and will increase our obligations, including, for example, by requiring more
robust disclosures to individuals, strengthening the individual data rights regime, shortening timelines for data breach notifications, limiting
retention periods and secondary use of information, and imposing additional obligations when we contract third party processors in
connection with the processing of personal data. The GDPR could limit our ability to use and share personal data or could cause our costs to
increase and harm our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Failure to comply with the requirements of the GDPR
and the applicable European Union member states may result in fines of up to €20,000,000 or up to 4% of the total worldwide annual
turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher, and other administrative penalties. To comply with the new data protection
rules imposed by the GDPR we may be required to put in place additional mechanisms which could be onerous and adversely affect our
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
In addition, customers may use our wireless services to transmit patient health information subject to HIPAA and other regulatory
requirements. While we offer encrypted pagers to our customers, many customers use pager devices provided by us that do not encrypt text
messages. While we disclaim liability for customer non-compliance with HIPAA and other privacy requirements, there remains some risk
we could be held responsible for privacy violations by our customers.
There can be no assurance that the security and testing measures we take relating to our offerings and operations will prevent all security
breaches and data loss that could harm our business or the businesses of our customers and partners. These risks may increase as we
continue to grow our services and offerings and as we receive, store and process more of our customers’ data. Actual or perceived
vulnerabilities may lead to regulatory investigations, claims against us by customers, partners or other third parties, or costs, such as those
related to providing customer notifications and fraud monitoring. There can be no assurance that any provisions in our customer
agreements limiting our liability will be enforceable or effective under applicable law. In addition, the cost and operational consequences
of implementing further data protection measures could be significant.
The data privacy- and protection-related laws and regulations to which we subject are evolving, with new or modified laws and regulations
proposed and implemented frequently and existing laws and regulations subject to new or different interpretations. Any failure by us to
comply with data privacy- and protection-related laws and regulations could result in enforcement actions, significant penalties or other
legal actions against us or our customers or suppliers. An actual or alleged failure to comply, which could result in negative publicity,
reduce demand for our offerings, increase the cost of compliance, require changes in business practices that result in reduced revenue,
restrict our ability to provide our offerings in certain locations, result in our customers’ inability to use our offerings and prohibit data
transfers or result in other claims, liabilities or sanctions, including fines, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
operating results and cash flows.
System disruptions and security threats to our computer networks, satellite control or telecommunications systems could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
The performance and reliability of our computer network and telecommunications systems infrastructure, as well as the technology
infrastructure of third parties, is critical to our operations. This technology infrastructure may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from
natural disasters, power loss, telecommunication failures, terrorist attacks, software errors and other events. Any computer system or
satellite network error or failure, regardless of cause, could result in a substantial outage that materially disrupts our operations. In addition,
we face the threat to our computer systems of unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses, malicious code, organized cyber-
attacks and other security problems and system disruptions. Our satellite network connections for our wireless services depend upon VSAT
terminals, many of which are based on decades-old technology or equipment that could fail resulting in a loss of service to our customers.
With respect to our Enterprise Reporting and Management systems and data storage we rely on third party data centers and services with
whom we are dependent for maintaining accessibility, reliability and uninterrupted connectivity.
A significant number of the systems making up this infrastructure are not redundant, and our disaster recovery planning may not be
sufficient for every eventuality. We may not carry business interruption insurance sufficient to protect us from all losses that may result
from interruptions in our services as a result of technology infrastructure failures or to cover all contingencies. We may be required to
expend significant resources to protect against the threat of these system disruptions or to alleviate problems caused by these disruptions.
Any interruption in the availability of our websites and on-line interactions with customers or partners may cause a reduction in customer or
partner satisfaction levels, which in turn could cause additional claims, reduced revenue or loss of customers or partners. There can be no
assurance that any precautions we may take will prove successful, and such problems could result in, among other consequences, a loss of
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data, loss of confidence in the stability and reliability of our offerings, damage to our reputation, and legal liability, all of which may
adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
Unauthorized breaches or failures in cybersecurity measures adopted by us and/or included in our products and services could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
Our security systems are designed to maintain the physical security of our facilities and protect our customers’, suppliers’ and employees’
confidential information, as well as our own proprietary information. However, we are also dependent on a number of third-party providers
of critical corporate infrastructure services relating to, among other things, human resources, electronic communication services and certain
finance functions, and we are, of necessity, dependent on the security systems of these providers. Accidental or willful security breaches or
other unauthorized access by third parties or our employees or contractors of our facilities, our information systems or the systems of our
third party providers, or the existence of computer viruses or malware in our or their data or software could expose us to a risk of
information loss and misappropriation of proprietary and confidential information, including information relating to our products or
customers and the personal information of our employees. We utilize a costly, multilayered security framework including detailed security
policies and procedures, security appliances and software, third party vulnerability testing and detailed business continuity plans that could
be disrupted at any time.
In addition, we have, from time to time, also been subject to unauthorized network intrusions and malware on our own IT networks. Any
theft or misuse of confidential, personal or proprietary information as a result of such activities could result in, among other things,
unfavorable publicity, damage to our reputation, loss of our trade secrets and other competitive information, difficulty in marketing our
products, allegations by our customers that we have not performed our contractual obligations, litigation by affected parties and possible
financial obligations for liabilities and damages related to the theft or misuse of such information, as well as fines and other sanctions
resulting from any related breaches of data privacy regulations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation,
business, profitability and financial condition. Since the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change
frequently and are often not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement
adequate preventative measures.
General economic conditions that are largely out of our control may adversely affect our financial condition and statement of
operations.
Our business is sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, both in the United States and foreign markets. Recessionary economic
cycles, higher interest rates, inflation, higher levels of unemployment, higher tax rates and other changes in tax laws, or other economic
factors that may affect business spending or buying habits could adversely affect the demand for our services. This adverse impact could
increase the rate of gross subscriber cancellations and/or the level of revenue erosion.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from healthcare customers and we are impacted by changes in the healthcare economic
environment. The healthcare industry is highly regulated and is subject to changing political, legislative, regulatory, and other economic
developments. These developments can have a dramatic effect on the decision-making and the spending by our customers for information
technology and software. This economic uncertainty can add to the unpredictability of decision-making and lengthen our sales cycle.
Further, the consequences of the implementation of changes to healthcare reform legislation continue to impact both the economy in general
and the healthcare market in particular. The uncertainty created by the possibility of changes to the legislation is impacting customer
decision making and information technology plans in our key healthcare market. We are unable to predict the full consequences of this
uncertainty on our operations. Adverse changes in the economic environment could adversely impact our ability to market and sell our
wireless and software solutions to healthcare customers.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
We had no unresolved SEC staff comments as of February 28, 2019.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters is located in Springfield, Virginia, and consists of approximately 18,000 square feet of space under a lease that
expires on March 31, 2021. At December 31, 2018, we leased facility space, including our executive headquarters, sales offices, technical
facilities, warehouse and storage facilities in 61 locations in 28 states in the United States, one facility in Australia and one facility in the
Middle East. The total leased space is approximately 171,000 square feet. At December 31, 2018, we owned four small parcels of land in
three states in the United States.
At December 31, 2018, we leased transmitter sites on commercial broadcast towers, buildings and other fixed structures, some of which are
free of charge, in approximately 3,238 locations throughout the United States. These leases are for our active transmitters and are for
various terms and provide for periodic lease payments at various rates.
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At December 31, 2018, we had 3,934 active transmitters on leased sites which provide service to our customers.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Refer to Note 9, "Commitments and Contingencies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding legal
proceedings in which we are involved.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our sole class of common equity is our $0.0001 par value common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ National Market® and is traded
under the symbol “SPOK.”
Holders of Common Stock
As of February 22, 2019, there were 3,064 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
The Company declared dividends totaling $10.1 million and $10.3 million during 2018 and 2017, respectively, and expects to pay
dividends of $0.125 per common share each quarter, subject to declaration by the Board of Directors, in 2019. Cash dividends declared for
the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, include dividends related to unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and shares
of unvested restricted common stock (“restricted stock”) granted under the Spok Holdings, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (“Equity Plan”) to
executives and non-executive members of our Board of Directors. Cash distributions on RSUs and restricted stock are accrued and paid
when the applicable vesting conditions are met. Accrued cash distributions on forfeited RSUs and restricted stock are also forfeited.
21
The following table details information on our dividends declared and cash distributions since the formation of the Company through the
year ended December 31, 2018:
Year
2005
2006(2)
2007(3)
2008(4)
2009(3)
2010(3)
2011
2012(5)
2013
2014
2015(6)
2016(7)
2017
2018
$
$
Dividends Declared
Per Share
Amount
Total
Payment(1)
(Dollars in
thousands)
1.500 $
3.650
3.600
1.400
2.000
2.000
1.000
0.750
0.500
0.500
0.625
0.750
0.500
0.500 $
19.275 $
40,691
98,904
98,250
39,061
45,502
44,234
22,121
16,512
12,312
10,826
13,333
10,287
15,234
10,064
477,331
Total
(1) The total payment reflects the cash distributions paid in relation to common stock, vested RSUs and vested shares of restricted stock.
(2) On August 8, 2006, we announced the adoption of a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.65 per share of common stock.
(3) The cash distribution includes an additional special one-time cash distribution to stockholders of $1.00 per share of common stock.
(4) On May 2, 2008, our Board of Directors reset the quarterly cash distribution rate to $0.25 per share of common stock from $0.65 per share of
$
common stock.
(5) On July 30, 2012, our Board of Directors reset the quarterly cash distribution rate to $0.125 per share of common stock from $0.25 per share of
common stock.
(6) The cash distribution includes an additional special one-time cash distribution to stockholders of $0.125 per share of common stock.
(7) The per share amount includes a special one-time dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock declared in 2016 but payable to stockholders in
2017.
On February 27, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share of common stock, with a
record date of March 15, 2019, and a payment date of March 29, 2019. This cash dividend of approximately $2.4 million is expected to be
paid from available cash on hand.
22
Performance Graph
We began trading on the NASDAQ National Market® on November 17, 2004. The chart below compares the relative changes in the
cumulative total return of our common stock for the period December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2018, against the cumulative total return of
the NASDAQ Composite Index®, the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index® and the S&P Health Care Technology Index for the same
period.
The chart below assumes that on December 31, 2013, $100 was invested in our common stock and in each of the indices. The comparisons
assume that all cash distributions were reinvested. The chart indicates the dollar value of each hypothetical $100 investment based on the
closing price as of the last trading day of each fiscal year from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2018.
Spok Holdings, Inc.
NASDAQ Composite
NASDAQ Telecommunications
S&P Health Care Technology
$
2013
100.00 $
100.00
100.00
100.00
2014
125.61 $
114.62
102.75
116.00
December 31,
2015
137.40 $
122.81
100.20
107.95
2016
162.28 $
133.19
106.61
84.98
2017
126.03 $
172.11
130.48
120.90
2018
110.41
165.84
130.76
94.08
23
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table presents information with respect to common stock repurchased by us (excluding the purchase of common stock for tax
withholdings) during the three months ended December 31, 2018.
For the Three Months Ended
October 1 - October 31, 2018
November 1 - November 30, 2018
December 1 - December 31, 2018
Total
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
Per Share(1)
— $
— $
263,000 $
263,000 $
—
—
13.10
13.10
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs(2)(3)
(Dollars in thousands)
10,000
10,000
6,555
—
—
263,000
263,000
(1) Average price paid per share excludes commissions of $10,520.
(2) In February 2018, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of the Company's common stock through December 31, 2018.
(3) In August 2018, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of the Company's common stock through December 31, 2018. In
November 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an extension of this repurchase authority through December 31, 2019.
Repurchased shares of our common stock were accounted for as a reduction to common stock and additional paid-in-capital in the period in
which the repurchase occurred. In August 2018, the Company's Board of Directors reset the repurchase authority under the share repurchase
program to $10.0 million which was set to expire on December 31, 2018. In November 2018, the Company's Board of Directors extended
the repurchase authority through December 31, 2019.
Transfer Restrictions on Common Stock
In order to reduce the possibility that certain changes in ownership could impose limitations on the use of our deferred income tax assets,
our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that generally restrict transfers by or to any 5% stockholder of
our common stock or any transfer that would cause a person or group of persons to become a 5% stockholder of our common stock. After a
cumulative indirect shift in ownership of more than 45% since our emergence from bankruptcy proceedings in May 2002 through a transfer
of our common stock, any transfer of our common stock by or to a 5% stockholder of our common stock or any transfer that would cause a
person or group of persons to become a 5% stockholder of such common stock, will be prohibited unless the transferee or transferor
provides notice of the transfer to us and our Board of Directors determines in good faith that the transfer would not result in a cumulative
indirect shift in ownership of more than 47%.
Prior to a cumulative indirect ownership change of more than 45%, transfers of our common stock will not be prohibited, except to the
extent that they result in a cumulative indirect shift in ownership of more than 47%, but any transfer by or to a 5% stockholder of our
common stock or any transfer that would cause a person or group of persons to become a 5% stockholder of our common stock requires
notice to us. Similar restrictions apply to the issuance or transfer of an option to purchase our common stock, if the exercise of the option
would result in a transfer that would be prohibited pursuant to the restrictions described above. These restrictions will remain in effect until
the earliest of (1) the repeal of IRC Section 382 (or any comparable successor provision) and (2) the date on which the limitation amount
imposed by IRC Section 382 in the event of an ownership change would not be less than the tax attributes subject to these limitations.
Transfers by or to us and any transfer pursuant to a merger approved by our Board of Directors or any tender offer to acquire all of our
outstanding stock where a majority of the shares have been tendered will be exempt from these restrictions.
Based on publicly available information and after considering any direct knowledge we may have, our combined cumulative change in
ownership was an insignificant amount as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
24
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Statement of Operations” (“MD&A”), the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, and other financial
information appearing elsewhere in this 2018 Form 10-K. The amounts below related to current and total assets have been revised for 2017.
For more information on these changes, refer to Note 1, "Organization and Significant Accounting Policies" of the Consolidated Financial
Statements for additional information.
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
Statements of Operations Data:
Revenues
Operating expenses
Operating (loss) income
Net (loss) income
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share
Cash dividends declared per common share
$
169,474 $
172,647
(3,173 )
(1,479 )
(0.08 )
0.50
171,175 $
160,469
10,706
(15,306 )
(0.76 )
0.50
179,561
157,408
22,153
13,979
0.68
0.75
189,628
164,528
25,100
80,246
3.74
0.625
200,273
172,122
28,151
20,745
0.96
0.50
Balance Sheets Data:
Current assets
Total assets
Long-term liabilities, excluding deferred revenue
Stockholders’ equity
December 31,
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
(Dollars in thousands)
$
130,978 $
327,712
7,734
274,554
144,303 $
348,004
8,075
290,529
155,862 $
388,087
8,921
322,087
141,613 $
386,433
8,972
329,564
142,761
337,890
8,131
279,059
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the
discussion under “Organization and Significant Accounting Policies” (refer to Note 1), which describes key estimates and assumptions we
make in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements; the cautionary language that appears under the title "Forward Looking
Statements" immediately following the Table of Contents; “Item 1. Business,” which describes our operations; and “Item 1A. Risk
Factors,” which describes key risks associated with our operations and markets in which we operate. A reference to a “Note” in this section
refers to the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Overview and Highlights
We are a comprehensive provider of clinical communication and collaboration solutions for enterprises. We offer a suite of unified clinical
communication and collaboration solutions that include call center operations, clinical alerting and notifications, one-way and advanced
two-way wireless messaging services, mobile communications and public safety response. Our customers rely on Spok for workflow
improvement, secure texting, paging services, contact center optimization and public safety response. Our product offerings are capable of
addressing a customer’s mission clinical communications needs. We develop, sell and support enterprise-wide systems for healthcare and
other organizations needing to automate, centralize and standardize their approach to clinical communications. Our solutions can be found
in prominent hospitals; large government agencies; leading public safety institutions, colleges and universities; large hotels, resorts and
casinos; and well-known manufacturers. Our primary market has been the healthcare industry, particularly hospitals. We have identified
hospitals with 200 or more beds as the primary targets for our software and wireless solutions.
25
Revenue generated by wireless messaging services (including voice mail, personalized greeting, message storage and retrieval) and
equipment loss and/or maintenance protection to both one-way and two-way messaging subscribers is presented as wireless revenue in our
statements of operations. Revenue generated by the sale of our software solutions, which includes software license, professional services
(installation, consulting and training), equipment procured by us from third parties (to be used in conjunction with our software) and post-
contract support (on-going maintenance), is presented as software revenue in our statements of operations. Our software is licensed to end
users under an industry standard software license agreement.
2018 Highlights
Total revenue declined by 1.0% or $1.7 million during 2018 compared to 2017, primarily as a result of moderate growth in software
revenue, offset by the continued and expected decline in wireless revenue. This represents a $6.7 million improvement in the decrease of
consolidated revenues period over period as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 and brings us closer to consolidated revenue
growth as we continue our transition into a software company. The anticipated rate of decline in wireless revenues has trended favorably
over the last several years continuing in 2018 as we saw the lowest level of erosion in the last five years, declining at a rate of only 6.8%.
As expected, our operating expenses increased by 7.6% or $12.2 million during 2018 compared to 2017, driven primarily by our continued
investment in the development of the Spok Care Connect Platform and the related research and development costs. We believe increases in
staffing and the use of outside services in research and development will begin to grow at a slower pace in 2019. As future sales related to
our research and development efforts begin to materialize, we expect those costs will decrease as a percentage of total revenues and begin
to return to normalized levels. We returned approximately $23.6 million of capital to stockholders in the form of cash dividends and share
repurchases.
2017 Highlights
Total revenue declined by 4.7% or $8.4 million during 2017 compared to 2016, driven primarily by a continued and expected decline in
wireless revenue while software revenue remained relatively flat for the same period. This is a $1.7 million improvement in the decrease of
consolidated revenues period over period as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. We continue to see a trend in wireless revenue
as the decline year over year has decreased for the past five consecutive years. Our operating expenses increased by 1.9% or $3.1 million
during 2017 compared to 2016, driven primarily by our continued investment in the development of the Spok Care Connect Platform and
the related research and development costs. We returned approximately $20.3 million of capital to stockholders in the form of cash
dividends and share repurchases.
Wireless Revenue
Wireless revenue consists of two primary components: Paging revenue and product and other revenue. Paging revenue consists primarily of
recurring fees associated with the provision of messaging services and fees for paging devices and is net of a provision for service credits.
Product and other revenue reflects system sales, the sale of devices and charges for paging devices that are not returned and are net of
anticipated credits. Our core offering includes subscriptions to one-way or two-way messaging services for a periodic (monthly, quarterly,
semiannual, or annual) service fee. This is generally based upon the type of service provided, the geographic area covered, the number of
devices provided to the customer and the period of commitment. A subscriber to one-way messaging services may select coverage on a
local, regional or nationwide basis to best meet their messaging needs. Two-way messaging is generally offered on a nationwide basis. In
addition, subscribers either contract for a messaging device from us for an additional fixed monthly fee or they own a device, having
purchased it either from us or from another vendor. We also sell devices to resellers who lease or resell devices to their subscribers and then
sell messaging services utilizing our networks. We offer ancillary services, such as voicemail and equipment loss or maintenance
protection, which help increase the monthly recurring revenue we receive along with these traditional messaging services. In 2015 and 2016
we launched new and exclusive one-way (T5) and two-way (T52) alphanumeric pagers, respectively. Both pagers are configurable to
support un-encrypted or encrypted operation. When configured for encryption, they utilize AES-128 bit encryption, screen locking and
remote wipe capabilities. With encryption enabled these new secure paging devices enhance our service offerings to the healthcare
community by adding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") security capabilities to the low cost, highly reliable
and availability benefits of paging. (See Item 1. “Business” for more details.)
Software Revenue
Software revenue consists of two primary components: operations revenue and maintenance revenue. Operations revenue consists
primarily of license revenues for our healthcare communications solutions, equipment revenues that facilitate the use of our software
solutions, and professional services revenue related to the implementation of our solutions. Maintenance revenue is for ongoing support of
our software solutions or related equipment (typically for one year).
26
Beginning in 2018 with the adoption of ASC 606 our software licenses and hardware are generally recognized at a point in time when we
have transferred control to the customer. For software licenses, revenue is not recognized until the related license(s) has been made
available to the customer and the customer can begin to benefit from its right to use the license(s). Our software licenses represent a right to
use Spok’s intellectual property ("IP") as it exists at a point in time at which the license is granted. Many of our software licenses have
significant standalone functionality due to their ability to process a transaction or perform a function or task, and we do not need to
maintain those products, once provided to the customer, for value to exist. While the functionality of IP that we license may substantively
change during the license period, customers are not contractually or practically required to update their license as a result of those changes.
Our wireless, professional and maintenance services are generally recognized over time due to a customer's simultaneous receipt and
consumption of the benefit as we perform the work. As we transfer control over time, we recognize revenue based on the extent of progress
towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires significant
judgment and is based on the nature of the products or services to be provided. Generally, we use the time-elapsed measure of progress for
performance obligations which include wireless or maintenance services. We believe this method best depicts the simultaneous transfer and
consumption of the benefit based on our performance as these services are generally considered standby services. For professional services,
we leverage an input methodology based on the number of hours worked on a project versus the total expected hours necessary to complete
the project. Revenues are recognized proportionally as hours are incurred.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses are presented in functional categories. Certain of our functional categories are especially important to overall
expense control and management. These operating expenses are categorized as follows:
• Cost of revenue. These are expenses primarily for hardware, third-party software, outside service expenses and payroll and related
expenses for our professional services, logistics, customer support and maintenance staff.
• Research and Development. These expenses relate primarily to the development of new software products and the ongoing
maintenance and enhancement of existing products. This classification consists primarily of employee payroll and related
expenses, outside services related to the design, development, testing and enhancement of our solutions and to a lesser extent
hardware equipment.
• Technology operations. These are expenses associated with the operation of our paging networks. Expenses consist largely of site
rent expenses for transmitter locations, telecommunication expenses to deliver messages over our paging networks, and payroll
and related expenses for our engineering and pager repair functions. We actively pursue opportunities to consolidate transmitters
and other service, rental and maintenance expenses in order to maintain an efficient network while simultaneously ensuring
adequate service for our customers. We believe continued reductions in these expenses will occur as our networks continue to be
consolidated for the foreseeable future. Technology operations was formally referred to as service, rental and maintenance.
• Selling and marketing. The sales and marketing staff are involved in selling our communication solutions primarily in the United
States. These expenses support our efforts to maintain gross placements of units in service, which mitigated the impact of
disconnects on our wireless revenue base, and to identify business opportunities for additional or future software sales. We have a
centralized marketing function, which is focused on supporting our products and vertical sales efforts by strengthening our brand,
generating sales leads and facilitating the sales process. These marketing functions are accomplished through targeted email
campaigns, webinars, regional and national user conferences, monthly newsletters and participation at industry trade shows.
Expenses consist largely of payroll and related expenses, commissions and other costs such as travel and advertising costs.
• General and administrative. These are expenses associated with information technology and administrative functions which
includes finance and accounting, human resources and executive management. This classification consists primarily of payroll and
related expenses, outside service expenses, taxes, licenses and permit expenses, and facility rent expenses.
27
Results of Operations
The following table is a summary of our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and
2016:
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues:
Wireless
Software
Total revenue
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue
Research and development
Technology operations
Selling and marketing
General and administrative
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
Total operating expenses
Operating (loss) income
Interest income
Other income (expense)
(Loss) income before income tax benefit
(expense)
Income tax (benefit) expense
Net (loss) income
Supplemental information
FTEs
Active transmitters
2018
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 94,277
75,197
169,474
(6,911 )
5,210
(1,701 )
(6.8 )% $ 101,188 $
7.4 %
(1.0 )%
69,987
171,175
(8,402 )
16
(8,386 )
(7.7 )% $ 109,590
69,971
— %
179,561
(4.7 )%
32,408
24,464
31,356
24,553
49,097
10,769
172,647
(3,173 )
1,638
(650 )
3,990
5,762
(146 )
1,730
1,697
(855 )
12,178
(13,879 )
919
(784 )
14.0 %
30.8 %
(0.5 )%
7.6 %
3.6 %
(7.4 )%
7.6 %
(129.6 )%
127.8 %
(585.1 )%
28,418
18,702
31,502
22,823
47,400
11,624
160,469
10,706
719
134
(2,231 )
5,235
(1,232 )
(1,945 )
4,573
(1,339 )
3,061
(11,447 )
444
(409 )
(7.3 )%
38.9 %
(3.8 )%
(7.9 )%
10.7 %
(10.3 )%
1.9 %
(51.7 )%
161.5 %
(75.3 )%
30,649
13,467
32,734
24,768
42,827
12,963
157,408
22,153
275
543
(2,185 )
706
(13,744 )
27,571
(1,479 ) $ 13,827
(11,412 )
11,559
(118.9 )%
(102.6 )%
(17,873 )
(26,865 )
(90.3 )% $ (15,306 ) $ (29,285 )
22,971
(49.7 )%
198.8 %
(8,992 )
(209.5 )% $ 13,979
$
596
3,934
—
(96 )
— %
(2.4 )%
596
4,030
9
(129 )
1.5 %
(3.1 )%
587
4,159
28
The following table is a summary of our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
adjusted to exclude the adoption of ASC 606:
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues:
Wireless
Software
Total revenue
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue
Research and development
Technology operations
Selling and marketing
General and administrative
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
Total operating expenses
Operating (loss) income
Interest income
Other income (expense)
2018(1)
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 94,277
73,265
167,542
(6,911 )
3,278
(3,633 )
(6.8 )% $ 101,188 $ (8,402 )
16
69,987
4.7 %
171,175
(8,386 )
(2.1 )%
(7.7 )% $ 109,590
69,971
— %
179,561
(4.7 )%
32,408
24,464
31,356
24,250
49,097
10,769
172,344
(4,802 )
1,638
(664 )
3,990
5,762
(146 )
1,427
1,697
(855 )
11,875
(15,508 )
919
(798 )
14.0 %
30.8 %
(0.5 )%
6.3 %
3.6 %
(7.4 )%
7.4 %
(144.9 )%
127.8 %
(595.5 )%
28,418
18,702
31,502
22,823
47,400
11,624
160,469
10,706
719
134
(2,231 )
5,235
(1,232 )
(1,945 )
4,573
(1,339 )
3,061
(11,447 )
444
(409 )
(7.3 )%
38.9 %
(3.8 )%
(7.9 )%
10.7 %
(10.3 )%
1.9 %
(51.7 )%
161.5 %
(75.3 )%
30,649
13,467
32,734
24,768
42,827
12,963
157,408
22,153
275
543
(Loss) income before income tax benefit
(expense)
Income tax (benefit) expense
Net (loss) income
(3,828 )
706
(15,387 )
27,571
(3,122 ) $ 12,184
(11,412 )
11,559
(133.1 )%
(102.6 )%
(17,873 )
(26,865 )
(79.6 )% $ (15,306 ) $ (29,285 )
22,971
(49.7 )%
198.8 %
(8,992 )
(209.5 )% $ 13,979
$
Supplemental information
FTEs
Active transmitters
596
3,934
—
(96 )
— %
(2.4 )%
596
4,030
9
(129 )
1.5 %
(3.1 )%
587
4,159
(1)Adjusted to exclude the adoption of ASC 606, with the exception of income tax (benefit) expense.
29
Revenue
The table below details total revenue for the periods stated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenue - wireless
Paging revenue
Product and other revenue
Total wireless revenue
Revenue - software
License
Services
Equipment
Operations revenue
Maintenance revenue
Total software revenue
Total revenue
2018
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 90,570 $
3,707
94,277
(6,726 )
(185 )
(6,911 )
(6.9 )% $ 97,296 $
(4.8 )%
(6.8 )%
3,892
101,188
(7,752 )
(650 )
(8,402 )
(7.4 )% $ 105,048
4,542
(14.3 )%
109,590
(7.7 )%
13,042
18,091
4,995
36,128
39,069
75,197
$ 169,474 $
3,501
461
848
4,810
400
5,210
(1,701 )
9,541
36.7 %
17,630
2.6 %
4,147
20.4 %
31,318
15.4 %
38,669
1.0 %
69,987
7.4 %
(1.0 )% $ 171,175 $
709
(964 )
(1,325 )
(1,580 )
1,596
16
(8,386 )
8,832
8.0 %
18,594
(5.2 )%
5,472
(24.2 )%
32,898
(4.8 )%
37,073
4.3 %
69,971
— %
(4.7 )% $ 179,561
The decrease in wireless revenue during 2018 compared to both 2017 and 2016, respectively, reflects the decrease in demand for our
wireless services. Wireless revenue is generally based upon the number of units in service and the monthly Average Revenue Per User
("ARPU"). On a consolidated basis ARPU is affected by several factors, including the mix of units in service and the pricing of the various
components of our services. The number of units in service changes based on subscribers added, referred to as gross placements, less
subscriber cancellations, or disconnects. ARPU for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $7.39, $7.51 and $7.67,
respectively, while total units in service were 1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and 1.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2016. While demand for wireless services continues to decline, it has done so at a slower rate for each of the periods
presented. While we are encouraged that this trend will continue in future periods, we believe that demand will continue to decline for the
foreseeable future in line with recent and historical trends. As our wireless products and services are replaced with other competing
technologies, such as the shift from narrow band wireless service offerings to broad band technology services, our wireless revenue will
continue to decrease.
The following reflects the impact of subscribers and ARPU on the change in wireless revenue:
Units in Service as of December 31,
Revenue for the Year Ended December 31,
Change Due To:
2018
2017
Change
2018
2017
Change
ARPU
Units
Total
(Units in thousands)
992
1,049
(57 ) $
90,570 $
97,296 $
(6,726 ) $
(1,524 ) $
(5,202 )
(Dollars in thousands)
Units in Service as of December 31,
Revenue for the Year Ended December 31,
Change Due To:
2017
2016
Change
2017
2016
Change
ARPU
Units
(Units in thousands)
(Dollars in thousands)
Total
1,049
1,111
(62 ) $
97,296 $ 105,048 $
(7,752 ) $
1,979 $
(5,773 )
As demand for one-way and two-way messaging has declined, we have developed or added service offerings such as encrypted paging and
Spok Mobile with a pager number in order to increase our revenue potential and mitigate the decline in our wireless revenue. We will
continue to explore ways to innovate and provide customers the highest value possible.
The increase in software operations revenue during 2018 when compared to 2017 primarily reflects an increase in the size and value of
projects being worked during 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 as well as the acceleration of license revenue due to a change in
revenue rules resulting from the adoption of ASC 606. The decrease in operations revenue during 2017 when compared to 2016 primarily
reflects a decrease in the number and size of projects completed during 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.
30
The continued increase in maintenance revenue for each of the periods stated reflects our continuing success in renewals of our
maintenance support for existing software solutions and in maintenance support for sales of new solutions. The renewal rates for
maintenance revenue, including the annual uplifts, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were in excess of 99%. We
achieve very high maintenance revenue renewal rates compared to many companies that have software offerings, and we may experience a
downward trend in maintenance renewals as communications technology and services continue to advance, and customers have more
choices and opportunities to shift to newer solutions for their communication and work flow needs.
Supplemental Revenue Discussion - ASC 605 Analysis
The table below details total software revenue, adjusted to exclude the adoption of ASC 606, for the periods stated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenue - software
License
Services
Equipment
Operations revenue
Maintenance revenue
Total software revenue
(1) Adjusted to exclude the adoption of ASC 606
2018(1)
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 9,042
18,869
5,071
32,982
40,283
$ 73,265
$
(499 )
1,239
924
1,664
1,614
$ 3,278
(5.2 )% $ 9,541
17,630
7.0 %
4,147
22.3 %
31,318
5.3 %
38,669
4.2 %
4.7 % $ 69,987
$
$
$
709
(964 )
(1,325 )
(1,580 )
1,596
16
8.0 % $ 8,832
18,594
(5.2 )%
5,472
(24.2 )%
32,898
(4.8 )%
37,073
4.3 %
— % $ 69,971
The increase in operations revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 primarily reflects an increase in the number and size of
projects in process and completed as compared to the same period in 2017 and 2016. The increase in maintenance revenue for twelve
months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 reflects our continuing success in renewals of our maintenance support for existing software
solutions and in maintenance support for sales of new solutions. The maintenance revenue renewal rates for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were in excess of 99%.
Operating Expenses
Certain immaterial prior period amounts, within individual operating expense categories, have been reclassified to conform to the current
period's presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations nor did they have any effect on the total
operating expense amounts they are a part of.
Cost of revenue. Cost of revenue consisted primarily of the following items:
Cost of revenue
(Dollars in thousands)
Payroll and related
Cost of sales
Stock based compensation
Other
Total cost of revenue
FTEs
2018
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 19,535 $
10,571
249
2,053
$ 32,408 $
178
1,729
2,453
70
(262 )
3,990
(7 )
9.7 % $ 17,806 $
30.2 %
39.1 %
(11.3 )%
14.0 % $ 28,418 $
(3.8 )%
8,118
179
2,315
185
(310 )
(1,992 )
123
(52 )
(2,231 )
4
(1.7 )% $ 18,116
10,110
(19.7 )%
56
219.6 %
2,367
(2.2 )%
(7.3 )% $ 30,649
181
2.2 %
Cost of revenue expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017 primarily due to the increase in
cost of sales and payroll and benefits. The increase in cost of sales is primarily due to an increase in the usage of third party implementation
resources and an increase in equipment revenue which caused a corresponding increase in cost of sales.
Cost of revenue expense decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 primarily due to the reduction
in cost of sales. Of the $2.0 million reduction in cost of sales, $1.2 million was attributable to a decrease in cost of sales directly related to
the decrease in equipment revenue over the same periods and the remaining $0.8 million related to reduction in the usage of third party
professional service resources.
31
Research and development. Research and development consisted primarily of the following items:
Research and development
(Dollars in thousands)
Payroll and related
Outside services
Stock based compensation
Other
Total research and development
FTEs
2018
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 17,567 $
6,149
236
512
$ 24,464 $
121
2,830
2,763
144
25
5,762
10
19.2 % $ 14,737 $
81.6 %
156.5 %
5.1 %
30.8 % $ 18,702 $
9.0 %
3,386
92
487
111
3,761
1,298
40
136
5,235
23
34.3 % $ 10,976
2,088
62.2 %
52
76.9 %
351
38.7 %
38.9 % $ 13,467
88
26.1 %
Research and development expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 and 2016
primarily as a result of our anticipated increases in payroll and benefits and outside service related costs as we continue to focus on the
development efforts of our software solutions. We intend to continue these efforts based on their importance to our continued success and
do not anticipate a return to historically low costs. However, we believe increases in staffing and the use of outside services will begin to
grow at a slower pace in 2019. These costs will continue to substantially impact margins and our cash flow from operations as the benefits
from our development efforts will not be realized for at least one to three years.
Technology operations. Technology operations consisted primarily of the following items:
Technology Operations
(Dollars in thousands)
Payroll and related
Site rent
Telecommunications
Stock based compensation
Other
Total technology operations
FTEs
2018
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 10,792 $
13,948
3,805
95
2,716
$ 31,356 $
92
525
(281 )
(318 )
16
(88 )
(146 )
—
5.1 % $ 10,267 $
(2.0 )%
(7.7 )%
20.3 %
(3.1 )%
(0.5 )% $ 31,502 $
— %
14,229
4,123
79
2,804
92
(445 )
(343 )
(484 )
66
(26 )
(1,232 )
(5 )
(4.2 )% $ 10,712
14,572
(2.4 )%
4,607
(10.5 )%
13
507.7 %
2,830
(0.9 )%
(3.8 )% $ 32,734
97
(5.2 )%
Technology operations expense has decreased during each of the periods presented primarily due to reductions in site rent and
telecommunications expense. The number of active transmitters declined 2.4% from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018 and 3.1%
from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017. The number of active transmitters directly relates to the amount of site rent and
telecommunications expenses we generally incur on an annual basis. We expect savings in site rent and telecommunications expenses to
begin slowing in 2019 as compared to historical cost savings. As we reach certain minimum frequency commitments, as outlined by the
United States Federal Communications Commission, we will be unable to continue our efforts to rationalize and consolidate our networks.
32
Selling and marketing. Selling and marketing consisted primarily of the following items:
Selling and marketing
(Dollars in thousands)
Payroll and related
Commissions
Stock based compensation
Advertising and events
Other
Total selling and marketing
FTEs
2018
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 13,052 $
6,152
503
4,247
599
$ 24,553 $
97
1,256
961
126
(306 )
(307 )
1,730
4
10.6 % $ 11,796 $
18.5 %
33.4 %
(6.7 )%
(33.9 )%
5,191
377
4,553
906
7.6 % $ 22,823 $
4.3 %
93
(2,370 )
(458 )
310
641
(68 )
(1,945 )
(14 )
(16.7 )% $ 14,166
5,649
(8.1 )%
67
462.7 %
3,912
16.4 %
974
(7.0 )%
(7.9 )% $ 24,768
107
(13.1 )%
Selling and marketing expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017 primarily due to an
increase in benefits expenses due to higher medical benefit costs incurred across our employee base. The increase in commissions expenses
for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily relates to the increase in operations revenue and the adoption of ASC 606. Selling and
marketing expense decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 primarily due to the reduction in
payroll and benefits and commissions expense partially offset by increases in stock based compensation, conferences and trade show
expenses.
General and administrative. General and administrative consisted primarily of the following items:
General and administrative
(Dollars in thousands)
Payroll and related
Stock based compensation
Facility rent and office costs
Outside services
Taxes, licenses and permits
Bad debt
Other
Total general and administrative
FTEs
2018
Change
2017
Change
2016
$ 17,677 $
3,871
6,492
11,260
3,295
1,624
4,878
$ 49,097 $
108
599
910
(1,222 )
852
(926 )
1,096
388
1,697
(7 )
3.5 % $ 17,078 $
30.7 %
(15.8 )%
8.2 %
(21.9 )%
207.6 %
8.6 %
3.6 % $ 47,400 $
(6.1 )%
2,961
7,714
10,408
4,221
528
4,490
115
(72 )
2,295
791
723
(33 )
85
784
4,573
1
(0.4 )% $ 17,150
666
344.6 %
6,923
11.4 %
9,685
7.5 %
4,254
(0.8 )%
443
19.2 %
3,706
21.2 %
10.7 % $ 42,827
114
0.9 %
General and administrative expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017 primarily due to an
increase in benefits expenses due to higher medical benefit costs incurred across our employee base, stock compensation, outside services
and bad debt. The increase in stock based compensation is largely related to additional grants made during the year ended December 31,
2018 which replace awards that vested on December 31, 2017 but were amortized at 50% of the original award due to anticipated
forfeitures related to unmet performance obligations. The increase in outside services primarily resulted from the reclassification of expense
from facility rent and related costs (which were not made for the same periods in 2017 or 2016) and incremental costs due to the
implementation of project management software. The increase in bad debt is related to providing for our estimated exposure to potentially
uncollectible accounts receivable.
General and administrative expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 primarily due to an
increase in stock based compensation, outside services and other expenses. The increase in stock based compensation was largely due to
additional grants made during the year ended December 31, 2017 and a reduction in stock based compensation during the year ended
December 31, 2016 due to the estimated outcome of the 2015 and 2016 grants being reduced to 50% of the original awards. The increase in
outside services was largely due to the use of consultants related to the implementation of a new accounting system as well as general staff
augmentation throughout 2017. The increase in other was primarily related to increased placement fees for recruiting new hires, computer
refresh costs and various other immaterial expenses.
Depreciation, amortization and accretion. For the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 depreciation,
amortization and accretion expenses decreased by $0.9 million due primarily to various assets becoming fully depreciated during 2018.The
decrease of $1.3 million in depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same
period in 2016 was primarily due to the full amortization of trademark costs during the first quarter of 2017 and other various intangible
costs that were fully amortized during 2016.
33
Interest income, Other income, and Income tax expense (benefit)
Interest income. Interest income increased for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017 and 2016,
respectively, primarily due to higher interest rates earned on the company's cash balances and short term investments.
Other (expense) income. For the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 other (expense) income, decreased by
$0.8 million primarily as a result of legal and other expenses related to the lawsuit previously reported in the 2017 Annual Report and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018. The decrease of $0.4 million in other (expense) income, net
for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was due primarily to a variety of immaterial transactions.
Income tax (benefit) expense. The effects of foreign taxes are immaterial for all periods presented. The following is the effective tax rate
reconciliation for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively (See Note 8, "Income Taxes", for further discussion on
our income taxes):
Effective tax rate reconciliation
2018
2017
2016
(Dollars in thousands)
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense
Income taxes computed at the Federal statutory rate
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit
Impact of 2017 Tax Act
Research and development and other tax credits
Excess executive compensation
Other
Income tax (benefit) expense
$
$
$
(2,185 )
$ 11,559
(459 )
306
—
(1,144 )
281
310
(706 )
4,046
21.0 % $
472
(14.0 )%
24,235
— %
(1,775 )
52.4 %
—
(12.9 )%
(14.2 )%
(113 )
32.3 % $ 26,865
$ 22,971
8,040
867
—
—
—
85
8,992
35.0 % $
4.1 %
209.7 %
(15.4 )%
— %
(1.0 )%
232.4 % $
35.0 %
3.8 %
— %
— %
— %
0.4 %
39.1 %
Income tax expense decreased by $27.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due primarily
to the write-off of deferred tax assets ("DTA's") as a result of the 2017 Tax Act partially offset by research and development and other tax
credits. Our investment in research and development qualifies for the research and development income tax credit under Section 41 of the
Internal Revenue Code. Unused research and development tax credits have a 20-year carryover and will provide future tax benefits once
Spok’s net operating losses are fully utilized.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and Cash Equivalents
At December 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $83.3 million. The available cash and cash equivalents are held in accounts
managed by third-party financial institutions and consist of invested cash and cash in our operating accounts. The invested cash is invested
in interest bearing funds managed by third-party financial institutions. These funds invest in direct obligations of the government of the
United States. To date, we have experienced no loss or lack of access to our invested cash or cash equivalents; however, we can provide no
assurance that access to our invested cash and cash equivalents will not be impacted by adverse market conditions.
We maintain a level of liquidity sufficient to allow us to meet our cash needs in both the short-term and long-term. At any point in time, we
have approximately $7.0 to $12.0 million in our operating accounts that are with third-party financial institutions. While we monitor daily
the cash balances in our operating accounts and adjust the cash balances as appropriate, these cash balances could be impacted if the
underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets. To date, we have experienced no loss
or lack of access to cash in our operating accounts.
We intend to use our cash on hand to provide working capital, to support operations, to invest in our business and to return value to
stockholders through cash dividends and possible repurchases of our common stock. We may also consider using cash to fund or complete
opportunistic investments and acquisitions that we believe will provide a measure of growth or revenue stability while supporting our
existing operations. Because we intend to increase substantially our investment in developing our integrated communications platform over
the next two or three years commensurate with declining revenues from our wireless business, we anticipate that our cash on hand will
decrease significantly during that period and possibly longer until revenues from our Spok Care Connect platform begin to be realized.
34
Cash Flows Overview
In the event that net cash provided by operating activities and cash on hand are not sufficient to meet future cash requirements, we may be
required to reduce planned capital expenses, reduce or eliminate our cash dividends to stockholders, not resume our common stock
repurchase program, and/or sell assets or seek additional financing. We can provide no assurance that reductions in planned capital
expenses or proceeds from asset sales would be sufficient to cover shortfalls in available cash or that additional financing would be
available on acceptable terms.
Based on current and anticipated levels of operations, we anticipate net cash provided by operating activities, together with the available
cash on hand at December 31, 2018, should be adequate to meet anticipated cash requirements for the foreseeable future.
The following table sets forth information on our net cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods stated:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
Change Between
2018 and 2017
$
10,315 $
(5,826 )
(24,276 )
(Dollars in thousands)
15,515 $
(9,171 )
(25,001 )
37,551 $
(8,229 )
(16,723 )
(5,200 )
3,345
725
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities. As discussed above, we are dependent on cash flows from operating activities to meet our cash
requirements. Cash from operations varies depending on changes in various working capital items, including deferred revenues, accounts
payable, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and various accrued expenses. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $5.2
million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due primarily to an increase in net income of $13.8
million (increase in cash flow), a decrease of $0.9 million in depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses (decrease in cash flow), a
decrease in deferred income tax expense of $27.1 million (decrease in cash flow), and an increase of $1.7 million in other non-cash items
(increase in cash flow), partially offset by an increase of $1.3 million in stock based compensation expenses (increase in cash flow). With
respect to changes in assets and liabilities the net cash provided by operating activities reflects a $1.7 million increase in accounts payable,
accrued liabilities and other (increase in cash flow) and a net $7.9 million lower decrease to assets (increase in cash flow) partially offset by
a $3.6 million decrease in deferred revenue (decrease in cash flow).
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities decreased $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018
compared to the same period in 2017 due primarily to costs associated with the Company's business expansion related to research and
development during the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 that were not incurred in 2018.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities decreased $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018
from the same period in 2017 due to a lower dividend payment of $5.1 million (primarily from a special dividend payment made during the
twelve months ended December 31, 2017) partially offset by $4.4 million greater purchase of common stock (which includes $1.0 million
of common stock purchased for tax withholding on vested equity awards).
Cash Dividends to Stockholders. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid a total of $10.1 million in cash dividends compared to
$15.2 million in cash dividends for the same period in 2017. Cash dividends paid to stockholders in 2018 decreased by $5.1 million
primarily due to a special dividend of $0.25 per common stock which was declared in 2016 and paid in 2017.
Future Cash Dividends to Stockholders. On February 27, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.125
per share of common stock, with a record date of March 15, 2019, and a payment date of March 29, 2019. This cash dividend of
approximately $2.4 million is expected to be paid from available cash on hand.
Common Stock Repurchase Program. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we purchased 929,116 shares of our common stock under the
repurchase program for $13.4 million excluding commission. The repurchase authority allows us, at management’s discretion, to selectively
repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time in the open market depending upon market price and other factors. In August
2018, the Company's Board of Directors reset the repurchase authority under the share repurchase program to $10.0 million which was set
to expire on December 31, 2018. In November 2018, the Company's Board of Directors extended the repurchase authority through
December 31, 2019. (See Note 7, "Stockholders' Equity", for further discussion on our common stock repurchase program.)
Other. For 2019, the Board of Directors currently expects to pay dividends of $0.125 per common share each quarter, subject to declaration
by the Board of Directors.
35
Commitments and Contingencies
Contractual Obligations. The following table provides the Company's significant commitments and contractual obligations as of
December 31, 2018.
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating lease obligations
Unconditional purchase obligations
Total contractual obligations
Total
Less than 1 Year
1 to 3 years
3 to 5 years
Payments Due by Period
$
$
$
20,213 $
2,614 $
22,827 $
6,716 $
1,263 $
7,979 $
9,160 $
1,313 $
10,473 $
More than 5 years
424
—
424
3,913 $
38 $
3,951 $
As of December 31, 2018, our contractual payment obligations under our operating leases for office and transmitter locations are indicated
in the table above. For purposes of the table above, purchase obligations are defined as agreements to purchase goods or services that are
enforceable, legally binding, noncancelable, has a remaining term in excess of one year and that specify all significant terms, including:
fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable pricing provisions; and the approximate timing of transactions.
The amounts are based on our contractual commitments; however, it is possible that we may be able to negotiate lower payments if we
choose to exit these contracts before their expiration date. Refer to Note 9, "Commitments and Contingencies", for further discussion on
commitments and contingencies.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities
often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-
balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity,
market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.
Related Parties
Refer to Note 11, "Related Parties", for further discussion on our related party transactions.
Inflation
Inflation has not had a material effect on our operations to date. System equipment and operating costs have not significantly increased in
price, and the price of wireless messaging devices has tended to decline in recent years. Our general operating expenses, such as salaries,
site rent for transmitter locations, employee benefits and occupancy costs, are subject to normal inflationary pressures.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Refer to Note 1, "Organization and Significant Accounting Policies", for a summary of significant accounting policies and estimates.
Refer to Note 2, "Recent and Pending Accounting Standards", for a summary of recent and pending accounting standards.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
At December 31, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings or associated debt service requirements.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We conduct a limited amount of business outside the United States. The financial impact of transactions billed in foreign currencies is
immaterial to our financial results and, consequently, we do not have any material exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange
rate fluctuations.
36
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements are included in this Report beginning on Page F-1.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Page
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
28
29
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
There are no reportable events.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management carried out an evaluation, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of our last fiscal year. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined under Rule 13a-
15(e) under the Exchange Act as controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that the information required to be
disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including
its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer have
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the
Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting based on the 2013 Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
Such internal controls include those policies and procedures that:
• pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the
assets of the Company;
• provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management
and members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and
• provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets
that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions,
or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Based on our evaluation under the 2013 Internal Control — Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control
over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.
37
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears in this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes made in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 that
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
38
PART III
Certain information called for by Items 10 through 14 is incorporated by reference from Spok’s definitive Proxy Statement for our 2019
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC no later than April 30, 2019.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following information required by this item is incorporated by reference from Spok’s definitive Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders:
•
•
•
•
information regarding directors is set forth under the caption “Election of Directors”;
information regarding executive officers is set forth under the caption “Executive Officers”;
information regarding our audit committee and designated “audit committee financial expert” is set forth under the caption
“Committees of the Board of Directors”; and
information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is set forth under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance."
We also make available on our website, and in print, if any stockholder or other person so requests, our code of business conduct and ethics
entitled “Code of Ethics” which is applicable to all employees and directors, our “Corporate Governance Guidelines,” and the charters for
all committees of our Board of Directors, including Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance. Any changes to our Code of
Ethics or waiver, if any, of our Code of Ethics for executive officers or directors will be posted on that website.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section of Spok’s definitive Proxy Statement for our 2019
Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section of Spok’s definitive Proxy Statement for our 2019
Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item with respect to certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated by reference from the
section of Spok’s definitive Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Related Person Transactions and Code
of Conduct.” The information required by this item with respect to director independence is incorporated by reference from the section of
Spok’s definitive Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Board of Directors and Governance Matters.”
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section of Spok’s definitive Proxy Statement for our 2019
Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees.”
39
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
PART IV
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(a) 1. Financial Statements
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(b) Exhibits
Page
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
28
Page
29
The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits, that follows the Signatures page, are filed as part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
40
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 our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Spok Holdings, Inc.
By:
/s/ Vincent D. Kelly
Vincent D. Kelly
President and Chief Executive Officer
February 28, 2019
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf
of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Vincent D. Kelly
Vincent D. Kelly
/s/ Michael W. Wallace
Michael W. Wallace
/s/ Royce Yudkoff
Royce Yudkoff
/s/ N. Blair Butterfield
N. Blair Butterfield
/s/ Stacia A. Hylton
Stacia A. Hylton
/s/ Brian O’Reilly
Brian O’Reilly
/s/ Matthew Oristano
Matthew Oristano
/s/ Todd Stein
Todd Stein
/s/ Samme L. Thompson
Samme L. Thompson
Director, President and Chief Executive
Officer (principal executive officer)
February 28, 2019
Chief Financial Officer (principal
financial officer and principal
accounting officer)
February 28, 2019
Chairman of the Board
February 28, 2019
February 28, 2019
February 28, 2019
February 28, 2019
February 28, 2019
February 28, 2019
February 28, 2019
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
41
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Page
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
28
29
F- 1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Spok Holdings, Inc.
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Spok Holdings, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the
“Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, changes
in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and
financial statement schedule included under Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results
of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”),
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated
February 28, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud,
and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2006.
Arlington, Virginia
February 28, 2019
F- 2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Spok Holdings, Inc.
Opinion on internal control over financial reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Spok Holdings, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the
“Company”) as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal
Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”),
the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, and our report dated February 28,
2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our
audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our
audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists,
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of
any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Arlington, Virginia
February 28, 2019
F- 3
SPOK HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)
ASSETS
December 31,
2018
2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable, net
Prepaid expenses and other
Inventory, net
Total current assets
Non-current assets:
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Deferred income tax assets, net
Other non-current assets
Total non-current assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation and benefits
Accrued taxes
Deferred revenue
Other current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities:
Deferred revenue
Other non-current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
$
$
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock—$0.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
$
Common stock—$0.0001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 19,389,066 and 20,135,514 shares issued and
outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
83,343 $
3,963
32,386
9,578
1,708
130,978
10,354
133,031
5,417
46,484
1,448
196,734
327,712 $
2,010 $
11,348
1,822
26,285
3,483
44,948
476
7,734
8,210
53,158
— $
2
90,559
(1,301 )
185,294
274,554
327,712 $
103,179
3,978
29,722
5,752
1,672
144,303
13,399
133,031
7,917
47,679
1,675
203,701
348,004
1,305
11,018
2,547
28,857
4,610
48,337
1,063
8,075
9,138
57,475
—
2
99,819
(1,088 )
191,796
290,529
348,004
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 4
SPOK HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
2018
2017
2016
For the Year Ended December 31,
$
Revenue:
Wireless
Software
Total revenue
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue
Research and development
Technology operations
Selling and marketing
General and administrative
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
Total operating expenses
Operating (loss) income
Interest income
Other (expense) income
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (expense)
Income tax benefit (expense)
Net (loss) income
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
Cash dividends declared per common share
$
$
$
94,277 $
75,197
169,474
32,408
24,464
31,356
24,553
49,097
10,769
172,647
(3,173 )
1,638
(650 )
(2,185 )
706
(1,479 ) $
(0.08 ) $
101,188 $
69,987
171,175
28,418
18,702
31,502
22,823
47,400
11,624
160,469
10,706
719
134
11,559
(26,865 )
(15,306 ) $
(0.76 ) $
19,667,891
20,210,260
0.50 $
0.50 $
109,590
69,971
179,561
30,649
13,467
32,734
24,768
42,827
12,963
157,408
22,153
275
543
22,971
(8,992 )
13,979
0.68
20,586,066
0.75
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 5
SPOK HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
Net (loss) income
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Comprehensive (loss) income
For the Twelve Months Ended,
2018
2017
2016
$
(1,479 ) $
(15,306 ) $
13,979
(49 )
(49 )
(1,528 ) $
11
11
(15,295 ) $
(109 )
(109 )
13,870
$
F- 6
SPOK HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands except share amounts)
Balance, January 1, 2016
Net income
Issuance of common stock for vested restricted
stock units under the 2012 Equity Plan
Purchased and retired common stock
Amortization of stock based compensation
Cash dividends declared
Common stock repurchase program
Issuance of restricted stock under the Equity Plan
Other
Balance, December 31, 2016
Net loss
Issuance of common stock under the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan
Issuance of common stock for vested restricted
stock units under the 2012 Equity Plan
Amortization of stock based compensation
Cash dividends declared
Common stock repurchase program
Issuance of restricted stock under the Equity Plan
Other
Balance, December 31, 2017
Net loss
Adjustment to beginning balance resulting from
adoption of ASC 606
Estimated tax impact resulting from adoption of
ASC 606
Issuance of common stock under the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan
Issuance of common stock for vested restricted
stock units under the 2012 Equity Plan
Purchase of common stock for tax withholding
Amortization of stock based compensation
Cash dividends declared
Common stock repurchase program including
commissions
Issuance of restricted stock under the Equity Plan
Outstanding
Common
Shares
20,886,261 $
—
3,961
(2 )
—
—
(388,255 )
23,649
— $
20,525,614 $
—
17,760
143,394
—
—
(572,550 )
21,296
—
20,135,514 $
—
—
—
20,120
24,989
(62,432 )
—
—
(929,116 )
Additional
Paid-In
Capital &
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
110,435 $
Common
Stock
Retained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
219,127 $
13,979
329,564
13,979
—
—
—
(15,766 )
—
—
(65 ) $
217,275 $
(15,306 )
53
—
854
(15,766 )
(6,489 )
—
(108 )
322,087
(15,306 )
—
256
—
53
—
854
—
(6,489 )
—
(43 ) $
104,810 $
—
256
—
3,688
—
(10,023 )
—
—
(10,332 )
—
—
—
98,731 $
—
—
159
191,796 $
(1,479 )
—
3,688
(10,332 )
(10,023 )
—
159
290,529
(1,479 )
(166 )
6,836
6,670
—
247
—
(976 )
4,954
—
(1,726 )
(1,726 )
—
247
—
—
—
(10,133 )
—
(976 )
4,954
(10,133 )
(13,483 )
—
(13,483 )
2 $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
2 $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2 $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Cumulative translation adjustment
Balance, December 31, 2018
199,991
—
19,389,066 $
—
—
2 $
—
(49 )
89,258 $
—
—
185,294 $
—
(49 )
274,554
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 7
SPOK HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
Stock based compensation
Provisions for doubtful accounts, service credits and other
Adjustments of non-cash transaction taxes
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses, intangible assets and other assets
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other
Deferred revenue
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
Purchase of short-term investments
Maturity of short-term investments
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
$
(1,479 ) $
(15,306 ) $
10,769
(1,692 )
4,954
2,125
(203 )
(915 )
(646 )
(1,553 )
(1,045 )
10,315
(5,915 )
(3,911 )
4,000
(5,826 )
11,624
25,390
3,688
1,029
(807 )
(9,648 )
244
(3,278 )
2,579
15,515
(9,214 )
(3,957 )
4,000
(9,171 )
13,979
12,963
6,926
854
763
(270 )
(1,790 )
824
1,192
2,110
37,551
(6,254 )
(3,975 )
2,000
(8,229 )
Cash distributions to stockholders
Purchase of common stock (including commissions)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan
Purchase of common stock for tax withholding on vested equity
awards
Net cash used in financing activities
Effect of exchange rate on cash
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Supplemental disclosure:
Income taxes paid
(10,064 )
(13,483 )
(15,234 )
(10,023 )
(10,287 )
(6,489 )
247
256
53
(976 )
(24,276 )
(49 )
(19,836 )
103,179
83,343 $
—
(25,001 )
11
(18,646 )
121,825
103,179 $
—
(16,723 )
(109 )
12,490
109,335
121,825
1,061 $
2,620 $
695
$
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 8
SPOK HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Spok, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK) ("Spok" or the "Company"), is proud to be the global
leader in healthcare communications. We deliver clinical information to care teams when and where it matters most to improve patient
outcomes. Top hospitals rely on the Spok Care Connect platform to enhance workflows for clinicians, support administrative compliance,
and provide a better experience for patients. Our customers send over 100 million messages each month through their Spok solutions.
We offer a focused suite of unified clinical communication and collaboration solutions that include call center operations, clinical alerting
and notifications, one-way and advanced two-way wireless messaging services, mobile communications and public safety solutions.
We provide one-way and advanced two-way wireless messaging services including information services throughout the United States.
These services are offered on a local, regional and nationwide basis employing digital networks. One-way messaging consists of numeric
and alphanumeric messaging services. Numeric messaging services enable subscribers to receive messages that are composed entirely of
numbers, such as a phone number, while alphanumeric messages may include numbers and letters, which enable subscribers to receive text
messages. Two-way messaging services enable subscribers to send and receive messages to and from other wireless messaging devices,
including pagers, personal digital assistants and personal computers. We also offer voice mail, personalized greeting, message storage and
retrieval, and equipment loss and/or maintenance protection to both one-way and two-way messaging subscribers. These services are
commonly referred to as wireless messaging and information services.
We also develop, sell and support enterprise-wide systems for hospitals and other organizations needing to automate, centralize and
standardize mission clinical communications. These solutions are used for contact centers, clinical alerting and notification, mobile
communications and messaging and for public safety notifications. These areas of market focus compliment the market focus of our
wireless services outlined above.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned direct and indirect
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Our consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and the rules
and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In management's opinion, the consolidated
financial statements include all adjustments and accruals that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of all periods reported
herein and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature (except for those related to the adoption of ASC 606 and described in
further detail in Note 2, "Recent and Pending Accounting Standards" and Note 3, "Revenue, Deferred Revenue and Deferred
Commissions").
Amounts shown on the consolidated statements of operations within the operating expense categories of cost of revenue; research and
development; technology operations; selling and marketing; and general and administrative are recorded exclusive of depreciation,
amortization and accretion. These items are shown separately on the consolidated statements of operations within operating expenses to the
extent that they are considered material for the periods presented.
Certain prior period amounts in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.
These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations or the statement of financial position. In the fourth quarter of
2018, the Company reclassified $2.9 million from subscription revenue to license revenue on its Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Corresponding reclassifications of $2.3 million and $2.1 million were made for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively.
Finally, the Company reclassified $4.0 million from cash and cash equivalents to short-term investments on its Consolidated Balance
Sheets. A corresponding reclassification of $4.0 million was made for the year ended December 31, 2017. As a result of this reclassification
the Company made corresponding changes to its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows such that the cash and cash equivalents would
agree with the reclassifications made to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. The balance of short-term investments previously
included within cash and cash equivalents is not considered material to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. However, the Company has significantly increased its investment in short-term U.S. Treasuries
during the first quarter of 2019 and believes this reclassification is necessary to properly present short-term investments in 2019 and
beyond.
F- 9
In addition, the company reclassified certain balances between unbilled accounts receivable (presented in Accounts receivable, net) and
deferred revenue of approximately $2.6 million in its 2018 Consolidated Balance Sheet. Because the reclassified amounts also existed in
the prior period, a corresponding reclassification of the same amount were made between unbilled accounts receivable and deferred revenue
in its 2017 Consolidated Balance Sheet. This prior period reclassification had an impact on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet for
the year ended December 31, 2017, effectively reducing accounts receivable, net and deferred revenue by $2.6 million. Correspondingly,
current assets, current liabilities, total assets, total liabilities, and total liabilities and stockholders' equity were also reduced by $2.6 million
for the same period.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported
amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates and assumptions,
including but not limited to those related to the impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets subject to amortization and goodwill,
accounts receivable allowances, revenue recognition, depreciation expense, asset retirement obligations, and income taxes. We base our
estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of
which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Revenue Recognition - Adoption of ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”
The majority of our revenues are derived from short-term contracts related to the sale of wireless paging services and software solutions.
Our arrangements exist primarily with customers in the healthcare market and to a lesser extent State and Federal governments, as well as
large enterprise businesses.
Under the typical payment terms of our software contracts customers will normally pay a material amount of the contract price immediately
upon execution of the contract. The remaining payments are required when product is delivered, when services begin and, to a lesser extent,
when services are completed. Wireless services are generally billed as incurred on a monthly basis. Our contracts will generally result in
billings in excess of revenue recognized, which we present as deferred revenues on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, primarily due to the
receipt of payment in advance of product or services being provided. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as
receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At times, we may have contracts which require us to perform work or provide products
prior to billing which will generally result in revenue recognized in excess of billings. This excess is presented as unbilled receivables in the
Notes to the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We generally do not have transactions that include a significant financing component (whether
payments are made in advance or in arrears) as our contracts typically take less than 12 months to complete once started. We would not
adjust the total consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if we anticipate, at contract inception, that the period
between when we transfer a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or
less.
We account for a contract when: (1) both parties have approved the contract through mutually signed agreements but at times may be done
through other methods such as purchase orders or master agreements; (2) the rights of the parties have been identified; (3) payment terms
have been identified; (4) the contract has commercial substance; and (5) collectability of consideration is probable. We also evaluate
whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as a single contract. In our evaluation, we consider criteria such as,
but not limited to, whether: (1) the contracts are negotiated as a package with a single commercial objective; (2) the amount of
consideration to be paid in one contract is dependent on the price or performance of another contract; and (3) some or all of the goods or
services promised in the contracts are a single performance obligation. Should we consider contracts related, we would account for those
contracts as if they were a single contract. Evaluating whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as a single
contract requires significant judgment. In the aggregate, a decision to combine a group of contracts could significantly impact the amount of
revenue and profit recorded in a given period.
We review each contract to determine whether to account for the various promises as one or more performance obligations. The assessment
and determination of performance obligations for a given contract requires significant judgment. Contracts which include wireless services
are generally considered to be a single promise and therefore accounted for as a single performance obligation. Less commonly, however,
we may promise to provide other distinct goods or services in conjunction with wireless services in which case we would account for the
contract as having multiple performance obligations. Contracts which include goods or services related to our software solutions are
generally sold with multiple promises and therefore will often include multiple performance obligations. Material performance obligations
related to the sale of our software solutions include software licenses, professional services, hardware and maintenance, of which
professional services and maintenance are generally considered a series of performance obligations.
F- 10
More often than not, total consideration will equate to the stated value on the contract taking into consideration any period or term over
which services are to be provided, if applicable. However, we could have contracts in which variable consideration is present. It is common
for our contracts which include wireless services to contain customer penalties if rental pagers are not returned and fees for usage of
services in excess of the contractually allotted amount for a given period. It is also common for our contracts that include professional
services to include travel related costs. These are costs which we incur in the normal course of delivering professional services and are
generally billable to the customer based on our incurred expenses. These elements of variable consideration are fully constrained when an
agreement is initially executed and are generally not considered estimable until the penalties, fees or costs have been incurred or are
otherwise known. We include estimated amounts in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative
revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Estimating variable
consideration requires significant judgment and our assessment includes all relevant information that is reasonably available to us including
historical, current and forecasted information. We have elected to exclude from revenue, all amounts collected on behalf of third parties,
and therefore, items such as sales and use tax are excluded from our calculation of the total transaction price.
If a contract is separated into more than one performance obligation we allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation
proportionately based on the estimated relative standalone selling price ("SSP") of the promised goods or services underlying each
performance obligation. We rarely sell goods or services with readily observable standalone sales, however, if we do, the observable
standalone sales are used to determine the SSP. In most cases, we must estimate the relative SSP which requires significant judgment and
estimates. In instances where SSP is not directly observable we determine the SSP using information that may include contractually stated
prices, market conditions, costs, renewal contracts, list prices and other observable inputs. A discount is present if the total transaction price
is less than the sum of the estimated SSPs of the goods or services promised in the contract. Discounts are generally allocated
proportionately based on the relative SSP of the identified performance obligations for a given contract.
Our wireless, professional and maintenance services are generally recognized over time due to a customer's simultaneous receipt and
consumption of the benefit as we perform the work. As we transfer control over time, we recognize revenue based on the extent of progress
towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires significant
judgment and is based on the nature of the products or services to be provided. Generally, we use the time-elapsed measure of progress for
performance obligations which include wireless or maintenance services. We believe this method best depicts the simultaneous transfer and
consumption of the benefit based on our performance as these services are generally considered standby services. For professional services,
we leverage an input methodology based on the number of hours worked on a project versus the total expected hours necessary to complete
the project. Revenues are recognized proportionally as hours are incurred. This is a significant area of judgment as it requires an estimate at
completion (“EAC”) for each contract. Our initial EAC is primarily based on prior experience also taking into consideration any specific
facts and circumstances for a given contract. As projects progress, the EAC is periodically updated and reviewed to ensure the timing of
revenue recognition is appropriate. The creation, maintenance and review of a project's EAC requires significant judgment to determine an
appropriate number of hours over which the remaining project is expected to be completed.
Our software licenses and hardware are generally recognized at a point in time when we have transferred control to the customer. For
software licenses, revenue is not recognized until the related license(s) has been made available to the customer and the customer can begin
to benefit from its right to use the license(s). Our software licenses represent a right to use Spok’s Intellectual Property (“IP”) as it exists at
a point in time at which the license is granted. Many of our software licenses have significant standalone functionality due to their ability to
process a transaction or perform a function or task, and we do not need to maintain those products, once provided to the customer, for value
to exist. While the functionality of IP that we license may substantively change during the license period, customers are not contractually or
practically required to update their license as a result of those changes. Assessing when transfer of control has occurred requires significant
judgment. In most contracts transfer of control for software licenses occurs in a short period of time after a contract has been executed and
licenses are made electronically available.
Contracts may be modified to account for changes in a project's scope or other customer requirements. Most of our contract modifications
are for goods or services that are distinct from the existing contract. In these instances, the contract modification would either be recognized
as an entirely new and separate contract or the modification would be treated as if it were a termination of the existing contract and the
creation of a new contract including all undelivered goods and services under the previous contract. Revenue would be recognized on a
prospective basis and a cumulative catch-up would not be recognized.
F- 11
Summary of Results under ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition”
The following table presents the Consolidated Financial Statement components impacted as a result of adopting ASC 606, stated under ASC
605 for comparative purposes:
(Dollars in thousands)
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Revenues: Software
Operating expenses: Selling and marketing
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
foreign currency translation adjustments
(Dollars in thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
ASC 606
ASC 605
ASC 605
ASC 605
$
75,197 $
24,553
73,265 $
24,250
69,987 $
22,823
69,971
24,768
$
(49 ) $
117
$
11
$
(109 )
As of December 31,
2018
ASC 606
ASC 605
2017
ASC 605
Current assets: Accounts receivable, net
Current assets: Prepaid expenses and other
Current liabilities: Deferred revenue
Non-current liabilities: Deferred revenue
Stockholder equity: Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Stockholder equity: Retained earnings
$
32,386 $
9,578
26,285
476
(1,301 )
185,294
30,709 $
9,192
32,267
624
(1,015 )
176,815
29,722
5,752
28,857
1,063
(1,088 )
191,796
Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract and Costs to Fulfill a Contract
Our incremental costs primarily relate to sales commissions. We capitalize commissions and proportionally recognize the related expense to
revenue as it is recognized on the underlying performance obligations. Some of these costs may relate to specific future anticipated
contracts, specifically future maintenance renewals, which we do not pay commensurate sales commissions on. We amortize commission
costs proportionally with revenue, thus it is necessary for us to estimate future revenues when there are future anticipated contracts. We
estimate future revenues based on anticipated renewal amounts over an expected useful life (e.g. the period over which we believe the
initial sales commissions relate to future anticipated contracts). The expected useful life is based on a review of our product life cycles,
customer upgrade patterns and the rate at which customers renew maintenance. Commission expense was $6.2 million, $5.2 million and
$5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Commission expense is classified within the selling and
marketing operating expenses category.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization and Goodwill
We are required to evaluate the carrying value of our long-lived assets, amortizable intangible assets and goodwill. Amortizable intangible
assets include customer-related and acquired technology intangibles that resulted from previous acquisitions. Such intangibles are
amortized over periods up to ten years. Quarterly, we assess whether circumstances exist which suggest that the carrying value of long-lived
and amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable. When applicable, we assess the recoverability of the carrying value of our long-
lived assets and certain amortizable intangible assets based on estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated from such assets. In
assessing the recoverability of these assets, we forecast estimated enterprise-level cash flows based on various operating assumptions such
as revenue forecasted by product line and in-process research and development cost. If the forecast of undiscounted cash flows does not
exceed the carrying value of the long-lived and amortizable intangible assets, we record an impairment charge to the extent the carrying
value exceeded the fair value of such assets.
F- 12
Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually, or when events or circumstances suggest a potential impairment
has occurred. We generally perform this annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. We evaluate goodwill for impairment
between annual tests if indicators of impairment exist. The impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its
carrying value. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. For
purposes of the goodwill impairment evaluation, the Company as a whole is considered the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting
unit is estimated under a market based approach using the fair value of the Company's common stock. A confirmatory discounted cash flow
analysis is also used to assess whether impairment exists. This calculation requires significant judgments, including estimation of future
cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for our business, estimation of the useful
life over which cash flows will occur and determination of our weighted average cost of capital.
We did not record any impairment of long-lived assets, definite lived intangible assets or goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016.
Accounts Receivable Allowances
Our two most significant allowance accounts are: an allowance for doubtful accounts and an allowance for service credits. Provisions for
these allowances are recorded on a monthly basis and are included as a component of general and administrative expenses, respectively.
Estimates are used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts and are based on historical collection experience and current and
forecasted trends as well as known specific collection risks. In determining these estimates, we review historical write-offs, including
comparisons of write-offs to provisions for doubtful accounts and as a percentage of revenues. We compare the ratio of the allowance to
gross receivables to historical levels, and monitor amounts collected and related statistics. We write off receivables when they are deemed
uncollectible. While write-offs of customer accounts have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, we
cannot guarantee that the future write-off experience will be consistent with historical experience, which could result in material differences
when compared to the allowance for doubtful accounts and related provisions.
From time to time, we grant service credits for customer retention purposes or when there is an adjustment in the scope of work. The
allowance for service credits related provisions are based on historical credit percentages, current credit and aging trends, historical actual
payment trends and actual credit experience. We analyze our past credit experience over several time frames. Using this analysis along with
current operational data including existing experience of credits issued and the time frames in which credits are issued, we establish an
appropriate allowance for service credits. This allowance also reduces accounts receivable for lost and non-returned pagers to the expected
realizable amounts and for free wireless services. While credits issued have been within our expectations and the provisions established, we
cannot guarantee that future credit experience will be consistent with historical experience, which could result in material differences when
compared to the allowance for service credits and maintenance related provisions.
Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is computed using a weighted average cost approach which averages
the prices at which goods are purchased from vendors. We evaluate our ending inventories for shrinkage and estimated obsolescence. Any
shrinkage identified is written off to cost of goods sold in the period in which the shrinkage is identified. Further, we assess the impact of
changing technology on our inventories and we write off inventories that are considered obsolete in the period in which the analysis takes
place. Inventory consists primarily of finished goods. We do not account for inventory as work-in-process or raw materials as any such
inventory would be immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are reported at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives which range
from one to five years.
Transmitter assets are grouped into tranches based on our transmitter decommissioning forecast and are depreciated using the group life
method on a straight-line basis. Depreciation expense is determined by the expected useful life of each tranche of the underlying transmitter
assets. The expected useful life is based on our forecasted usage of those assets and their retirement over time and aligns the useful lives of
these transmitter assets with their planned removal from service. Disposals are charged against accumulated depreciation with no gain or
loss recognized. This rational and systematic method matches the underlying usage of these assets to the underlying revenue that is
generated from these assets. Depreciation expense for these assets is subject to change based upon revisions in the timing of transmitter
deconstruction resulting from our long-range planning and network rationalization process.
F- 13
Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize liabilities and corresponding assets for future obligations associated with the retirement of assets. We have paging equipment
assets, principally transmitters, which are located on leased locations. The underlying leases generally require the removal of equipment at
the end of the lease term; therefore, a future obligation exists. Asset retirement costs are reflected in paging equipment assets with
depreciation expense recognized over the estimated lives, which range between one and five years. The asset retirement costs and the
corresponding liabilities that have been recorded to date generally relate to either current plans to consolidate networks or to the removal of
assets at a future terminal date. When an asset retirement obligation arises, the liabilities and corresponding assets are recorded at their
present value using a discounted cash flow approach and the liabilities are accreted using the interest method.
The recognition of an asset retirement obligation requires that management make numerous assumptions regarding such factors as the cost
and timing of deconstruction; the credit-adjusted risk-free rate to be used; inflation rates; and future advances in technology. The fair value
estimate of contractor fees to remove each asset is assumed to escalate by 2% each year through the terminal date. The total estimated
liability is based on the estimated future value of those costs and the timing of deconstruction.
We believe these estimates are reasonable at the present time, but we can give no assurance that changes in technology, our financial
condition, the economy or other factors would not result in higher or lower asset retirement obligations. Any variations from our estimates
would generally result in a change in the assets and liabilities in equal amounts, and operating results would differ in the future by any
difference in depreciation expense and accretion expense (see Note 4, "Consolidated Financial Statement Components", and Note 6, "Asset
Retirement Obligations", for additional details).
Income Taxes
We file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return and income tax returns in state, local and foreign jurisdictions as required. The
provision for current income taxes is calculated and accrued on income and expenses expected to be included in current year U.S. and
foreign income tax returns. The provision for current income taxes may also include interest, penalties and an estimated amount reflecting
uncertain tax positions.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed based on temporary differences between the financial statement values and the tax
bases of assets and liabilities including net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards at the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities are included as a component of
deferred income tax expense. Deferred income tax assets represent amounts available to reduce future income taxes payable. We provide a
valuation allowance when we consider it “more likely than not” (greater than a 50% probability) that a deferred income tax asset will not be
fully recovered. Our valuation allowance assessment includes an evaluation of our history of generating taxable income and estimates of
future taxable income, including when applicable the use of appropriate tax planning strategies.
Assets and liabilities are established for uncertain tax positions taken or positions expected to be taken in income tax returns when such
positions fail to meet the “more likely than not” threshold based on the technical merits of the positions. We assess whether previously
unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized when the tax position is (1) more likely than not of being sustained based on its technical
merits, (2) effectively settled through examination, negotiation or litigation, or (3) settled through actual expiration of the relevant tax
statutes We had no uncertain tax positions for the periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. (see Note 8, "Income Taxes", for additional
details).
Research and Development
Development costs incurred in the research and development of new software products and enhancements to existing software products for
external use are charged to operations and expensed as incurred. Until technological feasibility has been established, research and
development costs are expensed as incurred. Material costs incurred after technological feasibility is established and before the product is
ready for general release are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining economic life of the product or
the ratio of current revenues to total projected product revenues, whichever is greater. To date, the time between technological feasibility
and general release to the public has been extremely short and consequently expenses available for capitalization have been immaterial.
Accordingly, all research and developments costs incurred to date have been expensed as incurred.
Shipping and Handling Costs
We incur shipping and handling costs to send and receive messaging devices and other equipment to/from our customers. Amounts billed to
customers related to shipping and handling are classified as revenue and the Company's shipping and handling costs are classified as cost of
revenue. These costs are expensed as incurred.
F- 14
Advertising Expenses
Advertising costs are charged to operations when incurred. Advertising costs are classified as selling and marketing expenses. Advertising
expenses were $2.4 million, $2.3 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Stock Based Compensation
We account for share-based payments to employees, including restricted stock units ("RSUs"), restricted common stock ("restricted stock")
and the option to purchase common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") based on their fair value and the estimated
number of shares we expect will vest based on the performance metrics associated with the award, if applicable. Fair value is measured
based on the closing fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized on a
straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Forfeitures and withdrawals are accounted for on an as incurred basis.
Changes in our estimates of the expected attainment of performance targets are reflected in the amount of compensation expense that we
recognize for the related instruments during the interim reporting period when the change in estimate is determined and may cause the
amount of compensation expense that we record for each period to vary. Further information regarding stock based compensation can be
found in Note 7, "Stockholders' Equity".
Concentration of Credit Risk
Our financial instruments that are potentially subject to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, short-term
receivables and accounts receivable. While our cash and cash equivalents are managed by reputable financial institutions, deposits at these
institutions and funds may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. Management believes that these financial institutions and funds are
financially sound and, accordingly, that minimal credit risk exists.
Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenue earned from customers across different geographic locations,
primarily within the U.S. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers, and generally do not require collateral. We maintain an
allowance for estimated credit losses. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, our bad debt expenses were 1.6 million,
0.5 million, and 0.4 million, respectively. In the event that accounts receivable collection cycles deteriorate, our operating results and
financial position could be adversely affected. No customer represented 10% or more of total revenue or accounts receivable during the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.
Sales and Use Taxes
Sales and use taxes imposed on the ultimate consumer are excluded from revenue where we are required by law or regulation to act as
collection agent for the taxing jurisdiction.
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments
We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. We categorize each of our fair value measurements in one of the following three
levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:
Level 1 - Inputs are based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in
markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are corroborated by
other observable market data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and typically reflect management's estimates of
assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
We consider all highly liquid interest-earning investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash
equivalents. Those investments with an original maturity of greater than three months and less than one year are classified as short-term
investments. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit with banks and investments in money market funds.
Our short-term investments consist entirely of U.S. Treasury securities which are classified as held-to-maturity and are measured at
amortized cost on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. These investments are classified as Level 1 and mature within 12 months. The
differences between carrying value and fair value are not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable all have fair values that approximate
their carrying values at December 31, 2018 and 2017 due to their short maturities.
F- 15
Earnings Per Common Share
The calculation of earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the
applicable period. The calculation for diluted earnings per common share recognizes the effect of all potential dilutive common shares that
were outstanding during the respective periods, unless the impact would be anti-dilutive. Further information regarding earnings per
common share can be found in Note 7, "Stockholders' Equity".
NOTE 2 - RECENT AND PENDING ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Recently Adopted
Revenue - In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU No. 2014-09 creates a five-step model that requires companies to exercise judgment when
considering all relevant facts and circumstances in the determination of when and how revenue is recognized and requires entities to
recognize revenues when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration
to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 using the
modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. During the quarter ended
September 30, 2018, we adjusted our entry to record the effect of adopting ASC 606 by approximately $0.4 million. This adjustment did not
have a material impact on the Company's financial statements for any quarter during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018. As a
result, our beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 was $6.8 million greater than what was reported at December 31, 2017. This
was due to a $4.6 million decrease in deferred revenue, a $0.2 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income related to
translation adjustments, an increase in unbilled receivables of $1.3 million and an increase of $0.7 million in deferred commissions that
resulted from the adoption of ASC 606. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while
prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC 605. For additional
details refer to Note 1, "Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Update" and Note 3, "Revenues, Deferred Revenue and Deferred
Commissions."
Leases - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The new standard establishes a right of use (“ROU”) model that
requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases
will be classified as either financing or operating with the classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the operating
statement.
ASU No. 2016-02 will be effective beginning on January 1, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year, and early adoption is
permitted at any time. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into
after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available.
While we continue to finalize our adjustment to beginning balances for January 1, 2019, we currently estimate that the impact to our assets
and liabilities will be an increase between $15.0 and $20.0 million. This estimate is subject to change given the ongoing review of leases
outstanding at December 31, 2018.
NOTE 3 - REVENUE, DEFERRED REVENUE AND DEFERRED COMMISSIONS
Wireless Revenue
Wireless revenue consists of two primary components: paging revenue and product and other revenue. Paging revenue consists primarily of
recurring fees associated with the provision of messaging services and fees for paging devices and is net of a provision for service credits.
Product and other revenue reflects system sales, the sale of devices and charges for paging devices that are not returned and are net of
anticipated credits. Our core offering includes subscriptions to one-way or two-way messaging services for a periodic (monthly, quarterly,
semiannual, or annual) service fee. This is generally based upon the type of service provided, the geographic area covered, the number of
devices provided to the customer and the period of commitment. A subscriber to one-way messaging services may select coverage on a
local, regional or nationwide basis to best meet their messaging needs. Two-way messaging is generally offered on a nationwide basis. In
addition, subscribers either contract for a messaging device from us for an additional fixed monthly fee or they own a device, having
purchased it either from us or from another vendor. We also sell devices to resellers who lease or resell devices to their subscribers and then
sell messaging services utilizing our networks. We offer ancillary services, such as voicemail and equipment loss or maintenance
protection, which help increase the monthly recurring revenue we receive along with these traditional messaging services. In 2015 and 2016
we launched new and exclusive one-way (T5) and two-way (T52) alphanumeric pagers, respectively. Both pagers are configurable to
support un-encrypted or encrypted operation. When configured for encryption, they utilize AES-128 bit encryption, screen locking and
remote wipe capabilities. With encryption enabled these new secure paging devices enhance our service offerings to the healthcare
community by adding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") security capabilities to the low cost, highly reliable
and availability benefits of paging. (See Item 1. “Business,” for more details.)
F- 16
Software Revenue
Software revenue consists of two primary components: operations revenue and maintenance revenue. Operations revenue consists primarily
of license revenues for our healthcare communications solutions, equipment revenues that facilitate the use of our software solutions, and
professional services revenue related to the implementation of our solutions. Maintenance revenue is for ongoing support of our software
solutions or related equipment (typically for one year). Our software licenses and hardware are generally recognized at a point in time when
we have transferred control to the customer. For software licenses, revenue is not recognized until the related license(s) has been made
available to the customer and the customer can begin to benefit from its right to use the license(s). Our software licenses represent a right to
use Spok’s IP as it exists at a point in time at which the license is granted. Many of our software licenses have significant standalone
functionality due to their ability to process a transaction or perform a function or task, and we do not need to maintain those products, once
provided to the customer, for value to exist. While the functionality of IP that we license may substantively change during the license
period, customers are not contractually or practically required to update their license as a result of those changes. Our wireless, professional
and maintenance services are generally recognized over time due to a customer's simultaneous receipt and consumption of the benefit as we
perform the work. As we transfer control over time, we recognize revenue based on the extent of progress towards completion of the
performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires significant judgment and is based on
the nature of the products or services to be provided. Generally, we use the time-elapsed measure of progress for performance obligations
which include wireless or maintenance services. We believe this method best depicts the simultaneous transfer and consumption of the
benefit based on our performance as these services are generally considered standby services. For professional services, we leverage an
input methodology based on the number of hours worked on a project versus the total expected hours necessary to complete the project.
Revenues are recognized proportionally as hours are incurred.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the
consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by revenue type:
(Dollars in thousands)
Wireless products and services
License
Professional services
Equipment
Maintenance
Total revenue
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2016(1)
2017(1)
109,590
101,188 $
8,832
9,541
18,594
17,630
5,472
4,147
37,073
38,669
179,561
171,175 $
2018
94,277 $
13,042
18,091
4,995
39,069
169,474 $
$
$
(1)
Prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective method for the adoption of ASC 606.
The Company is currently structured as a single operating (and reportable) segment, a clinical communication and collaboration business.
The U.S. was the only country that accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016. Revenue generated in the U.S. and internationally consisted of the following for the periods stated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenue
United States
International
Total revenue
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2018
2017(1)
2016(1)
$
$
164,558 $
4,916
169,474 $
166,790 $
4,385
171,175 $
173,852
5,709
179,561
(1) Prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective method for the adoption of ASC 606.
F- 17
Deferred Revenues
Our deferred revenues represent payments made to, or due from, customers in advance of our performance. Changes in the balance of total
deferred revenue during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred Revenue
December 31, 2017(2)
$
29,920 $
Additions
67,914 $
Revenue
Recognized(1)
December 31, 2018
26,761
(71,073 ) $
(1)Includes $4.6 million which went to retained earnings and was not recognized as revenue resulting from the adoption of ASC 606.
(2)Includes a $2.6 million adjustment to deferred revenue. Refer to Note 1, "Organization and Significant Accounting Policies", for additional details.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized $20.4 million of revenue related to amounts deferred as of
December 31, 2017.
Deferred Commissions
Our deferred commissions represent payments made to employees in advance of our performance on the related underlying contracts. These
costs have been incurred directly in relation with obtaining a contract. As such, these costs are amortized over the estimated period of
benefit. Changes in the balance of total deferred commissions during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred Commissions
December 31, 2018
2,394
(1)Includes $0.7 million in previously recognized commissions expense which was removed from retained earnings and included in deferred commissions
resulting from the adoption of ASC 606.
December 31, 2017
6,152 $
1,676 $
(5,434 ) $
Additions(1)
$
Commissions
Recognized
Deferred commissions are included within prepaid assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and commissions expense is included within
Selling and marketing on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Remaining Performance Obligations
We have elected not to disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year
or less and for variable consideration which is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a wholly unsatisfied
promise to transfer a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation. The remaining backlog is immaterial to our
Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE 4 - CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS' COMPONENTS
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion
Depreciation, amortization and accretion consisted of the following for the periods stated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Depreciation
Leasehold improvements
Asset retirement costs
Paging and computer equipment
Furniture, fixtures and vehicles
Total depreciation
Amortization
Accretion
$
Total depreciation, amortization and accretion expense
$
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
232 $
(300 )
7,397
398
7,727
2,500
542
10,769 $
234 $
(388 )
8,024
306
8,176
2,886
562
11,624 $
189
(277 )
7,974
294
8,180
4,160
623
12,963
F- 18
Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts receivable was recorded net of an allowance of $1.7 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017,
respectively. Accounts receivable, net includes $8.7 million and $7.3 million of unbilled receivables for the years ended December 31, 2018
and 2017, respectively. Unbilled receivables are defined as the Company's right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that we
have transferred to the customer but have not yet billed for, generally as a result of contractual billing terms. For additional information
related to unbilled receivables and adjustments made during the year ended December 31, 2018 please reference Note 1, "Organization and
Significant Accounting Policies". The increase in unbilled receivables was primarily due to the adoption of ASC 606 and the acceleration of
license revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following for the periods stated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Leasehold improvements
Asset retirement costs
Paging and computer equipment
Furniture, fixtures and vehicles
Total property and equipment
Accumulated depreciation
Total property and equipment, net
Useful Life
(In Years)
lease term
1-5
1-5
3-5
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
4,139 $
2,021
98,401
4,353
108,914
(98,560 )
10,354 $
2017
4,107
3,228
103,520
4,545
115,400
(102,001 )
13,399
$
$
For purposes of assessing our asset retirement costs, we completed a review of the estimated useful life of our transmitter assets during the
fourth quarter of 2018 (that are part of paging and computer equipment). This review was based on the results of our long-range planning
and network rationalization process and indicated that the expected useful life of the last tranche of the transmitter assets was no longer
appropriate. As a result of that review, the expected useful life of the final tranche of transmitter assets was extended from 2022 to 2023.
This change resulted in a revision of the expected future depreciation expense for the transmitter assets and an immaterial impact to the
consolidated financial statements beginning in 2019. We believe these estimates remain reasonable at the present time, but we can give no
assurance that changes in technology, customer usage patterns, our financial condition, the economy or other factors would not result in
changes to our transmitter decommissioning plans. Any further variations from our estimates could result in a change in the expected useful
lives of the underlying transmitter assets and operating results could differ in the future by any difference in depreciation expense. The
extension of the depreciable life was accounted for as a change in accounting estimate.
Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities consisted of the following for the periods stated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Accrued network costs, asset retirement obligations and other
Accrued outside services
Total other current liabilities
Other Non-Current Liabilities
Other non-current liabilities consisted of the following for the periods stated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Asset retirement obligations
Other
Total other non-current liabilities
F- 19
December 31,
2018
2017
1,870
1,613 $
3,483 $
2,557
2,053
4,610
December 31,
2018
2017
6,513 $
1,221
7,734 $
7,174
901
8,075
$
$
$
$
NOTE 5 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Intangible Assets
Amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 related primarily to customer relationships. Such intangibles are being
amortized over a period of ten years. We have not recorded an impairment of our intangible assets during the years ended December 31,
2018, 2017 and 2016.
The net consolidated balance of intangible assets consisted of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:
(Dollars in thousands)
Customer relationships
Useful Life
(In Years)
10
Gross Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Carrying
Amount
Gross Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Carrying
Amount
$
25,002 $
(19,585 ) $
5,417 $
25,002 $
(17,085 ) $
7,917
Estimated amortization of intangible assets for future periods was as follows:
As of December 31,
2018
2017
For the year ending December 31,
2019
2020
2021
Total
(Dollars in
thousands)
2,500
2,500
417
5,417
$
$
NOTE 6 - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The components of the changes in the asset retirement obligation liabilities for the periods stated were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2017
Accretion
Amounts paid
Reductions
Reclassifications
Balance at December 31, 2017
Accretion
Amounts paid
Reductions
Reclassifications
Balance at December 31, 2018
Short-Term Portion
Long-Term Portion
Total
$
$
85 $
8
(248 )
5
384
234
(91 )
(154 )
(185 )
230
34 $
7,472 $
554
—
(468 )
(384 )
7,174
633
—
(1,064 )
(230 )
6,513 $
7,557
562
(248 )
(463 )
—
7,408
542
(154 )
(1,249 )
—
6,547
Increases and reductions other than accretion, reclassification and amounts paid primarily relate to changes in estimates of the underlying
liability, specifically as it relates to updates in estimated costs to remove a transmitter and the estimated timing of removal. The cost
associated with the estimated removal costs and timing refinements due to ongoing network rationalization activities is expected to accrete
to a total liability of $8.1 million. The total estimated liability is based on the transmitter locations remaining after we have consolidated the
number of networks we operate and assume the underlying leases continue to be renewed to that future date.
F- 20
Accretion expense related solely to asset retirement obligations and was recorded based on the interest method utilizing the following
discount rates for the specified periods:
Period
2018 – January 1 through December 31 – Additions(2)
2018 – December 31 Incremental Estimates
2017 – January 1 through September 30 – Additions(2)
2017 – December 31 Additions(2) and Incremental Estimates
2016 – January 1 through December 31 – Additions(2)
2016 – December 31 - Incremental Estimates
Discount Rate
14.00 %
12.09 %
11.50 %
14.00 %
11.50 %
12.09 % (1)
(1) Weighted average credit adjusted risk-free rate used to discount downward revision to estimated future cash flows.
(2) Transmitters moved to new sites resulting in additional liability.
Additional information regarding asset retirement costs, depreciation expense, accretion and liabilities can be found in Note 4,
"Consolidated Financial Statements' Components".
NOTE 7 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 75 million shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 25 million shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had no stock options outstanding.
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were 19,389,066 and 20,135,514 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively, and no shares of
preferred stock outstanding.
Dividends
For the three years ending December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 our Board of Directors declared cash dividends of $0.50, $0.50 and $0.75
per share of our outstanding common stock, respectively. An immaterial amount of dividends declared were related to unvested RSUs and
unvested shares of restricted stock which are accrued for and paid when the applicable vesting conditions are met. Accrued cash dividends
on forfeited RSUs and restricted stock are also forfeited. Cash dividends paid as disclosed in the statements of cash flows for the years
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 included previously declared cash dividends on vested RSUs and on shares of vested restricted
stock issued to non-executive members of our Board of Directors.
On February 27, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share of common stock, with a
record date of March 15, 2019, and a payment date of March 29, 2019. This cash dividend of approximately $2.4 million is expected to be
paid from available cash on hand.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
On July 31, 2008, our Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase our common stock in the open market. This program has been
extended at various times. In February 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of the
Company's common stock through December 31, 2018 on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. As of July 2018, the
repurchase authority had been exhausted. In August 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an
additional $10.0 million of the Company's common stock through December 31, 2018 on the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions. In November 2018, the Company's Board of Directors extended the repurchase authority through December 31, 2019.
We use available cash on hand and net cash provided by operating activities to fund the common stock repurchase program. This
repurchase authority allows us, at management’s discretion, to selectively repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time in the
open market depending upon market price and other factors.
Repurchased shares of our common stock were accounted for as a reduction to common stock and additional paid-in-capital in the period in
which the repurchase occurred. All repurchased shares of common stock are returned to the status of authorized, but unissued, shares of the
Company.
F- 21
Common stock purchased in 2018, 2017 and 2016 (excluding commission and the purchase of common stock for tax withholdings) was as
follows:
For the Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
March 31,
June 30,
September 30,
December 31,
Total
Shares
Purchased
Amount
Shares
Purchased
Amount
Shares
Purchased
Amount
2018
127,792 $
501,782
36,542
263,000
929,116 $
1,922
7,520
558
3,446
13,446
2017
— $
572,550
—
—
572,550 $
—
10,000
—
—
10,000
2016
291,861 $
65,791
13,884
16,719
388,255 $
4,893
1,078
228
274
6,473
Net (Loss) Income per Common Share
Basic net (loss) income per common share is computed on the basis of the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted net (loss)
income per common share is computed on the basis of the weighted average common shares outstanding plus the effect of all potentially
dilutive common shares including unvested and outstanding equity awards. The components of basic and diluted net (loss) income per
common share were as follows for the periods stated:
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
Numerator:
Net (loss) income
Denominator:
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
$
(1,479 ) $
(15,306 ) $
13,979
Basic and diluted weighted average outstanding shares of common stock
19,667,891
20,210,260
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share
$
(0.08 ) $
(0.76 ) $
20,586,066
0.68
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the following securities were not included in the calculation of diluted shares
outstanding as the effect would have been anti-dilutive:
Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Plans
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
178,279
2017
90,665
2016
—
On March 23, 2012, our Board of Directors adopted the Spok Holdings, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2012 Equity Plan”)
that was subsequently approved by our stockholders on May 16, 2012. A total of 2,194,986 shares of common stock have been reserved for
issuance under this plan.
Awards under the 2012 Equity Plan may be in the form of stock options, common stock, restricted stock, RSUs, performance awards,
dividend equivalents, deferred stock, deferred stock units, or stock appreciation rights.
Restricted stock awards generally vest one year from the date of grant. Related dividends accumulate during the vesting period and are paid
at the time of vesting.
Contingent RSU's generally vest over a three-year performance period upon successful completion of the performance objectives. Non-
contingent RSU's generally vest in thirds, annually, over a three-year period. Dividend equivalents rights generally accompany each RSU
award and those rights accumulate and vest along with the underlying RSU.
F- 22
The following table summarizes the activities under the 2012 Equity Plan from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018:
Total equity securities available at January 1, 2016
Less: RSU and restricted stock awarded to eligible employees, net of forfeitures
Total equity securities available at December 31, 2016
Less: RSU and restricted stock awarded to eligible employees, net of forfeitures
Total equity securities available at December 31, 2017
Less: RSU and restricted stock awarded to eligible employees, net of forfeitures
Total equity securities available at December 31, 2018
Activity
1,483,231
(236,292 )
1,246,939
(106,281 )
1,140,658
(236,221 )
904,437
The following table details activities with respect to outstanding RSUs and restricted stock for the year ended December 31, 2018 and has
been reclassified to conform to current period's presentation which includes restricted stock activity:
Unvested at January 1, 2018
Granted
Vested
Forfeited(1)
Unvested at December 31, 2018
Shares
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
393,084 $
343,102
(199,991 )
(131,870 )
404,325 $
18.54
15.65
17.22
16.93
17.27
(1)100,767 RSUs did not vest based on the Company's actual performance at December 31, 2017 as compared to the related performance obligations.
Of the 404,325 unvested RSUs and restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2018, 254,641 RSUs include contingent performance
requirements for vesting purposes. At December 31, 2018, there was $3.5 million of unrecognized net compensation cost related to RSUs
and restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.60 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In 2016, our Board of Directors adopted the Spok Holdings, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") that was subsequently approved
by our stockholders on July 25, 2016. A total of 250,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under this plan.
The Company's ESPP allows employees to purchase shares of common stock at a discounted rate, subject to plan limitations. Under the
ESPP, eligible participants can voluntarily elect to have contributions withheld from their pay for the duration of an offering period, subject
to the ESPP limits. At the end of an offering period, contributions will be used to purchase the Company's common stock at a discount to
the market price based on the first or last day of the offering period, whichever is lower. Participants are required to hold common stock for
a minimum period of two years from the grant date. Participants will begin earning dividends on shares after the purchase date. Each
offering period will generally last for no longer than six months. Once an offering period begins, participants cannot adjust their
withholding amount. If a participant chooses to withdraw, any previously withheld funds will be returned to the participant, with no stock
purchased, and that participant will be eligible to participate in the ESPP at the next offering period. If the participant terminates
employment with the Company during the offering period, all contributions will be returned to the employee and no stock will be purchased
at a discounted rate.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of each offering period on their offer date. The Black-Scholes model
requires the use of estimates for the expected term, the expected volatility of the underlying common stock over the expected term, the risk-
free interest rate and the expected dividend payment.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, employees purchased 20,120 shares of common stock for a total price of $0.2 million. For the year
ended December 31, 2017, employees purchased 17,760 shares of common stock for a total price of $0.3 million.
F- 23
The following table summarizes the activities under the ESPP from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018:
Total ESPP equity securities available at January 1, 2016
Plus: Registration of 2016 ESPP
Less: common stock purchased by eligible employees
Total ESPP equity securities available at January 1, 2017
Less: common stock purchased by eligible employees
Total ESPP equity securities available at January 1, 2018
Less: common stock purchased by eligible employees
Total ESPP equity securities available at December 31, 2018
Activity
—
250,000
(3,961 )
246,039
(17,760 )
228,279
(20,120 )
208,159
Amounts withheld from participants will be classified as a liability on the balance sheet until funds are used to purchase shares. This
liability amount is immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Compensation expense associated with common stock, RSUs and restricted stock was recognized based on the grant date fair value of the
instruments, over the instruments’ vesting period.
During the year ended December 31, 2016 a one-time reversal of approximately $2.0 million in stock compensation expense was incurred
based on our assessment that it was probable that only 50% of the awards issued in 2016 and 2015 would vest based on the related
performance criteria and our assessment of the anticipated future performance applied to the performance criteria. This directly impacted
the stock based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 and indirectly impacted stock compensation expense for the
year ended December 31, 2017 as a result of lower amortization.
The following table reflects stock based compensation expense for the periods stated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Performance-based RSUs
Time-based RSUs and restricted stock
ESPP
Total stock based compensation
NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
$
$
2,127 $
2,756
71
4,954 $
1,762 $
1,862
64
3,688 $
413
418
23
854
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("2017 Tax Act") was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act significantly revised
the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, eliminating certain
deductions, imposing a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, introducing new tax regimes, and
changing how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax. The 2017 Tax Act also enhanced and extended through 2026 the option to claim
accelerated depreciation deductions on qualified property. We have completed our determination of the accounting implications of the 2017
Tax Act on our tax accruals.
F- 24
The significant components of our income tax (benefit) expense attributable to current operations for the periods stated were as
follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense
Current:
Federal tax
State tax
Foreign tax
Total current
Deferred:
Federal tax
State tax
Foreign tax
Total deferred
Total income tax (benefit) expense
$
$
For the Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
(2,185 ) $
11,559 $
22,971
— $
838
148
986
(1,467 )
(532 )
307
(1,692 )
199 $
1,006
270
1,475
26,348
(787 )
(171 )
25,390
26,865 $
669
1,294
103
2,066
6,811
41
74
6,926
8,992
$
(706 ) $
Foreign income before income tax (expense) benefit is immaterial to consolidated income before income tax benefit (expense).
The following table summarizes the principal elements of the difference between the United States Federal statutory rate of 21% and
our effective tax rate:
Effective tax rate reconciliation
2018
2017
2016
(Dollars in thousands)
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense
Income taxes computed at the Federal statutory rate
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit
Impact of 2017 Tax Act
Research and development and other tax credits
Excess executive compensation
Other
Income tax (benefit) expense
$
$
$
(2,185 )
$ 11,559
(459 )
306
—
(1,144 )
281
310
(706 )
4,046
21.0 % $
472
(14.0 )%
24,235
— %
(1,775 )
52.4 %
—
(12.9 )%
(113 )
(14.2 )%
32.3 % $ 26,865
$ 22,971
8,040
867
—
—
—
85
8,992
35.0 % $
4.1 %
209.7 %
(15.4 )%
— %
(1.0 )%
232.4 %
% $
35.0 %
3.8 %
— %
— %
— %
0.4 %
39.1 %
The anticipated effective income tax rate is expected to continue to differ from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state
income taxes, the benefit of the research and development tax credit, permanent differences between book and taxable income and certain
discrete items. The earnings of non-US subsidiaries are deemed to be indefinitely reinvested in non-US operations.
F- 25
The components of deferred income tax assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Net operating losses and tax credits
Property and equipment
AMT minimum tax receivable
Accruals and accrued loss contingencies
Capitalized research and development costs
Gross deferred income tax assets
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Intangible assets
Prepaid and other expenses
Gross deferred income tax liabilities
Net deferred income tax assets
Net Operating Losses
December 31,
2018
2017
$
$
22,003 $
5,969
1,348
5,776
14,220
49,316
(2,711 )
(121 )
(2,832 )
46,484 $
26,296
8,289
2,489
4,833
9,108
51,015
(3,075 )
(261 )
(3,336 )
47,679
As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $83.9 million of NOLs available to offset future taxable income. The Federal NOLs begin
expiring in 2026 and will fully expire in 2029. We have an immaterial amount of foreign NOLs and tax credits available for future use.
Valuation Allowance
We assess the recoverability of our deferred income tax assets, which represent the tax benefits of future tax deductions, NOLs and tax
credits, by considering the adequacy of future taxable income from all sources, including prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. This
assessment is required to determine whether based on all available evidence, it is “more likely than not” (which means a probability of
greater than 50%) that all or some portion of the DTAs will be realized in future periods. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we believe it
is more likely than not that our DTAs will be realized in future periods and thus did not have a valuation allowance.
Income Tax Audits
Our Federal income tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") through December 31, 2008. The audits of the
Federal returns for the years ended 2005 through 2008 resulted in no changes. The IRS also audited Amcom’s 2009 Federal tax return (pre-
acquisition) with no changes. The 2016, 2017 and 2018 income tax returns of the Company have not been audited by the IRS and are
within the statute of limitations (“SOL”).
We operate in all states and the District of Columbia and are subject to various state income and franchise tax audits. The states’ SOL varies
from three to four years from the later of the due date of the return or the date filed. We usually file our Federal and all state and local
income tax returns on or before September 15 of the following year; therefore, the SOL for those states with a three-year SOL is open for
calendar years ending 2015 through 2018, and for the four-year SOL states, the SOL is open for years ending from 2014 through 2018.
NOTE 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contractual Obligations
We had no significant commitments and contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018.
Other Commitments
We have various LOCs outstanding with multiple state agencies which are considered to be immaterial to the consolidated financial
statements. The LOCs typically have one to three-year contract requirements and contain automatic renewal terms.
F- 26
Legal Contingencies
We are involved, from time to time, in lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. We believe these pending lawsuits will not have a
material adverse impact on our financial position or statement of operations. There have been no material changes during the twelve months
ended December 31, 2018 to the commitments and contingencies previously reported in the 2017 Annual Report and our Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018.
Operating Leases
We have operating leases for office and transmitter locations. Substantially all of these leases have lease terms ranging from one month to
five years. We continue to review our office and transmitter locations, and intend to replace, reduce or consolidate leases, where possible.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2018 were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total
$
$
6,716
5,058
4,102
2,327
1,586
424
20,213
These leases typically include renewal options and escalation clauses. Where material, we recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis
over the lease period. The difference between rent paid and rent expense is recorded as other current liabilities and other non-current
liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Total rent expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, was approximately $17.5 million, $17.7
million and $17.9 million, respectively.
NOTE 10 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Spok Holdings, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan
The Company has a savings plan in the U.S. that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC"). Participating U.S.
employees may elect to contribute a percentage of their salary, subject to certain limitations. Matching contributions under the savings plan
were approximately $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, and $1.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017
and 2016.
NOTE 11 - RELATED PARTIES
A member of our Board of Directors also serves as a director for an entity that leases transmission tower sites to the Company. For the years
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we incurred $3.6 million, $3.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively, in site rent expenses from
the entity on which the individual serves as a director. These amounts are included in technology operations expenses.
F- 27
NOTE 12 - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is summarized below:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Revenues(2)
Operating income (loss)(2)(4)
Net income (loss)(2)(4)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share(1)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
Revenues(2)
Operating income(2)
Net income (loss)(2)(3)
Basic and diluted net income per common share(1)
$
$
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
42,476 $
(1,560 )
(840 )
(0.04 )
40,628 $
(2,346 )
(1,172 )
(0.06 )
43,114 $
584
345
0.02
43,256
149
189
0.01
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter(4)
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
43,636 $
3,325
3,727
0.19
42,325 $
2,410
1,498
0.07
41,444 $
1,382
854
0.04
43,770
3,589
21,384
(1.07 )
(1) Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed independently for each period presented. As a result, the sum of the quarterly
basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 may not equal the total computed for the
year.
(2) Slight variations in totals are due to rounding.
(3) Fourth quarter 2017 net loss includes $24.2 million from the write-off of the deferred income tax asset related to the 2017 Tax Act (refer to Note
8, "Income Taxes").
(4) An adjustment of $771 to cost of revenue, identified in the fourth quarter of 2018, has been reflected in this table as a reduction of Operating
income (loss) and Net income (loss) of $166, $196 and $359 in the first, second and third quarters, respectively. Income (loss) per common
share has been adjusted accordingly for the impact of these adjustments to each quarter.
F- 28
SPOK HOLDINGS, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
SCHEDULE II
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts,
Service Credits and Other
Year ended December 31, 2018
Year ended December 31, 2017
Year ended December 31, 2016
Balance at the
Beginning of
the Period
Charged to
Operations
Write-offs
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at the
End of the
Period
$
$
$
1,065 $
1,056 $
1,286 $
2,125 $
1,035 $
761 $
(1,485 ) $
(1,026 ) $
(991 ) $
1,705
1,065
1,056
F- 29
EXHIBIT INDEX
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Description
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws
Specimen of common stock certificate, par value
$0.0001 per share
Form
8-K
8-K
File No.
001-32358
001-32358
Exhibit
Filing Date
3.1
3.1
7/8/2014
12/20/2016
S-4/A
333-115769
4.1
10/6/2004
Filed/Fur
nished
Herewith
Exhibit
Number
3.1
3.2
4.1*
10.1
10.2*
10.3*
10.4*
10.5†
10.6*
10.7
10.8*†
10.9†
10.10†
10.11†
10.12†
10.13†
10.14†
10.15†
10.16†
10.17*
10.18†
21
23
31.1
31.2
32.1
Form of Indemnification Agreement for executive officers of
Spok, Holding Inc.
USA Mobility, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock
Agreement (For Board of Directors) (amended)
Form of Director’s Indemnification Agreement
USA Mobility, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Award Plan
Employment Agreement, between Spok Holdings, Inc. and
Vince D. Kelly, dated as of January 1, 2019
Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice for the USA Mobility,
Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Award Plan
Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice for the Spok Holdings,
Inc. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Spok Holdings, Inc. Severance Pay Plan and Summary Plan
Description (For certain C-Level, not including CEO)
(amended and restated)
Spok Holdings, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Exhibits to Spok Holdings, Inc., 2015 Long-Term Incentive
Plan for the 2016 - 2018 performance period
Spok Holdings, Inc. 2016 Short-Term Incentive Plan
Spok Holdings, Inc. 2017 Short-Term Incentive Plan
Exhibits to Spok Holdings, Inc., 2015 Long-Term Incentive
Plan for the 2017 - 2019 performance period(1)
Spok Holdings, Inc. 2018 Short-Term Incentive Plan
Spok Holdings, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan(1)
Spok Holdings, Inc. 2019 Short-Term Incentive Plan
Amendment to the USA Mobility, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive
Award Plan
NEO Severance and Change in Control Document
Subsidiaries of the Company
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350
XBRL Instance Document**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation**
10-Q
001-32358
10.1
10/25/2018
10-Q
10-Q
DEF 14A
001-32358
001-32358
001-32358
10.18
10.24
A
11/1/2007
10/30/2008
3/28/2012
8-K
001-32358
10.1
1/4/2019
10-K
001-32358
10.16
3/2/2017
10-K
001-32358
10.17
3/2/2017
10-K
10-K
10-K
10-K
10-K
001-32358
001-32358
10.18
10.10
3/2/2017
3/1/2018
001-32358
001-32358
10.11
10.13
3/2/2017
3/1/2018
10-K
001-32358
10.15
3/2/2017
10-K
001-32358
10.16
3/1/2018
DEF 14A
10-Q
10-K
001-32358
001-32358
001-32358
A
10.2
21
4/27/2017
4/27/2017
3/1/2018
Filed
Filed
Filed
Filed
Filed
Filed
Furnished
Furnished
Furnished
Furnished
Furnished
Furnished
Furnished
Furnished
32.2
101.INS
101.SCH
101.CAL
101.DEF
101.LAB
101.PRE
* On July 8, 2014, the Company changed its name from USA Mobility, Inc. to Spok Holdings, Inc.
**
†
(1)
The financial information contained in these XBRL documents is unaudited.
Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Portions of this document have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to requests for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2.
Board of Directors
Annual meeting
Royce Yudkoff
Chairman of the Board, Spok
Holdings, Inc. and Co-Founder of ABRY Partners, LLC
Vincent D. Kelly
President and Chief Executive Officer
N. Blair Butterfield
Chairman of Wind River Advisory Group, LLC
Stacia A. Hylton
Retired Director of The United States Marshals Service
Brian O’Reilly
Consultant
Matthew Oristano
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Reaction
Biology Corporation
Samme L. Thompson
President of Telit Associates, Inc.
Todd Stein
Principal of Braeside Capital
Corporate Officers
A formal notice of the meeting is being mailed to
each stockholder. The proxy statement, proxy card
and 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available
at www.proxyvote.com.
2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K
This annual report contains the 2018 Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Spok Holdings, Inc. will provide without charge
to each stockholder of record additional copies of
the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K. Please send your
request to:
Investor Relations
Spok Holdings, Inc.
6850 Versar Center, Suite 420
Springfield, VA 22151
Investor and Media Information
Inquiries from investors, the financial community,
and news organizations should be directed to
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
at the address noted above, by calling (800) 611-
8488, or by visiting our website at www.spok.com.
Securities Listing
The common stock of Spok Holdings, Inc., trading
symbol “SPOK,” trades on the NASDAQ National
Market®.
Vincent D. Kelly
President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael W. Wallace
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer
Bonnie K. Culp
Executive Vice President, Human
Resources and Administration and
Chief Compliance Officer, Spok, Inc.
Sharon Woods Keisling
Corporate Secretary and Treasurer
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233
Direct: (781) 575-2725
Toll Free: (877) 498-8865
Hearing Impaired: TDD (800) 952-9245
www.computershare.com/investor
Independent Public Accountants
Grant Thornton LLP
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1400
Arlington, VA 22209
Corporate Counsel
Latham & Watkins LLP
555 Eleventh Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1304
Spok, Inc.
6850 Versar Center, Suite 420
Springfield, VA 22151
Telephone (800) 611-8488
Fax (866) 382-1662
www.spok.com
ABOUT SPOK, INC.
Spok, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK), is proud to be a global leader in healthcare
communications. We deliver clinical information to care teams when and where it matters most to improve patient outcomes.
Top hospitals rely on the Spok Care Connect® platform to enhance workflows for clinicians, support administrative compliance,
and provide a better experience for patients. Our customers send over 100 million messages each month through their Spok®
solutions. Spok is making care collaboration easier.
spok.com
© 2019 Spok, Inc. Spok is a trademark of Spok Holdings, Inc. Spok Care Connect and Spok Mobile are trademarks of Spok, Inc. Other names and
trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.