UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

Commission File Number: 001-31588

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

10900 Red Circle Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (952) 996-1674

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

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 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 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 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.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES ☐ NO ☒

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. ☐

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $36,646,000 based upon the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on June 30, 2020.

As of March 1, 2021 there were outstanding 9,327,574 shares of the Registrant’s common stock.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

Communications Systems, Inc. (herein collectively referred to as “CSI,” “our,” “we” or the “Company”) is a Minnesota corporation organized in 1969 that operates directly and through its subsidiaries located in the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (U.K.). The Company maintains a website at www.commsystems.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our periodic reports on Form 8-K (and any amendments to these reports) are available free of charge by linking from our website to the Securities and Exchange Commission website.

Recent Developments

Proposed Merger with Pineapple Energy

On March 1, 2021, Communications Systems, Inc. (“CSI”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Helios Merger Co., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSI (the “Merger Sub”), Pineapple Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pineapple”), Lake Street Solar LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Members’ Representative”), and Randall D. Sampson, as the Shareholders’ Representative (the “Shareholders’ Representative,” and together with CSI, the Merger Sub, Pineapple and the Members’ Representative, the “Parties”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Pineapple with Pineapple surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of CSI (the “Merger”).

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, CSI has agreed to issue to the members of Pineapple 15.6 million shares of CSI’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), subject to certain adjustments, as consideration for the Merger (the “Base Consideration”). The Base Consideration will be increased for any outstanding convertible notes issued by Pineapple in a pre-closing financing, which will convert into additional shares of CSI common stock at a rate of $2.00 per share. The Base Consideration will be decreased for any outstanding indebtedness of Pineapple at the closing of the Merger in excess of $22.5 million (the “Permitted Indebtedness”), which will reduce the base consideration at a rate of $2.00 per share.

In addition to the Base Consideration, certain members of Pineapple may receive additional shares pursuant to an earnout. Additional shares of common stock will be issued to such members of Pineapple upon the occurrence of the following milestones:

As provided in the Merger Agreement, CSI expects to declare a cash dividend that will be payable with respect to its outstanding shares as of a record date prior to the closing of the Merger (the “Pre-Closing Record Date”) to the holders of its outstanding stock on such date (the “Legacy Shareholders”). In addition, as provided in the Merger Agreement, CSI is in the process of pursuing dispositions (the “Dispositions”) of substantially all of its existing assets and businesses (“Legacy Assets”). To the extent these Dispositions occur prior to the closing of the Merger, CSI expects to declare a cash dividend that distributes a substantial portion of the proceeds from these Dispositions to the Legacy Shareholders. Following the closing, CSI will use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Dispositions of the Company’s Legacy Assets as soon as reasonably practicable (and, in any event, within 18 months of the closing). Proceeds that become available from the Dispositions that occur following the closing of the Merger will be distributed pro rata to the Legacy Shareholders pursuant to the Contingent Value Rights Agreement described below. CSI will continue to support these existing business lines as it pursues new owners for these businesses.

Prior to closing, CSI and Pineapple will cooperate in connection with a potential private equity transaction that would result in the issuance of additional shares of CSI Common Stock at or following closing of the Merger.

The Merger Agreement also contains indemnification provisions.

The obligations of each of Pineapple and CSI are subject to specified conditions, including, among other matters: (i) the approval by Pineapple members and CSI shareholders of the Merger; (ii) a registration statement becoming effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, related to the Merger; and (iii) the filing of an amendment to CSI’s Articles of Incorporation in order to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance to a number at least necessary to consummate the Merger.

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties from Pineapple and CSI. It also contains customary covenants, including (i) providing for each of the parties to use reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to be consummated, and (ii) for Pineapple and CSI to carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice during the period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the closing of the Merger. Both CSI and Pineapple also agreed not to solicit, seek or initiate or knowingly take any action to facilitate or encourage another transaction, subject to certain exceptions.  CSI is required to seek shareholder approval of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock to be issued in the Merger pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules.

The Merger Agreement contains termination rights for each of Pineapple and CSI, including, without limitation, in the event that (i) any governmental entity issues a non-appealable final order permanently enjoining the Merger; (ii) the Merger is not consummated by August 31, 2021; or (iii) the other party breaches its representations, warranties or covenants under the Merger Agreement, which breach would give rise to the failure of a closing condition and such breach is not cured within 10-days of receipt of written notice of such breach.

The Merger Agreement provides that both CSI and Pineapple will be obligated to pay the other a termination fee of $2.5 million plus reimbursement of certain expenses, up to $750,000, if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances.

The foregoing description of terms in the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 2020.

The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants and other terms, provisions and conditions that the parties made to each other as of specific dates. The assertions embodied therein were made solely for purposes of the Merger Agreement and may be subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating their respective terms. Moreover, they may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality that may be different from what may be viewed as material to shareholders, or may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. For the foregoing reasons, no person should rely on such representations, warranties, covenants or other terms, provisions or conditions as statements of factual information at the time they were made or otherwise. Unless required by applicable law, CSI undertakes no obligation to update such information.

Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Pineapple entered into a Voting Agreement, dated March 1, 2021 (the “Voting Agreement”) with officers and director of CSI (the “CSI Holders”). The CSI Holders hold in the aggregate approximately 13.8% of CSI’s outstanding shares. Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, each CSI Holder has agreed, with respect to all of the voting securities of CSI that such CSI Holder beneficially owns as of the date thereof or thereafter, to vote in favor of the Merger. The Voting Agreement will terminate on the Effective Time (as defined therein) or upon termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms.

The foregoing description of the Voting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Voting Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the March 1, 2020 Current Report on Form 8-K.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger, CSI will enter into a Contingent Value Rights Agreement (the “CVR Agreement”) with a person designated by CSI as the Holders’ Representative (as defined therein), and the Rights Agent (as defined therein). Pursuant to the CVR Agreement, each shareholder of CSI as of immediately prior to the closing of the Merger will receive one non-transferable Contingent Value Right (“CVR”) for each outstanding share of common stock of CSI held as of the close of business on the day immediately before the Effective Time of the Merger, which will represent the right to receive pro-rata distributions of proceeds from Dispositions that occur following the Effective Time.

Sale of Suttle Business

Suttle, Inc. was a significant component of CSI’s business since 1969. As a key element of the Company’s strategic plan, however, the Company sold substantially all of Suttle’s business, assets and operations pursuant to two separate transactions occurring in 2019 and 2020 that were previously reported. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations.”

As a result of the Suttle sale, unless otherwise noted, all information in this Form 10-K about Suttle will be discussed and presented as discontinued operations and the Company will report its remaining business operations as continuing operations as described below.

After giving effect to the Suttle transactions and following the acquisition of Ecessa during the second quarter of 2020 and the merging of certain operations, CSI is principally engaged (i) through its Electronics & Software (“E&S”) segment in the manufacture and sale of Ethernet switches, core media conversion products, and other connectivity and data transmission products, and (ii) through its Services & Support (“S&S”) segment, in providing technology solutions including virtualization, managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation, and hybrid cloud infrastructure and deployment.

Acquisition of Ecessa Corporation

On May 14, 2020, CSI acquired Ecessa Corporation in a reverse triangular merger for $4.6 million in cash. Ecessa designs and distributes software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) solutions for businesses through the deployment of field installations of Ecessa Edge®, PowerLink®, and WANworX® controllers and is part of the Company’s Services & Support segment. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Business Combinations.”

Acquisition of IVDesk

On November 3, 2020, the Company acquired the operating assets of privately held IVDesk Minnesota, Inc. (“IVDesk”) from a third-party receiver (“Receiver”) appointed by Hennepin County, Minnesota State District Court Judge for aggregate consideration of $1.4 million, including a $550,000 earnout payment made in March 2021. IVDesk provides private cloud services to small- and mid-size businesses (SMB), with a particular focus on the financial services industry. IVDesk currently services over 85 customers across the U.S. with a focus on a tri-state region with Minnesota at the center. IVDesk’s business model is built on monthly recurring revenue and is included within the Company’s Services & Support Segment. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Business Combinations.”

Current Operations

The Company classifies its businesses into the following two segments:

As noted within this Form 10-K, we have classified the operations of Suttle as discontinued operations for 2020 and 2019. Non-allocated general and administrative expenses are separately accounted for as “Other” in the Company’s segment reporting. Additionally, any indirect general and administrative costs previously allocated to Suttle are also included in “Other.” Intersegment revenues are eliminated upon consolidation. Further information regarding these segments, including customer and industry concentration, is set forth in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8.

Information Regarding Business Segments

(i) Electronics & Software

This segment is comprised of CSI’s Transition Networks, Inc. (“Transition Networks” or “Transition”) and Net2Edge Limited (“Net2Edge”) businesses. Transition Networks is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Net2Edge is based in Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom. Electronics & Software develops, markets and sells PoE switches, media converters, network interface cards (NICs), Ethernet switches, Small Form Factor Pluggable modules (SFP), and other connectivity products under the Transition Networks brand name. Transition sells its products through distributors, resellers, integrators, and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). These media converters, network interface devices (NIDs), and Ethernet Switch products allow network operators to transmit voice and data across networks as well as provide connectivity and power in security and surveillance, smart building, smart city and intelligent transportation applications. Sales by E&S were $34,496,000 in 2020 compared to $47,007,000 in 2019. International sales accounted for 14% of E&S’s sales, or $4,775,000 in 2020, compared to $7,236,000, or 15% of E&S’s sales in 2019. 

Products

Electronics & Software develops, markets and sells solutions that provide actionable intelligence, power and connectivity at the edge of networks through PoE switches, software and services as well as traditional products such as media converters, network adapters and other connectivity products, edge network access products, TDM (time-division multiplexing) over IP and other circuit emulation solutions, along with specialized cloud-based software solutions. Our PoE switches, media converter devices, Ethernet switches and other connectivity products enable customers to transmit voice and data across networks as well as provide connectivity and power to end devices in the IoT ecosystem. Our growing PoE products support remote devices such as cameras and wireless access points by passing electrical power along with data on Ethernet cabling, eliminating the need for traditional AC/DC electrical power in hard-to-reach locations. Our media converters and other customer premise equipment (CPE) assist customers in resolving challenges in the areas of bandwidth constraints, security risks, and distance limitations as networks extend from local area to wide area networks and adapt to ever increasing end-user demands. As more cities move to implement smart city technology, a major component will be solutions designed to protect and provide services to citizens, such as intelligent transportation and surveillance networks. Electronics & Software switches deliver the necessary connectivity, bandwidth and power to enable these solutions. Many of our products incorporate features to perform advanced levels of fault management and diagnostics to troubleshoot networks and proactively fix problems.

Electronics & Software develops product hardware and software internally and expenses the related costs as they are incurred. In connection with the sale of its hardware products, Electronics & Software provides its customers with a variety of software management options including Network Management System (NMS) software for providing superior provisioning and monitoring of its Ethernet switches and other managed devices. Transition has been developing and marketing Ethernet-based networking products for over 30 years. Electronics & Software continues to develop products that address the enterprise, service provider, industrial, government, and security markets. Increasingly, Electronics & Software PoE switches are used in smart building environments, intelligent transportation applications, and in security and surveillance networks.

Manufacturing and Sources of Supply

Electronics & Software uses contract manufacturers to manufacture its products in different geographical locations, in addition to OEM partners through which the Company sources product and markets under its own name. In 2020, 91% of the total value of Electronics & Software’s products were manufactured in or sourced from Trade Agreement Acts (TAA) compliant countries (i.e. Taiwan, U.S., U.K.) and the remaining 9% was manufactured in or sourced from other geographies. Offshore sources of supply are subject to certain risks, including political risk.

Markets and Marketing

Electronics & Software’s products are used in a broad array of markets including federal government, enterprise, service provider, industrial, security, and surveillance markets. Electronics & Software has a broad customer base that uses its products in a variety of applications.

The line of Ethernet switches (both PoE and non-PoE) is used in last-mile access, backhaul, wiring closets and at end-user stations. These are sold into security networks, intelligent transportation applications, smart buildings, corporate enterprise networks, and other IoT applications domestically and abroad. The media conversion product line is used in several applications. The ION chassis-based modular systems are used primarily in telecommunications closets for high-density applications or when multiple protocols need to be supported. Stand-alone media converters are used typically at customer premises or for lower density applications. The Carrier Ethernet NID line of products addresses the high-quality access requirements for both business services and wireless backhaul data communications and telecommunications applications.

Marketing primarily consists of direct marketing using a sales force, tradeshows, trade magazine advertising, on-line advertising, website, email, social media, and public relations activities. Electronics & Software also provides and participates in advertising and cooperative marketing campaigns with distribution partners.

Research and Development

Electronics & Software develops products for the federal government, enterprise, service provider, security, and industrial markets. This includes developing commercial and hardened PoE switches, converters for emerging protocols and existing protocols in new markets, as well as new industry standards. Some of these products include devices built on the IEEE 802.3ah, 802.3ag, ITU-T Y.1731 standards, Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)® standards, and PoE devices based on the IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at, 802.3bt standards. Some design efforts are paced by the development of critical components such as integrated circuits and optical transceivers.

Research and development consists primarily of designing, prototyping, and testing of equipment and supplies associated with developing new products and enhancing existing products. Research and development costs are expensed when incurred and were $2,808,000 in 2020 compared to $3,600,000 in 2019.

Electronics & Software conducts its research and development operations in the United States, at its Minnetonka, Minnesota headquarters location and out of its Net2Edge Basingstoke location. While these locations have primary engineering and product development responsibility, E&S occasionally uses third-party design services and Original Design Manufacturers (“ODM”) to support specific product design requirements.

Competition

E&S faces strong competition across its entire product line. A large number of competitors exist for high-volume products in Ethernet switches and media converters. Low-cost competitors from China and Taiwan are strongest in (i) Asian, (ii) European, Middle Eastern, and African (“EMEA”) and (iii) South American markets. E&S also faces new competitors as it enters new markets for smart cities, smart buildings, intelligent transportation systems, and higher performance devices for the service provider market.

Order Book

Outstanding customer orders for Electronics & Software products were approximately $1,559,000 at March 1, 2021 and $2,813,000 at March 1, 2020. Electronics & Software orders are fulfilled on a relatively short-term basis and therefore the Company does not consider the order book as a significant indicator of longer-term future results.

(ii) Services & Support

This segment is comprised of CSI’s JDL Technologies, Inc. (“JDL Technologies” or “JDL”) and Ecessa Corporation (“Ecessa”) businesses. JDL is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Ecessa is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Services & Support (“S&S”) provides technology solutions that address prevalent IT challenges, including network resiliency, security products and services, network virtualization, and cloud migrations, IT managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation, and converged infrastructure configuration, deployment and management. Services & Support’s 2020 sales were $8,777,000 compared to 2019 sales of $4,741,000. Project and product revenue totaled $5,120,000 in 2020 or 58% of segment sales compared to $2,242,000 in 2019 or 47% of this segment’s sales. Services revenues increased to $3,657,000 in 2020 from $2,499,000 in 2019.

Markets and Marketing

Services & Support differentiates itself from its competitors by continuously adopting and adapting to changes in available IT services, ensuring it continues to provide new and innovative solutions to its clients and prospective clients. This ensures this business segment remains well qualified to help clients with their use of technology and IT resources to meet business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Services & Support partners with clients to provide complete support for their information technology environments, from servers to software applications, from the network-level down to the desktop level. Under a typical managed services agreement, S&S provides virtual CIO services to client management, deploys, manages, secures, and supports client’s IT systems and services, provides helpdesk support to the client’s user community, and adds value to the client’s business by enabling the client to focus on its core competencies. Services & Support’s key avenues for delivering on this commitment—and its competitive advantages—include on-premise managed services operations center and secure, state-of-the-art hosted datacenter and partnerships with industry leading solution providers. The managed services operations center leverages the best available tools, applications, practices, and resources to deliver a consistent, quality customer experience. Services & Support holds the MSP Trustmark credential from CompTIA and is a member of the MSP Alliance.

Services & Support’s portfolio of technology solutions reflects the regular introduction of new technologies and delivery methodologies and the increasing demand among businesses for innovative solutions to strengthen their competitive edge and address prevailing IT challenges. With its team of professionally certified engineers, more than 250 years of technical experience, and talented leadership, S&S develops IT solutions that effectively meet these demands. To sustain its leading-edge position, S&S also maintains robust partnerships with strategic manufacturers and is a 3CX VoIP Gold Partner, HP Enterprise Gold Partner, Microsoft Silver Partner, eMDs Solution Provider, and Citrix Solutions Service Provider.

Customers

In 2020, Services & Support Technologies aggressively targeted its primary vertical markets, healthcare, education and commercial business.

Healthcare:

Services & Support continues to serve as a trusted partner to its healthcare clients, offering SD-WAN devices and an array of services that address HIPAA Security Rule and Privacy Rule compliance requirements, including its flagship cloud-based service, HIPAA FastTrack. Services & Support’s managed services practice supports clients ranging from single-office providers, to multi-location regional specialists, to their regulated suppliers and business associates.

Commercial:

Services & Support Technologies provides support and service to a diverse commercial client set. In 2019, Services & Support continued to place emphasis on an expanded set of security solutions layered on top of its Cloud-Based IT Managed Services. This enabled Services & Support to provide an even more secure total solution that included security awareness testing and training of client end users which has become increasingly important as threats to an organization’s security are focused more and more on end users as the weakest link.

Education:

During 2020, Services & Support continued to support a multi-year project to provide wireless network services and datacenter upgrades for several hundred public K-12 schools in Florida. Most of the Company’s work on this project was completed in 2020. The education vertical remains an important element of Services & Support’s overall market strategy. Much of the Company’s historical revenue from the education sector has been derived from a school district in Florida. The Company has substantially completed its work on this project and was not selected as the primary vendor on the next multi-year project for this school district but was selected as the secondary vendor for structured cabling and enterprise networking.

Products and Services

As a managed service provider and value-added reseller, Services & Support Technologies specializes in delivering technology solutions that free organizations to focus on the strategic business activities critical to their financial success. Services & Support’s technology solutions encompass an extensive range of networking, virtualization, cloud, cybersecurity, and infrastructure services, most of which are available under JDL managed services contracts. A proprietary offering is the Ecessa SD-WAN device which provides Never Down ® networks. By deploying automatic failover and leveraging up to 25 communication links ranging from MPLS, lower cost broadband, cable, satellite, microwave or cellular 5G/4G/LTE, Ecessa’s SD-WAN devices guarantee network and Internet uptime. As technology continues its move to the cloud, JDL aggressively markets its portfolio of cloud-based service offerings and SD-WAN devices to healthcare and commercial business. Its HIPAA FastTrack and Security FastTrack services, available in the JDL Cloud powered by Citrix, have won awards for product innovation, just as Services & Support Technologies has been recognized in the industry as a leading Managed Service Provider. Services & Support engineers are trained and certified in the newest cloud and other technology solutions.

Managed Services:

Services & Support Technologies continues to refine its Managed Services offering as the industry matures taking it from a traditional remote management model to a hosted service offering that grants Services & Support greater control, enables tighter service level agreements and increases margins while providing clients with a more service rich, cost effective, and secure environments for their IT systems. Services & Support serves a diverse base of clients with locations throughout the United States, offering managed service programs designed specifically for the healthcare and commercial markets. These robust programs meet HIPAA compliance standards and, while the majority of clients are supported remotely, independent of geographic borders, Services & Support is also able to provide on-site network management and help desk support for key enterprise clients in the South Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, and the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota markets. Services & Support’s managed services include network management, availability assurance, event alerting and incident management services; server, workstation, mobile device, and other asset management services; security services including software patching, firewall, antivirus, anti-malware, and cybersecurity intrusion detection and prevention services; help desk support for client users; SIP-trunking, voice over IP and office management services; migration, conversion and vendor management; and technical consulting services and training.

Cloud Solutions:

With widespread adoption of cloud solutions on the rise, Services & Support continues to focus on these solutions as key offerings with significant revenue growth potential. Azure® cloud solutions, wireless as a service, infrastructure as a service, and Citrix® as a service (sold as Services & Support FastTrack) are among Services & Support’s most successful cloud offerings, with others including backup, storage, voice over IP, firewall and email as cloud or hosted services. The benefits to clients are numerous and include vertical and horizontal scalability, internal bandwidth conservation, and simplification of IT management within client organizations, while Services & Support benefits from substantial economies of scale and standardization. All Services & Support cloud offerings are billable as monthly recurring revenue under its managed service model, and Services & Support is committed to bringing the benefits of cloud services to all clients.

Network Services:

Services & Support’s roots are in network services, and these services remain central to its role as a managed service provider and value-added reseller. The Services & Support team has extensive experience and professional certifications in assessing, architecting, designing, and implementing wired and wireless networks as well as entire technology infrastructures. Networking services also include network infrastructure as a service, network design and deployment, network and endpoint security, SD-WAN and SASE offerings, edge security, network optimization, and device installation/configuration services.

Virtualization:

Whether hosted on premise, in Services & Support’s private cloud, or on third-party platforms such as Azure or AWS (Amazon Web Services), using virtualization across an organization’s IT environment delivers greater agility, mobility and efficiency. Services & Support’s virtualization engineers assess, design, deploy, and manage virtualization programs that are designed to ensure user access to any workload, anytime, anywhere, on any device. Services & Support’s virtualization services encompass network infrastructure, security, desktops, servers, applications, storage, and any combination thereof, including connectivity and software licensing. As Services & Support clients continue to adopt virtualization, they experience the economies of scale, reduced capital requirements, enhanced security, and disaster recovery protections that are inherent in virtualized environments.

Competition

The Company expects the Managed Services market will continue to grow significantly over the next several years, and as a result will attract many competitors, becoming a highly competitive industry. In response to these factors, Services & Support’s focus is to quickly adapt to the changing needs of its clients through the adoption and productizing of new IT Service technologies as they become available. An example of this would be the addition of several security services to the Services & Support portfolio in 2019 including security tools to monitor the flow of sensitive data in and on the network, additional cloud-based services through Azure and AWS and enhanced end-point security services. By ensuring Services & Support continuously evaluates the services we offer with a focus on the changing market, we are able to provide a better range of services to our clients and prospects while increasing their reliance upon us as their IT service provider.

Order Book

Outstanding customer orders and contracts for Services & Support products and services were approximately $4,333,000 at March 1, 2021 and $1,546,000 at March 1, 2020. The Company does not consider current outstanding orders and contracts as a significant indicator of longer-term future results.

Human Capital

As of March 15, 2021, the Company employed 150 people. Of this number, 92 were within the Electronics & Software segment (including 74 in the U.S and 18 in the U.K.), 37 within the Services & Support segment, and 21 in corporate general and administrative positions. We consider our relations with our employees to be good. None of our employees are currently represented by a labor union.

The Company views its employees and culture as keys to its success.  The Company aims to attract and retain qualified personnel and provides wages and benefits that are competitive locally to reward employees for performance.  The Company values innovation, inclusion and diversity, safety and engagement as they attract, develop, and retain the best talent. We have adopted a diversity statement that is posted on our website at https://www.commsystems.com/corporate-governance/communications-systems-inc-diversity-inclusion-statement/.

The health and safety of our employees is a top priority of our leaders.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we instituted temporary office closures, implemented shelter-in-place orders and restrictions and instituted a mandatory work from home policy for substantially all office employees, and instituted social distancing work rules for operations personnel that continued to work in our facilities to satisfy customer orders.  We believe the Company has generally been successful implementing proactive measures to protect the health and safety of its employees while maintaining business continuity and high levels of service to our customers.

Executive Officers of Registrant

The executive officers of the Company and their ages at March 1, 2021 are set forth below. See Item 9B of this Form 10-K for additional information on the Company’s management.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES

Financial information about domestic and foreign operations and export sales may be obtained by reference to Note 14 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” under Item 8 herein.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of and in reliance on the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal important risk factors that could cause our actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed below.

Risks Related to announced merger with Pineapple Energy (“Pineapple”)

The Company’s planned merger with Pineapple Energy, announced on March 2, 2021, would change the Company’s strategy from a focus on computer network infrastructure and managed services solutions to residential solar, and presents considerable challenges and risks including:

Risks Related to Our Traditional Business

The primary markets we serve are highly competitive, and our ability to compete requires continual focus on delivering high-quality, competitively priced products and services and the regular introduction of new products and services that meet evolving customer requirements.

Competition in the markets for enterprise networks and voice and data communications products is intense. Our ability to compete with other manufacturers and marketers of these products depends primarily on our engineering, OEM/ODM relationships, manufacturing, and marketing skills; the price, quality and reliability of our products; our delivery and service capabilities; and our control of operating expenses. Our JDL subsidiary experiences intense competition from other providers of IT products and services. We have experienced, and anticipate continuing to experience, pricing pressures from our customers as well as our competitors. The markets we serve are characterized by rapid technological advances and evolving industry standards. These markets can be significantly affected by new product introductions and marketing activities of industry participants. Some of our current competitors and potential competitors have greater financial, technological, manufacturing, marketing, and personnel resources than we possess. These current and future competitors may be able to identify new markets and develop new products that are superior to those we develop. They may also adapt new technologies faster, devote greater resources to research and development, promote products more aggressively, and price products more competitively. We cannot ensure that competition will not intensify or that we will be able to compete effectively in the markets in which we compete.

Our gross margins have fluctuated year to year, and we face many challenges in maintaining acceptable margins.

Gross margins among our products and services vary and are subject to fluctuation from quarter to quarter and year to year. The factors that may affect our gross margins adversely are numerous and include:

Consolidation among our customers has occurred and further consolidation may occur, resulting in the loss of some customers and reducing revenue during the pendency of business combinations and related integration activities.

We believe future consolidation may occur among our customers as they attempt to increase market share and achieve greater economies of scale. Consolidation has affected our business as our customers focus on completing business combinations and integrating their operations. In some instances, customers integrating large-scale acquisitions have reduced their purchases of our products as they integrate.

The business effect on us of significant customer mergers is likely to be unclear until sometime after these transactions are completed. After a consolidation occurs, a customer may choose to reduce the number of vendors from which it purchases equipment and services and may choose one of our competitors as its preferred vendor. We cannot ensure that we will continue to supply equipment to the surviving communications service provider after a business combination is completed.

In the event the Pineapple transaction does not close, we cannot guarantee the ability of the Special Committee of our Board of Directors to develop strategic options for the Company and the Company’s ability to implement these strategies.

In May of 2018 the Company announced it had appointed a special committee of the board to perform a strategic review of the Company’s businesses to explore opportunities for enhancing shareholder value and had engaged an investment banking firm to advise it in this process. The disposition of the Suttle operations, the Ecessa and IVDesk acquisitions, and the proposed Pineapple merger have been the primary outcomes of this initiative. In the event the Pineapple merger does not close, and the Company retains its traditional businesses, the failure to develop an alternative growth strategy, the failure to maintain positive operating income or invest in technology ventures that enhance value or that we can incorporate into our products, could result in operating losses and lack of shareholder confidence, which could negatively impact cash flow and the trading price of our common stock.

Our information technology systems may be exposed to various cybersecurity risks and other disruptions that could impair our ability to operate, adversely affect our business, and damage our brand and reputation. Risks are particularly acute in the cloud-based technologies that we and other third parties operate and that form a part of our solutions.

We rely extensively on our information technology systems or on third parties for services including our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system, banking, payroll, shipping, and e-mail systems to conduct business. We also collect, store and transmit sensitive data, including proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of our customers, suppliers and employees.

Despite our investment in our information technology systems and data security program, the implementation of security measures to protect our data and infrastructure against breaches and other cyber threats, and our use of internal processes and controls designed to protect the security and availability of our systems, our information technology and communication systems may be vulnerable to cybersecurity risks such as computer viruses, hacking, malware, denial of service attacks, cyber terrorism, circumvention of security systems, malfeasance, breaches due to employee error, natural disasters, telecommunications failure, at our facilities or at third-party locations.

The General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, took effect on May 25, 2018, in the European Union and introduced direct compliance obligations for data controllers and data processors. National Data Protection Agencies, or NDPAs, are now able to impose fines for violations ranging from 2% to 4% of annual worldwide turnover, or 10 million to 20 million euro, whichever is greater. NDPAs have the power to carry out audits, request information, and obtain access to premises. Businesses must be able to demonstrate that the personal data of any data subject can be lawfully processed on one of the six specified grounds. The GDPR adopts a risk-based approach to compliance, under which businesses bear responsibility for assessing the degree of risk that their processing activities pose to data subjects. Businesses are required to perform data protection impact assessments before any processing that uses new technology and is likely to result in a high risk to data subjects. The GDPR requires businesses to maintain records of their processing activities. The GDPR establishes clear rules around data breach notifications and the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific individual have been set out by the GDPR. In addition, under the GDPR, data subjects have new rights, for example, the right to request that businesses delete their personal data (the right to be forgotten); to object to their personal data being processed; and to obtain a copy of their personal data within a set time frame.

Similar to the GDPR, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), which became effective January 1, 2020, grants California residents with several new rights relating to their personal information. The CCPA applies to businesses that conduct business in California and satisfies one of three financial conditions, including a business that has a gross revenue greater than $25 million. The CCPA sets forth several data protection obligations for applicable businesses, including the obligation to inform a consumer, at or before collection, of the purpose and intended use of the collection, and the obligation to delete a consumer’s personal information upon request. The CCPA establishes a private right of action that allows consumers the right to seek damages for serious data breaches. The CCPA also allows the California Attorney General to bring actions against non-compliant businesses with fines of $2,500 per violation or, if intentional, up to $7,500 per violation. Any failure by us to comply with the GDPR or the CCPA could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Complying with these varying requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with any regulatory requirements or international privacy or consumer protection-related laws and regulations could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, subject us to significant penalties and negative publicity and adversely affect us. In addition, as noted above, we are subject to the possibility of security breaches, which themselves may result in a violation of these laws.

Any failure, breach or unauthorized access to our or third-party systems could result in the loss of confidential, sensitive or proprietary information, interruptions in our service or production or otherwise our ability to conduct business operations, and could result in potential reductions in revenue and profits, damage to our reputation or liability. There can be no assurance that our protective measures will prevent or timely detect security breaches that could have a significant impact on our business, reputation, operating results and financial condition.

In addition, our JDL Technologies subsidiary provides IT services for the Company internally and for third-party customers. As we continue to direct a portion of our JDL sales efforts toward Cloud solutions, we expect to store, convey and potentially process increasing amounts of data produced by customer devices. This data may include confidential or proprietary information, intellectual property or personally identifiable information of our customers or other third parties with whom they do business. It is important that we maintain solutions and related infrastructure that are perceived by our customers and other parties with whom we do business as providing a reasonable level of reliability and security. Despite any available security measures and other precautions that we deploy, the infrastructure and transmission methods we use directly or through third parties, may be vulnerable to interception, attack or other disruptive problems. Continued high-profile data breaches at other companies evidence an external environment that is becoming increasingly hostile to information security. Improper disclosure of data or perception that our data security is insufficient could harm our reputation, give rise to legal proceedings, and subject our company to liability under laws that protect data, any of which could result in increased costs and loss of revenue.

If a cyberattack or other security incident were to allow unauthorized access to or modification of our customers’ data or our own data, whether due to a failure with our systems or related systems operated by third parties, we could suffer damage to our brand and reputation. The costs we would incur to address and fix these incidents would increase our expenses. These types of security incidents could also lead to lawsuits, regulatory investigations and increased legal liability, including in some cases contractual costs related to customer notification and fraud monitoring. Further, as regulatory focus on privacy and data security issues continues to increase and worldwide laws and regulations concerning the protection of information become more complex, the potential risks and costs of compliance to our business will intensify.

Our financial results could be adversely affected if one or more of our key customers substantially reduces orders for our products.

Traditionally, we have derived a large portion of our revenues from a relatively small number of customers, with our top ten customers accounting for 74% of net sales for both 2020 and 2019. In fiscal 2020, two E&S customers accounted for 19% and 17% of consolidated sales. In fiscal 2019, two E&S customers accounted for 21% and 16% of consolidated sales. The loss of or a substantial reduction in purchases by any one or more of our top customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

Our market is subject to rapid technological change and, to compete effectively, we must continually introduce new products that achieve market acceptance.

The enterprise network and communications equipment industry is characterized by rapid technological changes, evolving industry standards, changing market conditions, short product life cycles, rapidly changing customer requirements, and frequent new product and service introductions and enhancements. The introduction of products using new technologies or the adoption of new industry standards can make our existing products, or products under development, obsolete or unmarketable. Our future success will depend on our ability to enhance our existing products, to introduce new products to meet changing customer requirements and emerging technologies, and to demonstrate the performance advantages and cost-effectiveness of our products over competing products. Our failure to modify our products to support alternative technologies or failure to achieve widespread customer acceptance of these modified products could cause us to lose market share and cause our revenues to decline.

We may not predict technological trends or the success of new products in the enterprise network and communications equipment markets accurately. New product development often requires forecasting of market trends, development and implementation of new technologies and processes and capital commitments. We do not know whether other new products we develop will gain market acceptance or result in profitable sales.

Some competitors have greater engineering and product development resources. Although we expect to continue to invest significant resources in product development activities, our efforts to achieve and maintain profitability will require us to be selective and focused with our research and development expenditures. If we fail to anticipate or respond in a cost-effective and timely manner to technological developments, changes in industry standards or customer requirements, or if we experience any significant delays in product development or introduction, our business, operating results and financial condition could be affected adversely.

We may experience delays in developing and marketing product enhancements or new products that respond to technological change, evolving industry standards and changing customer requirements. Specifically as we attempt to develop more software products and continue to expand our existing product set, we cannot ensure that we will not experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction, and marketing of these products or product enhancements, or that our new products, including software-based products, and product enhancements will adequately meet the requirements of the marketplace and achieve any significant or sustainable degree of market acceptance in existing or additional markets. In addition, the future introductions or announcements of products by us or one of our competitors embodying new technologies or changes in industry standards or customer requirements could render our then-existing products obsolete or unmarketable. We cannot ensure that the introduction or announcement of new product offerings by us or one or more of our competitors will not cause customers to defer their purchase of our existing products, which could cause our revenues to decline.

Our business segments are dependent upon federal government spending.

Our E&S and S&S business segments are involved in projects that receive much of their funding from the United States federal government. To the extent that federal government spending is delayed or curtailed by government actions, our revenues and operating results may be adversely affected.

We evaluate and frequently pursue acquisitions, but we may not successfully close these acquisitions and, if these acquisitions are completed, we may have difficulty integrating the acquired businesses profitably with our existing operations.

We regularly consider the acquisition of complementary companies and product lines. We cannot, however, ensure that we will be able to find appropriate candidates for acquisitions, reach agreement to acquire them, or obtain any required shareholder or regulatory approvals needed to close strategic acquisitions, despite the effort and management attention invested.

The impact of future acquisitions on our business, operating results and financial condition is uncertain. In the case of businesses we may acquire in the future, we may have difficulty assimilating these businesses and their products, services, technologies and personnel into our operations. These difficulties could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and workforce, increase our expenses and materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. Also, we may not be able to retain key management and other critical employees after an acquisition. We may also acquire unanticipated liabilities. In addition to these risks, we may not realize all of the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions.

Our operating results fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

Our operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. Fluctuations in our quarterly operating results may be caused by many factors, including the following:

Our expense levels are based in part on expectations of future revenues. If revenue levels in a particular quarter are lower than expected, our operating results will be affected adversely.

We depend on OEM/ODM relationships and on limited-source suppliers and any disruptions in these relationships may cause damage to our customer relationships.

We procure all parts and certain services involved in the production of our products from, and subcontract much of our product manufacturing to outside firms that specialize in these services. Although most of the components of our products are available from multiple vendors, we have several single-source supplier relationships, either because alternative sources are not available or because the relationship is advantageous to us. We cannot ensure that our suppliers will be able to meet our future requirements for products and components in a timely fashion. In addition, the availability of many of these components to us is dependent in part on our ability to provide our suppliers with accurate forecasts of our future requirements. Delays or lost sales could be caused by other factors beyond our control, including defects in the quality of components or products supplied by others.

We are dependent upon our senior management and other critical employees.

Like all companies, our success depends on the efforts and abilities of our senior management personnel and other critical employees, including those in sales, marketing and product development functions. Our ability to attract, retain and motivate these employees is critical to our success. In addition, because we may acquire one or more businesses in the future, our success may depend, in part, upon our ability to retain and integrate our own personnel with personnel from acquired entities that are necessary to the continued success or the successful integration of the acquired businesses.

Managing our inventory is complex and may include write-downs of excess or obsolete inventory.

Managing our inventory of components and finished products is complicated by a number of factors, including the need to maintain a significant inventory of finished goods for orders we anticipate but do not receive. These issues may cause us to purchase and maintain significant amounts of inventory. If this inventory is not used as expected based on anticipated requirements, it may become excess or obsolete. The existence of excess or obsolete inventory can result in sales price reductions or inventory write-downs, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We face risks associated with expanding our sales outside of the United States.

We believe that our future growth depends in part upon our ability to increase sales in international markets. These sales are subject to a variety of risks, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, tariffs, import restrictions and other trade barriers, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, longer accounts receivable payment cycles, potentially adverse tax consequences, and export license requirements. In addition, we are subject to the risks inherent in conducting business internationally, including political and economic instability and unexpected changes in diplomatic and trade relationships. We cannot ensure that one or more of these factors will not have a material adverse effect on our business strategy and financial condition.

Our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could limit our ability to detect and prevent fraud and thereby adversely affect our business and stock price.

We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, significant continuing costs, including accounting fees and staffing costs, to maintain compliance with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Expansion of our business, particularly internationally, would require ongoing changes to our internal control systems, processes and information systems. In addition, if we complete future acquisitions, our ability to integrate operations of the acquired company could affect our continued compliance with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We maintain internal controls to generate reliable financial reports. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the consolidated financial system preparation and presentation. Our inability to maintain an effective control environment may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

Product defects or the failure of our products to meet specifications could cause us to lose customers and revenue or to incur unexpected expenses.

If our products do not meet our customers’ performance requirements, our customer relationships may suffer. Also, our products may contain defects or fail to meet product specifications. Any failure or poor performance of our products could result in:

Our sales and operations may continue to be adversely affected by current global economic conditions.

Over the past several years, financial markets globally have experienced periods of extreme disruption. These have included, among other things, extreme volatility in securities prices, severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, ratings downgrades of some investments and declining valuations of others, tariffs on imports and exports. The frequency, severity and duration of these disruptions in the financial markets and the global economy are unknown. We cannot ensure that there will not be a further deterioration in financial markets and in business conditions generally. These economic developments have adversely affected our business in a number of ways and will likely continue to adversely affect our business during the foreseeable future.

Our sales and operations may be adversely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.

We experienced supply chain and demand disruptions during 2020 and expect the disruption to our supply to continue into 2021, as well as to incur higher logistics and operational costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also saw delays in orders as some projects have been pushed out due to the inability to access locations due to the shutdowns. We may also see a slowdown in our business if one or more of our major customers or suppliers delays its purchase or supplies due to uncertainty in its business operations, encounters difficulties in its production due to employee safety or workforce concerns, is unable to obtain materials or labor from third parties that it needs to complete its projects, and may see a slowdown in our collection of receivables if our customers encounter cash flow difficulties or delay payments to preserve their cash resources. We are continuing to actively monitor the effects and potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business, liquidity and capital resources. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may materially impact our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations is uncertain at this time.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Our stock price has been volatile historically and the price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in the future.

The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. Our stock price may fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, such as quarterly variations in operating results, announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors, the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, and new reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions.

In addition, the stock market in general, and prices for companies in our industry in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Minnesota law could prevent or delay a change in control of our company.

Provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Minnesota law may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a shareholder may consider favorable, and could limit the price that investors are willing to pay for our common stock. These provisions include the following:

Some of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of our company even though our shareholders would receive an attractive value for their shares, or a significant number of our shareholders believe such a proposed transaction would be in their best interest.

The payment and amount of future dividends and number of shares we repurchase in the future under our Stock Repurchase Program is subject to Board of Director discretion and to various risks and uncertainties.  

We currently do not pay a quarterly dividend. The payment and amount of future quarterly dividends is within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on factors the Board deems relevant at the time declaration of a dividend is considered.  These factors include, but are not limited to: available cash; management’s expectations regarding future performance and free cash flow; alternative uses of cash to fund R&D expenditures and capital expenditures required to fund future growth; and, the effect of various risks and uncertainties described in this “Risk Factors” section. In addition, we adopted a Stock Repurchase Program in 2019. Our ability to continue this program or conduct future stock repurchase programs will depend on some of these same factors.

As discussed above, to the extent Dispositions of our current operating assets occur prior to the Pineapple merger, CSI expects to declare a cash dividend that distributes a portion of the proceeds from these Dispositions to its shareholders as of a Pre-Closing Record Date.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

CSI conducts administrative, manufacturing and engineering functions at the following facilities:

CSI believes these facilities will be adequate to accommodate its administrative, manufacturing and distribution needs for the foreseeable future and in the event the Minnetonka headquarters are sold, that it will be able to find alternative facilities adequate for its needs.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject to claims and lawsuits that have been filed in the ordinary course of business. From time to time, the Company brings suit against others to enforce contract rights or property rights, or to collect debts in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that the resolution or settlement of any pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

Market Information

The Company’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol JCS.

Holders

At March 1, 2021, there were approximately 481 registered holders of record of Communications Systems, Inc. common stock.

Information Regarding Equity Compensation Plans

The following table presents information about the Company’s equity compensation plans, under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance, as of December 31, 2020:

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

Five-year Performance Graph

Not applicable because the Company is a smaller reporting company.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

In the three months ended December 31, 2020, the company repurchased shares of stock as follows:

Not applicable because the Company is a smaller reporting company.

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Key 2021 Developments

As discussed above under “Proposed Merger with Pineapple Energy,” on March 1, 2021, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Helios Merger Co. and Pineapple Energy LLC pursuant to which Pineapple would become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). In connection with the Merger, CSI intends to pursue dispositions of its existing assets and businesses prior to the closing of the Merger. To the extent these dispositions occur, CSI expects to declare a cash dividend that distributes a portion of the proceeds from these dispositions to its shareholders as of a pre-closing record date.

Following the Merger closing, CSI will use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the dispositions of these assets as soon as reasonably practicable (and, in any event, within 18 months of the closing). Proceeds that become available from the dispositions that occur following the closing of the Merger will be distributed pro rata to the legacy shareholders pursuant to the contingent value rights agreement described above. CSI will continue to support these existing business lines as it pursues new owners for these businesses.

Overview

Communications Systems, Inc. provides connectivity infrastructure products and services for global deployments of broadband networks through the following business segments:

Electronics & Software

This segment is comprised of CSI’s Transition Networks and Net2Edge businesses. With over 30 years of growth and expertise in hardware and software development in this segment, the Company offers customers network solutions that provide secure, reliable connectivity and power through PoE products and actionable intelligence to end devices in an IoT ecosystem through embedded and cloud-based management software. In addition, this segment continues to generate revenue from its traditional products consisting of, media converters, NICs, and Ethernet switches that offer the ability to affordably integrate the benefits of fiber optics into any data network, in any application, and in any environment. The product portfolio gives customers simple, secure, and intelligent solutions for the network edge by offering support for multiple interface speeds, PoE options, and a broad array of protocols.

As data networks continue to change and evolve, the Company’ solutions enable customers to easily deploy, provision, and proactively manage their networks with actionable insights about their edge devices and connected end points, thereby minimizing the administrative burden of the operator. The Company distributes hardware-based connectivity solutions through a network of resellers in over 50 countries.

Services & Support

This segment is comprised of CSI’s JDL Technologies and Ecessa Corporation businesses. With over 30 years of growth and expertise in managed services and SD-WAN solutions in this segment, the Company offers customers:

Key 2020 Developments

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

We are subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, we instituted temporary office closures, implemented shelter-in-place orders and restrictions and instituted a mandatory work from home policy for substantially all office employees, and instituted social distancing work rules for operations personnel that continued to work in our facilities to satisfy customer orders. We experienced supply chain and demand disruptions during 2020 and expect the disruption to our supply to continue into 2021, as well as higher logistics and operational costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, we have seen an increase in demand for our fiber and high-speed products as customers are looking to upgrade their networks. As noted below, we also saw delays in orders as some projects are pushed out due to the inability to access locations due to the shutdowns. We may also see a slowdown in our business if one or more of our major customer or suppliers delays its purchase or supplies due to uncertainty in its business operations, encounters difficulties in its production due to employee safety or workforce concerns, is unable to obtain materials or labor from third parties that it needs to complete its projects, and may see a slowdown in our collection of receivables if our customers encounter cash flow difficulties or delay payments to preserve their cash resources. We are continuing to actively monitor the effects and potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business, liquidity and capital resources. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may materially impact our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations is uncertain at this time.

Forward Looking Statements

In this report and from time to time, in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders or the investing public, we may make “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may make these forward looking statements concerning possible or anticipated future financial performance, business activities, plans, pending claims, investigations or litigation, which are typically preceded by the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends” or similar expressions. For these forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in federal securities laws. Shareholders and the investing public should understand that these forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance, activities, anticipated results, outcomes or plans to differ significantly from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of a number of these risk factors, please see Item 1A above.

Critical Accounting Policies

Inventory Valuation: We value inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Reserves for excess and obsolescence are estimated and recorded to reduce the carrying value to estimated net realizable value. The amount of the reserve is determined based on historical usage, projected sales information, plans for discontinued products, and other factors. Though management considers these reserves adequate and proper, changes in sales volumes due to unexpected economic or competitive conditions are among the factors that could materially affect the adequacy of this reserve.

Income Taxes: In the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management calculates income taxes. This includes estimating the Company’s current tax liability as well as assessing temporary differences resulting from different treatment of items for tax and book accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet. These assets and liabilities are analyzed regularly and management assesses the likelihood it will realize these deferred assets from future taxable income. We determine the valuation allowance for deferred income tax benefits based upon the expectation of whether the benefits are more likely than not to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties related to income taxes as income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Goodwill Impairment: We are required to evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests upon the occurrence of certain events or circumstances. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A qualitative assessment can be performed to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the reporting unit does not pass the qualitative assessment, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value using a quantitative assessment. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered not impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss.

For the quantitative assessment, the Company estimates the fair value of each reporting unit based on a discounted cash flow analysis and a market-based valuation approach based on comparable public company trading values. The Company believes that accounting estimates related to goodwill impairment are critical because the underlying assumptions used for the discounted cash flow can change from period to period and could potentially cause a material impact to the income statement. Management’s assumptions about inflation rates and other internal and external economic conditions, such as earnings growth rate, require significant judgment based on fluctuating rates and expected revenues.

Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for these goods or services. In the Electronics & Software segment, revenue is recognized upon delivery of the Company’s connectivity infrastructure and data transmission products. To determine when revenue should be recognized, it is important to determine when the transfer of control has occurred. The Company has determined that control transfers for these products upon shipment or delivery to the customer, in accordance with the agreed upon shipping terms. As such, the timing of revenue recognition occurs at a specific point in time.

The Company has determined that the following performance obligations identified in its Services & Support segment are transferred over time: managed services and professional services (time and materials (“T&M”) and fixed price). This segment’s managed services performance obligation is a bundled solution, a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer and are recognized evenly over the term of the contract. T&M professional services arrangements are measured over time with an input method based on hours expended towards satisfying this performance obligation. Fixed price professional service arrangements under a relatively longer-term service will also be measured over time with an input method based on hours expended.

The Company has also identified the following performance obligations within its Services & Support segment that are recognized at a point in time which include resale of third-party hardware and software, installation, arranging for another party to transfer services to the customer, and certain professional services. The resale of third-party hardware and software is recognized at a point in time, when the goods are shipped or delivered to the customer’s location, in accordance with the shipping terms. Installation services are recognized at a point in time when the services are completed. The service the Company provides to arrange for another party to transfer services to the customer is satisfied at a point in time as the Company has transferred control upon the service first being made available to the customer by the third-party vendor, which are required to be presented on a net basis. Depending on the nature of the service, certain professional services transfer control at a point in time. The Company evaluates these circumstances on a case by case basis to determine if revenue should be recognized over time or at a point in time.

Results of Operations

2020 Compared to 2019

Consolidated sales were $42,576,000 in 2020, a 16% decrease from sales of $50,906,000 in 2019. Net loss from continuing operations in 2020 was $1,796,000, or ($0.19) per share compared to net income of $251,000 or $0.03 per share in 2019.

Electronics & Software Results

The Electronics & Software segment designs, develops and sells Intelligent Edge solutions that provide connectivity and power through PoE products and actionable intelligence to end devices in an IoT ecosystem through embedded and cloud-based management software. In addition, this segment continues to generate revenue from its traditional products consisting of media converters, NICs, and ethernet switches that offer the ability to affordably integrate the benefits of fiber optics into any data network. Characteristics of this business include a rapid pace of change in technologies and alternative solutions to our products. This segment derives the majority of its revenues from new installations and network upgrade projects, which tend not to recur frequently. The core markets for these products are enterprise, service providers, government, and industrial users. In 2020, 86% of Electronics & Software revenue came from North America, but we continue to see opportunity for long-term growth outside of North America and we continue to invest resources in sales, marketing, and infrastructure to grow that business.

Electronics & Software sales decreased 27% to $34,496,000 in 2020 compared to $47,007,000 in 2019. The Electronics & Software segment organizes its sales force by vertical markets and segments its customers geographically. Sales by region in 2020 and 2019 were:

The following table summarizes the segment’s 2020 and 2019 sales by product group:

Sales in North America decreased 25% or $10,050,000 in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to delayed project spending by customers due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, $7,050,000 of sales for a major metropolitan smart city intelligent transportation IoT project recorded in the prior year, that did not reoccur in the current year, and a decline in sales to major Canadian telecommunications customer, partially offset by strong sales to Federal agencies. International sales decreased $2,461,000, or 34%, primarily due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and an overall drop in demand for traditional products.

Sales of intelligent edge solutions (“IES”) products decreased 34% or $6,280,000 due to $7,050,000 of deliveries in the prior year for a major metropolitan smart city intelligent transportation IoT project that did not reoccur in the current year, partially offset by higher sales of security and surveillance products and sales to Federal agencies. Excluding the prior year major metropolitan smart city intelligent transportation IOT project, sales of IES products increased by $770,000 or 7%. Traditional product sales decreased 22% or $6,231,000, due mainly to the overall economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in media converter orders from major telecommunications customers.

Gross profit decreased 30% to $14,890,000 in 2020 compared to $21,394,000 in 2019. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased to 43% in 2020 from 46% in 2019 primarily due to the volume and favorable margin impacts from the prior year major metropolitan smart city IoT project that did not reoccur in the current year, and increased sales of some IES products to Federal agencies at lower margins, partially offset by lower inventory write-downs year over year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 20% to $13,875,000, or 40% of sales, in 2020 from $17,354,000, or 37% of sales in 2019 due to reduced travel, marketing and personnel expenses, in part due to steps taken by management in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Electronics & Software had operating income of $1,015,000 in 2020 compared to operating income of $4,040,000 in 2019, primarily due to lower sales and gross margin.

Services & Support Results

Services & Support sales increased 85% to $8,777,000 in 2020 compared to $4,741,000 in 2019.

Revenues by customer group were as follows:

Revenues by revenue type were as follows:

Revenues from the education sector increased $2,557,000 or 133% in 2020 primarily due to the commencement of projects that had been previously delayed due to funding issues where the prior year had less project revenue in this sector. Projects for this education customer commenced at the end of the second quarter of 2020. Although the education vertical remains an important element of Services & Support’s overall market strategy, much of the Company’s historical revenue from the education sector has been derived from a school district in Florida. The Company has substantially completed its work on this project and was not selected as the primary vendor on the next multi-year project for this school district, but has been selected as the secondary vendor for structured cabling and enterprise networking.

Revenue from small to medium businesses (“SMBs”), which are primarily healthcare, financial and commercial clients, increased by 82% or $1,622,000 due to the acquisition of Ecessa on May 14, 2020 and the acquisition of the assets of IVDesk on November 3, 2020. The decrease in the CSI IT operations revenue as compared to 2019 is related to hardware refresh revenue in the prior year that was not repeated in the current year. Project and product revenue increased $2,878,000 or 128% during 2020 as compared to 2019 due primarily to the increase in the education sector. Services and support revenue increased $1,158,000 or 46% as compared to the same quarter of the prior year due to the Company’s acquisition of Ecessa, which has service and support revenue on its SD-WAN products. Overall, Ecessa contributed $1,260,000 and IVDesk contributed $401,000 in revenue during the year.

Gross profit increased 101% to $2,979,000 in 2020 compared to $1,482,000 in 2019. Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 34% in 2020 compared to 31% in 2019 due to the increase in project revenue in the education sector, primarily within the second half.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 80% in 2020 to $2,669,000, or 30% of sales, compared to $1,485,000 in 2019, or 31% of sales due to the May 2020 acquisition of Ecessa and the inclusion of its general and administrative costs that are not included in the prior year.

Operating income was $310,000 in 2020 compared to an operating loss of $3,000 in 2019, primarily due to increased education revenue.

Other

As a result of our treatment of Suttle as discontinued operations, “Other” includes non-allocated corporate overhead costs as well as costs allocated to Suttle that are not considered discontinued operations. In the past, the Company would estimate annual revenue and headcount for each principal business unit and then allocate a portion of shared service corporate overhead costs based on these metrics. Because Suttle is now treated as discontinued operations, these costs are now included within “Other.”

Income Taxes

The Company’s loss from continuing operations before income taxes was $1,775,000 in 2020 compared to income before income taxes of $235,000 in 2019. The Company’s effective income tax rate was -1.1% in 2020 compared to -6.5% in 2019. The 2020 effective rate differed from the standard rate of 21% primarily due to the valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets, along with the impact of state income taxes, foreign tax rate differences, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes, and provisions for interest charges for uncertain income tax positions. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a federal net operating loss carryforward from 2015 through 2020 activity of approximately $10,940,000 that is available to offset future taxable income and begins to expire in 2035. The Company also has a federal capital loss carryforward from 2018 of approximately $1,930,000 that is available to offset future capital gains and expires in 2023. See Note 13 for a reconciliation of the standard tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for 2020 and 2019.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

The Company is a growth-focused supplier of IoT and edge management products and IT services, providing connectivity infrastructure and services for global deployments of broadband networks. The Company continually searches for acquisition candidates with products that would enable the Company to better serve its target markets.

Effects of Inflation

Inflation has not had a significant effect on operations in recent years. The Company does not have long-term production or procurement contracts and has historically been able to adjust pricing and purchasing decisions to respond to inflationary pressures.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $21,457,000 in cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments, compared to $24,057,000 at December 31, 2019. Of this amount, $9,424,000 was invested in short-term money market funds that are not considered to be bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or other government agency. These money market funds seek to preserve the value of the investment at $1.00 per share; however, it is possible to lose money investing in these funds. The remainder in cash and cash equivalents is operating cash. The Company also had $8,364,000 in investments consisting of commercial paper and corporate notes and bonds that are traded on the open market and are classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2020.

The Company had working capital of $28,320,000, consisting of current assets of approximately $35,758,000 and current liabilities of $7,438,000 at December 31, 2020 compared to working capital of $38,052,000, consisting of current assets of $49,402,000 and current liabilities of $11,350,000 at the end of 2019.

Cash flow used in operating activities was approximately $4,684,000 in 2020 compared to $10,231,000 provided in 2019. Significant working capital changes from 2019 to 2020 included a $1.4M decrease in accounts payable and $1.5M used in discontinued operations.

Cash provided by investing activities was $3,930,000 in 2020 compared to $5,222,000 used in 2019.

Net cash used by financing activities was $800,000 in 2020 compared to $1,450,000 in 2019. Cash dividends paid on common stock decreased to $564,000 in 2020 ($0.06 per common share) from $743,000 in 2019 ($0.08 per common share). Proceeds from common stock issuances, principally shares sold to the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan and issued under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, totaled approximately $119,000 in 2020 and $715,000 in 2019. The Company acquired $71,000 and $2,000 in 2020 and 2019, respectively, of Company stock from employees to satisfy withholding tax obligations related to share-based compensation, pursuant to terms of Board and shareholder-approved compensation plans. The Company also acquired $284,000 of Company stock under a $2,000,000 Stock Repurchase Program authorized by the Board of Directors in August 2019. At December 31, 2020, there remained $341,000 under the 2019 Stock Repurchase Program.

Line of Credit

On August 28, 2020, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, establishing a $5,000,000 line of credit facility that replaced a prior facility. On October 29, 2020, the Company entered into a First Amendment to the Credit Agreement. Under the Credit Agreement, as amended, the Company has the ability to obtain one or more letters of credit in an aggregate amount up to $2.0 million, subject to the general terms of the Credit Agreement.

The Company had no outstanding borrowings against this line of credit, or the prior facility, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and $1,051,000 was available for use as of December 31, 2020. Interest on borrowings on the credit line is at LIBOR plus 1.25%, with a minimum LIBOR rate of 0.75% (2.0% at December 31, 2020). The credit agreement expires August 28, 2021 and is secured by government securities owned and pledged by the Company.

In connection with the Company’s November 3, 2020 purchase of the operating assets of privately held IVDesk from a third-party Receiver, the Company provided the Receiver as seller a $550,000 letter of credit to secure the Company’s obligation to pay the earn-out under the asset purchase agreement. The letter of credit was issued pursuant to the line of credit with Wells Fargo. In March 2021, the Company paid the $550,000 balance and the letter of credit was cancelled.

In the opinion of management, based on the Company’s current financial and operating position and projected future expenditures, sufficient funds are available to meet the Company’s anticipated operating and capital expenditure needs.

Future Liquidity and Capital Resources and Needs: Financing Growth

As discussed above under “Proposed Merger with Pineapple Energy,” on March 1, 2021, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Helios Merger Co. and Pineapple Energy LLC pursuant to which Pineapple would become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). In connection with the Merger, CSI intends to pursue dispositions of its existing assets and businesses prior to the closing of the Merger. To the extent these dispositions occur, CSI expects to declare a cash dividend that distributes a portion of the proceeds from these dispositions to its shareholders as of a pre-closing record date.

Following the Merger closing, CSI will use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the dispositions of these assets as soon as reasonably practicable (and, in any event, within 18 months of the closing). Proceeds that become available from the dispositions that occur following the closing of the Merger will be distributed pro rata to the legacy shareholders pursuant to the contingent value rights agreement described above. CSI will continue to support these existing business lines as it pursues new owners for these businesses.

In connection with the execution of the Merger agreement, the Company announced that CSI and Pineapple Energy were exploring equity financing through a private placement that would close in connection with the closing of the Merger, with proceeds to be used by the combined company to finance additional acquisitions and working capital needs of the combined company.

A full description of the terms of the merger and related transactions will be provided in a proxy statement for the shareholders of CSI, as well as other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contractual Obligation Summary

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2020 and the effect these obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods:

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no other material commitments (either cancelable or non-cancelable) for capital expenditures, short or long-term debt, capital leases or other purchase commitments related to ongoing operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 of the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” under Item 8 herein for a discussion of new accounting standards.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

The Company has no freestanding or embedded derivatives. The Company’s policy is to not use freestanding derivatives and to not enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales.

The vast majority of our transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars. Although products sold by our Net2Edge subsidiary are generally denominated in British pounds, Net2Edge sales represented less than 5% of our consolidated net sales in 2020 and 2019. Therefore, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have historically not been material to the Company.

At December 31, 2020, our bank line of credit carried a LIBOR rate plus 1.25%, with a minimum LIBOR rate of 0.75%. The Company’s investments are money market, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and corporate notes and bonds types of investments that earn interest at prevailing market rates and as such do not have material risk exposure.

Based on the Company’s operations, in the opinion of management, the Company is not exposed to material future losses due to market risk.

The Company believes its risk of material loss due to fluctuations in foreign currency markets to be small, primarily resulting from its Net2Edge operations and sales.

(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

The management of Communications Systems, Inc. and its subsidiary companies is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the financial statements and other financial information contained in the annual report. The financial statements and related information were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include amounts that are based on management’s informed judgments and estimates.

In fulfilling its responsibilities for the integrity of financial information, management maintains accounting systems and related controls. These controls provide reasonable assurance, at appropriate costs, that assets are safeguarded against losses and that financial records are reliable for use in preparing financial statements. Management recognizes its responsibility for conducting the Company’s affairs according to the highest standards of personal and corporate conduct.

The Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, comprised solely of outside directors, meets with the independent auditors and management periodically to review accounting, auditing, financial reporting and internal control matters. The independent auditors have free access to this committee, without management present, to discuss the results of their audit work and their opinion on the adequacy of internal financial controls and the quality of financial reporting.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the board of directors of Communications Systems, Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Communications Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Valuation of Intangible Assets Acquired in Business Combinations

Critical Audit Matter Description

As described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company completed the acquisitions of Ecessa Corporation and IVDesk Minnesota, Inc. during the year ended December 31, 2020. The aggregate consideration for the acquisitions was $6,010,000. Both acquisitions were accounted for as business combinations. The Company measured the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value, which resulted in the recognition of intangible assets totaling $2,980,000, which consisted primarily of internally developed software of $1,800,000 and customer relationships of $1,010,000. The Company has also recorded goodwill of $2,086,000 as a result of these acquisitions.

The valuation of the intangible assets is complex and judgmental due to the use of subjective assumptions in the valuation models used by management when determining the estimated fair values of the assets. The determination of the fair values of the intangible assets requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, expenses, discount rates, risk-free rates, weighted-average cost of capital, equity risk premium, and royalty rates.

Auditing management’s valuation of the acquired intangible assets is complex due to the judgments required to evaluate management’s previously noted estimates and assumptions.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:

Assessment of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Critical Audit Matter Description

As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company reviews its long-lived assets periodically to determine whether indicators of potential impairment exist. Potential impairment is determined by comparing the carrying value of the assets with the expected future cash flows to be provided by operating activities of the business or related asset groups. If the sum of the expected future net cash flows is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would be measured by comparing the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. Management identified triggering events during the year ended December 31, 2020, that indicated that long-lived assets could potentially be impaired, and performed an impairment test as of December 31, 2020.

While the impairment test did not result in the recording of any impairment loss, the impairment test is complex and judgmental due to the use of subjective assumptions used by management when determining the asset groups to be evaluated for impairment, estimating expected future cash flows to be provided by operating activities of the identified asset groups, and estimating fair values of the assets or asset groups when applicable.

Auditing management’s impairment analysis is complex due to the judgments required to evaluate management’s forecasts of expected future cash flows and estimated fair values when applicable.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:

Goodwill Impairment Evaluation

Critical Audit Matter Description

As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company tests goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if events have occurred or circumstances exist that indicate the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. Due to the presence of the triggering events noted in the Assessment of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets critical audit matter, management performed an impairment test for goodwill as of December 31, 2020. The Company performed qualitative assessments to determine whether It was more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of the reporting units were less than their carrying amounts, including goodwill.

While the impairment test did not result in the recording of any impairment loss, the identification of triggering events indicates potential impairment of goodwill, which requires management to make significant judgments in performing its assessment including the evaluation of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance, other entity-specific events, events affecting the reporting units, and trends in the Company’s share price.

Auditing management’s impairment analysis is complex due to the judgments required to evaluate management’s assessment of those factors identified above.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:

/s/ Baker Tilly US, LLP

(formerly known as Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP)

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 31, 2021

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of business: Communications Systems, Inc. (herein collectively referred to as “CSI,” “our,” “we” or the “Company”) is a Minnesota corporation organized in 1969 that classifies its business into two segments: (1) the Electronics & Software segment (consisting of US-based subsidiary Transition Networks and UK-based subsidiary Net2Edge) which (i) manufactures and sells solutions that provide actionable intelligence, power and connectivity at the edge of networks through PoE products, software and services as well as traditional products such as media converters, network adapters and other connectivity products and (ii) designs, develops, and sells edge network access products, TDM (time-division multiplexing) over IP and other circuit emulation solutions, along with specialized cloud-based software solutions, primarily within the telecommunications market; and (2) the Services and Support segment (consisting of subsidiaries JDL and Ecessa), which (i) provides technology solutions including virtualization, managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation, and hybrid cloud infrastructure and deployment and (ii) designs, develops, and sells SD-WAN (software-designed wide-area network) solutions.

The Company classifies its businesses into two segments. Non-allocated general and administrative expenses are separately accounted for as “Other” in the Company’s segment reporting. Intersegment revenues are eliminated upon consolidation.

Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Use of estimates: The presentation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company uses estimates based on the best information available in recording transactions and balances resulting from operations. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s estimates consist principally of reserves for doubtful accounts, sales returns, warranty costs, asset impairment evaluations, accruals for compensation plans, self-insured medical and dental accruals, lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, provisions for income taxes and deferred taxes, and depreciable lives of fixed assets.

Cash equivalents: For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $13,092,000 in cash and cash equivalents. Of this amount, $9,424,000 was invested in short-term money market funds that are not considered to be bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the federal deposit insurance company (FDIC) or other government agency. These money market funds seek to preserve the value of the investment at $1.00 per share; however, it is possible to lose money investing in these funds. The remainder is operating cash and certificates of deposit which are fully insured through the FDIC.

Investments: Investments consist of corporate notes and bonds, and commercial paper that are traded on the open market and are classified as available-for-sale and minority investments in strategic technology companies. Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from operations and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax (see Accumulated other comprehensive loss below).

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Provision to reduce inventories to the lower of cost or net realizable value is made based on a review of excess and obsolete inventories, estimates of future sales, examination of historical consumption rates and the related value of component parts.

Property, plant and equipment: Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Depreciation included in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses for continuing operations was $757,000 and $1,028,000 for 2020 and 2019, respectively. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations and additions or improvements are capitalized. Items of property sold, retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts and any gains or losses on disposal are reflected in operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the amount by which the purchase prices (including liabilities assumed) of acquired businesses exceed the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets and separately identifiable assets of these businesses. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment. The Company reassesses the value of our reporting units and related goodwill balances annually on April 1 and at other times if events have occurred or circumstances exist that indicate the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable.

Recoverability of long-lived assets: The Company reviews its long-lived assets periodically when impairment indicators exist as required under generally accepted accounting principles. Potential impairment is determined by comparing the carrying value of the assets with expected net cash flows expected to be provided by operating activities of the business or related products. If the sum of the expected future net cash flows is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would be measured by comparing the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Warranty: The Company reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. We estimate the costs of our warranty obligations based on our warranty policy or applicable contractual warranty, historical experience of known product failure rates, and use of materials and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. Management reviews the estimated warranty liability on a quarterly basis to determine its adequacy.

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s warranty liability, included in other accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, which relate to normal product warranties and a five-year obligation to provide for potential future liabilities for certain network equipment sales:

Accumulated other comprehensive loss: The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

Revenue recognition: The Company’s manufacturing operations (Electronics & Software segment) recognize revenue upon delivery of the Company’s connectivity infrastructure and data transmission products. To determine when revenue should be recognized, it is important to determine when the transfer of control has occurred. The Company has determined that control transfers for these products upon shipment or delivery to the customer, in accordance with the agreed upon shipping terms. As such, the timing of revenue recognition occurs at a specific point in time. Sales are made directly to customers and through distributors. Payment terms for distributors are consistent with the terms of the Company’s direct customers. The Company records a provision for sales returns, sales incentives and warranty costs at the time of the sale based on historical experience and current trends.

The Company has determined that the following performance obligations identified in its Services and Support segment are transferred over time: managed services and professional services (time and materials (“T&M”) and fixed price). This segment’s managed services performance obligation is a bundled solution, a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer and are recognized evenly over the term of the contract. T&M professional services arrangements are measured over time with an input method based on hours expended towards satisfying this performance obligation. Fixed price professional service arrangements under a relatively longer-term service will also be measured over time with an input method based on hours expended.

The Company has also identified the following performance obligations within its Services and Support segment that are recognized at a point in time which include resale of third-party hardware and software, installation, arranging for another party to transfer services to the customer, and certain professional services. The resale of third-party hardware and software is recognized at a point in time, when the goods are shipped or delivered to the customer’s location, in accordance with the agreed upon shipping terms. Installation services are recognized at a point in time when the services are completed. The service the Company provides to arrange for another party to transfer services to the customer is satisfied at a point in time as the Company has transferred control upon the service first being made available to the customer by the third-party vendor, which are required to be presented on a net basis. Depending on the nature of the service, certain professional services transfer control at a point in time. The Company evaluates these circumstances on a case by case basis to determine if revenue should be recognized over time or at a point in time. See Note 2 for further discussion regarding revenue recognition.

Research and development: Research and development costs consist of outside testing services, equipment and supplies associated with enhancing existing products and developing new products. Research and development costs are expensed when incurred and totaled $2,808,000 in 2020 and $3,600,000 in 2019.

Employee Retirement Benefits: The Company has an Employee Savings Plan (401(k)) and matches a percentage of employee contributions up to six percent of compensation. Contributions to the plan in 2020 and 2019 were $371,000 and $401,000, respectively.

Net income (loss) per share: Basic net income (loss) per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted net income (loss) per common share adjusts for the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding. The Company’s only potential common shares outstanding are stock options and shares associated with the long-term incentive compensation plans, which resulted in no dilutive effect for 2020 and a dilutive effect of 65,163 shares in 2019. Due to the net loss in 2020, there was no dilutive impact from outstanding stock options or unvested shares. The Company calculates the dilutive effect of outstanding options and unvested shares using the treasury stock method. Options totaling 697,201 would have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for year ended December 31, 2020, because the exercise price was greater than the average market price of common stock during the year and deferred stock awards totaling 110,308 shares would not have been included because of unmet performance conditions. Options totaling 860,539 were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for year ended December 31, 2019, because the exercise price was greater than the average market price of common stock during the year and deferred stock awards totaling 178,278 shares were not included because of unmet performance conditions.

Share based compensation: The Company accounts for share based compensation awards on a fair value basis. The estimated grant date fair value of each stock-based award is recognized in income over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The estimated fair value of each option is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

Accounting standards issued:

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The amendments in this update replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses. This ASU is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about expected credit losses and is effective for annual periods and interim periods for those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, which for us is the first quarter ending March 31, 2023. Entities may early adopt beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting standards adopted:

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement.” This new standard requires changes to the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for certain Level 3 items and specifies that some of the changes must be applied prospectively, while others should be applied retrospectively. This standard is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. the company adopted this standard during 2020 with an immaterial impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”, which, as part of its Simplification Initiative to reduce the cost and complexity in accounting for income taxes, removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 also amends other aspects of the guidance to help simplify and promote consistent application of GAAP. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard during 2020 with an immaterial impact to our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for these goods or services.

Electronics & Software

The Company has determined that the revenue recognition for its Electronics & Software segment occurs upon delivery of the Company’s connectivity infrastructure and data transmission products. To determine when revenue should be recognized, it is important to determine when the transfer of control has occurred. The Company has determined that control transfers for these products upon shipment or delivery to the customer, in accordance with the agreed upon shipping terms. As such, the timing of revenue recognition occurs at a specific point in time.

Services & Support

The Company has determined that the following performance obligations identified in its Services & Support segment are transferred over time: managed services and professional services (time and materials (“T&M”) and fixed price). The managed services performance obligation is a bundled solution, a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer and are recognized evenly over the term of the contract. T&M professional services arrangements are measured over time with an input method based on hours expended towards satisfying this performance obligation. Fixed price professional service arrangements under a relatively longer-term service will also be measured over time with an input method based on hours expended.

The Company has also identified the following performance obligations within its Services & Support segment that are recognized at a point in time which include resale of third-party hardware and software, installation, arranging for another party to transfer services to the customer, and certain professional services. The resale of third-party hardware and software is recognized at a point in time, when the goods are shipped or delivered to the customer’s location, in accordance with the agreed upon shipping terms. Installation services are recognized at a point in time when the services are completed. The service the Company provides to arrange for another party to transfer services to the customer is satisfied at a point in time as the Company has transferred control upon the service first being made available to the customer by the third-party vendor, which are required to be presented on a net basis. Depending on the nature of the service, certain professional services transfer control at a point in time. The Company evaluates these circumstances on a case-by-case basis to determine if revenue should be recognized over time or at a point in time.

Significant Judgments

To determine the transaction price, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration at the outset of the contract, depending on the facts and circumstances relative to the contract. The Company may provide credits or incentives to its customers, which are accounted for as either variable consideration or consideration payable to the customer. The Company estimates product returns based on historical return rates. The Company constrains (reduces) the estimates of variable consideration such that it is probable that a significant revenue reversal of previously recognized revenue will not occur throughout the life of the contract. When determining if variable consideration should be constrained, management considers whether there are factors outside the Company’s control that could result in a significant reversal of revenue. In making these assessments, the Company considers the likelihood and magnitude of a potential reversal of revenue. The Company will assess if any incentives it offers to its customer is a consideration payable. The Company accounts for consideration payable to a customer as a reduction of the transaction price, and therefore, of revenue. For contracts with more than one performance obligation, the consideration is allocated between separate products and services based on their stand-alone selling prices. Judgment is required to determine standalone selling prices for each distinct performance obligation. The Company generally determines standalone selling prices based on the actual prices charged to customers and has an established range of amounts that fall within stand-alone selling price for its distinct performance obligations. The Company evaluates this range quarterly.

Costs to Obtain or Fulfill a Contract

The Company evaluates “Other Assets and Deferred Costs” (ASC 340-40), for the accounting for certain costs to obtain and fulfill contracts (or, in some cases, an anticipated contract) with a customer. ASC 340-40 is applicable only to incremental contract costs, those that an entity would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained, and requires the capitalization of these costs as well as provides guidance on the amortization and impairment considerations. The Company elects the practical expedient and expenses certain costs to obtain contracts when applicable. Within Services & Support, commissions were paid upfront on certain long-term recurring revenue agreements. Total costs to obtain a contract in the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $52,000 and $0, respectively.

Transaction Price Allocated to Future Performance Obligations

To determine the allocation of the transaction price and amounts allocated to the performance obligations, the Company first determined the standalone selling price for each distinct performance obligation in the contract in order to determine the allocations of the transaction price in proportion to the standalone selling price for each performance obligation in the contract in accordance with ASC 606-10-32-31 and 32-33. Judgment is required to determine standalone selling price for each distinct performance obligation. The Company generally determines standalone selling prices based on the actual prices charged to customers and has an established range of amounts that fall within stand-alone selling price for its distinct performance obligations. The Company evaluates this range quarterly.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

The Company adopted various practical expedients and policy elections related to the accounting for significant finance components, sales taxes, shipping and handling, costs to obtain a contract and immaterial promised goods or services. The practical expedient to disclose the unfulfilled performance obligations was not made as they are expected to be fulfilled within one year.

Disaggregation of revenue

Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that best reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In accordance with ASC 606-10-50-5, the following tables present how we disaggregate our revenues, which is different for each segment.

For the Electronics & Software segment, we analyze revenue by region and product group, which is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

For the Services & Support segment, we analyze revenue by customer group and type, which is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Contract Balances

The contract assets associated with the commission costs noted above were $267,000 and $0 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company does not have material contract liabilities.

NOTE 3 – LEASES

In accordance with ASC Topic 842, the Company recognizes assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases that extend more than twelve months from the date of the balance sheet. Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, while lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of a lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Because the rate implicit in each individual lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments.

The Company has entered into operating leases for three office locations, including one in February 2019 and one in May 2020 upon the acquisition of Ecessa. These leases have remaining lease terms of 2 to 7 years. One of the leases includes two options to extend the lease for 5 years each, and the other lease includes an option to terminate the lease in 2022. One lease includes a 3% rent adjustment on each anniversary of the lease and another includes a 2.5% annual rent adjustment as well as one free month each year. As of December 31, 2020, total ROU assets and operating lease liabilities were $413,000 and $411,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, total ROU assets and operating lease liabilities were $368,000 and $360,000, respectively. All operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $180,000 and $124,000 in lease expense, respectively. The Company also recognized $82,000 and $0 in sublease income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Information related to the Company’s ROU assets and related lease liabilities were as follows:

Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

As of December 31, 2020, the Company does not have any additional future operating lease obligations that have not yet commenced.

NOTE 4 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On April 5, 2019, the Company sold its Suttle FutureLink™ Fiber business line, including inventory, equipment, and customer relationships, to PPC Broadband Inc. (“PPC”). The transaction was structured as an Asset Purchase Agreement with a simultaneous signing and closing. The sale price was $5,000,000 cash, of which $500,000 was deferred into an escrow account until certain criteria were met and was recorded as restricted cash within the consolidated balance sheet. The Company recognized a gain on the sale of inventory and capital equipment totaling $2,967,000 during the second quarter of 2019. Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, Suttle and PPC entered into a Transition Services Agreement under which Suttle agreed to manufacture products related to the FutureLink™ Fiber business line until September 30, 2019, to ensure seamless supply to the customer base.

On March 11, 2020, the Company sold the remainder of its Suttle business lines, including the SoHo, MediaMAX, and SpeedStar brands and inventory as well as working capital, certain capital equipment, intellectual property, and customer relationships to Oldcastle Infrastructure, Inc. (“Oldcastle”) for $8,000,000, with a working capital adjustment 90 days after close. Oldcastle will operate the majority of the acquired Suttle business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Primex Technologies, Inc. Through the sale to Primex, a separate online equipment auction held in the fourth quarter of 2020, and various other sales, the Company received total proceeds of $8,900,000 and recorded a gain on the sale of $2,247,000 in 2020.

Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, the Company and Oldcastle entered into a Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”) under which Suttle continued to manufacture products for Oldcastle for six months, to ensure seamless supply and quality assurance to the existing customer base. Concurrently with the closing of the transaction and the TSA, the Company and Oldcastle also entered into a lease agreement under which Oldcastle will lease two buildings in Hector, Minnesota, where Suttle had conducted operations. Base rents under the lease agreement range from $6,970 to $7,180 per month. The associated assets and liabilities related to this sale were classified as held for sale at December 31, 2019. The presentation of discontinued operations has been retrospectively applied to all prior periods presented.

The assets and liabilities of this discontinued operation that are classified as held for sale are as follows:

The financial results of the discontinued operations are as follows:

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $960,000 in restructuring expense. This consisted of severance and related benefits costs due to the sale of the remainder of Suttle’s business lines and the closure of the plant now that the TSA is completed. We expect total restructuring costs to be $1,000,000, including any remaining shut down costs. The Company paid $708,000 in restructuring charges during 2020 and had $252,000 in restructuring accruals recorded in accrued compensation and benefits at December 31, 2020 that are expected to be paid during 2021.

NOTE 5 –BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On May 14, 2020, in a reverse triangular merger, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of Ecessa Corporation. Ecessa designs and distributes software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) solutions for businesses through the deployment of over 10,000 field installations (since 2002) of Ecessa Edge®, PowerLink®, and WANworX® controllers. The acquisition expands the Company’s IoT intelligent edge products and services and provides opportunities to expand the Company’s services platform. The purchase price was $4,642,000, with cash acquired totaling $666,000. The purchase price includes initial consideration of $4,666,000 and $ (24,000) in working capital adjustments.

The assets and liabilities of Ecessa were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet within the Services & Support segment as of the acquisition date, at their respective fair values. The purchase price allocation is based on the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and has been allocated as follows:

Identifiable intangible assets are definite-lived assets. These assets include trade name/trademark/internet domain assets, non-compete agreements, customer relationships, and internally developed software intangible assets, and have a weighted average amortization period of 7 years, which matches the weighted average useful life of the assets. Goodwill recorded as part of the purchase price allocation is not tax deductible. The pro forma impact of Ecessa was not significant to the Company’s results for the year ended December 31, 2020. Ecessa’s revenue and operating loss since acquisition are $1,265,000 and $ (598,000), respectively. The operating loss is primarily due to the revaluation of $1,561,000 of pre-acquisition deferred revenue to a preliminary fair value of $257,000 as of the opening balance sheet date and $205,000 of intangibles amortization, thus lowering revenue recognized and increasing post-acquisition expenses on a similar operating cost structure. The Company is still in process of integrating Ecessa into its operations and therefore has not realized all potential cost-saving synergies.

On November 3, 2020, the Company acquired the operating assets of privately held IVDesk Minnesota, Inc. (“IVDesk”) from a third-party receiver (“Receiver”). IVDesk provides private cloud services to small- and mid-size businesses (SMB), with a particular focus on the financial services industry. The acquisition expands the Company’s monthly recurring revenue service model, bringing additional resources and experience in cloud-delivered applications. The purchase price was $1,368,000 and includes initial consideration of $950,000, working capital adjustments of $ (132,000), and $550,000 in contingent consideration. The Company has agreed to pay up to $550,000 in additional consideration upon retaining a certain customer level 120 days after closing. The Company provided the Receiver as seller a $550,000 letter of credit to secure its obligation to pay the earn-out under the asset purchase agreement. At December 31, 2020, the Company had estimated liabilities of $550,000 related to the outstanding consideration. During March 2021, upon meeting the requirements of the earn-out, the Company paid the Receiver the additional consideration.

The estimated assets and liabilities of IVDesk are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet within the Services & Support segment at December 31, 2020. The preliminary purchase price allocation was based on estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and included total assets of $1,500,000, including estimated goodwill of $745,000 and estimated intangibles of $720,000, and total liabilities of $132,000. The fair value of acquired identifiable intangible assets of $720,000 is provisional depending on the final valuations for those assets. All balances recorded are estimated amounts and the Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation during the first half of 2021 as the valuation of identifiable assets and liabilities is completed. The pro forma impact of IVDesk was not significant to the Company’s results for the year ended December 31, 2020. IVDesk’s revenue since acquisition was $401,000.

NOTE 6 –CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS

The following tables show the Company’s cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities’ amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value by significant investment category recorded as cash equivalents or short and long-term investments as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

December 31, 2020

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of our investments, designated as available-for-sale and classified by the contractual maturity date of the securities as of December 31, 2020:

The Company tests for other than temporary losses on a quarterly basis and has considered the unrealized losses indicated above to be temporary in nature. The Company intends to hold the investments until it can recover the full principal amount and has the ability to do so based on other sources of liquidity. The Company expects such recoveries to occur prior to the contractual maturities.

The Company did not recognize any gross realized gains or gross realized losses during the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. If the Company had realized gains or losses, they would be included within investment and other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of (loss) income.

In April 2020, the Company made an $899,000 minority investment in the common stock of Quortus Ltd., a UK-based company that provides virtual core network software for Private LTE solutions for critical and secure communications. This investment is important for the Company’s Electronics & Software segment because this segment has been partnering with Quortus to integrate the Quortus Private LTE core in existing and new products for that segment’s federal business, network extensions, and private networks for enterprises. The Company’s investment represents less than 10% of the outstanding equity of Quortus Ltd. The Company uses the cost method to account for investments in common stock of entities such as Quortus if the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial matters of the entity. The Company also uses the cost method to account for its investments that are not in the form of common stock or in-substance common stock in entities if the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial matters.

NOTE 7 - INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of:

NOTE 8 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment and the estimated useful lives are as follows:

NOTE 9 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2020 by company are as follows: 

The fair value of goodwill of $745,000 and acquired identifiable intangible assets of $720,000 is provisional at December 31, 2020 depending on the final valuations for those assets.

The Company’s identifiable intangible assets with finite lives (excluding the provisional $720,000 related to IVDesk) are being amortized over their estimated useful lives and were as follows: