2. Summary of significant accounting policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Principles of consolidation:  The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of TransAct and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, which require consolidation, after the elimination of intercompany accounts, transactions and unrealized profit.

Reclassifications:  Certain amounts in the prior years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Use of estimates:  The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared using estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment reporting: We apply the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, “Segment Reporting.”  We view our operations and manage our business as one segment: the design, development, assembly and marketing of transaction printers and terminals and providing printer-related software, services, supplies and spare parts.  Factors used to identify TransAct’s single operating segment include the organizational structure of the Company and the financial information available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker in making decisions about how to allocate resources and assess performance.

Cash and cash equivalents:  We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Allowance for doubtful accounts:  We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts to ensure trade receivables are valued appropriately. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on a variety of factors, including the length of time receivables are past due, significant one-time events and historical experience.  We record a specific allowance for individual accounts when we become aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position.  If circumstances related to customers change, we would further adjust estimates of the recoverability of receivables.  Allowances for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable balances were $63,000 as of December 31, 2013 and $66,000 as of December 31, 2012.

The following table summarizes the activity recorded in the valuation account for accounts receivable:

	Year ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2013		2012		2011
Balance, beginning of period	$	66	$	70	$	57
Additions charged to costs and expenses		-		-		1
Acquisition of business		-		-		15
Deductions		(3)		(4)		(3)
Balance, end of period	$	63	$	66	$	70

Inventories:  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally standard cost, which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis) or market.  We review market value based on historical usage and estimates of future demand.  Based on these reviews, inventory write-downs are recorded, as necessary, to reflect estimated obsolescence, excess quantities and market value.  

Fixed assets:  Fixed assets are stated at cost.  Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives.  The estimated useful life of tooling is five years; machinery and equipment is ten years; furniture and office equipment is five to ten years; and computer software and equipment is three to seven years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the lease or the useful life of the asset.  Costs related to repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.  The costs of sold or retired assets are removed from the related asset and accumulated depreciation accounts and any gain or loss is recognized.  Depreciation expense was $1,216,000, $1,183,000 and $1,339,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Leases:  Rent expense under non-cancelable operating leases with scheduled rent increases or free rent periods are accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term, beginning on the date of control of physical use of the asset or of initial possession.  The amount of the excess of straight-line rent expense over scheduled payments is recorded as a deferred liability.  Construction allowances and other such lease incentives are recorded as deferred credits, and are amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense beginning in the period they are deemed to be earned, which generally coincides with the occupancy date.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Goodwill and Intangible assets: We acquire businesses in purchase transactions that result in the recognition of goodwill and intangible assets. The determination of the value of intangible assets requires management to make estimates and assumptions. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350-20 “Goodwill”, acquired goodwill is not amortized but is subject to impairment testing at least annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change, that indicate it is more likely than not an impairment exists. Factors considered that may trigger an impairment review of either acquired goodwill or intangible assets are: significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; significant changes in the manner of use of acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business; significant negative industry or economic trends; and significant decline in market capitalization relative to net book value. Definite lived intangible assets are amortized and are tested for impairment when appropriate. We have determined that no goodwill impairment has occurred based on our assessment as of December 31, 2013 when the impairment review is performed.

Revenue recognition:Our typical contracts include the sale of printers, which are sometimes accompanied by separately-priced extended warranty contracts.  We also sell replacement parts, consumables, and other repair services (sometimes pursuant to multi-year product maintenance contracts), which are not included in the original printer sale and are ordered by the customer as needed.  We recognize revenue pursuant to the guidance within ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition” (ASC 605).  Specifically, revenue is recognized when evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery (based on shipping terms, which are generally FOB shipping point) has occurred, the selling price is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.  We recognize revenue from the sale of printers and terminals to our distributors and resellers on a sell-in basis and on substantially the same terms as we recognize revenue from all our other customers.  We provide for an estimate of product returns and price protection based on historical experience at the time of revenue recognition.

We have developed a software solution, EPICENTRAL, that will enable casino operators to create promotional coupons and marketing messages and to print them in real-time at the slot machine.  Revenue arrangements for EPICENTRALTM include multiple deliverables and as a result such arrangements are accounted for in accordance with both ASC 605-25, “Multiple-Element Arrangements” and ASC 985-605, “Software.”  EPICENTRALTM is primarily comprised of both a software component, which is licensed, and a hardware component, which can either be leased or sold to end users, and both components are integrated to deliver the system’s full functionality. Under leasing arrangements, revenue is generally recognized ratably over the lease term, excluding revenue allocated to installation, which is recognized upon completion. In an arrangement where the hardware is purchased, revenue, inclusive of software license fees, is generally recognized upon installation and formal acceptance by the customer with the exception of any amount allocated to free maintenance which is deferred and recognized over the free maintenance period.  For EPICENTRALTM and other multiple deliverable arrangements, we consider whether the deliverables in an arrangement are within the scope of existing higher-level GAAP and apply such literature to the extent that it provides guidance regarding whether to separate multiple-deliverable arrangements and how to allocate value among those separate units of accounting.  We also determine whether revenue arrangements consist of more than one unit of accounting at inception of the arrangement and recognize revenue as each item in the arrangement is delivered. We allocate arrangement consideration to the separate units of accounting based on the relative fair value for all units of accounting in the arrangement, except where amounts allocable to the delivered units is limited to that which is contingent upon the delivery of additional deliverables or meeting other specified performance conditions.

Revenue related to extended warranty and product maintenance contracts is recognized pursuant to ASC 605-20-25, “Separately Priced Extended Warranty and Product Maintenance Contracts.”  Pursuant to this provision, revenue related to separately priced product maintenance contracts is deferred and recognized over the term of the maintenance period.  We record deferred revenue for advance payments received from customers for maintenance contracts.

Our customers have the right to return products that do not function properly within a limited time after delivery.  We monitor and track product returns and record a provision for the estimated future returns based on historical experience.  Returns have historically been within expectations and the provisions established.

We offer some of our customers price protection as an incentive to carry inventory of our product.  These price protection plans provide that if we lower prices, we will credit them for the price decrease on inventory they hold.  Our customers typically carry limited amounts of inventory, and we infrequently lower prices on current products.  As a result, the amounts paid under these plans have not been material.

We charge our customers for shipping and handling services.  The amounts billed to customers are recorded as revenue when the product ships.  Any costs incurred related to these services are included in cost of sales.

Concentration of credit risk:  Financial instruments that potentially expose us to concentrations of credit risk are limited to cash and cash equivalents held by our banks in excess of insured limits and accounts receivable.

Accounts receivable from customers representing 10% or more of total accounts receivable were as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
GTECH		21%		37%
Customer A		22%		17%

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Sales to customers representing 10% or more of total net sales were as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
GTECH		12%		18%		26%
Customer A		12%		15%		13%

Warranty:  We generally warrant our products for up to 36 months and record the estimated cost of such product warranties at the time the sale is recorded.  Estimated warranty costs are based upon actual past experience of product repairs and the related estimated cost of labor and material to make the necessary repairs.

The following table summarizes the activity recorded in the accrued product warranty liability:

	Year ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2013		2012		2011
Balance, beginning of period	$	274	$	421	$	249
Warranties issued		492		104		472
Acquisition of business		-		-		25
Warranty settlements		(400)		(251)		(325)
Balance, end of period	$	366	$	274	$	421

Approximately $84,000 and $101,000 of the accrued product warranty liability were classified as long-term at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Research and development expenses:  Research and development expenses include engineering, design and product development expenses incurred in connection with specialized engineering and design to introduce new products and to customize existing products, and are expensed as a component of operating expenses as incurred.  We recorded approximately $4,065,000, $4,239,000 and $3,418,000 of research and development expenses in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Costs incurred in researching and developing a computer software product are charged to expense until technological feasibility has been established at which point all material software costs are capitalized within Intangible assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet until the product is available for general release to customers.  While judgment is required in determining when technological feasibility of a product is established, we have determined that it is reached after all high-risk development issues have been documented in a formal detailed plan design.  The amortization of these costs will be included in cost of sales over the estimated life of the product.  During 2010 we began the development of EPICENTRALTM and unamortized development costs for such software were approximately $370,000 and $528,000 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The total amount charged to cost of sales for capitalized software development costs was approximately $199,000, $189,000 and $62,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The weighted-average amortization period of unamortized capitalized software developments costs is approximately 2 years.

Advertising:  Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.  Advertising expenses, which are included in selling and marketing expense on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income, for 2013, 2012 and 2011 totaled $1,058,000, $949,000 and $871,000, respectively. These expenses include items such as consulting and professional services, tradeshows, and print advertising.

Restructuring:  We continually evaluate our cost structure to ensure that it is appropriately positioned to respond to changing market conditions. We record pre-tax restructuring charges in accordance with ASC 420-10-25-4, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations.” See Note 8 for further discussion.

Income taxes:  The income tax amounts reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are accounted for under the liability method in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.”  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  We assess the likelihood that net deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income, and to the extent that we believe that realization is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance.  In accordance with ASC 740, we identified, evaluated and measured the amount of benefits to be recognized for our tax return positions.  See Note 13 for information regarding our accounting for income taxes.

Foreign currency translation:  The financial position and results of operations of our foreign subsidiary in the United Kingdom are measured using local currency as the functional currency.  Assets and liabilities of such subsidiary have been translated into U.S. dollars at the year-end exchange rate, related sales and expenses have been translated at the average exchange rate for the year, and shareholders’ equity has been translated at historical exchange rates.  The resulting translation gains or losses, net of tax, are recorded in shareholders’ equity as a cumulative translation adjustment, which is a component of

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

accumulated other comprehensive income.  Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, including those related to intercompany balances, are recognized in Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Share-based payments: At December 31, 2013, we had share-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 12 - Stock incentive plans.  We account for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.”  Share-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period.  We have no awards with market or performance conditions.

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of share based awards.  The key assumptions for this valuation method include the expected term of the option, stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, market price of our underlying stock and exercise price.  Many of these assumptions are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense.  In addition, we estimate forfeitures when recognizing compensation expense, and we adjust our estimate of forfeitures over the requisite service period based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates.  Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized through a cumulative true-up adjustment in the period of change and also impacts the amount of compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.

Net income and loss per share:  We report net income or loss per share in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings per Share (EPS).” Under this guidance, basic EPS, which excludes dilution, is computed by dividing income or loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Unvested restricted stock is excluded from the calculation of weighted average common shares for basic EPS.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.  Diluted EPS includes restricted stock and in-the-money stock options using the treasury stock method.  During a loss period, the assumed exercise of in-the-money stock options has an anti-dilutive effect, and therefore, these instruments are excluded from the computation of dilutive EPS.  See Note 14 - Earnings per share.