XML 45 R14.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
8. PRODUCT WARRANTIES
9 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2013
Product Warranties  
Product Warranties

8. PRODUCT WARRANTIES

 

The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time the products are shipped. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of its component suppliers, the Company’s warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Should actual product failure rates, material usage or service delivery costs differ from the Company’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

 

The standard warranty period is ninety days for parts and service and one year for systems.

 

Following is a summary of changes in the Company's liability for product warranties during the three and nine months ended February 28, 2013 and February 29, 2012 (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
   February 28,  February 29,  February 28,  February 29,
   2013  2012  2013  2012
             
Balance at the beginning of the period  $174   $129   $91   $103 
                     
Accruals for warranties issued                    
  during the period   162    35    412    176 
Settlement made during the period                    
  (in cash or in kind)   (139)   (52)   (306)   (167)
                     
Balance at the end of the period  $197   $112   $197   $112 
                     

 

The accrued warranty balance is included in accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.