1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, FiberXpress, Inc.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses.  Actual results could differ from the estimates that were used.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consists of amounts due from customers.  Management periodically reviews the open accounts and makes a determination as to the ultimate collectability of each account.  Once it is determined that collection is in doubt the account is written off as a bad debt.  In order to provide for accounts that may become uncollectible in the future, the Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts.  The balance of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management’s judgment and the Company’s prior experience with managing accounts receivable.

Revenue Recognition

The Company has three main products, namely the concealed weapons detection system, the visual first responder system and the Viewmaxx digital video system.  In all cases revenue is considered earned when the product is shipped to the customer, installed (if necessary) and accepted by the customer as a completed sale.  The concealed weapons detection system and the digital video system each require installation and training.  The customer can engage us for installation and training, which is a revenue source separate and apart from the sale of the product.  In those cases revenue is recognized at the completion of the installation and training and acceptance by the customer.  However, the customer can also self-install or can engage another firm to provide installation and training.  Each product has an unconditional 30 day warranty, during which time the product can be returned for a complete refund.  Customers can purchase extended warranties, which provide for replacement or repair of the unit beyond the period provided by the unconditional warranty.  Warranties can be purchased for various periods but generally they are for one year period that begins after any other warranties expire.  The revenue from warranties is recognized on a straight line bases over the period covered by the warranty.  Prior to the issuance of financial statements management reviews any returns subsequent to the end of the accounting period which are from sales recognized during the accounting period, and makes appropriate adjustments as necessary.  Product prices are fixed or determinable and products are only shipped when collectability is reasonably assured.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the last-in-first-out method (LIFO).  As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company’s inventory consisted of a number of assembled units as well as unassembled parts of product.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over their useful lives, using the straight-line and accelerated depreciation methods.  Upon sale or retirement, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the respective accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations.  The useful lives of property and equipment for purposes of computing depreciation are as follows:

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded under the assets and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences, measured by enacted tax rates, attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry forwards.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period the rate change becomes effective.  Valuation allowances are recorded for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Financial Instruments

For most financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accruals, management believes that the carrying amount approximates fair value, as the majority of these instruments are short-term in nature.

Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholder by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common share equivalents then outstanding.  Potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants.  The calculation of the net loss per share available to common stockholders for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 does not include potential shares of common stock equivalents, as their impact would be anti-dilutive.

Nature of Operations

View Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) designs, develops and sells computer software and hardware used in conjunction with surveillance capabilities.  The technology utilizes the compression and decompression of digital inputs.  In March 2002, the Company acquired Milestone Technology, Inc., which has developed a concealed weapons detection portal.  In July 2009, the Company acquired FiberXpress, Inc., which is a company that specializes in developing and selling equipment and components for the fiber optic and communication cable industries.