1. Organization and summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Notes to Financial Statements

Organization

Lattice Incorporated (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware in May 1973 and commenced operations in July 1977. The Company began as a provider of specialized solutions to the telecom industry. Throughout its history Lattice has adapted to the changes in this industry by reinventing itself to be more responsive and open to the dynamic pace of change experienced in the broader converged communications industry of today. Currently, Lattice provides advanced solutions for several vertical markets. The greatest change in operations is in the shift from being a component manufacturer to a solution provider focused on developing applications through software on its core platform technology. To further its strategy of becoming a solutions provider, the Company acquired a majority interest in “SMEI” in February 2005. In September 2006 the Company purchased all of the issued and outstanding shares of the common stock of Lattice Government Services, Inc., (“LGS”) (formerly Ricciardi Technologies Inc. (“RTI”)). LGS was founded in 1992 and provides software consulting and development services for the command and control of biological sensors and other Department of Defense requirements to United States federal governmental agencies either directly or through prime contractors of such governmental agencies. LGS’s proprietary products include SensorView, which provides clients with the capability to command, control and monitor multiple distributed chemical, biological, nuclear, explosive and hazardous material sensors. In December 2009 we changed RTI’s name to Lattice Government Services Inc. In January 2007, we changed our name from Science Dynamics Corporation to Lattice Incorporated. On May 16, 2011 we acquired 100% of the shares of Cummings Creek Capital, a holding Company which itself owns 100% of the shares of CLR Group Limited. (“CLR”). CLR is a government contractor which complements our Government Services business by expanding markets and service offerings. During the first quarter of 2013, management decided that focusing resources on the communications business had more strategic value to the Company’s shareholders. The Government assets were marketed for sale during the quarter and culminated in a sale on April 2, 2013 for approximately $1.2 million. Accordingly, the financial performance of the Government segment has been segregated in our financial statements as discontinued operations. As a result, the Company’s management discussion will be based on its communications business and the Company no longer operates in multiple segments.

Basis of Presentation going concern

At September 30, 2013 the Company had a working capital deficiency of $3,330,000. This compared to a working capital deficiency of $3,561,000 at December 31. 2012. The Company’s working capital deficiency and constrained liquidity raises substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is highly dependent upon (i) management’s ability to increase operating cashflows (ii), maintain continued availability on its line of credit and the ability to obtain alternative financing to fund capital requirements and/or debt obligations coming due. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. 

Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of Setember 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for the fair representation of the consolidated financial position and the consolidated results of operations. The consolidated results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year end December 31, 2012 appearing in Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2013.

Principles of consolidation

The condensed financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For those consolidated subsidiaries where Company ownership is less than 100%, the outside stockholders’ interests are shown as non-controlling interest. Investments in affiliates over which the Company has significant influence but not a controlling interest are carried on the equity basis.

Use of estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates form the basis for judgments made about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates and judgments are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. However, future events are subject to change and the best estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment. US GAAP requires estimates and judgments in several areas, including those related to impairment of goodwill and equity investments, revenue recognition, recoverability of inventory and receivables, the useful lives, long lived assets such as property and equipment, the future realization of deferred income tax benefits and the recording of various accruals. The ultimate outcome and actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions used.  

Share-based payments

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 718-10, Accounting for Share-based payment , to account for compensation costs under its stock option plans and other share-based arrangements. ASC 718 requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. For purposes of estimating fair value of stock options, we use the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation technique. At September 30, 2013, there is $3,291 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation awards granted. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 share-based compensation was $2,319 compared to $1,421 in the prior year period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 share based compensation was $32,604 over $4,263 for 2012

Revenue Recognition

Revenues related to collect and prepaid calling services generated by the communication services segment are recognized during the period in which the calls are made. In addition, during the same period, the Company records the related telecommunication costs for validating, transmitting, billing and collection, and line and long distance charges, along with commissions payable to the facilities and allowances for uncollectible calls, based on historical experience.

Government claims: Unapproved claims relate to contracts where costs have exceeded the customer’s funded value of the task ordered on our cost reimbursement type contract vehicles. The unapproved claims are considered to be probable of collection and have been recognized as revenue in prior periods. Unapproved claims included as a component of our Accounts Receivable totaled approximately $1,555,000 as of September 30, 2013. Consistent with industry practice, we classify assets and liabilities related to these claims as current, even though some of these amounts are not expected to be realized within one year.

Segment Reporting

FASB ASC 280-10-50, “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. The Company had operated in two segments prior to 2013 but with the decision to focus on the communications business and exit the federal government services business, the Company now operates in one segment for the three months and six month’s ended September 30, 2013.

Depreciation, amortization and long-lived assets

Long-lived assets include:

Property, plant and equipment - These assets are recorded at original cost. The Company depreciates the cost evenly over the assets’ estimated useful lives. For tax purposes, accelerated depreciation methods are used as allowed by tax laws.

Goodwill - Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price of an acquired business and the fair value of the net assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (or in interim periods if events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable) by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit, as measured by discounted cash flows, to the carrying value to determine if there is an indication that potential impairment may exist. Absent an indication of fair value from a potential buyer or similar specific transactions, the Company believes that the use of this income approach method provides reasonable estimates of the reporting unit’s fair value. Fair value computed by this method is arrived at using a number of factors, including projected future operating results, economic projections, and anticipated future cash flows. The Company reviews its assumptions each time goodwill is tested for impairment and makes appropriate adjustments, if any, based on facts and circumstances available at that time. There are inherent uncertainties, however, related to these factors and to management’s judgment in applying them to this analysis. Nonetheless, management believes that this method provides a reasonable approach to estimate the fair value of the Company’s reporting units.

The income approach, which is used for the goodwill impairment testing, is based on projected future debt-free cash flow that is discounted to present value using factors that consider the timing and risk of the future cash flows. Management believes that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the reporting unit’s expected long-term operating and cash flow performance. This approach also mitigates most of the impact of cyclical downturns that occur in the reporting unit’s industry. The income approach is based on a reporting unit’s five year projection of operating results and cash flows that is discounted using a build up approach. The projection is based upon management’s best estimates of projected economic and market conditions over the related period including growth rates, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates, future capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements based on management projections.

Identifiable intangible assets - The Company amortizes the cost of other intangibles over their useful lives unless such lives are deemed indefinite. Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment based on undiscounted cash flows and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized; however, they are tested annually for impairment and written down to fair value as required

Recent accounting pronouncements

No new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during the period has had or is expected to have a material impact on the financial statements.