Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form 10-Q and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements fairly present the consolidated financial position of Iteris as of December 31, 2012, the consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of those to be expected for future quarterly periods or the entire fiscal year. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC on June 11, 2012.

The results of continuing operations for all periods presented in the unaudited consolidated financial statements exclude the financial impact of discontinued operations. See Note 3, “Sale of Vehicle Sensors”, for further discussion related to discontinued operations presentation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts, projections of taxable income used to assess realizability of deferred tax assets, inventory and warranty reserves, costs to complete long-term contracts, indirect cost rates used in cost-plus contracts, contract reserves, the valuation of purchased intangible assets and goodwill, the valuation of debt and equity instruments, the valuation of contingent acquisition consideration, estimates of future cash flows used to assess the recoverability of long-lived assets and the impairment of goodwill.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Product revenues and related costs of sales are recognized when all of the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred, (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collection of the receivable is reasonably assured. These criteria are typically met at the time of product shipment, but in certain circumstances, may not be met until receipt or acceptance by the customer. Accordingly, at the date revenue is recognized, the significant obligations or uncertainties concerning the sale have been resolved.

We recognize revenue from the sale of deliverables that are part of a multiple-element arrangement in accordance with applicable accounting guidance that establishes a relative selling price hierarchy permitting the use of an estimated selling price to determine the allocation of arrangement consideration to a deliverable in a multiple-element arrangement where neither vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) nor third-party evidence (“TPE”) of fair value is available for that deliverable. In the absence of VSOE or TPE of the standalone selling price for one or more delivered or undelivered elements in a multiple-element arrangement, we are required to estimate the selling prices of those elements. Overall arrangement consideration is allocated to each element (both delivered and undelivered items) that has stand-alone value based on their relative selling prices, regardless of whether those selling prices are evidenced by VSOE or TPE or are based on our estimated selling prices.

We account for multiple-element arrangements that consist only of software and software-related services in accordance with applicable accounting guidance for software and software-related transactions. For such transactions, revenue on arrangements that include multiple elements is allocated to each element based on the relative fair value of each element, and fair value is determined by VSOE. If we cannot objectively determine the fair value of any undelivered element included in such multiple-element arrangements and the only undelivered element is post-contract customer support or maintenance, and VSOE of the fair value of such support or maintenance does not exist, revenue from the entire arrangement is recognized ratably over the support period. When the fair value of a delivered element has not been established but VSOE of fair value exists for the undelivered elements, we use the residual method to recognize revenue if the fair value of all undelivered elements is determinable. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the arrangement fee is allocated to the delivered elements and is recognized as revenue.

Transportation Systems revenues are derived primarily from long-term contracts with governmental agencies. When appropriate, revenues are recognized using the percentage of completion method of accounting, whereby revenue is recognized as contract performance progresses and is determined based on the relationship of costs incurred to total estimated costs. Any anticipated losses on contracts are charged to earnings when identified. Changes in job performance and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and revenues and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Profit incentives are included in revenues when their realization is reasonably assured. Certain of our revenues are recognized as services are performed and amounts are earned, which is measured by time incurred or other contractual milestones or output measures. Revenues accounted for in this manner generally relate to certain cost-plus fixed fee or time-and-materials contracts for which no specific maximum contract values are stipulated.

Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts

Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts

Costs in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets represent unbilled amounts earned and reimbursable under services sales arrangements. At any given period-end, a large portion of the balance in this account represents the accumulation of labor, materials and other costs that have not been billed due to timing, whereby the accumulation of each month’s costs and earnings are not administratively billed until the subsequent month. Also included in this account are amounts that will become billable according to contract terms, which usually require the consideration of the passage of time, achievement of milestones or completion of the project. Such unbilled amounts are expected to be billed and collected within the next twelve months.

Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts

Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets is comprised of cash collected from customers and billings to customers on contracts in advance of work performed, advance payments negotiated as a contract condition, estimated losses on uncompleted contracts, project-related legal liabilities and other project-related reserves. The unearned amounts are expected to be earned within the next twelve months.

We record provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses become known. The cumulative effects of revisions to revenues and estimated completion costs are recorded in the accounting period in which the amounts become evident and can be reasonably estimated. These revisions can include such items as the effects of change orders and claims, warranty claims, liquidated damages or other contractual penalties and adjustments for audit findings on contract closeout settlements.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable.

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of demand deposits and money market funds maintained with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with high credit quality financial institutions, and therefore are believed to have minimal credit risk.

Our accounts receivable are primarily derived from billings with customers located throughout North America, as well as in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South America. We generally do not require collateral or other security from customers. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for potential credit losses, which losses have generally been within management’s expectations.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate carrying value because of the short period of time to maturity. The fair value of line of credit agreements and long-term debt approximate carrying value because the related effective rates of interest approximate current market rates available to us for debt with similar terms and similar remaining maturities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term investments with initial maturities of ninety days or less.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The collectability of our accounts receivable is evaluated through review of invoices outstanding greater than a certain period of time and ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations subsequent to the original sale, we will record an allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. We also maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our historical collections experience. When we determine that collection is not likely, we write-off accounts receivable against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life ranging from three to eight years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the term of the related lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.

Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate goodwill on an annual basis in our fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if we believe indicators of impairment exist. We have determined that our reporting units for purposes of testing for goodwill impairment are identical to our reportable segments for financial reporting purposes. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”), we early adopted the provisions issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that are intended to simplify goodwill impairment testing. This guidance permits us to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we conduct a two-step goodwill impairment test. The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the fair values of the applicable reporting units with their carrying values. We determine the fair values of our reporting units using the income valuation approach, as well as other generally accepted valuation methodologies. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test. The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill. The amount by which the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, if any, is recognized as an impairment loss. We monitor the indicators for goodwill impairment testing between annual tests. Certain adverse business conditions impacting one or more reporting units would cause us to test goodwill for impairment on an interim basis.

We test long-lived assets and purchased intangible assets (other than goodwill) for impairment if we believe indicators of impairment exist. We determine whether the carrying value of an asset or asset group is recoverable, based on comparisons to undiscounted expected future cash flows the asset are expected to generate. If an asset is not recoverable, we record an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. We primarily use the income valuation approach to determine the fair value of our long lived assets and purchased intangible assets.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We utilize the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the tax basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, which increases our income tax expense in the period such determination is made.

Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized. Income tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are reversed in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

We record stock-based compensation in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations as an expense, based on the estimated grant date fair value of our stock-based awards, whereby such fair values are amortized over the requisite service period.  Our stock-based awards are currently comprised of stock options and restricted stock units. The fair value of our stock option awards is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option-pricing formula. While utilizing this model meets established requirements, the estimated fair values generated by it may not be indicative of the actual fair values of our stock option awards as it does not consider certain factors important to those awards to employees, such as continued employment and periodic vesting requirements as well as limited transferability. The fair value of our restricted stock units is based on the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested stock-based awards, we may be required to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unearned stock-based compensation expense.

Research and Development Expenditures

Research and Development Expenditures

Research and development expenditures are charged to expense in the period incurred.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are included as cost of sales in the period during which the products ship.

Sales Taxes

Sales Taxes

Sales taxes are presented on a net basis (excluded from revenues) in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations.

Warranty

Warranty

We generally provide a one to three year warranty from the original invoice date on our products, materials and workmanship. Products sold to various original equipment manufacturer customers sometimes carry longer warranties. Defective products will be either repaired or replaced, usually at our option, upon meeting certain criteria. We accrue a provision for the estimated costs that may be incurred for product warranties relating to a product as a component of cost of sales at the time revenue for that product is recognized. The accrued warranty reserve is included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

Repair and Maintenance Costs

Repair and Maintenance Costs

We incur repair and maintenance costs in the normal course of business. Should the repair or maintenance result in a permanent improvement to one of our leased facilities, the cost is capitalized as a leasehold improvement and amortized over its useful life or the remainder of the lease period, whichever is shorter. Non-permanent repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”), which amends Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements. ASU 2011-04 aims to eliminate certain differences that existed between U.S. and international fair value accounting concepts, and also clarifies existing guidance under GAAP. Additionally, among other disclosures, this ASU requires certain new quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding unobservable fair value measurements. We adopted the amendments prescribed by ASU 2011-04 for our fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 (“Fiscal 2013”), which has not resulted in a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 requires the presentation of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new standard also requires presentation of adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented; however, in December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, which deferred this requirement. The amendments prescribed by ASU 2011-05 are now effective on a retrospective basis for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted ASU 2011-05 in Fiscal 2013, which has not resulted in a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Testing for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). With respect to performing their required annual test for goodwill impairment, ASU 2011-08 gives companies the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If a company concludes that this is the case, it must perform the two-step test in accordance with previously existing guidance. Otherwise, a company can skip the two-step test. ASU 2011-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption was permitted, and we chose to adopt ASU 2011-08 in Fiscal 2012, which did not result in a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.