Business Description and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Glowpoint and our 100%-owned subsidiary, GP Communications, LLC, whose business function is to provide interstate telecommunications services for regulatory purposes. All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from the estimates made. We continually evaluate estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for reasonableness. Appropriate adjustments, if any, to the estimates used are made prospectively based upon such periodic evaluation. The significant areas of estimation include determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, deferred tax valuation allowance, accrued sales taxes and regulatory fees, stock-based compensation, the valuation of goodwill, the valuation of intangible assets and their estimated lives, and the estimated lives and recoverability of property and equipment.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically identified amounts that are believed to be uncollectible. We also record additional allowances based on our aged receivables, which are determined based on historical experience and an assessment of the general financial conditions affecting our customer base. If our actual collections experience changes, revisions to our allowance may be required. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance. We do not obtain collateral from our customers to secure accounts receivable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company considers its cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable to meet the definition of financial instruments. The carrying amount of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated their fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments. The carrying amounts of our debt obligations (see Note 7) approximate their fair values, which are based on borrowing rates that are available to the Company for loans with similar terms, collateral, and maturity.

The Company measures fair value as required by the ASC Topic 820“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC Topic 820”). ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework and gives guidance regarding the methods used for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC Topic 820 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, there exists a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:


•	Level 1 - unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date.


•	Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data.


•	Level 3 - unobservable inputs for the asset or liability only used when there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue billed in advance for video collaboration services is deferred until the revenue has been earned, which is when the related services have been performed. Other service revenue, including amounts passed through based on surcharges from our telecom carriers, related to the network services and collaboration services are recognized as service is provided. As the non-refundable, upfront installation and activation fees charged to our customers do not meet the criteria as a separate unit of accounting, they are deferred and recognized over the 12 to 24 month period estimated life of the customer relationship. Revenue related to professional services is recognized at the time the services are performed, and presented as required by ASC Topic 605 “Revenue Recognition”. Revenues derived from other sources are recognized when services are provided or events occur.

Taxes Billed to Customers and Remitted to Taxing Authorities

We recognize taxes billed to customers in revenue and taxes remitted to taxing authorities in our cost of revenue.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets

The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets used in operations, primarily fixed assets and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets might not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability of fixed assets, the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are compared to the carrying amounts of those assets. If and when the carrying values of the assets exceed their fair values, then the related assets will be written down to fair value. Fair value of our intangible assets is determined using the relief from royalty methodology. This approach involves two steps: (a) estimating reasonable royalty rates for each intangible asset and (b) applying these royalty rates to a net revenue stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine fair value. This fair value is then compared with the carrying value of each intangible asset. If the carrying amount of the intangible asset is greater than its implied fair value, an impairment in the amount of the excess is recognized and charged to operations.

The determination of related estimated useful lives and whether or not these assets are impaired involves significant judgments, related primarily to the future profitability and/or future value of the assets. Changes in the Company’s strategic plan and/or other-than-temporary changes in market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and could require adjustments to recorded asset balances. Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment at least annually, as well as whenever an event or change in circumstances has occurred that could have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of long-lived assets (see Note 6).

Capitalized Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software. All software development costs have been appropriately accounted for as required by ASC Topic 350-40 “Intangible – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software”. Capitalized software costs are included in “Property and equipment” on our consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over three to four years. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs relate to fees and expenses incurred in connection with entering into our debt agreements (see Note 7) and are amortized as interest expense over the contractual lives of the related credit facilities.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, and trade accounts receivable. We place our cash primarily in commercial checking accounts. Commercial bank balances may from time to time exceed federal insurance limits.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of either the asset’s useful life or the related lease term. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. Property and equipment include fixed assets subject to capital leases which are depreciated over the life of the respective asset.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method to determine our income tax expense or benefit. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Any resulting net deferred tax assets are evaluated for recoverability and, accordingly, a valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based awards have been accounted for as required by ASC Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (“ASC Topic 718”). Under ASC Topic 718 stock-based awards are valued at fair value on the date of grant, and that fair value is recognized over the requisite service period. The Company values its stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses include internal and external costs related to the development of new service offerings and features and enhancements to our existing services.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Subtopic 606), which supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We continue to evaluate the impact of the pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements and believe that the Company will use the retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption. The Company has commenced analysis of our revenue streams and the application of the standard. Management does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes” (Subtopic 740). The amendments in this update require deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current regardless of the classification of the underlying assets and liabilities. For public companies, the amendments will be effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Earlier application is permitted. Management does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-17 to have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB created Topic 842 and issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”. The guidance in this update supersedes Topic 840, “Leases”. This ASU requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use assets and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments on the balance sheet. For public companies, the amendments will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on our financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” (Subtopic 718). The guidance in this update includes amendments that require excess tax benefits or deficiencies resulting from share-based payments be recognized in the income statement as a component of the provision for income taxes, whereas previously these were recognized within additional paid-in capital. Further, the new guidance provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The new standard also amends the presentation of employee share-based payment related items in the statement of cash flows by requiring that: (i) excess tax benefits be classified as cash inflows provided by operating activities, and (ii) cash paid to taxing authorities arising from the withholding of shares from employees be classified as cash outflows used in financing activities. For public companies, the amendments will be effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for any interim or annual period. Management does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Statement of Cash Flows-Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (Subtopic 230). This guidance clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The amendment addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. These updates are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied retrospectively unless it is impractical to do so; in which case, the guidance should be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 on our financial statements and disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows-Restricted Cash” (Subtopic 230). These amendments require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments do not provide definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Effective date for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-18 to have any impact on our financial statements and disclosures, as restricted cash is currently included in the change of cash on the statement of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (Subtopic 350). This guidance simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removal of Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. For public companies, the standard will be effective for calendar year-end December 15, 2020. Earlier adoption is permitted for any impairment test performed after January 1, 2017. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-04 on our financial statements and disclosures.