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Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries, after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at various financial institutions.
Investments
Investments
Debt securities and marketable equity securities are classified as “available-for-sale”. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in interest and other income, net. The cost of fixed income securities sold is based on the specific identification method and the weighted-average method is used to determine the cost basis of publicly traded equity securities disposed of. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in interest and other income, net.
The Company accounts for non-marketable equity and other equity investments for which it does not have control over the investee as equity method investments when the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. The Company accounts for non-marketable equity and other equity investments as non-marketable cost method investments when the equity method does not apply. The Company's non-marketable equity and other equity investments are included in other assets in its consolidated balance sheet.
The Company regularly reviews its investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other than temporary. If the decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the investment is written down to fair value, and the amount of the write-down is included in the consolidated statements of operations.
Inventories
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. The Company’s inventory valuation process is done on a part-by-part basis. Lower of cost or market adjustments, specifically identified on a part-by-part basis, reduce the carrying value of the related inventory and take into consideration reductions in sales prices. Determining the market value of inventories on hand and at distributors as of the balance sheet date involves numerous judgments, including projecting average selling prices and sales volumes for future periods and costs to complete products in work in process inventories. When market values are below the Company’s costs, the Company records a charge to cost of goods sold to write down inventories to estimated market value in advance of when the inventories are actually sold. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required that may adversely affect the Company’s operating results. If actual market conditions are more favorable, the Company may have higher gross margins when such products are sold. The Company writes down to zero dollars the carrying value of inventory on hand that has aged over one year (two years for wafer and die bank) to cover estimated excess and obsolete exposures, unless adjustments are made based on management’s judgments for newer products, end of life products, planned inventory increases or strategic customer supply. Once established, these write-downs are considered permanent.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method, based upon the shorter of the estimated useful lives ranging from two to ten years for property and equipment and from 30 to 50 years for buildings or the lease term for improvements to leased properties.
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
The Company tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if events or circumstances require an interim impairment assessment. For goodwill, the Company either makes a qualitative assessment prior to proceeding to step one of the annual goodwill impairment test or performs a two-step impairment test. If the Company makes a qualitative assessment and it determines that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company would perform step one of the annual goodwill impairment test and, if necessary, proceed to step two. Otherwise, no further evaluation is necessary. For the two-step impairment test, in the first step, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit based on a weighting of income and market approaches. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is performed. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the Company performs the second step of the impairment test to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the Company records an impairment loss equal to the difference.
Purchased intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their useful lives unless these lives are determined to be indefinite. Purchased intangible assets with definite lives are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally six months to eight years.
The Company may acquire in-process research and development (IPR&D) projects as the result of business combinations. The fair values of the acquired IPR&D projects are determined through estimates and valuation techniques based on the terms and details of the related acquisitions. Upon completion of development for each project, the acquired IPR&D will be amortized over its useful life. The Company assesses the status of each IPR&D project quarterly to evaluate whether the carrying value has been impaired.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets and Certain Identifiable Intangibles
The Company evaluates the recoverability of property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets through the performance of periodic reviews to determine whether facts and circumstances exist that would indicate that the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets exceed their fair values. If facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets might not be fully recoverable, projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their estimated remaining useful life is compared to their respective carrying amounts. In the event that the projected undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets, the assets are written down to their estimated fair values based on the expected discounted future cash flows attributable to the assets.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable Allowances
Revenue from product sales (net of any applicable value added tax) to the Company’s direct customers is recognized upon shipment provided that persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, title has transferred, collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. The Company makes estimates of potential future product returns and sales allowances related to current period product revenue. Management analyzes historical returns, changes in customer demand, and acceptance of products when evaluating the adequacy of sales returns and allowances. Estimates made by the Company may differ from actual product returns and sales allowances. These differences may materially impact reported revenue and amounts ultimately collected on accounts receivable.
A portion of the Company’s sales is made to distributors under agreements that provide the possibility of certain price adjustment credits, as discussed below, and to return qualifying products for credit, as determined by the Company, in order to reduce the amounts of slow-moving, discontinued or obsolete product from their inventory. These agreements limit such returns to a certain percentage of the value of the Company's shipments to that distributor during the prior quarter. In addition, distributors are allowed to return unsold products if the Company terminates the relationship with the distributor.
Certain distributors are granted price adjustment credits related to many of their sales to their customers. Price adjustment credits are granted when a distributor’s standard cost (i.e., the Company’s sales price to the distributor) does not provide the distributor with an appropriate margin on its sales to its customers. As a result, the distributor may request and receive a price adjustment credit from the Company to allow the distributor to earn an appropriate margin on the transaction. Certain distributors are also granted price adjustment credits in the event of a price decrease subsequent to the date the product was shipped and billed to the distributor. Generally, the Company will provide a credit equal to the difference between the price paid by the distributor (less any prior credits on such products) and the new price for the product multiplied by the quantity of such product in the distributor’s inventory at the time of the price decrease. Certain of the Company’s distributor arrangements may allow or require the granting of price concessions below the Company’s cost for a product.
Given the uncertainties associated with the levels of returns and other price adjustment credits that will be issued to these distributors, the sales price to distributors is not fixed or determinable until the distributors resell the products to their customers. Therefore, the Company defers revenue recognition from sales to these distributors until the distributors have sold the products to their end customers.
Title to the inventory transfers to a distributor at the time of shipment or delivery to the distributor, and payment from the distributor is due in accordance with the Company's standard payment terms. These payment terms are not contingent upon the distributors’ sale of the products to their customers. Upon title transfer to distributors, inventory is reduced for the cost of goods shipped, the deferred distributor margin (sales less cost of sales) is recorded as a liability and an account receivable is recorded.
The deferred costs of sales to distributors may be subject to impairment. The Company monitors the level and nature of product returns from distributors as well as the levels of inventory held at distributors. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews the inventory held at distributors in terms of the Company’s inventory valuation policy and records a charge to cost of goods sold for all known lower of cost or market and excess and obsolescence issues.
Accounts Receivable Allowances
In addition, the Company monitors collectibility of accounts receivable primarily through review of its accounts receivable aging. When facts and circumstances indicate the collection of specific amounts or from specific customers is at risk, the Company assesses the impact on amounts recorded for bad debts and, if necessary, will record a charge in the period such determination is made.
Research and Development
Research and Development
Research and development expenditures are charged to operations as incurred.
Foreign Currency Translation
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company uses the local currency as its functional currency for all foreign subsidiaries. Translation adjustments, which result from the process of translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars, are included in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of stockholders’ equity.
Advertising Costs
Advertising Costs

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred and includes these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for income tax reporting purposes. Valuation allowances are provided when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Uncertain tax positions are recognized or derecognized based on the threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. U.S. income tax has not been provided on earnings of foreign subsidiaries to the extent that such earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award. The Company amortizes the compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the award vesting term of four years. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs) using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes valuation model requires the Company to estimate key assumptions such as expected term, volatility, risk free interest rates and dividend yield to determine the fair value of an award. The estimates of these key assumptions are based on historical information and judgment regarding market factors and trends. The fair value of the SARs are revalued on a quarterly basis and upon the exercise of a SAR, the expense recognized is adjusted to reflect the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the date of exercise.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates relate to the useful lives and residual value of fixed assets, the fair value of investments, allowances for doubtful accounts and customer returns, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, inventory write-downs, potential reserves relating to litigation matters, accrued liabilities, and other reserves. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on its historical experience, knowledge of current conditions and its beliefs of what could occur in the future, given available information. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such difference, may be material to the financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and bank loans. The Company believes that the carrying amounts of the financial instruments approximate their respective fair values. When there is no readily available market data, the Company may make fair value estimates, which may not necessarily represent the amounts that will be realized in a current or future sale of these assets.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company operates in one business segment, which is to design, develop, and market high performance DRAM, SRAM, and other semiconductor products. The Company markets and distributes its products on a worldwide basis, primarily to original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers, and distributors. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally requires no collateral. In fiscal 2014, revenue from the Company’s largest and second largest distributor accounted for approximately 17% and 13%, respectively, of the Company's total net sales. In fiscal 2013, revenue from the Company’s largest and second largest distributor accounted for approximately 17% and 11%, respectively, of the Company's total net sales. In fiscal 2012, revenue from the Company’s largest and second largest distributor, accounted for approximately 14% and 13% of the Company's total net sales.
The Company maintains cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments with various high credit quality financial institutions. The Company’s investment policy is designed to limit exposure to any one institution. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of those financial institutions that are considered in its investment strategy. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the financial institutions or issuers of investments to the extent of the amount recorded on the balance sheet. To date, the Company has not incurred losses related to these investments.
Product Warranty and Indemnifications
Product Warranty and Indemnifications
The Company generally warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months. Liability for a stated warranty period is usually limited to replacement of defective items or return of amounts paid. If there is a material increase in the rate of customer claims or the Company’s estimates of probable losses relating to specifically identified warranty exposures are inaccurate, the Company may record a charge against future cost of sales. Warranty expense has historically been immaterial to the Company’s financial statements.
The Company may be obligated to indemnify certain customers, distributors, suppliers, and subcontractors for attorney fees and damages and costs awarded against these parties in certain circumstances in which its products are alleged to infringe third party intellectual property rights, including patents, registered trademarks, or copyrights. The terms of the Company’s indemnification obligations are generally perpetual from the effective date of the agreement. In certain cases, there are limits on and exceptions to the Company’s potential liability for indemnification relating to intellectual property infringement claims. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors, and the Company’s bylaws provide that indemnification may be provided to the Company’s agents. The Company has directors’ and officers’ insurance pursuant to which the Company may be reimbursed for certain indemnity expenses, subject to the insurers’ reservation of rights. The Company cannot estimate the amount of potential future indemnity expenses that it may be required to make. The amount of available directors’ and officers’ insurance may not be sufficient to cover the Company’s indemnity obligations, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in future periods.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share and basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding, if applicable, during the period. Common equivalent shares consist of the shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options and awards under the treasury stock method.
Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncements
The following issued accounting pronouncements are not yet effective for the Company as of September 30, 2014.
Liabilities
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of the guidance is fixed at the reporting date. Examples of obligations include debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings. The guidance requires an entity to measure such obligations as the sum of the amount that the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors in addition to amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance becomes effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Foreign Currency Matters
In March 2013, FASB issued guidance on when foreign currency translation adjustments should be released to net income. When a parent entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. The guidance becomes effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, FASB amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. The new guidance establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance becomes effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Early adoption is not permitted. The new revenue recognition standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has the Company determined the impact of adopting the new revenue recognition standard on its consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances in order to conform to the current year’s presentation.