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Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Apr. 28, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of business: Daktronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries are engaged principally in the design, manufacture and sale of a wide range of electronic display systems and related products which are sold in a variety of markets throughout the world and the rendering of related maintenance and professional services.  Our products are designed primarily to inform and entertain people through the communication of content.

Fiscal year: We operate on a 52 to 53 week fiscal year, with our fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to April 30 of each year. When April 30 falls on a Wednesday, the fiscal year ends on the preceding Saturday.  The fiscal years ended April 28, 2012, April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010 each consisted of 52 weeks.  Within each fiscal year, each quarter is comprised of 13 week periods following the beginning of each fiscal year.  In each 53 week year, each of the last three quarters is comprised of a 13 week period, and an additional week is added to the first quarter of that fiscal year.  

Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries – Daktronics France SARL; Daktronics Shanghai, Ltd.; Daktronics GmbH; Daktronics Media Holdings, Inc.; Daktronics UK, Ltd.; Daktronics HK Limited; Daktronics International Limited; Daktronics Canada, Inc.; Daktronics Hoist, Inc.; Daktronics Beijing; Daktronics Australia Pty Ltd.; Daktronics FZE; Daktronics Installation; Daktronics Japan, Inc.; Daktronics Trading, Ltd.; Daktronics Brazil, Ltda.; and Daktronics Singapore Pte. Ltd.  Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Investments in affiliates over which we have significant influence are accounted for by the equity method.  As of April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 we did not have any investments accounted for by the equity method.  Prior to April 30, 2011, as explained in Note 17, we had various investments accounted for under the equity method.  Investments in affiliates as to which we do not have the ability to exert significant influence over their operating and financing activities are accounted for under the cost method of accounting.  We have evaluated our relationships with affiliates and have determined that these entities are either not variable interest entities or, in the case of variable interest entities, we are not the primary beneficiary and therefore they are not required to be consolidated in our consolidated financial statements.  The equity method requires us to report our share of losses up to our equity investment amount, including any financial support made or committed to.  At such time the equity investment is reduced to zero, we recognize losses to the extent of and as an adjustment to the other investments in the affiliate in order of seniority or priority in liquidation.  Our proportional share of the respective affiliates' earnings or losses is included in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of operations.

As of May 1, 2010, we had a variable interest in Outcast Media International, Inc. (“Outcast”). During fiscal 2011 it became a cost method investee and ceased being treated as a variable interest entity. This occurred as a result of a reorganization of Outcast in connection with a sale of most of its assets.  The results of the variable interest analysis we completed prior to fiscal 2011 indicated that we were not the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity and, as a result, we were not required to consolidate it. Our analysis included reviewing the amount of financial support, equity risk, and board influence.  As of April 28, 2012, our interest in Outcast consisted of a seven percent equity interest.  During fiscal 2010, we had written down our equity investment to zero.  During fiscal 2011, as described in Note 17, we exchanged certain other debt and obligations related to Outcast for a note from a third party related to Outcast.

The aggregate amount of investments accounted for under the cost method was $106 at April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011.  The fair value of these investments has not been estimated, as there have not been any identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on their fair value, and it is not practical to estimate their fair value.

Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the estimated total costs on construction-type contracts, estimated costs to be incurred for product warranties, excess and obsolete inventory, the reserve for doubtful accounts, share-based compensation, goodwill impairment and income taxes. Changes in estimates are reflected in the periods in which they become known.

Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal year 2011 financial statements to conform to the presentation used in the fiscal year 2012 financial statements. We reclassified certain other assets from intangible assets and accrued expenses from warranty obligations. These reclassifications had no effect on shareholders’ equity or net income as previously reported.
 
Cash and cash equivalents: All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents and consist primarily of government repurchase agreements, savings accounts and money market accounts that are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.  We maintain our cash in bank deposit accounts, the balances of which at times may exceed federally insured limits.  We have not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Restricted cash: Restricted cash consists of deposits to secure bank guarantees issued by our foreign subsidiaries.

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.  Market is determined on the basis of estimated net realizable values.

Revenue recognition: Net sales are reported net of estimated sales returns and exclude sales taxes.  We estimate our sales returns reserve based on historical return rates and analysis of specific accounts.  Our sales returns reserve was $63 and $19 at April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011, respectively.

Long-term construction-type contracts: Earnings on construction-type contracts are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date to estimated total costs for each contract.  Contract costs include all direct material and labor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance.  Indirect costs include charges for such items as facilities, engineering, and project management.  Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are probable and capable of being estimated.  We combine contracts for accounting purposes when they are negotiated as a package with an overall profit margin objective, essentially represent an agreement to do a single project for a customer, involve interrelated construction activities, and are performed concurrently or sequentially.  When a group of contracts is combined, revenue and profit are earned uniformly over the performance of the combined projects.  We segment revenues in accordance with contract segmenting criteria in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 650-35, Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.

Equipment other than construction-type contracts:  We recognize revenue on equipment sales, other than construction-type contracts, when title passes, which is usually upon shipment and then only if the terms of the arrangement are fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.  We record estimated sales returns and discounts as a reduction of net sales in the same period revenue is recognized.

Product maintenance:  In connection with the sale of our products, we also occasionally sell separately priced extended warranties and product maintenance contracts.  The revenue related to such contracts is deferred and recognized ratably as net sales over the terms of the contracts, which vary up to 10 years.  We record unrealized revenue in deferred revenue (billed or collected) in the liability section of the balance sheet.  Deferred revenue (billed or collected) excludes unrealized revenue from contractual obligations that will be billed by us in future periods.

Services:  Revenues generated by us for services, such as event support, control room design, on-site training, equipment service and technical support of our equipment, are recognized as net sales when the services are performed.  Net sales from services approximated 9.0 percent, 9.4 percent and 9.4 percent of net sales for the fiscal years ended April 28, 2012, April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010.

Multiple-element arrangements: We generate revenue from the sale of equipment and related services, including customization, installation and maintenance services.  In these limited cases, we provide some or all of such equipment and services to our customers under the terms of a single multiple-element sales arrangement.  These arrangements, typically involve the sale of equipment bundled with some or all of these services, but they may also involve instances in which we have contracted to deliver multiple pieces of equipment over time rather than at a single point in time.

When a sales arrangement involves multiple elements, the items included in the arrangement (deliverables) are evaluated pursuant to ASC 605-25, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables and ASC 605-35, to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting.  We perform this evaluation at the inception of an arrangement and as we deliver each item in the arrangement.  We first consider the separation criteria of ASC 605-35. Deliverables not within the scope of ASC 605-35 are evaluated for separation under ASC 605-25. For those elements that fall under the guidance of ASC 605-25, we generally account for a deliverable (or a group of deliverables) separately if the delivered item(s) has standalone value to the customer and if we have given the customer a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s) and delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) or service(s) is probable and substantially in our control.

When items included in a multiple-element arrangement represent separate units of accounting, we allocate the arrangement consideration to the individual items based on their relative fair values.  The amount of arrangement consideration allocated to the delivered item(s) is limited to the amount that is not contingent on us delivering additional products or services.  Once we have determined the amount, if any, of arrangement consideration allocable to the delivered item(s), we apply the applicable revenue recognition policy to determine when and by which method such amount may be recognized as revenue.

We generally determine if objective and reliable evidence of fair value for the items included in a multiple-element arrangement exists based on whether we have vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of the price for which we sell an item on a standalone basis.  If we do not have VSOE for the item, we will use the price charged by a competitor selling a comparable product or service on a standalone
basis to similarly situated customers, if available. If neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third party evidence is available, we use our best estimate of selling price for that deliverable.

Software: We typically sell our proprietary software bundled with our video displays and certain other products, but we also sell our software separately.  Pursuant to ASC 985-605, Software Revenue Recognition, revenues from software license fees on sales, other than construction-type contracts, are recognized when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery of the product has occurred, the fee is fixed and determinable, and collection is probable.  For sales of software included in construction-type contracts, the revenue is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method starting when all of these criteria have been met.

Long-term receivables and advertising rights:  We occasionally sell and install our products at facilities in exchange for the rights to sell or to retain future advertising revenues.  For these transactions, we recognize revenue for the amount of the present value of the future advertising payments if enough advertising is sold to obtain normal margins on the contract and we record the related receivable in long-term receivables.  On those transactions where we have not sold the advertising for the full value of the equipment at normal margins, we record the related cost of equipment as advertising rights.  Revenue to the extent of the present value of the advertising payments is recognized in long-term receivables when it becomes fixed and determinable under the provisions of the applicable advertising contracts.  At the time the revenue is recognized, costs of the equipment are recognized based on an estimate of overall margin expected.

In cases where we receive advertising rights as opposed to only cash payments in exchange for the equipment, revenue is recognized as it becomes earned, and the related costs of the equipment are amortized over the term of the advertising rights, which are owned by us.  On these transactions, advance collections of advertising revenues are recorded as deferred revenue.

The cost of advertising rights, net of amortization, was $446 and $525 as of April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011, respectively.

Property and equipment: Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated principally on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
 
Years
Buildings
7 - 40
Machinery and equipment
5 - 7
Office furniture and equipment
3 - 5
Computer software and hardware
3 - 5
Equipment held for rental
2 - 7
Demonstration equipment
3 - 5
Transportation equipment
5 - 7

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the useful life of the asset or the term of the lease.  Our depreciation expense was $17,273, $19,354 and $21,945 for the fiscal years ended April 28, 2012, April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets: Long-lived assets other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, as described in Note 4, which are separately tested for impairment, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

When evaluating long-lived assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying value of the asset to the asset's estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges).  If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, we calculate an impairment loss.  The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying value of the asset to the asset's estimated fair value.  We recognize an impairment loss if the amount of the asset's carrying value exceeds the asset's estimated fair value.  If we recognize an impairment loss, the adjusted carrying amount of the asset becomes its new cost basis.  For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis will be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset.

Our impairment loss calculations contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting useful lives of the assets and selecting the discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in future cash flows.  

During the third quarter of fiscal 2010, changes in our business, including the decline in orders, the operating losses and the impairment of goodwill, were indicators of potential impairment for our business units.  Therefore, we tested our long-lived assets for recoverability in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected from the use and eventual disposition of the assets to the carrying amount of the assets.  We grouped the assets at the lowest level for which there were identifiable cash flows that were independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  Based on this analysis, the undiscounted cash flows significantly exceeded the carrying amount of the long-lived assets, and therefore it was determined that there was no impairment.  If actual results in the future are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to future losses that could be material.  We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions we use to calculate long-lived asset impairment losses.
 
Software costs:  We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software.  Capitalized software costs are included in Property and Equipment on our consolidated balance sheets.  Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed immediately.

Insurance:  We are self-insured for certain losses related to health and liability claims and workers’ compensation, although we obtain third-party insurance to limit our exposure to these claims.  We estimate our self-insured liabilities using a number of factors, including historical claims experience.  Our self-insurance liability was $2,075 and $2,831 at April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011, respectively, and is included in accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheets.

Foreign currency translation: Our foreign subsidiaries use the local currency of their respective countries as their functional currency.  The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are generally translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date.  The operating results of foreign operations are translated at weighted average exchange rates.  The related translation gains or losses are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Income taxes:  We account for income taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in our financial statements or tax returns.  Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.  ASC 740 requires the consideration of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that some component or all of the benefits of deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Tax rate changes are reflected in income during the period such changes are enacted.  We have benefited from a tax holiday in China that expired in fiscal 2012.  In fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2009, we realized a benefit of approximately $249 or $0.006 per share, $77 or $0.002 per share, and $97 or $0.002 per share, respectively.
 
Our income tax returns, like those of most companies, are periodically audited by U.S. federal, state and local and foreign tax authorities. These audits include questions regarding our tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by the various tax authorities. In evaluating the tax benefits associated with our various tax filing positions, we record a tax benefit for uncertain tax positions using the highest cumulative tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which we have established a liability, is audited and effectively settled. We adjust our liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the period in which we determine the issue is effectively settled with the tax authorities, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing authority to examine the tax position, or when more information becomes available. We include our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued penalties and interest, in income taxes payable on our consolidated balance sheets and in income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
 
Comprehensive income (loss):  We follow the provisions of ASC 220, Reporting Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components.  Comprehensive income reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.  For us, comprehensive income represents net income (loss) adjusted for foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities.  The foreign currency translation adjustment included in comprehensive income has not been tax affected, as the investments in foreign affiliates are deemed to be permanent.  In accordance with ASC 220, we have chosen to disclose comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.

Product design and development:  All expenses related to product design and development are charged to operations as incurred.  Our product development activities include the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products.

Advertising costs:  We expense advertising costs as incurred.  Advertising expenses were $1,843, $1,895 and $1,215 for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Shipping and handling costs: Shipping and handling costs that are collected from our customers in connection with our sales are recorded as revenue.  We record shipping and handling costs as a component of cost of sales at the time the product is shipped.

Earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”):  Basic EPS is computed by dividing income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then share in our earnings.
The following is a reconciliation of the income (loss) and common stock share amounts used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the fiscal years ended April 28, 2012, April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010:
 
Net income (loss)
 
Shares
 
Per share income (loss)
For the year ended April 28, 2012:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
8,489

 
41,869

 
$
0.20

Dilution associated with stock compensation plans

 
435

 

Diluted earnings per share
$
8,489

 
42,304

 
$
0.20

For the year ended April 30, 2011:
 

 
 

 
 

Basic earnings per share
$
14,244

 
41,422

 
$
0.34

Dilution associated with stock compensation plans

 
855

 

Diluted earnings per share
$
14,244

 
42,277

 
$
0.34

For the year ended May 1, 2010:
 

 
 

 
 

Basic loss per share
$
(6,989
)
 
40,908

 
$
(0.17
)
Dilution associated with stock compensation plans

 

 

Diluted loss per share
$
(6,989
)
 
40,908

 
$
(0.17
)

Options outstanding to purchase 1,611 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $19.17 per share during the fiscal year ended April 28, 2012 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the weighted average exercise price of those instruments exceeded the average market price of the common shares during the year.

Options outstanding to purchase 1,655 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $19.23 per share during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the weighted average exercise price of those instruments exceeded the average market price of the common shares during the year.

Options outstanding to purchase 2,658 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $14.14 per share during the fiscal year ended May 1, 2010 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the loss recorded for the period makes the options anti-dilutive.

Share-based compensation:  We account for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation.  Under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, we measure share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize the compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period.  The valuation provisions of ASC 718 apply to awards granted after its April 30, 2006 effective date.  Share-based compensation expense for awards granted prior to April 30, 2006, but that remained unvested on the effective date, were recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost estimated for the ASC 718 pro forma disclosures.  See Note 9 for additional information and the assumptions we use to calculate the fair value of share-based employee compensation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On May 1, 2011, we prospectively adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standard Updates ("ASU") 2009-13 Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, and ASU 2009-14, Certain Revenue Arrangements that Include Software Elements, regarding revenue recognition for multiple deliverable arrangements and arrangements that include software elements. The update requires a vendor to allocate revenue in an arrangement using its best estimate of selling price if neither vendor specific objective evidence nor third party evidence of selling price exists. The residual method of revenue allocation is no longer permissible. Our adoption of ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14 did not change our units of accounting for bundled arrangements, nor did it materially change how we allocate arrangement consideration to our various products and services. Accordingly, our adoption of ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28, When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (Topic 350)-Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. ASU 2010-28 amends the criteria for performing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires performing Step 2 if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. ASU 2010-28 requires any impairment to be recorded upon adoption as an adjustment to our beginning retained earnings. The adoption of this update on May 1, 2011 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements, as we do not have any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS, which amends ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASU 2011-04 provides a consistent definition of fair value and ensures that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 also changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements, particularly for level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted ASU 2011-04 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Its adoption had no impact our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which amends ASC 220, Comprehensive Income.  ASU 2011-05 requires the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but continuous statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity.  In addition, ASU 2011-05 requires companies to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented.  ASU 2011-05 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and interim periods thereafter.  On December 23, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which deferred the effective date for certain provisions that related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments and their presentation in the financial statements until further notice.  As this update impacts presentation only, its adoption will not impact our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value before applying the two-step goodwill impairment model that is currently in place.  If it is determined through the qualitative assessment that a reporting unit’s fair value is more likely than not greater than its carrying value, the remaining impairment steps would be unnecessary. The qualitative assessment is optional, allowing companies to go directly to the quantitative assessment. ASU 2011-08 will be effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. This new standard will be effective for us beginning in fiscal 2013. There will be no impact to our consolidated financial statement presentation, as ASU 2011-08 impacts the analysis to be performed only if needed.