Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The Company

The Company

Smith Micro develops software to simplify and enhance the mobile experience, providing solutions to some of the leading wireless and cable service providers around the world. From enabling the family digital lifestyle to providing powerful voice messaging capabilities, we strive to enrich today’s connected lifestyles while creating new opportunities to engage consumers via smartphones and consumer IoT devices. Our portfolio includes a wide range of products for creating, sharing and monetizing rich content, such as visual voice messaging, retail content display optimization and performance analytics on any product set.

Our solution portfolio is comprised of proven products that enable our customers to provide:

• In-demand digital services that connect today’s digital lifestyle, including family location services, parental controls, and consumer IoT devices to mobile consumers worldwide;

• Easy visual access to voice messages on mobile devices through visual voicemail and voice-to-text transcription functionality; and

• Strategic, consistent and measurable digital demo experiences that educate retail shoppers, create awareness of products and services and drive in-store sales, and optimize retail experiences with actionable analytics derived from in-store customer behavior.

We continue to innovate and evolve our business case in response to industry trends in order to capitalize upon growth and maximize opportunities in emerging markets, such as digital lifestyle services and online family safety, “Big Data” analytics, automotive telematics, and the consumer IoT marketplace. The key to our longevity, however, is not simply technological innovation, but our customer-first approach to doing business. never-ending focus on understanding our customers’ needs and delivering value.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the operating results and financial position of Smith Micro and its wholly owned subsidiaries in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany amounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign Currency Transactions

The Company has international operations resulting from current and prior year acquisitions. The countries in which the Company has a subsidiary or branch office are Serbia, Sweden, and Portugal. The functional currency for all of these foreign entities is the U.S. dollar in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic No. 830-30, Foreign Currency Matters-Translation of Financial Statements. Foreign currency transactions that increase or decrease expected functional currency cash flows is a foreign currency transaction gain or loss that are included in determining net income for the period in which the exchange rate changes. Likewise, a transaction gain or loss (measured from the transaction date or the most recent intervening balance sheet date, whichever is later) realized upon settlement of a foreign currency transaction is included in determining net income for the period in which the transaction is settled.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC Topic No. 805, Business Combinations, in the accounting for its acquisitions, which requires recognition of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values, separately from goodwill. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions

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to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, its estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period that exists up to twelve months from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the tangible and specifically identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill in the reporting period in which the adjusted amounts are determined. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, the impact of any subsequent adjustments is included in the consolidated statements of operations. 

Costs to exit or restructure certain activities of an acquired company or the Company’s internal operations are accounted for as a one-time termination and exit cost pursuant to FASB ASC Topic No. 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, and are accounted for separately from the business combination. A liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity is recognized and measured at its fair value in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the liability is incurred.

Uncertain income tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances that are acquired in connection with a business combination are initially estimated as of the acquisition date. The Company reevaluates these items quarterly based upon facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, with any adjustments to the preliminary estimates being recorded to goodwill if such adjustments occur within the 12-month measurement period. Subsequent to the end of the measurement period or the Company’s final determination of the value of the tax allowance or contingency, whichever comes first, changes to these uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances will affect the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations, and could have a material impact on results of operations and financial position.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company measures and discloses fair value measurements as required by FASB ASC Topic No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the FASB establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

• Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

• Level 2 - Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

• Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

As required by FASB ASC Topic No. 820, we measure our cash equivalents and short-term investments at fair value. Our cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified within Level 1 by using quoted market prices utilizing market observable inputs. 

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As required by FASB ASC Topic No. 825, Financial Instruments, an entity can choose to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Subsequent changes in fair value for designated items are required to be reported in earnings in the current period. This Topic also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements for similar types of assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

As required by FASB ASC Topic No. 350, for goodwill and other intangibles impairment analysis, we utilize fair value measurements which are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Significant Concentrations

Significant Concentrations

For the year ended December 31, 2020, one customer, accounting for over 10% of revenues, made up 81% of revenues and 91% of accounts receivable, and one service provider with more than 10% of purchases totaled 10% of accounts payable. For the year ended December 31, 2019, one customer, accounting for over 10% of revenues, made up 84% of revenues and 92% of accounts receivable, and one service provider with more than 10% of purchases totaled 10% of accounts payable.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents generally consist of cash, government securities, mutual funds, and money market funds. These securities are primarily held in one financial institution and are uninsured except for the minimum Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage, and have original maturity dates of three months or less. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, bank balances totaling approximately $25.5 million and $28.0 million, respectively, were uninsured.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We sell our products worldwide. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits based upon payment history, the customer’s current credit worthiness and various other factors, as determined by our review of their current credit information. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers. We estimate credit losses and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts reserve based upon these estimates. While such credit losses have historically been within our estimated reserves, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. If not, this could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Allowances for product returns are included in other adjustments to accounts receivable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Product returns are estimated based on historical experience and have also been within management’s estimates.

Equipment and Improvements

Equipment and Improvements

Equipment and improvements are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally ranging from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term.

Internal Software Development Costs

Internal Software Development Costs

Development costs incurred in the research and development of new software products and enhancements to existing software products are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. The Company considers technological feasibility to be established when all planning, designing, coding, and testing has been completed according to design specifications. After technological feasibility is established, any additional costs are capitalized. Through December 31, 2020, software has been substantially completed concurrently with the establishment of technological feasibility; accordingly, no costs have been capitalized to date.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets

Long-lived assets to be held are reviewed for events or changes in circumstances which indicate their carrying value may not be recoverable. They are tested for recoverability using undiscounted cash flows to determine whether or not impairment to such value has occurred as required by FASB ASC Topic No. 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment.

Goodwill

Goodwill

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic No. 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, we review the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The Company’s annual impairment testing date is December 31. Recoverability of goodwill is determined by comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to the carrying value of the underlying net assets in the reporting units. If the fair value of a reporting unit is determined to be less than the carrying value of its net assets, goodwill is deemed impaired and an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of its other assets and liabilities.

Intangible Assets and Amortization

Intangible Assets and Amortization

Amortization expense related to other intangibles acquired in acquisitions is calculated on a straight line basis over one to ten years. Intangible assets are tested for impairment if events or circumstances occur indicating that the respective asset might be impaired.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted FASB ASC Topic No. 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as of January 1, 2018, and recognizes the sale of goods and services based on the five-step analysis of transactions as provided in Topic 606, which requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods and services.

In our Wireless segment, we transfer software licenses to our customers on a royalty free, non-exclusive, non-transferrable, limited use basis during the term of the agreement. In some instances, we perform customization services to ensure the software operates within our customer’s operating platforms as well as the operating platforms of the mobile devices used by their end customers, before transferring the license. Revenue related to these services is recognized at a point in time upon acceptance of the software license by the customer. We also earn usage based revenue on our platforms. Usage based revenue is generated based on active licenses used by our customer’s end customers, the provision of hosting services, revenue share based on media placements on our platform, and use of our cloud based services. We recognize our usage based revenue when we have completed our performance obligation and have the right to invoice the customer. This revenue is generally recognized monthly or quarterly. Finally, in this segment, we ratably recognize revenue over the contract period when customers pay in advance of our service delivery.

On February 12, 2020, we acquired certain assets from Circle (as further described in Note 2 below), including a source code license to Circle’s parental control software solution and two customer contracts. Pursuant to these contracts, the customer parties thereto license the parental control software solution for distribution to their respective subscribers in designated markets. In each case, the contracts allow the customer to take possession of the software solution and to host it on their platform or with an independent third party hosting service provider without significant cost. We also provide significant services that are required by the customer to ensure they have the utility of the license. As the license to the software solution and the services we provide are highly interrelated, we have concluded that the license and our services are a single performance obligation. The license fee is earned and recognized on a pro-rata basis over the contract term based on our customer’s continued use of the license and our services.

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We also provide consulting services to develop customer-specified functionality that are generally not on our software development roadmap. We recognize revenue from our consulting services upon delivery and acceptance by the customer of our software enhancements and upgrades. For certain Wireless segment customers we provide maintenance and technology support services for which the customer either pays upfront or as we provide the services. When the customer pays upfront, we record the payments as contract liabilities and recognize revenue ratably over the contract period as this is our stand ready performance obligation that is satisfied ratably over the maintenance and technology services period.

We receive upfront payments from customers from services to be provided under our ViewSpot® contracts. The advance receipts are deferred and subsequently recognized ratably over the contract period. We also provide consulting services to configure ad hoc targeted promotional content for our customers upon request. These requests are driven by our customers’ marketing initiatives and tend to be short term “bursts” of activity. We recognize these revenues upon delivery of the configured promotional content to the cloud platform.

For our Graphics products where we sell off-the-shelf software products with no customization or post sale technology support services, we recognize revenue at the time we transfer control of the product to the customer. This occurs upon shipment of the product or when the customer downloads the software from our website or website of our resellers. We offer a 30 day return option to our customers; a return reserve is established at the time revenue is recorded and the reserve is monitored and adjusted based on actual experience. Historically, returns have been insignificant.

Product and Services Warranties

Product and Services Warranties

Warranty related costs are recorded in our operating expenses as incurred as these costs are immaterial for the products and services we sell.

Principal and Agent Considerations

Principal and Agent Considerations

We own the Intellectual Property and retain ownership when we license our customized software solutions for use by our Wireless segment customers. We are a principal in these transactions and as such we recognize our Wireless segment revenue with respect thereto on a gross basis.

We sell our Graphics software products directly to end consumers as well as through our distributors and re-sellers. We are a principal in these transactions as we bear the inventory risk, customers (or customer’s end users) view us as the primary obligor responsible for supporting the software products, and we have full discretion in establishing the prices for our graphics software products. As a principal we record our Graphics revenues on a gross basis.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on their fair values and recognizes such awards as compensation expense over the vesting period using the straight-line method over the requisite service period for each award as required by FASB ASC Topic No. 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing all lease transactions (with terms in excess of 12 months) on the balance sheet as a lease liability and a right-of-use asset (as defined). The Company adopted the FASB ASC Topic No. 842, Leases, and related amendments, as of January 1, 2019, utilizing the modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity. Management elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard which allowed for the carry forward of the historical lease classification. Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of additional net lease assets and lease liabilities of approximately $3.1 million as of January 1, 2019, and an adjustment to retained earnings of $0.1 million. The standard did not materially impact the consolidated net income or earnings per share and had no impact on cash flows. See Note 12 for further details.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial  Instruments  – Credit  Losses  (Topic  326)  – Measurement  of  Credit  Losses  on  Financial  Instruments, which replaces the “incurred loss” credit losses framework with a new accounting standard that requires management’s measurement  of  the  allowance  for  credit  losses  to  be  based  on  a  broader  range  of  reasonable  and  supportable information for lifetime credit loss estimates. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Impact of COVID-19

Impact of COVID-19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization categorized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic, and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States and other countries across the world, and the duration and severity of its effects are currently unknown. While the response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to rapidly evolve, it has led to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines that have seriously disrupted activities in large segments of the economy.

During the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, we saw a reduction in the number of SafePath® platform subscribers compared to March 2020, which we believe was driven by the COVID-19 related economic slowdown. The Company’s consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect estimates and assumptions made by management 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 reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented. The severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the duration and severity of the pandemic and the extent and severity of the impact on the Company’s customers, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.

As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the Company’s operations continues to evolve, we will continue to monitor the impact on the Company’s operations and, if needed, postpone non-essential capital expenditures, reduce operating costs, and substantially reduce discretionary spending.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates earnings per share (“EPS”) as required by FASB ASC Topic No. 260, Earnings Per Share.  Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, plus the weighted average number of dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. For purposes of this calculation, common stock subject to repurchase by the Company and options are considered to be common stock equivalents, and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share when their effect is dilutive.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator:
Net income	$	4,165	$	10,722
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders		—		(119	)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	4,165	$	10,603
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		40,808		34,513
Potential common shares - options (treasury    stock method)		1,956		2,478
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		42,764		36,991
Shares excluded due to an exercise price greater than    weighted average stock price for the period		98		88
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.10	$	0.31
Diluted	$	0.10	$	0.29

Segment Information

Segment Information

Public companies are required to report financial and descriptive information about their reportable operating segments as required by FASB ASC Topic No. 280, Segment Reporting. The Company has historically had two primary business units based on how management internally evaluates separate financial information, business activities and management responsibility: Wireless and Graphics. Wireless primarily includes our SafePath, CommSuite, and ViewSpot family of products. Graphics includes our consumer-based products: Rebelle, PhotoDonut and StuffIt®, Motion Artist® (through December 2020), Moho® (through December 2020), and Poser® (through June 2019).

With the more recent divestitures of Moho, Motion Artist, and Poser, the Graphics business has become insignificant in relation to total consolidated revenues and no longer qualifies as a reportable operating segment. Therefore, the Company will disclose only one reportable operating segment, Wireless, and the following disclosures reflect this change.