Biometric Security Solutions Provider BIO-key Reports Q3 Results


WALL, N.J., Nov. 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIO-key International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BKYI), an innovative provider of biometric identity, authentication and security solutions, today reported results for its third quarter (Q3'19) ended September 30, 2019. BIO-key will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. ET (details below) to review its results and outlook.

Highlights

BIO-key CEO Michael DePasquale commented, “Despite the year-over-year decline in our third quarter revenue for reasons explained below, we are at a true inflection point in our industry and as a company.  I serve as the Vice Chairman of our industry group, the International Biometrics and Identity Association (IBIA), and I see first-hand the number of opportunities for biometric multi-factor authentication as well as large scale Civil ID projects that are emerging on an International basis.   BIO-key is in an excellent position to take advantage of these opportunities with our advanced technology and marquis references across all verticals.   Our results this year also reflect our transition from a software license sales model, where historically we were able to book the full value of a perpetual software license, to a software subscription model, where customers pay a much lower fee to access our software on an annual basis, resulting in lower initial revenue.

“As we have discussed, the subscription model is far more favorable for our Company in the long term as it creates more predictable, recurring revenue streams with the potential to be much larger over a period of several years than what we would have otherwise generated from a conventional software license. Customers also benefit from the subscription model via lower initial cash outlays, predictable annual software expense, and immediate access to updates and enhancements to our products. 

“We are now fully standardized on subscription model pricing for all new customers. And while the transition has negatively impacted the level of revenues we have been able to record in new customer engagements it is also providing growing visibility for a more predictable base of recurring subscription revenue for the future.

“Our Q3 and nine months results were also impacted by ongoing U.S. and China trade uncertainty which plays a major role in stalling the resumption of monthly cash payments due to BIO-key under a large software license contract we closed with a Chinese customer in Q4 2018. Fortunately, BIO-key’s outlook for the balance of 2019 and next year is far more favorable, particularly as we are engaged in several large, active customer procurement discussions which we anticipate will close before year-end in order to meet annual IT security and objectives.

“With regard to capital resources, the Company is currently working to close an equity financing with a limited number of investors.  This  private placement transaction is expected to be priced at a premium to the current market price of the Company’s common stock and be completed in short order.”

Growth Initiatives
Fred Corsentino, BIO-key’s Chief Revenue Officer, added, “Our new Channel Alliance Program is designed to attract a growing base of Managed Service Providers, Security Integrators and Value-Added Resellers with a proven base of activity in relevant enterprise and network security solutions. Alliance partners are trained and authorized to represent BIO-key’s complete line of biometric solutions for single sign on or multi-factor authentication across an organization, and as such we expect the program to substantially expand the reach of our products around the globe. Although the program is just a few months old, we have engaged with several new end-user customers and are in dialogues with others.

“We are particularly excited about opportunities in Africa, where biometrics are seen as an ideal and cost effective solution to some large-scale issues, and substantial funding is being made available in both the public and private sectors. For example, the World Bank recently approved $433 million in funding for a Nigerian biometric national ID registration program. We have partnered with the Technology Transfer Institute of Africa to create a solid in-country platform to pursue opportunities in the expansive African market and plan on opening an African Subsidiary to service that business.”

2019 Financial Guidance
Due to uncertainty with regard to the timing of software and hardware deals, BIO-key’s transition to a subscription model and uncertainly regarding the timing of monthly software license payments due under a large software license with a Chinese customer, BIO-key is adjusting  its full-year 2019 revenue guidance to a range of $5M to $11M from $6M to $12M.  The upper end of this range assumes the receipt of all software license payments contractually due in 2019, totaling $6M, and the lower end of the range excludes any such payments.

Q3 2019 Results
Q3'19 revenue declined to $452,714 versus $739,750 in Q3’18, due principally to lower hardware sales and license fees, partially offset by higher services revenues.

Hardware sales decreased by $186,290, due to smaller new customer deployments and reduced lock sales as BIO-key transitioned to an "enterprise only" model for our smartlock technology moving away from the low margin retail markets in the US.

Software license revenue decreased by $112,379 from Q3’18, while increasing in customer diversity for smaller initial software subscription orders. As previously discussed, software license revenue has been negatively impacted by the Company’s transition to a subscription model from its historical license sale model. The net effect of this transition is to decrease the upfront revenue realized from a new software engagement and replace it with a recurring revenue stream with the potential to be significantly larger, over time.

Service revenues increased by $11,633 to $237,372 in Q3’19 from the prior-year period. Service revenue made up 52% of revenues in Q3’19, up from 31% in Q3’18 with approximately 95% of service revenue classified as recurring revenue.

Gross margin improved to -12% in Q3'19 compared to -27% in Q3’18, reflecting the impact of a larger amount of non-cash software license amortization expense in Q3'18 as well as improved margins on  services revenue related to reduced support requirements.

Q3’19 operating expenses decreased $225,580 to $1,215,197 from $1,440,777 in Q3’18, reflecting decreases in non-cash compensation, and reduced marketing and administrative payroll, offset by increased sales payroll and legal fees as well as to lower R&D and engineering expenses, as a result of decreased contracting services, non-cash compensation, and personnel and related costs, offset by increased recruiting expenses.

BIO-key's Q3'19 net loss was $(1,829,567), or $(0.13) per basic and diluted share, as compared to $(3,070,281), or $(0.23) per basic share after preferred dividends, in Q3’18. The prior-year period included $1,428,966, or $0.11 per share in non-cash “deemed dividend” expense resulting from the required repricing of outstanding warrants.  93% of these warrants have since expired and are no longer part of BIO-key’s capitalization table.

Per share results are based on weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding of 14,387,467 and 13,145,301 in Q3’19 and Q3’18, respectively.

For the first nine-months of 2019, total revenue was $1,732,720 versus $2,329,346 in the first nine months of 2018, reflecting lower software license sales, including the impact of the subscription model transition, and the variability in the timing of other software and hardware activity.

Net loss improved to $(5,058,818), or $(0.36) per basic and diluted share in the first nine months of 2019 versus $(7,115,771), or $(0.66) per basic and diluted share after preferred dividends, in the corresponding period in 2018. The comparable prior-year period included a deemed dividend of $1,428,966, or $0.13 per share, and convertible preferred dividends of $198,033, or $0.02 per share.

Per share results are based on weighted average basic shares outstanding of 14,163,120 and 10,810,103 in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

In July 2019, BIO-key completed a $3.06M convertible note financing generating $2.55M in gross proceeds to be used for general working capital purposes, including repayment of outstanding indebtedness. The note is convertible at the option of the investor into common stock at $1.50 per share and is subject to redemption at any time by BIO-key.

At September 30, 2019 BIO-key had $851,574 of cash and accounts receivable versus $1,897,975 at December 31, 2018.

 Conference Call and Webcast Replay
 Date/Time:Friday, November 15, 2019 at 10 am ET
 Dial-In number:1-877-418-5460 U.S. or 412-717-9594 (Intl.)
 Webcast Replay:BIO-key Q3'19 Webcast – Available for 3 months
 Call Replay:1-877-344-7529 U.S. or 412-317-0088; Replay access code 10136774#
   

About BIO-key International, Inc. (www.bio-key.com)
BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication with biometric solutions that enable convenient and secure access to information and high-stakes transactions. We offer software-based alternatives to passwords, PINs, tokens, and cards to make it easy for enterprises and consumers to secure their devices as well as information in the cloud. Our premium finger scanning devices offer market-leading quality, performance and price – providing more ways to BIO-key your world!

BIO-key Safe Harbor Statement
All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). The words "estimate," "project," "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "believes" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Act. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, our history of losses and limited revenue; our ability to protect our intellectual property; changes in business conditions; changes in our sales strategy and product development plans; changes in the marketplace; continued services of our executive management team; competition in the biometric technology industry; market acceptance of biometric products generally and our products under development; our ability to expand into Asia, Africa and other foreign markets; delays in the development of products and statements of assumption underlying any of the foregoing; our ability to close the potential private placement transaction on the terms described herein if at all as well as other factors set forth under the caption see "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Engage with BIO-key
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Twitter – Corporate:@BIOkeyIntl
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Investor & Media Contacts
William Jones, David Collins
Catalyst IR
212-924-9800
bkyi@catalyst-ir.com

BIO-KEY INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

  Three months ended
September 30,
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
  2019  2018  2019  2018 
                 
Revenues                
Services $237,372  $225,739  $710,975  $777,309 
License fees  98,272   210,651   241,780   467,621 
Hardware  117,070   303,360   779,965   1,084,416 
Total Revenues  452,714   739,750   1,732,720   2,329,346 
Costs and other expenses                
Cost of services  65,683   97,965   214,933   373,538 
Cost of license fees  369,604   757,288   1,119,147   2,297,390 
Cost of hardware  73,366   85,079   458,049   478,652 
Total costs and other expenses  508,653   940,332   1,792,129   3,149,580 
Gross Profit (Loss)  (55,939)  (200,582)  (59,409)  (820,234)
                 
Operating Expenses                
Selling, general and administrative  915,066   1,049,270   3,350,770   3,587,308 
Research, development and engineering  300,131   391,507   975,466   1,081,294 
Total operating expenses  1,215,197   1,440,777   4,326,236   4,668,602 
Operating loss  (1,271,136)  (1,641,359)  (4,385,645)  (5,488,836)
                 
Other income (expense)                
Interest income  19   44   143   64 
Interest expense  (558,449)  -   (673,316)  - 
Total other income (expense), net  (558,430)  44   (673,173)  64 
Net loss  (1,829,567)  (1,641,315)  (5,058,818)  (5,488,772)
Deemed dividend from trigger of anti-dilution provision feature  -   (1,428,966)  -   (1,428,966)
Convertible preferred stock dividends  -   -   -   (198,033)
Net loss available to common stockholders $(1,829,567) $(3,070,281) $(5,058,818) $(7,115,771)
                 
Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share attributable to common stockholders $(0.13) $(0.23) $(0.36) $(0.66)
                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:                
Basic and Diluted  14,387,467   13,145,301   14,163,120   10,810,103 
                 
                 

BIO-KEY INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  September 30,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
  (Unaudited)     
ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents $78,240  $323,943 
Accounts receivable, net  773,334   1,574,032 
Due from factor  50,702   56,682 
Inventory  971,167   998,829 
Resalable software license rights  1,125,000   1,125,000 
Prepaid expenses and other  183,216   150,811 
Investment – non-marketable security  512,821   - 
Total current assets  3,694,480   4,229,297 
Resalable software license rights, net of current portion  5,906,466   6,790,610 
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net  117,644   148,608 
Capitalized contract costs, net  254,957   319,199 
Deposits and other assets  8,712   8,712 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  611,883   - 
Intangible assets, net  187,701   195,906 
Total non-current assets  7,087,363   7,463,035 
TOTAL ASSETS $10,781,843  $11,692,332 
         
LIABILITIES        
Accounts payable $496,667  $481,269 
Accrued liabilities  478,541   548,232 
Convertible notes payable, net of debt discount and debt issuance costs  1,859,635   - 
Deferred revenue  222,721   196,609 
Operating lease liabilities, current portion  178,130   - 
Total current liabilities  3,235,694   1,226,110 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  426,879   - 
Total non-current liabilities  426,879   - 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  3,662,573   1,226,110 
         
Commitments        
         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Common stock — authorized, 170,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 14,398,701         
and 13,977,868 of $.0001 par value at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018,
respectively
  1,440   1,398 
Additional paid-in capital  87,310,964   85,599,140 
Accumulated deficit  (80,193,134)  (75,134,316)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  7,119,270   10,466,222 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $10,781,843  $11,692,332 
         
         

BIO-KEY INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2019  2018 
         
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net loss $(5,058,818) $(5,488,772)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used for operating activities:        
Depreciation  59,717   69,083 
Amortization of intangible assets  9,941   12,281 
Amortization of resalable software license rights  843,287   1,978,349 
Amortization of debt discount  288,774   - 
Amortization of capitalized contract costs  102,839   90,518 
Amortization of debt issuance costs  311,718   - 
Share-based and warrant compensation for employees and consultants  765,677   865,291 
Stock based directors’ fees  28,512   30,530 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  800,698   2,262,423 
Due from factor  5,980   29,464 
Operating leases right-of-use assets  (8,946)  - 
Capitalized contract costs  (38,597)  (183,569)
Inventory  27,662   (97,306)
Resalable software license rights  40,857   18,111 
Prepaid expenses and other  (45,000)  (20,243)
Accounts payable  15,398   (129,445)
Accrued liabilities  (69,691)  (102,422)
Deferred revenue  26,112   (252,128)
Operating lease liabilities  14,667     
Net cash used for operating activities  (1,879,213)  (917,835)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Purchase of intangible assets  (1,736)  - 
Capital expenditures  (28,753)  (82,143)
Purchase of investment – non-marketable security  (512,821)  - 
Net cash used for investing activities  (543,310)  (82,143)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Proceeds from Issuance of convertible notes  3,217,000   - 
Repayment of convertible notes  (707,000)  - 
Proceeds from Issuance of common stock  -   1,875,100 
Costs to issue notes, common and preferred stock  (333,180)  (115,088)
Net cash provided by financing activities  2,176,820   1,760,012 
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (245,703)  760,034 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  323,943   288,721 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $78,240  $1,048,755