STARLIMS Announces First Quarter 2008 Financial Results


HOLLYWOOD, Fla., May 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- STARLIMS Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:LIMS), a leading provider of laboratory information management systems (LIMS), today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 ended March 31, 2008.

Total revenue for the first quarter of 2008 was $7.0 million, up 28.9% from $5.4 million reported in the first quarter of 2007. Product revenues were $4.7 million, up 36.8% from $3.4 million reported in the same period a year ago. Services revenues were $2.3 million, up 15.4% from $2.0 million reported in the same period a year ago.

"We had a solid start to 2008 signing two seven figure deals in the quarter and we are seeing strong demand for our products," said Itschak Friedman, CEO of STARLIMS. "We are very pleased with the initial launch of our integrated scientific document management system or SDMS. It has been well received in the marketplace and is becoming an increasingly important component to our solution as well as a major differentiator for STARLIMS against our competitors."

STARLIMS's business model is characterized by fairly large transactions, with a relatively high average selling price. Due to the two large deals we signed this quarter, the average selling price (ASP) for the first quarter on direct sales rose to more than $800,000 in comparison to an ASP of $600,000 for 2007. Management believes that a comparison of STARLIMS's results in a longer term perspective provides better insight into the underlying growth of our business and expects the ASP to return closer to 2007 levels in future quarters.

GAAP operating income for the first quarter of 2008 was $1.1 million or 15.8% of revenues, compared to $1.2 million or 21.6% of revenues for the first quarter of 2007. GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $1.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $1.1 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2007.

Non-GAAP operating income for the first quarter of 2008 was $1.2 million or 17.6% of revenues, compared to $1.2 million or 22.5% of revenues for the first quarter of 2007. Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $1.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $1.1 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2007.

The following tables include a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP income from operations and net income for the first quarter of 2008 and 2007.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities amounted to $33.9 million on March 31, 2008, compared to $35.1 million on December 31, 2007. The decrease in cash was primarily due to the stock repurchase program and cash usage for operating activities.

STARLIMS Launches Informatics Consulting Business

STARLIMS announced on May 12, 2008 the establishment of its Informatics Consulting Business. STARLIMS acquired the assets of Laboratory Expertise Center, Inc. (LEC), a LIMS and laboratory informatics specialized consultancy, to increase the Company's strategic consulting capabilities. The new unit, which will be headed by LEC Founder and President Randy Hice, will focus on providing strategic informatics consulting on the standardization and harmonization of large, multi-site, complex LIMS implementations. These services are increasingly necessary as global customers plan the strategies to gain the most effectiveness from their large distributed LIMS systems.

STARLIMS Acquires UK Partner

STARLIMS initially announced on February 14, 2008 that it had reached an agreement to the terms to acquire its long-standing UK partner. On May 14, 2008, the Company closed the transaction for an undisclosed amount. Management believes that the acquisition will enhance STARLIMS service capabilities in the United Kingdom and expand the Company's European operations. STARLIMS has begun the integration process and is expanding the sales force to take advantage of the increasing number of opportunities in Europe.

Update to Stock Repurchase Program

STARLIMS purchased an aggregate of 90,727 common shares in the first quarter of 2008 for $681,000 or an average price of $7.54. The company approved the stock repurchase program on February 13, 2008, and enables STARLIMS to purchase an aggregate of $2 million of the Company's common stock over a period of 18 months. At March 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $1.3 million remaining on its stock repurchase program.

Guidance

STARLIMS is reiterating its financial guidance for fiscal year 2008 that was provided on February 14, 2008. Management continues to expect total revenues of $27 to $29 million and GAAP EPS of $0.55 to $0.70, which includes approximately $0.05 of stock-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions and other non-recurring expenses. The guidance assumes an annual tax rate of approximately 15% and estimated weighted average shares outstanding of 8.9 million during 2008.

Note on Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement the consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, STARLIMS uses non-GAAP measures of gross margin, net income and earnings per share, which are adjustments from results based on GAAP to exclude non recurring expenses, non-cash equity based compensation in accordance with SFAS 123(R) and amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions. Our management believes that the non-GAAP financial information provided in this release can assist investors in understanding and assessing the Company's on-going core operations and prospects for the future. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our management also uses both GAAP and non-GAAP information in evaluating and operating business internally and as such deemed it important to provide all this information to investors. Reconciliation between GAAP to non-GAAP statement of income is provided in the table below.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

STARLIMS will host a live webcast of this conference call on Thursday, May 15, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (15:30 Israeli time). The listen-only webcast can be accessed from the Investor Relations page of the Company's web site at http://ir.starlims.com. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (303) 262-2130.

The webcast will be archived on the STARLIMS Technologies Investor Relations page of the Company's website, at http://ir.starlims.com starting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2008. Alternatively, the conference call replay can be accessed by dialing (800) 405-2236, access code 11112064#.

About STARLIMS

STARLIMS Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:LIMS) is a leading provider of laboratory information management systems (LIMS), with over 20 years of LIMS experience. The Company's flagship product, STARLIMS(r), improves the reliability of laboratory sampling processes, supports compliance with domestic and international regulations and industry standards, and provides comprehensive reporting, monitoring and analysis capabilities. STARLIMS software is used for quality assurance and control, testing and monitoring, and research and development in government, manufacturing and life sciences organizations. With operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel and Hong Kong, the Company serves over 500 organizations in 40 countries. For more information, please see http://www.starlims.com.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in demand for products and services, the timing and amount or cancellation of orders, loss of market share and other risks detailed from time to time in STARLIMS's filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such filings contain and identify these and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of today.



                     STARLIMS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data and per share data)


                                              December 31,  March 31,
                                              ------------  ---------
                                                 2007         2008
                                                 ----         ----
                                                Audited     Unaudited
                                                -------     ---------

        ASSETS
 Current Assets
 Cash and cash equivalents                    $   31,704   $  29,965
 Restricted short-term deposits                      195         238
 Marketable securities - available-for-sale        1,012       1,668
 Accounts receivable (net of allowance
  for doubtful accounts of $192 and $215,
  respectively)                                    9,215      10,916
 Other current assets                              1,667       1,661
                                              ----------   ---------
 Total current assets                             43,793      44,448
                                              ----------   ---------

 Long-Term Assets
 Marketable securities - held-to-maturity          2,206       2,053
 Other long-term assets                              564         528
 Fixed assets, net                                 1,601       1,587
 Goodwill                                          1,326       1,277
 Other assets, net                                    37          29
                                              ----------   ---------
   Total long-term assets                          5,734       5,474
                                              ----------   ---------

                                              ----------   ---------
 Total assets                                 $   49,527   $  49,922
                                              ----------   ---------

        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current Liabilities
 Trade accounts payable                       $      201   $     606
 Deferred revenues                                 2,276       2,814
 Other current liabilities and 
  accrued expenses                                 2,291       1,080
                                              ----------   ---------
 Total current liabilities                         4,768       4,500
                                              ----------   ---------

 Long-Term Liabilities
 Long-term deferred revenues                          68          45
 Accrued severance pay                                52          50
 Deferred taxes                                      841         740
                                              ----------   ---------
 Total long-term liabilities                         961         835
                                              ----------   ---------

 Shareholders' Equity
 Ordinary shares, NIS 1.00 par value;
  authorized 15,000,000 shares; 
  issued 9,994,544 shares; outstanding 
  8,724,675 and 8,633,948 shares, 
  respectively                                     3,151       3,151
 Additional paid-in capital                       30,893      31,015
 Accumulated other comprehensive income              260         267
 Retained earnings                                12,267      13,608
 Treasury stock, at cost - 1,269,869 and 
  1,360,596 ordinary shares, respectively         (2,773)     (3,454)

                                              ----------   ---------
 Total shareholders' equity                       43,798      44,587
                                              ----------   ---------

                                              ----------   ---------
 Total liabilities and shareholders' 
  equity                                      $   49,527   $  49,922
                                              ----------   ---------


                     STARLIMS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data and per share data)


                                 Year ended     Three months ended 
                                  Dec. 31,           March 31,
                                -----------   -----------------------
                                    2007          2007        2008
                                -----------   ----------  -----------
                                  Audited      Unaudited   Unaudited
                                  -------      ---------   ---------
 Revenues
   Software licensing            $   10,656    $   2,679   $    3,655
   Maintenance                        3,241          727        1,005
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
     Total product revenues          13,897        3,406        4,660
   Services                           9,878        2,001        2,309
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
     Total revenues                  23,775        5,407        6,969
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Cost of revenues
   Cost of products                     374            6          146
   Cost of services                   8,095        1,820        2,307
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
     Total cost of revenues           8,469        1,826        2,453
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Gross profit                        15,306        3,581        4,516
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Operating expenses
   Research and development           2,872          676          833
   Selling and marketing              5,792        1,165        1,681
   General and administrative         2,799          573          904
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
     Total operating expenses        11,463        2,414        3,418
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Operating income                     3,843        1,167        1,098

 Financial income, net                1,551          131          550
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Income before income taxes           5,394        1,298        1,648

 Income tax expense                     885          187          278
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Net income                      $    4,509    $   1,111   $    1,370
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Basic earnings per share        $     0.58    $    0.17   $     0.16
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares used in
  computing basic earnings
  per share                       7,799,583    6,490,970    8,708,546
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Diluted earnings per share      $     0.57    $    0.17   $     0.16
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares used in 
  computing diluted earnings 
  per share                       7,897,036    6,600,400    8,830,732
                                 ==========    =========   ==========


                     STARLIMS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
                       NON-GAAP CONSOLIDATED
                       STATEMENTS OF INCOME
  (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data and per share data)


                                 Year ended     Three months ended 
                                  Dec. 31,           March 31,
                                -----------   -----------------------
                                    2007          2007        2008
                                -----------   ----------  -----------
                                 Unaudited     Unaudited   Unaudited
                                 ---------     ---------   ---------
 Revenues
   Software licensing            $   10,656    $   2,679   $    3,655
   Maintenance                        3,241          727        1,005
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
     Total product revenues          13,897        3,406        4,660
   Services                           9,878        2,001        2,309
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
     Total revenues                  23,775        5,407        6,969
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Cost of revenues
   Cost of products                     374            6          146
   Cost of services                   8,066        1,817        2,271
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
     Total cost of revenues           8,440        1,823        2,417
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Gross profit                        15,335        3,584        4,552
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Operating expenses
   Research and development           2,849          673          819
   Selling and marketing              5,569        1,134        1,616
   General and administrative         2,660          562          890
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
     Total operating expenses        11,078        2,369        3,325
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Operating income                     4,257        1,215        1,227

 Financial income, net                1,551          131          550
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Income before income taxes           5,808        1,346        1,777

 Income tax expense                     976          199          299
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Net income                      $    4,832    $   1,147   $    1,478
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Basic earnings per share        $     0.62    $    0.18   $     0.17
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares used in
  computing basic earnings
  per share                       7,799,583    6,490,970    8,708,546
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Diluted earnings per share      $     0.61    $    0.17   $     0.17
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares used in
  computing diluted earnings
  per share                       7,897,036    6,600,400    8,830,732
                                 ==========    =========   ==========


                     STARLIMS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
        RECONCILIATION BETWEEN GAAP AND NON-GAAP CONSOLIDATED
                        STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                                 Year ended     Three months ended 
                                  Dec. 31,           March 31,
                                -----------   -----------------------
                                    2007          2007        2008
                                -----------   ----------  -----------
                                 Unaudited     Unaudited   Unaudited
                                 ---------     ---------   ---------

 GAAP total cost of revenues          8,469        1,826        2,453
   Stock based compensation 
    expenses                            (29)          (3)         (36)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 NON-GAAP total cost of 
  revenues                            8,440        1,823        2,417
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

 GAAP Research and development 
  expenses                            2,872          676          833
   Stock based compensation 
    expenses                            (23)          (3)         (14)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 NON-GAAP Research and 
  development expenses                2,849          673          819
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

 GAAP Selling and marketing 
  expenses                            5,792        1,165        1,681
   Stock based compensation 
    expenses                           (123)         (31)         (65)
   Issuance related expenses           (100)          --           --
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 NON-GAAP Selling and  
  marketing expenses                  5,569        1,134        1,616
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

 GAAP General and administrative
  expenses                            2,799          573          904
   Stock based compensation 
    expenses                             (9)          (2)          (6)
   Issuance related expenses            (99)          --           --
   Amortization of purchased 
    intangible assets                   (31)          (9)          (8)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 NON-GAAP General and 
  administrative expenses             2,660          562          890
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

 GAAP total tax expenses                885          187          278
   Taxes                                 91           12           21
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 NON-GAAP total tax expenses            976          199          299
                                 ==========    =========   ==========


                     STARLIMS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
                      CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
                    (U.S. dollars in thousands)


                                 Year ended     Three months ended 
                                  Dec. 31,           March 31,
                                -------------------------------------
                                    2007          2007        2008
                                -----------   ----------  -----------
                                  Audited      Unaudited   Unaudited
                                  -------      ---------   ---------

 CASH FLOWS - OPERATING 
  ACTIVITIES
 Net income                      $    4,509    $   1,111   $    1,370

 Adjustments to reconcile 
  net income to cash 
  provided by (used in) 
  operating activities:
   Depreciation and 
    amortization                        510           97          144
   Stock-based compensation             177           40          122
   Gains related to marketable 
    securities                         (326)         (56)        (137)
   Capital loss from sales 
    of fixed assets                       8           --           --
   Increase (decrease) in 
    accrued severance pay                20           12           (3)
   Deferred income taxes               (732)           6          (71)
   The effect of exchange 
    rate changes                       (241)         (33)        (145)
 Changes in assets and 
  liabilities:
   Decrease (increase) in 
    accounts receivable                 (30)       1,509       (1,616)
   Increase (decrease) in 
    allowance for doubtful 
    accounts                            (99)         (55)          23
   Decrease (increase) in 
    other current assets                 75          (42)         (23)
   Increase (decrease) in 
    trade accounts payable             (182)         (26)         409
   Increase in deferred 
    revenues                            395          200          523
   Increase (decrease) in 
    other current liabilities            47         (559)      (1,197)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
   Net cash provided by 
    (used in) operating 
    activities                        4,131        2,204         (601)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 CASH FLOWS - INVESTING 
  ACTIVITIES
 Investments in available-
  for-sale                             (740)        (697)        (133)
 Proceeds from sale of  
  available-for-sale                  1,563        1,821          129
 Investment in held-to-
  maturity marketable 
  securities                         (1,706)        (589)        (385)
 Proceeds from sale of 
  held-to-maturity 
  securities                          1,685           --           --
 Investments in deposits, net          (101)          65           33
 Loans to employees, net                (64)         (24)          11
 Proceeds from sale of 
  property and equipment                 10           --           --
 Purchase of fixed assets              (523)        (215)        (122)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
    Net cash used in investing 
     activities                         124          361         (467)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 CASH FLOWS - FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Proceeds from issuing of 
  shares, net of issuance 
  expenses                           26,785           --           --
 Deferred share issuance 
  expenses                               --         (238)          --

 Proceeds from sale of 
  treasury stock against 
  exercise of options                    17            5           --
 Purchase of treasury stock 
  by the Company                        (93)          --         (681)
 Dividends paid                      (1,914)      (1,914)          --
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
    Net cash provided by 
     (used in) financing 
     activities                      24,795       (2,147)        (681)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 THE EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE 
  CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH  
  EQUIVALENTS                           115            2           10
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Increase (decrease) in cash 
  and cash equivalents               29,165          420       (1,739)
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------

 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the beginning of the period         2,539        2,539       31,704
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the end of the period          $   31,704    $   2,959   $   29,965
                                 ==========    =========   ==========


                     STARLIMS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     (U.S. dollars in thousand)

 NOTE 1 - SEGMENTAL DISCLOSURE

 A. Revenues by geographical areas

                                 Year ended     Three months ended 
                                  Dec. 31,           March 31,
                                -----------   -----------------------
                                    2007          2007        2008
                                -----------   ----------  -----------
                                  Audited      Unaudited   Unaudited
                                  -------      ---------   ---------

 North America                   $   16,094    $   4,056   $    5,283
 Latin America                        1,987          289          208
 Europe                               3,235          654          708
 Asia                                 2,110          387          740
 Israel                                 349           21           30
                                 ----------    ---------   ----------
                                 $   23,775    $   5,407   $    6,969
                                 ==========    =========   ==========

B. Treasury Stock

 *  In February 2008, the Company adopted a share repurchase program, 
    allowing it to repurchase up to $2,000 of company's ordinary shares 
    over a period of 18 months in the open market, at times and prices 
    that management considers appropriate, taking into account prevailing 
    market conditions and other corporate considerations.
 *  Up to the March 31, 2008, the company repurchased 90,727 of its 
    ordinary shares under the program at a total purchase price of 
    approximately $681, or an average price of $7.54 per share.


            

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