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What changed in PDF SOLUTIONS INC's 10-K2022 vs 2023

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Paragraph-level year-over-year comparison of PDF SOLUTIONS INC's 2022 and 2023 10-K annual filings, covering the Business, Risk Factors, Legal Proceedings, Cybersecurity, MD&A and Market Risk sections. Every new, removed and edited paragraph is highlighted side-by-side so you can see exactly what management changed in the 2023 report.

+370 added344 removedSource: 10-K (2024-02-27) vs 10-K (2023-03-01)

Top changes in PDF SOLUTIONS INC's 2023 10-K

370 paragraphs added · 344 removed · 262 edited across 7 sections

Item 1. Business

Business — how the company describes what it does

71 edited+26 added27 removed63 unchanged
Biggest changeCIMConnect is used in semiconductor wafer fabrication, semiconductor back-end (test, assembly, and packaging), PV, HB-LED, disk drive, flat panel displays, printed circuit boards and other electronics manufacturing. CIM300 is a software development kit (“SDK”) used by manufacturers of 300mm semiconductor equipment that is designed to enable quick implementation of the required 300mm SEMI standards, including E39, E40, E87, E90, E94, E116, E148, and E157.
Biggest changeThe Cimetrix CIMConnect module supports multiple-host interfaces simultaneously, which allows customers to support legacy, custom, and GEM interfaces. Cimetrix CIMConnect is used in semiconductor wafer fabrication, semiconductor back-end (test, assembly, and packaging), PV, HB-LED, disk drive, flat panel displays, printed circuit boards and other electronics manufacturing.
As semiconductor and electronics products are made with the efforts of equipment manufacturers, front-end foundries, chip and system designers, design automation, intellectual property (“IP”) providers, and OSATs, there is a need to analyze the data across this whole chain to optimize yields, operational efficiencies, time to market, quality, and reliability.
As semiconductor and electronics products are made with the efforts of equipment manufacturers, front-end foundries, chip and system designers, design automation, intellectual property (“IP”) providers, and OSATs, there is a need to analyze data across this whole chain to optimize yields, operational efficiencies, time to market, quality, and reliability.
Each of these products are comprised of two or more modules to provide specific capabilities to address a particular type of company’s needs and requirements; however, there are common features, functionality, and purpose across some of the key modules as follows: Manufacturing Analytics This module uses our proprietary database schema to store collected data in a common environment with a consistent view.
Each of these products are comprised of two or more modules to provide specific capabilities to address a particular type of company’s needs and requirements; however, there are common features, functionality, and purpose across some of the key modules as follows: Manufacturing Analytics This module uses our proprietary database schema to store collected data in a common, unified environment with a consistent view.
Our training also extends to focusing on ways to enhance client service skills. Although it fluctuates, we can have up to one quarter of our research and development engineers assigned to one or more projects, partnered with solution services engineers, in a deliberate strategy to provide direct feedback between technology development and customer needs.
Our training also extends to focusing on ways to enhance customer service skills. Although it fluctuates, we can have up to one quarter of our research and development engineers assigned to one or more projects, partnered with solution services engineers, in a deliberate strategy to provide direct feedback between technology development and customer needs.
As part of these services, we also typically provide hosted management services for the licensed software and the customer’s data stored in our cloud. These services include environment set-up and configuration, system health monitoring, data integration maintenance, integration monitoring, system updates, security, and data upload/download, and license administration.
As part of these services, we also typically provide hosted management services for the software and the customer’s data stored in our cloud. These services include environment set-up and configuration, system health monitoring, data integration maintenance, integration monitoring, system updates, security, and data upload/download, and license administration.
Services Our services are almost always sold together with, or to support, our products and include the following: Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) We provide services to make our Exensio software available to our customers via the Internet, generally hosted by third-party providers.
Services Our services are almost always sold together with, or to support, our products and include the following: Software-as-a-Service We provide services to make our Exensio software available to our customers via the Internet, generally hosted by third-party providers.
Our separately-offered Exensio software products address the big data manufacturing challenge of today’s advanced process nodes and highly integrated products, by providing a common environment throughout the supply chain for different data types, including inline and end-of-line metrology, yield, parametric, performance, manufacturing consumables, tool-level sensor data, test floor data, logistical data, as well as custom data types.
Our Exensio software products address the big data manufacturing challenge of today’s advanced process nodes and highly integrated products, by providing a common environment throughout the supply chain for different data types, including inline and end-of-line metrology, yield, parametric, performance, manufacturing consumables, tool-level sensor data, test floor data, logistical data, as well as custom data types.
Raza holds a M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a M. Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Valparaiso University. Kimon W.
Raza holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a M. Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Valparaiso University. Kimon W.
Also, our Design-for-Inspection™ system (also branded DFI™ system) identifies blockers that impact product yield and quality months earlier than any other hardware- or software-based methodology from proprietary e-beam measurement of product layout or provided on-chip instrumentation.
Also, our Design-for-Inspection™ system (also branded DFI™ system) identifies blockers that impact product yield and quality up to months earlier than any other hardware- or software-based methodology from proprietary e-beam measurement of product layout or provided on-chip instrumentation.
Our ML solutions combine professional services with the Exensio platform to further enable our customers to push their analytics “to the edge” of their global supply chains and shift the analysis and decision-making processes closer to where their data is being generated.
Our ML solutions combine professional services with our Exensio software to further enable our customers to push their analytics “to the edge” of their global supply chains and shift the analysis and decision-making processes closer to where their data is being generated.
There may be other providers of competitive commercial solutions of which we are not aware, and we may compete with the products or offerings of these named companies or additional companies if we expand our offerings through acquisition or development.
There may be other providers of competitive commercial solutions of which we are not aware, and we may compete with the products or offerings of these named companies or additional companies if we expand our offerings through acquisitions or development.
Prior roles 13 Table of Contents include technology investment banking at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and UBS Investment Bank, strategic advising at Blackreef Capital, engineering and marketing at Azanda Network Devices, and engineering at Lucent Technologies. Mr. Raza also served as a Board Member at FIDO Alliance, an alliance of leading technology companies to enhance user security and authentication. Mr.
Prior roles include technology investment banking at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and UBS Investment Bank, strategic advising at Blackreef Capital, engineering and marketing at Azanda Network Devices, and engineering at Lucent Technologies. Mr. Raza also served as a Board Member at FIDO Alliance, an alliance of leading technology companies to enhance user security and authentication. Mr.
The SEC maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC. 14 Table of Contents
The SEC maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC. 15 Table of Contents
Test Operations is also designed to provide predictive insights based on proprietary analytics during test, assembly and packaging to maximize the efficiency of test operations, productivity improvements and yield reclamation. Assembly Operations This module provides the capability to link assembly and packaging data with other product lifecycle data, including fabrication and characterization data, across the product life cycle.
Test Operations is also designed to provide predictive insights based on proprietary analytics during test, assembly and packaging to maximize the efficiency of test operations, productivity improvements and yield reclamation. 7 Table of Contents Assembly Operations This module provides the capability to link assembly and packaging data with other product lifecycle data, including fabrication and characterization data, across the product life cycle.
After we are engaged by a customer and early in the services process, our engineers seek to 10 Table of Contents establish relationships in the organization and gain an understanding of our customers’ business issues. Our direct sales and service teams combine their efforts to deepen our customer relationships by expanding our penetration across customers’ products, processes, and technologies.
After we are engaged by a customer and early in the services process, our engineers seek to establish relationships in the organization and gain an understanding of our customers’ business issues. Our direct sales and service teams combine their efforts to deepen our customer relationships by expanding our penetration across customers’ products, processes, and technologies.
We believe that driving installation of our software products at the tool level will provide an infrastructure of connected equipment and help to enable smart factories.
We believe that driving installation of our Exensio and Cimetrix software products at the tool level will help provide an infrastructure of connected equipment and help to enable smart factories.
We believe the creative skills and technological ability of our personnel, product enhancements, and new product development are necessary to maintaining our position as a leading provider. We rely primarily on trade secret rights, copyright and trademark laws, and nondisclosure and other contractual agreements to protect our technology.
We believe the creative skills and technological ability of our personnel, product enhancements, and new product development are necessary to maintaining our position as a leading provider. We rely primarily on trade secret rights, copyright laws, and nondisclosure and other contractual agreements to protect our software.
These companies use our products and services to achieve various goals depending on whether they are integrated device manufacturers (“IDMs”), fabless semiconductor companies, foundries, equipment manufacturers, electronics manufacturing suppliers (“EMS”), original device manufacturers (“ODMs”), out-sourced semiconductor assembly and test (“OSATs”), or system houses.
These companies use our products and services to achieve various goals depending on whether they are integrated device manufacturers (“IDMs”), fabless semiconductor companies, foundries, equipment manufacturers, electronics manufacturing suppliers (“EMS”), original device manufacturers (“ODMs”), outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (“OSATs”), or system houses.
The primary software and hardware products included in the CV system are as follows: CV Test Chips Our proprietary test chips are designed by our professional engineers using our proprietary FIRE™ layout analysis software.
The primary software and hardware products included in the CV system are as follows: CV™ Test Chips Our proprietary test chips are designed by our professional engineers using our proprietary Fire software.
See the discussion in “Risk Factors” under Item 1A for more information about risks associated with customer concentration and contractual provisions. International revenues accounted for approximately 50%, 55% and 58% of our total revenues for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We base these calculations on the geographic location of where the work is performed or where the customer is located.
See the discussion in “Risk Factors” under Item 1A for more information about risks associated with customer concentration and contractual provisions. International revenues accounted for approximately 44%, 50% and 55% of our total revenues for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We base these calculations on the geographic location of where the work is performed or where the customer is located.
Types of CV test chips include: Our full-reticle and shared-reticle CV test chips are designed to provide a fast-learning cycle and are fully integrated with third-party failure analysis and inspection tools for a complete diagnosis to understand root causes.
Types of CV test chips include: Our full-reticle and shared-reticle CV test chips are designed to provide a fast-learning cycle and are fully integrated with third-party failure analysis and inspection tools for a complete diagnosis to 8 Table of Contents understand root causes.
Further, we believe that the benefits from integration between analytics on equipment, the factory, and in the cloud will provide synergies with our existing end-to-end analytics offerings. Create Differentiated Data Sources for Better Analytics . Historically, companies have only used data that was generated from their manufacturing and test process to drive improvements.
Further, we believe that the 4 Table of Contents benefits from integration between analytics on equipment, the factory, and in the cloud will provide synergies with our existing end-to-end analytics offerings. Create Differentiated Data Sources for Better Analytics . Historically, companies have only used data that was generated from their manufacturing and test process to drive improvements.
We strive to continually enhance our core technologies through the codification of knowledge that we gain in the use of our products and delivery of services. Products and Services Products Our primary software products and software and hardware systems include the following: Exensio Platform .
We strive to continually enhance our core technologies through the codification of knowledge that we gain in the use of our products and delivery of services. 6 Table of Contents Products and Services Products The primary software products and software and hardware systems of our platform include the following: Exensio Software .
Today there are many different business models across the semiconductor industry: products that follow the traditional life cycle just described, products targeted towards 5 Table of Contents fast-moving market segments like Internet of Things (“IoT”) which utilize mature process nodes and requires a fast ramp to volume with a relatively short life cycle, and products focused on long term market segments like automotive and industrial where product life cycles can last a decade or longer.
Today there are many different business models across the semiconductor industry: products that follow the traditional life cycle just described, products targeted towards fast-moving market segments like Internet of Things which utilize mature process nodes and require a fast ramp to volume with a relatively short life cycle, and products focused on long term market segments like automotive and industrial where product life cycles can last a decade or longer.
Exensio products are available as either an on-premise license or SaaS and are offered in four main, separately-offered Exensio products targeting the needs of the customer’s business model: Exensio IDM, Exensio Fabless, Exensio Foundry, and Exensio OSAT.
Exensio software is available as either an on-premise license or SaaS and is offered in four main, separately-offered Exensio products targeting the needs of the customer’s business model: Exensio IDM, Exensio Fabless, Exensio Foundry, and Exensio OSAT.
Item 1. Business Business Overview We provide comprehensive data solutions designed to empower organizations across the semiconductor ecosystem to improve the yield and quality of their products and operational efficiency for increased profitability. We derive revenues from two sources, Analytics and Integrated Yield Ramp.
Item 1. Business We provide comprehensive data solutions designed to empower organizations across the semiconductor and electronics ecosystems to improve the yield and quality of their products and operational efficiency for increased profitability. We derive revenues from two sources, Analytics and Integrated Yield Ramp.
We offer unique IP (such as Characterization Vehicle® test chips, also branded CV® test chips) that is not part of an IC’s functionality, but significantly improves the manufacturing process by improving yield learning and reducing time to market.
We offer unique IP (such as Characterization Vehicle® test chips, also branded CV® test chips) that is not part of an integrated circuit’s (“IC”) functionality, but significantly improves the manufacturing process by improving yield learning and reducing time to market.
Dr. Michaels received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, and M.S. E.C.E. and a Ph.D. E.C.E. from Carnegie Mellon University. Andrzej Strojwas, Ph.D. , served as a technical advisor to the Company from our founding until 2021 and as chief technologist from 1997 to 2021.
Dr. Michaels received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, and M.S. E.C.E. and a Ph.D. E.C.E. from Carnegie Mellon University. 14 Table of Contents Andrzej Strojwas, Ph.D. , served as a technical advisor to the Company from our founding until 2021 and as chief technologist from 1997 to 2021.
Revenues from customers by geographic area based on the location of the customers’ work sites for our last two fiscal years can be found in Note 13, “Customer and Geographic Information” to the consolidated financial statements. Additional discussion regarding the risks associated with international operations can be found under Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.
Revenues from customers by geographic area based on the location of the customers’ work sites for the last three fiscal years can be found in Note 11, “Customer and Geographic Information” to the consolidated financial statements. Additional discussion regarding the risks associated with international operations can be found under Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.
Cloud computing is designed to eliminate incompatibilities between different software 9 Table of Contents versions and allow us to make incremental updates without requiring software downloads. Additionally, our customers can save data to a central online location, which is designed to allow increased project collaboration.
Cloud computing is designed to eliminate incompatibilities between different software versions and allow us to make incremental updates without requiring software downloads. Additionally, our customers can save data to a central online location, which is designed to allow increased project collaboration.
Characterization Services These services are designed to characterize key product and/or process elements, primarily into CV test structures or DFI on-chip measurement instruments, and typically do not include performance incentives based on the customers’ yield achievement.
Characterization Services These services are designed to characterize key product and/or process elements, primarily into CV test structures or DFI on-chip measurement instruments, and typically do not include performance 10 Table of Contents incentives based on the customers’ yield achievement.
Research and Development Our research and development focuses on developing and introducing new proprietary technologies, including our Exensio platform, Cimetrix connectivity and control products, and DFI and CV systems, as well as other software products and enhancements to our existing solutions, such as field applications for DFI and CV and new applications targeted to inter-operate with strategic partner products.
Research and Development Our research and development focuses on developing and introducing new proprietary technologies for our comprehensive platform, including our Exensio software, Cimetrix connectivity and control products, and DFI and CV systems, as well as other software products and enhancements to our existing solutions, such as field applications for DFI 11 Table of Contents and CV and new applications targeted to inter-operate with strategic partner products.
We are headquartered in Santa Clara, California and also operate worldwide with offices in Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Our customers include Fortune 500 companies across the semiconductor ecosystem.
We are headquartered in Santa Clara, California and also operate worldwide with offices in Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Business Overview Our customers include Fortune 500 companies across the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem.
By integrating silos of data and applying AI and ML, Exensio products resolve the limitation of local optimization and provide better foresight across the entire production process, reducing the time it takes to make critical decisions that can drive 6 Table of Contents higher product yield, quality and reliability.
By integrating silos of data and applying AI and ML, Exensio products resolve the limitation of local optimization and provide better visibility across the entire production process, reducing the time it takes to make critical decisions that can drive higher product yield, quality and reliability.
(“Synopsys”); (ii) semiconductor manufacturing software, such as Applied Materials, Inc (“Applied Materials”), Synopsys, Invantest, Inc., NI, Inc., Onto, and Siemens; (iii) inline inspection, metrology and electrical test equipment providers, such as ASML Holding N.V.
(“Synopsys”); (ii) semiconductor manufacturing software, such as Applied Materials, Inc (“Applied Materials”), Synopsys, Invantest, Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Onto, and Siemens; (iii) inline inspection, metrology and electrical test equipment providers, such as ASML Holding N.V.
In a parallel effort, starting in 2014, we re-architected our point-solution software tools into a new generation, highly-integrated data analytics Exensio platform, which resulted in accelerated growth in our software business through 2019.
In a parallel effort, starting in 2014, we re-architected our point-solution software tools into a new generation, highly-integrated data analytics Exensio software, which resulted in accelerated growth in revenues from software through 2019.
For example, in 2020, two of our competitors were acquired by larger entities, Synopsys acquired Qualtera and NI, Inc. acquired Optimal+, and each has increased marketing or pricing competition with us.
For example, in 2020, two of our competitors were acquired by larger entities, Synopsys acquired Qualtera and NI, Inc. acquired Optimal+, and each has increased marketing or pricing competition with us. For example, in 2023, Emerson Electric Co. acquired NI, Inc.
For example, through our acquisition of Cimetrix in late 2020, we now face competition in the connectivity and integration products/services supporting factory equipment 11 Table of Contents connectivity or control. The demand for solutions that address the need for better integration between the silicon design and manufacturing processes may encourage direct competitors to enter into our market.
For example, since our acquisition of Cimetrix in late 2020, we now face competition in the products/services supporting the connectivity, control and integration of factory equipment. The demand for solutions that address the need for better integration between the silicon design and manufacturing processes may encourage direct competitors to enter our market.
Relationships such as these are intended to provide more ways for mutual customers to leverage their process and product data as part of their Industry 4.0 initiatives. Differentiated applications that make use of this shared data are designed to provide unique insights to help customers achieve sustained profitability in their manufacturing.
Building relationships with other industry leaders is intended to provide more ways for mutual customers to leverage their process and product data as part of their Industry 4.0 initiatives. Differentiated applications that make use of this shared data are designed to provide unique insights to help customers achieve sustained profitability in their manufacturing.
Two customers accounted for 41% of our revenues for 2022, two customers accounted for 27% of our revenues for 2021 and one customer accounted for 23% of our revenues for 2020. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues in 2022, 2021 and 2020.
One customer accounted for 35% of our revenues for 2023, two customers accounted for 41% of our revenues for 2022 and two customers accounted for 27% of our revenues for 2021. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of our revenues in 2023, 2022 and 2021.
As part of the system offering, we also offer analysis services, if the customer elects not to do such analysis itself. 8 Table of Contents Cimetrix® Software Products . Our Cimetrix software products enable equipment manufacturers to provide industry standard interfaces on their products for efficient equipment communication, control, and collection of equipment data.
As part of the system offering, we also offer analysis services, if the customer elects not to do such analysis itself. Cimetrix® Software Products . Our Cimetrix software products enable equipment manufacturers in the semiconductor and electronics industries to provide standard interfaces on their products for efficient equipment communication, control, and data collection.
We provide services to analyze the unique, differentiated data output of this tester using the Exensio Characterization software to provide actionable insights to our customers. Exensio Characterization software This software, which is also a part of our Exensio platform, collects the data generated from our CV test products, generating models of the performance effects of process variations on these design building blocks.
We provide services to analyze the unique, differentiated data output of this tester using the Exensio Characterization software to provide actionable insights to our customers. Exensio Characterization software This module, which is designed to integrate seamlessly with the rest of the Exensio software, collects the data generated from our CV test products, generating models of the performance effects of process variations on these design building blocks.
Factories that purchase manufacturing equipment enabled with Cimetrix-supported interfaces, benefit from consistent and robust implementations of industry standards, enabling faster and more efficient implementation of smart manufacturing initiatives that depend on the collection and analysis of manufacturing and product data. There are two separate Cimetrix product lines targeting the needs of factory equipment connectivity and control.
Factories that purchase manufacturing equipment enabled with Cimetrix-supported interfaces, benefit from consistent and robust implementations of industry standards, enabling faster and more efficient implementation of smart manufacturing initiatives that depend on the collection and analysis of manufacturing and product data.
Our full-reticle CV test chips use a shortened process flow to provide a faster learning cycle for specific process modules. Our Scribe CV test chip are inserted directly on customers’ product wafers to collect data about critical layers. Our DirectProbe™ CV test chips are designed to enable ultra-fast yield learning for new product designs by allowing our clients to measure components of actual product layout. Our VarScan™ CV test chips are designed for front-end or through-silicon via (“TSV”) application with a focus on high resolution resistance variation analysis for mass production. pdFasTest ® Electrical Tester Our proprietary test hardware is optimized to quickly test our CV test chips, enabling fast defect and parametric characterization of manufacturing processes.
Our full-reticle CV test chips use a shortened process flow to provide a faster learning cycle for specific process modules. Our Scribe CV test chips are inserted directly on customers’ product wafers to collect data about critical layers. Our DirectProbe™ CV test chips are designed to enable ultra-fast yield learning for new product designs by allowing our customers to measure components of actual product layout and identify yield issues. pdFasTest ® Electrical Tester Our proprietary electrical test hardware is optimized to quickly test our CV test chips, enabling fast defect and parametric characterization of manufacturing processes.
In 2013, we leveraged our extensive experience in yield simulation software and CV® test chip development and started research and development on an e-beam solution for non-contact, inline electrical inspection and process control for wafer inspection. The first-generation e-beam tool for DFI™ was completed in 2015, and the second generation was commercially deployed in 2019.
In 2013, we leveraged our extensive experience in yield simulation software and CV® test chip development and started research and development on an e-beam solution for non-contact, inline electrical inspection and process control for wafer inspection.
By providing software products that fully support these industry standards, equipment manufacturers can implement robust, turnkey support for these connectivity and control standards without needing to invest engineering resources to develop their own interfaces to these standards.
Our Cimetrix products are designed to fully support these industry standards to enable equipment manufacturers to implement robust, turnkey support for these connectivity and control standards without needing to invest engineering resources to develop their own interfaces to these standards.
The third generation tool includes advances in accuracy and sensitivity and, in addition to enabling DFI on-chip instruments to be used for inline control for leading-edge semiconductor process nodes, is designed to enable customers to see defects in product wafers inline within acceptable queue time and much higher throughput. Exensio Characterization Software This software, which is also a part of our Exensio platform, is designed to analyze the billions of measurements collected using the eProbe tool.
The third generation tool includes advances in accuracy and sensitivity and, in addition to enabling DFI on-chip instruments to be used for inline control for leading-edge semiconductor process nodes, is designed to enable customers to see defects in product wafers inline within acceptable queue time and much higher throughput. Characterization Vehicle System (also branded as our CV™ System) .
For example, we organize and engage employees in an annual charitable giving campaign. We work to ensure that our business practices support diversity and inclusion to build an innovative workforce and to strive toward having our organization reflect the complexion of our customers and suppliers.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion We work to ensure that our business practices support diversity and inclusion to build an innovative workforce and to strive toward having our organization reflect the complexion of our customers and suppliers.
Kibarian, Ph.D. 58 President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director Adnan Raza 50 Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer Kimon W. Michaels, Ph.D. 56 Executive Vice President, Products and Solutions and Director Adrzej Strojwas, Ph.D. 70 Chief Technology Officer John K.
Kibarian, Ph.D. 59 President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director Adnan Raza 51 Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer Kimon W. Michaels, Ph.D. 57 Executive Vice President, Products and Solutions and Director Andrzej Strojwas, Ph.D. 71 Chief Technology Officer John K.
In each of the market segments we compete in, we face competition from established and potential competitors, some of whom may have greater financial, research, engineering, manufacturing and marketing resources than we have.
In addition, companies providing general ML and analytics software may focus on semiconductor companies and compete with us. In each of the market segments we compete in, we face competition from established and potential competitors, some of whom may have greater financial, research, engineering, manufacturing and marketing resources than we have.
The Exensio platform is designed to provide a common platform - whether deployed in the cloud or on premise - to enable these different participants to analyze the relevant end-to-end data in near real-time, with data stores from 10s to 100s of terabytes (TBs) and flexible configurations for IDM, foundry, fabless, and OSAT specific needs.
Our comprehensive platform is designed based on industry standards and integrated with leading solutions providers to enable these different participants to analyze the relevant end-to-end data in near real-time, with cloud or on-premise data stores from 10s to 100s of terabytes (“TBs”) and flexible configurations for IDM, foundry, fabless, and OSAT specific needs.
We seek to protect our IP under patent laws and as of December 31, 2022, we held 185 U.S. patents. Our issued patents have expiration dates from 2023 through 2041. We intend to prepare additional patent applications when we feel it is beneficial.
In addition, our success is dependent on various inventions we have made and we seek to protect certain of our IP under patent laws. As of December 31, 2023, we held 115 U.S. patents, with expiration dates on issued patents ranging from 2024 through 2042. We intend to prepare additional patent applications when we feel it is beneficial.
We believe that our solutions compare favorably with respect to competition because we have demonstrated results and reputation, strong core technology, ability to create innovative technology, and ability to implement solutions for new technology and product generations. See the discussions in “Risk Factors” under Item 1A for more information about risks associated with our competition.
We believe that our solutions compare favorably with respect to competition because we have demonstrated results and reputation, strong core technology, ability to create innovative technology, and ability to implement solutions for new technology and product generations.
Third parties could in any case develop competing technologies that include similar functionality or features, or otherwise are substantially equivalent or superior to our technologies. In addition, effective patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in certain foreign countries where we operate. Our business could suffer significantly if we fail to protect our proprietary technology.
In addition, effective patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in certain foreign countries where we operate. Our business could suffer significantly if we fail to protect our proprietary technology.
Of these employees, 258 are located in the North America, 166 in Asia, and 34 in Europe. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. Our employees in France and Italy are subject to collective bargaining agreements in those countries. We believe our relationship with our employees is good.
Of these employees, 285 are located in the United States, 172 in Asia, and 36 in Europe. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. Our employees in France and Italy are subject to collective bargaining agreements in those countries.
This system is designed to accelerate the efficiency of yield learning by shortening the learning cycle, learning more per cycle, and reducing the number of silicon wafers required in manufacturing processes. This system includes physical IP in the form of test structures and DOEs that are tuned to our customers’ product and/or process specifics, tester hardware, data analysis, and training.
This system includes physical IP in the form of test structures and DOEs that are tuned to our customers’ product and/or process specifics, tester hardware, data analysis, and training.
In December 2020, we acquired Cimetrix Incorporated (“Cimetrix”) and began providing software products based on open standards for equipment control and connectivity to equipment manufacturers and factories. We believe that in the smart manufacturing era, the industry will demand the increased equipment connectivity and control our products and solutions offer.
Our Cimetrix products are based on open standards for equipment control and connectivity to equipment manufacturers and factories, which we believe will be more in demand in the smart manufacturing era.
There are numerous industry standards that have been established for equipment connectivity and control, including the SEMI defined SECS (SEMI Equipment Communication Standard), GEM (Generic Equipment Model), and PV2 (new photovoltaic equipment communication standard based on SECS/GEM) standards.
Numerous industry standards have been established for equipment connectivity and control, including the SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) defined SECS (SEMI Equipment Communication Standard), GEM (Generic Equipment Model), GEM300, and EDA (equipment data acquisition) standards.
Currently, we are a leading provider of comprehensive commercial hardware, software and IP solutions for optimizing and improving design, manufacturing and test operations processes through the application of differentiated data and advanced analytics. We face indirect competition from internal groups at IC companies that offer tools with varying degrees of optimization to accelerate process-design integration or test operations.
Currently, we are a leading provider of comprehensive commercial hardware, software and IP solutions for optimizing and improving design, manufacturing and test operations processes through the application of differentiated data and advanced analytics. As a result, we face competition from three primary groups: internal customer development or design programs, equipment solutions providers, and providers of analytical and design software.
This capability is becoming an essential requirement for safety-critical market segments such as automotive and military-aerospace. Design-for-Inspection System. Our DFI™ System leverages our production-proven design and analysis infrastructure and is designed to enable customers to achieve non-contact, inline electrical inspection of either our proprietary on-chip instruments or their product chip layout structures.
Our DFI™ system, which we have provided under a lease arrangement to some customers, leverages our production-proven design and analysis infrastructure and is designed to enable customers to achieve non-contact, inline electrical inspection of either our proprietary on-chip instruments or their product chip layout structures.
We also enter into confidentiality and inventions assignment agreements with our employees and confidentiality and license agreements with our customers and the various parties we partner with to resell, distribute, and, in some cases, integrate our products. Further, we limit access to and distribution of our software, documentation and other proprietary information.
We have common law rights to additional trademarks, including ALPS, DFI, DirectProbe, DirectScan, Fire, and Sapience. We enter into confidentiality and inventions assignment agreements with our employees and confidentiality and license agreements with our customers and the various parties we partner with to resell, distribute, and, in some cases, integrate our products.
Competition is intense in the recruiting of personnel in our industry. We believe that our future success will depend, in part, on our continued ability to hire and retain qualified management, sales, and technical employees.
See the discussions in “Risk Factors” under Item 1A for more information about risks associated with our competition. 12 Table of Contents Human Capital Management We believe that our future success will depend, in part, on our continued ability to hire and retain qualified management, sales, and technical employees.
Some providers of semiconductor manufacturing software, inspection equipment, electronic design automation, or design IP may seek to broaden their product offerings and compete with us. In addition, companies providing general ML and analytics software may focus on semiconductor companies and compete with us.
We face indirect competition from internal groups at IC companies that offer tools with varying degrees of optimization to accelerate process-design integration or test operations. Some providers of semiconductor manufacturing software, inspection equipment, electronic design automation, or design IP may seek to broaden their product offerings and compete with us.
We also employ protection of our trademarks, with registration of marks, including Characterization Vehicle, Cimetrix, CV, eProbe, Exensio, pdFasTest, PDF Solutions, and the PDF Solutions and Cimetrix logos. We have common law rights to additional trademarks, including ALPS, DFI, DirectProbe, DirectScan, FIRE, and VarScan.
Some of the technology we protect by patent includes elements of our CV and DFI systems and inventions related to AI/ML. We protect our trademarks with registration of marks, including Characterization Vehicle, Cimetrix, CV, eProbe, Exensio, pdFasTest, PDF Solutions, and the PDF Solutions and Cimetrix logos.
With a data-driven architecture at the core of the framework, data generated at any point on the equipment is designed to be quickly and easily accessed by any other module or external application.
Developers can leverage framework components through configuration and extension or customize the framework when unique requirements exist. Cimetrix CCF is designed to allow data generated at any point on the equipment to be quickly and easily accessed by other modules or external applications.
These elements are described as follows: Fire™ Feature Analysis Software This proprietary software, which may also be part of our Exensio platform, is designed to analyze layout features.
These elements are described as follows: Proprietary Software Our Fire module is designed to analyze IC product layout features to help determine which parts of the product layout to inspect. Our Exensio Characterization module is designed to analyze the billions of measurements collected using the eProbe tool.
In particular, this software helps to determine which parts of the product layout to inspect. DFI On-Chip Instruments Our on-chip measurement instruments are tuned to capture key features of our customers’ product layouts. As part of the system offering, we generally provide design services to create these 7 Table of Contents instruments.
As part of the system offering, we generally use the Characterization module to provide our customers analysis services, a summary of our findings, and recommendations. DFI On-Chip Instruments Our on-chip measurement instruments are tuned to capture key features of our customers’ product layouts, including those identified using the Fire module.
We are strengthening our diversity and inclusion programs with actions around organizational training, formalized company values, and a revitalized recruitment strategy. As of December 31, 2022, we had 458 employees worldwide, including 158 field application engineers and consultants, 155 in research and development, 85 in sales and marketing, and 60 in general and administrative functions.
Consequently, we seek to engage in sound ethical and organizational governance, promote business ethics and integrity, and embrace equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout our organization. As of December 31, 2023, we had 493 employees worldwide, including 171 field application engineers and consultants, 155 in research and development, 106 in sales and marketing, and 61 in general and administrative functions.
These SEMI standards allow for the full automation required in manufacturing 300mm wafers. CIMPortal Plus is an SDK for equipment manufacturers that allows for quick implementation of the Interface A, also known as EDA (Equipment Data Acquisition), which includes SEMI standards E120, E125, E132, E134, E138, E147, and E164.
Cimetrix 9 Table of Contents CIM300 works with Cimetrix CIMConnect to implement the GEM300 and the original GEM suite of standards. Cimetrix CIMPortal Plus is an interface for EDA, also known as Interface A. The EDA standards are E120, E125, E132, E134, E138, E147, and E164.
As part of the system offering, we generally provide to our customers analysis services, a summary of our findings and recommendations. Characterization Vehicle (“CV”) System. Our CV system is a combination of CV test chips, hardware to test such products, software to analyze the test results, and related services.
Our CV system is a combination of CV test chips, hardware to test such products, software to analyze the test results, and related services. This system is designed to accelerate the efficiency of yield learning by shortening the learning cycle, learning more per cycle, and reducing the number of silicon wafers required in manufacturing processes.
In December 2020, we completed the acquisition of Cimetrix and began providing software products based on open standards for equipment control and connectivity to equipment manufacturers and factories. Industry Background Rapid technological innovation with increasingly shorter product life cycles has fueled the economic growth of the semiconductor industry since the days of the PC revolution.
Starting in 2020, after our acquisition of Cimetrix Incorporated (“Cimetrix”), we began providing software products based on open standards for equipment control and connectivity to equipment manufacturers and factories. We released our first eProbe tool in 2015, the second generation in 2019, and the third generation in late 2022.
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In July 2020, we entered into a strategic partnership with Advantest Corporation through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Advantest America, Inc., (collectively, “Advantest”), and have since released Exensio analytics applications that run on Advantest test and computer hardware. In April 2022, we announced an additional collaboration with a leading back-end test and assembly provider.
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For example, in 2023, we started offering an enterprise application integration module called Sapience™ Manufacturing Hub, which is designed to collect and unify data from enterprise applications, such as manufacturing execution systems (“MES”), enterprise resource planning systems (“ERP”) like SAP S/4HANA®, and our Exensio software, and make such data available through a central interface.
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We believe these relationships will allow us to increase the network of tools connected with 4 Table of Contents PDF software and provide Advantest and other tool customers with increased data management and analytics.
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Also in 2023, working with Siemens Digital Industries Software, we started offering two new Exensio modules, Exensio AIM Scan Analytics and Exensio AIM Scan Systematics Diagnostics, which are designed to enable diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of fail mode to help our customers that also use Siemens’s Tessent software determine the electrical and physical failing locations for product and process improvements.
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For example, in December 2021, we announced a collaboration with Siemens to connect integrated circuit test and yield data with manufacturing and test data collected and managed by our Exensio® analytics platform, to enable customers to rapidly analyze and identify yield correlations that are otherwise undetectable quickly, and in some cases automatically.
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The improvements in the third generation included: ● higher resolution and improved beam vector targeting, enabling use for leading-edge, middle-of-line applications; ● higher throughput; and ● better manufacturability and repeatable column performance. 5 Table of Contents Industry Background Rapid technological innovation with increasingly shorter product life cycles has fueled the economic growth of the semiconductor industry since the days of the PC revolution.
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In July 2022, we announced a collaboration with SAP to connect factory data, including data collected and managed by our Exensio® analytics platform, to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) data in SAP S/4HANA® to enable greater efficiencies in semiconductor manufacturing.
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Further, we limit access to and distribution of our software, documentation and other proprietary information. Third parties could in any case develop competing technologies that include similar functionality or features, or otherwise are substantially equivalent or superior to our technologies.
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The products are sold via perpetual licenses and runtime royalties. ● Equipment Factory Connectivity – Our products for equipment factory connectivity primarily include the following: ◾ CIMConnect ™ is designed for general purpose equipment connectivity and enables production equipment in the semiconductor and electronics industries to communicate data to the factory’s host computer through the SECS/GEM and PV2 standards.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risk Factors — what could go wrong, per management

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Biggest changeIn early 2023, we will incur substantial additional expenses related to an arbitration hearing to resolve this matter. The loss of revenue from any of our key customers would cause significant fluctuations in results of operations because our expenses are fixed in the short term and it takes us a long time to replace customers or reassign resources.
Biggest changeThe loss of revenue from any of our key customers would cause significant fluctuations in results of operations because our expenses are fixed in the short term and it takes us a long time to replace customers or reassign resources. 21 Table of Contents If we do not continuously meet our development milestones of key research and development projects or successfully commercialize our DFI system, our future market opportunity and revenues will suffer, and our costs may not be recouped.
As a result of increased regulatory and customer scrutiny of all data processing activities, as well as increasing and evolving regulation of such practices, we have security obligations on how we collect, transfer and use data (including personal data), which could require us to expend money and resources to comply with those requirements, and if compromised, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including the potential for regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, lawsuits and a loss of business and a degradation of our reputation.
As a result of increased regulatory and customer scrutiny of all data processing activities, as well as increasing and evolving regulation of such practices, we have security obligations on how we collect, transfer and use data (including personal data), which could require us to expend money and resources to comply with those requirements, and if compromised again, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, including the potential for regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, lawsuits, and a loss of business and a degradation of our reputation.
We must accurately estimate the amount of resources needed to complete these types of services to determine when the engineers will be able to commence their next engagement. In addition, our accounting for contracts with such services, which generate fixed fees, sometimes requires adjustments to profit and loss based on revised estimates during the performance of the contract.
We must accurately estimate the amount of time and resources needed to complete these types of services to determine when the engineers will be able to commence their next engagement. In addition, our accounting for contracts with such services, which generate fixed fees, sometimes requires adjustments to profit and loss based on revised estimates during the performance of the contract.
Once our products are integrated within our customers’ hardware and software systems, our customers may depend on our support organization to resolve any issues relating to our products. Further, in connection with delivering our SaaS, which requires us to maintain adequate server hardware and internet infrastructure, including system redundancies, we are required to meet contractual uptime obligations.
Once our products are integrated within our customers’ hardware and software systems, our customers may depend on our support organization to resolve any issues relating to our products. Further, in connection with delivering our SaaS Services, which requires us to maintain adequate server hardware and internet infrastructure, including system redundancies, we are required to meet contractual uptime obligations.
Further, the U.S. government has imposed broad sanctions on Russia, Belarus and certain companies and high-wealth individuals relating to the invasion of Ukraine, and has additionally maintained a bipartisan consensus favoring increased confrontation of China on trade practices and economic matters, national security, and human rights.
Further, the U.S. government has imposed broad sanctions on Russia, Belarus and certain companies and high-wealth individuals relating to the invasion of Ukraine, and has additionally maintained a bipartisan consensus favoring increased confrontation of China on trade practices and economic matters, national security, and human rights. The current U.S.
We generate a significant portion of our revenues from a limited number of customers, and a large percentage of our revenues from two customers, so defaults or decreased business with, or the loss of, any one of these customers, or pricing pressure, or customer consolidation could significantly reduce our revenues or margins and negatively impact results of operations.
We generate a significant portion of our revenues from a limited number of customers, and a large percentage of our revenues from one customer, so defaults or decreased business with, or the loss of, any one of these customers, or pricing pressure, or customer consolidation could significantly reduce our revenues or margins and negatively impact results of operations.
Export Administration Regulations or other U.S. or non-U.S. export or economic sanctions laws and regulations (collectively, “Export Regulations”), we could be subject to substantial civil and criminal penalties, including fines for the Company and the possible loss of the ability to engage in exporting and other international transactions.
Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) or other U.S. or non-U.S. export or economic sanctions laws and regulations (collectively, “Export Regulations”), we could be subject to substantial civil and criminal penalties, including fines for the Company and the possible loss of the ability to engage in exporting and other international transactions.
Further, our employees and contractors include professionals located in various international locations, including Shanghai, China and Ramallah, Palestine, and Taiwan who provide software-related development, quality assurance, maintenance, and other technical support services for certain of our software products.
Further, our employees and contractors include professionals located in various international locations, including Shanghai, China and Ramallah, Palestine, and Israel, and Taiwan who provide software-related development, quality assurance, maintenance, and other technical support services for certain of our software products.
Our future quarterly operating results will likely fluctuate from time to time and may not meet the expectations of securities analysts and investors in some future period, which could cause our stock price to decrease again.
Our future quarterly operating results will likely fluctuate from time to time and may not meet the expectations of securities analysts and investors in some future period, which could cause our stock price to decrease.
Such an unplanned interruption, even if temporary, could stop SaaS customers from accessing their hosted data or on-premise customers from downloading licensed software or critical security patches, or from accessing our support portal, which could mean that we may not meet our contractual commitments for such services to customers, which could reduce our revenue or result in damage to our reputation and negatively impact future sales.
Such an unplanned interruption, even if temporary, could stop SaaS customers from accessing their hosted data or on-premise customers from downloading licensed software or critical security patches, or from accessing our support portal, which could mean that we may not meet our contractual commitments for such services to customers, which could reduce our revenue, incur liability, or result in damage to our reputation and negatively impact future sales.
Despite the financial ability of these customers to pay for on-going services by PDF under valid contracts, customers may delay payments. Our allowances for potential credit losses, if any, could be insufficient, and we may need to adjust our allowance for doubtful accounts from current estimates or write-off receivables depending on such claims in the future.
Despite the financial ability of these customers to pay for on-going services by PDF under valid contracts, customers may delay payments. Our allowances for potential credit losses, if any, could be insufficient, and we may need to adjust our allowance for credit losses from current estimates or write-off receivables depending on such claims in the future.
For example, we acquired Cimetrix Incorporated (“Cimetrix”) in December 2020 for a gross purchase price of approximately $37.5 million ($31.6 million net of cash acquired) for all of its outstanding equity. We may, however, face competition for acquisition targets from larger and more established companies with greater financial resources, making it more difficult for us to complete acquisitions.
For example, we acquired Cimetrix in December 2020 for a gross purchase price of approximately $37.5 million ($31.6 million net of cash acquired) for all of its outstanding equity. We may, however, face competition for acquisition targets from larger and more established companies with greater financial resources, making it more difficult for us to complete acquisitions.
We rely on service providers to enable key services to our customers, including for cloud services, enterprise software, customer support portal software, and co-location computing facilities and have experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, interruptions in our information systems on which our global operations depend or unplanned downtime of the infrastructure that delivers our SaaS.
We rely on third-party service providers to enable key services to our customers, including for cloud services, enterprise software, customer support portal software, and co-location computing facilities. We have experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, interruptions in our information systems on which our global operations depend or unplanned downtime of the infrastructure that delivers our SaaS.
Furthermore, tighter credit, higher interest rates, inflationary concerns, unemployment, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values and other macroeconomic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products and services and, accordingly, on our business, results of operations or financial condition and/or vendors with which we do business.
Furthermore, tighter credit, higher interest rates, inflationary concerns, large-scale unemployment, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values and other macroeconomic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products and services and, accordingly, on our business, results of operations or financial condition and/or vendors with which we do business.
If our DFI system and Exensio platform do not anticipate technological changes in our industry or fail to meet market demand, we may not capture the market share we anticipate, lose our competitive position, our products may become obsolete, and our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
If our DFI system and Exensio software do not anticipate technological changes in our industry or fail to meet market demand, we may not capture the market share we anticipate, we may lose our competitive position, our products may become obsolete, and our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
Should circumstances change such that the level of investments is substantially reduced, our future growth potential may be limited; some of our key engineers and other personnel are foreign nationals and they may not be permitted access to certain technical information under U.S. export laws or by certain of our customers and may have difficulty gaining access to the United States and other countries in which our customers or our offices may be located and it may be difficult for us to recruit and retain qualified technical and managerial employees in foreign offices; ineffective or inadequate protection or enforcement of our IP in foreign jurisdictions; greater difficulty in collecting account receivables resulting in longer collection periods, bad debt, and increased costs to collect; language and other cultural differences may inhibit our sales and marketing efforts and create internal communication problems between our U.S. and foreign teams, increasing the difficulty of managing multiple, remote locations and negatively impacting sales and revenue; compliance with, inconsistencies among, and unexpected changes in, a wide variety of foreign laws and regulatory environments with which we are not familiar including, among others, issues related to human resources, personal data, tax, protection of our IP, and a wide variety of operational regulations and trade and export controls under domestic, foreign, and international law; 24 Table of Contents currency risk due to certain of our payables and our international offices’ payables are denominated in foreign currencies, including the Euro, Yen, and RMB, while predominantly all of our revenues is denominated in U.S. dollars, or in the event a larger portion of our revenues becomes denominated in foreign currencies, we would be subject to a potentially significant exchange rate risk; inadequate local infrastructure that could result in business disruptions; additional taxes, interest, and potential penalties, and uncertainty around changes in tax laws of various countries; geopolitical instability or changes in government could disrupt our operations or our customers’ purchases or operations or those of related supply chain participants; quarantine, travel restrictions, or business disruptions in regions affecting our operations, stemming from actual, imminent or perceived outbreaks of contagious diseases, including COVID-19; or economic or political instability, including but not limited to armed conflict, terrorism, interference with information or communication of networks or systems, including strained or worsening relations between the United States and China, occupation or war involving Russia and Ukraine, and the resulting disruption to economic activity and business operations.
Should circumstances change such that the level of investments is substantially reduced, our future growth potential may be limited; some of our key engineers and other personnel are foreign nationals and they may not be permitted access to certain technical information under U.S. export laws or by certain of our customers and may have difficulty gaining access to the United States and other countries in which our customers or our offices may be located, and it may be difficult for us to recruit and retain qualified technical and managerial employees in foreign offices; ineffective or inadequate protection or enforcement of our IP in foreign jurisdictions; greater difficulty in collecting account receivables resulting in longer collection periods, credit losses, and increased costs to collect; language and other cultural differences may inhibit our sales and marketing efforts and create internal communication problems between our U.S. and foreign teams, increasing the difficulty of managing multiple, remote locations and negatively impacting sales and revenue; compliance with, inconsistencies among, and unexpected changes in, a wide variety of foreign laws and regulatory environments with which we are not familiar including, among others, issues related to human resources, personal data, tax, protection of our IP, and a wide variety of operational regulations and trade and export controls under domestic, foreign, and international law; currency risk due to certain of our payables and our international offices’ payables are denominated in foreign currencies, including the Euro, Yen, and RMB, while predominantly all of our revenues is denominated in U.S. dollars, or in the event a larger portion of our revenues becomes denominated in foreign currencies, we would be subject to a potentially significant exchange rate risk; inadequate local infrastructure that could result in business disruptions; 29 Table of Contents additional taxes, interest, and potential penalties, and uncertainty around changes in tax laws of various countries; geopolitical instability or changes in government, including in the United States of America, could disrupt our operations or our customers’ purchases or operations or those of related supply chain participants; quarantine, travel restrictions, or business disruptions in regions affecting our operations, stemming from actual, imminent or perceived outbreaks of contagious diseases, including COVID-19; or economic or political instability, including but not limited to armed conflict, terrorism, interference with information or communication of networks or systems, including strained or worsening relations between the United States and China, occupation or war involving Russia and Ukraine and most recently between Israel and Hamas, and the resulting disruption to economic activity and business operations.
Objectionable disclosure of our customers’ confidential information or our failure to comply with our customers’ security rules, including for those related to SaaS access or our on-site access could result in costly litigation, cause us to lose existing and potential customers, or negatively impact on-going business with existing customers.
Objectionable disclosure of our customers’ confidential information or our failure to comply with our customers’ security rules, including for those related to SaaS access, AI use, or our on-site access, could result in costly litigation, cause us to lose existing and potential customers, or negatively impact on-going business with existing customers.
In connection with certain acquisitions, we may agree to issue common stock, or assume equity awards, that dilute the ownership of our current stockholders, use a substantial portion of our cash resources, assume liabilities (both known and unknown), record goodwill and amortizable intangible assets that will be subject to impairment testing on a regular basis and potential periodic impairment charges, incur amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets, and incur large and immediate write-offs and restructuring and other related expenses, all of which could harm our financial condition and results of operations.
In connection with certain acquisitions, we have in the past and may in the future issue common stock, or assume equity awards, that dilute the ownership of our current stockholders, use a substantial portion of our cash resources, assume liabilities (both known and unknown), record goodwill and amortizable intangible assets that will be subject to impairment testing on a regular basis and potential periodic impairment charges, incur amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets, and incur large and immediate write-offs and restructuring and other related expenses, all of which could harm our financial condition and results of operations.
The full extent of the future impact of these strategic relationships on our financial condition and results of operations is currently unknown and the failure to reap the anticipated benefits of these companies’ financial resources, technology, customer relationships, and global footprint and/or to successfully develop combined, integrated, or interoperable solutions with such companies could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
The full extent of the future impact of these strategic relationships on our financial condition and results of operations is currently unknown and the failure to reap the anticipated benefits of these companies’ financial resources, technology, customer relationships, and global footprint and/or to successfully develop combined, 32 Table of Contents integrated, or interoperable solutions with such companies could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
This could significantly reduce our Integrated Yield Ramp revenue and our results of operations could fail to meet expectations. In addition, if we 18 Table of Contents work with two directly competitive manufacturing facilities or products, volume in one may offset volume, and thus any of our related revenue, in the other facility or product.
This could significantly reduce our Integrated Yield Ramp revenue and our results of operations could fail to meet expectations. In addition, if we work with two directly competitive manufacturing facilities or products, volume in one may offset volume, and thus any of our related revenue, in the other facility or product.
Risks Related to Our Technology If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights, customers or potential competitors may be able to use our technologies to develop their own solutions, which could weaken our competitive position, reduce our revenues, or increase our costs. Our success depends largely on the protection of our proprietary technology.
Risks Related to Our Technology If we fail to protect our IP rights, customers or potential competitors may be able to use our technologies to develop their own solutions, which could weaken our competitive position, reduce our revenues, or increase our costs. Our success depends largely on the protection of our proprietary technology.
For example, in 2022, 2021 and 2020 we incurred expenses in the amount of $1.9 million, $2.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to the arbitration with SMIC New Technology Research & Development (Shanghai) Corporation due to SMIC’s failure to pay fees due to us under a series of contracts.
For example, in 2023, 2022 and 2021, we incurred expenses in the amount of $2.6 million, $1.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively, related to the arbitration with SMIC New Technology Research & Development (Shanghai) Corporation due to SMIC’s failure to pay fees due to us under a series of contracts.
Also, significant volatility in our stock price could be followed by a securities class action lawsuit, which could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources. 28 Table of Contents Our business could be negatively affected as a result of actions of activist shareholders, and such activism could impact the trading value of our securities.
Also, significant volatility in our stock price could be followed by a securities class action lawsuit, which could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources. Our business could be negatively affected as a result of actions of activist shareholders, and such activism could impact the trading value of our securities.
Further, we have had, and expect to continue to have, difficulty in obtaining visas permitting entry for some of our employees that are foreign nationals into the United States, and delays in obtaining visas permitting entry into other key countries, for several of our key personnel, which disrupts our ability to strategically locate our personnel.
Further, we have had, and 33 Table of Contents expect to continue to have, difficulty in obtaining visas permitting entry for some of our employees that are foreign nationals into the United States, and delays in obtaining visas permitting entry into other key countries, for several of our key personnel, which disrupts our ability to strategically locate our personnel.
These adjustments may have a material effect on our results of operations in the period in which they are made. The estimates giving rise to these risks, which are inherent in fixed-price contracts, include the forecasting of costs and schedules, and contract revenues related to contract 15 Table of Contents performance.
These adjustments may have a material effect on our results of operations in the period in which they are made. The estimates giving rise to these risks, which are inherent in fixed-price contracts, include the forecasting of costs and schedules, and contract revenues related to contract performance.
We are required to comply with export controls and economic sanctions laws and regulations that restrict selling, shipping or transmitting our products and services and transferring our technology outside the United States. These 17 Table of Contents requirements also restrict domestic release of software and technology to foreign nationals.
We are required to comply with export controls and economic sanctions laws and regulations that restrict selling, shipping, or transmitting our products and services and transferring our technology outside the United States. These requirements also restrict domestic release of software and technology to foreign nationals.
The impact of these laws and regulations may disproportionately affect our business in comparison to our peers in the technology sector that have greater resources. Our technologies could infringe the intellectual property rights of others, causing costly litigation and the loss of significant rights. Significant litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in the semiconductor industry.
The impact of these laws and regulations may disproportionately affect our business in comparison to our peers in the technology sector that have greater resources. Our technologies could infringe the IP rights of others, causing costly litigation and the loss of significant rights. Significant litigation regarding IP rights exists in the semiconductor industry.
Our fixed-fee services or product or system installations/configurations may take longer than budgeted, which could slow our revenue recognition and may also result in a lost contract or a claim of breach by our customers, which would negatively affect our operating results.
Our fixed-fee services for product or system installations/configurations may take longer than budgeted, which could slow our revenue recognition and may result in a lost contract or a claim of breach by our customers, which would negatively affect our financial and operating results.
Our internal information system is expensive to expand and must be highly secure due to the sensitive nature of our customers’ information that we transmit. Building and managing the support necessary for our growth places significant demands on 20 Table of Contents our management and resources.
Our internal information system is expensive to expand and must be highly secure due to the sensitive nature of our customers’ information that we transmit. Building and managing the support necessary for our growth places significant demands on our management and resources.
Further, our eProbe tool could cause unexpected damage to wafers or delay processing wafers, which we could be liable for, or which could make customers unwilling to use it.
Further, our eProbe tool could cause unexpected damage to wafers or delay processing wafers, which we could be liable for, or which could make customers unwilling to use the tool.
These estimates are subject to judgment to evaluate whether it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur in future periods, which could result in our recognition of less Integrated Yield Ramp revenue than expected that may later be offset when actual results become available.
These estimates are subject to judgment to evaluate whether it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur in future periods, which could result in our recognition of less Integrated Yield Ramp revenue than expected that may later be offset when actual results become available if such results differ from estimates.
These defects are frequently found during the period following introduction of new software, hardware, or proprietary technologies or enhancements to existing software, hardware, or proprietary technologies, which means that we may not discover the errors or defects until after customer implementation.
These defects are frequently found during the period following introduction of new software, hardware, or proprietary technologies or enhancements to existing software, 20 Table of Contents hardware, or proprietary technologies, which means that we may not discover the errors or defects until after customer implementation.
Since we currently work on a small number of large projects at specified manufacturing sites and, in some cases, on specific IC products, our results of operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by negative changes at those sites or in those products, including slowdowns in manufacturing due to external factors, such as U.S. trade restrictions, rising inflation and global interest rates, the impact of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, or continued or worsening supply chain disruptions.
Since we currently work on a small number of large projects at specified manufacturing sites and, in some cases, on specific IC products, our results of operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by negative changes at those sites or in those products, including slowdowns in manufacturing due to external factors, such as U.S. trade restrictions, rising inflation and global interest rates, or continued or worsening supply chain disruptions.
If those customers consolidate and/or otherwise move the orders to manufacturing facilities not covered by our contracts, or suspend their manufacturing at covered facilities for any reason, including consolidation, our Integrated Yield Ramp revenue will continue to decrease, which could negatively affect our financial results.
If those 22 Table of Contents customers consolidate and/or otherwise move the orders to manufacturing facilities not covered by our contracts, or suspend their manufacturing at covered facilities for any reason, including consolidation, our Integrated Yield Ramp revenue will continue to decrease, which could negatively affect our financial results.
For example, the timing of the build-out of the semiconductor market in China depends significantly on governmental funding on both local and national levels and a delay in this funding could negatively affect 19 Table of Contents our revenues.
For example, the timing of the build-out of the semiconductor market in China depends significantly on governmental funding on both local and national levels and a delay in this funding could negatively affect our revenues.
On August 9, 2022, the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (the “CHIPS 26 Table of Contents Act”) was enacted in the United States to provide certain financial incentives to the semiconductor industry, primarily for manufacturing activities within the United States.
On August 9, 2022, the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (the “CHIPS Act”) was enacted in the United States to provide certain financial incentives to the semiconductor industry, primarily for manufacturing activities within the United States.
In addition, the development, licensing, or acquisition of new products in the future may increase the complexity of supply chain management. Failure to effectively manage our supply of components and products could adversely affect our business.
In addition, the 19 Table of Contents development, licensing, or acquisition of new products in the future may increase the complexity of supply chain management. Failure to effectively manage our supply of components and products could adversely affect our business.
Our ability to successfully offer our products and services in a rapidly evolving market requires an effective planning, forecasting, and management process to enable us to effectively scale and adjust our business and business models in response to fluctuating market opportunities and conditions, which has and could continue to require us to increase headcount, acquire new companies or engage in restructurings from time to time.
Our ability to successfully offer our products and services in a rapidly evolving market requires an effective planning, forecasting, and management process to enable us to appropriately scale and adjust our business and business models in response to fluctuating market opportunities and conditions, which has in the past and could in the future continue to require us to increase headcount, acquire new companies or engage in restructurings from time to time.
For example, while we have increased investment in our business by increasing headcount, acquiring companies, and increasing our investment in R&D, sales and marketing, and other parts of our business from time to time, at other times we have undertaken restructuring initiatives to reduce expenses and align our operations with evolving business needs.
For example, while we have increased investment in our business by increasing headcount, acquiring companies, and increasing our investment in research and development, sales and marketing, and other parts of our business from time to time, at other times we have undertaken restructuring initiatives to reduce expenses and align our operations with our evolving business needs.
For example, from July 2020 through January 2023, we announced strategic relationships or collaborations with Advantest Corporation, Siemens, Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc., SAP SE, and proteanTecs Ltd..
For example, from July 2020 through August 2023, we announced strategic relationships or collaborations with Advantest Corporation, Siemens, Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc., SAP SE, proteanTecs Ltd, and Voltaiq, Inc.
It is possible that a third party may claim that our technologies infringe their intellectual property rights or misappropriate their trade secrets. which has happened in the past.
It is possible that a third party may claim that our technologies infringe their IP rights or misappropriate their trade secrets, which has happened in the past.
In particular, our industry is often the target of cyber-attacks by third parties seeking unauthorized access to confidential or sensitive data, including customer confidential information, or to disrupt our ability to provide services from a broad range of threat actors, including foreign governments, criminals, competitors, computer hackers, cyber terrorists and politically motivated groups or individuals.
In particular, like our peers, we are often the target of cyber-attacks by third parties seeking unauthorized access to confidential or sensitive data, including customer confidential information, or to disrupt our ability to provide services from a broad range of threat actors, including foreign governments, criminals, competitors, computer hackers, cyber terrorists and politically motivated groups or individuals.
Accordingly, security events could lead to significant costs and fees for legal advice, investigation support, 21 Table of Contents remediation, and result in legal risk exposure, damage and harm to our reputation, and impact on our ability to keep and attract customers.
Accordingly, security events could lead to significant costs and fees for legal advice, investigation support, remediation, and result in legal risk exposure, damage and harm to our reputation, and impact on our ability to keep and attract customers.
Such a disruption could occur as a result of any number of events, including, but not limited to: rising inflation and global interest rates increasing component costs, a closure or slowdown at our suppliers’ plants or shipping delays including, for example, those made to combat the spread of COVID-19, market shortages for critical components, increases in prices, the imposition of regulations, quotas, embargoes or tariffs on components or our products, labor stoppages or shortages, supply chain disruptions, third-party interference, cyberattacks, severe weather conditions including the adverse effects of climate change-related events, geopolitical developments, war or terrorism, and disruptions in utilities and other services.
Such a delay or disruption could occur as a result of any number of events, including, but not limited to: failure to comply with existing contracts, higher priority alternative buyers, inflation and global interest rates increasing component costs, a closure or slowdown at our suppliers’ plants or shipping delays including, for example, those made to combat the spread of COVID-19, market shortages for critical components, increases in prices, the imposition of regulations, quotas, embargoes or tariffs on components or our products, labor stoppages or shortages, our suppliers’ supply chain disruptions, third-party interference, cyberattacks, severe weather conditions including the adverse effects of climate change-related events, geopolitical developments, war or terrorism, and disruptions in utilities and other services.
As part of the evolution of our business, we have made substantial investments in research and development efforts to develop our DFI system and Exensio cloud-based platform. New competitors, technological advances in the semiconductor industry or by competitorsor other competitive factors may require us to further invest significantly greater resources than we anticipate.
As part of the evolution of our business, we have made substantial investments in research and development efforts to develop our DFI system and Exensio software. New competitors, technological advances in the semiconductor industry or other competitive factors may require us to further invest significantly greater resources than we anticipate.
Item 1A. Risk Factors Risks Associated with Our Business We have invested significant resources into research and development of our DFI system and Exensio platform and if we fail to successfully carry out these initiatives on the expected timeline or at all, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Risks Associated with Our Business We have invested significant resources into research and development of our DFI system and Exensio software and if we fail to successfully carry out these initiatives on the expected timeline or at all, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Unbilled accounts receivable that are not expected to be billed and collected during the succeeding 12-month period are recorded in other non-current assets and totaled $0.8 million and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Unbilled accounts receivable that are not expected to be billed and collected during the succeeding twelve-month period are recorded in other non-current assets and totaled $1.1 million and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Measuring the amount of yield improvement is inherently complicated and dependent on our customers’ internal processes and certain non-public information. Thus, there may be uncertainty as to some components of measurement or calculation.
Measuring the amount of yield improvement is inherently complicated and dependent on our customers’ internal processes and on certain non-public information that may not be directly available to us. Thus, there may be uncertainty as to some components of measurement or calculation.
Also, some variable consideration can be highly susceptible to delays in the customer measurement of key factors such as reporting volumes results and level of yield or ASP.
Also, some variable consideration can be highly susceptible to delays in our customers’ measurement of key factors such as reporting volumes results and level of yield or ASP.
Further, there are numerous risks associated with acquisitions and potential acquisitions, including, but not limited to, problems combining the purchased operations, technologies or products, unanticipated costs, liabilities, litigation, and diversion of management’s attention from our core businesses, adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers, risks associated with entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience, and where competitors in such markets have stronger market positions, initial dependence on unfamiliar supply chains or relatively small supply partners, failure of our due diligence processes to identify significant problems, liabilities or other challenges of an acquired company or technology, and the potential loss of key employees, customers, distributors, vendors, and other business partners of the companies we acquire. 27 Table of Contents We may not be able to successfully integrate businesses, products, technologies, or personnel that we might acquire and the transaction may not advance our business strategy.
Further, there are numerous risks associated with acquisitions and potential acquisitions, including, but not limited to, problems combining the purchased operations, technologies or products, unanticipated costs, liabilities, litigation, and diversion of management’s attention from our core businesses, adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers, risks associated with entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience, and where competitors in such markets have stronger market positions, initial dependence on unfamiliar supply chains or relatively small supply partners, failure of our due diligence processes to identify significant problems, liabilities or other challenges of an acquired company or technology, and the potential loss of key employees, customers, distributors, vendors, and other business partners of the companies we acquire.
We have customers with past due balances and our failure to collect a significant portion of such balances could adversely affect our cash, require us to write-off receivables, or increase our expense or bad debt allowance.
We have customers with past due balances and our failure to collect a significant portion of such balances could adversely affect our cash, require us to write-off receivables, or increase our expense or allowance for credit losses.
Further, the information technology and infrastructure that stores and processes our and our customers’ data is susceptible to continually evolving cybersecurity threats that become more complex over time and may not be recognized until launched against a target, all of which could result in unauthorized access to, or acquisition of, our data, and interruption or disruption of our business.
Further, the information technology and infrastructure that stores and processes our and our customers’ data is susceptible to continually evolving cybersecurity threats that become more 25 Table of Contents complex over time, especially with the rapid evolution of AI technologies, and may not be recognized until launched against a target, all of which could result in unauthorized access to, or acquisition of, our data, and interruption or disruption of our business.
If our customers fail to pay receivable balances when due, our cash will decrease and we may have to incur additional expenses in an attempt to collect it, write-off a portion or all of such receivables, or increase our bad debt allowance.
If our customers fail to pay receivable balances when due, our cash will decrease and we may have to incur additional expenses in an attempt to collect such receivables, to write-off a portion or all of such receivables, or to increase our expense or allowance for credit losses.
Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) promulgated broad, novel Export Regulations relating to China that temporarily caused us to pause some deliveries while we interpreted the application of the new regulations on our business, given current and evolving operations.
For example, in October 2022 the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) promulgated broad, novel Export Regulations relating to China that temporarily caused us to pause some deliveries while we interpreted the application of the new regulations on our business, given current and evolving operations.
Due to the significance of our China market for our profit and growth, we are exposed to risks in China, including the risks mentioned elsewhere and the following: the effects of current U.S.-China relations, including rounds of tariff increases and retaliations and increasing restrictive regulations, potential boycotts and increasing anti-Americanism; escalating U.S.-China tension and increasing political sensitivities in China; and unexpected governmental regulations and restrictions in China as a result of renewed or increased efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, which could negatively impact our local operations.
Due to the significance of our China market for our profit and growth, we are exposed to risks in China, including the risks mentioned elsewhere and the following: the effects of current U.S.-China relations, including rounds of tariff increases and retaliations and increasing restrictive regulations, potential boycotts and increasing anti-Americanism; escalating U.S.-China tension and increasing political sensitivities in China; the effects of China government funding in the development of domestic solutions and customer preference for domestic suppliers creating additional competition in China; and unexpected governmental regulations and restrictions in China as a result of renewed efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, which could negatively impact our local operations.
The current U.S. 25 Table of Contents Administration views technology as a domain of strategic competition in which the U.S. and its allies must stay ahead of China and has identified semiconductor, artificial intelligence, 5G technologies, and the protection of U.S. supply chains as priority efforts.
Administration views technology as a domain of strategic competition in which the U.S. and its allies must stay ahead of China and has identified semiconductor, AI, 5G technologies, and the protection of U.S. supply chains as priority efforts.
Three customers accounted for 53% of our gross accounts receivable as of December 31, 2022, and two customers accounted for 44% our gross accounts receivable as of December 31, 2021. The total accounts receivable reserve was $0.9 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. We generally do not require collateral or other security to support accounts receivable.
Two customers accounted for 50% of our gross accounts receivable as of December 31, 2023, and three customers accounted for 53% of our gross accounts receivable as of December 31, 2022. The total allowance for credit losses was $0.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. We generally do not require collateral or other security to support accounts receivable.
Any of these events could negatively affect our revenues and make it challenging or impossible for us to deliver products and services to our customers forecast our operating results, make business decisions, and identify the risks that may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Customers with liquidity issues may also lead to additional bad debt expense.
Any of these events could negatively affect our revenues and make it challenging or impossible for us to deliver products and services to our customers forecast our operating results, make business decisions, and identify the risks that may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In the event of prolonged business interruptions or negative broad economic and security conditions due to geopolitical events, we could incur significant losses, require substantial recovery time, and experience significant expenditures in order to resume our business operations.
Cybersecurity for more information about our cybersecurity risk management program). In the event of prolonged business interruptions or negative broad economic and security conditions due to political, geopolitical events, we could incur significant losses, require substantial recovery time, and experience significant expenditures in order to resume our business operations.
Our ability to achieve the anticipated cost savings and other benefits from restructuring initiatives within the expected time frame is subject to many estimates and assumptions, which are subject to significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control.
Our ability to capitalize on the market opportunity and achieve cost savings and other benefits from restructuring initiatives within the expected time frame requires significant management input and leadership and is subject to many estimates and assumptions, which are subject to significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control.
Any claim, even if without merit, could be time consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all, subject us to damages or injunctions restricting our sale of products, invalidate a patent or family of patents, require us to refund license fees to our customers or to forgo future payments or require us to redesign certain of our products, any one of which could adversely affect our sales opportunities, expenses, and revenues.
Any claim, even if without merit, could be time consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all, subject us to damages or injunctions restricting our sale of products, invalidate a patent or family of patents, require us to refund license fees to our customers or to forgo future payments or require us to redesign certain of our products, any one of which could adversely affect our sales opportunities, expenses, and revenues. 27 Table of Contents Competition in the market for data analytics and related systems and services may intensify in the future, which could impede our ability to grow or execute our strategy.
Historically, we have had a small number of large customers that contribute significant revenues. In the year ended December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 41% of our total revenues.
Historically, we have had a small number of large customers that contribute significant revenues. In the year ended December 31, 2023, one customer accounted for 35% of our total revenues.
We are continuing to monitor the IR Act and CHIPS Act and related regulatory developments to evaluate their potential impact on our business and operating results. For further discussion of the IR Act and CHIPS Act, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
The tax bill is pending vote in the House and Senate. We are continuing to monitor the CHIPS Act and the proposed tax bill and related regulatory developments to evaluate their potential impact on our business and operating results. For further discussion of the CHIPS Act, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
Further, new business may be delayed if a key customer uses its leverage to push for terms that are worse for us and we delay entering into the contract to negotiate for better terms, in which case revenue in any particular quarter or year may fail to meet expectations.
Further, new business may be delayed or prevented if a key customer uses its leverage to push for terms that are worse for us and we delay entering into the contract to negotiate for better terms or decide not to enter into the contract at all, in which case revenue in any particular quarter or year may fail to meet expectations and our reliance on our remaining customers could increase.
Geopolitical uncertainties, including relations between the United States and each of China and Russia, war, terrorism, or other business interruptions could cause damage to, disrupt, or cancel sales of our products and services on a global or regional basis, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or vendors with which we do business.
Further geopolitical uncertainties, including relations between the United States and each of China and Russia, between Israel and Palestine, social activism, economic instability, war, terrorism, or other circumstances that interrupt our ability to conduct business could cause damage to, disrupt, or cancel sales of our products and services on a global or regional basis, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or vendors with which we do business.
In some cases, we do not have contracts to provide legal protection or recourse for breaches of our security protections, which may increase our exposure to expenses related to such attacks and negatively impact our results.
Additionally, we may not have sufficient audit logs to fully understand the nature of a cyber-attack. In some cases, we do not have contracts to provide legal protection or recourse for breaches of our security protections, which may increase our exposure to expenses related to such attacks and negatively impact our results.
The security measures we have integrated into our internal systems, SaaS, and software products, which are designed to detect unauthorized intrusions or activity and prevent or minimize security breaches, may not function as expected or may not be sufficient to protect our internal networks, SaaS, and software products against certain attacks and other security incidents and attacks of varying degrees from time to time.
The security measures we have integrated into our internal systems, SaaS, and software products, which are designed to detect unauthorized intrusions or activity and prevent or minimize security breaches, vary in maturity across our business and may not function as expected or may not be sufficient to protect against certain attacks.
The integration of businesses that we may acquire is likely to be a complex, time-consuming, and expensive process and we may not realize the anticipated revenues or other benefits associated with our acquisitions.
We may not be able to successfully integrate businesses, products, technologies, or personnel that we might acquire and the transaction may not advance our business strategy. The integration of businesses that we may acquire is likely to be a complex, time-consuming, and expensive process and we may not realize the anticipated revenues or other benefits associated with our acquisitions.
Such events could also make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver products and services to our customers. In addition, territorial invasions can lead to cybersecurity attacks on technology companies, such as ours, located far outside of the conflict zone.
Such events could also make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver products and services to our customers. In addition, territorial invasions can lead to cybersecurity attacks on technology companies, such as ours, located far outside of the conflict zone. We do not have a business continuity plan developed to account for all continuity risks (please see Item 1C.
If we are required to invest significantly greater resources than anticipated without a corresponding increase in revenue, our operating results could decline. There can be no guarantee that the technologies or products that we invest in will result in products that create additional revenue. We may not recoup our research and development investments, which could cause our results to suffer.
If we invest significantly greater resources than anticipated without a corresponding increase in revenue, our operating results could decline. The technologies and products that we invest in may not result in products that create additional revenue, and we 18 Table of Contents may not recoup our investments, which could cause our results to suffer.
Further, the cost of support resources required to remedy any defects in our technologies, hardware, or software tools could exceed our expectations. Any actual or perceived defects with our software, hardware, or proprietary technologies may also hinder our ability to attract or retain industry partners or customers, leading to a decrease in our revenue.
Any actual or perceived defects with our software, hardware, or proprietary technologies may also hinder our ability to attract or retain industry partners or customers, leading to a decrease in our revenue.
In addition, to avoid potential disclosure of confidential information to competitors, some of our customers may, in the future, ask us not to work with key products or processes, which could limit our revenue opportunities.
In addition, to avoid potential disclosure of confidential information to competitors, some of our customers may, in the future, ask us not to work with key products or processes, which could limit our revenue opportunities. We recently started using third party AI/ML systems for research and development purposes.
Risks Related to Our Operations Measurement of our variable consideration requires data collection and customers’ use of estimates in some cases and is subject to customers’ agreement and is later offset if actual data differ from customers’ estimates, which can result in uncertainty and cause quarterly results to fluctuate.
Risks Related to Our Operations Measurement of our variable consideration sometimes require data collection and customers’ use of estimates and are contingent upon customers’ consent and may be later offset if actual data differ from customers’ estimates, which can result in uncertainty and cause quarterly results to fluctuate.
Key customers failing to purchase, renew, or expand the number or use of such systems on our expected timeline or at all will cause our results to miss expectations.
We have invested significantly in the design and development of our eProbe tool and related IP. Key customers failing to purchase, renew, or expand the number or use of such systems on our expected timeline or at all will cause our results to miss expectations.
These laws and regulations are complex and may have differing or conflicting legal standards, making compliance difficult and costly. In addition, there is uncertainty regarding how proposed, contemplated, or future changes to these complex laws and regulations could affect our business.
In addition, there is uncertainty regarding how proposed, contemplated, or future changes to these complex laws and regulations could affect our business.
The continuing tension between the U.S. government and each of the Chinese and Russian governments in trade and security matters or the perception of that tension could lead to further disruptions or reductions in international trade, deter or prevent customer purchasing activity, and may negatively impact our financial results.
The continuing tension between the U.S. government and each of the Chinese and Russian governments in trade and security matters or the perception of that tension could lead to further disruptions or reductions in international trade, deter or prevent customer purchasing activity, and may negatively impact our financial results. 30 Table of Contents Our business is subject to evolving corporate governance and public disclosure regulations and expectations, including with respect to ESG matters that could expose us to numerous risks.
We face operational and financial risks associated with international operations that could negatively impact our revenues. In recent years, we have derived over half of our revenues from sales outside of the United States, and we expect our international business to continue to grow.
In recent years, we have derived nearly half of our revenues from sales outside of the United States, and we expect our international business to continue to grow.
We cannot be sure that any final determination in an audit would not be materially different than the treatment reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals.
Our filings are subject to reviews or audit by the Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign taxing authorities. We cannot be sure that any final determination in an audit would not be materially different than the treatment reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals.
Congress and regulators continue to consider significant changes in laws and regulations. We cannot predict the impact that additional legal changes may have on our business in the future. For example, in October 2022 the U.S.
Congress and regulators continue to consider significant changes in laws and regulations. For example, the U.S. government is reportedly considering whether and/or how to impose restrictions directly on cloud-hosted services and further restrictions directly on U.S. person activity. We cannot predict the impact that additional legal changes may have on our business in the future.
Our future tax rates could be affected by numerous factors, including changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws, insufficient taxable income to realize deferred tax assets, and changes in accounting policies. Our filings are subject to reviews or audit by the Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign taxing authorities.
We conduct our business globally and, as a result, are subject to taxation in the United States and foreign countries. Our future tax rates could be affected by numerous factors, including changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws, insufficient taxable income to realize deferred tax assets, and changes in accounting policies.

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Item 2. Properties

Properties — owned and leased real estate

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Biggest changeWe also lease additional facilities and offices in Milpitas, California; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Richardson, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Deer Park, Illinois; Shanghai, China; Canada; France; Germany; Italy; Japan; Korea; and Taiwan for local sales, product development and technical support.
Biggest changeWe also lease additional facilities and offices in Milpitas, California; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Richardson, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Deer Park, Illinois; Shanghai, China; Canada; France; Germany; Italy; Japan; South Korea; and Taiwan for local sales, product development and technical support.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Legal Proceedings — active lawsuits and investigations

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Biggest changeThe decision is expected within approximately three to six months. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. 29 Table of Contents PART II
Biggest changeFinal written submissions were submitted by the parties at the end of August 2023. A decision is currently expected in 2024. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. 37 Table of Contents PART II
On May 6, 2020, we initiated an arbitration proceeding with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center against SMIC New Technology Research & Development (Shanghai) Corporation (“SMIC”) due to SMIC’s failure to pay fees due to us under a series of contracts.
On May 6, 2020, the Company initiated an arbitration proceeding with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center against SMIC New Technology Research & Development (Shanghai) Corporation (“SMIC”) due to SMIC’s failure to pay fees due to the Company under a series of contracts.
We seek to recover the unpaid fees, a declaration requiring SMIC to pay fees under the contracts in the future (or a lump sum payment to end the contract), and costs associated with bringing the arbitration proceeding. SMIC denies liability, and an arbitration hearing was held in February 2023.
The Company seeks to recover the unpaid fees, a declaration requiring SMIC to pay fees under the contracts in the future (or a lump sum payment to end the contract), and costs associated with bringing the arbitration proceeding. SMIC denies liability and an arbitration hearing was held in February 2023.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings From time to time, we are subject to various claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. We accrue for losses related to litigation when a potential loss is probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) requirements.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings From time to time, the Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for losses related to litigation when a potential loss is probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated in accordance with FASB requirements.
As of December 31, 2022, except as disclosed below, we were not party to any material legal proceedings for which a loss was probable or an amount was accrued.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company was not party to any material legal proceedings for which a loss was probable or an amount was accrued.

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity

Market for Common Equity — stock, dividends, buybacks

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Biggest changeThe stock price performance on the following graph and tables is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance. 30 Table of Contents Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities The information required to be disclosed by paragraph (a) of Item 5 to Form 10-K has been included in a current report on Form 8-K and, therefore, is not furnished herein, pursuant to the last sentence in that paragraph.
Biggest changeThe stock price performance on the following graph and tables is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance. 38 Table of Contents Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities None.
The number of stockholders of record does not include individuals whose stock is in nominee or “street name” accounts through brokers. Dividend Policy No cash dividends were declared or paid in 2022, 2021 and 2020.
The number of stockholders of record does not include individuals whose stock is in nominee or “street name” accounts through brokers. Dividend Policy No cash dividends were declared or paid in 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Stock Performance Graph The following graph and tables compare the cumulative total stockholder return data for our stock since December 31, 2017, to the cumulative return over such period of (i) The Nasdaq Composite Index and (ii) The S&P 600 Information Technology (Sector) (TR) Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2017.
The following graph and tables compare the cumulative total stockholder return data for our stock since December 31, 2018, to the cumulative return over such period of (i) The Nasdaq Composite Index and (ii) The S&P 600 Information Technology (Sector) (TR) Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2018.
Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “PDFS.” As of February 24, 2023, we had approximately 26 stockholders of record.
Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “PDFS.” As of February 23, 2024, we had approximately 24 stockholders of record.
There were no purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” (as the term is defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) of the Company’s common stock during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022.
There were no purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” (as the term is defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) of the Company’s common stock during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023. Item 6. Reserved
The graph and tables further assume that such amount was initially invested in the Common Stock of the Company at a per share price of $15.70 (closing price on December 31, 2017) and that any dividends were reinvested.
The graph and tables further assume that such amount was initially invested in the Common Stock of the Company at a per share price of $8.43 (closing price on December 31, 2018) and that any dividends were reinvested.
On April 11, 2022, the Board of Directors terminated the 2020 Program, and adopted a new program (the “2022 Program”) to repurchase up to $35.0 million of the Company’s common stock both on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, from time to time, over the next two years.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers On April 11, 2022, the Board of Directors adopted a new stock repurchase program (the “2022 Program”) to repurchase up to $35.0 million of the Company’s common stock both on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, from time to time, over the next two years.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 714,600 shares under the 2022 Program at an average price of $23.36 per share for a total price of $16.7 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 714,600 shares under the 2022 Program at an average price of $23.36 per share for an aggregate total price of $16.7 million. In total, the Company has repurchased 735,940 shares under the 2022 Program at an average price of $23.69 per share for an aggregate total price of $17.4 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 218,858 shares under the 2020 Program at an average price of $26.40 per share for an aggregate total price of $5.8 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 21,340 shares under the 2022 Program at an average price of $34.81 per share for an aggregate total price of $0.7 million.
Removed
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers On June 4, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program (the “2020 Program”) to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company’s common stock both on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans, over the next two years.
Added
Stock Performance Graph The performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of PDF Solutions under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act.
Removed
Through April 10, 2022, under the 2020 Program, the Company repurchased a total of 470,070 shares at an average price of $21.91 per share, for a total price of $10.3 million.

Item 7. Management's Discussion & Analysis

Management's Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) — revenue / margin commentary

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Biggest changeThe decrease in net loss was primarily attributable to an increase in total revenues, other income from net foreign currency exchange gain and interest income, a decrease in write-downs in value of property and equipment, decreases in property tax expense and depreciation expense, partially offset by increases in costs of revenues and operating expenses related primarily to our research and development, sales and marketing activities, and general and administrative expenses, which were primarily driven by increases in personnel-related costs, cloud-services related costs, subcontractor costs, and legal expenses, and an increase in income tax expense. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased $1.0 million to $139.2 million at December 31, 2022, from $140.2 million at December 31, 2021, primarily due to cash used to repurchase shares of common stock and payment for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards, and for the purchase of property and equipment, partially offset by cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from the exercise of stock options and proceeds from purchases under our employee stock purchase plans.
Biggest changeThe increase in net income was primarily attributable to (i) an increase in total revenues, (ii) an increase in interest income, (iii) a decrease in research and development expenses and (iv) a decrease in income tax expenses, partially offset by increases in (a) costs of revenues, (b) selling, general, and administrative expenses, which were primarily related to increases in personnel-related costs, travel expenses, legal fees related to the arbitration proceeding over a disputed customer contract, third-party cloud-services related costs, property tax expenses, general legal expenses, trade conference-related expenses, and business acquisition costs, and (c) foreign currency transaction exchange losses. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased $3.7 million to $135.5 million as of December 31, 2023, from $139.2 million as of December 31, 2022, primarily due to payments to vendors, payments of accrued bonuses and income taxes, purchases of and prepayments for property and equipment, payments of taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards, payments for a business acquisition, and repurchases of common stock, partially offset by cash collection from customers, interest income from cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and proceeds from purchases under our employee stock purchase plan and exercise of stock options. 41 Table of Contents Critical Accounting Estimates The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make judgments, assumptions, and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes.
An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. To the extent the final tax liabilities are different than the amounts originally accrued, the increases or decreases are recorded as income tax expense or benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. To the extent the final tax liabilities are different than the amounts originally accrued, the increases or decreases are recorded as income tax expense or benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Software license costs consist of costs associated with cloud-delivery related expenses and licensing third-party software used by us in providing services to our customers in solution engagements or sold in conjunction with our software products.
Software license costs consist of costs associated with third-party cloud-delivery related expenses and licensing third-party software used by us in providing services to our customers in solution engagements or sold in conjunction with our software products.
Based on all available evidence, both positive and negative, we determined a full valuation allowance was still appropriate for our U.S. federal and state net deferred tax assets (“DTAs”), primarily driven by a cumulative loss incurred over the 12-quarter period ended December 31, 2022, and the likelihood that we may not utilize tax attributes before they expire.
Based on all available evidence, both positive and negative, we determined a full valuation allowance was still appropriate for our U.S. federal and state net deferred tax assets (“DTAs”), primarily driven by a cumulative loss incurred over the 12-quarter period ended December 31, 2023, and the likelihood that we may not utilize tax attributes before they expire.
If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized equal to the amount of excess, limited to the amount of total goodwill. There was no impairment of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. Our long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, consist of property, equipment, and intangible assets.
If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized equal to the amount of excess, limited to the amount of total goodwill. There was no impairment of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Our long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, consist of property, equipment, and intangible assets.
(2) Purchase obligations consist of agreements to purchase goods and services entered in the ordinary course of business. (3) The contractual obligation table above excludes liabilities for uncertain tax positions of $2.6 million, which are not practicable to assign to any particular years due to the inherent uncertainty of the tax positions.
(2) Purchase obligations consist of agreements to purchase goods and services entered in the ordinary course of business. 51 Table of Contents (3) The contractual obligation table above excludes liabilities for uncertain tax positions of $2.6 million, which are not practicable to assign to any particular years due to the inherent uncertainty of the tax positions.
Our Integrated Yield Ramp revenue may continue to fluctuate from period to period primarily due to the contribution of Gainshare royalty, which is dependent on many factors that are outside our control, including among others, continued 39 Table of Contents production of ICs by our customers at facilities at which we generate Gainshare, sustained yield improvements by our customers, and whether we enter into new contracts containing Gainshare.
Our Integrated Yield Ramp revenue may continue to fluctuate from period to period primarily due to the contribution of Gainshare royalty, which is dependent on many factors that are outside our control, including among others, continued production of ICs by our customers at facilities at which we generate Gainshare, sustained yield improvements by our customers, and whether we enter into new contracts containing Gainshare.
Related Party Transactions Refer to Note 3, “Strategic Partnership Agreement with Advantest and Related Party Transactions” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report) for a discussion on related party transactions between the Company and Advantest.
Related Party Transactions Refer to Note 13, “Strategic Partnership Agreement with Advantest and Related Party Transactions” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report) for a discussion on related party transactions between the Company and Advantest.
Discussion of Financial Data for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 For a discussion of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022.
Discussion of Financial Data for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 For a discussion of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of $22.5 million for the repurchase of shares of our common stock and $6.5 million in cash payments for taxes related to net share settlement 44 Table of Contents of equity awards, partially offset by $4.7 million of proceeds from our employee stock purchase plans and exercise of stock options.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of $22.5 million for the repurchase of shares of our common stock and $6.5 million in cash payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards, partially offset by $4.7 million of proceeds from our employee stock purchase plans and exercise of stock options.
We evaluate our DTAs for realizability considering both positive and negative evidence, including our historical financial performance, projections of future taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax 36 Table of Contents planning strategies and any carryback availability. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we estimate future taxable income based on management approved business plans.
We evaluate our DTAs for realizability considering both positive and negative evidence, including our historical financial performance, projections of future taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies and any carryback availability. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we estimate future taxable income based on management approved business plans.
Changes in the net DTAs, less offsetting valuation allowance, in a period are recorded through the income tax provision and could have a material impact on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Our income tax calculations are based on the application of applicable U.S. federal, state, and/or foreign tax law.
Changes in the net DTAs, less offsetting valuation allowance, in a period are recorded through the income tax provision and could have a material impact on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). 43 Table of Contents Our income tax calculations are based on the application of applicable U.S. federal, state, and/or foreign tax law.
Compliance with changing U.S. export restrictions limit our possible business with Chinese semiconductor manufacturers on advanced nodes with our electrical characterization offering. As a result of these market developments, we have chosen to focus our resources and investments in products, services, and solutions for analytics.
Compliance with changing U.S. export restrictions limit our possible business with Chinese semiconductor manufacturers on advanced nodes. As a result of these market developments, we have chosen to focus our resources and investments in products, services, and solutions for analytics.
In particular, the confluence of Industry 4.0 (i.e., the fourth industrial revolution, or the automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies and processes) and cloud computing (i.e., the on-demand availability of computing resources and data storage without direct active management by the user) is driving increased innovation in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing and analytics, as well as in the organization of IT networks and computing at semiconductor and electronics companies across the ecosystem.
In particular, the confluence of Industry 4.0 (i.e. the fourth industrial revolution, or the automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies and processes) and cloud computing (i.e. the on-demand availability of computing resources and data storage without direct active management by the user) is driving increased innovation in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing and analytics, as well as in the organization of information technology (“IT”) networks and computing at semiconductor and electronics companies across the ecosystem.
At December 31, 2022, no deferred taxes have been provided on undistributed earnings from our international subsidiaries. We intend to reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in those operations indefinitely. As such, we have not provided for any foreign withholding taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2023, no deferred taxes have been provided on undistributed earnings from our international subsidiaries. We intend to reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in those operations indefinitely. As such, we have not provided for any foreign withholding taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023.
The combination of these latter two trends means that cloud-based, analytic 32 Table of Contents programs that effectively manage identity management, physical security, and data protection are increasingly in demand for insights and efficiencies across the organizations of these companies.
The combination of these latter two trends means that cloud-based, analytic programs that effectively manage identity management, physical security, and data protection are increasingly in demand for insights and efficiencies across the organizations of these companies.
Gainshare royalty periods are generally subsequent to the delivery of all contractual services and performance obligations. We record Gainshare as a usage-based royalty derived from customers’ usage of intellectual property and record it in the same period in which the usage occurs.
Gainshare royalty periods are generally subsequent to the delivery of all contractual services and performance obligations. We record Gainshare as a usage-based royalty derived from customers’ usage of IP and record it in the same period in which the usage occurs.
During the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year from the acquisition date, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
During the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year from the acquisition date, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, 44 Table of Contents with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
In some cases, especially on our historical IYR engagements, we also receive a value-based variable fee or royalty, which we call Gainshare. Our products, services, and solutions have been sold to IDMs, fabless semiconductor companies, foundries, OSATs, capital equipment manufacturers, and system houses. Industry Trend Certain trends may affect our Analytics revenue specifically.
In some cases, especially on our historical Integrated Yield Ramp engagements, we also receive a value-based variable fee or royalty, which we call Gainshare. Our products, services, and solutions have been sold to IDMs, fabless semiconductor companies, foundries, OSATs, capital equipment manufacturers and system houses. Industry Trends Certain trends may affect our Analytics revenue specifically.
See Note 4 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” (Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report) for further discussion.
See Note 9 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” (Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report) for further discussion.
The valuation allowance was approximately $59.2 million and $51.6 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We will continue to evaluate the need for a valuation allowance and may change our conclusion in a future period based on changes in facts (e.g., 12-quarter cumulative profit, significant new revenue, etc.).
The valuation allowance was approximately $64.2 million and $59.2 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We will continue to evaluate the need for a valuation allowance and may change our conclusion in a future period based on changes in facts (e.g., 12-quarter cumulative profit, significant new revenue, etc.).
For contracts with 35 Table of Contents multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price of the contract to each performance obligation on a relative basis using the standalone selling price (“SSP”) attributed to each performance obligation.
For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price of the contract to each performance obligation on a relative basis using the standalone selling price (“SSP”) attributed to each performance obligation.
There was no impairment of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
There was no impairment of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
As of December 31, 2022, and 2021, cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries were $8.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively. We believe that our existing cash resources and anticipated funds from operations will satisfy our cash requirements to fund our operating activities, capital expenditures, and other obligations, for at least the next twelve months.
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries were $10.0 million and $8.8 million, respectively. We believe that our existing cash resources and anticipated funds from operations will satisfy our cash requirements to fund our operating activities, capital expenditures, and other obligations, for at least the next twelve months.
These awards are subject to time-based vesting which generally occurs over a period of four years. The fair value of our stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life and interest rates.
These awards are subject to time-based vesting which generally occurs over a period of four years. The fair value of our stock options and purchase rights granted under employee stock purchase plans is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life and interest rates.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 714,600 shares under the 2022 Program at an average price of $23.36 per share, for a total price of $16.7 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, 714,600 shares were repurchased by the Company under the 2022 Program at an average price of $23.36 per share for an aggregate total price of $16.7 million.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities was $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities was $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
On April 11, 2022, the Board of Directors terminated the 2020 Program, and adopted a new program (the “2022 Program”) to repurchase up to $35.0 million of the Company’s common stock both on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, from time to time, over the next two years.
On April 11, 2022, the Board of Directors terminated the 2020 Program, and adopted a new program (the “2022 Program”) to repurchase up to $35.0 million of the Company’s common stock both on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans, from time to time, over the next two years.
First, the ubiquity of wireless connectivity and sensor technology enables any manufacturing company to augment its factories and visualize its entire production line. In parallel, the cost per terabyte of data storage has continually decreased year to year. The combination of these two trends means that more data is collected and stored than ever before.
First, the ubiquity of wireless connectivity and sensor technology enables any manufacturing company to augment its factories and visualize its entire production line. In parallel, the cost per terabyte of data storage has generally decreases over time. The combination of these two trends means that more data is collected and stored than ever before.
The earnings of our foreign subsidiaries are taxable in the U.S. in the year earned under the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income rules implemented under 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “Act”) was signed into U.S. law on August 16, 2022.
The earnings of our foreign subsidiaries are taxable in the U.S. in the year earned under the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income rules implemented under 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The CHIPS Act was signed into U.S. law on August 9, 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of $4.5 million for the repurchase of shares of our common stock and $4.0 million in cash payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards, partially offset by $3.0 million of proceeds from purchases under our employee stock purchase plans and the exercise of stock options.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of $9.5 million in cash payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards and $0.7 million for the repurchase of shares of our common stock and, partially offset by $4.3 million of proceeds from our employee stock purchase plan and exercise of stock options.
Operating Expenses: Research and Development Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2022 2021 2020 2021 to 2022 2020 to 2021 Research and development $ 56,126 $ 43,780 $ 34,654 $ 12,346 28 % $ 9,126 26 % As a percentage of total revenues 38 % 39 % 39 % Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related costs including compensation, employee benefits, bonus and stock-based compensation expense, outside development services, travel, third-party cloud-services related costs, IT and facilities cost allocations to support product development activities.
Operating Expenses: Research and Development Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2022 to 2023 2021 to 2022 Research and development $ 50,736 $ 56,126 $ 43,780 $ (5,390) (10) % $ 12,346 28 % As a percentage of total revenues 31 % 38 % 39 % Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related costs (including compensation, employee benefits, bonus and stock-based compensation expense), outside development services, travel expenses, third-party cloud-services related costs, IT and facilities cost allocations to support product development activities.
Allocation of purchase consideration to identifiable assets and liabilities affects our amortization expense, as acquired finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful life, whereas any indefinite lived intangible assets, including IPR&D and goodwill, are not amortized.
Allocation of purchase consideration to identifiable assets and liabilities affects our amortization expense, as acquired finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful life, whereas any indefinite lived intangible assets, including in-process research and development and goodwill, are not amortized.
Liquidity and Capital Resources As of December 31, 2022, our working capital, defined as total current assets less total current liabilities, was $135.2 million, compared to $144.7 million as of December 31, 2021. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, on a consolidated basis, were $139.2 million as of December 31, 2022, compared to $140.2 million as of December 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources As of December 31, 2023, our working capital, defined as total current assets less total current liabilities, was $147.0 million, compared to $135.2 million as of December 31, 2022. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, on a consolidated basis, were $135.5 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $139.2 million as of December 31, 2022.
Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, estimated replacement costs and future expected cash flows from acquired customers, acquired technology, acquired patents, and trade names from a market participant perspective, useful lives and discount rates.
Such valuations require us to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, estimated replacement costs and future expected cash flows from acquired customers, acquired technology, acquired patents, and trade names from a market participant perspective, useful lives and discount rates.
Our offerings combine proprietary software, professional services using proven methodologies and third-party cloud-hosting platforms for SaaS, electrical measurement hardware tools, and physical IP for IC designs. We primarily monetize our offerings through license fees and contract fees for professional services and SaaS.
We derive revenues from two sources: Analytics and Integrated Yield Ramp. Our offerings combine proprietary software, professional services using proven methodologies and third-party cloud-hosting platforms for SaaS, electrical measurement hardware tools, and physical IP for IC designs. We primarily monetize our offerings through license fees and contract fees for professional services and SaaS.
Selling, General and Administrative Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2022 2021 2020 2021 to 2022 2020 to 2021 Selling, general and administrative $ 45,338 $ 37,649 $ 32,677 $ 7,689 20 % $ 4,972 15 % As a percentage of total revenues 31 % 34 % 37 % Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related costs including compensation, employee benefits, bonus, commission and stock-based compensation expense for sales, marketing and general and administrative personnel, legal, tax and accounting services, marketing communications expenses, third-party cloud-services related costs, travel, IT and facilities cost allocations.
Selling, General, and Administrative Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2022 to 2023 2021 to 2022 Selling, general, and administrative $ 62,216 $ 45,338 $ 37,649 $ 16,878 37 % $ 7,689 20 % As a percentage of total revenues 38 % 31 % 34 % Selling, general, and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related costs (including compensation, employee benefits, bonus, commission and stock-based compensation expense for sales, marketing, and general and 47 Table of Contents administrative personnel), legal, tax and accounting services, marketing communications and trade conference-related expenses, third-party cloud-services related costs, travel, IT, and facilities cost allocations.
We believe that all these trends will continue for the next few years, and the challenges involved in adopting Industry 4.0 and secure cloud computing will create opportunities for our combination of advanced analytics capabilities, proven and established supporting infrastructure, and professional services to configure our products to meet customers’ specialized needs.
We believe that all these trends will continue for the next few years, and the challenges involved in adopting Industry 4.0 and secure cloud computing will create opportunities for our combination of advanced analytics capabilities, proven and established supporting infrastructure, and professional services to configure our products to meet customers’ specialized needs. 39 Table of Contents Other trends may continue to affect our Characterization services business and Integrated Yield Ramp revenue specifically.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Overview We offer products and services designed to empower organizations across the semiconductor ecosystem to connect, collect, manage, and analyze data about design, equipment, manufacturing, and test to improve the yield and quality of their products. We derive revenues from two sources: Analytics and Integrated Yield Ramp.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Overview We offer products and services designed to empower organizations across the semiconductor and electronics ecosystems to connect, collect, manage, and analyze data about design, equipment, manufacturing, and test to improve the yield and quality of their products.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 251,212 shares under the 2020 Program at an average price of $18.01 per share for an aggregate total price of $4.5 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 251,212 shares were repurchased by the Company under the 2020 Program at an average price of $18.01 per share for an aggregate total price of $4.5 million. In total, 470,070 shares were repurchased under the 2020 Program at an average price of $21.91 per share, for an aggregate total price of $10.3 million.
The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock over the most recent period commensurate with the estimated expected life of our stock options. The expected life is based on historical experience and on the terms and conditions of the stock options granted.
The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock over the most recent period commensurate with the estimated expected life of our stock options and purchase rights granted under employee stock purchase plans.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 218,858 shares under the 2020 Program at an average price of $26.40 per share, for a total price of $5.8 million. In total, the Company repurchased 470,070 shares under the 2020 Program at an average price of $21.91 per share, for a total price of $10.3 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, 218,858 shares were repurchased by the Company under the 2020 Program at an average price of $26.40 per share for an aggregate total price of $5.8 million.
The major contributors to the net change in operating assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2022, were as follows: Accounts receivable increased by $2.1 million, primarily due to an increase in sales, an increase in unbilled accounts receivables due to timing of billing and revenue recognition and higher contractual invoicing activity, partially offset by collections from customers; Prepaid expense and other current assets increased by $5.8 million, primarily due to the timing of billing of contract assets related to fixed-price service contracts, and increase in deferred costs to obtain contracts with customers, partially offset by a decrease in prepaid expenses related to third party software licenses and cloud-subscription related costs and a decrease in income tax receivable; Other non-current assets decreased by $2.3 million primarily due to the amortization of non-current prepaid expenses and lower unbilled accounts receivable; Accounts payable decreased by $1.4 million primarily due to the timing of payments of vendor invoices; Accrued and other liabilities increased by $1.7 million primarily due to the timing of vendor invoices, accrued legal fees and accrued income taxes; Accrued compensation and related benefits increased by $7.7 million primarily due to accrued bonuses and unused vacation; and Deferred revenues increased by $1.8 million and billings in excess of recognized revenues increased by $1.9 million, primarily due to the timing of billing and revenue recognition.
The major contributors to the net change in operating assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2023, were as follows: Accounts receivable increased by $2.7 million, primarily due to an increase in sales, an increase in unbilled accounts receivables due to timing of billing, and revenue recognition and higher contractual invoicing activity, partially offset by collections from customers; Prepaid expense and other current assets increased by $7.3 million, primarily due to the timing of billing of contract assets related to fixed-price service contracts, an increase in lease receivable from sales-type leases, and an increase in income tax receivable, partially offset by a decrease in prepaid expenses related to third party software licenses and cloud-subscription costs; Other non-current assets increased by $4.2 million primarily due to non-current assets from sales-type leases, increases in non-current contract assets and costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts, partially offset by the amortization of non-current prepaid expenses; Accounts payable decreased by $2.1 million primarily due to the timing of payments of vendor invoices; and Accrued compensation and related benefits decreased by $2.2 million primarily due to the payments of accrued bonuses net of new bonus accruals, a decrease in accrued commissions, partially offset by additional contributions to the employee stock purchase plan.
We anticipate our selling, general and administrative expenses will fluctuate in absolute dollars from period to period as a result of cost control initiatives and to support increased selling efforts in the future.
These increases were partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in subcontractor expenses. We anticipate our selling, general and administrative expenses will fluctuate in absolute dollars from period to period as a result of cost control initiatives and to support increased selling efforts in the future.
Amortization of acquired intangible assets Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2022 2021 2020 2021 to 2022 2020 to 2021 Amortization of acquired intangible assets $ 1,270 $ 1,255 $ 741 $ 15 1 % $ 514 69 % Amortization of acquired intangible assets primarily consists of amortization of intangibles acquired as a result of certain business combinations.
Amortization of acquired intangible assets Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2022 to 2023 2021 to 2022 Amortization of acquired intangible assets $ 1,285 $ 1,270 $ 1,255 $ 15 1 % $ 15 1 % Amortization of acquired intangible assets primarily consists of amortization of intangibles acquired as a result of certain business combinations and was consistent for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
The continuing tension between the U.S. and P.R.C. and/or Russian governments in trade and security matters or the perception of that tension could lead to disruptions or reductions in international trade, deter or prevent purchasing activity of customers, and negatively impact our China sales (with respect to U.S.-P.R.C. tensions) and financial results in general (with respect to global tensions).
Any escalations could lead to disruptions or reductions in international trade, deter or prevent purchasing activity of customers, and negatively impact our development timelines and customer support (with respect to the Israel-Hamas conflict) or China sales (with respect to U.S.-P.R.C. tensions) and financial results in general (with respect to global tensions).
Write-down in value of property and equipment Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2022 2021 2020 2021 to 2022 2020 to 2021 Write-down in value of property and equipment $ $ 3,183 $ $ (3,183) (100) % $ 3,183 100 % In fiscal 2021, we wrote down the value of property and equipment aggregating $3.2 million pertaining to our first-generation of e-beam tools for DFI™ systems where carrying values may not be fully recoverable due to lack of market demand and future needs of our customers for these tools. 41 Table of Contents Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net Year Ended December 31, $ Change % % Change $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2022 2021 2020 2021 to 2022 2020 to 2021 Interest and other expense (income), net $ (2,562) $ (683) $ 1,269 $ (1,879) 275 % $ (1,952) (154) % Interest and other expense (income), net primarily consists of interest income, gains, and losses from foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency transaction exchange gains and losses.
Write-down in value of property and equipment Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2022 to 2023 2021 to 2022 Write-down in value of property and equipment $ $ $ 3,183 $ % $ (3,183) (100) % In fiscal 2021, we wrote down the value of property and equipment aggregating $3.2 million pertaining to our first-generation of e-beam tools for DFI™ systems where carrying values may not be fully recoverable due to lack of market demand and future needs of our customers for these tools.
Lease terms include 38 Table of Contents the minimum unconditional term of the lease, and may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain at the commencement date that such options will be exercised.
Operating lease right-of-use assets, and operating lease liabilities are initially recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Lease terms include the minimum unconditional term of the lease, and may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain at the commencement date that such options will be exercised.
Financial Highlights The following are our financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2022: Total revenues were $148.5 million, an increase of $37.5 million, or 34%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Analytics revenue was $130.5 million, an increase of $37.1 million, or 40%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Financial Highlights The following are our financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2023: Total revenues were $165.8 million, an increase of $17.3 million, or 12%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Analytics revenue was $152.1 million, an increase of $21.6 million, or 17%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
These increases were partially offset by decreases in facilities and information technology-related costs, including depreciation expenses, and hardware costs. Net loss was $3.4 million, compared to a $21.5 million net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021.
These increases were partially offset by decreases in personnel-related costs. Net income was $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 20% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to (i) a $7.3 million increase in personnel-related costs mainly resulting from increases in stock-based compensation expense, headcount, bonus and commission expense, benefit costs, and worldwide salary increases, (ii) a $1.2 million increase in facilities and IT-related costs including cloud-services related costs, (iii) a $0.4 million increase in general legal expenses, and (iv) a $0.3 million increase in travel expense.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to (i) a $14.5 million increase in personnel-related costs mainly resulting from increases in stock-based and other compensation expense, commission, employee benefit costs, headcount and worldwide salary increases, (ii) a $0.8 million increase in travel expenses, (iii) a $0.7 million increase in legal fees related to the arbitration proceeding over a disputed customer contract, (iv) a $0.4 million increase in third-party cloud-services related costs, (v) a $0.3 million increase in property tax expense, (vi) a $0.3 million increase in general legal expenses, (vii) a $0.3 million increase in trade conference-related expenses, and (viii) a $0.2 million increase in business acquisition costs.
These were partially offset by (i) a $1.0 million decrease in facilities and IT-related costs including depreciation expense and (ii) a $0.4 million decrease in hardware costs. Gross Margin Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2022, was 68% compared to 60% for the year ended December 31, 2021, or an increase of 8 percentage points.
These increases were partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in personnel-related costs due to lower compensation expenses, partially offset by an increase in stock-based compensation expense. Gross Margin Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2023, was 69% compared to 68% for the year ended December 31, 2022, or an increase of 1 percentage point.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash provided by investing activities was $84.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Net cash flows provided by operating activities was $14.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net cash flows provided by operating activities of $32.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Fluctuations in future results may also occur if any of our significant customers renegotiate pre-existing contractual commitments, including due to adverse changes in their own business.
Fluctuations in future results may also occur if any of our significant customers renegotiate pre-existing contractual commitments, including due to adverse changes in their own business. Costs of Revenues Costs of revenues consist primarily of costs incurred to provide and support our services, costs recognized in connection with licensing our software, IT and facilities-related costs and amortization of acquired technology.
Some customers in the P.R.C., in particular, have nonetheless expressed concerns to us that continued action by the U.S. government could potentially interrupt their ability to make use of our products or services. In October 2022, the U.S. government issued an interim final rule (87 Fed. Reg. 62186) with additional export control restrictions.
Some customers in the P.R.C., in particular, have nonetheless expressed concerns to us that continued action by the U.S. government could potentially interrupt their ability to make use of our products or services, which has in some cases, and could in the future, negatively impact the demand for our products and services by these customers.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data Year Ended December 31, % $ Change 2022 2021 2020 % 2021 to 2022 % 2020 to 2021 (In thousands) Net cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities $ 32,298 $ 4,243 $ 21,783 $ 28,055 $ (17,540) Investing activities 84,599 (4,667) (150,502) 89,266 145,835 Financing activities (24,307) (5,525) 64,798 (18,782) (70,323) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (650) (182) 131 (468) (313) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 91,940 $ (6,131) $ (63,790) $ 98,071 $ 57,659 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Cash flows provided by operating activities during 2022, consisted of a net loss, adjusted for certain non-cash items which primarily consisted of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible expense, amortization of costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts and net change in operating assets and liabilities.
In total, the Company has repurchased 735,940 shares under the 2022 Program at an average price of $23.69 per share for an aggregate total price of $17.4 million. 49 Table of Contents Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data Year Ended December 31, % $ Change (In thousands) 2023 2022 2021 % 2022 to 2023 % 2021 to 2022 Net cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities $ 14,600 $ 32,298 $ 4,243 $ (17,698) $ 28,055 Investing activities (28,991) 84,599 (4,667) (113,590) 89,266 Financing activities (5,890) (24,307) (5,525) 18,417 (18,782) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (365) (650) (182) 285 (468) Net change in cash and cash equivalents $ (20,646) $ 91,940 $ (6,131) $ (112,586) $ 98,071 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Cash flows provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, consisted of net income, adjusted for certain non-cash items which primarily consisted of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible expense, amortization of costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts, net accretion of discounts on short-term investments and net change in operating assets and liabilities.
After an internal evaluation, we determined that a large percentage of our software products are not of U.S. origin and are, thus, not subject to the EAR. Our standard operations include development, distribution processes, software download sites, and professional service centers and processes located in various geographies around the world to better serve our customers.
Our standard operations include development, distribution processes, software download sites, and professional service centers and processes located in various geographies around the world to better serve our customers.
The increase in Analytics revenue was driven by increases in revenue from CV and DFI systems and increases in revenues from Exensio and Cimetrix software licenses.
The increase in Analytics revenue was driven by increases in revenue from DFI and CV systems, including sales-type leases of DFI assets, and an increase in revenue from Exensio software licenses, partially offset by a decrease in revenues from Cimetrix software licenses due to a decrease in orders for runtime licenses.
Contractual Obligations The following table summarizes our known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands): Payments Due by Period 2028 and Contractual Obligations 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 thereafter Total Operating lease obligations (1) $ 1,570 $ 1,633 $ 1,547 $ 1,357 $ 979 $ 171 $ 7,257 Purchase obligations (2) 18,386 5,948 6,016 30,350 Total (3) $ 19,956 $ 7,581 $ 7,563 $ 1,357 $ 979 $ 171 $ 37,607 (1) Refer to Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” (Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report) for further discussion.
Contractual Obligations The following table summarizes our known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands): Payments Due by Period Contractual Obligations 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Total Operating lease obligations (1) $ 1,706 $ 1,611 $ 1,039 $ 916 $ 551 $ 5,823 Purchase obligations (2) 17,557 7,290 1,097 244 61 26,249 Total (3) $ 19,263 $ 8,901 $ 2,136 $ 1,160 $ 612 $ 32,072 (1) Refer to Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” (Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report) for further discussion.
The higher gross margin during the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to higher total revenue and decreases in certain costs of revenues, as discussed above, which decreased the costs of revenues as a percentage of total revenues, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
The higher gross margin during the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to higher total revenue when compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
The increase in Analytics revenue was primarily driven by increases in revenues from CV and DFI systems and from Exensio and Cimetrix software licenses.
The increase in Analytics revenue was driven by increases in revenue from DFI and CV systems, including sales-type leases of DFI assets, and an increase in revenue from Exensio software licenses, partially offset by a decrease in revenues from Cimetrix software licenses due to a decrease in orders for runtime licenses.
The increase in costs of revenues of $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, was primarily due to (i) a $2.6 million increase in personnel-related costs due to worldwide salary increases, increases in benefit costs, stock-based compensation expense, and bonus expense, (ii) a $1.6 million increase in third-party cloud-delivery costs, software licenses and maintenance costs, and (iii) an $0.8 million increase in subcontractor costs.
The increase in costs of revenues of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to (i) a $3.5 million increase in hardware costs, (ii) a $0.4 million increase in travel expenses, (iii) a $0.2 million increase in subcontractor fees, and (iv) a $0.2 million increase in software licenses and maintenance costs.
The interest rate assumption is based upon observed Treasury yield curve rates appropriate for the expected life of our stock options. 37 Table of Contents Business Combinations We allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the date of the business combination.
Business Combinations We allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the date of the business combination. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.
Income Tax Expense Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2022 2021 2020 2021 to 2022 2020 to 2021 Income tax expense $ 3,899 $ 3,171 $ 22,303 $ 728 23 % $ (19,132) (86) % Income tax expense increased 23% for the year ended December 31 , 2022, compared to the year ended December 31 , 2021, primarily due to increases in state tax expense, foreign withholding taxes and changes in the geographic mix of worldwide income, which is subject to taxation at different statutory tax rates.
Interest and other expense (income), net increased $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in interest income of $4.0 million from cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments resulting from higher interest rates, partially offset by net unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. 48 Table of Contents Income Tax Expense % Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2022 to 2023 2021 to 2022 Income tax expense $ (1,764) $ (3,899) $ (3,171) $ (2,135) (55) % $ 728 23 % Income tax expense decreased $2.1 million for the year ended December 31 , 2023, compared to the year ended December 31 , 2022, primarily due to decreases in state tax expense, foreign withholding taxes and changes in the geographic mix of worldwide income, which is subject to taxation at different statutory tax rates.
Results of Operations Discussion of Financial Data for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 Revenues, Costs of Revenues, and Gross Margin Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2022 2021 2020 2021 to 2022 2020 to 2021 Revenues: Analytics $ 130,480 $ 93,415 $ 57,232 $ 37,065 40 % $ 36,183 63 % Integrated Yield Ramp 18,069 17,645 30,814 424 2 % (13,169) (43) % Total revenues $ 148,549 $ 111,060 $ 88,046 $ 37,489 34 % $ 23,014 26 % Costs of revenues 47,907 44,193 36,765 3,714 8 % 7,428 20 % Gross profit $ 100,642 $ 66,867 $ 51,281 $ 33,775 51 % $ 15,586 30 % Gross margin 68 % 60 % 58 % Analytics revenue as a percentage of total revenues 88 % 84 % 65 % Integrated Yield Ramp revenue as a percentage of total revenues 12 % 16 % 35 % Analytics Revenue Analytics revenue was $130.5 million, an increase of $37.1 million, or 40%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes See our Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included under Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a description of recent accounting pronouncements and accounting changes, including the dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on our consolidated financial statements. 45 Table of Contents Results of Operations Discussion of Financial Data for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 Revenues, Costs of Revenues, and Gross Margin Year Ended December 31, % $ Change % % Change % $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2022 to 2023 2021 to 2022 Revenues: Analytics $ 152,085 $ 130,480 $ 93,415 $ 21,605 17 % $ 37,065 40 % Integrated Yield Ramp 13,750 18,069 17,645 (4,319) (24) % 424 2 % Total revenues 165,835 148,549 111,060 17,286 12 % 37,489 34 % Costs of revenues 51,749 47,907 44,193 3,842 8 % 3,714 8 % Gross profit $ 114,086 $ 100,642 $ 66,867 $ 13,444 13 % $ 33,775 51 % Gross margin 69 % 68 % 60 % Analytics revenue as a percentage of total revenues 92 % 88 % 84 % Integrated Yield Ramp revenue as a percentage of total revenues 8 % 12 % 16 % Analytics Revenue Analytics revenue was $152.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $21.6 million, or 17%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used in investing activities primarily related to (i) purchases of $168.6 million short-term investments, (ii) a $3.1 million payment of the Holdback Amount related to the acquisition of Cimetrix, (refer to above discussion on Cimetrix Acquisition for further details), and (iii) $4.1 million for equipment purchased and prepayment for the purchase of property and equipment, primarily related to our DFI systems, partially offset by $171.0 million proceeds from maturities of short-term investments.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities was $29.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $84.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. 50 Table of Contents For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in investing activities primarily related to purchases of short-term investments of $59.6 million, purchases of and prepayments for property and equipment of $11.3 million primarily related to our DFI and CV systems, payment for a business acquisition, net of cash acquired, of $1.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from maturities and sales of short-term investments of $43.8 million.
We will continue to monitor for any further trade restrictions, other regulatory or policy changes by the U.S. or foreign governments and any actions in response, and remain committed to complying with applicable law.
We will continue to monitor for any further trade restrictions, other regulatory or policy changes by the U.S. or foreign governments and any actions in response. The uncertainty caused by these recent regulations and the potential for additional future restrictions could negatively affect our future sales in the P.R.C. market. Investments in semiconductor manufacturing . In 2022, the U.S.
Integrated Yield Ramp revenue increased $0.4 million, or 2%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to 34 Table of Contents an increase in hours worked on fixed fee engagements, partially offset by the end of Gainshare periods on certain contracts. Costs of revenues increased $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to increases in personnel-related costs, subcontractor costs, third-party cloud-delivery costs, and software licenses and maintenance costs.
Integrated Yield Ramp revenue decreased $4.3 million, or 24%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a decrease in hours worked on fixed fee engagements and a decrease in Gainshare from decreased customer wafer shipments at non-leading-edge nodes. Costs of revenues increased $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to increases in hardware costs, travel expenses, subcontractor fees and software licenses and maintenance costs.
The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act (the “CHIPS Act”) was signed into U.S. law on August 9, 2022. CHIPS Act is intended to increase domestic competitiveness in semiconductor manufacturing capacity, increase research and development in computing, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and nanotechnology through federal government programs and incentives over the next ten years.
The CHIPS Act is intended to increase domestic competitiveness in semiconductor manufacturing capacity, increase research and development in computing, AI, clean energy, and nanotechnology through federal government programs and incentives over the next ten years. The CHIPS Act includes an advanced manufacturing tax credit equal to 25% of qualified investments in property purchased for an advanced manufacturing facility.
Research and development expenses increased 28% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to (i) a $9.9 million increase in personnel-related costs primarily resulting from increases in stock-based compensation expense, headcount, bonus expense, benefit costs, and worldwide salary increases, (ii) a $1.5 million increase in subcontractor expenses primarily related to Cimetrix and Exensio software, and DFI and CV systems, (iii) a $0.4 million increase in facilities and IT-related costs including depreciation expense, and (iv) a $0.4 million increase in travel expense. 40 Table of Contents We anticipate our expenses in research and development will fluctuate in absolute dollars from period to period as a result of the size and the timing of product development projects.
Research and development expenses decreased $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to (i) a $5.8 million decrease in personnel-related costs mostly resulting from a lower stock-based and other compensation expenses, partially offset by worldwide salary increases and increases in headcount, and (ii) a $0.5 million decrease in facilities and IT-related costs including depreciation expense.
Other trends may continue to affect our characterization services business and Integrated Yield Ramp revenue specifically. The logic foundry market at the leading-edge nodes, such as 10nm, 7nm, and smaller, underwent significant change over the past few years. The leading foundry continues to dominate market share as other foundries started later than originally forecast in some cases.
For example, semiconductor manufacturers have recently been experiencing lower wafer shipments, which has negatively impacted our Integrated Yield Ramp gainshare revenue. The logic foundry market at the leading-edge nodes, such as 7nm, 5nm, and smaller, underwent significant change over the past few years. The leading foundry continues to dominate market share.
Integrated Yield Ramp Revenue Integrated Yield Ramp revenue was $18.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $0.4 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due an increase in hours worked on fixed fees engagements, partially offset by the end of Gainshare periods on certain contracts.
Integrated Yield Ramp Revenue Integrated Yield Ramp revenue was $13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $4.3 million, or 24%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a decrease in hours worked on fixed fee engagements and a decrease in Gainshare from decreased customer wafer shipments at non-leading-edge nodes.
Costs of Revenues Costs of revenues consist primarily of costs incurred to provide and support our services, costs recognized in connection with licensing our software, information technology (“IT”) and facilities-related costs and amortization of acquired technology. Service costs include material, personnel-related costs including compensation, employee benefits, bonus and stock-based compensation expense, subcontractor costs, overhead costs, travel, and allocated facilities-related costs.
Service costs include material costs, hardware costs (including cost of leased assets under sales-type leases), personnel-related costs (including compensation, employee benefits, bonus and stock-based compensation expense), subcontractor costs, 46 Table of Contents overhead costs, travel expenses, and allocated facilities-related costs.
There are other global or business trends that may affect our business opportunities generally as follows: Continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic . Although COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are being eased worldwide, the pandemic continues to affect how we and our customers operate our businesses.
There are other global or business trends that may affect our business opportunities generally as follows: Macroeconomy, inventories, and demand . The worldwide economy did not recover as strongly or quickly as expected after the COVID-19 pandemic, and recession fears persist. As a result of the slow recovery, inventories of semiconductor devices remain elevated in many instances.
Interest and other expense (income), net increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to higher interest income due to increased interest rates and a higher foreign currency exchange gain resulting from a net favorable fluctuation in foreign exchange rates.
Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net % % % % Year Ended December 31, $ Change % % Change $ Change % % Change (Dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2022 to 2023 2021 to 2022 Interest and other expense (income), net $ (5,020) $ (2,562) $ (683) $ 2,458 96 % $ 1,879 275 % Interest and other expense (income), net primarily consists of interest income and foreign currency transaction exchange gains and losses.
In addition, the U.S. government expanded the “foreign direct product rules,” and thus EAR jurisdiction and restrictions, to additional foreign-produced Items and in connection with additional restricted parties in the P.R.C. Based on our current assessments, we expect the impact of these expanded trade restrictions on our business to be limited.
Based on our current assessments, we expect the near-term impact of these expanded trade restrictions on our business to be limited, but revisions, clarifications, and proposals that are still in government development and open questions of interpretation leave much unknown.
Removed
We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation with a focus on our employees’ safety as our employees who were working in-office prior to COVID-19 have continued to return to working in-office for a certain number of days each week, subject to any current and future local restrictions.
Added
The strength of demand for semiconductor products has varied by region and product segment. For example, demand for graphical processing unit products is strong, while demand for smart phones is weak. With high inventories and soft demand, semiconductor fab utilization rates are also low and semiconductor capital equipment orders have been impacted for some vendors and market segments.
Removed
In addition, our personnel worldwide have in the past been and, in the future, may become subject to various country-to-country travel restrictions, which limits the ability of some employees to travel to other offices or customer sites.
Added
As a result of these trends, customers are being cautious with their spend and some purchase cycles are lengthening and other purchase decisions are being delayed, particularly with respect to larger deals. ● Changing export controls and sanctions .

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk — interest-rate, FX, commodity exposure

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Biggest changeActual results could vary materially as a result of a number of factors. Interest Rate Risk. As of December 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $139.2 million. Cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash, highly liquid money market instruments and U.S. Government securities. Short-term investments consisted of U.S. Government securities.
Biggest changeActual results could vary materially as a result of a number of factors. Interest Rate Risk. As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $135.5 million. Cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash and highly liquid money market instruments. Short-term investments consisted of U.S. Government securities.
Certain of our receivables and payables for our international offices are denominated in the local currency, including the Euro, Yen and RMB. Therefore, a portion of our revenues and operating expenditures are subject to foreign currency risks.
Foreign Currency and Exchange Risk. Certain of our receivables and payables for our international offices are denominated in the local currency, including the Euro, Yen and RMB. Therefore, a portion of our revenues and operating expenditures are subject to foreign currency risks.
At December 31, 2022 and periodically throughout the year, we have maintained cash balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. We limit the amount of credit exposure to any financial institution by evaluating the creditworthiness of the financial institutions with which we invest and investing through more than one financial institution. Foreign Currency and Exchange Risk.
As of December 31, 2023, and periodically throughout the year, we have maintained cash balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. We limit the amount of credit exposure to any financial institution by evaluating the creditworthiness of the financial institutions with which we invest and investing through more than one financial institution.
A hypothetical increase in market interest rates of 100 basis points from the market rates in effect at December 31, 2022, 45 Table of Contents would cause the fair value of these investments to decrease by an immaterial amount which would not have significantly impacted our financial position or results of operations.
A hypothetical increase in market interest rates of 100 basis points from the market rates in effect at December 31, 2023, would cause the fair value of short-term investments to decrease by an immaterial amount which would not have significantly impacted our financial position or results of operations.
As of December 31, 2022, we had no outstanding forward contracts. 46 Table of Contents
As of December 31, 2023, we had no outstanding forward contracts. 52 Table of Contents

Other PDFS 10-K year-over-year comparisons