-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, NZu/pBUguMnQMeUQqXuXwJyIdU04u5KlRSYUKbdpDJyXP1g0/kmik/y0HJn36byw ddXel9VE8+UOCIWJCfPbIg== 0001129787-04-000100.txt : 20040913 0001129787-04-000100.hdr.sgml : 20040913 20040913133055 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001129787-04-000100 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040913 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20040913 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MSC SOFTWARE CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000717238 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372] IRS NUMBER: 952239450 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-34721 FILM NUMBER: 041027137 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 815 COLORADO BLVD CITY: LOS ANGELES STATE: CA ZIP: 90041 BUSINESS PHONE: 3232589111 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 815 COLORADO BOULEVARD CITY: LOS ANGELES STATE: CA ZIP: 90041 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MACNEAL SCHWENDLER CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VA PARTNERS LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001129787 IRS NUMBER: 943364923 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 435 PACIFIC AVENUE STREET 2: FOURTH FLOOR CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94133 BUSINESS PHONE: 4153623700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 435 PACIFIC AVENUE STREET 2: FOURTH FLOOR CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94133 SC 13D 1 mns13d091304.txt ============================================================================= UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13D INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(a) MSC Software Corporation ------------------------------------------------ (Name of Issuer) Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value ------------------------------------------------ (Title of Class of Securities) 553531104 ------------------------------------------------ (CUSIP Number) George F. Hamel, Jr. ValueAct Capital 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor San Francisco, CA 94133 (415) 362-3700 ------------------------------------------------ (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) September 1, 2004 ------------------------------------------------ (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 240.13d-1(b)(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g) check the following box [ ]. NOTE: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 240.13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent ______________________ 1The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). ============================================================================= SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------- ------------------------- CUSIP NO. 553531104 Page 2 of 16 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only) ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC* - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 0 NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY 1,016,007** OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,016,007** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,016,007** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 3.3% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *See Item 3 **See Item 2 and 5 *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------- ------------------------- CUSIP NO. 553531104 Page 3 of 16 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only) ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC* - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 0 NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY 147,671** OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 147,671** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 147,671** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) less than 1% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *See Item 3 **See Item 2 and 5 *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------- ------------------------- CUSIP NO. 553531104 Page 4 of 16 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only) ValueAct Capital International, Ltd. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC* - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION British Virgin Islands - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 0 NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY 433,622** OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 433,622** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 433,622** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 1.4% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *See Item 3 **See Item 2 and 5 *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------- ------------------------- CUSIP NO. 553531104 Page 5 of 16 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only) VA Partners, L.L.C. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC* - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 0 NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY 1,597,300** OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,597,300** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,597,300** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.2% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON 00 (LLC) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *See Item 3 **See Item 2 and 5 *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------- ------------------------- CUSIP NO. 553531104 Page 6 of 16 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only) Jeffrey W. Ubben - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* 00* - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 0 NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY 1,597,300** OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,597,300** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,597,300** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.2% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *See Item 3 **See Item 2 and 5 *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------- ------------------------- CUSIP NO. 553531104 Page 7 of 16 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only) George F. Hamel, Jr. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* 00* - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 0 NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY 1,597,300** OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,597,300** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,597,300** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.2% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *See Item 3 **See Item 2 and 5 *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------- ------------------------- CUSIP NO. 553531104 Page 8 of 16 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only) Peter H. Kamin - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* 00* - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 0 NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY 1,597,300** OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,597,300** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,597,300** - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.2% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *See Item 3 **See Item 2 and 5 *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER. This Schedule 13D relates to the common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of MSC Software Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Issuer"). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 2 MacArthur Place, Santa Ana California, 92707. ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND. (a), (b), (c) and (f). This Statement is filed jointly by (a)ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P. ("ValueAct Partners"), (b) ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P. ("ValueAct Partners II"), (c) ValueAct Capital International, Ltd. ("ValueAct International"), (d) VA Partners, L.L.C. ("VA Partners"), (e) Jeffrey W. Ubben, (f) George F. Hamel, Jr. and (g) Peter H. Kamin (collectively, the "Reporting Persons"). ValueAct Partners and ValueAct Partners II are each Delaware limited partnerships, the principal business of which is investing in securities. ValueAct International is a Company organized in the British Virgin Islands. The principal business of each entity is investing in securities. Each has a principal business address of 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, California 94133. VA Partners is a Delaware limited liability company, the principal business of which is to render investment management services to ValueAct International and to serve as the General Partner of ValueAct Partners and ValueAct Partners II. VA Partners has a principal business address of 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, California 94133. (a), (b) and (c). Messrs. Ubben, Hamel and Kamin are each managing members, principal owners and controlling persons of VA Partners, and directors and principal executive officers of ValueAct International, and such activities constitute their principal occupations. Such individuals are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Managing Members" or individually as a "Managing Member". Each Managing Member is a United States citizen and has a principal business address of 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133. (d) and (e). None of the entities or persons identified in this Item 2 has during the past five years been convicted of any criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors), nor been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. Page 9 of 16 ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION. The source of funds used for the purchase of the Issuer's securities was the working capital of ValueAct Partners, ValueAct Partners II and ValueAct International. The aggregate funds used by the Reporting Persons to make the purchases were $6,607,342.39, $960,555.29 and $2,819,736.81 respectively. ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION. The Reporting Persons have acquired the Issuer's Common Stock for investment purposes, and such purchases have been made in the Reporting Persons' ordinary course of business. In pursuing such investment purposes, the Reporting Persons may further purchase, hold, vote, trade, dispose or otherwise deal in the Common Stock at times, and in such manner, as they deem advisable to benefit from changes in market prices of such Common Stock, changes in the Issuer's operations, business strategy or prospects, or from sale or merger of the Issuer. To evaluate such alternatives, the Reporting Persons will routinely monitor the Issuer's operations, prospects, business development, management, competitive and strategic matters, capital structure, and prevailing market conditions, as well as alternative investment opportunities, liquidity requirements of the Reporting Persons and other investment considerations. Consistent with its investment research methods and evaluation criteria, the Reporting Persons may discuss such matters with management or directors of the Issuer, other shareholders, industry analysts, existing or potential strategic partners or competitors, investment and financing professionals, sources of credit and other investors. Such factors and discussions may materially affect, and result in, the Reporting Persons' modifying their ownership of Common Stock, exchanging information with the Issuer pursuant to appropriate confidentiality or similar agreements, proposing changes in the Issuer's operations, governance or capitalization, or in proposing one or more of the other actions described in subsections (a) through (j) of this Item 4. The Reporting Persons reserve the right to formulate other plans and/or make other proposals, and take such actions with respect to their investment in the Issuer, including any or all of the actions set forth in paragraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D, or acquire additional Common Stock or dispose of all the Common Stock beneficially owned by them, in public market or privately negotiated transactions. The Reporting Persons may at any time reconsider and change their plans or proposals relating to the foregoing. ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER (a), (b). Set forth below is the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock of the Issuer for each person named in Item 2. Shares reported as beneficially owned by each of ValueAct Partners, ValueAct Partners II and ValueAct International are also reported as beneficially owned by VA Partners, as investment manager or General Partner of each of such investment partnerships, and by the Managing Members as controlling persons of the General Partner. VA Partners and the Managing Members also, directly or Page 10 of 16 indirectly, may own interests in one or both of such partnerships from time to time. Unless otherwise indicated below, by reason of such relationships each of the partnerships is reported as having shared power to vote or to direct the vote, and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of, such shares of Common Stock with VA Partners and the Managing Members. ValueAct Partners is the beneficial owner of 1,016,007 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 3.3% of the Issuer's outstanding Common Stock. ValueAct Partners II is the beneficial owner of 147,671 shares of Common Stock, representing less than 1% of the Issuer's outstanding Common Stock. ValueAct International is the beneficial owner of 433,622 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 1.4% of the Issuer's outstanding Common Stock. VA Partners and each of the Managing Members may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 1,597,300 shares of Issuer Common Stock, representing approximately 5.2% of the Issuer's outstanding Common Stock. All percentages set forth in this Schedule 13D are based upon the Issuer's reported 30,631,565 outstanding shares of Common Stock as of June 30, 2004. (c) The following transactions in the Issuer's Common Stock were effected by the Reporting Persons during the sixty (60) days preceding the date of this report. All of such transactions represent open market transactions. Reporting Person Trade Date Shares Price/Share - ---------- --------- ------- ----------- ValueAct Capital 08-11-04 637,500 $6.14 08-13-04 25,200 $6.35 08-16-04 145,000 $6.50 08-20-04 3,400 $7.00 08-23-04 765 $7.00 08-26-04 32,900 $7.31 08-27-04 31,900 $7.41 08-27-04 26,000 $7.50 08-30-04 18,360 $7.31 08-31-04 15,236 $7.21 09-01-04 40,800 $7.37 09-02-04 13,300 $7.42 09-03-04 24,500 $7.50 09-07-04 446 $7.50 09-09-04 700 $7.50 Page 11 of 16 ValueAct Capital II 08-11-04 92,500 $6.14 08-13-04 3,700 $6.35 08-16-04 21,200 $6.50 08-20-04 500 $7.00 08-23-04 111 $7.00 08-26-04 4,800 $7.31 08-27-04 4,600 $7.41 08-27-04 3,800 $7.50 08-30-04 2,664 $7.31 08-31-04 2,211 $7.21 09-01-04 5,920 $7.37 09-02-04 1,900 $7.42 09-03-04 3,600 $7.50 09-07-04 65 $7.50 09-09-04 100 $7.50 ValueAct International 08-11-04 270,000 $6.14 08-13-04 14,000 $6.35 08-16-04 61,400 $6.50 08-20-04 1,400 $7.00 08-23-04 324 $7.00 08-26-04 13,900 $7.31 08-27-04 13,500 $7.41 08-27-04 11,000 $7.50 08-30-04 7,776 $7.31 08-31-04 6,453 $7.21 09-01-04 17,280 $7.37 09-02-04 5,700 $7.42 09-03-04 10,400 $7.50 09-07-04 189 $7.50 09-09-04 300 $7.50 (d) and (e) Not applicable. Page 12 of 16 ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS A. Joint Filing Agreement Page 13 of 16 SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below on this Schedule 13D hereby constitutes and appoints Jeffrey W. Ubben, George F. Hamel, Jr. and Peter H. Kamin, and each of them, with full power to act without the other, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in writing) to sign any and all amendments to this Schedule 13D, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. ValueAct Capital Partners L.P., by VA Partners, L.L.C., its General Partner By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member ValueAct Capital Partners II L.P., by VA Partners, L.L.C., its General Partner By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member ValueAct Capital International, Ltd., by VA Partners, L.L.C., its investment manager By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member Page 14 of 16 VA Partners, L.L.C. By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 Jeffrey W. Ubben, Managing Member By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member By: /s/ Peter H. Kamin -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 Peter H. Kamin, Managing Member Page 15 of 16 Exhibit A JOINT FILING UNDERTAKING The undersigned parties hereby agree that the Schedule 13D filed herewith (and any amendments thereto) relating to the Common Stock of MSC Software Corporation is being filed jointly on behalf of each of them with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. ValueAct Capital Partners L.P., by VA Partners, L.L.C., its General Partner By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member ValueAct Capital Partners II L.P., by VA Partners, L.L.C., its General Partner By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member ValueAct Capital International, Ltd., by VA Partners, L.L.C., its investment manager By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member VA Partners, L.L.C. By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 Jeffrey W. Ubben, Managing Member By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member By: /s/ Peter H. Kamin -------------------------------------- Dated: September 13, 2004 Peter H. Kamin, Managing Member Page 16 of 16 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----