Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Description of business

Description of business

BSQUARE Corporation (“BSQUARE,” “we,” “us” and “our”) was incorporated in Washington State in July 1994. Since our inception, our business has largely been focused on providing software solutions (including reselling software from Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”)) and related engineering services to businesses that develop, market and sell dedicated-purpose standalone intelligent systems. Examples of dedicated-purpose standalone intelligent systems include smart, connected computing devices such as smart phones, set-top boxes, point-of-sale terminals, kiosks, tablets and handheld data collection devices, as well as smart vending machines, ATM machines, digital signs and in-vehicle telematics and entertainment devices.

Bsquare builds technology that is powering the next generation of intelligent systems. We help companies realize the promise of IoT through the development of devices and systems that are cloud-enabled, share data seamlessly, facilitate distributed learning and control, and operate at securely scale. We believe that IoT-enabled systems can not only deliver value to our customers but can also help people make better use of the resources of our planet. Bsquare's suite of services and software components create new revenue streams and operating models for our customers while providing opportunities for lowering costs and improving operations.

Basis of consolidation

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BSQUARE and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Recently adopted accounting standards

Recently adopted accounting standards

We adopted Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (ASU 2016-02) on January 1, 2019. See Note 9, “Leases.”

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740) by removing certain exceptions permitted under ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, and clarifying existing guidance to facilitate consistent application. We are planning to early adopt this ASU as of January 1, 2020. Since we maintain a full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets, the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, or financial statement disclosures.

Standards issued and not yet implemented

Standards issued and not yet implemented

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires the use of a forward-looking expected credit loss model for accounts receivables, loans, and other financial instruments. The standard requires a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. We plan to adopt the new credit loss standard effective January 1, 2020. We do not expect the new credit loss standard to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, or financial statement disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), (ASU 2018-15). The amendments in ASU 2018-15 align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). We do not expect the new standard to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, or financial statement disclosures. 

Use of estimates

Use of estimates

Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Examples include provisions for bad debts and income taxes, estimates of progress on professional service arrangements, bonus accruals, fair value of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of share-based awards, and assumptions used to determine the net present value of operating lease liabilities, among other estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Income (loss) per share

Income (loss) per share

We compute basic per share amounts using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and exclude any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares, such as options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). We consider RSUs as outstanding and include them in the computation of basic income or loss per share only when vested. We compute diluted per share amounts using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. We exclude common stock equivalent shares from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Unvested but outstanding RSUs are included in the diluted per share calculation. In a period where we are in a net loss position, the diluted loss per share is computed using the basic share count.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted per share amounts (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic		12,896		12,712
Dilutive potential common shares		—		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted		12,896		12,712

Common stock equivalent shares of approximately 1,570,000 and 1,714,000 were excluded from the computation of diluted per share amounts for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, because their effect was anti-dilutive.

Cash, cash equivalents and investments

Cash, cash equivalents and investments

We invest our excess cash primarily in highly liquid debt instruments of U.S. government agencies and municipalities, debt instruments issued by foreign governments, corporate commercial paper, money market funds, and corporate debt securities. We classify all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase as cash equivalents and all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of greater than three months and not longer than 12 months as short-term investments.

Short-term investments consist entirely of marketable securities, which are all classified as available-for-sale securities and are recorded at their estimated fair value. We determine the appropriate classification of our investments at the time of purchase and reevaluate such designation at each balance sheet date. We may or may not hold securities with stated maturities greater than 12 months until maturity. As we view these securities as available to support current operations, we classify securities with maturities less than 12 months as short-term investments. We carry these securities at fair value and report the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, as a component of shareholders’ equity, except for unrealized losses determined to be other than temporary, which are recorded in other expense.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash

Restricted cash represents two deposits at a financial institution; one held as security on a letter of credit expiring during 2020 on our headquarters lease obligation, the other held as security on our corporate credit card line.

Financial instruments and concentrations of risk

Financial instruments and concentrations of risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and accounts receivable.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Allowance for doubtful accounts

We record accounts receivable at the invoiced amount net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for potentially uncollectible receivables. We review customers that have past due invoices to identify specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In determining the amount of the allowance, we make judgments about the creditworthiness of significant customers based on ongoing credit evaluations.

Equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements

Equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements

We account for equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation of equipment and furniture using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful lives, ranging from two to ten years. We expense maintenance and repair costs as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, gains or losses are included in the consolidated statements of operations. When facts and circumstances indicate that the value of long-lived assets may be impaired, we perform an evaluation of recoverability comparing the carrying value of the asset to projected undiscounted future cash flows. Upon indication that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss as a charge against current operations based on the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value.

Leases

Leases

We lease office facilities, primarily under operating leases, which expire at various dates through 2027. These leases generally contain a renewal options for a defined number of years at the then-fair market rental rate or rate stipulated in the lease agreement; which the Company has an option to exercise at the end of the initial lease term.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. On our balance sheet, our office facility leases, with a lease term greater than 12-months, are included in Right-of-Use (“ROU”) assets and related lease liabilities are included in the Operating leases and Operating leases, long-term statement line items. ROU assets represent our right to use the underlying assets for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease agreements. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the term of the lease. For leases that do not provide an implicit rate, we use an incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. We will use the implicit rate in the lease when readily determinable. The Company accounts for its lease expense with free rent periods and step-rent provisions on a straight-line basis over the original term of the lease and any extension options that the Company more likely than not expects to exercise, from the date the Company has control of the property. Certain leases provide for periodic rental increases based on price indices. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets

Intangible assets were recorded in connection with business acquisitions and are stated at estimated fair value at the time of acquisition less accumulated amortization. We amortize our acquired intangible assets using the straight-line method using lives ranging from one to ten years. We review intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability of these assets by comparing the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If intangible assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair market value.

Goodwill

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter or more frequently when an event occurs, or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We have two reporting units for the purpose of evaluating goodwill for impairment—Partner Solutions and Edge to Cloud. See Note 15, “Information about Operating Segments and Geographic Areas.”

For reporting units that carry goodwill, we test for impairment by performing an optional qualitative assessment to determine whether the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount. If we determine that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely greater than its carrying amount, we test for impairment by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value, including goodwill, recording an impairment charge for the excess. Alternatively, at our option, we can forego performing the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to perform the impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill, and recording an impairment charge for the excess.

Third-party software fees payable

Third-party software fees payable

We record all fees payable and accrued liabilities related to the sale of embedded operating system software, such as Microsoft Windows IoT and Windows Mobile operating systems, as third-party software fees payable.

Research and development

Research and development

Costs incurred internally in researching and developing a computer software product are charged to expense until technological feasibility has been established for the product. Once technological feasibility is established, all software costs would be capitalized until the product is available for general release to customers. Judgment is required in determining when technological feasibility of a product is established. Generally, this would be reached after all high-risk development issues have been resolved through coding and testing and would occur shortly before the product is released. Research and development expense was $5.8 million and $8.6 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively

Internally-developed software

Internally developed software

We capitalize payroll and benefits costs incurred internally during the application development stage of developing a computer software product for general release to customers. Amortization of costs incurred after this point is included in cost of revenue over the estimated life of the products.

Advertising costs

Advertising costs

All costs of advertising, including cooperative marketing arrangements, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $154,000 and $171,000 in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Share-based compensation

Share-based compensation

The estimated fair value of share-based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures. We estimate forfeitures of share-based awards based on historical experience and expected future activity. The fair value of RSUs is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of each vesting tranche as calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option-pricing model. The BSM model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life. If any of the assumptions used in the BSM model change significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period.

Comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss refers to net loss and other revenue, expenses, gains and losses that, under generally accepted accounting principles, are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from the calculation of net loss.

Income taxes

Income taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes. We compute income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income taxes are provided for on the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. Our deferred tax amounts are measured using currently enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

We apply judgment as to the appropriate weighting of all available evidence when assessing the need for the establishment or the release of valuation allowances. As part of this analysis, we examine all available evidence on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis and weigh the positive and negative information when determining the need for full or partial valuation allowances. The evidence considered for each jurisdiction includes, among other items, (i) the historical levels of income or loss over a range of time periods that extends beyond the two years presented, (ii) the historical sources of income and losses, (iii) the expectations and risk associated with underlying estimates of future taxable income, (iv) the expectations and risk associated with new product offerings and uncertainties with the timing of future taxable income, and (v) prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Based on the analysis conducted as of December 31, 2019, we determined that we would not release, in full or in part, the valuation allowance against our U.S. gross deferred tax assets.

We recognize tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are classified in the consolidated financial statements as income tax expense.

Foreign currency

Foreign currency

The functional currency of foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive loss and accumulated other comprehensive loss, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The net gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the period incurred and were not significant for any of the periods presented.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition

We recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We generate all of our revenue from contracts with customers.

Embedded operating system software

We sell embedded operating system software licenses based upon a customer purchase order, shipping a certificate of authenticity (“COA”) to satisfy this single performance obligation. These shipments are also subject to limited return rights; historically, returns have averaged less than one-quarter of one percent. In accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (“Topic 606”), we recognize revenue from third-party products at the time of shipment when the customer accepts control of the COA.

Proprietary software

We sell our proprietary software products to customers under a contract or by purchase order. Our DataV software contracts generally include professional services, a perpetual or term license and support and maintenance. In contracts with multiple performance obligations, we identify each performance obligation and evaluate whether the performance obligations are distinct within the context of the contract at contract inception. Performance obligations that are not distinct at contract inception are combined. Contracts that include software customization may result in the combination of the customization services with the software license as one distinct performance obligation. The transaction price is generally in the form of a fixed fee at contract inception. Certain DataV contracts also include variable consideration in the form of royalties earned when customers meet contractual volume thresholds. We allocate the transaction price to each distinct performance obligation based on the estimated standalone selling price for each performance obligation. We then look to how control of the software transfers to the customer in order to determine the timing of revenue recognition. In contracts that include customer acceptance, we recognize revenue when we have delivered the software and received customer acceptance. We recognize revenue from support and maintenance over the service delivery period. We recognize revenue from royalties in the period of usage.

Our software products, other than for DataV products, generally do not include customization or modification services and are sold in the form of term licenses. These software licenses represent one distinct performance obligation. Revenue is recognized when the software is delivered to the customer.

Professional services

We enter into contracts for professional services, including for our IoT-related service offerings, that include software development and customization. We identify each performance obligation in our professional services contracts at contract inception. The contracts generally include project deliverables specified by each customer. The performance obligations in the contracts are generally combined into one deliverable. The contract pricing is either at stated billing rates per service hour and material costs or at a fixed amount. Services provided under professional engineering contracts generally result in the transfer of control of the applicable deliverable over time. We recognize revenue on service contracts based on time and materials as we have the right to invoice. We recognize revenue on fixed fee contracts on the proportion of labor hours expended (under Topic 606, the ‘input method’) to the total hours expected to complete the contract performance obligation. Certain professional service contracts include substantive customer acceptance provisions; in which case we recognize revenue upon customer acceptance.

The determination of the total labor hours expected to complete the performance obligations on fixed fee contracts involves significant judgment. We incorporate revisions to hour and cost estimates when the causal facts become known. In certain situations, when it is impractical for us to reasonably measure the outcome of a performance obligation, and where we anticipate that we will not incur a loss, an adjusted cost-based input method is used for revenue recognition. Equal amounts of revenue and cost are recognized during the contract period, and profit is recognized when the project is completed and accepted.