1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations – Cartesian, Inc. (“Cartesian” or the “Company”), formerly known as The Management Network Group, Inc., was founded in 1990 as a management consulting firm specializing in providing consulting services to the converging communications industry and the financial services firms that support it. A majority of the Company's revenues are from customers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Western Europe. Cartesian's corporate offices are located in Overland Park, Kansas.

Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cartesian and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Name of Subsidiary		Date Formed/Acquired
TMNG Europe Ltd.		March 19, 1997
TMNG Canada Ltd.		May 14, 1998
TMNG.com, Inc.		June 18, 1999
TMNG Marketing, LLC		September 5, 2000
TMNG Technologies, Inc.		August 27, 2001
Cambridge Strategic Management Group, Inc. ("CSMG")		March 6, 2002
Cambridge Adventis Ltd.		March 17, 2006
Cartesian Ltd. ("Cartesian Limited")		January 2, 2007
RVA Consulting, LLC		August 3, 2007
TWG Consulting, Inc.		October 5, 2007
Farncombe Technology Limited		July 22, 2015
Farncombe Engineering Services Limited		July 22, 2015
Farncombe France SARL		July 22, 2015

Fiscal Year - The Company reports its operating results on a 52/53-week fiscal year basis. The fiscal year end is determined as the Saturday ending nearest December 31. The fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 is a 52-week fiscal year and was comprised of four 13-week quarters. The fiscal year ended January 3, 2015 was a 53-week fiscal year and was comprised of three 13-week quarters with the fourth quarter comprised of 14 weeks. The fiscal years ended January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015 are referred to herein as fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. As described in further detail below, significant estimates include the estimates of costs to complete used to recognize revenues on fixed fee contracts, estimates utilized in measuring the fair value of the Company’s reporting units with recorded goodwill, estimates for fair value on Elutions, Inc. (“Elutions”) instruments, estimates used to determine the fair value of the contingent consideration liability and identifiable intangible assets, estimates used to determine the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets and estimates used to determine the recoverability of deferred contract costs.

Revenue Recognition - The Company recognizes revenue from time and materials consulting contracts in the period in which its services are performed. In addition to time and materials contracts, the Company also has fixed fee contracts. The Company recognizes revenues on milestone or deliverables-based fixed fee contracts and time and materials contracts not to exceed contract price using the percentage of completion-like method described by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605-35," Revenue Recognition - Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts." For fixed fee contracts where services are not based on providing deliverables or achieving milestones, the Company recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over the period during which such services are expected to be performed. In connection with some fixed fee contracts, the Company may receive payments from customers that exceed revenues up to that point in time. The Company records the excess of receipts from customers over recognized revenue as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is classified as a current liability to the extent it is expected to be earned within twelve months from the date of the balance sheet.

The FASB ASC 605-35 percentage-of-completion-like methodology involves recognizing revenue using the percentage of services completed, on a current cumulative cost to total cost basis, using a reasonably consistent profit margin over the period. Due to the longer term nature of these projects, developing the estimates of costs often requires significant judgment. Factors that must be considered in estimating the progress of work completed and ultimate cost of the projects include, but are not limited to, the availability of labor and labor productivity, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, and the impact of delayed performance. If changes occur in delivery, productivity or other factors used in developing the estimates of costs or revenues, the Company revises its cost and revenue estimates, which may result in increases or decreases in revenues and costs, and such revisions are reflected in income in the period in which the facts that give rise to that revision become known.

Although there was no revenue recognized related to sales of software for fiscal years 2015 or 2014, the Company provides post-contract support ("PCS") services on historical software sales, including technical support and maintenance services as well as other professional services not essential to the functionality of the software. For those contracts that include PCS service arrangements which are not essential to the functionality of the software solution, the Company separates the FASB ASC 605-35 software services and PCS services utilizing the multiple-element arrangement model prescribed by FASB ASC 605-25, "Revenue Recognition - Multiple-Element Arrangements ". The Company separated the PCS service elements and allocated total contract consideration to the contract elements based on the relative fair value of those elements utilizing PCS renewal terms as evidence of fair value. Revenues from PCS services are recognized ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the support and maintenance agreement.

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market investments and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value because of their relatively short-term maturities.

Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are stated at cost or acquisition date fair value less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the assets and is computed using the straight-line method, and capital leases, if any, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Asset lives range from three to seven years for furniture and fixtures, software and computer equipment. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the life of the lease or useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter. The Company reviews long-lived assets to be held and used for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets might not be recoverable in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 360, "Property, Plant and Equipment.” No impairments were identified in any period presented.

Managed Services Implementation Revenues and Costs - Managed service arrangements provide for the delivery of a software or technology-based solution to clients over a period of time without the transfer of a license or a software sale to the customer. For long-term managed service agreements, implementation efforts are often necessary to develop the software utilized to deliver the managed service. Costs of such implementation efforts may include internal and external costs for coding or customizing systems and costs for conversion of client data. The Company may invoice its clients for implementation fees at the go-live date of the underlying solution. Lump sum implementation fees received from clients are initially deferred and recognized on a pro-rata basis as services are provided. Specific, incremental and direct costs of implementation incurred prior to the services going live are deferred pursuant to FASB ASC 605-35-25 and amortized over the period that the related ongoing services revenue is recognized to the extent that the Company believes the recoverability of the costs from the contract is probable. If a client terminates a managed services arrangement prior to the end of the contract, a loss on the contract may be recorded, if applicable, and any remaining deferred implementation revenues and costs would then be recognized into earnings generally over the remaining service period through the termination date. During the fiscal years ended January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, deferred implementation costs related to managed service contracts were $443,000 and $1,119,000, respectively. Unamortized deferred implementation costs were $229,000 and $919,000 as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015 and were included in Other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Research and Development and Software Development Costs - Software development costs are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 985-20, "Software - Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed" and FASB ASC 350-40, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software.” Capitalization of software development costs for products to be sold to third parties begins upon the establishment of technological feasibility and ceases when the product is available for general release. The Company capitalizes development costs incurred during the period between the establishment of technological feasibility and the release of the final product to customers if such costs are material. In addition, the Company capitalizes software development costs for internal use software that it does not intend to market to third parties but uses to deliver services. The establishment of technological feasibility and the ongoing assessment of recoverability of capitalized software development costs require considerable judgment by management concerning certain external factors including, but not limited to, the date technological feasibility is reached, anticipated future gross revenue, estimated economic life and changes in software and hardware technologies. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, $771,000 and $1,020,000, respectively, of these costs were expensed as incurred. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, $643,000 and $473,000, respectively, of internal use software development costs were capitalized.

Goodwill - The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 350, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other." Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for as purchases. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis on the last day of the first fiscal month of the fourth fiscal quarter and whenever events or circumstances indicate that these assets may be impaired. The annual impairment test for fiscal year 2015 was performed as of October 31, 2015. The Company determines impairment by comparing the net assets of each reporting unit to its respective fair value. In the event a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired. In this situation, the Company must determine the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the reporting unit's fair value to each asset and liability of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is measured by the difference between the goodwill carrying value and the implied fair value.

Fair value of the Company’s reporting units is determined using a combination of the income approach and the market approach. The income approach uses a reporting unit's projection of estimated cash flows discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital analysis that reflects current market conditions. The Company also considers the market approach to valuing its reporting units utilizing revenue and EBITDA multiples. The Company compares the results of its overall enterprise valuation as determined by the combination of the two approaches to the Company’s market capitalization. Significant management judgments related to these approaches include:

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Anticipated future cash flows and terminal value for each reporting unit - The income approach to determining fair value relies on the timing and estimates of future cash flows, including an estimate of terminal value. The projections use management's estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period including growth rates in revenues and estimates of expected changes in operating margins. The Company’s projections of future cash flows are subject to change as actual results are achieved that differ from those anticipated. Because management frequently updates its projections, the Company would expect to identify on a timely basis any significant differences between actual results and recent estimates.

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Selection of an appropriate discount rate - The income approach requires the selection of an appropriate discount rate, which is based on a weighted average cost of capital analysis. The discount rate is affected by changes in short-term interest rates and long-term yields as well as variances in the typical capital structure of marketplace participants. The discount rate is determined based on assumptions that would be used by marketplace participants, and for that reason, the capital structure of selected marketplace participants was used in the weighted average cost of capital analysis. It is possible that the discount rate can fluctuate from period to period.

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Selection of an appropriate multiple - The market approach requires the selection of an appropriate multiple to apply to revenues or EBITDA based on comparable guideline companies or transaction multiples. It is often difficult to identify companies or transactions with a similar profile in regards to revenue, geographic operations, risk profile and other factors.

Intangible Assets - Identifiable intangible assets, resulting from the acquisition of the Farncombe Entities, consist of customer relationships, agreements not to compete, and a trade name. The Company amortizes the identifiable intangible assets over their estimated economic benefit period, from six months to four and one-half years. In accordance with FASB ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment,” the Company uses its best estimates based upon reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections to review for impairment of long-lived assets to be held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of its assets might not be recoverable. If the Company was to determine that events and circumstances warrant a change to the estimate of an identifiable intangible asset's remaining useful life, then the remaining carrying amount of the identifiable intangible asset would be amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. Additionally, information resulting from other events and circumstances may indicate that the carrying value of one or more identifiable intangible assets is not recoverable which would result in recognition of an impairment charge.

Income Taxes - The Company recognizes a liability or asset for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. A valuation allowance is provided when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company records the financial statement effects of an income tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits. The Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The measurement of any unrecognized tax benefit is based on management’s best judgment. The Company reviews these estimates and makes changes to recorded amounts of uncertain tax positions as facts and circumstances warrant.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation - Cartesian Ltd., the international operations of Cambridge Strategic Management Group, Inc., Farncombe France SARL, Farncombe Technology Limited, and Farncombe Engineering Services Limited conduct business primarily denominated in their respective local currency, which is their functional currency. Assets and liabilities have been translated to U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses have been translated at exchange rates which approximate the average of the rates prevailing during each period. Translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity. Accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting from foreign currency translation adjustments totaled $5.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, and is included in Total Stockholders’ Equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Assets and liabilities denominated in other than the functional currency of a subsidiary are re-measured at rates of exchange on the balance sheet date. Resulting gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are included in the Company’s results of operations. Realized and unrealized exchange losses included in the results of operations during fiscal 2015 and 2014 were $316,000 and $349,000, respectively.

Derivative Financial Instruments - FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements requires bifurcation of certain embedded derivative instruments in certain debt or equity instruments, and measurement at their fair value for accounting purposes. A holder redemption feature embedded in the Company’s note payable requires bifurcation from its host instrument and is accounted for as a freestanding derivative. See Note 3, Strategic Alliance and Investment by Elutions, Inc. and Note 10, Fair Value Measurements, for discussion of this embedded derivative.

Share-Based Compensation - The Company accounts for share-based payment awards using the provisions of FASB ASC 718, "Compensation-Stock Compensation". The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.

The fair value of service-based stock option grants is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and compensation expense related to stock option grants is recognized on a graded vesting schedule over the vesting period. For stock options containing a market condition, the market conditions are required to be considered when calculating the grant date fair value. FASB ASC 718 requires selection of a valuation technique that best fits the circumstances of an award. In order to reflect the substantive characteristics of the market condition option award, a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model was used to calculate the grant date fair value of such stock options. Expense for the market condition stock options is recognized over the derived service period as determined through the Monte Carlo simulation model.

For non-vested, performance-based stock awards, compensation expense is recognized based on management’s expectations with regard to achievement of certain performance and service conditions. The fair value of the awards is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock at the grant date. Expense for the awards ultimately expected to vest is recognized on a straight-line basis over the implied service period of the award. In the event the Company determines it is no longer probable that the minimum performance criteria specified in the restricted stock award agreement will be achieved, previously recognized compensation expense would be reversed in the period such a determination is made. For non-vested, service-based stock awards, compensation is recognized based on achievement of service conditions alone. The fair value of the awards is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock at the grant date. Expense for the awards ultimately expected to vest is recognized on a graded vesting schedule over the vesting period. See Note 5, Share-Based Compensation.

Loss Per Share - The Company calculates and presents earnings (loss) per share using a dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding excludes treasury shares held by the Company. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed in the same manner except that the weighted average number of shares is increased for dilutive securities.

In accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 260, "Earnings per Share," the Company uses the treasury stock method for calculating the dilutive effect of employee stock options, non-vested shares and warrants. The employee stock options, non-vested shares and warrants will have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method only when average market value of the underlying Company common stock during the respective period exceeds the assumed proceeds. For share-based payment awards with a performance condition, the Company must first use the guidance on contingently issuable shares in FASB ASC 260-10 to determine whether the awards should be included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the reporting period. For all non-vested performance-based awards, the Company determines the number of shares, if any, that would be issuable at the end of the reporting period if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period. In applying the treasury stock method, assumed proceeds include the amount, if any, the employee must pay upon exercise, the amount of compensation cost for future services that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the options and the vesting of non-vested shares. For fiscal years 2015 and 2014, approximately 50,000 and 219,000 shares, respectively, related to outstanding stock options, non-vested shares and warrants that otherwise would have been included in the diluted earnings per share calculation were not included because they would have been anti-dilutive due to the net loss for those periods.

Accounts Receivable - The Company has entered into agreements with third-party financial institutions under which it can selectively elect to transfer to the financial institutions accounts receivable with certain of the Company’s largest, international customers on a non-recourse basis. This agreement gives the Company optionality to convert outstanding accounts receivable to cash. For transfers of accounts receivable under these agreements that qualify as sales, the Company applies the guidance in ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing – Sales of Financial Assets”, which requires the derecognition of the carrying value of those accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and recognition of a loss on the sale of an asset in operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operation. During the fiscal years ended January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, $26.8 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of accounts receivable transferred pursuant to these agreements qualified as sales of receivables and the carrying amounts were derecognized. The loss on the sale of these accounts receivable recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was approximately $161,000 for fiscal year 2015 and was immaterial for fiscal year 2014.

Inventory – In accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 330, “Inventory,” the Company’s inventory is stated at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, or fair value. As of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, the Company had $0.6 million and $3.0 million in inventory, respectively, all of which was finished goods. All of the inventory was purchased in July 2014 from Elutions, Inc. (“Elutions”), which owns more than five percent of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. ASC 330 requires inventory to be recorded at the lower of cost basis or market. The fair value of the inventory was determined using the indirect cost approach. As a result of the evaluation of lower of cost or market, the Company recorded an impairment of its inventory value of $2.1 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Also, during the second quarter of fiscal 2015 the Company recorded an inventory adjustment of $0.3 million in Cost of Services related to a provision in the general framework agreement between the Company and Elutions (see Note 3, Strategic Alliance and Investment by Elutions, Inc.), that states if the Company had not sold 75% of such inventory acquired from Elutions within one year after acquisition, Elutions is required upon request of the Company to source its requirements for future projects in the U.S. or U.K. from such inventory subject to a 10% discount against the Company’s purchase price until the Company has exhausted such inventory. In fiscal 2015, the Company requested that Elutions source its requirements for future projects from the inventory that was acquired by the Company from Elutions in July 2014. Management continues to work with Elutions to utilize the inventory and changes in management’s expectations in future periods could further impact the net realizable value of the inventory.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases” which, for operating leases, requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in its balance sheet. The standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. The ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” which requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as noncurrent in entities’ balance sheets. Under current accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), an entity is required to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendments. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments” which eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for changes to provisional amounts initially recorded in a business acquisition opening balance sheet. Under this guidance, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments in the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this guidance in fiscal 2015 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 which requires entities to measure most inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value thereby simplifying the existing guidance which required entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Under the current guidance, market is defined as replacement cost, net realizable value or net realizable value less a normal profit margin. The newly issued guidance eliminates the requirement to determine replacement cost and defines net realizable value as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This new guidance is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, which provides guidance on a customer’s accounting for cloud computing costs. Under the ASU, a customer must determine whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license. If so, the customer would account for the fees related to the software license element in a manner consistent with how the acquisition of other software licenses is accounted for under current U.S. GAAP. If the arrangement does not contain a software license, the customer would account for the arrangement as a service contract. The ASU does not prescribe how to account for cloud computing arrangements deemed to be service contracts. An arrangement would contain a software license element if both of the following criteria are met: the customer has the contractual right to take possession of the software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty; and it is feasible for the customer to either run the software on its own hardware or contract with another party unrelated to the vendor to host the software. The ASU is effective for annual periods (and interim periods therein) beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Entities may adopt the guidance retrospectively or prospectively to arrangements entered into, or materially modified, after the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-12, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (“FASB ASU 2014-12”). The standard update resolves the diverse accounting treatment for these share-based payments by requiring that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The provisions of FASB ASU 2014-12 are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“FASB ASU 2014-09”). This standard update clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The standard update intends to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets; and provide more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements. Upon adoption of this standard update, we expect that the allocation and timing of revenue recognition will be impacted. In July 2015 the FASB voted to defer the effective date of this new standard by one year and to permit early adoption beginning as of the original effective date of the new standard. The provisions of FASB ASU 2014-09 will now be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and are to be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard update will have on its consolidated financial statements.