Note 5 - Warranty and Service Contracts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]

Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 5—WARRANTY AND SERVICE CONTRACTS

The Company has a direct field service organization in the U.S. Internationally, the Company provides direct service support through its wholly-owned subsidiaries in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France and Japan as well as through a network of distributors and third-party service providers in several other countries where it does not have a direct presence. The Company provides a warranty with its products, depending on the type of product. After the original warranty period, maintenance and support are offered on a service contract basis or on a time and materials basis. The Company currently provides for the estimated cost to repair or replace products under warranty at the time of sale.

Warranty Accrual (in thousands)

	December 31,
	2014			2013
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,202		$	1,212
Add: Accruals for warranties issued during the year		2,497			3,420
Less: Settlements made during the year		(2,532	)		(3,430	)
Balance at end of year	$	1,167		$	1,202

Deferred Service Contract Revenue (in thousands)

	December 31,
	2014			2013
Balance at beginning of year	$	11,637		$	8,539
Add: Payments received		13,913			15,026
Less: Revenue recognized		(12,601	)		(11,928	)
Balance at end of year	$	12,949		$	11,637

Costs incurred under service contracts in 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $6.6 million, $6.9 million, and $7.2 million, respectively, and are recognized as incurred.