1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2017

Notes

1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business

PASSUR Aerospace, Inc. (“PASSUR” or the “Company”), a New York corporation founded in 1967, is a business intelligence company, providing predictive analytics and decision support technology for the aviation industry’s primarily to improve the operational performance and cash flow of airlines and the airports where they operate. PASSUR uses big data, within the aviation intelligence platform and suite of web-based solutions that address the aviation industry’s intractable and costly challenges, including, but not limited to, the underutilization of airspace and airport capacity, delays, cancellations, and diversions. The Company’s technology platform is supported by its Aviation Intelligence Center of Excellence, a team of subject matter experts with extensive experience in airline, airport, and business aviation operations, finance, air traffic management, systems automation, and data visualization, with specific expertise in the operational and business needs, requirements, objectives, and constraints of the aviation industry.

PASSUR’s mission is to improve global air traffic efficiencies by connecting the world’s aviation professionals onto a single aviation intelligence platform, making PASSUR an element in addressing the aviation industry’s system-wide inefficiencies. We are an aviation intelligence company that makes air travel more predictable, gate-to-gate, by using predictive analytics generated from our own big data – to mitigate constraints for airlines and their customers.

PASSUR’s information solutions are used by the largest five North American airlines, more than 60 airport customers, including 21 of the top 30 North American airports (with PASSUR solutions also used at the remaining nine airports by one or more airline customers), hundreds of corporate aviation customers, and the U.S. government.

PASSUR provides data aggregation and consolidation, information, decision support, predictive analytics, collaborative solutions, and professional services. To enable this unique offering, PASSUR owns and operates the largest commercial passive radar network in the world that updates flight tracks every 1 to 4.6 seconds, powering a proprietary database that is accessible in real-time and delivers timely, accurate information and solutions via PASSUR’s industry-leading algorithms and business logic included in its products.

Solutions offered by PASSUR help to ensure flight completion, covering the entire flight life cycle, from gate to gate, and result in reductions in overall costs and carbon emissions, while helping to maximizing revenue opportunities, as well as improving operational efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience.

PASSUR’s commercial solutions give aviation operators the ability to optimize performance in today’s air traffic management system, while also achieving Next Generation Air Transportation System (“NextGen”) and Single European Sky ATM Research objectives.

PASSUR integrates data from multiple sources, including its independent network of over 180 surveillance sensors installed throughout North America creating coast to coast coverage, as well as locations in Europe and Asia; government data; customer data; and data from third party partners. PASSUR’s sensors receive aircraft and drone signals in Mode A, C, S, and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (“ADS-B”), providing position, altitude, beacon code, and tail number, among other information. PASSUR receives signals from aircraft that, when combined with its historical database of aircraft and airport behavior, including information recorded by its network over the last 10 years, allow the Company to know more about what has happened historically and what is happening in real-time. In addition, the historical database allows the Company to predict how aircraft, the airspace, and airports are going to perform, and more importantly, how the aircraft, the airspace, and airports should perform.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PASSUR Aerospace, Inc. and its wholly-owned Subsidiary. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain financial information in the footnotes has been rounded to the nearest thousand for presentation purposes.

Revenue Recognition Policy

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-15, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements” (“ASC 605-15”), which requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenues can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company’s revenues are generated by selling: (1) subscription-based, real-time decision and solution information and (2) professional services.

Revenues generated from subscription agreements are recognized over the term of such executed agreements and/or the customer’s receipt of such data or services. In accordance with ASC 605-15, the Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists which is evidenced by a signed agreement, the service has been deployed, as applicable, to its hosted servers, the fee is fixed and determinable, and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. The Company records revenues pursuant to individual contracts on a month-by-month basis, as outlined by the applicable agreement. In many cases, the Company may invoice respective customers in advance of the specified period, either quarterly or annually, which coincides with the terms of the agreement. In such cases, the Company will defer at the close of each month and/or reporting period, any subscription revenues invoiced for which services have yet to be rendered, in accordance with ASC 605-15. Revenues generated by professional services are recognized when services are provided.

The individual offerings that are included in arrangements with the Company’s customers are identified and priced separately to the customer based upon the relative fair value for each individual element sold in the arrangement irrespective of the combination of products and services which are included in a particular arrangement.  As such, the units of accounting are based on each individual element sold, and revenue is allocated to each element based on selling price.  Selling price is determined using vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") if available, third-party evidence ("TPE") if VSOE is not available, or best estimate of selling price ("BESP") if neither VSOE or TPE is available. BESP must be determined in a manner that is consistent with that used to determine the price to sell the specific elements on a standalone basis. Best estimate of selling price is established considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, pricing practices with different classes of customers, geographies and other factors contemplated in negotiating the arrangement with the customer. The Company uses either VSOE or BESP.

From time to time, the Company will enter into an agreement with a customer to receive a one-time fee for rights including, but not limited to, the rights to use certain data at an agreed upon location(s) for a specific use and/or for an unlimited number of users, installation costs associated with the deployment of additions to the Company owned PASSUR Network, or set-up fees associated with new deployments of the Company software solutions.  These fees are recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the agreement or relationship period of such arrangement, whichever is longer, but typically five years.     

Deferred revenue is classified on the Company’s balance sheet as a liability until such time as revenue from services is properly recognized as revenue in accordance with ASC 605-15 and the corresponding agreement. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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. The Company’s significant estimates include those related to revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, software development costs, the PASSUR Network and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date, through the issuance of the financial statements, for appropriate accounting and disclosure.   

Accounts Receivable

The Company has a history of successfully collecting all amounts due from its customers under the original terms of its subscription agreements without making concessions. The Company records accounts receivables for agreements where amounts due from customers are contractually required and are non-refundable. The carrying amount of accounts receivables is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects the Company’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Net accounts receivable is comprised of the monthly, quarterly, or annual committed amounts due from customers pursuant to the terms of each respective customer’s agreement. Account receivable balances include amounts attributable to deferred revenues.

The provision for doubtful accounts was $184,000 and $26,000 as of October 31, 2017, and 2016, respectively. In addition to reviewing delinquent accounts receivable, the Company considers many factors in estimating its reserve, including historical data, experience, customer types, credit worthiness, and economic trends. The Company monitors its outstanding accounts receivable balances and believes the provision is adequate.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the improvements or the term of the lease, including renewal options expected to be exercised, whichever is shorter.

PASSUR Network

The PASSUR Network is comprised of PASSUR and SMLAT Systems, which include the direct production, shipping, and installation costs incurred for each PASSUR and SMLAT System, which are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to cost of revenues and is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, which is estimated at five years for SMLAT Systems and seven years for PASSUR Systems. PASSUR and SMLAT Systems which are not installed, raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods components are carried at cost and not depreciated until installed. 

Capitalized Software Development Costs

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 350-40, “Internal Use Software” (“ASC 350-40”). ASC 350-40 provides guidance for determining whether computer software is internal-use software, and on accounting for the proceeds of computer software originally developed or obtained for internal use and then subsequently sold to the public. It also provides guidance on capitalization of the costs incurred for computer software developed or obtained for internal use. The Company expenses all costs incurred during the preliminary project stage of its development, and capitalizes the costs incurred during the application development stage. Costs incurred relating to upgrades and enhancements to the software are capitalized if it is determined that these upgrades or enhancements add additional functionality to the software. Costs incurred to improve and support products after they become available are charged to expense as incurred. The Company records amortization of the software on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, typically over five years within “Cost of Revenues”.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment is recognized to the extent the sum of undiscounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset is less than the carrying value. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their carrying value or fair value, less costs to sell. The Company evaluates the periods of amortization continually in determining whether later events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. If estimates are changed, the unamortized costs will be allocated to the increased or decreased number of remaining periods in the revised life. As of October 31, 2017, and 2016 based upon management’s evaluation of the above asset groups, there is no impairment of these asset groups.

Cost of Revenues

Costs associated with subscription and maintenance revenues consist primarily of direct labor, depreciation of PASSUR and SMLAT Network Systems, amortization of capitalized software development costs, communication costs, data feeds, travel and entertainment, and consulting fees. Also, included in Cost of Revenues are costs associated with upgrades to PASSUR and SMLAT Systems necessary to make such systems compatible with new software applications, as well as the ordinary repair and maintenance of existing PASSUR and SMLAT Systems. Additionally, cost of revenues in each reporting period is impacted by: (1) the number of PASSUR and SMLAT Systems added to the Network, which includes the cost of production, shipment, and installation of these assets, which are capitalized to the PASSUR Network; and (2) new capitalized costs associated with software development projects. Both of these are referred to as “Capitalized Assets” and are depreciated and/or amortized over their respective useful lives and charged to cost of revenues.

Income Taxes

The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the temporary differences in the tax bases of the assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount currently estimated to be realized.  After considering the impact of the current year loss, including the Company’s increased expenses and weighting all available positive and negative evidence, the Company concluded that it was not more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset would be realized.

The Company follows ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” (“ASC 740”) where tax benefits are recognized only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits are tax benefits claimed in tax returns that do not meet these recognition and measurement standards.  At October 31, 2017, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions. As permitted by ASC 740-10, the Company’s accounting policy is to prospectively classify accrued interest and penalties related to any unrecognized tax benefits in its income tax provision.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts was enacted into law.  The new tax legislation represents a fundamental and dramatic shift in US taxation.  The new legislation contains several key tax provisions that will impact us including the reduction of the corporate income tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018.  The new legislation also includes a variety of other changes including but not limited to a limitation on the tax deductibility of interest expense, acceleration of business asset expensing and reduction in the amount of executive pay that could qualify as a tax deduction. 

ASC 740 requires the Company to recognize the effect of the tax law changes in the period of enactment.  The SEC staff has issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No.118 which will allow the recording of provisional amounts during a measurement period, which is similar to the measurement period used when accounting for business combinations.  The Company will continue to assess the impact of the recently enacted tax law on our business and its consolidated financial statements and will reflect the provisional impact of the tax law change in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. 

Net Income per Share Information

Basic net income per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share, except that it reflects the effect of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, using the treasury stock method in periods in which they have a dilutive effect. Shares used to calculate net income per share for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 are as follows:   

	2017	2016
Basic Weighted average shares outstanding	7,693,831	7,679,696
Effect of dilutive stock options	-	50,870
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	7,693,831	7,730,566
Weighted average shares which are not included in
the calculation of diluted net income per share
because their impact is anti-dilutive. These shares
consist of stock options.	1,594,000	1,182,000

Weighted average options to purchase 1,594,000 and 1,182,000 shares of common stock at prices ranging from $1.40 to $5.48 per share that were outstanding during fiscal years 2017 and 2016 were excluded from each respective year’s computation of diluted earnings per share. In each of these years, such options’ exercise prices exceeded the average market price of our common stock, thereby causing the effect of such options to be anti-dilutive.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue includes amounts attributable to advances received or billings related to customer agreements, which are contractually required and are non-refundable, and may be prepaid either annually, quarterly, or monthly. Deferred revenues from such customer agreements are recognized as revenue ratably over the period that coincides with the respective agreement.

The Company recognizes initial set-up fee revenues and associated costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the customer relationship period, typically five years.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The recorded amounts of the Company’s cash, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values principally because of the short-term nature of these items. The fair value of related party debt is not practicable to determine due primarily to the fact that the Company’s related party debt is held by its Chairman and significant shareholder, and the Company does not have any third-party debt with which to compare.

Additionally, on a recurring basis, the Company uses fair value measures when analyzing asset impairments. Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If it is determined such indicators are present, and the review indicates that the assets will not be fully recoverable based on the undiscounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset, their carrying values are reduced to estimated fair value.

Stock-Based Compensation 

The Company follows FASB ASC 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on date of grant, and recognition of stock-based compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of stock options was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Such fair value is recognized as an expense over the service period, net of forfeitures. Stock-based compensation expense was $578,000 and $401,000 for the year ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and was primarily included in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Comprehensive Income

The Company’s comprehensive income is equivalent to that of the Company’s total net income for fiscal years 2017 and 2016.

Accounting Pronouncements issued but not yet adopted  

In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation: Topic 718” — Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”), to clarify when to account for a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new standard, modification is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of an award as equity or liability changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. ASU 2017-09 will be effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2018, and will be applied prospectively.

In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for employee share-based payment awards to simplify the accounting related to several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences of share-based payment transactions, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, forfeitures, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for the annual period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that period, which for the Company will be the annual period ending October 31, 2018. Early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, is permitted. The standard requires the use of several transition methods including a modified retrospective transition method, retrospective method, and prospective method. The Company is evaluating the effect that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which amends the ASC and creates Topic 842, Leases (“Topic 842”). Topic 842 will require lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP on the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which for the Company will be the annual period ending October 31, 2020, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe this new accounting standard update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Assets. This ASU is intended to simplify the presentation of deferred taxes on the balance sheet and will require an entity to present all deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as non-current on the balance sheet. Under the current guidance, entities are required to separately present deferred taxes as current or non-current. This guidance will be effective beginning in 2018, with early adoption permitted.  The Company does not believe this new accounting standard update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606” (“ASU 2014-09”), to supersede nearly all-existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP.  The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services, ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than required under existing  GAAP including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The new standard is effective for the annual period beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that period, which for the Company will be the annual period ending October 31, 2019. Early application as of January 1, 2017, is permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its financial reporting.