REVENUE RECOGNITION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Revenue Recognition Disclosure [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 6 - REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company’s revenue is derived from: (i) sales of our industrial and rental fleet wireless asset management systems and services, which includes training and technical support; (ii) sales of our transportation asset management systems and spare parts sold to customers (for which title transfers on the date of customer receipt) and from the related communication services under contracts that generally provide for service over periods ranging from one to five years; (iii) post-contract maintenance and support agreements; and (iv) periodically, from leasing arrangements.

Our industrial and rental fleet wireless asset management systems consist of on-asset hardware, communication infrastructure and software. Revenue derived from the sale of our industrial and rental fleet wireless asset management systems is allocated to each element based upon vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of the selling price of the element. VSOE of the selling price is based upon the price charged when the element is sold separately. Revenue is recognized as each element is earned based on the selling price of each element based on VSOE, and when there are no undelivered elements that are essential to the functionality of the delivered elements. The Company’s system is typically implemented by the customer or a third party and, as a result, revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss passes to the customer, which usually is upon delivery of the system, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, sales price is fixed and determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and contractual obligations have been satisfied. In some instances, we are also responsible for providing installation services. The additional installation services, which could be performed by third parties, are considered another element in a multi-element deliverable and revenue for installation services is recognized at the time the installation is provided. Training and technical support revenue are recognized at time of performance.

The Company recognizes revenues from the sale of remote transportation asset management systems and spare parts when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. These criteria include requirements that the delivery of future products or services under the arrangement is not required for the delivered items to serve their intended purpose. The Company has determined that the revenue derived from the sale of transportation asset management systems does not have stand-alone value to the customer separate from the communication services provided and, therefore, the arrangements constitute a single unit of accounting. Under the applicable accounting guidance, all of the Company’s billings for equipment and the related cost are deferred, recorded, and classified as a current and long-term liability and a current and long-term asset, respectively. Deferred revenue and cost are recognized over the service contract life, beginning at the time that a customer acknowledges acceptance of the equipment and service. The customer service contracts typically range from one to five years. The Company amortized and recognized $723,000 and $1,713,000 of deferred equipment revenue during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $908,000 and $2,451,000 during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

The service revenue for our remote asset monitoring equipment relates to charges for monthly messaging usage and value-added features charges. The usage fee is a monthly fixed charge based on the expected utilization according to the rate plan chosen by the customer. Service revenue generally commences upon equipment installation and customer acceptance, and is recognized over the period such services are provided.

Revenue from remote asset monitoring equipment activation fees is deferred and amortized over the life of the contract.

Spare parts sales are reflected in product revenues and recognized on the date of customer receipt of the part.

The Company also derives revenue under leasing arrangements. Such arrangements provide for monthly payments covering the system sale, maintenance, support and interest. These arrangements meet the criteria to be accounted for as sales-type leases. Accordingly, an asset is established for the sales-type lease receivable at the present value of the expected lease payments and revenue is deferred and recognized over the service contract, as described above. Maintenance revenues and interest income are recognized monthly over the lease term.

The Company also enters into post-contract maintenance and support agreements for its wireless asset management systems. Revenue is recognized ratably over the service period and the cost of providing these services is expensed as incurred. Deferred revenue also includes prepayment of extended maintenance and support contracts.

Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are excluded from revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Deferred revenue consists of the following:

	December 31,		September 30,
	2011		2012
Deferred activation fees	$	262,000	$	431,000
Deferred industrial equipment installation revenue		121,000		109,000
Deferred maintenance revenue		654,000		1,193,000
Deferred remote transportation asset management product revenue		6,385,000		8,380,000
		7,422,000		10,113,000
Less: Current portion		3,090,000		4,846,000
Deferred revenue - less current portion	$	4,332,000	$	5,267,000

Under certain customer contracts, the Company invoices progress billings once certain milestones are met. The milestone terms vary by customer and can include the receipt of the customer purchase order, delivery, installation and launch. As the systems are delivered, and services are performed, and all of the criteria for revenue recognition are satisfied, the Company recognizes revenue. If the amount of revenue recognized for financial reporting purposes is greater than the amount invoiced, an unbilled receivable is recorded. If the amount invoiced is greater than the amount of revenue recognized for financial reporting purposes, deferred revenue is recorded. As of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, unbilled receivables were $110,000 and $-0-, respectively, and are included in accounts receivable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.