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Aladdin Knowledge Systems Completes Acquisition of SafeWord; Raises 2008 Annual
Guidance to Give Effect to Acquisition
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SafeWord positions Aladdin as a leading strong authentication provider, harnessing
strong market and channel presence worldwide
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TEL AVIV, ISRAEL, September 4, 2008 - Aladdin
Knowledge Systems (NASDAQ:
ALDN),
an information security leader specializing in
authentication,
software DRM and
content security, today announced that it has completed the acquisition previously
announced on July 30, 2008, of the Secure SafeWord product line from Secure Computing
Corporation (NASDAQ: SCUR) for approximately $65 million in cash, including acquisition
costs.
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The Company today also raised guidance for the fiscal year 2008 to give effect to
the completion of the SafeWord acquisition, as well as preliminary estimates of
the performance of the Company's core business.
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"We are pleased to have completed this exciting transaction, and we expect to realize
immediate benefits from the acquisition of SafeWord," said Yanki Margalit, Chairman
and CEO of Aladdin Knowledge Systems. "SafeWord adds highly reliable technology
to Aladdin as well as a strong market and channel presence, enabling us to offer
customers a broader range of solutions for their security needs. Additionally, we
will be able to leverage SafeWord's global presence and competitive strengths to
position the Company for long-term success. We welcome SafeWord's world-class employees,
who join the rest of our hard working and innovative team in continuing to develop
industry-leading technologies to support our global customers and enhance value
for all of our stakeholders."
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"Today's announcement is another important step in executing our business plan,
which includes organic growth complemented by additional opportunities that further
strengthen our portfolio of IT security offerings, contribute to our market share
and sales, and increase Aladdin's global brand recognition," continued Mr. Margalit.
"The Aladdin Board and management team are confident that continued execution of
our strategy will enhance value for our shareholders."
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Shlomi Yanai, Vice President of the Authentication unit, added: "SafeWord adds industry-leading
one-time-password authentication products to Aladdin's suite of enterprise identity
and access management solutions and contributes tremendous security knowledge and
expertise to Aladdin's team of authentication experts. Combining eToken's and SafeWord's
personnel, technology and partnerships positions Aladdin as a leading strong authentication
provider. SafeWord brings a new level of one-time-password authentication to Aladdin's
eToken brand, adding value for Aladdin's customers by advancing the technology.
Aladdin also expands the options available to SafeWord customers, who now have access
to the entire line of eToken devices. We are committed to continuing to serve SafeWord
customers while providing seamless integration into the Aladdin family."
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"As a long-time reseller of SafeWord, we are thrilled at the opportunity to expand
our business with a company like Aladdin," said Gordon Shevlin, Executive Vice President
at Fishnet Security. "We see Aladdin's focus on authentication solutions and proven
track record of launching new products as a very positive development for the SafeWord
product line."
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Aladdin and SafeWord will maintain service to SafeWord's customers by providing
continued manufacturing services, as well as sales, service and support.
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Raised Annual 2008 Guidance
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Based on preliminary estimates, primarily due to the effect of the completed acquisition
of SafeWord, as well as the current performance of the Company's core business,
Aladdin now expects its 2008 non-GAAP revenues to be between $124 million and $132
million, compared to the previously reported GAAP range of $112 million to $120
million provided at the end of the second quarter and as compared to the $105.9
million in revenues reported for fiscal year 2007. Non-GAAP revenues include any
deferred revenue valuation adjustment (currently estimated to be approximately $4.3
million) relating to the SafeWord acquisition. Aladdin expects GAAP revenues to
be between $120 million and $128 million in fiscal year 2008.
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Fiscal year 2008 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to increase to
between $0.67 and $0.77 from between $0.48 and $0.56. Non-GAAP earnings per share
guidance excludes the projected impact of stock-based compensation expenses of approximately
$2.0 million, valuation adjustment on acquired deferred revenue of approximately
$4.3 million and amortization of intangibles and anticipated one-time expenses related
to the Company's recent acquisitions of approximately $3.9 million. The acquisition-related
adjustments are based on preliminary estimates and are subject to change pending
final analysis.
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The Company reported non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.20 for fiscal year
2007, which excluded stock-based compensation expense and the impact of the $2.0
million non-recurring up-front cost associated with production of video-based training.
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Fiscal year 2008 GAAP diluted earnings per share is expected to decrease to between
$0.00 and $0.05 from a range of $0.36 to $0.44, primarily due to the impact of accounting
charges related to acquisitions. The Company reported GAAP diluted earnings per
share of $1.02 for fiscal year 2007.
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"We are encouraged by our prospects for the remainder of 2008, due in large part
to our SafeWord acquisition, which we expect to have an immediate positive impact
on our earnings on a non-GAAP basis during this quarter," Mr. Margalit added. "Our
revised 2008 annual guidance validates the framework we previously provided on July
30th, the day we announced the SafeWord transaction, and affirms our expectations
that SafeWord will provide Aladdin with profitable revenues and growth opportunities.
With our investment plan beginning to bear fruit, together with the ongoing performance
of our core business, our pipeline and current market trends, we have great confidence
in our 2008 business outlook."
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Use of Non-GAAP Measures
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The purpose of adjustments from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
to non-GAAP is to give an indication of the Company's performance exclusive of non-cash
charges and other items that are considered by management to be outside of our core
operating results. Aladdin's non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered
in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read
only in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements prepared
in accordance with GAAP. Aladdin management regularly uses its supplemental non-GAAP
financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and
make operating decisions. These non-GAAP measures are among the primary factors
management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. Among the acquisition-related
charges is a deferred revenues valuation adjustment. Business combination accounting
rules requires the Company to recognize a legal performance obligation related to
a revenue arrangement of an acquired entity. The amount assigned to that liability
should be based on its fair value at the date of acquisition. Aladdin believes this
adjustment is useful to investors as a measure of the ongoing performance of its
business. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide consistent
and comparable measures to help investors understand its current and future operating
cash flow performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may differ materially from
the non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
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The Company undertakes no obligation to update its estimates.
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The Company will report third quarter earnings in October, 2008.
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About Aladdin
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Aladdin Knowledge Systems (NASDAQ: ALDN) is an
information security leader with offices in 12
countries, a worldwide network of channel
partners, and numerous
awards for innovation.
Aladdin eToken is the world's
#1 USB-based authentication solution,
offering identity and access management tools
that protect sensitive data.
Aladdin SafeWord two-factor authentication
technology protects companies' important
information assets and applications.
Aladdin HASP SRM boosts growth for software
developers and publishers through strong
anti-piracy protection,
IP protection,
and
secure licensing and
product activation.
Aladdin eSafe delivers real-time intelligent
Web gateway security that helps protect data
and networks, improve productivity, and enable
compliance. Visit
www.Aladdin.com.
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©2008 Aladdin Knowledge Systems, Ltd. All rights reserved. HASP, eToken, eSafe,
Aladdin Knowledge Systems and the Aladdin logo are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Aladdin Knowledge Systems, Ltd.
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Aladdin Press Contact:
Matthew Zintel
Zintel Public Relations
310.574.8888
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Aladdin Company Contact:
Debbie Kaye
Corporate Communications Manager
646.468.0481
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Aladdin Press and Investor Contact:
Jeremy Jacobs/Rachel Ferguson
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212.355.4449
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