Final Results
Netcall PLC
8 November 2000
NETCALL PLC
('Netcall' or 'the Company')
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2000
AND
PLACING OF 6.7 MILLION SHARES TO RAISE £ 4.4 MILLION
Netcall invests in, develops and manages advanced internet-based technologies
that help businesses to achieve integration of telephony in a wide range of
applications. Netcall today announces preliminary results for the year ended
30 June 2000, together with a successful placing of 6.7 million new shares
raising £4.4 million.
HIGHLIGHTS
* Six-fold increase in turnover on core technology activities and gross
margins of 70 per cent
* Loss before tax £2.49 million (1999: £1.79 million)
* Significant initial sales of QueueBusterTM, a revolutionary new customer
service solution for call and contact centre management
* NetCall ClassifiedTM gaining rapid acceptance in the media and
publishing environment through the alliance with All4U
* Strategic partnership with Freeserve, the UK's largest Internet service
provider, giving access to Freeserve's 2.0 million members
* Three new senior appointments: CFO, Sales and Marketing Director and
Director of Business Development
* The announcement today of a placing to raise £4.4 million (net of
expenses) through the issue of 6.7 new ordinary shares at a price of 70p
per share.
* Proceeds to be used to expand the sales and marketing programme, for
technology and new product development and for working capital purposes.
Jeffrey Rubins, Chairman of Netcall, said today:
'We are pleased to have achieved our financial and operational targets.
Netcall will continue to invest in its customer response management technology
and generate increasing revenues from licensing software and delivering
intelligent telephony services. We see a significant opportunity to
demonstrate the power and effectiveness of our solutions on a much broader
scale, which we are determined to exploit. The funds we have just succeeded in
raising should enable this ambition to become a reality.'
8 November 2000
Enquiries:
Netcall plc Tel: 01480 495 300
(www.netcall.com)
David Rothschild, CEO E-mail: david.rothschild@netcall.com
Caroline Brown, CFO E-mail: caroline.brown@netcall.com
College Hill Tel: 020 7457 2020
Nicola Weiner E-mail: nicola.weiner@collegehill.com
Archie Berens E-mail: archie.berens@collegehill.com
NETCALL PLC
('Netcall' or 'the Company')
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2000
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
The year ended 30 June 2000 has seen further significant progress made towards
Netcall's goal of becoming a leading technology company providing
telephony-based solutions at the customer response interface. Netcall has
continued to achieve its financial and operational targets and has made
significant new sales into the international call and contact centre market.
Trading Results
In the year ended 30 June 2000, turnover on core NetCall Telecom activities
increased more than six-fold to £702,698 (1999: £112,554). Gross margins on
these activities remain extremely healthy at approximately 70 per cent.,
reflecting the Company's position as a provider of technology. As at 30 June
2000, all non-core activities had been sold or discontinued.
The net loss for the year was £2.49 million, with only a marginal increase in
the loss per share of 9.98p (1999: 9.72p). Net assets have increased to £5.6
million, principally due to Netcall's investment in Telepost Inc., an
applications service provider based in Los Gatos, CA. This investment was made
as part of Netcall's strategic partnership with Freeserve (see below).
Significant Events
In November 1999, Netcall successfully raised £2.6 million (net) through a
placing of four million new shares. The proceeds have been used to accelerate
the marketing and promotion of the Company's solutions.
In April 2000, Netcall received a major endorsement of its solutions from
Freeserve, the UK's largest Internet service provider. Under the terms of the
agreement with Freeserve, the latter acquired an 8.6 per cent shareholding in
Netcall. The agreement also provided for Netcall's solutions to be actively
marketed to Freeserve's customer base and business partners, giving Netcall
significantly greater exposure in a larger marketplace.
The Market Opportunity
Netcall's solutions have gained a high level of acceptance from over 3,000
customers, including AutoTrader, American Express, Bupa, BSM, Carphone
Warehouse, Citibank, Halifax, Intel-Dialogic, One.Tel, Regus, Thomas Cook,
UUNET, and Virgin.
Netcall's underlying service business has continued to grow at a consistent 14
per cent. per month through existing relationships with systems integrators
and indirect sales channels. The launch of QueueBusterTM presents significant
new opportunities in the call and contact centre market.
Senior Appointments
In the last 15 months, Netcall has made three new senior appointments.
Caroline Brown has been appointed director and Chief Financial Officer
following a 14 year career in corporate finance in the City. Steve Corkin has
been appointed Sales and Marketing director and Jim Sutherland has recently
joined from Sema Group as Business Development director of NetCall Telecom.
Fund Raising
We have successfully completed a placing of new ordinary shares to raise £4.4
million (net). Further details of the placing are provided overleaf. The funds
raised will provide us with the necessary resources to continue Netcall's
development plan.
Current Trading and Outlook
We believe that Netcall is exceptionally well placed to take advantage of the
opportunities that present themselves. Netcall has the technology platform,
the solutions portfolio and the corporate strength to significantly expand its
business in the dynamically evolving customer response market.
Jeffrey Rubins
Chairman
8 November 2000
e-mail:jrubins@netcall.com
www.netcall.com
NETCALL PLC
('Netcall' or 'the Company')
PLACING OF NEW SHARES TO RAISE £ 4.4 MILLION (NET) TO CONTINUE NETCALL'S
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The Board today announces proposals for a placing of new shares raising £4.7
million (before expenses) to provide Netcall with additional funds for the
expansion of its sales and marketing programme, for technology and new product
development and for working capital purposes. This is to be effected by means
of a conditional placing by Brewin Dolphin Securities Limited of 6.7 million
new ordinary shares of 5p each in the capital of the Company ('New Ordinary
Shares') at an issue price of 70p per New Ordinary Share ('the Placing').
The Placing is conditional upon approval by the Company's shareholders.
Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange plc for the New Ordinary
Shares to be admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the
London Stock Exchange plc. It is expected that dealings in the New Ordinary
Shares will commence on 5 December 2000. The New Ordinary Shares will rank
pari passu with the existing ordinary shares in the Company. A resolution to
enable the Placing to take place will be proposed at the EGM to be held on 4
December 2000.
Background to and reasons for the Placing
In November 1999, the Company raised approximately £2.6 million (net of
expenses) of new equity capital from institutional and other investors to
finance: additional sales and marketing; recruitment of distribution partners;
Board reinforcement; full evaluation of its market potential; and development
of an enhanced growth plan. The Company has achieved these objectives and has
sought additional new equity capital to continue to develop the business.
Over the past year the Company has established a solid foundation upon which
it can now build. Operationally, all of the Group's efforts have been focused
on NetCall Telecom Ltd. ('NetCall Telecom'), its chief operating subsidiary
that both develops and markets commercial applications derived from the
Group's technology.
NetCall Telecom's business has seen steady growth over the last financial year
with the number of customers up 220 per cent., number of accounts up 330 per
cent. and daily telephony usage up 260 per cent. The NetCall ClassifiedTM
service continues to gain acceptance in the media and publishing world and is
now carried by 15 regional newspaper titles in the UK. Netcall has built a
dealer and reseller channel in the UK and is in the process of developing a
similar activity in the US. In April 2000, we announced a strategic
partnership with Freeserve, the UK's largest Internet service provider, and a
19.9 per cent. investment in Telepost Inc. In June 2000, we announced
significant initial sales of QueueBusterTM, our new customer service solution
for call and contact centre management. Finally, during the last 15 months,
three new senior appointments have been made: Caroline Brown as director and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company; Steve Corkin as Sales and Marketing
director of the Company; and Jim Sutherland as the new director of Business
Development of NetCall Telecom Limited.
Recent Developments
Businesses are increasingly focusing on customer service through the use of
sophisticated electronic Customer Relationship Management ('eCRM') systems
aimed at winning, knowing and keeping profitable customers. Netcall focuses on
the customer response interface and specifically addresses customer service
environments that are enhanced by voice contact.
The focal point for supply of eCRM services is to call and contact centres,
the 'hubs' of many businesses that manage and control the response to
customers and the subsequent fulfilment of their expectations. According to
Datamonitor, the European call centre market is growing at 30 per cent. per
annum, and UBS Warburg is predicting that the market for eCRM software will
exceed 40 per cent. per annum growth and forecasts the eCRM software market to
be worth over US$8bn per annum by 2003.
The Company's new customer service solution for call and contact centre
management, QueueBusterTM, manages call queuing, costs and missed calls.
QueueBusterTM can be implemented immediately and remotely as a service,
requiring no investment in equipment, or as an installed solution with the
Company's systems co-located at a customer's premises.
The Company's sales and marketing efforts are focused on direct sales of
QueueBusterTM into the call and contact centre market and on indirect sales of
the NetCall800TM, NetCall ClassifiedTM and HotDeskTM services to systems
integrators and media and content owners.
Strategic objectives
The Directors' objective is to develop the Company into a leading technology
solutions provider at the customer response interface. The Directors intend to
achieve this by enhancing the flexibility and functionality of the Company's
proprietary HyperPhone Link(R) technology and to develop relevant products,
services and solutions for businesses. The Company intends to continue to
invest in customer response management technology and seek to increase
revenues from licensing software and delivering intelligent telephony
services.
The Company's priority target market is users of sophisticated eCRM systems to
manage their customer interface and customer service. These users are
principally call and contact centres. The Company intends to form strategic
alliances and partnerships with systems integrators, consulting firms, media
and content owners, Application Service Providers ('ASPs'), eCRM and Original
Equipment Manufacturers ('OEMs') which the Directors believe would broaden and
accelerate the Company's access to its target end-user markets.
Use of funds
It is envisaged that the proposed fund raising of approximately £4.4 million
after expenses (which are estimated to be £0.27 million) will be applied to
three main areas:
1. Investment in sales and marketing programme
The Company intends to increase its direct sales force over the next
12 months. Sales and marketing activities will focus on the fastest
expanding vertical markets that have the greatest need for voice
interaction: financial services; travel and leisure; classified
advertising; and utilities (including telecoms). Partnerships with, or
purchases of, complementary fulfilment businesses that could broaden
the Company's distribution and accelerate access to target markets,
will also be considered.
2. New technologies and new product development
A proportion of the new funds raised will be applied to the Group's
on-going research and development programme to add form and
functionality to its proprietary HyperPhone Link(R) technology. There
are a number of technologies that would integrate well with the
Group's existing technology and range of products, and the use of
proceeds may include the purchase of both rights to intellectual
property and complementary technology businesses.
3. Working capital
A proportion of the new funds raised will be applied to the working
capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Current trading and prospects
The Company has today reported in its preliminary announcement a loss before
tax of £2.49 million in the year ended 30 June 2000.
The Directors believe that the Company is now well placed to take advantage of
the opportunities that present themselves in the customer response management
market. The Company's products and services have already gained a high level
of acceptance from our 3,000 customers, including AutoTrader, American
Express, Bupa, BSM, Carphone Warehouse, Citibank, Halifax, Intel-Dialogic,
One.Tel, Regus, Thomas Cook, UUNET and Virgin.
The Directors believe that significant new sales of the Netcall's QueueBuster
TM solution together with continued development of the service business will
provide strong revenue growth in the next year.
NETCALL PLC
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
Year Ended 30 June 2000
Years ended 30 June Notes 2000 1999
£ £
Turnover
- continuing operations 705,494 115,132
- discontinued operations 110,681 424,436
1 816,175 539,568
Cost of sales (242,394) (128,391)
Gross profit 573,781 411,177
Administration expenses (3,040,138) (2,172,574)
Operating loss
- continuing operations (2,334,134) (1,754,022)
- discontinued operations (132,223) (7,375)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (45,856) -
Loss on ordinary activities before interest (2,512,213) (1,761,397)
Interest receivable 60,073 24,465
Interest payable (39,663) (52,234)
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (2,491,803) (1,789,166)
Tax on loss on ordinary activities 2 - -
Loss for the financial year (2,491,803) (1,789,166)
Loss per ordinary share 3 (9.98p) (9.72p)
Diluted loss per ordinary share 3 (9.46p) (8.96p)
NETCALL PLC
Consolidated Balance Sheet
30 June 2000
Years to 30 June 2000 1999
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 7,513 -
Tangible assets 291,149 266,674
Investments 4,550,000 -
4,848,662 266,674
Current assets
Debtors due within one year 964,385 364,912
Debtors due after more than one 34,778 169,778
year
Cash at bank and in hand 393,243 128,255
1,392,406 662,945
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
Bank loans and overdrafts - 10,153
Trade creditors 423,136 204,277
Other creditors including taxation
and
social security 210,300 434,274
633,436 648,704
Net current assets 758,970 14,241
Total assets less current 5,607,632 280,915
liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
after
more than one year (3,784) (7,558)
5,603,848 273,357
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 1,458,191 1,079,920
Share premium account 10,147,637 2,732,612
Special and capital reserves 245,055 245,055
Profit and loss account (6,247,035) (3,784,230)
Equity shareholder's funds 5,603,848 273,357
NETCALL PLC
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2000
Notes to the Accounts
1. Analysis of turnover
2000 1999
Analysis of turnover by class of business £ £
Installed solutions 376,000 -
Internet related telephony services 244,127 106,241
Bespoke software development 82,571 6,313
Commission and sundry income 2,796 2,578
Supply and maintenance of computer software/hardware* 12,694 69,764
Customer support and response centre services* 49,179 121,422
Corporate finance fee income* 17,108 201,350
Management services* 31,700 31,900
816,175 539,568
*Discontinued operations
All of the turnover arose from activities carried out in the United Kingdom
2000 1999
Geographical analysis of turnover by destination £ £
United Kingdom 532,338 480,591
North America 55,098 28,700
Europe 228,739 30,277
816,175 539,568
Statement of Standard Accounting Practice Number 25, Segmental
Accounting, requires detailed information in respect of trading
activities within a group where these activities are diverse. The
directors are of the opinion that the disclosure of the information
required by this standard would be seriously prejudicial to the
interests of the group and therefore the information has not been
included within these financial statements.
2. Tax on loss on ordinary activities
There is no liability to United Kingdom corporation tax on the results
for the year (1999 - £nil).
3. Loss per ordinary share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings
attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number
of ordinary shares in issue during the year.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue on the assumption of
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The company has
only one category of dilutive potential ordinary shares, those share
options granted where the exercise price is less than the average
price of the company's ordinary shares during the year.
2000 1999
£ £
Loss for the financial year (2,491,803) (1,789,166)
Basic and diluted earnings attributable to ordinary (2,491,803) (1,789,166)
shareholders
Weighted average number of ordinary shares 24,960,313 18,410,009
Dilutive share options 1,375,030 1,549,445
Adjusted weighted average number of ordinary shares 26,335,343 19,959,454
Loss per ordinary share (9.98p) (9.72p)
Diluted loss per ordinary share (9.46p) (8.96p)
4. The 'cash burn' rate over the period as approximately £200,000 per
month.
5. The Directors do not recommend payment of a dividend.
6. The financial information set out does not constitute the Company's
statutory accounts for the years ended 30 June 1999 or 2000, but is
derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 1999 have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2000 will be
delivered following the Company's annual general meeting. The auditors
have reported on those accounts; their reports were unqualified and did
not contain statements under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act
1985.
7. Copies of the full statutory accounts will be despatched to shareholders in
due course. Further copies will be available from the Registered Office of
the Company at 10 Harding Way, St Ives, Cambs PE27 3WR.