Final Results

IDOX PLC 11 December 2006 IDOX plc FINAL RESULTS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11 December 2006 IDOX plc ('IDOX' or the 'Company' or the 'Group'), the information and knowledge management company, today announces its final results for the year ended 31 October 2006. Highlights: • Turnover down 8% to £13.03m (2005: £14.16m) • Cash up 2% to £4.83m (2005: 4.72m) • Loss before tax £0.52m, including one-off reorganisation costs of £0.30m (2005: profit £0.88m) • £0.75m cost savings implemented with potential to rise to £1.0m • Completed business review and implementing refocused strategy - ENDS - For further information please contact: Martin Brooks, Chairman 0870 333 7101 Richard Kellett-Clarke, CFO 0870 333 7101 Notes to editors IDOX plc is an information and knowledge management company, specialising in the development and delivery of software products, information solutions and people for information management and knowledge sharing, primarily for the public sector, enabling clients to better manage their information. IDOX Software is one of the leading players in the local government market for managing paper and electronic records. IDOX Software has several modules designed to capture, manage, store, preserve and deliver information for use within an organisation, and for access externally - by the public or other partners. Its flagship UKPlanning Managed Services solution delivers the first true end-to-end e-Planning solution to enable Local Authorities to provide the Government Planning process online The Information solutions unit consists of a specialist consultancy that specialises in advising and devising creative and innovative solutions to problems associated with records, information, knowledge and content management. It offers in-house and external training for clients using experienced facilitators and leading industry practitioners. A community for professionals; via subscription, providing them with a comprehensive database of bibliographic abstracts, and the largest collection of information in the UK, on all aspects of best practice, governance in the public sector. Our experts identify, summarise and manage a vast resource of information to save member organisations time and money. The focus for the Recruitment team is to find and place information professionals to deliver knowledge management, information management and records management projects - this might be for interim management and project teams, permanent or temporary posts. IDOX plc Chairman's and Chief Executive's Statement For the year ended 31 October 2006 Chairman's and Chief Executive's Report We ended the 2006 financial year in a much more encouraging way than we began. Trading earlier in the year precipitated a number of actions by senior management following a branch and root review of the entire business and its cost structure. We finished the year with a strong net cash position of £4.83 million compared to £4.72 million for the previous year. We intend as promised to propose the declaration of a maiden dividend payable in 2007. The board has taken the following actions: • Completed the review of all the businesses within the Group • Identified £0.75 million annual cost savings with part implemented in 2006 and the balance of the benefit expected in 2007, with the potential to increase this to £1.0 million. • Re-organised the business into three clearly defined divisions with full attribution of all operating costs • Re-affirmed a corporate strategy concentrating on the core IDOX Software businesses and the intention to therefore divest non-core businesses, including recruitment, which although excellent in their respective markets will be better and more swiftly developed with greater cross-selling potential and synergy by others having this as their primary area of focus • Undertaken specific product and service quality and performance improvements, particularly in the Software and Solutions division • Consistent with the terms of my appointment, the Company is initiating a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer. Financial Review Consolidated revenues were £13.03 million, 8.0% down on the previous year of £14.16 million. A loss before tax, including one-off reorganisation costs of £0.30 million, of £0.52 million compared with the prior year's profit of £0.88 million. Excluding goodwill and the exceptional staff cost the company made a small profit of £0.36 million compared to £1.45 million for the previous year. Software and Information Solutions increased annualised recurring revenue to £3.1 million from £2.9 million. At 31 October 2006 the net cash balance of the company increased to £4.83 million. (2005 £4.72 million). Markets Throughout the year there was a pronounced slowdown in decision-making and purchasing by local authorities. This has also been noted publicly by other system suppliers in our chosen markets. This appears to have reversed itself in the last two months. There was also a slowdown in both the learning and consultancy activities of the Information Solutions business. However there were some indications of recovery towards the end of the financial year when we completed work on a number of large central government contracts. The Recruitment market shifted markedly towards permanent and direct appointments in the middle of the year, away from contract recruitment. Towards the end of the year we have seen signs of renewed recovery in contract work while retaining the same level of permanent assignments. Operational Review Software Solutions The software business has had a frustratingly difficult year as a result of the overall slowdown of market growth following the formal end of the e-Government initiative. Operational issues in implementing new business, and technical issues with some new product offerings had to be addressed and were largely resolved in the second half. It is encouraging to note that the business continues to record strong sales to its existing customers. Greater emphasis is now being placed on improvements in quality and service to our clients and improved product releases. During the year the division completed and has received customer acceptance for its e-licensing, e-building control modules, as well as its innovative revenue & benefits system. Information Solutions The local authority and library services and their project teams had another successful year. The division started the year with strong sales but at much reduced margins in some areas, weaker than expected participation on training courses, and low utilisation rates for its in-house consultants. This, plus the loss of some key staff, and less favourable market conditions, resulted in revenues falling under budget and below the prior year levels at the half-year point. The business has, however, made a good recovery in the second half with some important account ' wins' and much improved margins and staff utilisation: ending the year with full-year revenues broadly flat year-on-year and with margins restored to historical levels. The business proposition has now been extended to provide broader consultancy services for electronic content management as well as the traditional areas of knowledge and information management. Recruitment The market for information professionals has remained generally strong with good growth in permanent appointments and direct engagement replacing the previous year's growth in contract recruitment. However, the change in mix caused combined revenues to decline by 10.4% despite permanent recruitment rising 63.7% above prior year levels. The division's gross margin improved to 40.5% compared to 32.9% last year. The strong performance in the first half has continued through to the second half along with early signs of an improvement in contract placements as well. In addition to strengthening the permanent recruitment team in the first half, the division has added its first specialist IT recruiter and is looking to extend its offering in this area in 2007. We have looked closely at consultant productivity and invested in a specialist recruitment system, which will go live by the end of Q1 and is expected to improve productivity, and customer care and candidate experience. Personnel The average number of employees was 150 compared to 141 in the previous year. The re-organisation reduced the headcount by 12. Senior Management and Succession I would like to extend the thanks of the board to Nigel Oxbrow, founder of TFPL, which was acquired by IDOX in 2004, who stepped down as an executive director at the end of October, but who will remain a non-executive director of IDOX where we will continue to benefit from his advice. As I mentioned in the interim report, Andrew Fraser resigned in June as Chief Executive Officer of IDOX, after seven years with the Group and the Board thanks him for his contribution to the growth of the Group. I have indicated to the board that I am prepared to complete the process of reorganisation and recovery and re-set the strategic direction of the business as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Outlook The new trading year has started positively both in terms of orders and revenues, although it is too early to pronounce this as a trend. Your board believes there are further opportunities in all three divisions for growth and improvement in trading performance. The markets for all three divisions are expected to show long-term growth. The improvements made in all three divisions are expected to show through during the new trading year. Strategy In 2007 management will concentrate further on strengthening operations, product delivery and profitability while looking for opportunities in the software and related government market place allowing for both organic growth and acquisition. As noted above, the board feels, however, that the Recruitment and related assets, while excellent in their respective markets and capable of further organic growth, will be better supported within another organisation which has these activities as its primary focus. We have therefore instructed our advisors to pursue strategic options in order to optimise the value of these assets to our shareholders. We have recognised the need for a clearly focused strategy emphasising and building upon our local authority relationships. Consistent with this we are actively pursuing consolidation opportunities in this core business activity. Dividend Policy The business has been restructured to permit the payment of a dividend. We will propose that a dividend of 0.05p per share to be declared and paid to shareholders. Conclusion The board believes that a renewed commercial focus on the local authority software business is the best way of re-building shareholder value and greatly simplifying what has been historically a confusing investor story. IDOX has an enviable client retention rate and customer base in local authorities and is expanding out from the traditional strong position in planning to be a corporate solution and we are encouraged by our successes to date in bringing a more effective solution to the revenue and benefits field. I would like to thank our staff and former colleagues who have left us for their skill, dedication and support during this last challenging year. Martin Brooks Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 11 December 2006 This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 8 December 2006. IDOX plc Consolidated Profit and Loss Account For the year ended 31 October 2006 2006 2005 Note £000 £000 Turnover 2 13,031 14,155 External charges (4,473) (5,048) Gross Profit 8,558 9,107 Staff costs (5,931) (5,665) Exceptional staff costs 3 (299) - Other operating charges (2,992) (2,685) Operating (loss)/profit (664) 757 Interest receivable 149 119 (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation (515) 876 Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities 4 (472) 700 (Loss)/profit for the year transferred (from)/to reserves (987) 1,576 (Loss)/profit per share - basic and diluted (pence) 5 (0.51p) 0.85p All operations are attributable to continuing operations. There are no recognised gains or losses other than those set out above. IDOX plc Consolidated Balance Sheet At 31 October 2006 2006 2005 restated £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 4,024 4,602 Tangible assets 433 325 4,457 4,927 Current assets Debtors 3,019 4,132 Cash at bank and in hand 4,830 4,722 7,849 8,854 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (3,899) (4,860) Net current assets 3,950 3,994 Total assets less current liabilities 8,407 8,921 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year - (410) Net assets 8,407 8,511 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,953 1,873 Capital redemption reserve 1,112 1,112 Share premium account 820 8,162 Other reserves 1,294 1,294 ESOP trust (96) (79) Profit and loss account 3,324 (3,851) Shareholders' funds 8,407 8,511 IDOX plc Consolidated Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 October 2006 2006 2005 Note £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 6 554 2,126 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 149 119 Net cash inflow from returns on investments and servicing of 149 119 finance Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (378) (320) Purchase of investment (ESOP trust) (17) - Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial (395) (320) investment Acquisitions Deferred consideration paid (200) - Net cash outflow from acquisitions (200) - Increase in cash 108 1,925 IDOX plc Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds For the year ended 31 October 2006 2006 2005 restated £000 £000 (Loss)/profit for the financial year (987) 1,576 Additions to ESOP trust (17) - Shares issued 900 - Shares to be issued reclassified to liabilities under FRS 25 - (1,300) Adjustment in estimate of shares to be issued - (100) Net (decrease)/increase in shareholders' funds (104) 176 Shareholders' funds at 1 November 2005 8,511 8,335 Shareholders' funds at 31 October 2006 8,407 8,511 IDOX plc Notes to the announcement For the year ended 31 October 2006 1 BASIS OF PREPARATION The preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards and under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies have remained unchanged from those set out in the Group's 2005 annual report and accounts with the exception of the adoption of the following applicable accounting standard: • FRS 21 'Events after the balance sheet date' • FRS 22 ' Earnings per share' • FRS 25 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation' The adoption of the presentation requirements of FRS 25 in the year has resulted in a change in accounting policy in respect of deferred consideration payable on acquisition of a subsidiary in a prior period. Shares to be issued at 31 October 2005 are deemed to be a liability under this standard and have been transferred from equity to creditors. This change in accounting policy has had no impact on the profit and loss account in the current or prior year. The adoption of FRS 21 has resulted in the proposed dividend not being disclosed as a liability at 31 October 2006. With the exception of the above, these accounting standards have had no material impact on the current or prior year results or balance sheet positions of the Group. The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The consolidated balance sheet at 31 October 2006 and the consolidated profit and loss account, consolidated cash flow statement and associated notes for the year ended 31 October 2006 have been extracted from the statutory accounts upon which the auditors opinion is unqualified and does not include any a statement under section 237 of the Companies Act 1985. Those financial statements have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS Turnover, operating profit and net assets by class of business are set out below: 2006 2005 restated £000 £000 Turnover Software Solutions 5,204 5,748 Information Solutions 3,271 3,322 Recruitment 4,556 5,085 13,031 14,155 Operating (loss)/profit Software Solutions 286 1,243 Information Solutions (436) (37) Recruitment 64 114 (86) 1,320 Goodwill amortisation (578) (563) (664) 757 Net assets Software Solutions 1,750 3,821 Information Solutions 1,100 (288) Recruitment 1,533 376 4,383 3,909 Goodwill 4,024 4,602 8,407 8,511 3 EXCEPTIONAL COSTS Exceptional Staff Costs Exceptional staff costs of £299,000 (2005: £nil) were incurred in the year and relate to the implementation of the Group's announced policy of restructuring and refocusing the business. 4 TAX ON (LOSS)/profit ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES The tax charge/(credit) is made up as follows: 2006 2005 £000 £000 Current tax UK corporation tax 43 2 Total current tax 43 2 Deferred tax - origination and reversal of timing differences 429 (702) Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities 472 (700) Unrelieved trading losses of £616,000 (2005: £1,976,000) which, when calculated at the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 30%, amounts to £185,000 (2005: £593,000). These remain available to offset against future taxable trading profits. During the year ended 31 October 2004 £1,514,000 of tax losses relating to prior periods (years ended 31 October 2001 and 31 October 2002) were surrendered in exchange for the research and development tax credit. The tax credits may be subject to claw back by the HMRC but if this occurred 2/3 of the tax losses surrendered in respect of that year would be reinstated. Factors affecting the tax charge/(credit) in the period: 2006 2005 £000 £000 (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation (515) 876 (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 30% (155) 263 Effects of: Prior year adjustment 43 2 Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 164 154 Depreciation in excess of capital allowances (9) 45 Other timing differences 9 (21) Group relief of current year losses (42) - Increase/(decrease) in tax losses 33 (441) 43 2 Provision for deferred tax asset Accelerated capital allowances 75 105 Other timing differences 28 19 Tax losses carried forward 185 593 Provision for deferred tax asset 288 717 There were no unprovided deferred tax assets at 31 October 2006 or 31 October 2005. At 1 November 2005 717 15 Adjustment for the year (429) 702 At 31 October 2006 288 717 5 (loss)/earnings per share The (loss)/earnings per ordinary share is calculated by reference to the (loss)/ earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during each period, as follows: 2006 2005 £000 £000 (Loss)/profit for the year (987) 1,576 Weighted average number of shares in issue 192,517,399 185,229,685 Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share (0.51p) 0.85p The share options are anti dilutive under FRS 22. Share options that would potentially dilute basic earnings per share but which were not included in the calculation because they were anti-dilutive for the periods presented. 6 NET CASH inflow FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2006 2005 £000 £000 Operating (loss)/profit (664) 757 Depreciation 270 242 Goodwill amortisation 578 563 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 642 (118) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (272) 682 Net cash inflow from operating activities 554 2,126 7 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS 2006 2005 £000 £000 Increase in cash in the year, being movement in net funds in the 108 1,925 year Net funds at 1 November 2005 4,722 2,797 Net funds at 31 October 2006 4,830 4,722 8 FURTHER COPIES Copies of this announcement and the full annual report and accounts are available, free of charge, for a period of one month from the Company's Nominated Adviser and Broker Noble & Company Limited, 120 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1AR, Tel: 020 7763 2200 or from IDOX plc, 2nd floor, Times Square, 160 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4 BF, Tel: 0870 333 7101. Copies of the full financial statements will be posted to shareholders in the week commencing 18 December 2006. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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