Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

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RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 8: RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

Our restructuring actions are steps undertaken to reduce costs in an effort to return to consistent profitability. In fiscal 2012 and 2011, restructuring actions to consolidate operations supporting our business were the result of strategic management decisions. In fiscal 2010, restructuring actions to consolidate operations supporting our business were undertaken to improve operational efficiencies and to adapt our operations in recognition of economic conditions. The following summarizes the type of restructuring expense for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

For the year ended March 31,
      2012       2011       2010
Severance and benefits $      1,585 $      3,580 $      602
Facilities 345 (538 ) 4,792
Other (300 ) 602 (599 )
$ 1,630 $ 3,644 $ 4,795
 

Fiscal 2012

Restructuring charges in fiscal 2012 were primarily due to severance and benefits expenses of $1.6 million as a result of strategic management decisions to consolidate operations supporting our business. Most areas of the business, including international operations, were impacted by these restructuring actions. The employees impacted were in our research and development, sales and marketing and service teams. Facility restructuring charges for fiscal 2012 were primarily due to negotiating a lease settlement on a facility vacated in India. The other restructuring reversal for fiscal 2012 was due to actual payments lower than estimated on a supplier relationship exited in fiscal 2011.

Fiscal 2011

Restructuring charges in fiscal 2011 were primarily due to severance and benefits expenses of $3.6 million as a result of strategic management decisions to consolidate operations supporting our business. Most areas of the business, including international operations, were impacted by these restructuring actions. The employees impacted were in our management, sales and marketing, research and development and service teams. The facility reversals in fiscal 2011 were primarily due to negotiating settlements for lease liabilities on two vacated facilities in the U.S. for amounts lower than the outstanding lease contracts. The other restructuring charges were costs from exiting a supplier relationship in fiscal 2011.

Fiscal 2010

For fiscal 2010, restructuring charges were primarily due to $4.8 million in remaining contractual lease payments for facilities vacated in the U.S. during fiscal 2010. We also vacated a facility in India and negotiated a settlement for an amount lower than the outstanding lease contract. Severance and benefits restructuring charges for fiscal 2010 were due largely to eliminating additional positions in the U.S. and changes in our estimates, primarily in Europe, as we completed settlement negotiations with various local authorities. The other restructuring reversal in fiscal 2010 was due to negotiating a settlement for contract termination fees related to a program cancelled in a prior year.

The following tables show the activity and the estimated timing of future payouts for accrued restructuring (in thousands):

Severance and
benefits
Facilities Other Total
Balance as of March 31, 2009       $         3,454       $      628       $      599       $      4,681
       Restructuring costs 1,182 5,047 6,229
       Restructuring charge reversal (580 ) (255 ) (599 ) (1,434 )
       Cash payments (3,597 ) (2,124 ) (5,721 )
       Non-cash charges and other 35 5 40
Balance as of March 31, 2010 494 3,301 3,795
       Restructuring costs 3,586 307 602 4,495
       Restructuring charge reversal (6 ) (845 ) (851 )
       Cash payments (1,189 ) (1,920 ) (3,109 )
       Non-cash charges and other (302 ) (302 )
Balance as of March 31, 2011 2,885 843 300 4,028
       Restructuring costs 1,864 345 2,209
       Restructuring charge reversal (279 ) (300 ) (579 )
       Cash payments (3,181 ) (748 ) (3,929 )
       Assumed restructuring liability 23 23
Balance as of March 31, 2012 $ 1,312 $ 440 $ $ 1,752
                                 
Estimated timing of future payouts:
       Fiscal 2013 $ 1,312 $ 297 $ $ 1,609
       Fiscal 2014 to 2016 143 143
$ 1,312 $ 440 $ $ 1,752
 

The $1.8 million restructuring accrual as of March 31, 2012 is primarily comprised of severance and benefits obligations, the majority of which will be paid in fiscal 2013. The amounts accrued for vacant facilities will be paid over their respective lease terms, which continue through fiscal 2016.

Additional charges may be incurred in the future related to these restructurings, particularly if the actual costs associated with restructured activities are higher than estimated. Until we achieve sustained profitability, we may incur additional charges in the future related to additional cost reduction steps. Future charges that we may incur associated with future cost reductions are not estimable at this time.