A Review of

Axapta
By J. Carlton Collins, CPA

The Company Behind the Product

When it comes to evaluating accounting software, too many evaluators dive right into the product without giving a second thought to the company behind the product. It is not prudent to disregard the stability and future of the accounting software publisher. Customers who have traveled this path before know that when you select an accounting software package, the resulting relationship is akin to a marriage. Once the product is installed, the customer becomes dependent upon the accounting publisher to supply updates for payroll taxes, sales taxes, and depreciation rates. The customer must also rely on the vendor to fix bugs, provide support, and continually enhance the product to run on the latest platforms and technologies. Like it or not, the continued success of the accounting software publisher has a direct bearing on the customer's continued success with the accounting software product. The bottom line is that some accounting software vendors have figured out the magical formula for producing top quality products, successfully distributing those products directly or through a profitable dealer channel, and supporting those products in an timely matter - all while remaining profitable and achieving a high level of customer satisfaction. Those companies that fall into this category should rate higher in your evaluation and selection process. With this in mind, presented below is an brief overview of Navision - the company.

About Navision Software

Founded in 1985, Navision claims to be a global provider of cost-effective and adaptable integrated business solutions that help companies in their quest to grow. The company claims to have 130,000 customers worldwide, 2,250 partners, and 1,100 employees in 29 countries. In December 2000, Navision Software merged with it's Danish rival - Damgaard. Its shares are listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange (CSE: NAVI). The company is headquartered in Vedbaek, Denmark. 

 

1.  

Company Name

Navision US, Inc.  

2.  

Address, Phone, Web Address. 

 

 

 

Navision US, Inc.
3505 Koger Blvd, Suite 400 
Duluth, GA 30096
www.navision-us.com
 

3.  

Ownership

Navision is a public company headquartered in Vedbaek, Denmark. Its shares are listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange
Ticker = CSE: NAVI
 

4.  

Latest Product Version

Microsoft Axapta 2.5

5.  

List of all Products Sold by Navision.

 

Navision Attain
Microsoft Axapta

Navision Financials

Navision XAL (Only in Europe) 

6.  

Navision’s Key Management:

President and Chief Executive Officer

President and Chief Executive Officer

Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer

Executive VP, Worldwide Operations

Executive VP, Corporate Product Officer

Senior Vice President, Organization and HR

Senior Vice President, International Sales

Director, Corporate Infrastructure

Director, Corporate Communications

US President                                             
US Director, Channel Sales

US Director Marketing Comm.

US Director Application Center

 
Jesper Balser
Preben Damgaard
Lars Larsen
René Stockner
Niels Bo Theilgaard
Freddie B. Jørgensen
Per Pedersen
Henrik Arndt
Søren Møller Christensen
John Frederiksen
Claus Minet
Susan Thompson
Bill Sanders
 

7.  

   Brief History of Axapta 

Axapta was first created in 1983 by brothers Erik and Preben Damgaard in Copenhagen, Denmark. The company claims that from the start, Axapta wanted to create an International product that was integrated, scalable and flexible so that they would be able to build 1 CD for all markets and platforms. It was Erik Damgaard's vision to build a platform that could evolve with technology and market demands.

 

8.  

Total number of Navision customers
 around the world

128,000

9.               

Total number of customers (companies)

 currently using the Axapta product

22,000

10.               

Total number of users (individuals) 

using the Axapta product

320,000

 

Financial Highlights and Other Company Highlights:

·        Navision Software and Damgaard merged on December 21, 2000. Prior to this merger, the two companies were considered competitive rivals. However this merger was a strategic move towards creating a company with the power to achieve a global leading position in the mid-market.

·        Net revenues grew in 2001 by more than 18% to $175.9 million US (DKK 1,496 million).

·        Operating income equals approximately 15% of revenues.

·        In 2001, Excluding Scandinavia, revenue growth in Europe was 32% (up from $68 million US to $90 million US.)

·        In 2001, Revenues for the United States operations grew by 15%.

·        License revenue in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2000/2001 grew by 61% (from $42 million US up from $26 million US.

·        The total combined growth in revenues of Navision Financials/Attain and Microsoft Axapta was 40%.

·        Cost of revenues equaled 18.0% of revenues compared to the prior year’s 17.5% of revenues. Cost of revenues is primarily comprised of support costs and royalties to subcontractors.

·        Research and development costs (R&D) as percentage of revenues was equal to 20.9% compared to 21.6% for the prior fiscal year. This is in line with the overall goal of the Group, which is to invest approximately 20% of revenues in R&D.

·        Sales and distribution costs as a percentage of revenues was equal to 34.8% as compared to 36.5% in the prior year.

·        Administrative expenses as percentage of revenues equaled 11.0% in fiscal year 2001 compared to 14.2% the prior year.

·        Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2001 was $ 101 million compared to $97 million the prior year.

 

 Five-Year Financial Information for Navision 

Financial Figures

1996/
1997*)

1997/
1998*)

1998/
1999*)

1999/
2000*)

2000/
2001


Income Statement (DKKt)

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

309,542

486,652

1,008,484

1,260,141

1,496,003

Gross profit

253,997

404,488

843,731

1,039,173

1,226,382

Operating income before goodwill amortization (EBITA)

33,663

64,369

189,998

127,431

229,278

Income before financials

33,277

61,107

174,353

102,654

198,903

Net income for the year before minority stockholders

26,408

48,257

116,927

64,601

158,839

Extraordinary income after tax

1,138

(7,106)

-

-

-

Net income for the year

43,215

41,151

121,501

64,316

158,445


Balance Sheet (DKKt)

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

237,022

354,804

1,070,915

1,530,268

1,701,330

Cash and securities

62,415

107,531

523,114

821,522

856,954

Stockholders´ equity

87,264

130,116

695,320

859,454

1,018,155


Cash Flow (DKKt)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

32,926

71,648

178,415

109,604

249,338

Cash flow from investing activities

(27,306)

(40,651)

(209,344)

(64,345)

(204,631)

Cash flow from financing activities

14,534

147

447,904

275,358

(6,690)


Key Figures and Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

Annual growth in net revenues (%)

34.8%

57.2%

107.2%

25.0%

18.7%

Gross margin (%)

82.1%

83.1%

83.7%

82.5%

82.0%

Operating income before goodwill amortization/Net revenues (%)

10.9%

13.2%

18.8%

10.1%

15.3%

Operating margin (%)

10.8%

12.6%

17.3%

8.1%

13.3%

Net margin (%)

14.0%

8.5%

12.0%

5.2%

10.6%

Return on equity (%)

84.2%

37.9%

29.4%

8.4%

16.9%

Equity ratio (%)

36.8%

36.7%

64.9%

56.2%

59.8%

Research and development costs (DKKt)

(80,407)

(128,125)

(193,116)

(272,747)

(313,330)

Research and development costs/Net revenues (%) (DKKt)

26.0%

26.3%

19.1%

21.6%

20.9%

Average number of employees

340

466

774

1,074

1,112

Net revenues per employee (DKKt)

910

 1,044

1,303

1,173

1,345


Key Financial Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - EPS (DKK)

0.92

1.68

3.79

1.81

4.41

Annual growth in earnings per share (%)

N/A

83%

125%

(52%)

143%

Cash flow per share - CFPS (DKK)

1.15

2.50

5.78

3.07

6.92

Book value per share (DKK)

3.04

4.54

22.52

24.08

28.24

Market price per share at June 30 (DKK)

-

-

179

327

189

Market price per share/book value per share (DKK)

-

-

7.95

13.58

6.69

Average number of shares (thousands)

28,677

28,677

30,880

35,697

36,051

Source: http://www.navision.com/hq/view.asp?documentID=877&categoryID=446

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