form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2011

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from____ to ____ .

Commission file number: 1-34167

ePlus inc.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
54-1817218
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
13595 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, VA 20171-3413
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 984-8400
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.Yes x   No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes x   No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x
 
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of January 31, 2012 was 7,996,261.
 


 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Part I. Financial Information:
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
4
 
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
 
8
 
 
 
 
9
 
 
 
Item 2.
25
 
 
 
Item 3.
38
 
 
 
Item 4.
39
 
 
 
Part II. Other Information:
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
40
 
 
 
Item 1A.
40
 
 
 
Item 2.
41
 
 
 
Item 3.
42
 
 
 
Item 4.
42
 
 
 
Item 5.
42
 
 
 
Item 6.
43
 
 
 
44
 
 
2

 
Cautionary Language About Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are made in reliance upon the protections provided by such acts for forward-looking statements. Such statements are not based on historical fact, but are based upon numerous assumptions about future conditions that may not occur. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “should,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “potential,” “could,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Forward-looking statements are made based upon information that is currently available or management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon us, speak only as of the date hereof, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur, or of which we hereafter become aware. Actual events, transactions and results may materially differ from the anticipated events, transactions or results described in such statements. Our ability to consummate such transactions and achieve such events or results is subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the matters set forth below:

we offer a comprehensive set of solutions—the bundling of our direct IT sales, professional services and financing with our proprietary software, and may encounter some of the challenges, risks, difficulties and uncertainties frequently faced by similar companies, such as:
 
managing a diverse product set of solutions in highly competitive markets;
 
increasing the total number of customers utilizing bundled solutions by up-selling within our customer base and gaining new customers;
 
adapting to meet changes in markets and competitive developments;
 
maintaining and increasing advanced professional services by retaining highly skilled personnel and vendor certifications;
 
integrating with external IT systems, including those of our customers and vendors; and
 
continuing to enhance our proprietary software and update our technology infrastructure to remain competitive in the marketplace.
our ability to hire and retain sufficient qualified personnel;
a decrease in the capital spending budgets of our customers or purchases from us;
our ability to protect our intellectual property;
the creditworthiness of our customers and our ability to reserve adequately for credit losses;
the possibility of goodwill impairment charges in the future;
uncertainty and volatility in the global economy and financial markets;
changes in the IT industry;
our ability to raise capital, maintain or increase as needed our line of credit or floor planning facilities, or obtain non-recourse financing for our transactions;
our ability to realize our investment in leased equipment;
significant adverse changes in, reductions in, or losses of relationships with major customers or vendors;
our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses;
reduction of manufacturer incentive programs; and
significant changes in accounting guidance related to the financial reporting of leases, which could impact the demand for our leasing services.

We cannot be certain that our business strategy will be successful or that we will successfully address these and other challenges, risks and uncertainties. For a further list and description of various risks, relevant factors and uncertainties that could cause future results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements, see the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained elsewhere in this report, as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 (the “2011 Annual Report”), any subsequent Reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, and other filings with the SEC.
 
 
3


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements
 
ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
As of
December 31, 2011
   
As of
March 31, 2011
 
ASSETS  
(in thousands)
 
       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 54,055     $ 75,756  
Accounts receivable—net
    171,665       121,771  
Notes receivable—net
    6,077       5,843  
Inventories—net
    15,942       9,062  
Investment in leases and leased equipment—net
    120,258       118,308  
Property and equipment—net
    1,962       1,817  
Other assets
    22,175       38,415  
Goodwill
    22,283       18,604  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 414,417     $ 389,576  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
LIABILITIES
               
                 
Accounts payable—equipment
  $ 4,233     $ 7,250  
Accounts payable—trade
    30,815       14,821  
Accounts payable—floor plan
    82,989       63,845  
Salaries and commissions payable
    8,892       8,065  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    42,909       49,414  
Non-recourse notes payable
    23,418       29,592  
Deferred tax liability
    4,698       4,227  
Total Liabilities
    197,954       177,214  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
  $ -     $ -  
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 12,686,422 issued and 8,024,555 outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 12,456,819 issued and 8,519,189 outstanding at March 31, 2011
    127       125  
Additional paid-in capital
    93,077       89,792  
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,661,867 and 3,937,630 shares, respectively
    (64,577 )     (45,998 )
Retained earnings
    187,434       167,924  
Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustment
    402         519  
Total Stockholders' Equity
    216,463       212,362  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 414,417     $ 389,576  

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
4

 
ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(amounts in thousands, except shares and per share data)
 
                         
Sales of product and services
  $ 260,891     $ 218,844     $ 715,545     $ 615,729  
Lease revenue
    9,028       8,537       23,767       27,801  
Fee and other income
    2,686       2,598       7,687       8,358  
Patent settlement income
    -       -       -       125  
                                 
TOTAL REVENUES
    272,605       229,979       746,999       652,013  
                                 
COSTS AND EXPENSES
                               
                                 
Cost of sales, product and services
    222,180       185,018       613,123       525,284  
Direct lease costs
    2,245       2,153       6,419       6,843  
      224,425       187,171       619,542       532,127  
                                 
Professional and other fees
    2,938       3,709       7,718       10,937  
Salaries and benefits
    25,596       21,506       72,692       62,153  
General and administrative expenses
    4,878       3,704       13,418       10,502  
Interest and financing costs
    334       585       1,064       2,067  
      33,746       29,504       94,892       85,659  
                                 
TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES (1)
    258,171       216,675       714,434       617,786  
                                 
EARNINGS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    14,434       13,304       32,565       34,227  
                                 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    5,691       5,755       13,055       14,056  
                                 
NET EARNINGS
  $ 8,743     $ 7,549     $ 19,510     $ 20,171  
                                 
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHAREBASIC
  $ 1.12     $ 0.91     $ 2.41     $ 2.47  
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHAREDILUTED
  $ 1.10     $ 0.89     $ 2.35     $ 2.41  
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDINGBASIC
    7,818,666       8,251,715       8,092,404       8,170,866  
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDINGDILUTED
    7,970,368       8,451,130       8,292,176       8,383,415  

(1) 
Includes amount to related parties of $482 thousand for the nine months ended December 31, 2010.
 
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
5

 
ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
    (in thousands)  
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
           
Net earnings
  $ 19,510     $ 20,171  
                 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    7,319       6,864  
Reserves for credit losses and sales returns
    873       181  
Provision for (recovery of) inventory allowances and inventory returns
    (373 )     698  
Share-based compensation expense
    1,736       874  
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    (965 )     (233 )
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
    -       438  
Deferred taxes
    471       (49 )
Payments from lessees directly to lendersoperating leases
    (2,978 )     (4,039 )
Gain on sale of property, equipment and operating leases
    (1,292 )     (911 )
Gain on sale of notes receivable
    (2,536 )     -  
Excess increase in cash value of life insurance
    (94 )     (73 )
Other
    256       -  
Changes in:
               
Accounts receivablenet
    (50,134 )     (29,727 )
Notes receivable
    (1,130 )     1,011  
Inventories—net
    (6,460 )     (13,018 )
Investment in direct financing and sale-type leases—net
    (12,736 )     15,830  
Other assets
    17,939       (9,771 )
Accounts payableequipment
    (3,003 )     (33,981 )
Accounts payabletrade
    15,780       1,219  
Salaries and commissions payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (6,686 )     11,883  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (24,503 )     (32,633 )
                 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
               
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment and operating lease equipment
    1,940       3,702  
Purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment
    (6,980 )     (12,702 )
Issuance of notes receivable
    (39,676 )     -  
Repayments of notes receivable
    14,422       -  
Proceeds from sales of notes receivable
    28,596       -  
Premiums paid on life insurance
    (93 )     (105 )
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (3,514 )     (1,761 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (5,305 )     (10,866 )

 
6

 
   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
(in thousands)
 
             
Borrowings of non-recourse notes payable
    6,460       8,570  
Repayments of non-recourse and recourse notes payable
    (468 )     (5,190 )
Repurchase of common stock
    (18,579 )     (2,542 )
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock through option exercise
    586       2,902  
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    965       233  
Net borrowings on floor plan facility
    19,144       13,455  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    8,108       17,428  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (1 )     (5 )
                 
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (21,701 )     (26,076 )
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
    75,756       85,077  
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
  $ 54,055     $ 59,001  
                 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 11     $ 27  
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 7,544     $ 11,814  
                 
Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
Purchase of property and equipment included in accounts payable
  $ 264     $ 175  
Purchase of operating lease equipment included in accounts payable
  $ -     $ 218  
Principal payments from lessees directly to lenders
  $ 12,164     $ 22,276  
Vesting of share-based compensation
  $ 1,887     $ 1,220  
Contingent consideration
  $ 1,500     $ -  

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
7

 
ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(amounts in thousands, except shares data)
 
   
Common Stock
   
Additional Paid-In
   
Treasury
   
Retained
   
Accumulated 
Other Comprehensive
       
   
Shares
   
Par Value
   
Capital
   
Stock
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance, April 1, 2011
    8,519,189     $ 125     $ 89,792     $ (45,998 )   $ 167,924     $ 519     $ 212,362  
                                                         
Issuance of shares for option exercises
    78,900       1       585       -       -       -       586  
Excess tax benefit of exercised stock options
    -       -       965       -       -       -       965  
Effect of share-based compensation, net of forfeitures
    150,703       1       1,735       -       -       -       1,736  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (724,237 )     -       -       (18,579 )     -       -       (18,579 )
Comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                       
Net earnings
    -       -       -       -       19,510       -       19,510  
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $1)
    -       -       -       -       -       (117 )     (117 )
Total comprehensive income
                                                    19,393  
                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2011
    8,024,555     $ 127     $ 93,077     $ (64,577 )   $ 187,434     $ 402     $ 216,463  

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
8

 
ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION —The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ePlus inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — The condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are unaudited, but include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, changes in equity and cash flows for such periods. Operating results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2012 or any other future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for annual financial statements. Our audited consolidated financial statements are contained in our 2011 Annual Report, which should be read in conjunction with these interim financial statements.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS — Management has evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date through the date our financial statements are issued.
 
ESTIMATES, ERROR CORRECTIONS AND RECLASSIFICATIONS — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimates related to revenue recognition, residual values, vendor consideration, lease classification, goodwill and intangibles, reserves for credit losses, and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

We determined that certain transfers of minimum lease payments and residual values, which were previously presented on a gross basis, should be presented net in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("Codification") Topic, Transfers and Servicing, and that sales of certain equipment at the end of a lease, which were previously presented on a gross basis, should be presented on a net basis consistent with the guidance in Codification Topic, Property, Plant and Equipment. Accordingly, we corrected the prior period amounts to conform to this presentation. Total revenues and total costs and expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2010 decreased by $494 thousand. Total revenues and total costs and expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 decreased by $1.9 million.

Certain other prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK—Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable and investments in direct financing and sales-type leases. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained principally with financial institutions in the United States, which have high credit ratings. Risk on accounts receivable, notes receivable and investments in direct financing and sales-type leases is reduced by the large number of entities comprising our customer base and through the ongoing evaluation of collectability of our portfolio. Our credit risk is further mitigated through the underlying collateral and whether the investment is funded with non-recourse notes payable.

A substantial portion of our sales of product and services are from sales of Cisco and Hewlett Packard products, which represented approximately 45% and 13%, and 46% and 14%, respectively, of sales of product and services for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to 35% and 20%, and 41% and 18%, respectively, of sales of product and services for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010.

REVENUE RECOGNITION —On April 1, 2011, we adopted the updates to Revenue Recognition in the Codification Topic issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and changed our revenue recognition policies related to bundled hardware and services arrangements. For additional information, refer to Note 6, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.”

NOTES RECEIVABLE—We finance other assets for our customers including software licenses and services, which are accounted for as notes receivable. Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method and reported within fee and other income in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 
9

 
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS — In October 2009, the FASB issued an update to amend Revenue Recognition in the Codification. This update removes the fair value criterion from the separation criteria for multiple deliverables arrangements. It also replaces references to “fair value” with “selling price” to distinguish from the fair value measurements required under Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures in the Codification, provides a hierarchy that entities must use to estimate the selling price, eliminates the use of the residual method for allocation, and expands the ongoing disclosure requirements. We adopted this update on April 1, 2011. Refer to Note 6, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” for additional information.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which amends Topic 350,  Intangibles-Goodwill and Other in the Codification. While this amendment does not change the calculation of goodwill impairment, it simplifies how companies test goodwill for impairment. Under this amendment, a company would be permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If a company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then it is not necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Intangibles-Goodwill and Other in the Codification. The more likely than not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. ASU 2011-08 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011; however, early adoption is permitted. This update is effective for us beginning on April 1, 2012.  Early adoption is permitted and we early adopted this update on October 1, 2011.  Refer to Note 3, “Goodwill,” for additional information.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED— In June 2011, the FASB issued an update to amend Comprehensive Income in the Codification. This update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income within the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Companies are required to present components of net income, total net income, components of other comprehensive income, total other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This update is effective for us beginning on April 1, 2012.

2. INVESTMENT IN LEASES AND LEASED EQUIPMENT—NET

Investment in leases and leased equipment—net consists of the following (in thousands):

   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
 
Investment in direct financing and sales-type leases—net
  $ 98,411     $ 96,319  
Investment in operating lease equipment—net
    21,847       21,989  
    $ 120,258     $ 118,308  
 
INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FINANCING AND SALES-TYPE LEASES—NET
 
Our investment in direct financing and sales-type leases—net consists of the following (in thousands):
 
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
 
Minimum lease payments
  $ 102,965     $ 102,449  
Estimated unguaranteed residual value (1)
    6,967       7,029  
Initial direct costs, net of amortization (2)
    648       709  
Less:  Unearned lease income
    (10,546 )     (12,135 )
Less:  Reserve for credit losses (3)
    (1,623 )     (1,733 )
Investment in direct financing and sales-type leases—net
  $ 98,411     $ 96,319  

(1)
Includes estimated unguaranteed residual values of $1,581 thousand and $1,666 thousand as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively, for direct financing leases which have been sold and accounted for as sales under Codification Topic Transfers and Servicing.
(2)
Initial direct costs are shown net of accumulated amortization of $497 thousand and $552 thousand as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively.
(3)
For details on reserve for credit losses, refer to Note 4, “Reserves for Credit Losses.”
 
 
10

 
Our net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases for certain lease agreements serves as collateral for non-recourse equipment notes. See Note 7, “Non-Recourse Notes Payable and Other Financing Arrangements.”We enter into agreements to sell financial assets, which are accounted for as sales under Codification topic, Transfers and Services. Financial assets include lease payments associated with investments in direct financing leases and sales-type leases as well as notes receivables. We recognized a net gain for these sales of $2.2 million and $0.5 million in lease revenues in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $3.2 million and $2.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Total proceeds from the sale of financial assets were $25.8 million and $8.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Total proceeds from the sale of financial assets were $50.5 million and $61.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

INVESTMENT IN OPERATING LEASE EQUIPMENT—NET

Investment in operating lease equipment—net primarily represents leases that do not qualify as direct financing leases. The components of the investment in operating lease equipment—net are as follows (in thousands):
 
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
 
Cost of equipment under operating leases
  $ 44,366     $ 44,105  
Less:  Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (22,519 )     (22,116 )
Investment in operating lease equipment—net (1)
  $ 21,847     $ 21,989  

(1)
Includes estimated unguaranteed residual values of $7,905 thousand and $8,346 thousand as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively, for operating leases.

3. GOODWILL
 
Goodwill represents the premium paid over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets we have acquired in business combinations. For additional information related to the acquisition of NCC Networks, Inc. (“NCC”) during the nine months ended December 31, 2011, please refer to Note 16, “Business Combination.” The following table summarizes the amount of goodwill allocated to our reporting units (in thousands):
 
   
Financing
   
Technology
   
Software
Procurement
   
Software
Document
Management
   
Total
 
Balance April 1, 2011
                             
Goodwill
  $ 4,029     $ 17,515     $ 4,644     $ 1,089     $ 27,277  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (4,029 )     -       (4,644 )     -       (8,673 )
              17,515               1,089       18,604  
                                         
Acquisition
    -       3,679       -       -       3,679  
                                         
Balance December 31, 2011
                                       
Goodwill
    4,029       21,194       4,644       1,089       30,956  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (4,029 )     -       (4,644 )     -       (8,673 )
Goodwill - net balance Dectember 31, 2011
  $ -     $ 21,194     $ -     $ 1,089     $ 22,283  

On October 1, 2011, we adopted updates to Codification Topic Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, which permits companies to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.
 
We analyzed the goodwill allocated to our reporting units above with respect to our reporting units that have goodwill in accordance with the provisions of ASU 2011-08 and concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of all of these reporting units is less than their carrying amounts as of October 1, 2011.
 
 
11


4. RESERVES FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Activity in our reserves for credit losses for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was as follows (in thousands):

   
Accounts
Receivable
   
Notes
Receivable
   
Lease-Related
Assets
   
Total
 
Balance April 1, 2011
  $ 944     $ 94     $ 1,733     $ 2,771  
Provision for (reduction of) bad debts
    385       152       (109 )     428  
Recoveries
    2       -       -       2  
Write-offs and other
    (262 )     -       (2 )     (264 )
Balance December 31, 2011
  $ 1,069     $ 246     $ 1,622     $ 2,937  
                                 
   
Accounts
Receivable
   
Notes
Receivable
   
Lease-Related
Assets
   
Total
 
Balance April 1, 2010
  $ 1,580     $ 75     $ 1,930     $ 3,585  
Provision for (reduction of) bad debts
    (261 )     (69 )     198       (132 )
Recoveries
    12       -       -       12  
Write-offs and other
    (371 )     -       (525 )     (896 )
Balance December 31, 2010
  $ 960     $ 6     $ 1,603     $ 2,569  

Our reserve for credit losses and minimum lease payments associated with our notes receivable and investment in direct financing and sales- type lease balances disaggregated on the basis of our impairment method were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
March 31, 2011
 
   
Notes Receivable
   
Lease-Related
Assets
   
Notes Receivable
   
Lease-Related
Assets
 
Reserve for credit losses:
                       
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 246     $ 1,622     $ 94     $ 1,733  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
    -       -       -       -  
Ending balance
  $ 246     $ 1,622     $ 94     $ 1,733  
                                 
Total receivables:
                               
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 6,323     $ 102,965     $ 5,937     $ 102,446  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment (1)
    -       -       -       3  
Ending balance
  $ 6,323     $ 102,965     $ 5,937     $ 102,449  

(1)
The net credit exposure for the balance evaluated individually for impairment as of March 31, 2011 was $3 thousand.
 
 
12

 
As of December 31, 2011, the age of the recorded minimum lease payments and net credit exposure associated with our investment in direct financing and sales-type leases that are past due, disaggregated based on our internally assigned credit quality ratings (“CQR”), were as follows (in thousands):

   
31-60
Days
Past Due
   
61-90
Days
Past Due
   
Greater
than 90
Days
Past Due
   
Total
Past Due
   
Current
   
Unbilled
Minimum
Lease
Payments
   
Total
Minimum
Lease
Payments
   
Unearned
Income
   
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
   
Net Credit
Exposure
 
December 31, 2011
                                                           
                                                             
High CQR
  $ 107     $ 1     $ 229     $ 337     $ 992     $ 62,739     $ 64,068     $ (5,091 )   $ (1,763 )   $ 57,214  
Average CQR
    125       7       36       168       244       38,083       38,495       (4,745 )     (10,768 )     22,982  
Low CQR
    -       -       -       -       -       402       402       (12 )     -       390  
Total
  $ 232     $ 8     $ 265     $ 505     $ 1,236     $ 101,224     $ 102,965     $ (9,848 )   $ (12,531 )   $ 80,586  
                                                                                 
March 31, 2011
                                                                               
                                                                                 
High CQR
  $ 1,495     $ 188     $ 401     $ 2,084     $ 296     $ 58,962     $ 61,342     $ (5,031 )   $ (6,658 )   $ 49,653  
Average CQR
    26       134       18       178       767       40,159       41,104       (6,292 )     (9,984 )     24,828  
Low CQR
    -       -       3       3       -       -       3       -       -       3  
Total
  $ 1,521     $ 322     $ 422     $ 2,265     $ 1,063     $ 99,121     $ 102,449     $ (11,323 )   $ (16,642 )   $ 74,484  

As of December 31, 2011, the recorded notes receivable balance disaggregated based on our internally assigned CQR were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
31-60
Days
Past Due
   
61-90
Days
Past Due
   
Greater
than 90
Days
Past Due
   
Total
Past Due
   
Current
   
Unbilled
Notes
Receivable
   
Total
 
December 31, 2011
                                         
                                           
High CQR
  $ 315     $ -     $ -     $ 315     $ 167     $ 2,873     $ 3,355  
Average CQR
    -       -       220       220       69       2,592       2,881  
Low CQR
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 315     $ -     $ 220     $ 535     $ 236     $ 5,465     $ 6,236  
                                                         
March 31, 2011
                                                       
                                                         
High CQR
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 4,119     $ 4,119  
Average CQR
    -       145       -       145       70       1,603       1,818  
Low CQR
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ -     $ 145     $ -     $ 145     $ 70     $ 5,722     $ 5,937  

We estimate losses on our net credit exposure to be between 0%-5% for customers with highest CQR, as these customers are investment grade or the equivalent of investment grade. We estimate losses on our net credit exposure to be between 2%-25% for customers with average CQR, and between 50%-100% for customers with low CQR, which includes customers in bankruptcy.

 
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5. OTHER ASSETS AND ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES

Our other assets and accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
 
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
 
             
Deferred costs related to sales of bundled hardware and services
  $ 7,778     $ 26,584  
Prepaid assets
    1,777       4,170  
Other
    12,620       7,661  
Other assets
  $ 22,175     $ 38,415  
                 
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
      2011  
                 
Deferred revenue related to sales of bundled hardware and services
  $ 12,317     $ 30,277  
Deferred revenue- other
    4,461       6,250  
Other
    26,131       12,887  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 42,909     $ 49,414  

Deferred costs related to bundled hardware and service and deferred revenue related to bundled hardware and service are related to arrangements that were entered into prior to the adoption of the update to Revenue Recognition on April 1, 2011, and not completed as of December 31, 2011. Other assets include deferred costs and certain intangible assets. Other liabilities include accrued expenses, accrued taxes, lease rental payments due to third parties, and contingent consideration related to the NCC acquisition.

6. REVENUE ARRANGEMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DELIVERABLES

In October 2009, the FASB issued an update to amend Revenue Recognition in the Codification. This update removed the fair value criterion from the separation criteria for multiple deliverables arrangements. It also replaces references to “fair value” with “selling price” to distinguish from the fair value measurements required under Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures in the Codification, provides a hierarchy that entities must use to estimate the selling price, eliminates the use of the residual method for allocation, and expands the ongoing disclosure requirements. This update was effective for us beginning April 1, 2011 and we adopted it on a prospective basis.

Prior to adopting this update, we generally accounted for arrangements with multiple deliverables (products and services bundled together) as one unit of accounting, as we could not establish reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered services when the products were delivered. Revenue from these bundled arrangements was recognized when the services were complete and we received an acceptance certificate from the customer. The update to Revenue Recognition in the Codification removed the requirement to establish reliable evidence of fair value of undelivered items for these arrangements. Therefore, multiple deliverables arrangements whereby we deliver the product to our customers and subsequently provide services meet the criteria to be accounted for as separate units of accounting, as delivered item(s) or product(s) have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and delivery of the services is probable and substantially under our control.

For bundled arrangements entered into after March 31, 2011, we allocated the total arrangement consideration to the deliverables based on an estimated selling price of our products and services. We determined the estimated selling price using cost plus a reasonable margin for each deliverable, which was based on our established policies for providing customers with quotes, as well as historical gross margins for our products and services. Revenue for the sales of products is generally recognized upon delivery to the customers and revenue for the services is generally recognized when the services are complete, which normally occurs within 90-120 days after the products are delivered to the customer.
 
 
14


Summarized below is what our reported revenues and earnings before tax for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 would have been had we continued to account for these multiple deliverables arrangements as a single unit of accounting and deferred the product and service revenue until the services were complete (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended December 31, 2011
   
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2011
 
   
Total revenues
   
Total costs and
expenses
   
Earnings before
provision for tax
   
Total revenues
   
Total costs and
expenses
   
Earnings before
provision for tax
 
As reported
  $ 272,605     $ 258,171     $ 14,434     $ 746,999     $ 714,434     $ 32,565  
Pro forma
  $ 260,977     $ 249,017     $ 11,960     $ 718,513     $ 690,585     $ 27,928  

7. NON-RECOURSE NOTES PAYABLE AND OTHER FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Non-recourse obligations consist of the following (in thousands):

   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
 
Non-recourse equipment notes secured by related investments in leases with interest rates ranging from 2.58% to 9.5% at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011
  $ 23,418     $ 29,592  
 
Principal and interest payments on the non-recourse notes payable are generally due monthly in amounts that are approximately equal to the total payments due from the lessee under the leases that collateralize the notes payable. The weighted average interest rate for our non-recourse notes payable was 5.39% and 5.84%, as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively. Under non-recourse financing, in the event of a default by a lessee, the lender generally only has recourse against the lessee, and the equipment serving as collateral, but not against us.
 
Our technology sales business segment, through our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., finances its operations with funds generated from operations, and with a credit facility from GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation (“GECDF”). This facility provides short-term capital for our technology sales business segment. There are two components of the GECDF credit facility: (1) a floor plan component and (2) an accounts receivable component. Under the floor plan component, we had outstanding balances of $83.0 million and $63.8 million as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively. Under the accounts receivable component, we had no outstanding balances as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the facility agreement had an aggregate limit of the two components of $125 million, and the accounts receivable component had a sub-limit of $30 million, which bears interest at the Wall Street Journal U.S. Prime rate less 0.5%, or 4.75%. Availability under the GECDF facility may be limited by the asset value of equipment we purchase or accounts receivable, and may be further limited by certain covenants and terms and conditions of the facility. These covenants include, but are not limited to, a minimum total tangible net worth and subordinated debt of ePlus Technology, inc., and maximum debt to tangible net worth ratio of ePlus Technology, inc. Management believes we were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2011. Either party may terminate with 90 days’ advance notice. We are not, and do not believe that we are reasonably likely to be, in breach of the GECDF credit facility. In addition, we do not believe that the covenants of the GECDF credit facility materially limit our ability to undertake financing. In this regard, the covenants apply only to our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. This credit facility is secured by the assets of only ePlus Technology, inc. and the guaranty as described below.
 
The facility provided by GECDF requires a guaranty of up to $10.5 million by ePlus inc. The guaranty requires ePlus inc. to deliver its annual audited financial statements by certain dates. We have delivered the annual audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011, as required. The loss of the GECDF credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our future results as we currently rely on this facility and its components for daily working capital and liquidity for our technology sales business and as an operational function of our accounts payable process.

On October 26, 2009, we entered into an agreement with 1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia to provide us with a $0.5 million credit facility, which matures on October 26, 2012. This credit facility is available for use by us and our affiliates and the lender has full recourse to us. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at the Wall Street Journal U.S. Prime rate plus 1%. The primary purpose of the facility is to provide letters of credit for landlords, taxing authorities and bids. As of December 31, 2011, we have no outstanding balance on this credit facility.

 
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8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, we leased approximately 55,880 square feet for use as our principal headquarters. Through September 21, 2010, the headquarters building was owned by Norton Building 1, LLC, a limited liability company owned in part by Mr. Norton’s spouse and in part by his children. Mr. Norton, our President and Chief Executive Officer, had no managerial or executive role in Norton Building 1, LLC. We entered into amendments to the office lease agreement (“the amended lease”) on June 18, 2009, and June 22, 2010. The term of the amended lease began on January 1, 2010, and will continue through December 31, 2014. In addition, we have the right to terminate the lease, with no penalty fee, on December 31, 2012 in the event that the facility no longer meets our needs, by giving six months’ prior written notice. To the extent required by our Related Person Transactions Policy, the amendments to the lease were approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with such Policy, and subsequently approved by our Board of Directors, with Mr. Norton abstaining.

On September 21, 2010, Norton Building 1, LLC sold the headquarters building to an unrelated third party. Rent paid subsequent to the sale was paid to that third party. The sale does not impact any aspect of our lease. However, in connection with the sale of the headquarters building, the buyer deposited $600 thousand of the purchase price into an escrow account, which will be payable to Norton Building 1, LLC in the event we do not exercise our right to terminate the lease on December 31, 2012.

The annual base rent, which includes an expenses factor, is $20.84 per square foot for the first year, with an annual rent escalation for operating cost increases, if any, plus 2.75% of the annual base rent, net of the expenses factor, for each year thereafter. Prior to the sale of the headquarters building, we paid Norton Building 1, LLC a monthly payment of approximately $96 thousand, which included operating expenses. Due to the sale of the headquarters building on September 21, 2010, we made no payments to Norton Building 1, LLC during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and the three months ended December 31, 2010. We paid rent, which included operating expenses, to Norton Building 1, LLC, in the amount of $482 thousand for the nine months ended December 31, 2010.

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Legal Proceedings

On May 19, 2009, we filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (the “trial court”) against four defendants, alleging that they used or sold products, methods, processes, services and/or systems that infringe on certain of our patents. During July and August 2009, we entered into settlement and license agreements with three of the defendants. We obtained a jury verdict against the remaining defendant, Lawson Software, Inc. (“Lawson”) on January 27, 2011. The jury unanimously found that Lawson infringed certain ePlus patents relating to electronic procurement systems, and additionally found that all ePlus patent claims tried in court were not invalid. On May 23, 2011, the trial court issued a permanent injunction, ordering Lawson and its successors to: immediately stop selling and servicing products relating to its electronic procurement systems that infringe our patents; cease providing any ongoing or future maintenance, training or installation of its infringing products; and refrain from publishing any literature or information that encourages the use or sale of its infringing products. Lawson requested that the appellate court stay the injunction, and the request was denied. Lawson has filed an appeal of the trial court’s ruling. We are seeking a ruling that Lawson is in contempt of the injunction order. We anticipate that an evidentiary hearing on that motion will be held the week of February 27, 2012, and oral argument will be held in the end of April 2012; however, court calendars are inherently unpredictable and we cannot predict whether any court date will change or when the court will issue a ruling on that motion. We also appealed the trial court’s evidentiary ruling which precluded us from seeking monetary damages. While we believe that we have a basis for our claims, these types of cases are complex in nature, are likely to have significant expenses associated with them, and we cannot predict whether we will be successful in our claim for a contempt finding or damages, whether any award ultimately received will exceed the costs incurred to pursue this matter, or how long it will take to bring this matter to resolution.

Other Matters

We may become party to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business, including preference payment claims asserted in customer bankruptcy proceedings, claims of alleged infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, claims of alleged non-compliance with contract provisions, claims related to alleged violations of laws and regulations, and claims by competitors, vendors, customers or employees. We accrue for costs associated with these contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable.
 
 
16

 
10. EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the basic weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the basic weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of “in-the-money” stock options and other common stock equivalents during each period.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used to calculate basic and diluted net earnings per common share as disclosed on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands, except per share data).
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net earnings available to common shareholders—basic and diluted
  $ 8,743     $ 7,549     $ 19,510     $ 20,171  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic
    7,819       8,252       8,092       8,171  
Effect of dilutive shares
    151       199       200       212  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
    7,970       8,451       8,292       8,383  
                                 
Earnings per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 1.12     $ 0.91     $ 2.41     $ 2.47  
Diluted
  $ 1.10     $ 0.89     $ 2.35     $ 2.41  

All unexercised stock options were included in the computations of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

11. SHARE REPURCHASE

On August 15, 2011, our Board authorized a new share repurchase plan which authorized share repurchases up to 500,000 shares over a 12-month period commencing on September 16, 2011. Since the commencement of the plan through November 14, 2011, we purchased 403,458 shares. On November 15, 2011, our Board amended the share repurchase plan to authorize share repurchases of up to 500,000 shares commencing November 15, 2011. The amended plan is scheduled to expire on September 15, 2012. The purchases may be made from time to time in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to availability. Any repurchased shares will have the status of treasury shares and may be used, when needed, for general corporate purposes.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, we repurchased 705,403 shares of our outstanding common stock at an average cost of $25.68 per share for a total purchase price of $18.1 million. Since the inception of our initial repurchase program on September 20, 2001 to December 31, 2011, we have repurchased 4.6 million shares of our outstanding common stock at an average cost of $13.79 per share for a total purchase price of $63.9 million.

 
17


12. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Share-Based Plans

We have issued share-based awards under the following plans: (1) the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “1998 LTIP”), (2) Amendment and Restatement of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (2001) (the “Amended LTIP (2001)”), (3) Amendment and Restatement of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (2003) (the “Amended LTIP (2003)”), (4) the 2008 Non-Employee Director Long-Term Incentive Plan, original and as amended (“2008 Director LTIP”) and (5) the 2008 Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2008 Employee LTIP”). Currently, awards are only issued under the 2008 Director LTIP and the 2008 Employee LTIP. Sections of these plans are summarized below.

For a summary of descriptions and vesting periods of the 1998 LTIP, the Amended LTIP (2001), the Amended LTIP (2003), the 2008 Director LTIP and the 2008 Employee LTIP discussed below, please refer to our 2011 Annual Report.

 
18

 
Stock Option Activity

During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no stock options granted to employees.

A summary of stock option activity during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 is as follows:
 
   
Number of
Shares
   
Exercise
Price Range
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Life Remaining
(in years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
                               
Outstanding, April 1, 2011
    228,900     $ 6.86 - $15.25     $ 10.26              
Options exercised (1)
    (78,900 )   $ 6.86 - $7.90     $ 7.42              
Outstanding, December 31, 2011
    150,000     $ 7.14 - $15.25     $ 11.75       2.4     $ 2,479,500  
                                         
Vested at December 31, 2011
    150,000             $ 11.75       2.4     $ 2,479,500  
Exercisable at December 31, 2011
    150,000             $ 11.75       2.4     $ 2,479,500  

(1)
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 was $1.4 million.

Additional information regarding stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2011 is as follows:

     
Options Outstanding and Exercisable
 
Range of Exercise Prices
   
Options Outstanding
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
   
Weighted Average Contractual Life Remaining
(in years)
 
                     
$7.14 - $9.00       30,000     $ 7.14       1.3  
$9.01 - $13.50       80,000     $ 11.74       3.2  
$13.51 - $15.25       40,000     $ 15.23       1.8  
                           
$7.14 - $15.25       150,000     $ 11.75       2.4  

We issue shares from our authorized but unissued common stock to satisfy stock option exercises. At December 31, 2011, all of our options were vested.

 
19


Restricted Stock Activity
 
As of December 31, 2011, we granted 86,441 restricted shares under the 2008 Director LTIP, and 357,570 restricted shares under the 2008 Employee LTIP. A summary of the nonvested restricted shares is as follows:

   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average Grant-date Fair
Value
 
             
Nonvested April 1, 2011
    213,689     $ 17.54  
Granted
    151,870     $ 23.19  
Vested
    (88,039 )   $ 17.26  
Forefeited
    (1,167 )   $ 20.17  
Nonvested December 31, 2011
    276,353     $ 20.72  

Upon each vesting period of the restricted stock awards, participants may be subject to minimum tax withholding obligations. The 2008 Director LTIP and 2008 Employee LTIP allows us to withhold a sufficient number of shares due to the participant to satisfy his minimum tax withholding obligations. As of December 31, 2011, we withheld 27,955 shares of common stock at a value of $691 thousand, which was included in treasury stock.

Compensation Expense
 
We recognize compensation cost for awards of restricted stock with graded vesting on a straight line basis over the requisite service period and estimate the forfeiture rate to be zero, based on historical experience. There are no additional conditions for vesting other than service conditions. During the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we recognized $656 thousand and $383 thousand, respectively, of total share-based compensation expense. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we recognized $1.7 million and $874 thousand, respectively, of total share-based compensation expense. At December 31, 2011, all options were vested; therefore, there is no unrecognized compensation expense. Unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock was $4.6 million, which will be fully recognized over the next 30 months.

We also provide our employees with a contributory 401(k) profit sharing plan. Employer contribution percentages are discretionary, and determined and paid by us annually at calendar year end. The employer contributions vest pro-ratably over a four-year service period by the employees, after which all employer contributions will be fully vested. For the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, our expenses for the plan were $200 thousand and $114 thousand, respectively. For the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, our expenses for the plan were $617 thousand and $317 thousand, respectively.

13. INCOME TAXES

As of December 31, 2011, our gross liability related to uncertain tax positions was $316 thousand. At December 31, 2011, if the unrecognized tax benefits of $316 thousand were to be recognized, including the effect of interest, penalties and federal tax benefit, the impact would be $421 thousand. We recognized accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense. Our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations include interest of $4 thousand and $14 thousand for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, and $8 thousand and $24 thousand, respectively, for the same periods last year. We did not recognize any additional penalties. We had $176 thousand and $152 thousand accrued for the payment of interest at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
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14. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We account for the fair values of our assets and liabilities in accordance with Codification Topic Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure. Accordingly, we established a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The fair value of our non-recourse notes payable is calculated using the discounted cash flow approach based on the contractual terms of the notes payable discounted at current market rates.
 
The following table summarizes the fair value hierarchy of our financial instruments and contingent liability (in thousands):
 
   
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
   
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Significant 
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
   
Total Gains
(Losses)
 
Liabilities:
                             
Non-recourse notes payable
  $ 23,418     $ -     $ 23,551     $ -     $ (133 )
Contingent consideration
  $ 1,820     $ -     $ -       1,820     $ -  
 
   
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
   
March 31, 2011
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
   
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Significant 
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
   
Total Gains
(Losses)
 
Liabilities:
                                       
Non-recourse notes payable
  $ 29,592     $ -     $ 29,504     $ -     $ 88  
 
 
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15. SEGMENT REPORTING

We manage our business segments on the basis of the products and services offered. Our reportable segments consist of our technology sales business segment and our financing business segment. The technology sales business segment sells information technology equipment and software and related services primarily to corporate customers on a nationwide basis. The technology sales business segment also provides Internet-based business-to-business supply chain management solutions for information technology and other operating resources. The financing business segment offers lease-financing solutions to corporations and governmental entities nationwide. We evaluate segment performance on the basis of total revenue, segment earnings and earnings before provision for income taxes.
 
 
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Both segments utilize our proprietary software and services within the organization. Sales and services and related costs of our software are included in the technology sales business segment. Our reportable segment information is as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31, 2011
   
Three Months Ended December 31, 2010
 
   
Technology
Sales
Business Segment
   
Financing
Business
Segment
   
Total
   
Technology
Sales
Business Segment
   
Financing
Business
Segment
   
Total
 
                                     
Sales of product and services
  $ 260,891     $ -     $ 260,891     $ 218,844     $ -     $ 218,844  
Lease revenues
    -       9,028       9,028       -       8,537       8,537  
Fee and other income
    1,755       931       2,686       2,070       528       2,598  
Total revenues
    262,646       9,959       272,605       220,914       9,065       229,979  
                                                 
Cost of sales
    222,180       -       222,180       185,018       -       185,018  
Direct lease costs
    -       2,245       2,245       -       2,153       2,153  
Professional and other fees
    2,546       392       2,938       3,339       370       3,709  
Salaries and benefits
    22,923       2,673       25,596       19,078       2,428       21,506  
General and administrative expenses
    4,594       284       4,878       3,379       325       3,704  
Segment earnings
    10,403       4,365       14,768       10,100       3,789       13,889  
Interest and financing costs
    19       315       334       19       566       585  
Earnings before provision for income taxes
  $ 10,384     $ 4,050     $ 14,434     $ 10,081     $ 3,223     $ 13,304  
Assets
  $ 242,131     $ 172,286     $ 414,417     $ 218,969     $ 183,464     $ 402,433  

   
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2011
   
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010
 
   
Technology
Sales
Business Segment
   
Financing
Business
Segment
   
Total
   
Technology
Sales
Business Segment
   
Financing
Business
Segment
   
Total
 
                                     
Sales of product and services
  $ 715,545     $ -     $ 715,545     $ 615,729     $ -     $ 615,729  
Lease revenues
    -       23,767       23,767       -       27,801       27,801  
Fee and other income
    5,792       1,895       7,687       6,345       2,013       8,358  
Patent settlement income
    -       -       -       125       -       125  
Total revenues
    721,337       25,662       746,999       622,199       29,814       652,013  
                                                 
Cost of sales
    613,123       -       613,123       525,284       -       525,284  
Direct lease costs
    -       6,419       6,419       -       6,843       6,843  
Professional and other fees
    6,607       1,111       7,718       9,919       1,018       10,937  
Salaries and benefits
    65,303       7,389       72,692       54,359       7,794       62,153  
General and administrative expenses
    12,629       789       13,418       9,517       985       10,502  
Segment earnings
    23,675       9,954       33,629       23,120       13,174       36,294  
Interest and financing costs
    57       1,007       1,064       65       2,002       2,067  
Earnings before provision for income taxes
  $ 23,618     $ 8,947     $ 32,565     $ 23,055     $ 11,172     $ 34,227  
Assets
  $ 242,131     $ 172,286     $ 414,417     $ 218,969     $ 183,464     $ 402,433  
 
Included in the technology sales business segment above are inter-segment accounts payable of $39.3 million and $44.1 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Included in the financing business segment above are inter-segment accounts receivable of $39.3 million and $44.1 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Our technology sales business segment sells products to our financing business segment. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, we eliminated revenue of $0.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in our technology sales business segment as a result of these intersegment transactions. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010, we eliminated revenue of $0.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, in our technology sales business segment as a result of these intersegment transactions.
 
 
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16. BUSINESS COMBINATION

On June 4, 2011, our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. acquired the operating business of NCC Networks, Inc. (“NCC”), a Chicago-based company, for $3.5 million, plus contingent consideration of up to an additional $3.2 million. NCC is a security-focused solutions provider that operated a Security Operations Center located in metropolitan Chicago. With the acquisition, we expanded our information security capabilities to provide a wider variety of security risk assessments including vulnerability, web application, wireless, and cloud-based security assessments. NCC, which provides 24x7 security managed services, has numerous authorizations from leading security manufacturers and engineering expertise in security technologies. Combined with our Cisco Master Security specialization, we can provide to customers a full suite of security solutions and services including penetration testing and remediation services.

The total purchase price was $5.0 million, which consists of the cash paid plus the fair value of contingent consideration. We estimated the fair value of contingent consideration to be $1.5 million as of the acquisition date, using a probability weighted discounted cash flow method. The contingent consideration will be paid in three annual installments based on the achievement of certain earnings goals. The aggregate purchase price of $5.0 million has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the transaction date, including identifiable intangible assets of $1.5 million related to customer relationships with an estimated useful life of 5 years, and other net liabilities of $136 thousand. We recognized goodwill related to this acquisition of $3.7 million, which was assigned to our technology reporting unit.

This acquisition was not material; accordingly, pro-forma financial information has not been presented.

On January 6, 2012, our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. acquired the operating business of VantiCore, LLC., for $2.2 million plus the assumption of debt of $0.3 million.  VantiCore, LLC., is a Cisco-focused solutions provider headquartered in New Hampshire.
 
 
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
This discussion is intended to further the reader’s understanding of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. It should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and our 2011 Annual Report. These historical financial statements may not be indicative of our future performance. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains a number of forward-looking statements, all of which are based on our current expectations and could be affected by the uncertainties and risks described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our 2011 Annual Report.

Certain prior period amounts have been corrected to conform to the current presentation. We determined that certain transfers of minimum lease payments and residual values that were previously presented on a gross basis, should be presented net in accordance with Codification Topic, Transfers and Servicing, and that sales of certain equipment at the end of a lease that were previously presented on a gross basis, should be presented on a net basis consistent with the guidance in Codification Topic, Property, Plant and Equipment. See Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Business Description
 
ePlus and its consolidated subsidiaries provide leading IT products and services, flexible leasing solutions, and enterprise supply management to enable our customers to optimize their IT infrastructure and supply chain processes. Our revenues are composed of sales of product and services, lease revenues and fee and other income. Our operations are conducted through two business segments: our technology sales business segment and our financing business segment.
 
Financial Summary
 
In recent years, the United States experienced substantial uncertainty in the economic environment, including financial market disruption. In addition, the debt crisis in certain countries in the European Union has contributed to continuing economic weakness and uncertainty in the United States. A reoccurrence of the economic downturn could cause our current and potential customers to once again delay or reduce technology purchases and result in longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price competition. Credit risk associated with our customers and vendors may also be adversely impacted. In addition, although we do not anticipate the need for additional capital in the near term due to our current financial position, a reoccurrence of the economic downturn may adversely affect our access to additional capital.

Many industry analysts forecasted an increase in overall IT spending in the U.S. for calendar year 2011 as compared to 2010, and are forecasting similar growth in calendar year 2012. We believe that customers are continuing to focus on cost savings initiatives by utilizing technologies such as virtualization and cloud computing, and we continue to provide these and other advanced technology solutions to meet these needs.
 
During the three months ended December 31, 2011, total revenue increased 18.5% to $272.6 million and total costs and expenses increased 19.2% to $258.2 million, as compared to the same period last fiscal year. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, total revenue increased 14.6% to $747.0 million and total costs and expenses increased 15.6% to $714.4 million.

Gross margin for product and services was 14.8% and 15.5% during the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 14.3% and 14.7% during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our gross margin on sales of product and services was affected by our customers’ investment in technology equipment, the mix and volume of products and services sold and changes in incentives provided to us by manufacturers. Net earnings increased 15.8% to $8.7 million as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2010. Net earnings decreased 3.3% to $19.5 million as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2010. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, we ramped up hiring in our technology sales business segment to expand our geographical footprint and solutions offering and we experienced lower transaction volumes in our financing business segment. Over the past 12 months, we added 65 personnel in several existing and new locations, and acquired one company.
 
Cash and cash equivalents decreased $21.7 million or 28.6% to $54.1 million at December 31, 2011, compared to March 31, 2011. In addition, we continued our share repurchase program during the nine months ended December 31, 2011, and repurchased 705,403 shares of our common stock for a total purchase price of $18.1 million.

 
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Business Segment Overview

Technology Sales Business Segment
 
The technology sales business segment sells IT equipment and software and related services primarily to corporate customers, state and local governments, and higher education institutions on a nationwide basis, with geographic concentrations relating to our physical locations. The technology sales business segment also provides Internet-based business-to-business supply chain management solutions for information technology products. Our technology sales business segment derives revenue from the sales of new equipment and service engagements. These revenues are reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations under sales of product and services and fee and other income. Customers who purchase IT equipment and services from us may have customer master agreements, or CMAs, with us which stipulate the terms and conditions of our relationship. Some CMAs contain pricing arrangements, and most contain mutual termination for convenience clauses. Our other customers place orders using purchase orders without a CMA in place or with other documentation customary for the business. Often, our work with governments is based on public bids and our written bid responses. A substantial portion of our sales of product and services are from sales of Cisco and Hewlett Packard products, which represented approximately 45% and 13%, and 46% and 14%, respectively, of sales of product and services for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to 35% and 20%, and 41% and 18%, respectively, of sales of product and services for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010.

Included in the sales of product and services are revenues derived from performing advanced professional services that may be bundled with sales of equipment, which are integral to the successful delivery of such equipment. Our service engagements are generally governed by statements of work, and are primarily fixed price (with allowance for changes); however, some service agreements are based on time and materials.

We endeavor to minimize the cost of sales in our technology sales business segment through vendor consideration programs provided by manufacturers and other incentives provided by distributors. The programs we qualify for are generally set by our reseller authorization level with the manufacturer. The authorization level we achieve and maintain governs the types of products we can resell as well as such items as pricing received, funds provided for the marketing of these products and other special promotions. These authorization levels are achieved by us through sales volume, certifications held by sales executives or engineers and/or contractual commitments by us. The authorization levels are costly to maintain and these programs continually change and, therefore, there is no guarantee of future reductions of costs provided by these vendor consideration programs. We currently maintain the following authorization levels with our primary manufacturers:

Manufacturer
Manufacturer Authorization Level
 
 
Apple
Apple Authorized Corporate Reseller
Cisco Systems
Cisco Gold DVAR (National)
 
Advanced Wireless LAN
 
Advanced Unified Communications
 
Advanced Data Center Storage Networking
 
Advanced Routing and Switching
 
Advanced Security
 
ATP Video Surveillance
 
ATP Cisco Telepresence Video Master Partner
 
ATP Rich Media Communications
 
Master Security Specialization
 
Master UC Specialization
 
Master Managed Services Partner
Citrix Systems, Inc.
Citrix Gold (National)
EMC
Velocity Premier Level
Hewlett Packard
HP Portfolio Specialist
IBM
Premier IBM Business Partner (National)
Lenovo
Lenovo Premium (National)
Microsoft
Microsoft Gold (National)
NetApp
NetApp STAR Partner
Oracle Gold Partner
Sun SPA Executive Partner (National)
 
Sun National Strategic DataCenterAuthorized
VMware
National Premier Partner
Dell Computer
Dell Premier Partner

 
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We also generate revenue in our technology sales business segment through hosting arrangements and sales of our Internet-based business-to-business supply chain management software, agent fees received from various manufacturers, support fees, warranty reimbursements, settlement fees related to disputes or litigation and interest income. Our revenues also include earnings from certain transactions that are infrequent, and there is no guarantee that future transactions of the same nature, size or profitability will occur. Our ability to consummate such transactions, and the timing thereof, may depend largely upon factors outside the direct control of management. The earnings from these types of transactions in a particular period may not be indicative of the earnings that can be expected in future periods. These revenues are reflected on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations under fee and other income.

Financing Business Segment

The financing business segment offers lease financing solutions to corporations and governmental entities nationwide. The financing business segment derives revenue from leasing primarily IT and medical equipment and the disposition of that equipment at the end of the lease. These revenues are reflected under lease revenues in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Lease revenues consist of amortization of income on direct financing and sales-type leases, rentals due under operating leases, net gains or losses on the sales of notes, leases and residual values, and sales of equipment at the end of a lease, as well as other post-term lease revenue. The types of revenue and costs recognized by us are determined by each lease’s individual classification. Each lease is classified as either a direct financing lease, sales-type lease, or operating lease, as appropriate.

For direct financing and sales-type leases, we record the net investment in leases, which consists of the sum of the minimum lease payments, initial direct costs (direct financing leases only), and unguaranteed residual value (gross investment) less the unearned income. The unearned income is amortized over the life of the lease using the interest method. Under sales-type leases, the difference between the present value of minimum lease payments and the cost of the leased property plus initial direct costs (net margins) is recorded as profit at the inception of the lease.
For operating leases, rental amounts are accrued on a straight-line basis over the lease term and are recognized as lease revenue.

We account for the transfer of lease payments and notes receivables that meet the definition of financial assets and certain criteria outlined in Transfers and Servicing in the Codification, including surrender of control, as sales for financial reporting purposes. The net gain on the transfer of these financial assets is recognized in lease revenues in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Our financing business segment may sell the underlying equipment in the lease to the lessee or a third party other than the lessee. These sales occur at the end of the lease term and revenues from the sales of such equipment are recognized at the date of sale. The net gain or loss on these transactions is presented within lease revenue in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

We also recognize revenue from events that occur after the initial sale of a financial asset and from remarketing fees from our off-lease equipment. These revenues are reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations under fee and other income.

Fluctuations in Earnings

Our results of operations are susceptible to fluctuations for a number of reasons, including, without limitation, customer demand for our products and services, supplier costs, changes in vendor incentive programs, interest rate fluctuations, general economic conditions, and differences between estimated residual values and actual amounts realized related to the equipment we lease. Operating results could also fluctuate as a result of a sale prior to the expiration of the lease term to the lessee or to a third party or from other post-term events.

We expect to continue to expand or open new sales locations and hire additional staff for specific targeted market areas in the near future whenever we can find both experienced personnel and desirable geographic areas. These investments may reduce our results from operations in the short term.

 
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RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued an update to amend Revenue Recognition in the Codification. This update removes the fair value criterion from the separation criteria for multiple deliverables arrangements. It also replaces references to “fair value” with “selling price” to distinguish from the fair value measurements required under Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures in the Codification, provides a hierarchy that entities must use to estimate the selling price, eliminates the use of the residual method for allocation, and expands the ongoing disclosure requirements. We adopted this update on April 1, 2011. Refer to Note 6, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” for additional information.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which amends Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other in the Codification. While this amendment does not change the calculation of goodwill impairment, it simplifies how companies test goodwill for impairment. Under this amendment, a company would be permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If a company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then it is not necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Intangibles-Goodwill and Other in the Codification. The more likely than not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. ASU 2011-08 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011; however, early adoption is permitted. This update is effective for us beginning on April 1, 2012.  Early adoption is permitted and we early adopted this update on October 1, 2011.  Refer to Note 3, “Goodwill,” for additional information.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued an update to amend Comprehensive Income in the Codification. This update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income within the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Companies are required to present components of net income, total net income, components of other comprehensive income, total other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This update is effective for us beginning on April 1, 2012.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, or different assumptions were made, it is possible that alternative accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in a change in financial results. On an ongoing basis, we reevaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, residual values, vendor consideration, lease classification, goodwill and intangibles, reserves for credit losses and income taxes specifically relating to uncertain tax positions. We base estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. For all of these estimates, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and therefore, these estimates may require adjustment.

We consider the following accounting policies important in understanding the potential impact of our judgments and estimates on our operating results and financial condition. For additional information on these and other accounting policies, see Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our audited financial statements contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011.

REVENUE RECOGNITION.  The majority of our revenues are derived from three sources: sales of products and services, lease revenues and sales of our software. Our revenue recognition policies vary based upon these revenue sources. Generally, sales are recognized when the title and risk of loss are passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement for sale, delivery has occurred and/or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Using these tests, the vast majority of our product sales are recognized upon delivery due to our sales terms with our customers and with our vendors. For proper cutoff, we estimate the product delivered to our customers at the end of each quarter based upon historical delivery dates.

 
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We also sell services that are performed in conjunction with product sales. We adopted ASU 2009-13 Revenue Recognition on a prospective basis on April 1, 2011. For bundled arrangements entered into after March 31, 2011, we allocated the total arrangement consideration to the deliverables based on an estimated selling price of our products and services. We determined the estimated selling price using cost plus a reasonable margin for each deliverable, which was based on our established policies and procedures for providing customers with quotes, as well as historical gross margins for our products and services. Revenue for the sales of products is generally recognized upon delivery to the customers and revenue for the services is generally recognized when the services are complete, which normally occurs within 90 days after the products are delivered to the customer.

We classify our investments in leases as either a direct financing lease, sales-type lease, or operating lease, as appropriate.  Revenue on direct financing and sales-type leases is deferred at the inception of the leases and is recognized over the term of the lease using the interest method.  Revenue on operating leases is recorded on a straight line basis over the lease term.

RESIDUAL VALUES.  Residual values represent our estimated value of the equipment at the end of the initial lease term. Our estimated residual values will vary, both in amount and as a percentage of the original equipment cost, and depend upon several factors, including the equipment type, manufacturer's discount, market conditions, lease term, equipment supply and demand, and new product announcements by manufacturers.

We evaluate residual values on a quarterly basis and record any required impairments of residual value, in the period in which the impairment is determined. No upward adjustment to residual values is made subsequent to lease inception.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS.  Goodwill represents the premium paid over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets we have acquired in business combinations. We review our goodwill for impairment annually in the third quarter, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include a sustained, significant decline in our share price and market capitalization, a decline in our expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, unanticipated competition, and/or slower growth rates, among others.

We first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Qualitative factors we consider include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, company specific events, changes in circumstances, after tax cash flows and market capitalization. If the qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we perform the two step process to assess our goodwill for impairment. First, we compare the fair value of our reporting units with its carrying value. We estimate the fair value of the reporting unit using various valuation methodologies, including discounted expected future cash flows. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired, and no further testing is necessary.  If the net book value of our reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform a second test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. To measure the amount of any impairment loss, we determine the fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if our reporting unit were being acquired in a business combination. Specifically, we allocate the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical calculation that would yield the estimated fair value of goodwill. If the estimated fair value of goodwill is less than the goodwill recorded on our balance sheet, we record an impairment charge for the difference.

VENDOR CONSIDERATION. We receive payments and credits from vendors, including consideration pursuant to volume sales incentive programs, volume purchase incentive programs and shared marketing expense programs. Many of these programs extend over one or more quarters’ sales activities and are primarily formula-based. Different programs have different vendor/program specific goals to achieve. These programs can be very complex to calculate and, in some cases, targets are estimated based upon historical data.

Vendor consideration received pursuant to volume sales incentive programs is recognized as a reduction to cost of sales, product and services on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Vendor consideration received pursuant to volume purchase incentive programs is allocated to inventories based on the applicable incentives from each vendor and is recorded in cost of sales, product and services, as the inventory is sold. Vendor consideration received pursuant to shared marketing expense programs is recorded as a reduction of the related selling and administrative expenses in the period the program takes place only if the consideration represents a reimbursement of specific, incremental, identifiable costs. Consideration that exceeds the specific, incremental, identifiable costs is classified as a reduction of cost of sales, product and services on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 
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RESERVES FOR CREDIT LOSSES. We maintain our reserves for credit losses at a level believed by management to be adequate to absorb potential losses inherent in the respective balances. We assign an internal credit quality rating to all new customers and update these ratings regularly, but no less than annually. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the reserve for credit losses for our accounts and notes receivable is based on the age of the receivable balance, the customer’s credit quality rating, an evaluation of historical credit losses, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors.

Management’s determination of the adequacy of the reserve for credit losses for minimum lease payments associated with investments in direct financing and sales-type leases may be based on the following factors: an internally assigned credit quality rating, historical credit loss experience, current economic conditions, volume, growth, the composition of the lease portfolio, the fair value of the underlying collateral, and the funding status (i.e. not funded, funded on a recourse or partial recourse basis, or funded on non-recourse basis).

RESERVES FOR SALES RETURNS. Sales are reported net of returns and allowances, which are maintained at a level believed by management to be adequate to absorb potential sales returns from product and services. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the reserve is based on an evaluation of historical sales returns and other relevant factors. These determinations require considerable judgment in assessing the ultimate potential for sales returns and include consideration of the volume of product sold.
 
INCOME TAXES. We make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement reporting purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities, which principally arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement reporting purposes. We also must analyze income tax reserves, as well as determine the likelihood of recoverability of deferred tax assets, and adjust any valuation allowances accordingly.

Considerations with respect to the recoverability of deferred tax assets include the period of expiration of the tax asset, planned use of the tax asset, and historical and projected taxable income as well as tax liabilities for the tax jurisdiction to which the tax asset relates. Valuation allowances are evaluated periodically and will be subject to change in each future reporting period as a result of changes in one or more of these factors. The calculation of our tax liabilities also involves considering uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be required.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS. We account for business combinations using the acquisition method, which requires that the total purchase price of each of the acquired entities be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the acquisition date. The allocation process requires an analysis of intangible assets, customer relationships, trade names, acquired contractual rights and assumed contractual commitments and legal contingencies to identify and record all assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair value.

Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. To the extent the purchase price is less than the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we recognize a gain in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The results of operations for an acquired company are included in our financial statements from the date of acquisition.

 
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010

Technology Sales Business Segment

The results of operations for our technology sales business segment for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Sales of product and services
  $ 260,891     $ 218,844     $ 42,047       19.2 %   $ 715,545     $ 615,729     $ 99,816       16.2 %
Fee and other income
    1,755       2,070       (315 )     (15.2 %)     5,792       6,345       (553 )     (8.7 %)
Patent settlement income
    -       -       -       -       -       125       (125 )     -  
Total revenues
    262,646       220,914       41,732       18.9 %     721,337       622,199       99,138       15.9 %
                                                                 
Cost of sales, products and services
    222,180       185,018       37,162       20.1 %     613,123       525,284       87,839       16.7 %
Professional and other fees
    2,546       3,339       (793 )     (23.7 %)     6,607       9,919       (3,312 )     (33.4 %)
Salaries and benefits
    22,923       19,078       3,845       20.2 %     65,303       54,359       10,944       20.1 %
General and administrative
    4,594       3,379       1,215       36.0 %     12,629       9,517       3,112       32.7 %
Segment earnings
    10,403       10,100       303       3.0 %     23,675       23,120       555       2.4 %
Interest and financing costs
    19       19       -       0.0 %     57       65       (8 )     (12.3 %)
Total costs and expenses
    252,262       210,833       41,429       19.7 %     697,719       599,144       98,575       16.5 %
Earnings before provision for income taxes
  $ 10,384     $ 10,081     $ 303       3.0 %   $ 23,618     $ 23,055     $ 563       2.4 %
 
 Total revenues. Total revenues during the three months ended December 31, 2011 were $262.6 million compared to $220.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010, an increase of 18.9%. Total revenues increased 15.9% to $721.3 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the same period last fiscal year. The increase in revenues for the quarter and year to date periods was due to investments made over the last twelve months to improve our product and service offerings and expand our geographical footprint, the adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance, and other increases primarily driven by customer demand. On April 1, 2011, we implemented new revenue recognition guidance for multiple deliverable arrangements and recognized $11.6 million and $28.5 million of revenues for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, respectively, for products that were delivered during the periods that were sold together with services. Refer to Note 6, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” for additional information. Prior to the adoption of this standard, we would have deferred the product revenue and costs until the services were completed. The sequential and year over year change in sales of products and services is summarized below:

 
Sequential
Year over Year
December 31, 2010
(1.1%)
34.4%
March 31, 2011
(8.1%)
21.3%
June 30, 2011
0.4%
15.0%
September 30, 2011
25.1%
14.2%
December 31, 2011
3.2%
19.2%
 
We rely on our vendors to fulfill shipments to our customers, which have been occurring on a regular basis. Our average open orders for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $49.1 million and $48.4 million, respectively. In addition, we had deferred revenue of $12.3 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $29.7 million at December 31, 2010, relating to bundled hardware and service arrangements that were not completed at December 31, 2011.

 
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Total costs and expenses. Total costs and expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2011 increased $41.4 million or 19.7%, to $252.3 million. Total costs and expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 increased 16.5% to $697.7 million compared to $599.1 million during the same period last year. These increases corresponded to the increases in cost of sales, products and services, salaries and benefits and general and administrative expenses, partially offset by a reduction in professional and other fees. The increase in cost of sales, products and services was generally consistent with the increase in sales of products and services. Our gross margin on sales of products and services was 14.8% and 15.5% during the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 14.3% and 14.7% during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our gross margin was affected by the mix between products and services, vendor incentives earned, and competitive pricing pressures. There are ongoing changes to the incentives programs offered to us by our vendors. Accordingly, if we are unable to maintain the level of manufacturer incentives we are currently receiving, gross margins may decrease.

Professional and other fees totaled $2.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 23.7% from $3.3 million during the same period last year. Professional and other fees totaled $6.6 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 33.4% from $9.9 million during the same period last year. These decreases are primarily due to legal and other fees related to the patent infringement litigation, which were $1.5 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $3.4 million and $6.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These types of patent infringement cases are complex in nature and are likely to have significant expenses associated with them. We cannot predict whether we will be successful in our claims for damages, whether any award ultimately received will exceed the costs incurred to pursue these matters, or how long it will take to bring these matters to resolution.

Salaries and benefits expense increased 20.2% to $22.9 million and 20.1% to $65.3 million during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, respectively. This increase was driven by increases in the number of employees and commission expenses. Our technology sales business segment had 698 employees as of December 31, 2011, an increase of 69 from 629 at December 31, 2010. Substantially all of the increase relates to sales, marketing and engineering personnel. We continue to invest in sales and support personnel through hiring and strategic acquisitions in order to expand our geographical presence in the continental U.S. as well as extend our advanced technology solutions offerings. In addition, commission expenses increased due to the increase in the sales of products and services during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011.

General and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million, or 36.0% and $3.1 million, or 32.7% during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, respectively, partially due to the acquisitions of NCC and Interchange Technologies, Inc. (“ITI Technologies”) in June 2011 and November 2010, respectively, as well as higher travel and other expenses associated with the increase in sales and support personnel.

Segment earnings before provision for income taxes. As a result of the foregoing, segment earnings increased $0.3 million, or 3.0% to $10.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011. Segment earnings increased $0.6 million, or 2.4% to $23.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011.
 
 
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Financing Business Segment

The results of operations for our financing business segment for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):
 
    Three Months Ended December 31,    
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Lease revenue
  $ 9,028     $ 8,537     $ 491       5.8 %   $ 23,767     $ 27,801     $ (4,034 )     (14.5 %)
Fee and other income
    931       528       403       76.3 %     1,895       2,013       (118 )     (5.9 %)
Total revenues
    9,959       9,065       894       9.9 %     25,662       29,814       (4,152 )     (13.9 %)
                                                                 
Direct lease costs
    2,245       2,153       92       4.3 %     6,419       6,843       (424 )     (6.2 %)
Professional and other fees
    392       370       22       5.9 %     1,111       1,018       93       9.1 %
Salaries and benefits
    2,673       2,428       245       10.1 %     7,389       7,794       (405 )     (5.2 %)
General and administrative
    284       325       (41 )     (12.6 %)     789       985       (196 )     (19.9 %)
Segment earnings
    4,365       3,789       576       15.2 %     9,954       13,174       (3,220 )     (24.4 %)
Interest and financing costs
    315       566       (251 )     (44.3 %)     1,007       2,002       (995 )     (49.7 %)
Total costs and expenses
    5,909       5,842       67       1.1 %     16,715       18,642       (1,927 )     (10.3 %)
Earnings before provision for income taxes
  $ 4,050     $ 3,223     $ 827       25.7 %   $ 8,947     $ 11,172     $ (2,225 )     (19.9 %)
 
Total revenues. Total revenues increased by $0.9 million, or 9.9%, to $10.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the prior period. Lease revenues increased $0.5 million, or 5.8% as compared to the prior year, due to an increase in the net gain on sales of leases and leased equipment and an increase in other lease income, offset by a decrease in earnings from our lease portfolio. Lease revenues decreased $4.0 million, or 14.5% to $23.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period last year, due to a decrease in the net gain on sales of leases and leased equipment, a decrease in our lease portfolio earnings due to a reduction in our portfolio, as well as decreases in other lease income. At December 31, 2011, we had $120.3 million of investment in leases, compared to $123.1 million at December 31, 2010, a decrease of $2.8 million or 2.3%. Although we only have a 2.3% decrease in investment in leases at December 31, 2011 compared to December 31, 2010, a considerable number of leases were added during the month of December. Leases added during the later part of the quarter would have less time to generate lease revenue. The overall decrease in the lease portfolio was due to lease terminations, cash collections and transfers of leases, partially offset by the addition of new leases. Fee and other income increased $403 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the prior period, due to increases in interest income and broker fees. Fee and other income decreased $118 thousand for the nine months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the prior period, due to a decrease in remarketing fees.

Total costs and expenses. During the three months ended December 31, 2011, total costs and expenses increased 1.1% to $5.9 million, compared to the same period last year, due to increases in direct lease costs and salaries and benefits, offset by decreases in interest and financing costs. Direct lease costs increased 4.3% to $2.2 million during the three months ended December 31, 2011. This increase was primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense of our operating leases and an increase in allowance for inventory obsolescence, offset by a decrease in amortization of indirect lease cost. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, total costs and expenses decreased 10.3% to $16.7 million as compared to the same period last year, mostly driven by decreases in direct lease costs, salaries and benefits and interest and financing costs. Direct lease costs decreased 6.2% to $6.4 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2011. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in amortization of indirect lease costs and a decrease in depreciation expense of our operating leases.

Salaries and benefits expense increased 10.1% to $2.7 million during the three months ended December 31, 2011 as compared to December 31, 2010 primarily due to increases in commission expense. Salaries and benefits expense decreased 5.2% to $7.4 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 as compared to December 31, 2010 primarily due to decreases in accrued bonus expense, partially offset by increased commission expense.

Interest and financing costs decreased $251 thousand, or 44.3% and $995 thousand, or 49.7% during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, respectively, as compared to the same period last year. These decreases were primarily the result of lower non-recourse note balances as we utilized our cash for new leases, thus funding fewer leases with non-recourse notes payable, which decreased 32.7% to $23.4 million at December 31, 2011 as compared to $34.8 million at December 31, 2010.
 
 
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Segment earnings before provision for income taxes. As a result of the foregoing, segment earnings increased $0.8 million, or 25.7%, to $4.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011. Segment earnings were $8.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 19.9%, as compared to $11.2 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010.

Consolidated

Income taxes. Our provision for income tax expense decreased $64 thousand to $5.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, and $1.0 million to $13.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011. Our effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 was 39.4% and 40.1%, as compared to 43.3% and 41.1% for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010. The decreases in our effective income tax rates were due to reduction of our liability for uncertain tax positions coupled with a decrease in our state income tax rates.

Net earnings. The foregoing resulted in net earnings of $8.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, an increase of 15.8%, as compared to $7.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010. Net earnings were $19.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 3.3%, as compared to $20.2 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010.

Basic and fully diluted earnings per common share were $1.12 and $1.10 for the three months ended December 31, 2011, respectively, as compared to $0.91 and $0.89, for the three months ended December 31, 2010, respectively. Basic and fully diluted earnings per common share were $2.41 and $2.35 for the nine months ended December 31, 2011, respectively, as compared to $2.47 and $2.41, for the nine months ended December 31, 2010, respectively

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2011 were 7,818,666 and 7,970,368, respectively. Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2010 were 8,251,715 and 8,451,130, respectively.

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 were 8,092,404 and 8,292,176, respectively. Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 were 8,170,866 and 8,383,415, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity Overview

Our primary sources of liquidity have historically been cash and cash equivalents, internally generated funds from operations, and borrowings, both non-recourse and recourse. We have used those funds to meet our capital requirements, which have historically consisted primarily of working capital for operational needs, capital expenditures, purchases of equipment for lease, payments of principal and interest on indebtedness outstanding, acquisitions and the repurchase of shares of our common stock.

Our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., part of our technology sales business segment, finances its operations with funds generated from operations, and with a credit facility from GECDF, which is described in more detail below. There are two components of this facility: (1) a floor plan component; and (2) an accounts receivable component. After a customer places a purchase order with us and we have completed our credit check, we place an order for the equipment with one of our vendors. Generally, most purchase orders from us to our vendors are first financed under the floor plan component and reflected in “accounts payable—floor plan” in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Payments on the floor plan component are due on three specified dates each month, generally 30-45 days from the invoice date. On the due date of the invoices financed by the floor plan component, the invoices are paid by the accounts receivable component of the credit facility. The balance of the accounts receivable component is then reduced by payments from our available cash. The outstanding balance under the accounts receivable component is recorded as recourse notes payable on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. There was no outstanding balance of recourse notes payable at December 31, 2011 or March 31, 2011, while the maximum credit limit was $30.0 million for both periods. The borrowings and repayments under the floor plan component are reflected as “net borrowings on floor plan facility” in the cash flows from financing activities section of our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

 
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Most customer payments in our technology sales business segment are remitted to our lockboxes. Once payments are cleared, the monies in the lockbox accounts are automatically transferred to our operating account on a daily basis. On the due dates of the floor plan component, we make cash payments to GECDF. These payments from the accounts receivable component to the floor plan component and repayments from our cash are reflected as “Net borrowings on floor plan facility” in the cash flows from financing activities section of our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. We engage in this payment structure in order to minimize our interest expense and bank fees in connection with financing the operations of our technology sales business segment.

We believe that cash on hand, and funds generated from operations, together with available credit under our credit facility, will be sufficient to finance our working capital, capital expenditures and other requirements for at least the next twelve calendar months.

Our ability to continue to fund our planned growth, both internally and externally, is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to obtain additional funds through equity or debt financing, or from other sources of financing, as may be required. While at this time we do not anticipate requiring any additional sources of financing to fund operations, if demand for IT products declines, our cash flows from operations may be substantially affected.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash over the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net cash used in operating activities
  $ (24,503 )   $ (32,633 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (5,305 )     (10,866 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    8,108       17,428  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (1 )     (5 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (21,701 )   $ (26,076 )

Cash flows from operating activities. Cash used in operating activities totaled $24.5 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2011, compared to $32.6 million during the same period last year. The decrease in cash used in operations during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 resulted primarily from increases in accounts receivable-net of $50.1 million, primarily related to the increase in sales of products and services, and increases in investment in leases of $12.7 million. The increase in cash used is offset by decreases in other assets of $17.9 million and increase in accounts payable – trade of $15.8 million.

Cash flows from investing activities. Cash used in investing activities were $5.3 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2011, compared to $10.9 million during the same period last year. The decrease in cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 was primarily driven by the acquisition of NCC of $3.5 million and purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment of $7.0 million, partially offset by a net increase of cash flow from the issuance, repayments and transfer of notes receivable of $3.3 million.

Cash flows from financing activities. Cash provided by financing activities was $8.1 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2011, compared to $17.4 million during the same period last year. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2011was primarily due to net borrowings from non-recourse notes payable of $6.4 million and net borrowings on floor plan facility of $19.1 million, partially offset by repurchases of our common stock of $18.6 million.

Non-Cash Activities

We assign lease payments to third-party financial institutions, which are accounted for as non-recourse financing activities. As a condition to the assignment agreement, certain financial institutions may request that the lessee remit its lease payments to a trustee rather than to us, and the trustee pays the financial institution. Alternatively, if the structure of the agreement does not require a trustee, the lessee will continue to make payments to us, and we will remit the payment to the financial institution. The economic impact to us under either assignment structure is similar, in that the assigned lease receivable is paid by the lessee and remitted to the lender to pay down the corresponding non-recourse notes payable. However, these assignment structures are classified differently within our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. More specifically, we are required to exclude non-cash transactions from our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows, so payments made by the lessee to the trustee are excluded from our operating cash receipts and the corresponding re-payment of the non-recourse notes payable from the trustee to the third party financial institution are excluded from our cash flows from financing activities. Given that the assignment of lease payment is economically the same regardless of the structure of the payments, we evaluate our cash flows from operating and financing activities as if the assignments of lease payments had been structured without an intermediary.
 
 
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The non-GAAP financial measure for our cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
GAAP: net cash used in operating activities
  $ (24,503 )   $ (32,633 )
Principal payments from lessees directly to lenders
    12,614       22,276  
Non-GAAP: adjusted net cash used in operating activities
  $ (11,889 )   $ (10,357 )

The non-GAAP financial measure for our cash flows from financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
GAAP: net cash provided by financing activities
  $ 8,108     $ 17,428  
Principal payments from lessees directly to lenders
    (12,614 )     (22,276 )
Non-GAAP: adjusted net cash used in financing activities
  $ (4,506 )   $ (4,848 )

A “non-GAAP financial measure” is a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP in the statement of income, balance sheet or statement of cash flows of the company; or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented. We use the financial measures in our internal evaluation and management of our business. We believe that these measures and the information they provide are useful to investors because they permit investors to view our performance using the same tools that we use and to better evaluate our ongoing business performance. These measures should not be considered an alternative to measurements required by U.S. GAAP, such as cash (used in) provided by operating activities and cash (used in) provided by financing activities. These non-GAAP measures are unlikely to be comparable to non-GAAP information provided by other companies.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We may utilize non-recourse notes payable to finance approximately 80% to 100% of the purchase price of the products being leased by our customers. Any balance of the purchase price remaining after non-recourse funding and any upfront payments received from the lessee (our equity investment in the equipment) must generally be financed by cash flows from our operations, the sale of the equipment leased to third parties, or other internal means. Although we expect that the credit quality of our leases and our residual return history will continue to allow us to obtain such financing, such financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.

The financing necessary to support our leasing activities has been provided by our cash and non-recourse borrowings. We monitor our exposure closely. Historically, we have obtained recourse and non-recourse borrowings from banks and finance companies. We continue to be able to obtain financing through our traditional lending sources. Non-recourse financings are loans whose repayment is the responsibility of a specific customer, although we may make representations and warranties to the lender regarding the specific contract or have ongoing loan servicing obligations. Under a non-recourse loan, we borrow from a lender an amount based on the present value of the contractually committed lease payments under the lease at a fixed rate of interest, and the lender secures a lien on the financed assets. When the lender is fully repaid from the lease payments, the lien is released and all further rental or sale proceeds are ours. We are not liable for the repayment of non-recourse loans unless we breach our representations and warranties in the loan agreements. The lender assumes the credit risk of each lease, and the lender’s only recourse, upon default by the lessee, is against the lessee and the specific equipment under lease. At December 31, 2011, our non-recourse notes payable portfolio decreased 20.9% to $23.4 million, as compared to $29.6 million at March 31, 2011.
 
Whenever desirable, we arrange for equity investment financing, which includes selling lease payments, including the residual portions, to third parties and financing the equity investment on a non-recourse basis. We generally retain customer control and operational services, and have minimal residual risk. We usually reserve the right to share in remarketing proceeds of the equipment on a subordinated basis after the investor has received an agreed-to return on its investment.
 
 
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Credit Facility — Technology Business
 
Our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc., has a financing facility from GECDF to finance its working capital requirements for inventories and accounts receivable. There are two components of this facility: (1) a floor plan component; and (2) an accounts receivable component. This facility has full recourse to ePlus Technology, inc. and is secured by a blanket lien against all its assets, such as chattel paper, receivables and inventory. As of December 31, 2011, the facility had an aggregate limit of the two components of $125.0 million with an accounts receivable sub-limit of $30.0 million. Availability under the GECDF facility may be limited by the asset value of equipment we purchase and the aging of our accounts receivable and may be further limited by certain covenants and terms and conditions of the facility. These covenants include but are not limited to a minimum total tangible net worth and subordinated debt of ePlus Technology, inc., and maximum debt to tangible net worth ratio of ePlus Technology, inc. We were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2011. In addition, the facility restricts the ability of ePlus Technology, inc. to transfer funds to its affiliates in the form of dividends, loans or advances; however, we do not expect these restrictions to have an impact on the ability of ePlus inc. to meet its cash obligations or materially restrict its ability to undertake additional debt or equity financing. Either party may terminate with 90 days’ advance notice. We are not, and do not believe that we are reasonably likely to be, in breach of the GECDF credit facility. In addition, we do not believe that the covenants of the GECDF credit facility materially limit our ability to undertake financing. In this regard, the covenants apply only to our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. This credit facility is secured by the assets of only ePlus Technology, inc. and the guaranty as described below.
 
The facility provided by GECDF requires a guaranty of up to $10.5 million by ePlus inc. The loss of the GECDF credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our future results as we currently rely on this facility and its components for daily working capital and liquidity for our technology sales business and as an operational function of our accounts payable process. We believe that we can continue to rely on the availability of this credit facility; however, should the GECDF credit facility no longer be available, we believe we can increase our lines of credit with our vendors and utilize our cash for working capital.

Floor Plan Component
 
The traditional business of ePlus Technology, inc. as a seller of computer technology, related peripherals and software products, is in part financed through a floor plan component in which interest expense for the first 30 to 45 days, in general, is not charged. The floor plan liabilities are recorded as accounts payable—floor plan on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, as they are normally repaid within the 30 to 45-day time frame and represent an assigned accounts payable originally generated with the manufacturer/distributor. If the 30 to 45-day obligation is not paid timely, interest is then assessed at stated contractual rates.

The respective floor plan component credit limits and actual outstanding balances for the dates indicated were as follows (in thousands):

Maximum Credit Limit
at December 31, 2011
   
Balance as of
December 31, 2011
   
Maximum Credit Limit at
March 31, 2011
   
Balance as of
March 31, 2011
$125,000     $82,989     $125,000     $63,845
 
Accounts Receivable Component

Included within the credit facility, ePlus Technology, inc. has an accounts receivable component from GECDF, which has a revolving line of credit. On the due date of the invoices financed by the floor plan component, the invoices are paid by the accounts receivable component of the credit facility. The balance of the accounts receivable component is then reduced by payments from our available cash. The outstanding balance under the accounts receivable component is recorded as recourse notes payable on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. There was no outstanding balance at December 31, 2011 or March 31, 2011, while the maximum credit limit was $30.0 million for both periods.

Credit Facility — General

1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia provides us with a $0.5 million credit facility, which will mature on October 26, 2012. This credit facility is available for use by us and our affiliates and is full recourse to us. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at Wall Street Journal U.S. Prime rate plus 1%. The primary purpose of the facility is to provide letters of credit for landlords, taxing authorities and bids. As of December 31, 2011, we have no outstanding balance on this credit facility.
 
 

 
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Performance Guarantees

In the normal course of business, we may provide certain customers with performance guarantees, which are generally backed by surety bonds. In general, we would only be liable for the amount of these guarantees in the event of default in the performance of our obligations. We are in compliance with the performance obligations under all service contracts for which there is a performance guarantee, and we believe that any liability incurred in connection with these guarantees would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As of December 31, 2011, we were not involved in any unconsolidated special purpose entity transactions.

Adequacy of Capital Resources

The continued implementation of our business strategy will require a significant investment in both resources and managerial focus. In addition, we may selectively acquire other companies that have attractive customer relationships and skilled sales forces. We may also start offices in new geographic areas, which may require a significant investment of cash. We may also acquire technology companies to expand and enhance the platform of bundled solutions to provide additional functionality and value-added services. As a result, we may require additional financing to fund our strategy, implementation initiatives and potential future acquisitions, which may include additional debt and equity financing.

Inflation

For the periods presented herein, inflation has been relatively low and we believe that inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations.

Potential Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results

Our future quarterly operating results and the market price of our common stock may fluctuate. In the event our revenues or earnings for any quarter are less than the level expected by securities analysts or the market in general, such shortfall could have an immediate and significant adverse impact on the market price of our common stock. Any such adverse impact could be greater if any such shortfall occurs near the time of any material decrease in any widely followed stock index or in the market price of the stock of one or more public equipment leasing and financing companies, IT resellers, software competitors, major customers or vendors of ours.

Our quarterly results of operations are susceptible to fluctuations for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, reduction in IT spending, our entry into the e-commerce market, any reduction of expected residual values related to the equipment under our leases, the timing and mix of specific transactions, the reduction of manufacturer incentive programs, and other factors. Quarterly operating results could also fluctuate as a result of our sale of equipment in our lease portfolio at the expiration of a lease term or prior to such expiration, to a lessee or to a third party. Such sales of equipment may have the effect of increasing revenues and net income during the quarter in which the sale occurs, and reducing revenues and net income otherwise expected in subsequent quarters. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our 2011 Annual Report.
 
We believe that comparisons of quarterly results of our operations are not necessarily meaningful and that results for one quarter should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Although a portion of our liabilities are non-recourse, fixed-interest-rate instruments, we utilize our line of credit and other financing facilities which are subject to fluctuations in short-term interest rates. These instruments, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, were entered into for other than trading purposes and, with the exception of amounts drawn under the GECDF facility, bear interest at a fixed rate. Because the interest rate on these instruments is fixed, changes in interest rates will not directly impact our cash flows. Borrowings under the GECDF facility bear interest at a market-based variable rate. As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate fair value of our non-recourse notes payable approximated their carrying value.

We have operations in Canada and Iceland. As such, we have entered into lease contracts and non-recourse, fixed-interest-rate financing denominated in Canadian dollars and Icelandic krona. To date, our Canadian and Icelandic operations have been insignificant and we believe that potential fluctuations in currency exchange rates will not have a material effect on our financial position.
 
 
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, or “disclosure controls,” as defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) Rule 13a-15(e). Disclosure controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this quarterly report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls include some, but not all, components of our internal control over financial reporting. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011.

Changes in Internal Controls

Internal controls over financial reporting continue to be updated as necessary to accommodate modifications to our business processes and accounting procedures. There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system cannot provide absolute assurance due to its inherent limitations; it is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. A control system also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of such limitations, disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting cannot prevent or detect all misstatements, whether unintentional errors or fraud. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process; therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Cyberco Related Matters

We have been involved in several matters relating to a former customer named Cyberco Holdings, Inc. (“Cyberco”). The Cyberco principals were perpetrating a scam, and at least five principals have pled guilty to criminal conspiracy and/or related charges, including bank fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. We have previously disclosed our losses relating to Cyberco, and are pursuing avenues to recover those losses.

The only remaining Cyberco related suit in which we are a party is a suit ePlus Group filed in June 2007 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (the “District Court”) against The Huntington National Bank (“Huntington”). The complaint alleges counts of aiding and abetting fraud, aiding and abetting conversion, and statutory conversion. On or about July 1, 2010, the District Court entered summary judgment in favor of Huntington with regard to our claims in the suit. Our request that the court reconsider its ruling was denied on July 13, 2011. We will consider whether to pursue appellate relief after a final judgment has been entered. While we believe that we have a basis for these claims to recover certain of our losses related to the Cyberco matter, we cannot predict whether we will be successful in our claims for damages, whether any award ultimately received will exceed the costs incurred to pursue these matters, or how long it will take to bring these matters to resolution.

Other Matters

We are the plaintiff in a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in which a jury unanimously found that Lawson Software, Inc. (“Lawson”) infringed certain ePlus patents. The jury verdict, which was reached on January 27, 2011, also found that all of ePlus’ patent claims tried in court were not invalid. On May 23, 2011, the court issued a permanent injunction, ordering Lawson and its successors to: immediately stop selling and servicing products relating to its electronic procurement systems that infringe our patents; cease providing any ongoing or future maintenance, training or installation of its infringing products; and refrain from publishing any literature or information that encourages the use or sale of its infringing products. Lawson’s request to stay the injunction was denied, however, Lawson has appealed the trial court’s ruling. We have filed a motion seeking a finding that Lawson is in contempt of the injunction. We anticipate that an evidentiary hearing on that motion will be held the week of February 27, 2012, and oral argument will be held in the end of April 2012, however, court calendars are inherently unpredictable and we cannot predict whether any court date will change or when the court will issue a ruling. We also have appealed the trial court’s evidentiary ruling which precluded us from seeking monetary damages.

We may become party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business including preference payment claims asserted in customer bankruptcy proceedings, claims of alleged infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, claims of alleged non-compliance with contract provisions, employment related claims, claims by competitors, vendors or customers, and claims related to alleged violations of laws and regulations. Although we do not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered that could adversely affect our results of operations or cash flows in a particular period. We provide for costs related to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have not been any material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our 2011 Annual Report.

 
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The following table provides information regarding our purchases of ePlus inc. common stock during the nine months ended December 31, 2011.
 
Period
 
Total
number of
shares
purchased
(1)
   
Average
price paid
per share
   
Total number of
shares
purchased as
part of publicly 
announced plans
or programs
 
Maximum number 
(or approximate
dollar value) of
shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs
   
                         
April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011
    -       -       -   488,640   (2)
May 1, 2011 to May 31, 2011
    -       -       -   488,640   (3)
June 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011
    68,826     $ 24.51       66,680   421,960   (4)
July 1, 2011 to July 31, 2011
    85,136     $ 27.21       85,136   336,824   (5)
August 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011
    102,413     $ 24.76       90,017   246,807   (6)
September 1, 2011 to September 15, 2011
    37,019     $ 23.92       37,019   209,788   (7)
September 16, 2011 to September 30, 2011
    109,106     $ 23.92       109,106   390,894   (8)
October 1, 2011 to October 31, 2011
    265,769     $ 26.39       265,769   125,125   (9)
November 1, 2011 to November 14, 2011
    32,875     $ 27.42       28,583   96,542   (10)
November 15, 2011 to November 30, 2011
    11,640     $ 26.88       11,640   488,360   (11)
December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
    11,453     $ 27.71       11,453   476,907   (12)
 
(1)
All shares acquired were in open-market purchases, except for 14,542 shares, which were repurchased to satisfy tax withholding obligations that arose on the vesting of shares of restricted stock.
(2)
The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended April 30, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of April 30, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 488,640.
(3)
The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended May 31, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of May 31, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 488,640.
(4)
The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended June 30, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of June 30, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 421,960.
(5)
The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended July 31, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of July 31, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 336,824.
(6)
The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended August 31, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of August 31, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 246,807.
(7)
The share purchase authorization in place for the period from September 1 to September 15, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of September 15, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 209,788.
(8)
On August 15, 2011 our Board authorized a share repurchase plan commencing on September 16, 2011. The share purchase authorization in place for the period from September 16 to September 30, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of September 30, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 390,894.
(9)
The share purchase authorization in place for the period from October 1 to October 31, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of October 31, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 125,125.
(10)
The share purchase authorization in place for the period from November 1 to November 14, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of November 14, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 96,542.
(11)
On November 15, 2011 our Board authorized an amendment to our share repurchase plan, commencing on November 15, 2011. The share purchase authorization in place for the period from November 15 to November 30, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of November 30, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 488,360.
(12)
The share purchase authorization in place for the period from December 1 to December 31, 2011 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of December 31, 2011, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 476,907.
 
 
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The timing and expiration date of the stock repurchase authorizations are included in Note 11, “Share Repurchase” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

Item 5. Other Information

None.
 
 
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Item 6. Exhibits
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a).
 
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a).
 
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
ePlus inc.
 
 
 
 
Date: February 6, 2012
/s/ PHILLIP G. NORTON
 
 
By: Phillip G. Norton, Chairman of the Board,
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
Date: February 6, 2012
/s/ ELAINE D. MARION
 
 
By: Elaine D. Marion
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
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