Evolving Systems - Press Release

08-May-2008 - Evolving Systems Reports 2008 first quarter results

TOTAL REVENUE UP 8% TO $9.1 MILLION FROM $8.5 MILLION IN Q1 2007

BALANCE SHEET STRENGTHENED BY CONVERSION OF PREFERRED STOCK, DEBT PAY-DOWN AND DEBT REFINANCING

SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE QUARTER OF POSITIVE OPERATING INCOME

TWO NEW ACCOUNT WINS IN EMERGING MARKETS

Q1 LICENSE AND SERVICES GROWTH HIGHLIGHTS:

Orders up 10% to $5.5 million from $5.0 million in 2007
Backlog grows to $7.1 million from $6.5 million in Q4
Revenue up 21% to $4.8 million vs. $4.0 million in 2007

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado - Evolving Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ-EVOL), a leading provider of software solutions and services to the wireless, wireline and IP carrier market, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2008.

First Quarter Results
Revenue in the first quarter increased 8% to $9.1 million from $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2007. License fees and services revenue increased 21% to $4.8 million from $4.0 million year over year, more than offsetting a 4% decline in customer support revenue, which was $4.3 million as compared with $4.5 million in the first quarter last year. It was the Company's fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in total revenue. First quarter revenue mix included $4.7 million in Service Activation, $2.9 million in Numbering Solutions and $1.5 million in Mediation.

Consistent with management's previous guidance, total costs of revenue and operating expenses in the first quarter increased in support of initiatives designed to open new markets and increase revenue. Total costs were up 9% in the first quarter to $9.0 million from $8.2 million in the first quarter last year. The Company increased its product development expense by 95%, to $1.1 million from $549,000, primarily related to enhancements to three products, including Tertio™, international NumeriTrack® and the Company's new Dynamic SIM Allocation solution. Sales and marketing expense increased 7% to $2.2 million from $2.0 million in the first quarter last year, reflecting increased international travel costs and higher variable compensation costs due to the growing revenue base. General and administrative expenses declined by 8% - to $1.4 million from $1.5 million - due primarily to lower professional fees. Despite higher overall costs in the first quarter, the Company achieved its seventh consecutive quarter of positive operating income.

Evolving Systems incurred a $297,000 write-off of debt issuance costs in the first quarter related to the refinancing of its senior debt facility. Exclusive of this $297,000 charge, the Company saved $128,000 in interest expense in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same quarter last year.

Bookings and Backlog Highlights
The Company booked $8.3 million in new orders in the first quarter, including $5.5 million in license fees and services, up 10% from $5.0 million in license fees and services bookings in the first quarter a year ago. The $8.3 million in new orders was down from $11.2 million a year ago; an industry consolidation event caused a large carrier customer to accelerate its 2008 annual support order into the fourth quarter of 2007 instead of the usual first quarter time frame. Bookings were comprised of $5.5 million in Activation, $1.4 million in Numbering Solutions, and $1.4 million in Mediation.

Backlog at March 31, 2008, was $18.9 million, up 13% from $16.7 million at the same time a year ago. The license and services backlog grew 23% year over year - to $7.1 million from $5.8 million. The Company defines bookings as new, non-cancelable orders expected to be recognized as revenue during the following 12 months.

Balance Sheet Highlights
The Company continued to strengthen its balance sheet in the first quarter as the remainder of its preferred stock was converted to common stock during the period. Additionally, the Company completed a $10.0 million debt refinancing that lowered the average cash interest rate and improved financial flexibility with more favorable covenants and anticipated interest savings of approximately $450,000 through 2009. During the first quarter the Company used $3.0 million of its existing cash to pay down its senior revolver and its subordinated debt obligations. The conversion of the preferred stock and the accelerated payments on the long-term debt obligations reduced the Company's total preferred stock and long-term debt obligations by $9.0 million during the first quarter. The Company generated $2.7 million in cash from operations in the first quarter, down from $3.8 million a year ago primarily as the result of a $790,000 first quarter payment of accrued interest on subordinated debt. The cash and cash equivalents balance at March 31, 2008, was $6.7 million.

CEO Comments
"We extended our 2007 momentum into the first quarter of 2008 with solid revenue growth, strong license and services orders and two new accounts in emerging markets as well as a significantly improved balance sheet," said Thad Dupper, president and CEO. "Our progress reflects our continued commitment to expanding our solutions portfolio and developing new carrier customers in emerging markets where strong wireless subscriber growth offers us excellent opportunities. At the same time, we will continue to support our existing carrier customers around the world with excellent service and innovative enhancements for their networks."

Conference Call
The Company will conduct a conference call and web cast on May 8, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The call-in numbers for the conference call are 1-888-680-0894 for domestic toll free and 617-213-4860 for international. The passcode is 73636226. Callers may pre-register by going to the following link:
https://www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PPK7K483T
A telephone replay will be available through May 22, 2008, and can be accessed by calling 1-888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888, passcode 54260693. To access a live webcast of the call, please visit Evolving Systems' web site at www.evolving.com. A replay of the webcast will be accessible at that Web site through May 22, 2008.

About Evolving Systems®
Evolving Systems (NASDAQ-EVOL) is a worldwide provider of software and services to telecommunications carriers, with 70 network operators in 45 countries. The Company's software offerings address Activation, Dynamic SIM Allocation, Number Portability, Number Management and Mediation. These solutions help carriers deliver an improved customer experience, shorter time-to-market and lower cost of rendering value-added services. With an expanding solutions portfolio, global sales and support, onshore/offshore development, and a focus on emerging markets, Evolving Systems is well positioned for growth. Founded in 1985, the Company has headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, with offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, India and Malaysia. Further information is available on the web at www.evolving.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, based on current expectations, estimates and projections that are subject to risk. Specifically, statements about the Company's growth and future profitability, future business, revenue and expense projections, the Company's continued ability to post quarterly results that are similar to those described in this press release and the impact of new products and accounts on the Company's business are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our expectations and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and the Company may not undertake to update these statements. Actual results could vary materially from these expectations. For a more extensive discussion of Evolving Systems' business, and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2008, as well as subsequently filed Forms 10-Q, 8-K and press releases.

CONTACTS:
Investor Relations
Jay Pfeiffer
Pfeiffer High Investor Relations, Inc.
303.393.7044
jay@pfeifferhigh.com

Press Relations
Sarah Hurp
Marketing Communications Manager
Evolving Systems
+44 1225 478060
sarah.hurp@evolving.com

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