Oneclickhr Share Discussion Threads

[safman] 04/12/2003 13:00

trading statement ..profit warning...

[safman] 01/12/2003 17:32

i would suggest that this is a very good stock in the making...

director hold loads now

herald investment / tech ventures have upped their stakes.. ocr deal with human resources.. i would envisage a big big growth area for 2004...



Background Human Resource and Personnel Management functions are the areas addressed by the software written by OneClick. From the start selling modest amounts of modest products, growth had been swift - and profitability achieved. However the company planned to go online, part of a major expansion of its activities, and to do so when it was the height of fashion. Hence its May 2000 debut on AIM, in an operation which raised 5 million pounds. The placing price was 40 pence. Turnover, emanating from the company?s boxed sales products reflected a pretty successful business. At the time of the debut, there were 11,000 customers in the United Kingdom, and 3,000 abroad; the numbers continued to rise apace; and although the product was and is aimed at the smaller end of the market, this did not preclude some notable names from being netted as well. For the basic initial package, aimed at the crude management of employee data had been steadily upgraded, encompassing such functions as ID, fleet management, recruitment and the like; whilst bought-in and re-branded software dealt with functions such as timekeeping, Health & Safety, and payroll data. There were almost 30 boxed products, the upper end of the range pricey indeed, the more advanced systems generating training, servicing and upgrading revenues too. Historic company performance

The results for the six-month period to June 2000 showed turnover of 1.3 million pounds, up by half as much again on the comparable period. The 700,000 pounds loss was less than had been forecast. Of the news, most interest was that of November 2000, when an arrangement with BT was announced, so that the flagship internet product became be available for rent through mechanism of an ASP - an innovation being that users will be able to access the software on a "pay per record stored" basis rather than a "per user" basis; the idea being to allow smaller customers to have a level playing field, and by sharing revenues with BT, defray the capital cost. The full accounts to December 2000 showed that turnover had doubled, and that this had enabled the loss to be contained to 2.3 million pounds. But OneClick also raised 500,000 pounds more, at 50.5 pence. Succumbing to market conditions, late 2001 saw the company admit that despite the growth being achieved, the outcome to December 2001 would be below market expectations "due to a lengthening sale cycle". Subsequently reporting a near 2 million pound increase in sales - to 6 million pounds - and a reduced operating loss (2.2 million pounds) the company pointed out that the disappointing November and December performance appeared to being merely delayed and was transforming the early months of the current year. It also expected another year of strong growth, and that the 600,000 pounds in the coffers at the year end would be sufficient to carry the business through to profitability. Fast forward to the next share placing

On the back of this, in March 2002 another 400,000 pounds was raised by the company by way of a placing at 33 pence. In May an AGM statement told of a first quarter giving the best trading results since flotation. But a June trading update told of a further attack on overheads, and whilst reiterating the board's conviction that it had confidence in the depth of the company pockets even in the light of a weakening demand situation, it introduced an uncertain note by talking of certain directors chipping in 100,000 pounds by way of convertible loans and seeking institutional participation on the same terms - the price prevailing at the time of the subscription. So it was then that the shares took a downward dive (to 23 pence). In August 2002 a pistol at the head of the directors ensured the conversion of loans to equity, and a matching amount of new money to be subscribed at the middle market price following the forthcoming interim figures. The finger on the trigger was that of Herald Partnerships, which subscribed 1 million pounds of 3.5 percent unsecured loan stock (2005/7); and gained 13.6 million warrants to subscribe at 7.4 pence per share, which, if exercised, would give it a 20 percent holding. The December 2002 figures showed that on sales which had ebbed by nearly 1 million pounds, the company had lost 3.5 million pounds; that sum however includes hefty reconstruction costs and the Chairman reported both current profitability and his opinion the financial resources on tap were sufficient to sustain the company - the growth in recurring revenues assisting here perhaps.

[mart] 24/11/2003 12:55

Has everybody lost interest in this one?

[rockoj] 26/9/2003 13:35

looked at this one before and thought better of it. glad i did now.

[tony14] 19/9/2003 13:10

LONDON (AFX) - OneClickHR PLC moved into the black in the first half to
end-June 2003 and said it is confident of the future despite challenging market
conditions.
Pretax profit in the first half was 64,829 stg, up from a loss of 1.09 mln
stg on turnover of 2.7 mln stg, up from 2.6 mln.
Chairman Lord Sheppard of Didgemere said the path to profitability has taken
longer than anticipated.
"Overall, despite difficult market conditions, we look to the future with
confidence and determination."
The group also said it has decided that it is prudent to raise some
additional funds. Consequently a subscription agreement has been entered with
Herald GP Ltd, Herald Investment Trust PLC, Top Technology Ventures Ltd and
Nordealnvest Engros Aktier whereby they will, subject to shareholder approval,
subscribe for 625,000 stg of 3.5 pct unsecured loan stock in OneClickHR PLC, and
the issue of warrants entitling the investors to subscribe for 8,445,946
ordinary shares in OneClickHR PLC.
Lord Sheppard also said the company's contracted revenue, both from software
support and human resource services, continues to grow. The training business
has grown steadily through the period under review.
"We need to build upon the success of the first half and deliver a
consistent level of sales in the second half and beyond," he added.
[e-mail]
slm/

[carnall] 29/4/2003 15:21

announced their results in March last year, we're now at the end of april and no sign of an announcement. Companies don't delay annnouncing because they have good news.....................

[safman] 03/3/2003 22:10

any more news on this one..

[amnesia] 27/2/2003 14:50

Spoke with a young lady (ex-sales) in early Feb. Tells me that they have sacked about 50% of salesforce. All staff have taken a 20% pay cut including senior directors and results are now being released/delayed until April/May. Is this worse news than last year then? Was on the web site recently and it appears to be only subscription model only. Any position in the Cash for this company?

[b1gman] 27/2/2003 10:22

Hopefully any day now for results..........

[amnesia] 19/2/2003 18:59

When are these ppl releasing results. Is there any indication?

[amnesia] 10/1/2003 11:59

Hi all - happy new year and all that - but it's not really - and apparently following a call to my contact (ex-sales lady) not going great for our friends here - rumours jumping around their office is that they are going to sack up to half of the sales force - and quickly - appears as if they have failed to make the revenues targets for the last three months of 2002. Any idea what were the revenue targets for 2002 - any takers? I see that they closed out £5.8 million in revenue in 2001 .

[amnesia] 19/12/2002 16:50

Share price seems to be answering some of my questions above - down to 8p - is this the start of another slide?

[amnesia] 12/12/2002 09:28

Do these guys compete with Northgate at all - it appears to be one of the only listed HR providers in the FTSE. The ex-sales lady I spoke with said they have a habit of recruiting in the Summer each year and then they have a massive round of job cuts in January. I phoned them directly last week to ask some questions about headcount and progress. Introduced myself as a small shareholder. The lady I spoke with told me that the FD was out of the office and I would need to speak directly with him. A Mr. Dent. Is he is newly appointed or on the team for the long haul. The MD was not available either. I then phoned the Sales number and managed to speak with one of the sales team. I found out that they have recently appointed a new Sales Director (a chappie called Pete Mark) following the resignation of the previous Sales Director. Apparently the old Sales Director had been there for several years and his leaving came as a shock. (Sales guys just cannot help talking LOL). Over to you BG1man Thanks for that - chat again soon -

[b1gman] 12/12/2002 00:18

Hi, I didn't know about those resignations - seems quite serious to me, depends who they are though. MD is Frank Beechinor-Collins, started vizual (which became one-click) with a colleague - Peter Sedman?. They seem to have done well to start with. Surrounded themselves with ex-colleagues from previous careers, and seemed to all gell together well. If some of the old-cronies have jumped ship then doesn't bode well for them, so as I say - it depends who has actually left - I'll see if I can find out from somewhere. I suspect they are cutting costs drastically in an attempt to break even / make profit. Cost cutting will have taken it's toll on people at/near the top I imagine.

[amnesia] 09/12/2002 11:22

Thanks for the background - last few questions.Do they have any management strenght. Who is the MD? Is he capable of turning the business.I met one of the ex sales people at a trade show recently (now working for one of their competitors) who suggested that they had lost their main marketing/sales director who resigned during the summer and also the two of the main technical people who run their offshore base for software engineering. She was suggesting that the was little or no strenght in the senior management following their resignations. Any views. Thanks for the info so far.

[b1gman] 04/12/2002 15:40

Hi. I'm in to them in a small way at 50p. They might turn it around, but i'm waiting to see what happens with their 2002 results - which will be out early next year. If I was a real gambling man - I might have a small punt on them just now. Human Resources market is almost the 'last bastion' for packaged software systems, and One-click have clearly brought a change in this market - with simple, cost-effective software. However, major players are forever moving upwards and increasing levels of software sophistication. One-click have struggled here - althought they have tried. Interestingly - non of major players are public - all privately held. However, one was taken over my Microsoft (PWA via Great Plains). Almost a fluke becuase PWA sold out to great plains who in turn were acquired by microsoft. At the one-click end of the market though the s/w is administrative, record keeping. The real movers in this industry are now more intersted in strategic systems. My view is they will either carry on and do okay but nothing special, they might however have saturaded their market niche - so carry on albeit as a small bottom-end player, OR, they migh get acquired by someone like Sage as you suggest. Interestingly, no real M&A's in the HR s/w industry to date.

[amnesia] 04/12/2002 09:36

Do you feel that these guys can recover. is it reasonable to assume that they have managed to reduce the cost base with the md back in the chair. You seem to have an excellent feel for the marketplace. I feel that the HR market is worth a turn but are these the guys to back. Any views bg1man...thanks

[b1gman] 03/12/2002 23:44

Sage is an interstijng idea. Let's wait and see.......... Sage may though take a good look at some of the other, more innovitive players in the HR s/w market place: Computers in Personnel, ASR, Snowdrop & Propath; these are a better option one would think - none appear to be floated though.

[amnesia] 03/12/2002 08:19

LONDON (AFX) - Sage PLC, the accountancy software group and the only
technology firm left in the FTSE 100, continued to defy the market downturn by
posting a rise in full year profit and hiking its dividend.
And in an upbeat assessment of its prospects the company said it views the
coming year "with confidence", and revealed it was seeking out acquisitions.

[amnesia] 03/12/2002 08:08

Very small degrees of interest in this position lately....moved on this last month....not a staggering trade. Really trying to make good last years position when I moved in at 0.43p - need to make back that position firm view that MD is firmly back in the driving seat and sales have turned around in recent months - and following his aggressive cost cutting confidence that bottom line will please when results through in early Feb 2003. Only player in HR market with innovative products and good pricing. Also have signed some really excellent names to client list. Has anyone any news on Sage making a bid for these guys recently - this is sages blind spot - accounting, payroll, crm but no good HR - any views. Is it true that their Chairman (used to run Grand Met) is talking to Jackson and the boys in Newcastle

[amnesia] 03/12/2002 08:06

Very small degrees of interest in this position lately....moved on this last month....not a staggering trade. Really trying to make good last years position when I moved in at 0.43p - need to make back that position firm view that MD is firmly back in the driving seat and sales have turned around in recent months - and following his aggressive cost cutting confidence that bottom line will please when results through in early Feb 2003. Only player in HR market with innovative products and good pricing. Also have signed some really excellent names to client list. Has anyone any news on Sage making a bid for these guys recently - this is sages blind spot - accounting, payroll, crm but no good HR - any views. Very small degrees of interest in this position lately....moved on this last month....not a staggering trade. Really trying to make good last years position when I moved in at 0.43p - need to make back that position firm view that MD is firmly back in the driving seat and sales have turned around in recent months - and following his aggressive cost cutting confidence that bottom line will please when results through in early Feb 2003. Only player in HR market with innovative products and good pricing. Also have signed some really excellent names to client list. Has anyone any news on Sage making a bid for these guys recently - this is sages blind spot - accounting, payroll, crm but no good HR - any views. Is it true that their Chairman (used to run Grand Met) is talking to Jackson and the boys in Newcastle