SOCKET MOBILE INC

General

We are a leading provider of data capture and delivery solutions, enhancing productivity for a mobile workforce through innovative technology and tailored applications. Historically, we began as a hardware peripheral company but have transitioned into a comprehensive data capture organization. Our evolution has enabled us to generate revenue through software solutions, as well as hardware solutions like barcode scanners and NFC/RFID readers. Initially building our foundation on hardware, we later expanded into software, creating a robust, integrated offering that covers all aspects of data capture for our customers. Our solutions are incorporated into mobile applications used in point of sale (POS), commercial services (field workers), asset tracking, manufacturing and quality control processes, transportation and logistics (goods tracking and movement), event management (ticketing, entry, access control, and identification), medical and education.

We were founded in March 1992 as Socket Communications, Inc. and reincorporated in Delaware in 1995 prior to our initial public offering in June 1995. We have financed our operations since inception primarily from selling equity capital or convertible debt, receivables-based revolving lines of credit and term loans with our bank. We began doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. in January 2007 to better reflect our market focus on the mobile business market and changed our legal name to Socket Mobile, Inc. in April 2008. Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “SCKT”. Our principal executive offices are located at 40675 Encyclopedia Circle, Fremont, CA 94538, and our phone number is (510) 933-3000.

Our Internet home page is https://www.socketmobile.com; however, the information on or that can be accessed through it is not part of this Annual Report. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to such reports are available free of charge on or through our internet home page as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Products

Our primary products are cordless data capture devices incorporating barcode scanning or RFID/Near Field Communications (NFC) technologies that connect over Bluetooth. All products work with applications running on smartphones, mobile computers and tablets using operating systems from Apple® (iOS), Google™ (Android™) and Microsoft® (Windows®). We offer an easy-to-use software developer kit (CaptureSDK) to application providers, which enables them to provide their consumers with our advanced barcode scanning features. Our products are integrated by the application providers and are marketed by the application providers or their resellers. The number of application providers supporting our data capture solutions continues to grow.

XtremeScan family. In August 2023, the Company made entry into the industrial barcode scanning market with the XtremeScan family. XtremeScan combines the versatility and user-friendliness of iPhones with the ruggedness and top-of-the-line protection required for extreme, industrial work environments. XtremeScan Case XC100 offers ultimate iPhone protection with its rugged outer shell and fully enclosed, rubberized shielding for maximum durability. It's the toughest iPhone case on the market, offering military-grade protection against drops, dirt, water, and even more unpredictable elements found in harsh industrial environments. XtremeScan XS930 & XS940 are built upon the XtremeScan Case and provide the same rugged iPhone protection, adding a high-performance Socket Mobile data reader. With both 1D (XS930) and powerful 1D/2D (XS940) options, these data readers can scan through various types of packaging materials under different lighting conditions. They provide the perfect solution for users who wish to utilize iPhones for data capture within rough, industrial settings. XtremeScan Grip XG930 & XG940 provides 1D or 1D/2D barcode scanning capabilities and builds even further on the XS by providing an added pistol grip handle. The ergonomic grip enables an easy point-and-shoot approach and comfort during extended scanning sessions.

SocketCam family. Our camera-based barcode scanning software includes SocketCam C820 and C860 for both iOS and Android. The C820 is a free, easily integrated camera scanning solution. The C860 offers a significant upgrade for users with advanced scanning needs. It stands out due to its swift and accurate reading of damaged barcodes, coupled with exceptional performance in poor lighting conditions, setting it apart from others in the industry. The C820 and C860 enable App providers to service a wide range of customers with various data capture requirements, from price-sensitive to performance-sensitive. End-users whose data capture requirements exceed the capabilities of the free camera-based scanners will have the choice of upgrading to an advanced camera-based scanner, C860, or purchase a Socket hardware scanner.

DuraScan® Family. Our DuraScan® family consists of 700 Series (D700, D720, D730, D740, D745, D755, D760) companion scanners, 800 Series (D800, D820, D840, D860) attachable scanners and Wearable (DW930, DW940), which are designed to be durable barcode scanners with IP54-rated outer casing to withstand tougher environments. The D720 is priced competitively with a 1D barcode scanner, making it the affordable 2D option available in the market. The D820 provides a basic and affordable option for those who wish to upgrade to 2D scanning. The D745 and D755 are medical-grade, universal scanners. The D760 and D860 include MRZ (machine-readable zone) support, making it capable of scanning passports, visas, and other travel documents. Additionally, the 800 Series scanners may be used as stand-alone devices as well.

DuraScan Wear DW930 & DW940 are the first wearable additions to the DuraScan Product Family, introducing a new era of innovative scanning technologies for the Company. The DW930 offers 1D laser scanning technology, while the DW940 provides powerful 1D/2D barcode scanning functionality. Their glove-like, wearable design allows workers to use both hands freely, enhancing speed and flexibility. This makes them perfect for scanning in industries such as warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution.

SocketScan family. Our SocketScan family consists of the 700 Series (S700, S720, S730, S740) companion scanners and 800 Series (S800, S820, S840, S860) attachable scanners. The 700 Series are available in multiple vivid colors: blue, green, red, white, yellow and black. The S720 reads both 1D and 2D barcodes on paper and screen, serving as a drop-in replacement for our previously popular S700 model while also adding QR code functionality. The 800 Series comprises 1D linear imaging (S800) and 2D (S820, S840, S860), which can be easily clipped onto smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices using an easily detachable clip or DuraCase, creating a one-handed solution. The S860 includes MRZ (machine-readable zone) support, allowing it scan passports, visas, and other travel documents in addition to barcodes. Additionally, the 800 Series scanners may be used as stand-alone devices as well.

DuraSled Family. Our DuraSled (DS800, DS820, DS840, DS860) is a barcode scanning sled designed for durability. It combines a phone with a scanner to create a one-handed solution. DuraSled protects phones from impact damage and provides a robust charging solution for all environments. It iseasy-to-use and ideal for delivery services, stock counting, ticketing and other App-driven mobile solutions. The DuraSled products are compatible with Apple and Samsung devices. The DS820 provides a basic and affordable option for those who wish to upgrade to 2D scanning.

*NFC & RFID Contactless Reader/Writer.*The product line consists of the D600, S550 and S370. The D600 is an ergonomically handheld model with an IP54-rated outer casing that can read and write various types of electronic SmartTags or transfer data with near-field communication. The S550 is a contactless membership card reader/writer designed for tap-and-go smart card and Near Field Communication (“NFC”) applications. The S370 supports both barcode scanning and NFC reading and writing technologies. It provides App providers the ability to read both QR code-based and NFC-based credentials, enabling them to accept multiple formats with just one device. Additionally, the S370 can read credentials following ISO 18013-5, the Mobile Driver’s License (mDL) standard being adopted in some states and countries.

Software Developer Kit (CaptureSDK). Our Software Developer Kit (CaptureSDK) supports all our data capture devices with a single integration, making it easier for App providers to integrate our data capture capabilities into their applications. With the installation of our data capture software, the App providers’ customers can choose any of our products that work best for them. Our CaptureSDK enables the App providers to modify captured data, control the placement of the barcoded or RFID data in their applications, and control the feedback to the user that the transaction and transmission were successfully completed. Our CaptureSDK also supports the built-in camera in a customer’s smartphone or tablet to be used for occasional or lower-volume data collection requirements. The CaptureSDK uses tools integrated with software building environments such as Swift Package Manager, Maven and NuGet, adds support for high-level frameworks such as MAUI, ReactNative, Java, JavaScript, and Flutterand adds other features to make it easier for App providers to integrate our data capture software into their applications.

We design our own products and are responsible for all associated test equipment. We subcontract the manufacturing of all our product components to independent third-party contract manufacturers located in the United States, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and China that have the equipment, know-how and capacity to manufacture products to our specifications. We perform final product assembly, testing and packaging at, and distribute our products from, our Fremont, California facility. We offer our products worldwide through two-tier distribution enabling customers to purchase from large numbers of online resellers around the world including application providers who resell their own solutions along with our data capture products. Our products are also available on our online stores.

We believe growth in mobile applications and the mobile workforce resulting from technical advances in mobile technologies, cost reductions in mobile devices and the growing adoption by businesses of mobile applications for smartphones and tablets, builds a growing demand for our products. Our data capture products address the need for speed and accuracy by today’s mobile workers and by the systems supporting those workers, thereby enhancing their productivity and allowing them to exploit time-sensitive opportunities and improve customer satisfaction.

Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Ourmission is to supply innovative and cost-effective data capture tools for businesses that use mobile platforms to conduct business in mobile environments.

Ourvision is to manage the complexity of capturing and delivering data across a spectrum of data sources, network technologies, and mobile systems so that our customers can concentrate on applications of the data. Our customers are application providers and their consumers in need of data capture solutions.

We have embraced the followingcore values:

Accountability: We take ownership and responsibility for our actions and performance. We learn from our mistakes and celebrate our successes.

Customer Focus: We live by and for our customer’s success. We want to earn their top-of-mind choice, enhance their final customer experience, and create value through our relationship.

Excellence: We take pride in what we make and do and value the creativity, talent, ambition, and drive of each employee to be his or her best and to achieve superior results.

Integrity: We are honest and ethical in all our dealings with each other, customers, business partners, suppliers, competitors, and other stakeholders. We say what we mean and mean what we say.

Mutual Respect: We value people's differences and diverse opinions, and we treat each other fairly.

Marketing Dynamics

Application provider relationships. We actively support application providers to integrate our data capture solutions into their applications. We provide an easy-to-use software developer kit (CaptureSDK) and training and technical support to our application providers. We support the marketing activities of our application providers in promoting the applications that include our products. Once our data capture products are integrated by the application provider, our products become an ingredient of the application solution and part of the application provider’s marketing program. We provide regular CaptureSDK updates including updates that support the latest operating system updates provided by Apple, Google, and Microsoft. We spend extensive engineering time and resources to ensure that our products are compatible with a wide variety of the most popular smartphones, tablets, and mobile computers running a variety of operating systems. We comply with the standards set by the standard-setting bodies whose technologies are used in our products such as Bluetooth SIG, NFC Forum, GS1, AIM Global, CIPURSE, and FeliCa.

Mobile Markets. Our revenues are primarily driven by sales of barcode scanners integrated into mPOS (mobile Point of Sale) applications used with Apple tablets and other mobile devices. Many mPOS application providers develop software for smaller retailers using tablets as cash registers. Other mobile markets addressed by application providers include commercial services (field workers), asset tracking, manufacturing process and quality control, transportation and logistics (goods tracking and movement), event management (ticketing, entry, access control, and identification), medical and education. We expect these markets to increase the use of mobile applications and the demand for barcode scanners.

Expanded and improved product offerings. We offer a wide range of products that enable application providers and their consumers to design their mobile systems to meet their specific requirements, and we encourage our distributors to support the full range of our products. The goal is for customers to view Socket Mobile as a primary source for their mobile data capture needs. Our products include stand-alone barcode scanners in both durable and standard cases, attachable barcode scanners, RFID/NFC reader/writer and camera-based scanning software. We provide a software developer kit to application providers to enable our advanced data capture software to be easily integrated into applications. See “Item 1 Business. The Company and its Products” for a more detailed description of our products.

We design our products to comply with the regulations of the many worldwide agencies that regulate the safety, performance, and use of electronic products.

*Competitive pricing.*We have designed our products to be priced competitively although we are subject to changes in component pricing by our suppliers. We update our products from time to time and work with our vendors to achieve reductions in component pricing.

Worldwide product availability. We distribute our products through a worldwide distribution network that places products into geographic regions to shorten purchasing time and provides a credit shield to us. Our largest distributors are Ingram Micro®, ScanSource® and Blue Star, and they support a worldwide network of online resellers including Shopify®, Amazon.com, and CDW®. We also offer products in our own online stores.

Strong Brand Name. We believe that our products make a difference in the daily work life of mobile workers and the people they serve. We are building a brand image focused on business mobility. This image closely associates us with business mobility solutions and to reflect this image, we began doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. in January 2007 and changed our legal name to Socket Mobile, Inc. in April 2008. We stress to customers the design of our products for the markets they serve, emphasizing quality and standards-based connectivity. Mobility requires products that are compact and designed to be handled while mobile, with low power consumption to extend the time between charges and are easy to use. We strive to offer high-performance products at a wide range of competitive prices. Through our developer support program, we work closely with application providers who are developing productivity-enhancing applications for the mobile workforce. Our overall company brand identity and positioning goal is to be a leading provider of easy-to-deploy business mobility data capture systems to the business mobility market.

Competition and Competitive Risks

The overall market for mobile handheld data capture solutions is both complex and competitive. Our products compete with similar products in all our markets in the United States, Europe and Asia, and we differentiate our products with our software developer kit and our underlying data capture software designed to work with smartphones, tablets, and other mobile computers running the Apple, Android and Windows operating systems. Our longtime focus on creating innovative mobile solutions for the mobile workforce has resulted in good brand name recognition and reputation. We believe that our brand name identifies our products as durable, dependable, ergonomic, and easy to use, all features designed for a mobile worker while mobile, and the breadth of our product offerings, including the extensively advanced features of our software and software developer kit, will continue to differentiate us relative to our competitors.

Cordless Barcode Scanning. We offer a full range of cordless barcode scanners designed to connect to smartphones, tablets, and other computing devices via Bluetooth. Our Software Developer Kit (CaptureSDK) empowers application providers to integrate the capabilities of our Data Capture software into their applications, setting our products apart. Our cordless barcode scanners face competition from similar products by Koamtec, Code Corporation and Opticon (Japan). Users may choose a barcode scanner that connects directly to an Apple tablet, iPhone or a computer, as offered by Infinite Peripherals and Honeywell. Alternatively, users may choose more rugged barcode scanners, with some integrated into computing devices from manufacturers such as Datalogic, Honeywell®, and Zebra Technologies. Many of these devices lack Apple certification and connect to Apple devices via Bluetooth in keyboard emulation mode. They may not offer extensive tools for application providers, such as our software developer kit (CaptureSDK), to integrate the features of our sophisticated data collection scanning software and hardware. This could potentially limit their ability to meet the consumer’s requirements fully.

NFC & RFID Contactless Reader/Writer. We offer products that are certified by Apple Pay® Value Added Service (VAS), Google Wallet Smart Tap, NFC Forum, FeliCa®, and Bluetooth SIG. Additionally, we provide a combo NFC & QR code mobile wallet reader, which combines NFC contactless technology with Bluetooth barcode scanning data capture. These devices are compatible with Android, Apple iOS and Windows. They support all NFC Forum tag types and devices compliant with the ISO 18092 standard, as well as ISO 14443 Type A and B smart cards, ISO 15693 tags, MIFARE®, FeliCa®, NXP, and STMicro tags. They can also read Digital ID / mDL (Mobile Driver’s License). We face challenges with the limitations on NFC usage in iPhones, although Apple has opened up some NFC capabilities to developers. We areexploring new markets while working with current App developers to adopt our NFC reader/writer, giving us an advantage against competitors.

*Camera Barcode Scanning.*We offer two camera-based barcode scanning products: the C820, a free and easily integrated camera scanning solution, and the C860, an upgraded and advanced scanning solution. The C860's standout feature is its ability to read damaged barcodes swiftly and accurately, even in poor lighting conditions, setting it apart from others in the industry. Our camera-scanning solutions face competition from applications provided by Scandit or Manatee Works. However, our business model ensures affordability and flexibility, making our camera-scanning solutions accessible to a wide range of businesses. Our App partners receive camera scanning solutions at no charge, which encourages them to adopt our solutions. Users of their apps pay for the solutions only if the C860 is selected. For end users, most of their needs can be met with our free camera scanning solution, except for a small percentage of needs requiring the advanced solution, C860. This makes our camera scanning solution ideal for end users as well.

Proprietary Technology and Intellectual Property

We have been granted U.S. patents and design patents and have other patent applications under review. We have registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the mark “Socket”, our logo, DuraScan, SocketScan, SocketCam, and XtremeScan.

We have developed technological building blocks that enhance our ability to design new hardware and software products, offer products that run on multiple software and hardware platforms, and manufacture and package products efficiently.

We own and control the design of our products, enabling us to modify its features or software to meet specific customer requirements.

We have developed software programs that provide unique functions and features for our data collection products. For example, our data collection software enables our barcode scanning products to scan a variety of barcodes and to route the data to many different types of data files on operating systems used in Apple, Android, and Windows mobile devices. We use Bluetooth technology to provide a completely functional Bluetooth solution enabling connections and data transfers between Bluetooth-enabled devices. Our companion applications assist Apple iOS, Android and Windows users with the proper setup and use of our data capture products.

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, and confidentiality procedures to protect our proprietary rights. As part of our confidentiality procedures, we generally enter into non-disclosure agreements with our employees, distributors and strategic partners, and limit access to our software, documentation and other proprietary information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third-party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our products or technology without authorization, or to develop similar technology independently. In addition, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights in certain foreign countries. From time to time, we receive communications from third parties asserting that our products infringe, or may infringe, their proprietary rights. Litigation could be brought against us that could result in significant additional expense or compel us to discontinue or redesign some of our products.

Personnel

Our future success will depend in significant part upon the continued service of certain of our key technical and senior management personnel, and our continuing ability to attract, assimilate and retain highly qualified technical, managerial, and sales and marketing personnel. Our total employee headcount was 61 and 56 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our employees are not represented by a union, and we consider our employee relationships to be good. As of December 31, 2023, we had 19 persons in sales, marketing, and customer service, 16 persons in development engineering, 8 persons in finance and administration, and 18 persons in operations.