Interruptions could also result from the intentional acts of others, like “hackers.” If our systems are penetrated by computer hackers, or if computer viruses infect our systems, our computers could fail or proprietary information could be misappropriated.

 

If our clients suffer similar interruptions in their operations, for any of the reasons discussed above or for others, our business could also be adversely affected. Many of our clients’ computer systems interface with our systems. If our clients suffer interruptions in their systems, the link to our systems could be severed and sales of the client’s products could be slowed or stopped.

 

Risks Related to the Business Process Outsourcing Industry

 

If the trend toward outsourcing does not continue, our business could be adversely affected.

 

Our business could be materially adversely affected if the trend toward outsourcing declines or reverses, or if corporations bring previously outsourced functions back in-house. Particularly during general economic downturns, businesses may bring in-house previously outsourced functions to avoid or delay layoffs.

 

Our market is subject to rapid technological change and to compete we must continually enhance our systems to comply with evolving standards.

 

To remain competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality and features of our services and the underlying network infrastructure. If we are unable to adapt to changing market conditions, client requirements or emerging industry standards, our business could be adversely affected. The internet and e-commerce environments are characterized by rapid technological change, changes in user requirements and preferences, frequent new product and service introductions embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render our technology and systems obsolete. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to both internally develop and license leading technologies to enhance our existing services and develop new services. We must continue to address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of our clients and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a cost-effective and timely basis. The development of proprietary technology involves significant technical and business risks. We may fail to develop new technologies effectively or to adapt our proprietary technology and systems to client requirements or emerging industry standards.

 

Risks Related to eCOST, our Online Discount Retailer Segment

 

We may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability.

 

We have incurred continuing operating losses and may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our ability to achieve or maintain profitability depends on a number of factors, including our ability to:

 

 

We may need additional financing and may not be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all, which could increase our costs and limit our ability to grow.

 

We may need to obtain additional financing and there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our failure to obtain additional financing or our inability to obtain financing on acceptable terms will materially adversely affect our ability to achieve profitability and grow our business.