Absolute Software Provides First Quarter Fiscal 2016 Financial Update and Extends Expiration of Substantial Issuer Bid

Company to host conference call at 10:00 a.m.ET

VANCOUVER, Oct. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Absolute® Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) the industry standard for persistent endpoint security and data risk management solutions, today provided an update on its fiscal 2016 first quarter (Q1-F2016) operating results and announced the extension of the expiration of its Substantial Issuer Bid. All dollar figures are unaudited and stated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Q1-F2016 update
For Q1-F2016 ended September 30, 2015, Absolute expects final reported results to reflect the following:

• Combined Absolute DDS and Consumer revenue of $21.0 - $21.4 million, representing a year-over-year increase of approximately 4%
• Total revenue (including Absolute Manage and Absolute Service) of $23.7 - $24.1 million, representing a year-over-year increase of approximately 3%
• Absolute DDS Commercial Annual Contract Value (ACV) Base was relatively consistent with the beginning of the quarter
• Net ACV Retention from existing Absolute DDS customers of 99%
• Additions to the Absolute DDS Commercial ACV Base from new Absolute DDS customers increased approximately 14% to approximately $0.65 million compared to $0.55 million in Q1-F2015
• Combined Absolute DDS and Consumer Billings of $19.2 - $19.6 million, representing a year-over-year decrease of approximately 17%
• Total Billings (including Absolute Manage and Absolute Service) of $21.1 - $21.5 million, representing a year-over-year decrease of approximately 18%
• Cash from Operating Activities of $4.5 - $4.9 million compared to $8.7 million in Q1-F2015

Management believes that Q1-F2016 results were affected by sales performance disruptions following the North American sales force reorganization that the Company completed in Q4-F2015.  Additionally, the year-over-year decline in Q1-F2016 billings reflected a lower level of contract expirations in the quarter. Contract expirations in the quarter were reflective of Absolute's lower Q1-F2013 billings, as the Company has a multi-year subscription model with an average three-year term.

"We have made substantial changes to our product strategy and the structure of our sales organization.  These changes were thoughtful, and necessary to achieve our long-term growth objectives. Despite the short-term disruption resulting from these changes, revenue was up, our Commercial ACV Base remained intact, additions to the ACV Base from new customers were up, and we continued to deliver strong free cash flow. We remain confident in our growth strategy," stated Geoff Haydon, Chief Executive Officer, Absolute.

For F2016, the Company continues to expect to grow its Commercial ACV Base, revenue and Billings, as related to Absolute DDS. Cash generated from operating activities, excluding income tax-related items, is expected to decline modestly as compared to F2015.

Extension of Substantial Issuer Bid
Absolute has also extended its Substantial Issuer Bid (the "Offer") that was previously scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 5, 2015.  The Offer will now expire at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on October 20, 2015, unless it is extended further, and remains subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the offer to purchase, issuer bid circular, letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery, each dated as of August 26, 2015.

Notice of Conference Call
Absolute will hold a conference call to discuss the Company's preliminary Q1-F2016 results on Monday, October 5, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. ET. All interested parties can join the call by dialing
647-427-7450, or 1-888-231-8191. Please dial-in 15 minutes prior to the call to secure a line.  The conference call will be archived for replay until Monday, October 12, 2015 at midnight.  To access the archived conference call, please dial 416-849-0833, or 1-855-859-2056 and enter the reservation code 55155680.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at www.absolute.com and http://bit.ly/1OftyVt. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast.  An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 90 days.

This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any common shares of the Company. The solicitation and the offer to purchase Shares by Absolute are being made pursuant to the offer to purchase, issuer bid circular, letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery that Absolute has filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and that Absolute has distributed to its shareholders, copies of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  These documents contain important information about the Offer and shareholders of Absolute are urged to read them carefully.

About Absolute

Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the industry standard in persistent endpoint security and data risk management solutions. Persistence® technology from Absolute provides organizations with visibility and control over all of their devices, regardless of user or location. If an Absolute client is removed from an endpoint, it will automatically reinstall so IT can secure each device and the sensitive data it contains. No other technology can do this. Persistence technology is embedded in the firmware of computers, netbooks, tablets and smartphones by global leaders, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Panasonic, Samsung, and Toshiba, and the Company has reselling partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple. For more information about Absolute, visit www.absolute.com.

©2015 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Absolute and Persistence are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation. For patent information, visit www.absolute.com/patents. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the terms and timing of the Offer and that the Company's focused strategy and organizational restructuring will enable long-term growth, each of which are not historical facts. When used in this press release, the words "plan," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and general market conditions. In light of the many risks and uncertainties you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Absolute Software Corporation

For further information: Public Relations: Becky Obbema, Interprose, [email protected] or 1 408 778 2024 Or Toru Levinson, Absolute, [email protected] or 1 604 730 9851 x208; Investor Relations: Kristen Dickson, NATIONAL Equicom, [email protected] or 1 416 848 1429