Rating Rationale
November 13, 2019 | Mumbai
Zycus Infotech Private Limited
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.12.7 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its rating on the bank facilities of Zycus Infotech Private Limited (ZIPL) at 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable'.
 
The rating continues to reflect Zycus group's established presence in the information technology (IT) sector backed by the promoters' extensive experience, along with moderate financial risk profile.These rating strengths are partially offset by exposure to volatility in forex rates and susceptibility of revenue and accruals to intense competition in the IT sector.

Analytical Approach

* Consolidated
For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has consolidated the business and financial risk profiles of Zycus, and its 4 wholly owned subsidiaries - Zycus Inc, Zycus Infotech Singapore PTE Ltd, Zycus Infotech Netherlands B.V. and Zycus Infotech FZ LLC respectively. CRISIL considers these entities as being strategic to Zycus in view of their strong integration with Zycus's operations.
 
* Investments in Propellum Infotech Private Limited
Investments of Zycus into its group company Propellum Infotech Private Limited (PIPL) in the form of preference shares outstanding to the tune of Rs. 19.92 crore as on March 31, 2019 have treated as a sunk investment as there have been ongoing losses in PIPL.

Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Established market presence backed by experience of promoters
Supported by extensive experience of the promoters of more than two decades, Zycus group has established its position in the IT industry. The promoters have maintained longstanding relations with customers while successfully navigating through several business cycles over the years.
 
* Moderate financial risk profile
Adjusted has been adequate at Rs 70.74 crore as on March 31, 2019, with moderate total outside liabilities to adjusted net worth ratio of 2.31 time. Also, interest coverage was comfortable at 143 times in fiscal 2019. Financial risk profile should remain above average over the medium term.
 
Weaknesses:
* Exposure to volatility in forex rates:
Zycus group exports most of its most of the services rendered by it. With lack of defined hedging mechanism, the group is vulnerable to fluctuation forex rates. Treatment of some expenditure on application development as revenue expenditure further impacts operating profitability
 
* Susceptibility of revenue and accruals to intense competition in the IT sector:
The presence of large IT service providers along with numerous small and mid-sized players has exerted pressure on the IT industry's margin. Since the scale of the software services provider is an important criterion in selecting the vendor, pressure is higher on small and medium sized companies.
Liquidity Adequate

Zycus group has adequate liquidity driven by expected cash accruals of more than Rs.20 crore per annum in Fiscal 2020 and Fiscal 2021 and cash and cash equivalents of Rs.19.28 crore as on March 31, 2019. The group also has access to bank limits of Rs.18.40 crore, utilized to the tune of 18% on an average over the 12 months ended June 2019. The company does not have any long term repayment obligations and capex is expected to be around Rs. 2 crore per annum. CRISIL believes the company has sufficient accruals and cash and cash equivalents to finance its capex requirements, investment in various subsidiaries and incremental working capital needs over the next one year.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that Zycus would continue to benefit over the medium term from its established relations with its key customers and extensive experience of the promoter in the industry.
 
Rating sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Improvement in debt protection metrics with TOLANW sustaining below 1.50 times
* Improved profitability resulting in higher cash accruals and RoCE levels
 
Downward factors
* Weaker operating profitability below 4% resulting in pressure on business risk profile
* Significant decline in the scale of operations or stretch in working capital management
* Unexpected large dividend payouts, heavy investments in PIPL or large debt funded capital expenditure or acquisition impacting the liquidity available with the group

About the Company

ZIPL, incorporated in September 1997 and promoted by Mr. Aatish Dedhia, develops software solutions for procurement performance, spend analysis, and contract and supplier management. The company is based in Mumbai and has a marketing subsidiaries in US, Zycus Inc and in Dubai, Zycus Infotech FZ LLC.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 281.58 208.49
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 8.56 10.66
PAT margin % 3.0 5.1
Adjusted debt/adjusted net worth Times -- --
Interest coverage Times 142.99 28.67

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size
(Rs cr.)
Rating Assigned
with Outlook
NA Cash Credit/ Overdraft facility NA NA NA 12.70 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Zycus Infotech Private Limited 100 Parent Company
Zycus Inc 100 These entities as being strategic to Zycus in view of their strong integration with Zycus's operations
Zycus Infotech Singapore PTE Ltd 100
Zycus Infotech Netherlands B.V. 100
Zycus Infotech FZ LLC 100
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  12.70  CRISIL BBB-/Stable      06-12-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable      07-04-16  CRISIL BBB-/Positive  CRISIL BBB-/Stable 
            15-01-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Issuer Not Cooperating)*           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
*Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit/ Overdraft facility 12.7 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Cash Credit/ Overdraft facility 12.7 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Total 12.7 -- Total 12.7 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Framework for Assessing Information Adequacy Risk
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Software Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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