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Other Assets
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Other Assets

5.       Other Assets

 

Other assets consist of the following:

 

December 31,  2017   2016 
         
Patents, at cost  $6,814   $6,525 
Accumulated amortization   (4,202)   (3,915)
Deposits on capital items   7,958    21,436 
Other   3,169    3,495 
   $13,739   $27,541 

 

The capitalized cost of patents is amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives. The cost of patent amortization was $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0.3 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The estimated annual patent amortization cost for each of the next five years is $0.3 million. Costs incurred to maintain existing patents are charged to expense in the year incurred.

 

Software development costs were incurred to develop and implement an integrated ERP system prior to the time the system became operational. These costs were capitalized and amortized using the straight line method over a period of sixty months. They became completely amortized in 2016. Costs incurred subsequent to the system becoming operational are being expensed. The cost of software development cost amortization was $0.3 million and $0.4 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively.