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Concentration of credit risk and sales to major customers
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Concentration of credit risk and sales to major customers
Note 2 - Concentration of credit risk and sales to major customers
 
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with high-credit quality financial institutions. At October 31, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalent balances in excess of Federally insured limits in the amount of approximately $213,000.
 
Accounts receivable are financial instruments that also expose the Company to concentration of credit risk. Such exposure is limited by the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer base and their dispersion across different geographic areas. In addition, the Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts that management believes will adequately provide for credit losses.
 
Sales to one customer represented 17% and 20% of total sales, and 14% and 22% of total accounts receivable in 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company has a standard written distributor agreement with this customer and, therefore, this customer does not have any minimum purchase obligations and could stop buying the Company’s products at any time. A reduction, delay or cancellation of orders from this customer or the loss of this customer could significantly reduce the Company’s revenues and profits.