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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;5, 2004  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B> <hr noshade width=100% align=left size=4>
<hr noshade width=100% align=left size=1>  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM&nbsp;S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
The Securities Act of 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SPESCOM SOFTWARE&nbsp;INC.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>California</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>95-3634089</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>10052 Mesa Ridge Court, Suite 100<BR>
San Diego, CA 92121<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the Plan) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>John W. Low<BR>
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary<BR>
Spescom Software&nbsp;Inc.<BR>
10052 Mesa Ridge Court, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and Address of Agent for Service)<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>(858)&nbsp;625-3000<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent
for service) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Copies to:<BR>
Russell C. Hansen, Esq.<BR>
Gibson, Dunn&nbsp;&amp; Crutcher LLP<BR>
1881 Page Mill Road<BR>
Palo Alto, California 94304<BR>
(650)&nbsp;849-5300  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE(1)  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Title of Securities<BR>
to be Registered</FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Amount to be Registered<SUP>(2)</SUP></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="13%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Proposed Maximum Offering<BR>
Price per Share<SUP>(3)</SUP></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Aggregate Offering Price<SUP>(2)</SUP></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee<SUP>(4)</SUP></FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock, no par value per share (to be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>5,425,000&nbsp;shares</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>$0.45</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>$2,441,250.00</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>$309.31</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>This
Registration Statement relates to the registration of securities under the registrant's Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>This
Registration Statement covers, in addition to 5,425,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value, indicated above, options and other rights to purchase or acquire the shares of
Common Stock under the above-referenced plan and, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(c), an additional indeterminate number of shares which by reason of certain events specified in the Plan may become
subject to the Plan.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(4)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Calculated
solely for purposes of this offering under Rule&nbsp;457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common
Stock on the Over The Counter Bulletin Board on April&nbsp;1, 2004, which was $0.45. </FONT></DD></DL>
<BR>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  <BR>    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja1192_item_3._incorporation_of_documents_by_reference"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ja1192_2"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
following documents heretofore filed by Spescom Software&nbsp;Inc. (formerly, Altris Software,&nbsp;Inc.) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are by
this reference incorporated in and made a part of this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year September&nbsp;30, 2003, filed December&nbsp;29, 2003, including all material incorporated by
reference therein;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's definitive proxy, filed December&nbsp;30, 2003;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended December&nbsp;31, 2003, filed February&nbsp;13, 2004;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(d)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the Commission on October&nbsp;1, 2003, October&nbsp;10, 2003 and February&nbsp;2, 2004;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(e)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>All
other reports filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), since the end of the fiscal year covered by
the Annual Report referred to in (a)&nbsp;above;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(f)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
description of the Common Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-A filed with the Commission on December&nbsp;5, 1991. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
documents filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents, provided, however, that the Registrant is not incorporating any information furnished
under either Item 9 or Item 12 of any Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any
document, and any statement contained in a document, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies
or supersedes such document or statement. Any such document or statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement. Subject to the foregoing, all information appearing in this Registration Statement is qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents incorporated by reference. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja1192_item_4._description_of_securities"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ja1192_3"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Description of Securities</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja1192_item_5._interests_of_named_experts_and_counsel"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ja1192_4"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja1192_item_6._indemnification_of_directors_and_officers"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ja1192_5"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;317
("Section&nbsp;317") of California General Corporation Law, as amended, generally provides that a director or officer of a corporation (i)&nbsp;shall be
indemnified by the corporation for all expense of such legal proceedings when he is successful on the merits, (ii)&nbsp;may be indemnified by the </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-1</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>corporation
for the expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement of such proceedings (other than a derivative suit), even if he is not successful on the merits, if he acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful, and (iii)&nbsp;may be indemnified by the corporation for the expense of a derivative suit (a suit by a stockholder alleging a breach by a director or officer of a duty owed to the
corporation), even if he is not successful on the merits, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the corporation. No indemnification shall be
made under clause (iii)&nbsp;above, however, if the director or officer is adjudged liable to the Company, unless the court in which such action or suit was brought determines that, despite such
adjudication, but in view of all the circumstances, he is entitled to indemnification. The indemnification described in clauses (ii)&nbsp;and (iii)&nbsp;above may be made only upon a determination
that indemnification is proper because the applicable standard of conduct has been met. Such a determination may be made by a majority of a quorum of disinterested directors, independent legal
counsel, the shareholders or a court of competent jurisdiction. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;VI
of the Company's Bylaws provides in substance, that to the maximum extent permitted by California law, each director and officer shall be indemnified against expenses,
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact that such officer or director is or was an agent of the Company. The
indemnification provided by the Company's Bylaws is not deemed exclusive of or intended in any way to limit any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification may be entitled. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;204(a)(10)
("Section&nbsp;204(a)(10)") of California General Corporation Law, as amended, generally allows corporations to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a
director for monetary damages in a derivative action for breach of a director's duties to the corporation and its shareholders, except for liability for (i)&nbsp;acts or omissions involving
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (ii)&nbsp;acts or omissions that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders or that
involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii)&nbsp;for any transaction from which a director derived a personal benefit, (iv)&nbsp;for acts or omissions that show a reckless
disregard for the director's duty to the corporation or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware, or should have been aware, of a risk of serious injury to the corporation or
its shareholders, (v)&nbsp;for acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director's duty to the corporation or its shareholders,
(vi)&nbsp;under Section&nbsp;310 of California General Corporation Law, or (vii)&nbsp;under Section&nbsp;316 of California General Corporation Law. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;IV
of the Company's Articles of Incorporation provides that the liability of the directors of the corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest
extent permissible under California law. Section&nbsp;204.5(a) of California General Corporation Law provides that if the articles of a corporation contain such a provision, the corporation shall be
considered to have adopted a provision as authorized by Section&nbsp;204(a)(10). </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant maintains liability insurance insuring the Registrant's officers and directors against liabilities that they may incur in such capacities. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja1192_item_7._exemption_from_registration_claimed"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ja1192_6"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Exemption from Registration Claimed</I></B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-2</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja1192_item_8._exhibits"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ja1192_7"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Exhibits</I></B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit Number<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="85%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Legal Opinion of Gibson, Dunn &amp; Crutcher LLP.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
10.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Gibson, Dunn &amp; Crutcher (contained in Exhibit 5.1).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Certified Public Accountants.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement on Form S-8).</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja1192_item_9._undertakings"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ja1192_8"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Undertakings</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1)&nbsp;to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to
this Registration Statement (i)&nbsp;to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii)&nbsp;to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in this Registration Statement; notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule&nbsp;424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and (iii)&nbsp;to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement; </FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>provided however</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>, that clauses (1)(i)&nbsp;and
(1)(ii)&nbsp;shall not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or
Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act, that are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement; (2)&nbsp;that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and (3)&nbsp;to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold upon the termination of the offering under the Plan. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>bona fide</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2> offering
thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to
the indemnity provisions incorporated by reference in Item 6, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-3</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>director,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-4</FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8, and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San
Diego, State of California, on this 2<SUP>nd</SUP> day of April, 2004. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>SPESCOM SOFTWARE&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="46%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN W. LOW</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John W. Low<BR>
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc1192_power_of_attorney"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_jc1192_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>KNOW
ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That
each such person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, Carl Mostert and John W. Low, the lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents, and either one of them, determine may be necessary or
advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules or regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with this Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the
undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to this Registration Statement, to any and all amendments, including pre-effective and post-effective
amendments, and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in conjunction with this Registration Statement or amendments or supplements
thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that all said attorneys and agents, or either of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be
signed in several counterparts. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Name and Signature<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="44%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>CARL MOSTERT</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Carl Mostert</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April 2, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN W. LOW</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John W. Low</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer and<BR>
Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April 2, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>D. ROSS HAMILTON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> D. Ross Hamilton</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April 2, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>HILTON ISAACMAN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Hilton Isaacman</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April 2, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHANN LEITNER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Johann Leitner</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Vice President, Strategic Marketing; Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April 2, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- insert table folio -->
<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-5</FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<A NAME="page_jc1192_1_6"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>LARRY D. UNRUH</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Larry D.Unruh</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April 2, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JAMES P. MYERS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> James P. Myers</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April 2, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-6</FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1192_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1192_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit Number<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="85%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Legal Opinion of Gibson, Dunn &amp; Crutcher LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
10.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Gibson, Dunn &amp; Crutcher (contained in Exhibit 5.1).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Certified Public Accountants.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement on Form S-8).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="04MOC1192_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1192_1">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
<UL>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1192_2">Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1192_3">Item 4. Description of Securities</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1192_4">Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1192_5">Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1192_6">Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1192_7">Item 8. Exhibits</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1192_8">Item 9. Undertakings</A></FONT><BR>
</UL>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1192_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1192_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1192_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "SPESCOM SOFTWARE INC", "cik": "0000813747", "assigned-sic": "7373", "irs-number": "953634089", "state-of-incorporation": "CA", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-114193", "film-number": "04717342"}, "business-address": {"street1": "9339 CARROLL PARK DR", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92121", "phone": "6196253000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "ALPHAREL INC /CA/", "street2": "9339 CARROLL PARK DR", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92121"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "ALTRIS SOFTWARE INC", "date-changed": "19961113"}, {"former-conformed-name": "ALPHAREL INC /CA/", "date-changed": "19920703"}]}
QuickLinks
-- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2004
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
SPESCOM SOFTWARE INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
95-3634089
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
10052 Mesa Ridge Court, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92121
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan
(Full title of the Plan)
John W. Low
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Spescom Software Inc.
10052 Mesa Ridge Court, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(858) 625-3000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent
for service)
Copies to:
Russell C. Hansen, Esq.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
1881 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
(650) 849-5300
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE(1)
Title of Securities
to be Registered
Amount to be Registered
(2)
Proposed Maximum Offering
Price per Share
(3)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price
(2)
Amount of
Registration Fee
(4)
Common Stock, no par value per share (to be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan)
5,425,000 shares
$0.45
$2,441,250.00
$309.31
(1)
This
Registration Statement relates to the registration of securities under the registrant's Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.
(2)
This
Registration Statement covers, in addition to 5,425,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value, indicated above, options and other rights to purchase or acquire the shares of
Common Stock under the above-referenced plan and, pursuant to Rule 416(c), an additional indeterminate number of shares which by reason of certain events specified in the Plan may become
subject to the Plan.
(3)
Estimated
solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.
(4)
Calculated
solely for purposes of this offering under Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common
Stock on the Over The Counter Bulletin Board on April 1, 2004, which was $0.45.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The
following documents heretofore filed by Spescom Software Inc. (formerly, Altris Software, Inc.) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are by
this reference incorporated in and made a part of this Registration Statement:
(a)
The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year September 30, 2003, filed December 29, 2003, including all material incorporated by
reference therein;
(b)
The
Registrant's definitive proxy, filed December 30, 2003;
(c)
The
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, filed February 13, 2004;
(d)
The
Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 1, 2003, October 10, 2003 and February 2, 2004;
(e)
All
other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), since the end of the fiscal year covered by
the Annual Report referred to in (a) above;
(f)
The
description of the Common Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on December 5, 1991.
All
documents filed pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents, provided, however, that the Registrant is not incorporating any information furnished
under either Item 9 or Item 12 of any Current Report on Form 8-K.
Any
document, and any statement contained in a document, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies
or supersedes such document or statement. Any such document or statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement. Subject to the foregoing, all information appearing in this Registration Statement is qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents incorporated by reference.
Item 4.
Description of Securities
Not
Applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Not
Applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 317
("Section 317") of California General Corporation Law, as amended, generally provides that a director or officer of a corporation (i) shall be
indemnified by the corporation for all expense of such legal proceedings when he is successful on the merits, (ii) may be indemnified by the
II-1
corporation
for the expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement of such proceedings (other than a derivative suit), even if he is not successful on the merits, if he acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful, and (iii) may be indemnified by the corporation for the expense of a derivative suit (a suit by a stockholder alleging a breach by a director or officer of a duty owed to the
corporation), even if he is not successful on the merits, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the corporation. No indemnification shall be
made under clause (iii) above, however, if the director or officer is adjudged liable to the Company, unless the court in which such action or suit was brought determines that, despite such
adjudication, but in view of all the circumstances, he is entitled to indemnification. The indemnification described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above may be made only upon a determination
that indemnification is proper because the applicable standard of conduct has been met. Such a determination may be made by a majority of a quorum of disinterested directors, independent legal
counsel, the shareholders or a court of competent jurisdiction.
Article VI
of the Company's Bylaws provides in substance, that to the maximum extent permitted by California law, each director and officer shall be indemnified against expenses,
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact that such officer or director is or was an agent of the Company. The
indemnification provided by the Company's Bylaws is not deemed exclusive of or intended in any way to limit any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification may be entitled.
Section 204(a)(10)
("Section 204(a)(10)") of California General Corporation Law, as amended, generally allows corporations to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a
director for monetary damages in a derivative action for breach of a director's duties to the corporation and its shareholders, except for liability for (i) acts or omissions involving
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (ii) acts or omissions that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders or that
involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii) for any transaction from which a director derived a personal benefit, (iv) for acts or omissions that show a reckless
disregard for the director's duty to the corporation or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware, or should have been aware, of a risk of serious injury to the corporation or
its shareholders, (v) for acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director's duty to the corporation or its shareholders,
(vi) under Section 310 of California General Corporation Law, or (vii) under Section 316 of California General Corporation Law.
Article IV
of the Company's Articles of Incorporation provides that the liability of the directors of the corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest
extent permissible under California law. Section 204.5(a) of California General Corporation Law provides that if the articles of a corporation contain such a provision, the corporation shall be
considered to have adopted a provision as authorized by Section 204(a)(10).
The
Registrant maintains liability insurance insuring the Registrant's officers and directors against liabilities that they may incur in such capacities.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not
Applicable.
II-2
Item 8.
Exhibits
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
5.1
Legal Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
10.1
Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.
23.1
Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Certified Public Accountants.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement on Form S-8).
Item 9.
Undertakings
A.    The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to
this Registration Statement (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in this Registration Statement; notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
provided however
, that clauses (1)(i) and
(1)(ii) shall not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, that are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement; (2) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and (3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold upon the termination of the offering under the Plan.
B.    The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering
thereof.
C.    Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to
the indemnity provisions incorporated by reference in Item 6, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
II-3
director,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San
Diego, State of California, on this 2
nd
day of April, 2004.
SPESCOM SOFTWARE INC.
By:
/s/
JOHN W. LOW
John W. Low
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW
ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:
That
each such person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, Carl Mostert and John W. Low, the lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents, and either one of them, determine may be necessary or
advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules or regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with this Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the
undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to this Registration Statement, to any and all amendments, including pre-effective and post-effective
amendments, and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in conjunction with this Registration Statement or amendments or supplements
thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that all said attorneys and agents, or either of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be
signed in several counterparts.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.
Name and Signature
Title
Date
/s/
CARL MOSTERT
Carl Mostert
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
April 2, 2004
/s/
JOHN W. LOW
John W. Low
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
April 2, 2004
/s/
D. ROSS HAMILTON
D. Ross Hamilton
Director
April 2, 2004
/s/
HILTON ISAACMAN
Hilton Isaacman
Director
April 2, 2004
/s/
JOHANN LEITNER
Johann Leitner
Vice President, Strategic Marketing; Director
April 2, 2004
II-5
/s/
LARRY D. UNRUH
Larry D.Unruh
Director
April 2, 2004
/s/
JAMES P. MYERS
James P. Myers
Director
April 2, 2004
II-6
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
5.1
Legal Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
10.1
Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.
23.1
Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Certified Public Accountants.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement on Form S-8).
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PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX