What happened
Vuzix (VUZI -2.38%) had quite the memorable day on the stock exchange at the start of the trading week. On Monday, shares of the maker of smart glasses and augmented-reality (AR) products surged more than 11% higher. That was on news of a new deal with an important reseller.
So what
Before market open, Vuzix said that its smart glasses have started to be deployed by value-added reseller Ox to an entity described as "one of the world's largest logistics platform providers." The company did not identify this entity.
Vuzix did not provide any financial details of the arrangement. But it did quote its management waxing very enthusiastic about the deal. CEO Paul Travers said, "Ox is pursuing multiple customer opportunities using our smart glasses at this point, and we look forward to their continued success with this customer and other blue chip firms."
Now what
Regardless of the size, scope, or dollar amount of the deal, it's definitely a win for Vuzix. As a company dependent upon success with its next-generation products, it's vital to get those goods out into the market where they can be used in the real world, and where their reputation can spread.
Yet a word of caution is warranted here: Like many young(ish) tech companies, Vuzix has a lengthening history of posting bottom-line losses. For example, in its most recently reported quarter, it posted a more than $9 million net loss on revenue of barely over $3.4 million. Sooner rather than later, investors will expect those negative bottom-line numbers to flip positive, and the company will have to deliver.
