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REVENUE RECOGNITION
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
REVENUE RECOGNITION
3. REVENUE RECOGNITION:

Our Company recognizes revenue primarily through the provision of consulting services and the resale of third-party, off the shelf software and maintenance.

We recognize revenue by providing consulting services under written service contracts with our customers. The service contracts we enter into generally fall into three specific categories: time and materials, fixed-price and retainer.

When a customer enters into a time and materials, fixed-price or a periodic retainer-based contract, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with our evaluation of the deliverables in each contract. If the deliverables represent separate units of accounting, the Company then measures and allocates the consideration from the arrangement to the separate units, based on vendor specific objective evidence of the value for each deliverable.

The revenue under time and materials contracts is recognized as services are rendered and performed at contractually agreed upon rates. Revenue pursuant to fixed-price contracts is recognized under the proportional performance method of accounting. Over the course of a fixed-price contract, we routinely evaluate whether revenue and profitability should be recognized in the current period. We estimate the proportional performance on our fixed-price contracts on a monthly basis utilizing hours incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated hours to complete the project. If we do not have a sufficient basis to measure progress toward completion, revenue is recognized upon completion of performance, subject to any warranty provisions or other project management assessments as to the status of work performed. This method is used because reasonably dependable estimates of costs and revenue earned can be made, based on historical experience and milestones identified in any particular contract.

 

Estimates of total project costs are continuously monitored during the term of an engagement. There are situations where the number of hours to complete projects may exceed our original estimate, as a result of an increase in project scope, unforeseen events that arise, or the inability of the client or the delivery team to fulfill their responsibilities. Accordingly, recorded revenues and costs are subject to revision throughout the life of a project based on current information and historical trends. Such revisions may result in increases or decreases to revenue and income and are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the periods in which they are first identified.

If our initial estimates of the resources required or the scope of work to be performed on a fixed-price contract are inaccurate, or we do not manage the project properly within the planned time period, a provision for estimated losses on incomplete projects is made. Any known or probable losses on projects are charged to operations in the period in which such losses are determined. A formal project review process takes place quarterly, although most projects are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Management reviews the estimated total direct costs on each contract to determine if the estimated amounts are accurate, and estimates are adjusted as needed in the period revised estimates are made. No losses were recognized on fixed-price contracts during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

We also perform services on a periodic retainer basis under infrastructure service contracts, which include monthly hosting and support services. Revenue under periodic retainer-based contracts is recognized ratably over the contract period, as outlined within the respective contract. In the event additional services are required, above the minimum retained or contracted amount, then such services are billed on a time and materials basis.

Typically, the Company provides warranty services on its fixed-price contracts related to providing customers with the ability to have any “design flaws” remedied and/or have our Company “fix” routine defects. The warranty services, as outlined in the respective contracts, are provided for a specific period of time after a project is complete. The Company values the warranty services based upon historical labor hours incurred for similar services at standard billing rates. Revenue related to the warranty provisions within our fixed-price contracts is recognized as the services are performed or the revenue is earned. The warranty period is typically for a 30-60 day period after the project is complete.

Customer prepayments, even if nonrefundable, are deferred (classified as a liability) and recognized over future periods as services are performed.

Software revenue represents the resale of certain third-party off-the-shelf software and maintenance and is recorded on a gross basis provided we act as a principal in the transaction, which we have determined based upon the fact that we have credit risk and we set the price to the end user. In the event we do not meet the requirements to be considered a principal in the software sale transaction and act as an agent, software revenue will be recorded on a net basis.

The majority of the software sold by the Company is delivered electronically. For software that is delivered electronically, we consider delivery to have occurred when the customer either (a) takes possession of the software via a download (that is, when the customer takes possession of the electronic data on its hardware), or (b) has been provided with access codes that allow the customer to take immediate possession of the software on its hardware pursuant to an agreement or purchase order for the software.

The Company enters into multiple element arrangements which typically include software, post-contract support (or maintenance), and consulting services. Consistent with the software described above, maintenance that is in the form of a pass through transaction is recognized upon delivery of the software, as all related warranty and maintenance is performed by the primary software vendor and not the Company. Maintenance fee revenue for the Company’s software products, which is inconsequential in all years presented, is recognized ratably over the term of the arrangements, which are generally for a one-year period. The Company has established vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) with respect to the services provided based on the price charged when the services are sold separately. The Company has established VSOE for maintenance based upon the stated renewal rate method.

We consider amounts to be earned once evidence of an arrangement has been obtained, services are delivered, fees are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. We establish billing terms at the time at which the project deliverables and milestones are agreed. Our standard payment terms are 30 days from invoice date. Out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses charged to customers are reflected as revenue.

 

We received royalty revenue in connection with the sale of Microsoft Dynamics AX-related discrete and process manufacturing modules (the “Software Modules”) developed by Fullscope, which were subsequently sold to Microsoft in June 2009. Royalty revenues earned are determined as a percentage of net receipts from the periodic sale of license keys and enhancements related to the Software Modules sold by Microsoft. Royalties were recognized as earned in accordance with the contract terms when royalties from licensees can be reasonably estimated and collectability is reasonably assured. The Software Modules contract expired in June 2011 and no revenue is expected to be recognized subsequent to the expiration of this contract.