Interim Statement Presentation (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 27, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Interim Statement Presentation	Interim Statement Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Cerner Corporation (Cerner, the Company, we, us or our) without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K. In management’s opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Our interim results as presented in this Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year. The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared using GAAP. These principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our third fiscal quarter ends on the Saturday closest to September 30. The 2014 and 2013 third quarters ended on September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively. All references to years in these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements represent the respective three or nine months ended on such dates, unless otherwise noted. Available-for-sale Investments Our short-term investments are primarily invested in time deposits, commercial paper, government and corporate bonds, with maturities of less than one year. Our long-term investments are primarily invested in government and corporate bonds with maturities of less than two years. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. This new guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017, with no early adoption permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. At this time we have not selected a transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Interim Statement Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Cerner Corporation (Cerner, the Company, we, us or our) without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K.

In management’s opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Our interim results as presented in this Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year.

The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared using GAAP. These principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Our third fiscal quarter ends on the Saturday closest to September 30. The 2014 and 2013 third quarters ended on September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively. All references to years in these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements represent the respective three or nine months ended on such dates, unless otherwise noted.

Available-for-sale Investments

Our short-term investments are primarily invested in time deposits, commercial paper, government and corporate bonds, with maturities of less than one year. Our long-term investments are primarily invested in government and corporate bonds with maturities of less than two years.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. This new guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017, with no early adoption permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. At this time we have not selected a transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.