Note 1: Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company

We are a global enterprise software company that enables organizations to achieve higher levels of business performance by improving operational responsiveness. We offer a portfolio of best-in-class, real-time software solutions providing enterprises with significantly improved operational responsiveness within events and activities that they participate. Our products are generally sold as perpetual licenses, but certain products and business activities also use term or subscription licensing models. We also provide product maintenance, consulting, training, and customer support services.

Accounting Principles

We prepare our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries (all of which are wholly-owned). We eliminate all intercompany balances and transactions.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of most of our foreign subsidiaries is the local currency in which the subsidiary operates. For foreign operations where the local currency is considered to be the functional currency, we translate assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. We translate income and expense items at average rates of exchange prevailing during each period. We accumulate translation adjustments in other comprehensive loss, a component of shareholders' equity.

For foreign operations where the U.S. dollar is considered to be the functional currency, we translate monetary assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. We re-measure non-monetary assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at historical exchange rates. We translate income and expense items at average rates of exchange prevailing during each period. We recognize translation adjustments currently as a component of foreign currency gain or loss in the statement of income.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize software license revenue upon shipment of the product or, if delivered electronically, when the customer has the right to access the software, provided that the license fee is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and collection is probable. We do not license our software with a right of return and generally do not license our software with conditions of acceptance. If an arrangement does contain conditions of acceptance, we defer recognition of the revenue until the acceptance criteria are met or the period of acceptance has passed. If software licenses are sold on a subscription basis, we recognize the license fee ratably over the subscription period. We generally recognize revenue for products distributed through application partners and distributors when sold through to the end-user.

We generally sell our software licenses with maintenance services and, in some cases, also with consulting services. For the undelivered elements, we determine vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value to be the price charged when the undelivered element is sold separately. We determine VSOE for maintenance sold in connection with a software license based on the amount that will be separately charged for the maintenance renewal period. We determine VSOE for consulting services by reference to the amount charged for similar engagements when a software license sale is not involved.

We generally recognize revenue from software licenses sold together with maintenance and/or consulting services upon shipment using the residual method, provided that the above criteria have been met. If VSOE of fair value for the undelivered elements cannot be established, we defer all revenue from the arrangement until the earlier of the point at which such sufficient VSOE does exist or all elements of the arrangement have been delivered, or if the only undelivered element is maintenance, then we recognize the entire fee ratably over the maintenance period. If payment of the software license fees is dependent upon the performance of consulting services or the consulting services are essential to the functionality of the licensed software, then we recognize both the software license and consulting fees using the percentage of completion method or completed contract method.

We recognize maintenance revenue ratably over the term of the applicable agreement. We generally recognize revenue from services, primarily consulting and customer education, as the related services are performed.

Warranty Costs

We make periodic provisions for expected warranty costs. Historically, warranty costs have been insignificant.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. We establish this allowance using estimates that we make based on factors such as the composition of the accounts receivable aging, historical bad debts, changes in payment patterns, changes to customer creditworthiness and current economic trends.

A summary of activity in the allowances against accounts receivable is as follows:


(In thousands)
Year Ended November 30,	2011			2010			2009

Beginning balance	$	4,980		$	7,650		$	7,944
Charge (benefit) to costs and expenses		1,963			(1,400	)		—
Write-offs and other		(117	)		(981	)		(1,029	)
Translation adjustments		(143	)		(289	)		735

Ending balance	$	6,683		$	4,980		$	7,650

Cash Equivalents and Investments

Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with remaining maturities of three months or less. We classify investments, which consist of auction rate securities (ARS), state and municipal obligations, U.S. government securities, certificates of deposit and corporate bonds and notes, as investments available-for-sale, which are stated at fair value. We include aggregate unrealized holding gains and losses, net of taxes, on available-for-sale securities as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders' equity. We classify investments in mutual funds where the underlying securities are predominantly Brazilian government bonds as trading securities, which are stated at fair value. We include realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities in other (expense) income on the consolidated statements of income.

During fiscal 2011, we determined certain highly-liquid bond obligations and Brazilian mutual funds, which had previously been classified as cash equivalents, did not meet the definition of a cash equivalent. At November 30, 2011 we have classified these securities as short-term investments. At November 30, 2010 and 2009, $9.0 million and $11.3 million, respectively, were classified as cash equivalents but should have been classified as short-term investments. These amounts were also reflected in our cash and equivalents balance in our consolidated statements of cash flows for those periods but should have been reflected in our cash flows from investing activities. We evaluated these errors and do not believe the amounts are material to our consolidated financial statements for any prior period. We have not restated our previously issued consolidated financial statements, or revised any prior period amounts within these financial statements.

We monitor our investment portfolio for impairment on a periodic basis. In the event that the carrying value of an investment exceeds its fair value and the decline in value is determined to be other than temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis for the investment is established.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

In fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, we paid $9.5 million, $15.9 million and $16.5 million in income taxes, respectively, net of refunds received. We received refunds totaling $9.2 million in fiscal 2011. Refunds in fiscal 2010 and 2009 were insignificant.

In fiscal 2011, cash paid for interest was insignificant. In fiscal years 2010 and 2009, cash paid for interest on long-term debt totaled $0.1 million.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and equivalents, investments, derivative instruments and trade receivables. We have cash investment policies which, among other things, limit investments to investment-grade securities. We hold our cash and equivalents, investments and derivative instrument contracts with high quality financial institutions and we monitor the credit ratings of those institutions. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers, and the risk with respect to trade receivables is further mitigated by the diversity, both by geography and by industry, of the customer base. No single customer represented more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivables or revenue in fiscal 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of our cash and equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. We base the fair value of short-term investments on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. The fair value of noncurrent investments is based on a valuation methodology utilizing discounted cash flow models (Note 3) due to the absence of quoted market prices. The carrying value of long-term debt (Note 12) approximates its fair value. We measure and record derivative financial instruments at fair value (Note 5). We elect fair value measurement for certain financial assets on a case-by-case basis.

Derivative Instruments

We record all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. We use derivative instruments to manage exposures to fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies, which exist as part of our on-going business operations. Certain assets and forecasted transactions are exposed to foreign currency risk. Our objective for holding derivatives is to eliminate or reduce the impact of these exposures. We periodically monitor our foreign currency exposures to enhance the overall economical effectiveness of our foreign currency hedge positions. Principal currencies hedged include the euro, British pound, Brazilian real, Japanese yen and Australian dollar. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes, nor do we hold or issue any derivative instruments for trading purposes.

We enter into certain derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting and are not designated as hedges. Although these derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, we believe that such instruments are closely correlated with the underlying exposure, thus managing the associated risk. The gains or losses from changes in the fair value of such derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedges are recognized in earnings.

Property and Equipment

We record property and equipment at cost. We record property and equipment purchased in business combinations at fair values which are then treated as the cost. We provide for depreciation and amortization on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets or the remaining initial or current terms of leases, whichever is shorter. Useful lives by major asset class are as follows: computer equipment and software, three to seven years; buildings and improvements, five to thirty-nine years; and furniture and fixtures, five to seven years.

Product Development Costs

We expense product development costs as incurred. We did not capitalize any software development costs in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $2.9 million, $2.5 million and $3.1 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant service period. We estimate the fair value of each stock-based award on the measurement date using either the current market price of the stock or the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of options, a risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. We recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the award, which is generally four or five years for options, and three years for restricted stock units and restricted stock awards.

Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill is the amount by which the cost of acquired net assets in a business combination exceeded the fair value of net identifiable assets on the date of purchase. We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, if any, for impairment annually on December 15 or on an interim basis when events and circumstances arise that indicate impairment may have occurred. To conduct these impairment tests of goodwill, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. If the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, we record an impairment loss to the extent that the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. We estimate the fair values of our reporting units using discounted cash flow models or other valuation models, such as comparative transactions and market multiples. We did not record any impairment losses in fiscal 2011, 2010 or 2009.

We periodically review long-lived assets (primarily property and equipment) and intangible assets with finite lives (purchased technology, capitalized software and customer-related intangibles, which we amortize using the pattern in which the economic benefit will be realized or using the straight-line method if a pattern cannot be reliably determined) for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of those assets are no longer appropriate. We base each impairment test on a comparison of the undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, we write down the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow analysis. We did not record any impairment losses in fiscal 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Restructuring Charges

Our restructuring charges are comprised primarily of costs related to property abandonment, including future lease commitments, net of any sublease income, and associated leasehold improvements; and employee termination costs related to headcount reductions. We recognize and measure restructuring liabilities initially at fair value when the liability is incurred.

Income Taxes

We provide for deferred income taxes resulting from temporary differences between financial and taxable income. We record valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

We recognize and measure uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return utilizing a two-step approach. We first determine if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is that we measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in our provision for income taxes on our consolidated statements of income.

Comprehensive Loss

The components of comprehensive loss include, in addition to net income, unrealized gains and losses on investments and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss is made up of the following components:


(In thousands)
November 30,	2011			2010

Cumulative translation adjustment	$	(8,948	)	$	(4,676	)
Accumulated unrealized losses on investments		(4,108	)		(4,462	)

Total accumulated comprehensive loss, net of tax	$	(13,056	)	$	(9,138	)

The tax effect on accumulated unrealized losses on investments was $2.0 million and $2.1 million at November 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounts Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) — Testing Goodwill for Impairment (ASU 2011-08), to allow entities to use a qualitative approach to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If after performing the qualitative assessment an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step goodwill impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. ASU 2011-08 is effective for us in fiscal 2013 and earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not anticipated to have any impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) — Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05), to require an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) — Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05 (ASU 2011-12), which defers the effective date of only those changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. ASU 2011-05 is effective for us in our first quarter of fiscal 2013 and should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12 is not anticipated to have any impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) — Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04), to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 fair value measurements (as defined in Note 4). ASU 2011-04 is effective for us in our second quarter of fiscal 2012 and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not anticipated to have any impact on our financial position or results of operations.