EX-99.2 3 exhibit99-2.htm ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2018
Exhibit 99.2








 




















US GAAP Financial Results for 2018 Fiscal Year

 
Table of Contents
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
3
Overview
5
Consolidated Operations
9
Quarterly Operating Results
16
Liquidity and Capital Resources
17
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
20
Outstanding Share Data
22
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
23
Change In / Initial Adoption of Accounting Policies
26
Controls and Procedures
28
Trends / Business Outlook
29
Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results
32
Management’s Report on Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
45
Consolidated Balance Sheets
50
Consolidated Statements of Operations
51
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
52
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
53
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
54
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
55
Corporate Information
89
 
 

 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) contains references to Descartes using the words “we,” “us,” “our” and similar words and the reader is referred to using the words “you,” “your” and similar words.

This MD&A also refers to our fiscal years. Our fiscal year commences on February 1st of each year and ends on January 31st of the following year. Our current fiscal year, which ended on January 31, 2018, is referred to as the “current fiscal year,” “fiscal 2018,” “2018” or using similar words. Our previous fiscal year, which ended on January 31, 2017, is referred to as the “previous fiscal year,” “fiscal 2017,” “2017” or using similar words. Other fiscal years are referenced by the applicable year during which the fiscal year ends. For example, 2019 refers to the annual period ending January 31, 2019 and the “fourth quarter of 2019” refers to the quarter ending January 31, 2019.

This MD&A, which is prepared as of March 5, 2018, covers our year ended January 31, 2018, as compared to years ended January 31, 2017 and 2016. You should read the MD&A in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for 2018. We prepare and file our consolidated financial statements and MD&A in United States (“US”) dollars and in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). All dollar amounts we use in the MD&A are in US currency, unless we indicate otherwise.

We have prepared the MD&A with reference to the Form 51-102F1 MD&A disclosure requirements established under National Instrument 51-102 “Continuous Disclosure Obligations” of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Additional information about us, including copies of our continuous disclosure materials such as our annual information form, is available on our website at http://www.descartes.com, through the EDGAR website at http://www.sec.gov or through the SEDAR website at http://www.sedar.com.

Certain statements made in this Annual Report to Shareholders, constitute forward-looking information for the purposes of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”),including, but not limited to: statements in the “Trends / Business Outlook” section and statements regarding our expectations concerning future revenues and earnings, including potential variances from period to period; our expectations regarding the cyclical nature of our business; mix of revenues between services revenues and license revenues and potential variances from period to period; our plans to focus on generating services revenues yet to continue to allow customers to elect to license technology in lieu of subscribing to services; our expected loss of revenues and customers; our baseline calibration; our ability to keep our operating expenses at a level below our baseline revenues; our future business plans and business planning process; allocation of purchase price for completed acquisitions; our expectations regarding future restructuring charges and cost-reduction activities; expenses, including amortization of intangible assets and stock-based compensation; goodwill impairment tests and the possibility of future impairment adjustments; capital expenditures; acquisition-related costs; our liability with respect to various claims and suits arising in the ordinary course; any commitments referred to in the “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees” section of this MD&A; our intention to actively explore future business combinations and other strategic transactions; our liability under indemnification obligations; our reinvestment of earnings of subsidiaries back into such subsidiaries; our dividend policy; the sufficiency of capital to meet working capital, capital expenditure, debt repayment requirements and our anticipated growth strategy; our ability to raise capital; our adoption of certain accounting standards; and other matters related to the foregoing. When used in this document, the words “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “should” or the negative of such terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. The material assumptions made in making these forward-looking statements include the following: global shipment volumes continuing to increase at
 
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levels consistent with the average growth rates of the global economy; countries continuing to implement and enforce existing and additional customs and security regulations relating to the provision of electronic information for imports and exports; countries continuing to implement and enforce existing and additional trade restrictions and sanctioned party lists with respect to doing business with certain countries, organizations, entities and individuals; our continued operation of a secure and reliable business network; the continued availability of the data and content that is utilized in the delivery of services made available over our network; the stability of general economic and market conditions, currency exchange rates, and interest rates; equity and debt markets continuing to provide us with access to capital; our continued ability to identify and source attractive and executable business combination opportunities; our ability to develop solutions that keep pace with the continuing changes in technology, and our continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights. While management believes these assumptions to be reasonable under the circumstances, they may prove to be inaccurate. Such forward-looking statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements of, or developments in our business or industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading “Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results” in this MD&A and in other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada from time to time. If any of such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Overview
 
 
We use technology and networks to simplify complex business processes. We are primarily focused on logistics and supply chain management business processes. Our solutions are predominantly cloud-based and are focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) and data solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access and analyze global trade data; research and perform trade tariff and duty calculations; file customs and security documents for imports and exports;  and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in a large, collaborative multi-modal logistics community. Our pricing model provides our customers with flexibility in purchasing our solutions either on a subscription, transactional or perpetual license basis. Our primary focus is on serving transportation providers (air, ocean and truck modes), logistics service providers (including third-party logistics providers, freight forwarders and customs brokers) and distribution-intensive companies for which logistics is either a key or a defining part of their own product or service offering, or for which our solutions can provide an opportunity to reduce costs, improve service levels, or support growth by optimizing the use of assets and information.

The Market
Logistics is the management of the flow of resources between a point of origin and a point of destination – processes that move items (such as goods, people, information) from point A to point B. Supply chain management is broader than logistics and includes the sourcing, procurement, conversion and storage of resources for consumption by an enterprise. Logistics and supply chain management have been evolving over the past several years as companies are increasingly seeking automation and real-time control of their supply chain activities. We believe companies are looking for integrated solutions for managing inventory in transit, conveyance units, people, data and business documents.

We believe logistics-intensive organizations are seeking to reduce operating costs, differentiate themselves, improve margins, and better serve customers. Global trade and transportation processes are often manual and complex to manage. This is a consequence of the growing number of business partners participating in companies’ global supply chains and a lack of standardized business processes.

Additionally, global sourcing, logistics outsourcing, imposition of additional customs and regulatory requirements and the increased rate of change in day-to-day business requirements are adding to the overall complexities that companies face in planning and executing in their supply chains. Whether a shipment is delayed at the border, a customer changes an order or a breakdown occurs on the road, there are increasingly more issues that can significantly impact the execution of fulfillment schedules and associated costs.

These challenges are heightened for suppliers that have end-customers frequently demanding narrower order-to-fulfillment periods, lower prices and greater flexibility in scheduling and rescheduling deliveries. End customers also want real-time updates on delivery status, adding considerable burden to supply chain management as process efficiency is balanced with affordable service.

In this market, the movement and sharing of data between parties involved in the logistics process is equally important to the physical movement of goods. Manual, fragmented and distributed logistics solutions are often proving inadequate to address the needs of operators. Connecting manufacturers and suppliers to carriers on an individual, one-off basis is too costly, complex and risky for organizations dealing with many trading partners. Further, many of these solutions do not provide the flexibility required to efficiently accommodate varied processes for organizations to remain competitive. We believe this presents an opportunity for logistics technology providers to unite this highly fragmented community and help customers improve efficiencies in their operations.

As the market continues to change, we’ve been evolving to meet our customers’ needs. While the rate of adoption of newer logistics and supply chain management technologies is increasing, a large number of organizations still have manual business processes. We have been educating our prospects and customers on the value of connecting to trading partners through our Global
 
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Logistics Network (“GLN”) and automating, as well as standardizing, multi-party business processes. We believe that our target customers are increasingly looking for a single source, neutral, network-based solution provider who can help them manage the end-to-end shipment – from researching global trade information, to the booking of a shipment, to the tracking of that shipment as it moves, to the regulatory compliance filings to be made during the move and, finally, to the settlement and audit of the invoice.

Additionally, regulatory initiatives mandating electronic filing of shipment information with customs authorities require companies to automate aspects of their shipping processes to remain compliant and competitive. Our customs compliance technology helps shippers, transportation providers, freight forwarders and other logistics intermediaries to securely and electronically file shipment and tariff/duty information with customs authorities and self-audit their own efforts. Our technology also helps carriers and freight forwarders efficiently coordinate with customs brokers and agencies to expedite cross-border shipments. While many compliance initiatives started in the US, compliance has now become a global issue with significantly more international shipments crossing several borders on the way to their final destinations. 

Increasingly, data and content have become central to supply chain planning and execution.  Complex international supply chains are affected by logistics service provider performance, capacity, and productivity, as well as regulatory frameworks such as free trade agreements.  We believe our Global Trade Data, Trade Regulations, Free-Trade-Agreement, and duty rate and calculation solutions help customers improve their sourcing, landed cost, and transportation lane and provider selection processes.

Solutions
Descartes’ Logistics Technology Platform unites a growing global community of logistics-focused parties, allowing them to transact business while leveraging a broad array of applications designed to help logistics-intensive businesses thrive. Descartes’ Logistics Technology Platform is the simple, elegant synthesis of a network, applications, content and a community.

The Logistics Technology Platform fuses our GLN, an extensive logistics network covering multiple transportation modes, with a broad array of modular, interoperable web and wireless logistics management solutions. Designed to help accelerate time-to-value and increase productivity and performance for businesses of all sizes, the Logistics Technology Platform leverages the GLN’s multimodal logistics community to enable companies to quickly and cost-effectively connect and collaborate.

Descartes’ GLN, the underlying foundation of the Logistics Technology Platform, manages the flow of data and documents that track and control inventory, assets and people in motion. Designed expressly for logistics operations, it is native to the particularities of different transportation modes and country borders. As a state-of-the-art messaging network with wireless capabilities, the GLN helps manage business processes in real-time and in-motion. Its capabilities go beyond logistics, supporting common commercial transactions, regulatory compliance documents, and customer specific needs.

The GLN extends its reach using interconnect agreements with other general and logistics-specific networks, to offer companies access to a wide array of trading partners. With the flexibility to connect and collaborate in unique ways, companies can effectively route or transform data to and from partners and deploy additional Descartes solutions on the GLN. The GLN allows “low tech” partners to act and respond with “high tech” capabilities and connect to the transient partners that exist in many logistics operations. This inherent adaptability creates opportunities to develop logistics business processes that can help customers differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Descartes’ Logistics Application Suite offers a wide array of modular, cloud-based, interoperable web and wireless logistics management applications. These solutions embody Descartes’ deep domain expertise, not merely “check box” functionality. These solutions deliver value for a broad range of logistics-intensive organizations, whether they purchase transportation, run their own fleet, operate globally or locally, or work across air, ocean or ground transportation. Descartes’ comprehensive suite of solutions includes:
·
Routing, Mobile and Telematics;
·
Transportation Management and e-commerce enablement;
 
 
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·
Customs & Regulatory Compliance;
·
Trade Data;
·
Global Logistics Network Services; and
·
Broker & Forwarder Enterprise Systems.

The Descartes applications forming part of the Logistics Technology Platform are modular and interoperable to allow organizations the flexibility to deploy them quickly within an existing portfolio of solutions. Implementation is streamlined because these solutions use web-native or wireless user interfaces and are pre-integrated with the GLN. With interoperable and multi-party solutions, Descartes’ solutions are designed to deliver functionality that can enhance a logistics operation’s performance and productivity both within the organization and across a complex network of partners.

Descartes’ expanding global trade content offering unites systems and people with trade information to enable organizations to work smarter by making more informed supply chain and logistics decisions. Our content solutions can help customers: research and analyze global trade movements, regulations and trends; reduce the risk of transacting with denied parties; increase trade compliance rates; optimize sourcing, procurement, and business development strategies; and minimize duty spend.

Descartes’ GLN community members enjoy extended command of operations and accelerated time-to-value relative to many alternative logistics solutions. Given the inter-enterprise nature of logistics, quickly gaining access to partners is paramount. For this reason, Descartes has focused on growing a community that strategically attracts and retains relevant logistics parties. Upon joining the GLN community, many companies find that a number of their trading partners are already members with an existing connection to the GLN. This helps to minimize the time required to integrate Descartes’ logistics management applications and to begin realizing results. Descartes is committed to continuing to expand community membership. Companies that join the GLN community or extend their participation find a single place where their entire logistics network can exist regardless of the range of transportation modes, the number of trading partners or the variety of regulatory agencies.

Sales and Distribution
Our sales efforts are primarily directed towards two specific customer markets: (a) transportation companies and logistics service providers; and (b) manufacturers, retailers, distributors and mobile business service providers. Our sales staff is regionally based and trained to sell across our solutions to specific customer markets. In North America and Europe, we promote our products primarily through direct sales efforts aimed at existing and potential users of our products. In the Asia Pacific, Indian subcontinent, South America and African regions, we focus on making our channel partners successful. Channel partners for our other international operations include distributors, alliance partners and value-added resellers.

United by Design
Descartes’ ‘United By Design’ strategic alliance program is intended to ensure complementary hardware, software and network offerings are interoperable with Descartes’ solutions and work together seamlessly to solve multi-party business problems.

‘United By Design’ is intended to create a global ecosystem of logistics-intensive organizations working together to standardize and automate business processes and manage resources in motion. The program centers on Descartes’ Open Standard Collaborative Interfaces, which provide a wide variety of connectivity mechanisms to integrate a broad spectrum of applications and services.

Descartes has partnering relationships with multiple parties across the following three categories:
·
Technology Partners – Complementary hardware, software, network, and embedded technology providers that extend the functional breadth of Descartes’ solution capabilities;
·
Consulting Partners - Large system integrators and enterprise resource planning system vendors through to vertically specialized or niche consulting organizations that provide domain expertise and/or implementation services for Descartes’ solutions; and
·
Channel Partners (Value-Added Resellers) – Organizations that market, sell, implement and support Descartes' solutions to extend access and expand market share into territories and markets where Descartes might not have a focused direct sales presence.
 
 
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Marketing
Our marketing efforts are focused on growing demand for our solutions and establishing Descartes as a thought leader and innovator across the markets we serve. Marketing programs are delivered through integrated initiatives designed to reach our target customer and prospect groups. These programs include digital and online marketing, trade shows and user group events, partner-focused campaigns, proactive media relations, and direct corporate marketing efforts.

Fiscal 2018 Highlights

On May 18, 2017, we acquired Z-Firm LLC (“ShipRush”), a US-based provider of e-commerce multi-carrier parcel shipping solutions for small-to medium-sized businesses. The ShipRush platform helps customers streamline their supply chain and reduce transportation costs by automatically importing orders, comparing carrier rates, printing shipping labels for all major carriers, and tracking through final delivery. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $14.2 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded using cash on hand. Additional contingent consideration of up to $3.0 million in cash is payable if certain revenue performance targets are met by ShipRush in the two years following the acquisition.

On June 1, 2017, we acquired substantially all of the assets of PCSTrac, Inc., including certain related assets of Progressive Computer Services Inc., doing business as PCS Technologies (collectively referred to as “PCSTrac”). US-based PCSTrac helps specialty retailers and their logistics service providers collaborate to improve carton-level visibility for shipments from distribution centers to stores. PCSTrac’s solutions provide visibility and insight into the store replenishment supply chain, helping increase sales, enhance loss prevention, and improve inventory control. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $11.5 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded using cash on hand.

On August 14, 2017, we acquired MacroPoint LLC (“MacroPoint”), an electronic transportation network providing location-based truck tracking and predictive freight capacity data content. US-based MacroPoint runs a connected network helping transportation brokers, logistics service providers and shippers track the locations of deliveries in trucks as well as predictive freight capacity to help identify early opportunities for additional freight moves. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $106.2 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded using $20.0 million of our common shares, $80.0 million from drawing on our credit facility, and the balance from cash on hand.

Fiscal 2019 Highlights

On February 2, 2018, Descartes acquired Aljex Software, Inc. (“Aljex”), a cloud-based provider of back-office transportation management solutions for freight brokers and transportation providers. US-based Aljex helps customers automate business processes and create electronic documents critical for executing transportation moves through the lifecycle of a shipment. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $32.4 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded from drawing on our existing credit facility.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Consolidated Operations
 
 
The following table shows, for the fiscal years indicated, our results of operations in millions of dollars (except per share and weighted average share amounts):

Year ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Total revenues
   
237.4
     
203.8
     
185.0
 
Cost of revenues
   
63.7
     
56.1
     
53.9
 
Gross margin
   
173.7
     
147.7
     
131.1
 
Operating expenses
   
100.3
     
83.6
     
75.3
 
Other charges
   
4.0
     
3.5
     
1.5
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
33.5
     
30.0
     
26.2
 
Income from operations
   
35.9
     
30.6
     
28.1
 
Investment income
   
0.2
     
1.4
     
0.2
 
Interest expense
   
(1.3
)
   
(0.6
)
   
(0.5
)
Income before income taxes
   
34.8
     
31.4
     
27.8
 
Income tax expense
                       
   Current
   
6.6
     
4.0
     
1.4
 
   Deferred
   
1.3
     
3.6
     
5.8
 
Net income
   
26.9
     
23.8
     
20.6
 
                         
EARNINGS PER SHARE
                       
BASIC
   
0.35
     
0.31
     
0.27
 
DILUTED
   
0.35
     
0.31
     
0.27
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (thousands)
                       
BASIC
   
76,324
     
75,800
     
75,595
 
DILUTED
   
77,112
     
76,515
     
76,409
 
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
                       
Total assets
   
624.9
     
500.5
     
452.8
 
Non-current financial liabilities
   
37.0
     
-
     
-
 

Total revenues consist of services revenues and license revenues. Services revenues are principally comprised of the following: (i) ongoing transactional fees for use of our services and products by our customers, which are recognized as the transactions occur; (ii) professional services revenues from consulting, implementation and training services related to our services and products, which are recognized as the services are performed; (iii) maintenance, subscription and other related revenues, including revenues associated with maintenance and support of our services and products, which are recognized ratably over the subscription period; and (iv) hardware revenues, which are recognized when hardware is shipped. License revenues are derived from perpetual licenses granted to our customers to use our software products, which are recognized when the license is delivered.


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The following table provides additional analysis of our services and license revenues (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of total revenues) generated over each of the periods indicated:

Year ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Services revenues
   
229.3
     
196.9
     
176.3
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
97
%
   
97
%
   
95
%
                         
License revenues
   
8.1
     
6.9
     
8.7
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
3
%
   
3
%
   
5
%
Total revenues
   
237.4
     
203.8
     
185.0
 

Our services revenues were $229.3 million, $196.9 million and $176.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to the inclusion of a full period of services revenues from the fiscal 2017 acquisitions of pixi* Software GmbH (“Pixi”), Appterra LLC (“Appterra”), 4Solutions Information Technology Pty Ltd. (“4Solutions”) and Datamyne Inc. (“Datamyne”) as well as a partial period of services from the fiscal 2018 acquisitions of ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint. Services revenues in fiscal 2018 were also positively impacted by the growth in revenue from new and existing customers in both transactional and subscription products. Services revenues in fiscal 2018 as compared to fiscal 2017 were also positively impacted by the strengthening of the euro and Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar. This positive impact was partially offset by the weakening of the British pound sterling compared to the US dollar.

The increase in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to the inclusion of a full period of services revenues from the fiscal 2016 acquisitions of MK Data Services LLC (“MK Data”), BearWare Inc. (“BearWare”) and Oz Development Inc. (“Oz”) as well as a partial period of services revenues from the fiscal 2017 acquisitions of Pixi, Appterra, 4Solutions and Datamyne. Services revenues in fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016 were negatively impacted by the weakening of the British pound sterling, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone compared to the US dollar. This negative impact was partially offset by the strengthening of the euro compared to the US dollar.

Our license revenues were $8.1 million, $6.9 million and $8.7 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. While our sales focus has been on generating services revenues in our SaaS business model, we have continued to see a market for licensing the products in our omni-channel retailing and home delivery logistics solutions. The amount of license revenues in a period is dependent on our customers’ preference to license our solutions instead of purchasing our solutions as a service and we anticipate variances from period to period.

As a percentage of total revenues, our services revenues were 97%, 97% and 95% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our high percentage of services revenues reflects our emphasis on selling to new customers and expanding product offerings to existing customers under our SaaS business model.
 
 

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We operate in one business segment providing logistics technology solutions. The following table provides additional analysis of our revenues by geographic location of customer (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of total revenues):

Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
United States
   
133.3
     
106.7
     
96.3
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
56
%
   
52
%
   
52
%
                         
Europe, Middle-East and Africa (“EMEA”)
   
77.6
     
75.2
     
68.5
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
33
%
   
37
%
   
37
%
                         
Canada
   
15.6
     
13.2
     
12.6
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
6
%
   
7
%
   
7
%
                         
Asia Pacific
   
10.9
     
8.7
     
7.6
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
5
%
   
4
%
   
4
%
                         
Total revenues
   
237.4
     
203.8
     
185.0
 

Revenues from the United States were $133.3 million, $106.7 million and $96.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in 2018 was primarily a result of the inclusion of a full period of revenues from the fiscal 2017 acquisitions of Appterra and Datamyne as well as a partial period of revenues from the fiscal 2018 acquisitions of ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint. Revenues in fiscal 2018 were also positively impacted by the growth in sales of transactional, subscription and license products.

The increase in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily a result of the inclusion of a full period of United States-based revenues from the fiscal 2016 acquisitions of MK Data, BearWare and Oz as well as the 2017 acquisitions of Appterra and Datamyne.

Revenues from the EMEA region were $77.6 million, $75.2 million and $68.5 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily a result of the inclusion of a full period of revenue from the fiscal 2017 acquisition of Pixi. Revenues in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 were also positively impacted by the strengthening of the euro compared to the US dollar partially offset by the weakening of the British pound sterling compared to the US dollar.

The increase in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily a result of the inclusion of revenue from the fiscal 2017 acquisition of Pixi as well as increased transactional and subscription revenues. Revenues in fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016 were also positively impacted by the strengthening of the euro compared to the US dollar. The increases were partially offset by the weakening of the Norwegian krone and British pound sterling compared to the US dollar.

Revenues from Canada were $15.6 million, $13.2 million and $12.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in 2018 was primarily a result of increased transactional, subscription and license revenues from new and existing customers. Revenues were also positively impacted in fiscal 2018 as compared to fiscal 2017 by the strengthening of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar.

The increase in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily a result of increased transactional and professional services revenues. This increase in fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016 was partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar.

Revenues from the Asia Pacific region were $10.9 million, $8.7 million and $7.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily a result of the
 
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inclusion of a full period of revenue from the fiscal 2017 acquisition of 4Solutions as well as growth in sales of transactional and subscription products in the region.

The increase in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily a result of the inclusion of a partial period of revenue from the fiscal 2017 acquisition of 4Solutions.

The following table provides analysis of cost of revenues (in millions of dollars) and the related gross margins for the periods indicated:

Year ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Services
                 
Services revenues
   
229.3
     
196.9
     
176.3
 
Cost of services revenues
   
63.0
     
55.0
     
52.9
 
Gross margin
   
166.3
     
141.9
     
123.4
 
Gross margin percentage
   
73
%
   
72
%
   
70
%
License
                       
License revenues
   
8.1
     
6.9
     
8.7
 
Cost of license revenues
   
0.7
     
1.1
     
1.0
 
Gross margin
   
7.4
     
5.8
     
7.7
 
Gross margin percentage
   
91
%
   
84
%
   
89
%
Total
                       
Revenues
   
237.4
     
203.8
     
185.0
 
Cost of revenues
   
63.7
     
56.1
     
53.9
 
Gross margin
   
173.7
     
147.7
     
131.1
 
Gross margin percentage
   
73
%
   
72
%
   
71
%

Cost of services revenues consists of internal costs of running our systems and applications, hardware costs, and other personnel-related expenses incurred in providing professional service and maintenance work, including consulting and customer support.

Gross margin percentage for services revenues was 73%, 72% and 70% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The margin in 2018 was positively impacted by the inclusion of the 2017 acquisitions of Pixi and Datamyne and the 2018 acquisitions of ShipRush and MacroPoint which operate at margins higher than some of our other service revenue streams.

The margin in 2017 was positively impacted by inclusion of the acquisitions of Oz, MK Data, Pixi, and Datamyne which operate at margins higher than some of our other service revenue streams.

Cost of license revenues consists of costs related to our sale of third-party technology, such as third-party map license fees and royalties.

Gross margin percentage for license revenues was 91%, 84% and 89% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our gross margin on license revenues is dependent on the proportion of our license revenues that involve third-party technology. Consequently, our gross margin percentage for license revenues is higher when a lower proportion of our license revenues attracts third-party technology costs, and vice versa.

Operating expenses consisting of sales and marketing, research and development and general and administrative expenses, were $100.3 million, $83.6 million and $75.3 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in operating expenses in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily due to
 
12

operating expenses from the acquisitions of Pixi, Appterra, 4Solutions, Datamyne, ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint. Operating expenses in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 were also increased by the impact of the strengthening of the euro and Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar.

The increase in 2017 as compared to 2016 was primarily due to operating expenses from the acquisitions of MK Data, BearWare, Oz, Pixi and, to a lesser extent, Appterra, 4Solutions and Datamyne. Operating expenses in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 were positively impacted by the weakening of the British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona and Norwegian krone compared to the US dollar.

The following table provides analysis of operating expenses (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of total revenues) for the periods indicated:

Year ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Total revenues
   
237.4
     
203.8
     
185.0
 
                         
Sales and marketing expenses
   
33.1
     
24.9
     
22.4
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
14
%
   
12
%
   
12
%
                         
Research and development expenses
   
41.8
     
35.6
     
31.3
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
18
%
   
17
%
   
17
%
                         
General and administrative expenses
   
25.4
     
23.1
     
21.6
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
11
%
   
11
%
   
12
%
                         
Total operating expenses
   
100.3
     
83.6
     
75.3
 
Percentage of total revenues
   
42
%
   
41
%
   
41
%

Sales and marketing expenses include salaries, commissions, stock-based compensation and other personnel-related costs, bad debt expenses, travel expenses, advertising programs and services, and other promotional activities associated with selling and marketing our services and products. Sales and marketing expenses were $33.1 million, $24.9 million and $22.4 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 14% in 2018, 12% in 2017 and 12% in 2016. The increase in sales and marketing expenses in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily due to the inclusion of sales and marketing expenses from the acquisitions of Datamyne and MacroPoint. These acquisitions also drove the increase in sales and marketing expense as a percentage of total revenues in 2018. Sales and marketing expenses in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 were also increased as a result of the impact of the strengthening of the euro and Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar.

The increases in sales and marketing expenses in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to the inclusion of sales and marketing expenses from the acquisitions of Oz, Pixi and Datamyne. The increase in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar and British pound sterling compared to the US dollar.

Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries, stock-based compensation and other personnel-related costs of technical and engineering personnel associated with our research and product development activities, as well as costs for third-party outsourced development providers. We expensed all costs related to research and development in 2018, 2017 and 2016. Research and development expenses were $41.8 million, $35.6 million and $31.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 18% in 2018, 17% in 2017 and 17% in 2016. The increase in research and development expenses in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily attributable to increased payroll and related costs from the acquisitions of
 
13

Appterra, Datamyne, ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint. Research and development expenses in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 were also increased as a result of the impact of the strengthening of the Canadian dollar and euro compared to the US dollar.

The increase in research and development expenses in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily attributable to increased payroll and related costs from the acquisitions of BearWare, Oz and Pixi. The increase in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was partially offset by weakening of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar.

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, stock-based compensation and other personnel-related costs of administrative personnel, as well as professional fees and other administrative expenses. General and administrative costs were $25.4 million, $23.1 million and $21.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 11%, 11% and 12% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily attributable to the inclusion of general and administrative expenses from the acquisitions of Appterra, Datamyne, ShipRush and MacroPoint. General and administrative expenses in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 were also increased as a result of the impact of the strengthening of the Canadian dollar and euro compared to the US dollar.

The increase in general and administrative expenses in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily attributable to the inclusion of general and administrative expenses from the acquisitions of MK Data, Oz, Pixi and Datamyne. The increase in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar.

Other charges consist primarily of acquisition-related costs with respect to completed and prospective acquisitions and restructuring charges. Acquisition-related costs primarily include retention bonuses, advisory services, brokerage services and administrative costs, and relate to completed and prospective acquisitions. Restructuring costs relate to the integration of previously completed acquisitions and other cost-reduction activities. Other charges were $4.0 million, $3.5 million and $1.5 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other charges included acquisition-related costs of $3.5 million, $3.0 million and $1.4 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in other charges in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily a result of additional acquisition costs.

The increase in other charges in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily a result of additional acquisition costs related to MK Data retention bonuses.

Amortization of intangible assets is amortization of the value attributable to intangible assets, including customer agreements and relationships, non-compete covenants, existing technologies and trade names, in each case associated with acquisitions completed by us as of the end of each reporting period. Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized to income over their useful life. The amount of amortization expense in a fiscal period is dependent on our acquisition activities as well as our asset impairment tests. Amortization of intangible assets was $33.5 million, $30.0 million and $26.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in amortization over those three years primarily arose due to amortization expense from the acquisitions of MK Data, BearWare, Oz, Pixi, Appterra, 4Solutions, Datamyne, ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint. As at January 31, 2018, the unamortized portion of all intangible assets amounted to $178.0 million.

We test the carrying value of our finite life intangible assets for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that there may be evidence of impairment. We write down intangible asset or asset groups with a finite life to fair value when the related undiscounted cash flows are not expected to allow for recovery of the carrying value. Fair value of intangible asset or asset groups is determined by discounting the expected related cash flows. No finite life intangible asset or asset group impairment has been identified or recorded for any of the fiscal periods reported.

 
14

Investment income was $0.2 million, $1.4 million and $0.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in investment income in 2018 compared to 2017 and increase in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily attributable to the sale of marketable securities during 2017.

Interest expense was $1.3 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest expense is primarily comprised of interest expense on the amount borrowed and outstanding on our revolving debt facility, debt standby charges as well as the amortization of deferred financing charges.

Income tax expense is comprised of current and deferred income tax expense. Income tax expense for 2018, 2017 and 2016 was 23%, 24% and 26% of income before income taxes, respectively, with current income tax expense being 19%, 13% and 5% of income before income taxes, respectively.

Income tax expense – current was $6.6 million, $4.0 million and $1.4 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Current income taxes arise primarily from income that is not fully sheltered by loss carry-forwards or other tax attributes. Current tax expense increased in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to a charge of $1.5 million attributable to changes in the estimate of our uncertain tax positions, $0.8 million in Canada as a result of less income being sheltered by loss carry-forwards and other attributes and $0.3 million in adjustments in respect to income tax of previous periods.

Current tax expense increased in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, an increase of $0.7 million attributable to changes in the estimate of our uncertain tax positions partially offset by an increase of $0.5 million in adjustments in respect to income tax of previous periods.

Income tax expense – deferred was $1.3 million, $3.6 million and $5.8 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017 and introduces significant changes to U.S. income tax law. Effective January 1, 2018, the Tax Act reduces the U.S. statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% and creates new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings and certain related-party payments, which are referred to as the global intangible low-taxed income tax and the base erosion tax, respectively. Deferred income tax expense decreased in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to $1.1 million in reductions to corporate income tax rates in the US and EMEA and $0.7 million reduction in deferred tax charges and recognition of deferred tax assets related to stock compensation.

Deferred income tax expense decreased in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to changes in estimates of valuation allowances partially offset by the effect of tax rate reductions against certain deferred tax assets in EMEA.

Net income was $26.9 million, $23.8 million and $20.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 
 

15

 
Quarterly Operating Results
 
 
The following table provides an analysis of our unaudited operating results (in thousands of dollars, except per share and weighted average number of share amounts) for each of the quarters ended on the date indicated.

   
April 30,
   
July 31,
   
October 31,
   
January 31,
   
Total
 
   
2017
   
2017
   
2017
   
2018
       
2018
                             
Revenues
   
54,514
     
57,293
     
62,001
     
63,631
     
237,439
 
Gross margin
   
40,132
     
41,946
     
45,158
     
46,499
     
173,735
 
Operating expenses
   
22,505
     
23,942
     
26,450
     
27,483
     
100,380
 
Net income
   
6,885
     
7,159
     
6,170
     
6,665
     
26,879
 
Basic earnings per share
   
0.09
     
0.09
     
0.08
     
0.09
     
0.35
 
Diluted earnings per share
   
0.09
     
0.09
     
0.08
     
0.09
     
0.35
 
Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands):
                                       
  Basic
   
75,912
     
75,969
     
76,630
     
76,773
     
76,324
 
  Diluted
   
76,648
     
76,739
     
77,442
     
77,616
     
77,112
 

   
April 30,
   
July 31,
   
October 31,
   
January 31,
   
Total
 
   
2016
   
2016
   
2016
   
2017
       
2017
                             
Revenues
   
48,911
     
50,516
     
51,536
     
52,816
     
203,779
 
Gross margin
   
35,222
     
36,731
     
37,601
     
38,174
     
147,728
 
Operating expenses
   
19,806
     
21,197
     
21,287
     
21,286
     
83,576
 
Net income
   
6,038
     
5,779
     
5,931
     
6,090
     
23,838
 
Basic earnings per share
   
0.08
     
0.08
     
0.08
     
0.08
     
0.31
 
Diluted earnings per share
   
0.08
     
0.08
     
0.08
     
0.08
     
0.31
 
Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands):
                                       
  Basic
   
75,761
     
75,792
     
75,816
     
75,830
     
75,800
 
  Diluted
   
76,419
     
76,483
     
76,538
     
76,577
     
76,515
 

Revenues over the comparative period have been positively impacted by the ten acquisitions that we have completed since the beginning of fiscal 2016. In addition, over the past three fiscal years we have seen increased revenues as a result of an increase in transactions processed over our GLN business document exchange as we help our customers comply with electronic filing requirements of US, Canadian, EU and Asia security and customs regulations.

Our services revenues continue to have seasonal trends. In the first fiscal quarter of each year, we historically have seen slightly lower shipment volumes by air and truck which impact the aggregate number of transactions flowing through our GLN business document exchange. In the second fiscal quarter of each year, we historically have seen a slight increase in ocean services revenues as ocean carriers are in the midst of their customer contract negotiation period. In the third fiscal quarter of each year, we have historically seen shipment and transactional volumes at their highest. In the fourth fiscal quarter of each year, the various international holidays impact the aggregate number of shipping days in the quarter, and historically we have seen this adversely impact the number of transactions our network processes and, consequently, the amount of services revenues we receive during that period.

 
 
16

In the fourth quarter of 2018, revenues were positively impacted the inclusion of a full quarter of operations from our acquisition of MacroPoint. Revenues in the fourth quarter were also positively impacted by the strengthening of the euro and British pound sterling compared to the US dollar. Operating expenses in the fourth quarter were negatively impacted by the strengthening of the euro and British pound sterling compared to the US dollar. Net income was higher in the fourth quarter of 2018 as a result of lower acquisition-related costs with respect to completed and prospective acquisitions as well as restructuring costs.

In the third quarter of 2018, revenues were positively impacted by the inclusion of a partial quarter of operations from our acquisition of MacroPoint and a full quarter of operations from our acquisitions of ShipRush and PCSTrac. Revenues in the third quarter were also positively impacted by the strengthening of the euro, Canadian dollar and British pound sterling compared to the US dollar. Operating expenses increased because of the partial quarter of operations from our acquisition of MacroPoint and a full quarter of operations from our acquisitions of ShipRush and PCSTrac. Operating expenses in the third quarter were also negatively impacted by the strengthening of the euro, Canadian dollar and British pound sterling compared to the US dollar. Net income was lowered in the third quarter of 2018 by the inclusion of a partial period of amortization as a result of our acquisition of MacroPoint and a full quarter of amortization from our acquisitions of ShipRush and PCSTrac. Net income was also lowered as a result of restructuring expense recognized in the third quarter of 2018 from our fiscal 2018 restructuring plan.

In the second quarter of 2018, revenues and gross margin were positively impacted by the inclusion of a partial quarter of operations from our acquisitions of ShipRush and PCSTrac. Revenues in the second quarter were also positively impacted by the strengthening of the euro, Canadian dollar, British pound sterling and Swedish krona compared to the US dollar. Operating expenses increased because of the partial quarter of operations from our acquisitions of ShipRush and PCSTrac. Operating expenses in the second quarter were also negatively impacted by the strengthening of the euro, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona and British pound sterling compared to the US dollar. Net income was lowered by additional amortization as a result of the acquisitions of ShipRush and PCSTrac in the second quarter of 2018.

In the first quarter of 2018, revenues and gross margin were positively impacted by the inclusion of a full quarter of operations from our acquisitions of 4Solutions and Datamyne. Revenues in the first quarter were also positively impacted by the strengthening of the British pound sterling and euro compared to the US dollar. Operating expenses increased because of the inclusion of a full quarter of operations from our acquisitions of 4Solutions and Datamyne. Operating expenses in the first quarter were also negatively impacted by the strengthening of the euro, Swedish krona and British pound sterling and positively impacted by weakening of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar. Net income was lowered by additional amortization as a result of the acquisitions of 4Solutions and Datamyne in 2017.

In 2017, revenues, gross margins and net income were positively impacted on a comparative basis to 2016 by the inclusion of a full period of operations from our fiscal 2016 acquisitions of MK Data, BearWare and Oz as well as the partial period of operations from our fiscal 2017 acquisitions of Pixi, Appterra, 4Solutions and Datamyne. Revenue growth was partially offset by the negative impact of the weakening of the British pound sterling and Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar. Net income was negatively impacted by $3.0 million of acquisition-related costs with respect to completed and prospective acquisitions as well as restructuring costs of $0.4 million in 2017.

 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
 
Cash. We had $35.1 million and $38.1 million in cash as at January 31, 2018 and January 31, 2017, respectively. All cash was held in interest-bearing bank accounts, primarily with major Canadian, US and European banks. The cash balance has decreased since January 31, 2017 by $3.0 million primarily due
 
17

to cash used for acquisitions partially offset by net borrowings on the credit facility and cash generated from operations.

Credit facility. On March 2, 2016, we amended our revolving debt facility with a new senior secured credit facility. The credit facility consists of a $150.0 million revolving operating credit facility to be available for general corporate purposes including the financing of ongoing working capital needs and acquisitions. The credit facility also provides for an additional $7.5 million available to support foreign exchange and interest rate hedging. The credit facility has a five-year maturity with no fixed repayment dates prior to the end of the five-year term ending March 2, 2021. Borrowings under the credit facility are secured by a first charge over substantially all of Descartes’ assets. Depending on the type of advance, interest rates under the revolving operating portion of the credit facility are based on the Canada or US prime rate, Bankers’ Acceptance (BA) or London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an additional 0 to 200 basis points based on the ratio of net debt to adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as defined in the credit agreement. A standby fee of between 20 to 28 basis points will be charged on all undrawn amounts. The credit facility contains certain customary representations, warranties and guarantees, and covenants.

As at January 31, 2018, $113.0 million of the revolving operating credit facility remained available for use and the outstanding balance of $37.0 million is required to be repaid prior to March 2, 2021. Subsequent to January 31, 2018, an additional $33.3 million was drawn on the credit facility to finance the acquisition of Aljex on February 2, 2018. No amounts have been drawn on the facility that are available to support foreign exchange and interest rate hedging. We are in compliance with the covenants of the credit facility as at January 31, 2018.

Short-form base shelf prospectus. On April 18, 2016, we filed a final short-form base shelf prospectus, allowing us to offer and issue the following securities: (i) common shares; (ii) preferred shares; (iii) senior or subordinated unsecured debt securities; (iv) subscription receipts; (v) warrants; and (vi) securities comprised of more than one of the aforementioned common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, subscription receipts and/ or warrants offered together as a unit. These securities may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more shelf prospectus supplements. The aggregate initial offering price of securities that may be sold by us (or certain of our current or future shareholders) pursuant to our base shelf prospectus during the 25-month period that our base shelf prospectus, including any amendments thereto, remains valid is limited to $500 million. The short-form base shelf prospectus expires on May 18, 2018.

Working capital. As at January 31, 2018, our working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was $7.2 million. Current assets primarily include $35.1 million of cash, $28.8 million of current trade receivables and $7.6 million of prepaid expenses. Current liabilities primarily include $31.0 million of deferred revenue, $25.5 million of accrued liabilities and $7.9 million of accounts payable. Our working capital has decreased since January 31, 2017 by $11.6 million, primarily due to cash used for acquisitions partially offset by borrowings on the credit facility and cash generated from operations during the period.

Historically, we have financed our operations and met our capital expenditure requirements primarily through cash flows provided from operations, issuances of common shares and proceeds from debt. We anticipate that, considering the above, we have sufficient liquidity to fund our current cash requirements for working capital, contractual commitments, capital expenditures and other operating needs. We also believe that we have the ability to generate sufficient amounts of cash in the long term to meet planned growth targets and to fund strategic transactions. Should additional future financing be undertaken, the proceeds from any such transaction could be utilized to fund strategic transactions or for general corporate purposes. We expect, from time to time, to continue to consider select strategic transactions to create value and improve performance, which may include acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, joint ventures and partnerships, and we may undertake further financing transactions, including draws on our credit facility or equity offerings, in connection with any such potential strategic transaction.

 
18

With respect to earnings of our non-Canadian subsidiaries, our intention is that these earnings will be reinvested in each subsidiary indefinitely. Of the $35.1 million of cash as at January 31, 2018, $24.7 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries, most significantly in the United States with lesser amounts held in other countries in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. To date, we have not encountered significant legal or practical restrictions on the abilities of our subsidiaries to repatriate money to Canada, even if such restrictions may exist in respect of certain foreign jurisdictions where we have subsidiaries. In the future, if we elect to repatriate the unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries in the form of dividends, or if the shares of the foreign subsidiaries are sold or transferred, then we could be subject to additional Canadian or foreign income taxes, net of the impact of any available foreign tax credits, which would result in a higher effective tax rate. We have not provided for foreign withholding taxes or deferred income tax liabilities related to unremitted earnings of our non-Canadian subsidiaries, since such earnings are considered permanently invested in those subsidiaries, or are not subject to withholding taxes.
 
The table set forth below provides a summary of cash flows for the periods indicated in millions of dollars:

Year ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Cash provided by operating activities
   
72.1
     
72.6
     
54.2
 
Purchase of marketable securities
   
-
     
(0.2
)
   
(4.7
)
Sale of marketable securities
   
-
     
6.1
     
-
 
Additions to property and equipment
   
(5.1
)
   
(4.9
)
   
(4.3
)
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
   
(111.9
)
   
(71.3
)
   
(120.9
)
Proceeds from borrowing on credit facility
   
80.0
     
10.8
     
-
 
Credit facility repayments
   
(43.0
)
   
(10.2
)
   
-
 
Payment of debt issuance costs
   
-
     
(1.0
)
   
-
 
Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs
   
1.0
     
0.1
     
0.2
 
Settlement of stock options
   
-
     
-
     
(2.6
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash
   
3.9
     
(1.1
)
   
(2.8
)
Net change in cash
   
(3.0
)
   
0.9
     
(80.9
)
Cash, beginning of period
   
38.1
     
37.2
     
118.1
 
Cash, end of period
   
35.1
     
38.1
     
37.2
 

Cash provided by operating activities was $72.1 million, $72.6 million and $54.2 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For 2018, the $72.1 million of cash provided by operating activities resulted from $26.9 million of net income, plus adjustments for $40.8 million of non-cash items included in net income and plus $4.4 million of cash provided from changes in our operating assets and liabilities. For 2017, the $72.6 million of cash provided by operating activities resulted from $23.8 million of net income, plus adjustments for $38.7 million of non-cash items included in net income and plus $10.1 million of cash provided from changes in our operating assets and liabilities. For 2016, the $54.2 million of cash provided by operating activities resulted from $20.6 million of net income, plus adjustments for $36.5 million of non-cash items included in net income and less $2.9 million of cash used from changes in our operating assets and liabilities. Cash provided by operating activities decreased in 2018 compared to 2017, primarily due to cash used for payment of retention bonuses on the MK Data acquisition partially offset by growth in net income.

Cash provided by operating activities increased in 2017 compared to 2016, primarily due to a $13.0 million increase in cash generated from changes in our operating assets and liabilities.

Purchase of marketable securities was nil, $0.2 million and $4.7 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Sale of marketable securities was nil, $6.1 million and nil for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 
19

Additions to property and equipment were $5.1 million, $4.9 million and $4.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Additions to property and equipment were greater in 2018 as compared to 2017 and 2016 as a result of additional investments in computing equipment and software to support our network and build out our security infrastructure.

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired were $111.9 million, $71.3 million and $120.9 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Acquisitions in 2018 related to ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint.  Acquisitions in 2017 related to Pixi, Appterra, 4Solutions and Datamyne. Acquisitions in 2016 related to MK Data, BearWare and Oz.

Proceeds from borrowing on credit facility were $80.0 million, $10.8 million and nil in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The borrowings on our credit facility in 2018 partially financed our acquisition of MacroPoint. The borrowings on our credit facility in 2017 financed our acquisition of Pixi.

Credit facility repayments were $43.0 million, $10.2 million and nil in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Payment of debt issuance costs were nil, $1.0 million and nil in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and relate to costs paid in establishing and amending the terms of our credit facility agreement.

Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs was $1.0 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The $1.0 million in 2018 was a result of the exercise of employee stock options. The $0.1 million in 2017 was a result of the exercise of employee stock options partially offset by costs paid to file the short-form base shelf prospectus. The $0.2 million in 2016 was a result of the exercise of employee stock options.

Settlement of stock options were nil, nil and $2.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as a result of the settlement of tandem stock appreciation rights exercised upon the surrender of stock options.

 
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
 
 
Commitments
To facilitate a better understanding of our commitments, the following information is provided (in millions of dollars) in respect of our operating obligations as of January 31, 2018:

 
Less than
1 year
1-3 years
4-5 years
More than
 5 years
Total
           
Debt obligations
-
-
37.0
-
37.0
Operating lease obligations
5.1
5.0
1.2
1.1
12.4
Capital lease obligations
0.1
0.1
-
-
0.2
Total
5.2
5.1
38.2
1.1
49.6

Debt Obligations
The debt obligations are comprised of principal repayments on our credit facility. Interest, not included in the table above, is payable quarterly in arrears based on the applicable variable rate.
 
 
20

Lease Obligations
We are committed under non-cancelable operating leases for business premises, computer equipment and vehicles with terms expiring at various dates through 2027. We are also committed under non-cancelable capital leases for computer equipment expiring at various dates through 2021. The future minimum amounts payable under these lease agreements are presented in the table above.

Other Obligations
Deferred Share Unit (“DSU”) and Cash-settled Restricted Share Unit (“CRSU”) Plans
As discussed in the “Trends / Business Outlook” section later in this MD&A and in Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements, we maintain DSU and CRSU plans for our directors and employees. Any payments made pursuant to these plans are settled in cash. For DSUs and CRSUs, the units vest over time and the liability recognized at any given consolidated balance sheet date reflects only those units vested at that date that have not yet been settled in cash. As such, we had an unrecognized aggregate amount for the unearned CRSUs and unearned DSUs of $0.9 million and nil, respectively, for which no liability was recorded on our audited consolidated balance sheet at January 31, 2018. The ultimate liability for any payment of DSUs and CRSUs is dependent on the trading price of our common shares. To partially offset our exposure to fluctuations in our stock price, we have entered into equity derivative contracts, including floating-rate equity forwards. As at January 31, 2018, we had equity derivatives for 242,000 Descartes common shares.

Contingencies
We are subject to a variety of other claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. The consequences of these matters are not presently determinable but, in the opinion of management after consulting with legal counsel, the ultimate aggregate liability is not currently expected to have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position.

Product Warranties
In the normal course of operations, we provide our customers with product warranties relating to the performance of our hardware, software and network services. To date, we have not encountered material costs as a result of such obligations and have not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in our consolidated financial statements.

Business combination agreements
In respect of our acquisitions of Appterra and ShipRush, up to $4.6 million in cash may become payable if certain revenue performance targets are met in the two years following the acquisition. A balance of $2.2 million is accrued related to the fair value of this contingent consideration as at January 31, 2018.

Guarantees
In the normal course of business, we enter into a variety of agreements that may contain features that meet the definition of a guarantee under ASC Topic 460, “Guarantees”. The following lists our significant guarantees:

Intellectual property indemnification obligations
We provide indemnifications of varying scope to our customers against claims of intellectual property infringement made by third parties arising from the use of our products. In the event of such a claim, we are generally obligated to defend our customers against the claim and we are liable to pay damages and costs assessed against our customers that are payable as part of a final judgment or settlement. These intellectual property infringement indemnification clauses are not generally subject to any dollar limits and remain in force for the term of our license and services agreements with our customers, where license terms are typically perpetual. To date, we have not encountered material costs as a result of such indemnification obligations.

Other indemnification agreements
In the normal course of operations, we enter into various agreements that provide general indemnities. These indemnities typically arise in connection with purchases and sales of assets, securities offerings or
 
 
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buy-backs, service contracts, administration of employee benefit plans, retention of officers and directors, membership agreements, customer financing transactions, and leasing transactions. In addition, our corporate by-laws provide for the indemnification of our directors and officers. Each of these indemnities requires us, in certain circumstances, to compensate the counterparties for various costs resulting from breaches of representations or obligations under such arrangements, or as a result of third party claims that may be suffered by the counterparty as a consequence of the transaction. We believe that the likelihood that we could incur significant liability under these obligations is remote. Historically, we have not made any significant payments under such indemnities.

In evaluating estimated losses for the guarantees or indemnities described above, we consider such factors as the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. We are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount payable under such guarantees or indemnities as many of these arrangements do not specify a maximum potential dollar exposure or time limitation. The amount also depends on the outcome of future events and conditions, which cannot be predicted. Given the foregoing, to date, we have not accrued any liability in our financial statements for the guarantees or indemnities described above.

 
Outstanding Share Data
 
 
We have an unlimited number of common shares authorized for issuance. As of March 5, 2018, we had 76,773,497 common shares issued and outstanding.

At the annual meeting of shareholders held on May 26, 2016, the shareholders of the Corporation approved the addition of 4,500,000 options to the Corporation’s stock option plan. As of March 5, 2018, there were 657,209 options issued and outstanding, and 4,273,332 remaining available for grant under all stock option plans.

At the annual meeting of shareholders held on June 1, 2017, the shareholders of the Corporation approved the addition of a further 1,500,000 units to the Corporation’s performance and restricted share unit plan.
As of March 5, 2018, there were 476,032 performance share units (“PSUs”) and 299,020 restricted share units (“RSUs”) issued and outstanding, and 1,557,491 remaining available for grant under all performance and restricted share unit plans.

On November 30, 2004, we announced that our board of directors had adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”) to ensure the fair treatment of shareholders in connection with any take-over offer, and to provide our board of directors and shareholders with additional time to fully consider any unsolicited take-over bid. We did not adopt the Rights Plan in response to any specific proposal to acquire control of the Company. The Rights Plan was approved by the TSX and was originally approved by our shareholders on May 18, 2005. The Rights Plan took effect as of November 29, 2004. On May 29, 2008, our shareholders approved certain amendments to the Rights Plan and approved the Rights Plan continuing in effect. At our annual shareholders meeting held on May 29, 2014, our shareholders approved certain amendments to the Rights Plan and approved the Rights Plan continuing in effect. At our annual shareholders meeting held on June 1, 2017, our shareholders approved certain amendments to, and the continuation of, the Rights Plan. We understand that the Rights Plan is similar to plans adopted by other Canadian companies and approved by their shareholders.
 
 
 
 
 

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Application of Critical Accounting Policies
 
 
Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with GAAP. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Estimates are deemed critical when a different estimate could have reasonably been used or where changes in the estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period and would materially impact our financial condition or results of operations. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements for 2018 included in our 2018 Annual Report.

Our management has discussed the development, selection and application of our critical accounting policies with the audit committee of the board of directors.

The following discusses the critical accounting estimates and assumptions that management has made under these policies and how they affect the amounts reported in the fiscal 2018 consolidated financial statements:

Revenue recognition
We recognize revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. We consider revenue realized or realizable and earned when there exists persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the product has been delivered or the services have been provided to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

In recognizing revenue, we make estimates and assumptions on factors such as the probability of collection of the receivable from the customer, the amount of revenue to allocate to individual elements in a multiple element arrangement, the selling price and other matters. We make these estimates and assumptions using our past experience, taking into account any other current information that may be relevant. These estimates and assumptions may differ from the actual outcome for a given customer which could impact operating results in a future period.

Impairment of long-lived assets
We test long-lived asset or asset groups, such as property and equipment and finite life intangible assets, for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. An impairment loss is recognized when the estimate of undiscounted future cash flows generated by such asset or asset groups is less than the carrying amount. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the present value of the expected future cash flows. Our impairment analysis contains estimates due to the inherent uncertainty relating to forecasting long-term estimated cash flows and determining the ultimate useful lives of asset or asset groups. Actual results will differ, which could materially impact our impairment assessment.

Goodwill
We test for impairment of goodwill at least annually on October 31st of each year and at any other time if any event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce our fair value below our carrying amount. Our operations are analyzed by management and our chief operating decision maker as being part of a single industry segment providing logistics technology solutions. Accordingly, our goodwill impairment assessment is based on the allocation of goodwill to a single reporting unit.

We will perform further quarterly analysis of whether any event has occurred that would more likely than not reduce our fair value below our carrying amounts and, if so, we will perform a goodwill impairment test between the annual dates. Any future impairment adjustment will be recognized as an expense in the period that the adjustment is identified.

 
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Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, assessing qualitative factors and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Significant judgments are required to estimate the fair value of reporting units and include estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment for each reporting unit.

Stock-based compensation plans
Stock Options
We maintain stock option plans for non-employee directors, officers, employees and other service providers. Options to purchase our common shares are granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common shares as of the date of grant. This fair market value is determined using the closing price of our common shares on the TSX on the day immediately preceding the date of the grant.

Employee stock options generally vest over a five-year period starting from the grant date and expire seven years from the grant date. Non-employee directors’ and officers’ stock options generally have quarterly vesting over a three- to five-year period.

The fair value of employee stock option grants that are ultimately expected to vest are amortized to expense in our consolidated statement of operations based on the straight-line attribution method. The fair value of stock option grants is calculated using the Black-Scholes Merton option-pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of our common stock and other factors. The risk-free interest rates are based on Government of Canada average bond yields for a period consistent with the expected life of the option in effect at the time of the grant. The expected option life is based on the historical life of our granted options and other factors.

Performance & Restricted Share Units
PSUs are measured at fair value estimated using a Monte Carlo Simulation approach and will be expensed to stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period. The ultimate number of PSUs that vest is based on the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of our Company relative to the TSR of companies comprising a peer index group. TSR is calculated based on the weighted-average closing price of shares for the five trading days preceding the beginning and end of the performance period. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of our common stock and other factors. The risk-free interest rates are based on the Government of Canada average bond yields for a period consistent with the expected life of the PSUs at the time of the grant. The expected PSU life is based on the historical life of our stock options and other factors.

RSUs vest annually over a three-year period starting from the grant date and expire ten years from the grant date. We issue new shares from treasury upon the redemption of an RSU. RSUs are measured at fair value based on the closing price of our common shares for the day preceding the date of the grant and will be expensed to stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period.

Deferred Share Unit Plan
Our board of directors adopted a deferred share unit plan effective as of June 28, 2004, pursuant to which non-employee directors are eligible to receive grants of deferred share units, each of which has an initial value equal to the weighted-average closing price of our common shares for the five trading days preceding the grant date. The plan allows each director to choose to receive, in the form of DSUs, all, none or a percentage of the eligible director’s fees which would otherwise be payable in cash. If a director has invested less than the minimum amount of equity in Descartes, as prescribed from time to time by the board of directors, then the director must take at least 50% of the base annual fee for serving as a director in the form of DSUs. Each DSU fully vests upon award but is distributed only when the director ceases to be a member of the board of directors. Vested units are settled in cash based on
 
 
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our common share price when conversion takes place. Fair value of the liability is based on the closing price of our common shares at the balance sheet date.

Cash-Settled Restricted Share Unit Plan
Our board of directors adopted a cash-settled restricted share unit plan effective as of May 23, 2007, pursuant to which certain of our employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive grants of CRSUs, each of which has an initial value equal to the weighted-average closing price of our common shares for the five trading days preceding the date of the grant. The CRSUs generally vest based on continued employment and have annual vesting over three- to five-year periods. Vested units are settled in cash based on our common share price when conversion takes place, which is within 30 days following a vesting date and in any event prior to December 31st of the calendar year in which a vesting date occurs. Fair value of the liability is based on the closing price of our common shares at the balance sheet date.

Income Taxes
We have provided for income taxes based on information that is currently available to us. The Tax Act was enacted on December 22, 2017 and introduces significant changes to U.S. income tax law. Effective January 1, 2018, the Tax Act reduces the U.S. statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% and creates new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings and certain related-party payments, which are referred to as the global intangible low-taxed income tax and the base erosion tax, respectively.

Due to the timing of the enactment and the complexity involved in applying the provisions of the Tax Act, we have made reasonable estimates of the effects and recorded provisional amounts in our consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2018. As we collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret the Tax Act and any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. Those adjustments are not expected to materially impact our provision for income taxes and effective tax rate in the period in which the adjustments are made. The accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed in fiscal 2019. Additional impacts from the enactment of the Tax Act will be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period as provided for in Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”).

Tax filings are subject to audits, which could materially change the amount of deferred income tax assets and liabilities. We record deferred tax assets on our consolidated balance sheet for tax benefits that we currently expect to realize in future periods. Over recent years, we have determined that there was sufficient positive evidence such that it was more likely than not that we would utilize all or a portion of deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions, to offset taxable income in future periods. This positive evidence included that we have earned cumulative income, after permanent differences, in each of these jurisdictions in at least the current and two preceding tax years. As such, over recent years, we have reduced our valuation allowances by amounts which represent the amount of tax loss carry forwards that we project will be used to offset taxable income in these jurisdictions over the foreseeable future. In making the projection for the period, we made certain assumptions, including the following: (i) that there will be continued customer migration from technology platforms owned by foreign jurisdictions to a technology platform owned by another entity in our corporate group; and (ii) that tax rates in these jurisdictions will be consistent over the period of projection. Any further change to increase or decrease the valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets would result in an income tax expense or income tax recovery, respectively, on the consolidated statements of operations.

Business Combinations
In connection with business acquisitions that we have completed, we identify and estimate the fair value of net assets acquired, including certain identifiable intangible assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired is assigned to goodwill. Intangible assets include customer agreements and relationships, non-compete covenants, existing technologies and trade names. Our initial allocation of purchase price is generally preliminary in nature and may not be final for up to one year from the date
 
 
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of acquisition. Changes to the estimates and assumptions used in determining our purchase price allocation may result in material differences depending on the size of the acquisition completed.

 
Change In / Initial Adoption of Accounting Policies
 
 
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, which was our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2017. As a result of adoption, excess tax benefits or deficiencies related to stock-based compensation are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of the provision for income taxes and reported as operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, on a prospective basis. Effective as of February 1, 2017, the Company adopted a change in accounting policy in accordance with ASU 2016-09 to account for forfeitures as they occur. The change was applied on a modified retrospective basis, and no prior periods were restated as a result of this change in accounting policy. Accordingly, we have recognized a cumulative adjustment charge of less than $0.1 million in accumulated deficit in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 as a result of the adoption of this change in accounting policy.

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 provides guidance to more clearly articulate the requirements for the measurement and disclosure of inventory. ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, which was our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”) and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance during 2015 and 2016, collectively referred to as “Topic 606”. These updates supersede the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, "Revenue Recognition" and nearly all other existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP. The core principle of Topic 606 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. Topic 606 can be applied either (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented with the option to elect certain practical expedients; or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures (the “cumulative effect approach”). Topic 606 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. We anticipate that we will adopt Topic 606 using the cumulative effect approach when this guidance becomes effective for us, starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

We are currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of Topic 606 will have on our results of operations, financial position and disclosures. To date we have established a project team with the objective of evaluating the effect that Topic 606 will have on our consolidated financial statements, related disclosures, business processes, systems and controls. We are analyzing the impact of the new standard on our contracts by reviewing current accounting policies, practices and our revenue contracts to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard. In parallel, we are assessing the changes to our business processes, systems and controls in order to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. While we are continuing to assess all
 
 
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potential impacts of the new revenue recognition standard, we currently believe the most significant impact will relate to our accounting for costs to obtain a contract, on premise subscription offerings as well as expanded disclosures related to revenue, performance obligations and contract balances.

Under the new standard, we will defer all incremental commission costs to obtain customer contracts and amortize these costs over an expected period of benefit, which we have determined to be approximately five years. As a result, we expect an increase in deferred commission assets and a change in the timing of recognition of commission expense in future reporting periods under the new standard. We anticipate a retained earnings adjustment of approximately $2.0 to $3.0 million, net of a tax impact of $0.8 to $1.1 million, upon adoption related to contract costs. The ultimate impact is subject to actual commissions earned in fiscal 2018.

Under current GAAP, revenue attributable to subscription services related to on premise offerings is recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement because Vendor Specific Objective Evidence (VSOE) does not exist for the undelivered maintenance and support element as it is not sold separately. The requirement to have VSOE for undelivered elements to enable the separation of the delivered software licenses is eliminated under the new revenue recognition standard. Accordingly, under this new standard we will be required to recognize as revenue a portion of the arrangement fee upon delivery of the initial software at the outset of the arrangement. This difference will result in allocating a transaction price to the delivered software component of a subscription offering and thus an earlier recognition of revenue related to that transaction price. The Company continues to evaluate the impact related to on premise subscription offerings.

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 supersedes the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories reducing the number of items that are recognized in other comprehensive income as well as simplifying the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 supersedes the lease guidance in ASC Topic 840, “Leases” and requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2019 (fiscal 2020). The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The adoption of this standard is expected to increase assets and liabilities, as we will be required to record a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability in our consolidated financial statements, as well as a decrease to operating costs, an increase to finance costs (due to accretion of the lease liability) and an increase to depreciation and amortization (due to amortization of the right-of-use asset). The Company continues to evaluate the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2020 (fiscal 2021). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.

 
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In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 clarifies the presentation and classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” (“ASU 2016-16”). ASU 2016-16 requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this standard will result in the write-off of the balance of unamortized deferred tax charges and the recognition of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions. We anticipate an increase in retained earnings of up to $4.0 million upon adoption related to the unrecognized income tax effects of asset transfers that occurred prior to adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is not permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2020 (fiscal 2021). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”). ASU 2017-09 clarifies the guidance on when to apply modification accounting for share-based payment awards. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

 
Controls and Procedures
 
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings) as of January 31, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
 
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Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings) as of January 31, 2018, based on criteria established in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of January 31, 2018, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

During the period beginning on November 1, 2017 and ended on January 31, 2018, no changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
Trends / Business Outlook
 
 
This section discusses our outlook for fiscal 2019 and in general as of the date of this MD&A, and contains forward-looking statements.

Our business may be impacted from time to time by the general cyclical and seasonal nature of particular modes of transportation and the freight market in general, as well as the cyclical and seasonal nature of the industries that such markets serve. Factors which may create cyclical fluctuations in such modes of transportation or the freight market in general include legal and regulatory requirements, timing of contract renewals between our customers and their own customers, seasonal-based tariffs, vacation periods applicable to particular shipping or receiving nations, weather-related events that impact shipping in particular geographies and amendments to international trade agreements. Since some of our revenues from particular products and services are tied to the volume of shipments being processed, adverse fluctuations in the volume of global shipments or shipments in any particular mode of transportation may adversely affect our revenues. Significant declines in shipment volumes could likely have a material adverse effect on our business.

Industry consolidation, rapid technological change and frequent new product introductions and enhancements continue to characterize the software and network services industries – particularly for logistics management technology companies. Organizations are increasingly requiring greater levels of functionality and more sophisticated product offerings from their software and services providers.

Increased importance is being placed on leveraging cloud-based technology to better manage logistics processes and to connect and collaborate with trading partners on a global basis, as well as to reuse and share supply chain data in order to accelerate time-to-value. Cloud-based technology also enables business networks to more easily unite and integrate services provided by a broad range of partners and technology alliances to extend functionality and further enhance collaboration between business communities. As a result, we believe there is a trend away from using manual and paper-based supply chain and logistics processes towards electronic processes powered by the exchange of electronic information between logistics and supply chain participants.

Accordingly, we expect that our future success will be dependent upon our ability to enhance current products or develop and introduce new products offering enhanced performance and new functionality at competitive prices. In particular, we believe customers are looking for end-to-end solutions that combine a multi-modal, multi-process network with business document exchange and wireless mobile resource management (“MRM”) applications with end-to-end global trade compliance, trade content and collaborative supply chain execution applications. These applications include freight bookings, contract and rate management, classification of goods for tariff and duty purposes, sanctioned party screening, customs filings and electronic shipment manifest processes, transportation management, routing and scheduling, purchase order to dock door processes, and inventory visibility.

 
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We believe there is a continued acceptance of subscription pricing and SaaS business models in the markets we serve that provide lower up-front cost and easier-to-maintain alternatives than may be available through traditional perpetual license pricing models. In fiscal 2018, our services revenues comprised 97% of our total revenues, with the balance being license revenues. We expect that our focus in fiscal 2019 will remain on generating services revenues, primarily by promoting the use of our GLN (including customs compliance services) and the migration of customers using our legacy license-based products to our services-based architecture. We anticipate maintaining the flexibility to license our products to those customers who prefer to buy the products in that fashion and the composition of our revenues in any one quarter between services revenues and license revenues will be impacted by the buying preferences of our customers.

We have significant contracts with our license customers for ongoing support and maintenance, as well as significant service contracts which provide us with recurring services revenues. After their initial term, our service contracts are generally renewable at a customer’s option, and there are generally no mandatory payment obligations or obligations to license additional software or subscribe for additional services. For fiscal 2019, based on our historic experience, we anticipate that over a one-year period we may lose approximately 4% to 6% of our aggregate annualized recurring revenues in the ordinary course.

We internally measure and manage our “baseline calibration,” a non-GAAP financial measure, which we define as the difference between our “baseline revenues” and “baseline operating expenses”. We define our “baseline revenues,” a non-GAAP financial measure, as our visible, recurring and contracted revenues. Baseline revenues are not a projection of anticipated total revenues for a period as they exclude any anticipated or expected new sales for a period beyond the date that the baseline revenues are measured. We define our “baseline operating expenses,” a non-GAAP financial measure, as our total expenses less interest, investment income, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation (for which we include related costs and taxes), acquisition-related costs and restructuring charges. Baseline operating expenses are not a projection of anticipated total expenses for a period as they exclude any expenses associated with anticipated or expected new sales for a period beyond the date that the baseline expenses are measured. Our baseline calibration is not a projection of net income for a period as determined in accordance with GAAP, or adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for a period as it excludes anticipated or expected new sales for a period beyond the date that the baseline calibration is measured, excludes any costs of goods sold or other expenses associated with such new sales, and excludes the expenses identified as excluded in the definition of “baseline operating expenses,” above. We calculate and disclose “baseline revenues,” “baseline operating expenses” and “baseline calibration” because management uses these metrics in determining its planned levels of expenditures for a period and we believe this information is useful to our investors. However, because these metrics are limited estimated operating metrics that do not have comparable GAAP measures, we are unable to provide quantitative reconciliations of these measures to GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts and accordingly are omitting this information. These metrics are estimated operating metrics and not projections, nor actual financial results, and are not indicative of current or future performance. These metrics do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are unlikely to be comparable to similarly-titled metrics used by other companies and are not a replacement or proxy for any GAAP measure. At February 1, 2018, using foreign exchange rates of $0.81 to CAD $1.00, $1.24 to EUR 1.00 and $1.42 to £1.00, we estimated that our baseline revenues for the first quarter of 2019 are approximately $62.3 million and our baseline operating expenses are approximately $44.7 million. We consider this to be our baseline calibration of approximately $17.6 million for the first quarter of 2019, or approximately 28% of our baseline revenues as at February 1, 2018.

We estimate that aggregate amortization expense for existing intangible assets will be $34.9 million for 2019, $33.5 million for 2020, $30.0 million for 2021, $25.7 million for 2022, $18.2 million for 2023 and $35.7 million thereafter. Expected future amortization expense is based on the level of existing intangibles at January 31, 2018, is subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and assumes no future adjustments or impairment of existing intangible assets.
 
 
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Based on awards outstanding at January 31, 2018, we anticipate that stock-based compensation expense for fiscal 2019 will be approximately $2.2 to $2.6 million, subject to any necessary adjustments resulting from actual stock-based compensation forfeitures and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

We performed our annual goodwill impairment tests in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC Topic 350”) as at October 31, 2017 and determined that there was no evidence of impairment. We are currently scheduled to perform our next annual impairment test during the third quarter of fiscal 2019. We will continue to perform quarterly analyses of whether any event has occurred
that would more likely than not reduce our enterprise value below our carrying amounts and, if so, we will perform a goodwill impairment test between the annual dates. The likelihood of any future impairment increases if our public market capitalization is adversely impacted by global economic, capital market or other conditions for a sustained period of time. Any future impairment adjustment will be recognized as an expense in the period that such adjustment is identified.

In fiscal 2018, capital expenditures were $5.1 million or 2% of revenues, as we continue to invest in computer equipment and software to support our network and build out our infrastructure. We anticipate that we will incur approximately $6.0 to $8.0 million in capital expenditures in fiscal 2019 primarily related to investments in our network and security infrastructure.

We conduct business in a variety of foreign currencies and, as a result, our foreign operations are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations. Our businesses operate in their local currency environment and use their local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into US dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated using daily exchange rates. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are accumulated in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Transactions incurred in currencies other than the functional currency are converted to the functional currency at the transaction date. All foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in net income. Some of our cash is held in foreign currencies. We currently have no specific hedging program in place to address fluctuations in international currency exchange rates. We can make no accurate prediction of what will happen with international currency exchange rates going forward. However, if the US dollar was to weaken in comparison to foreign currencies, then we anticipate this will increase the expenses of our business and have a negative impact on our results of operations. By way of illustration, 65% of our revenues in fiscal 2018 were in US dollars, 17% in euro, 5% in Canadian dollars, 4% in British pound sterling, and the balance in mixed currencies, while 49% of our operating expenses were in US dollars, 19% in euro, 17% in Canadian dollars, 4% in British pound sterling, and the balance in mixed currencies.

Our tax expense for a period is difficult to predict as it depends on many factors, including the actual jurisdictions in which income is earned, the tax rates in those jurisdictions, the amount of deferred tax assets relating to the jurisdictions and the valuation allowances relating to those tax assets. We can provide no assurance as to the timing or amounts of any income tax expense or recovery, nor can we provide any assurance that our current valuation allowance for deferred tax assets will not need to be adjusted further.

Due to the timing of the enactment and the complexity involved in applying the provisions of the Tax Act, we have made reasonable estimates of the effects and recorded provisional amounts in our consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2018. The net tax recovery recognized in 2018 related to the Tax Act was $0.7 million. As we collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret the Tax Act and any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. Those adjustments are not expected to materially impact our provision for income taxes and effective tax rate in the period in which the adjustments are made. The accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed in fiscal 2019. Additional impacts from the enactment of the Tax Act will be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period as provided for in SAB 118.

 
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We intend to continue to actively explore business combinations to add complementary services, products and customers to our existing businesses. We also intend to continue to focus our acquisition activities on companies that are targeting the same customers as us and processing similar data and, to that end, we listen to our customers’ suggestions as they relate to acquisition opportunities. Depending on the size and scope of any business combination, or series of business combinations, we may choose or need to use our existing credit facility or need to raise additional debt or equity capital. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to undertake such a financing transaction. If we use debt in connection with acquisition activity, we will incur additional interest expense from the date of the draw under such facility.

Certain future commitments are set out above in the section of this MD&A called “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees”. We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to fund our current operating and working capital requirements, including the payment of these commitments.

 
Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results
 
 
Any investment in us will be subject to risks inherent to our business. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described below together with all other information included in this report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are not aware of or have not focused on, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair our business operations. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.

If any of the risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.

We may have difficulties identifying, successfully integrating or maintaining or growing our acquired businesses.
Businesses that we acquire may sell products or services that we have limited experience operating or managing. We may experience unanticipated challenges or difficulties identifying suitable acquisition candidates, integrating their businesses into our company, maintaining these businesses at their current levels or growing these businesses. Factors that may impair our ability to identify, successfully integrate, maintain or grow acquired businesses may include, but are not limited to:
·
Challenges identifying suitable businesses to buy and negotiating the acquisition of those businesses on acceptable terms;
·
Challenges completing the acquisitions within our expected time frames and budgets;
·
Challenges in integrating acquired businesses with our business;
·
Loss of customers of the acquired business;
·
Loss of key personnel from the acquired business, such as former executive officers or key technical personnel;
·
Non-compatible business cultures;
·
For regulatory compliance businesses, changes in government regulations impacting electronic regulatory filings or import/export compliance, including changes in which government agencies are responsible for gathering import and export information;
·
Difficulties in gaining necessary approvals in international markets to expand acquired businesses as contemplated;
·
Our inability to obtain or maintain necessary security clearances to provide international shipment management services;
·
Our failure to make appropriate capital investments in infrastructure to facilitate growth; and
·
Other risk factors identified in this report.

 
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We may fail to properly respond to any of these risks, which may have a material adverse effect on our business results.

Investments in acquisitions and other business initiatives involve a number of risks that could harm our business.
We have in the past acquired, and in the future, expect to seek to acquire, additional products, services, customers, technologies and businesses that we believe are complementary to ours. For example, in fiscal 2018 we acquired ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint. In fiscal 2017, we acquired Pixi, Appterra, 4Solutions and Datamyne. In fiscal 2016, we acquired MK Data, BearWare and Oz. We are unable to predict whether or when we will be able to identify any appropriate products, technologies or businesses for acquisition, or the likelihood that any potential acquisition will be available on terms acceptable to us or will be completed. We also, from time to time, take on investments in other business initiatives, such as the implementation of new systems or purchase of marketable securities.

Acquisitions and other business initiatives involve a number of risks, including: substantial investment of funds, diversion of management’s attention from current operations; additional demands on resources, systems, procedures and controls; and disruption of our ongoing business. Acquisitions specifically involve risks, including: difficulties in integrating and retaining all or part of the acquired business, its customers and its personnel; assumption of disclosed and undisclosed liabilities; dealing with unfamiliar laws, customs and practices in foreign jurisdictions; and the effectiveness of the acquired company’s internal controls and procedures. In addition, we may not identify all risks or fully assess risks identified in connection with an investment. As well, by investing in such initiatives, we may deplete our cash resources or dilute our shareholder base by issuing additional shares. Furthermore, for acquisitions, there is a risk that our valuation assumptions, customer retention expectations and our models for an acquired product or business may be erroneous or inappropriate due to foreseen or unforeseen circumstances and thereby cause us to overvalue an acquisition target. There is also a risk that the contemplated benefits of an acquisition or other investment may not materialize as planned or may not materialize within the time period or to the extent anticipated. The individual or combined effect of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business.

System or network failures or information security breaches in connection with our services and products could reduce our sales, impair our reputation, increase costs or result in liability claims, and seriously harm our business.
We rely on information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information. Any disruption to our services and products, our own information systems or communications networks or those of third-party providers on which we rely as part of our own product offerings could result in the inability of our customers to receive our products for an indeterminate period of time. Our ability to deliver our products and services depends on the development and maintenance of internet infrastructure by third parties. This includes maintenance of reliable networks with the necessary security, speed, data capacity and bandwidth. While our services are designed to operate without interruption, we have experienced, and may in the future experience, interruptions and delays in services and availability from time to time. In the event of a catastrophic event with respect to one or more of our systems, we may experience an extended period of system unavailability, which could negatively impact our relationship with customers. Our services and products may not function properly for reasons which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
System or network failure;
Software errors, failures and crashes;
Interruption in the supply of power;
Virus proliferation or malware;
Communications failures;
Information or infrastructure security breaches;
Insufficient investment in infrastructure;
Earthquakes, fires, floods, natural disasters, or other force majeure events outside our control; and
Acts of war, sabotage, cyber-attacks, denial-of-service attacks and/or terrorism.

 
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In addition, any disruption to the availability of customer information, or any compromise to the integrity or confidentiality of customer information in our systems or networks, or the systems or networks of third parties on which we rely, could result in our customers being unable to effectively use our products or services or being forced to take mitigating actions to protect their information. Back-up and redundant systems may be insufficient or may fail and result in a disruption of availability of our products or services to our customers or the integrity or availability of our customers’ information.

Some jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals of data security breaches
involving certain types of personal data and in some cases our agreements with certain customers require us to notify them in the event of a security incident. Such mandatory disclosures could lead to negative publicity and may cause our current and prospective customers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of our data security measures. Moreover, if a high-profile security breach occurs with respect to another SaaS provider, customers may lose trust in the security of the SaaS business model generally, which could adversely impact our ability to retain existing customers or attract new ones.

Any actual or perceived threat of disruption to our services or any compromise of customer information could impair our reputation and cause us to lose customers or revenue, or face litigation, necessitate customer service or repair work that would involve substantial costs and distract management from operating our business. Despite the implementation of advanced threat protection, information and network security measures and disaster recovery plans, our systems and those of third parties on which we rely may be vulnerable. If we are unable (or are perceived as being unable) to prevent, or promptly identify and remedy, such outages and breaches, our operations may be disrupted, our business reputation could be adversely affected, and there could be a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our existing customers might cancel contracts with us, fail to renew contracts on their renewal dates, and/or fail to purchase additional services and products, and we may be unable to attract new customers.
We depend on our installed customer base for a significant portion of our revenues. We have significant contracts with our license customers for ongoing support and maintenance, as well as significant service contracts that provide recurring services revenues to us. In addition, our installed customer base has historically generated additional new license and services revenues for us. Service contracts are generally renewable at a customer’s option and/or subject to cancellation rights, and there are generally no mandatory payment obligations or obligations to license additional software or subscribe for additional services.

If our customers fail to renew their service contracts, fail to purchase additional services or products, or we are unable to attract new customers, then our revenues could decrease and our operating results could be adversely affected. Factors influencing such contract terminations could include changes in the financial circumstances of our customers, dissatisfaction with our products or services, our retirement or lack of support for our legacy products and services, our customers selecting or building alternate technologies to replace us, the cost of our products and services as compared to the cost of products and services offered by our competitors, our ability to attract, hire and maintain qualified personnel to meet customer needs, consolidating activities in the market, and changes in our customers’ business or in regulation impacting our customers’ business that may no longer necessitate the use of our products or services, general economic or market conditions, or other reasons. Further, our customers could delay or terminate implementations or use of our services and products or be reluctant to migrate to new products. Such customers will not generate the revenues we may have anticipated within the timelines anticipated, if at all, and may be less likely to invest in additional services or products from us in the future. We may not be able to adjust our expense levels quickly enough to account for any such revenue losses. In addition, loss of one or more of our key customers could adversely impact our competitive position in the marketplace and hurt our credibility and ability to attract new customers.

 
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Our success depends on our ability to continue to innovate and to create new solutions and enhancements to our existing products
We may not be able to develop and introduce new solutions and enhancements to our existing products that respond to new technologies or shipment regulations on a timely basis. If we are unable to develop and sell new products and new features for our existing products that keep pace with rapid technological and regulatory change as well as developments in the transportation logistics industry, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. We intend to continue to invest significant resources in research and development to enhance our existing products and services and introduce new high-quality products that customers will want. If we are unable to predict or quickly react to user preferences or changes in the transportation logistics industry, or its regulatory requirements, or if we are unable to modify our products and services on a timely basis or to effectively bring new products to market, our sales may suffer.

In addition, we may experience difficulties with software or hardware development, design, integration with third-party software or hardware, or marketing that could delay or prevent our introduction, deployment or implementation of new solutions and enhancements. The introduction of new solutions by competitors, the emergence of new industry standards or the development of entirely new technologies to replace existing offerings could render our existing or future solutions obsolete.

We may not have sufficient resources to make the necessary investments in software development and our technical infrastructure, and we may experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction or marketing of new products or enhancements. In addition, our products or enhancements may not meet increasingly complex customer requirements or achieve market acceptance at the rate we expect, or at all. Any failure by us to anticipate or respond adequately to technological advancements, customer requirements and changing industry standards, or any significant delays in the development, introduction or availability of new products or enhancements, could undermine our current market position and negatively impact our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We may not remain competitive. Increased competition could seriously harm our business.
The market for supply chain technology is highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change. We expect that competition will increase in the future. To maintain and improve our competitive position, we must continue to develop and introduce in a timely and cost-effective manner new products, product features and network services to keep pace with our competitors. We currently face competition from a large number of specific market entrants, some of which are focused on specific industries, geographic regions or other components of markets we operate in.

Current and potential competitors include supply chain application software vendors, customers that undertake internal software development efforts, value-added networks and business document exchanges, enterprise resource planning software vendors, regulatory filing companies, trade data vendors and general business application software vendors. Many of our current and potential competitors may have one or more of the following relative advantages:
·
Established relationships with existing customers or prospects that we are targeting;
·
Superior product functionality and industry-specific expertise;
·
Broader range of products to offer and better product life cycle management;
·
Larger installed base of customers;
·
Greater financial, technical, marketing, sales, distribution and other resources;
·
Better performance;
·
Lower cost structure and more profitable operations;
·
Greater investment in infrastructure;
·
Greater worldwide presence;
·
Early adoption of, or adaptation to changes in, technology; or
·
Longer operating history; and/or greater name recognition.

 
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Further, current and potential competitors have established, or may establish, cooperative relationships and business combinations among themselves or with third parties to enhance their products, which may result in increased competition. In addition, we expect to experience increasing price competition and competition surrounding other commercial terms as we compete for market share. In particular, larger competitors or competitors with a broader range of services and products may bundle their products, rendering our products more expensive and/or less functional. As a result of these and other factors, we may be unable to compete successfully with our existing or new competitors.

Disruptions in the movement of freight could negatively affect our revenues.
Our business is highly dependent on the movement of freight from one point to another since we generate transaction revenues as freight is moved by, to or from our customers. If there are disruptions in the movement of freight, proper reporting or the overall volume of international shipments, whether as a result of labor disputes, weather or natural disaster, terrorist events, political instability, changes in cross border trade agreements, contagious illness outbreaks, or otherwise, then the traffic volume on our Global Logistics Network will be impacted and our revenues will be adversely affected. As these types of freight disruptions are generally unpredictable, there can be no assurance that our business, results of operations and financial condition will not be adversely affected by such events.

If we fail to attract and retain key personnel, it would adversely affect our ability to develop and effectively manage our business.
Our performance is substantially dependent on the performance of our highly qualified management, technical expertise, and sales and marketing personnel, which we regard as key individuals to our business. We do not maintain life insurance policies on any of our employees that list Descartes as a loss payee. Our success is highly dependent on our ability to identify, hire, train, motivate, promote, and retain key individuals. Significant competition exists for management and skilled personnel. If we fail to cross train key employees, particularly those with specialized knowledge it could impair our ability to provide consistent and uninterrupted service to our customers. If we are not able to attract, retain or establish an effective succession planning program for key individuals it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and the price of our common shares.

We have in the past, and may in the future, make changes to our executive management team or board of directors. There can be no assurance that any such changes and the resulting transition will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and the price of our common shares.

Changes in the value of the U.S. dollar, as compared to the currencies of other countries where we transact business, could harm our operating results and financial condition.
Historically, the largest percentage of our revenues has been denominated in U.S. dollars. However, the majority of our international expenses, including the wages of our non-U.S. employees and certain key supply agreements, have been denominated in Canadian dollars, euros and other foreign currencies. Therefore, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the Canadian dollar, the euro and other foreign currencies may materially affect our operating results. We generally have not implemented hedging programs to mitigate our exposure to currency fluctuations affecting international accounts receivable, cash balances and inter-company accounts. We also have not hedged our exposure to currency fluctuations affecting future international revenues and expenses and other commitments. Accordingly, currency exchange rate fluctuations have caused, and may continue to cause, variability in our foreign currency denominated revenue streams, expenses, and our cost to settle foreign currency denominated liabilities.

General economic conditions may affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Demand for our products depends in large part upon the level of capital and operating expenditures by many of our customers. Decreased capital and operational spending could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and our business, results of operations, cash flow and overall financial condition. Disruptions in the financial markets may adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future, which could result in the delay or cancellation of projects or capital programs on which our business depends. In addition, disruptions in
 
 
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the financial markets may also have an adverse impact on regional economies or the world economy, which could negatively impact the capital and operating expenditures of our customers. These conditions may reduce the willingness or ability of our customers and prospective customers to commit funds to purchase our products and services, or their ability to pay for our products and services after purchase.

Changes in government filing or screening requirements for global trade may adversely impact our business.
Our regulatory compliance services help our customers comply with government filing and screening requirements relating to global trade. The services that we offer may be impacted, from time to time, by changes in these requirements, including potential future changes as a consequence of the results of the UK Brexit vote or re-negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Changes in requirements that impact electronic regulatory filings or import/export compliance, including changes adding or reducing filing requirements, changes in enforcement practices or changes in the government agency responsible for such requirements could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Emergence or increased adoption of alternative sources for trade data may adversely impact our business.
With recent acquisitions in the area of supplying trade data and content, an increasing portion of our business relates to the supply of trade data and content that is often used by our customers in other systems, such as enterprise resource planning systems. Emergence or increased adoption of alternative sources of this data and content could have an adverse impact on our customers’ needs to obtain this data and content from us and/or the need for certain of the third-party system vendors in this field to refer customers to us for this data and content, each of which could adversely impact upon the revenues and income we generate from these areas of our business.

We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities or expenses.
We are subject to income and non-income taxes in various jurisdictions and our tax structure is subject to review by both domestic and foreign taxation authorities and currently has tax audits open in a number of jurisdictions in which we operate. On a quarterly basis, we assess the status of these audits and the potential for adverse outcomes to determine whether a provision for income and other taxes is appropriate. The timing of the resolution of income tax audits is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ from any amounts that we accrue from time to time. The actual amount of any change could vary significantly depending on the ultimate timing and nature of any settlements. We cannot currently provide an estimate of the range of possible outcomes.
 
The determination of our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant judgment. In the ordinary course of a global business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Any audit of our tax filings could materially change the amount of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities. We have recorded a valuation allowance against a portion of our net deferred tax assets. If we achieve a consistent level of profitability, the likelihood of further reducing our deferred tax valuation allowance for some portion of the losses incurred in prior periods in one of our jurisdictions will increase. We calculate our current and deferred tax provision based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during subsequent years. Adjustments based on filed returns are generally recorded in the period when the tax returns are filed and the global tax implications are known. Our estimate of the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is based on a number of assumptions. Any further changes to the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets would also result in an income tax recovery or income tax expense, as applicable, on the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the valuation allowance is changed.

Changes to earnings resulting from past acquisitions may adversely affect our operating results.
Under ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations”, we allocate the total purchase price to an acquired company’s net tangible assets, intangible assets and in-process research and development based on
 
 
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their values as of the date of the acquisition (including certain assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value) and record the excess of the purchase price over those values as goodwill. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable but which are inherently uncertain. After we complete an acquisition, the following factors, among others, could result in material charges that would adversely affect our operating results and may adversely affect our cash flows:
·
Impairment of goodwill or intangible assets;
·
A reduction in the useful lives of intangible assets acquired;
·
Identification of assumed contingent liabilities after we finalize the purchase price allocation period;
·
Charges to our operating results to eliminate certain pre-merger activities that duplicate those of the acquired company or to reduce our cost structure; and
·
Charges to our operating results resulting from revised estimates to restructure an acquired company’s operations after we finalize the purchase price allocation period.

Routine charges to our operating results associated with acquisitions include amortization of intangible assets, acquisition-related costs and restructuring charges. Acquisition-related costs primarily include retention bonuses, advisory services, brokerage services and administrative costs with respect to completed and prospective acquisitions.

We expect to continue to incur additional costs associated with combining the operations of our acquired companies, which may be substantial. Additional costs may include costs of employee redeployment, relocation and retention, including salary increases or bonuses, accelerated stock-based compensation expenses and severance payments, reorganization or closure of facilities, taxes, and termination of contracts that provide redundant or conflicting services. These costs would be accounted for as expenses and would decrease our net income and earnings per share for the periods in which those adjustments are made.

If we need additional capital in the future and are unable to obtain it or can only obtain it on unfavorable terms, our operations may be adversely affected, and the market price for our securities could decline.
Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through cash flows from our operations, the sale of our equity securities and borrowing under our credit facility. In addition to our current cash and available debt facilities, we may need to raise additional debt or equity capital to fund expansion of our operations, to enhance our services and products, or to acquire or invest in complementary products, services, businesses or technologies. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to undertake incremental financing transactions. If we raise additional funds through further issuances of convertible debt or equity securities, our existing shareholders could suffer significant dilution and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those attaching to our common shares. Our current credit facility contains, and any debt financing secured by us in the future could contain restrictive covenants relating to our capital-raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. In addition, we may not be able to obtain additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. If adequate funds are not available on terms favorable or at all, our operations and growth strategy may be adversely affected and the market price for our common shares could decline.

As we continue to increase our international operations we increase our exposure to international business risks that could cause our operating results to suffer.
While our headquarters are in Canada, we currently have direct operations in the U.S., EMEA, Asia Pacific and South American regions. We anticipate that these international operations will continue to require significant management attention and financial resources to localize our services and products for delivery in these markets, to develop compliance expertise relating to international regulatory agencies, and to develop direct and indirect sales and support channels in those markets. We face a number of risks associated with conducting our business internationally that could negatively impact our operating results. These risks include, but are not limited to:
 
 
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·
Longer collection time from foreign clients, particularly in the EMEA region and the Asia Pacific region;
·
Difficulty in repatriating cash from certain foreign jurisdictions;
·
Language barriers, conflicting international business practices, and other difficulties related to the management and administration of a global business;
·
Increased management, travel, infrastructure and legal compliance costs associated with having international operations;
·
Difficulties and costs of staffing and managing geographically disparate direct and indirect operations;
·
Volatility or fluctuations in foreign currency and tariff rates;
·
Multiple, and possibly overlapping, tax structures;
·
Complying with complicated and widely differing global laws and regulations in areas such as employment, tax, privacy and data protection;
·
Trade restrictions;
·
Enhanced security procedures and requirements relating to certain jurisdictions;
·
The need to consider characteristics unique to technology systems used internationally;
·
Economic or political instability in some markets; and
·
Other risk factors set out herein.

Increases in fuel prices and other transportation costs may have an adverse effect on the businesses of our customers resulting in them spending less money with us.
Our customers are all involved, directly or indirectly, in the delivery of goods from one point to another, particularly transportation providers and freight forwarders. As the costs of these deliveries become more expensive, whether as a result of increases in fuel costs or otherwise, our customers may have fewer funds available to spend on our products and services. There can be no assurance that these companies will be able to allocate sufficient funds to use our products and services. In addition, rising fuel costs may cause global or geographic-specific reductions in the number of shipments being made, thereby impacting the number of transactions being processed by our Global Logistics Network and our corresponding network revenues.

We may not be able to compensate for downward pricing pressure on certain products and services by increased volumes of transactions or increased prices elsewhere in our business, ultimately resulting in lower revenues.
Some of our products and services are sold to industries where there is downward pricing pressure on the particular product or service due to competition, general industry conditions or other causes. If we cannot offset any such downward pricing pressure, then the particular customer may generate less revenue for our business or we may have less aggregate revenue. This could have an adverse impact on our operating results.

From time to time, we may be subject to litigation or dispute resolution that could result in significant costs to us and damage to our reputation.
From time to time, we may be subject to litigation or dispute resolution relating to any number or type of claims, including claims for damages related to undetected errors or malfunctions of our services and products or their deployment, claims related to previously-completed acquisition transactions or claims relating to applicable securities laws. Litigation may seriously harm our business because of the costs of defending the lawsuit, diversion of employees’ time and attention and potential damage to our reputation.

Further, our services and products are complex and often implemented by our customers to interact with third-party technology or networks. Claims may be made against us for damages properly attributable to those third-party technologies or networks, regardless of our lack of responsibility for any failure resulting in a loss, even if our services and products perform in accordance with their functional specifications. We may also have disputes with key suppliers for damages incurred which, depending on resolution of the disputes, could impact the ongoing quality, price or availability of the services or products we procure from the supplier. Limitation of liability provisions in certain third-party contracts may not be enforceable under the laws of some jurisdictions. As a result, we could be required to pay
 
 
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substantial amounts of damages in settlement or upon the determination of any of these types of claims, and incur damage to our reputation and products. The likelihood of such claims and the amount of damages we may be required to pay may increase as our customers increasingly use our services and products for critical business functions, or rely on our services and products as the systems of record to store data for use by other customer applications. Our insurance may not cover potential claims, or may not be adequate to cover all costs incurred in defense of potential claims or to indemnify us for all liability that may be imposed. A claim brought against us that is uninsured or underinsured could result in unanticipated costs, thereby harming our operating results and leading analysts or potential investors to lower their expectations of our performance, which could reduce the trading price of our common shares.

Our success and ability to compete depend upon our ability to secure and protect patents, trademarks and other proprietary rights.
We consider certain aspects of our internal operations, products, services and related documentation to be proprietary, and we primarily rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and other measures to protect our proprietary rights. Patent applications or issued patents, as well as trademark, copyright, and trade secret rights may not provide adequate protection or competitive advantage and may require significant resources to obtain and defend. We will also not be able to protect our intellectual property if we are unable to enforce our rights or if we do not detect unauthorized use of our intellectual property. Despite our precautions, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy our products and use information that we regard as proprietary to create products and services that compete with ours. We also rely on contractual restrictions in our agreements with customers, employees, outsourced developers and others to protect our intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, or that our patents, copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets will not otherwise become known. Through an escrow arrangement, we have granted some of our customers a contingent future right to use our source code for software products solely for their internal maintenance services. If our source code is accessed through an escrow, the likelihood of misappropriation or other misuse of our intellectual property may increase.

Moreover, the laws of some countries do not protect proprietary intellectual property rights as effectively as do the laws of the U.S. and Canada. Protecting and defending our intellectual property rights could be costly regardless of venue. In order to protect our intellectual property rights, we may be required to spend significant resources to monitor and protect these rights. The Company is currently involved in, and expects to remain involved in, certain litigation to protect its intellectual property from infringement by third parties. In addition, further litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the intellectual property rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Litigation brought to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could be costly, time consuming and distracting to management and could result in the impairment or loss of portions of our intellectual property. Furthermore, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims and countersuits attacking the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property rights and/or exposing us to claims for damages in any related counterclaims or countersuits. Our inability to protect our proprietary technology against unauthorized copying or use, as well as any costly litigation or diversion of our management’s attention and resources, could delay further sales or the implementation of our solutions, impair the functionality of our solutions, delay introductions of new solutions, result in our substituting inferior or more costly technologies into our solutions, or injure our reputation.

Concerns about the environmental impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change may result in environmental taxes, charges, regulatory schemes, assessments or penalties, which could restrict or negatively impact our operations or reduce our profitability.
The impacts of human activity on global climate change have attracted considerable public and scientific attention, as well as the attention of the U.S. and other governments. Efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, including those from automobiles and other modes of transportation. The added cost of any environmental regulation, taxes, charges, assessments or
 
 
40

penalties levied or imposed on our customers in light of these efforts could result in additional costs for our customers, which could lead them to reduce use of our services. There are also a number of legislative and environmental regulatory initiatives internationally that could restrict or negatively impact our operations or increase our costs. Additionally, environmental regulation, taxes, charges, assessments or penalties could be levied or imposed directly on us. Any enactment of laws or passage of regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions by Canada, the U.S., or any other jurisdiction we conduct our business in, could adversely affect our operations and financial results.

The general cyclical and seasonal nature of the freight market may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our business may be impacted from time to time by the general cyclical and seasonal nature of particular modes of transportation and the freight market in general, as well as the cyclical and seasonal nature of the industries that such markets serve. Factors which may create cyclical fluctuations in such modes of transportation or the freight market in general include legal and regulatory requirements, timing of contract renewals between our customers and their own customers, seasonal-based tariffs, vacation periods applicable to particular shipping or receiving nations, weather-related events that impact shipping in particular geographies and amendments to international trade agreements. Since some of our revenues from particular products and services are tied to the volume of shipments being processed, adverse fluctuations in the volume of global shipments or shipments in any particular mode of transportation may adversely affect our revenues. Declines in shipment volumes would likely have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are dependent on certain key vendors for the availability of telematics units, which could impede our development and expansion.
We currently have relationships with a small number of telematics/mobile asset unit vendors over which we have no operational or financial control and no influence in how these vendors conduct their businesses. Suppliers of telematics/mobile asset units could among other things, extend delivery times, raise prices and limit supply due to their own shortages and business requirements. Interruption in the supply of equipment from these vendors could delay our ability to maintain, grow and expand our telematics solutions business and those areas of our business that interact with telematics units. If our relationships with any of these unit vendors were to terminate, there is no guarantee that our remaining unit vendors would be able to handle the increased equipment supply required to maintain and grow our expansive networks at our desired rates. There is also no guarantee that business relationships with other key unit vendors could be entered into on terms desirable or favorable to us, if at all. Fewer key vendors might mean that existing or potential customers are unable to meaningfully communicate using our Global Logistics Network, which may cause existing and potential customers to move to competitors’ products. Such equipment supply issues could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we are unable to generate broad market acceptance of our services, products and pricing, serious harm could result to our business.
We currently derive substantially all of our revenues from our federated network and global logistics technology solutions and expect to do so in the future. Broad market acceptance of these types of services and products, and their related pricing, is therefore critical to our future success. The demand for, and market acceptance of, our services and products is subject to a high level of uncertainty. Some of our services and products are often considered complex and may involve a new approach to the conduct of business by our customers. The market for our services and products may weaken, competitors may develop superior services and products that perform logistics services on a global scale or within a particular geographic region, or we may fail to develop or maintain acceptable services and products to address new market conditions, governmental regulations or technological changes. Any one of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 
41

Claims that we infringe third-party proprietary rights could trigger indemnification obligations and result in significant expenses or restrictions on our ability to provide our products or services.
Competitors and other third parties have claimed, and in the future, may claim, that our current or future services or products infringe their proprietary rights or assert other claims against us. Many of our competitors have obtained patents covering products and services generally related to our products and services, and they may assert these patents against us. Such claims, whether with or without merit, could be time consuming and expensive to litigate or settle and could divert management attention from focusing on our core business.

As a result of such a dispute, we may have to pay damages, incur substantial legal fees, suspend the sale or deployment of our services and products, develop costly non-infringing technology, if possible, or enter into license agreements, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any of these results would increase our expenses and could decrease the functionality of our services and products, which would make our services and products less attractive to our current and/or potential customers. We have agreed in some of our agreements, and may agree in the future, to indemnify other parties for any expenses or liabilities resulting from claimed infringements of the proprietary rights of third parties. If we are required to make payments pursuant to these indemnification agreements, such payments could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our results of operations may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and therefore may be difficult to predict or may fail to meet investment community expectations.
Our results of operations may vary from quarter to quarter in the future due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. Such factors include, but are not limited to:
·
Volatility or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
·
Volatility or fluctuations in interest rates;
·
Timing of acquisitions and related costs;
·
Timing of restructuring activities;
·
The introduction of enhanced products and services from competitors;
·
Our ability to introduce new products and updates to our existing products on a timely basis;
·
The termination of any key customer contracts, whether by the customer or by us;
·
Recognition and expensing of deferred tax assets;
·
Legal costs incurred in bringing or defending any litigation with customers or third-party providers, and any corresponding judgments or awards;
·
Legal and compliance costs incurred to comply with regulatory requirements;
·
Fluctuations in the demand for our services and products;
·
The impact of stock-based compensation expense;
·
Price and functionality competition in our industry;
·
Changes in legislation and accounting standards;
·
Our ability to satisfy contractual obligations in customer contracts and deliver services and products to the satisfaction of our customers; and
·
Other risk factors discussed in this report.

Although our revenues may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, significant portions of our expenses are not variable in the short term, and we may not be able to reduce them quickly to respond to decreases in revenues. If revenues are below expectations, this shortfall is likely to adversely and/or disproportionately affect our operating results. If this occurs, the trading price of our common shares may fall substantially.

Privacy laws and regulations are extensive, open to various interpretations, complex to implement and may reduce demand for our products, and failure to comply may impose significant liabilities.
Our customers can use our products to collect, use, process and store information regarding their transactions with their customers. Federal, state and foreign government bodies and agencies have been
 
 
42

increasingly adopting new laws and regulations regarding the collection, use, processing, storage and disclosure of such information obtained from consumers and individuals. In addition to government regulatory activity, privacy advocacy groups and the technology industry and other industries may consider various new, additional or different self-regulatory standards that may place additional burdens directly on our customers and target customers, and indirectly on us. Our products are expected to be capable of use by our customers in compliance with such laws and regulations. The functional and operational requirements and costs of compliance with such laws and regulations may adversely impact our business, and failure to enable our products to comply with such laws and regulations could lead to significant fines and penalties imposed by regulators, as well as claims by our customers or third parties. Additionally, all of these domestic and international legislative and regulatory initiatives could adversely affect our customers’ ability or desire to collect, use, process and store shipment logistics information, which could reduce demand for our products.

The price of our common shares has in the past been volatile and may also be volatile in the future.
The trading price of our common shares may be subject to fluctuation in the future. This may make it more difficult for you to resell your common shares when you want at prices that you find attractive. Increases in our common share price may also increase our compensation expense pursuant to our existing director, officer and employee compensation arrangements. We enter into equity derivative contracts including floating-rate equity forwards to partially offset the potential fluctuations of certain share-based compensation expenses. Fluctuations in our common share price may be caused by events unrelated to our operating performance and beyond our control. Factors that may contribute to fluctuations include, but are not limited to:
·
Revenue or results of operations in any quarter failing to meet the expectations, published or otherwise, of the investment community;
·
Changes in recommendations or financial estimates by industry or investment analysts;
·
Changes in management or the composition of our board of directors;
·
Outcomes of litigation or arbitration proceedings;
·
Announcements of technological innovations or acquisitions by us or by our competitors;
·
Introduction of new products or significant customer wins or losses by us or by our competitors;
·
Developments with respect to our intellectual property rights or those of our competitors;
·
Fluctuations in the share prices of other companies in the technology and emerging growth sectors;
·
General market conditions; and
·
Other risk factors set out in this report.

If the market price of our common shares drops significantly, shareholders could institute securities class action lawsuits against us, regardless of the merits of such claims. Such a lawsuit could cause us to incur substantial costs and could divert the time and attention of our management and other resources from our business.

Fair value assessments of our intangible assets required by GAAP may require us to record significant non-cash charges associated with intangible asset impairment.
Significant portions of our assets, which include customer agreements and relationships, non-compete covenants, existing technologies and trade names, are intangible. We amortize intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We review the carrying value of these assets at least annually for evidence of impairment. In accordance with ASC Topic 360-10-35, “Property, Plant, and Equipment: Overview: Subsequent Measurement” an impairment loss is recognized when the estimate of undiscounted future cash flows generated by such assets is less than the carrying amount. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the present value of the expected future cash flows. Future fair value assessments of intangible assets may require impairment charges to be recorded in the results of operations for future periods. This could impair our ability to achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
 
43

If our common share price decreases to a level such that the fair value of our net assets is less than the carrying value of our net assets, we may be required to record additional significant non-cash charges associated with goodwill impairment.
We account for goodwill in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other”, which among other things, requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at least annually. We have designated October 31st for our annual impairment test. Should the fair value of our net assets, determined by our market capitalization, be less than the carrying value of our net assets at future annual impairment test dates, we may have to recognize goodwill impairment losses in our results of operations in future periods. This could impair our ability to achieve or maintain profitability in the future.

We have a substantial accumulated deficit and may incur losses in the future.
As at January 31, 2018, our accumulated deficit was $211.6 million, which has been accumulated from 2005 and prior fiscal periods. Although the Company has been profitable since 2005, there can be no assurance that we will not incur losses again in the future. If we fail to maintain profitability, the market price of our common shares may decline.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
44

 
Management’s Report on Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
 
Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the accompanying consolidated financial statements and all other information in this Annual Report. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and necessarily include amounts that reflect management’s judgment and best estimates. Financial information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report is prepared on a basis consistent with the consolidated financial statements.

The Board of Directors carries out its responsibilities for the consolidated financial statements through its Audit Committee, consisting solely of independent directors. The Audit Committee meets with management and the independent auditors to review the consolidated financial statements and internal controls as they relate to financial reporting. The Audit Committee reports its findings to the Board of Directors for its consideration in approving the consolidated financial statements for issuance to shareholders.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by the Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2018, based on criteria established in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment, management concluded that, as of January 31, 2018, the design and operation of our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Management’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2018, has been audited by KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, who also audited our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended January 31, 2018, as stated in the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, which expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2018.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2018, no changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
   
‘Edward J. Ryan’
Edward J. Ryan
‘Allan Brett’
Allan Brett
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo, Ontario
45

 
 
KPMG LLP
Bay Adelaide Centre
Suite 4600
333 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 2S5
Telephone (416) 777-8500
Fax (416) 777-8818
www.kpmg.ca

 

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
 
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (the "Company") as of January 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements").
 
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of January 31, 2018, and 2017, and its results of operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
 
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2018, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 5, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Basis for Opinion
 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits.
 
We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB and in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Canada.
 
 

 

 
46

 
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 
/s/ KPMG LLP


Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
 
 
We have served as the Entity's auditor since 2015.
 


Toronto, Canada

March 5, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47

 
KPMG LLP
Bay Adelaide Centre
Suite 4600
333 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 2S5
Telephone (416) 777-8500
Fax (416) 777-8818
www.kpmg.ca

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
 
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
We have audited The Descartes Systems Group Inc.’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2018, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2018, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
We also have audited, in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company, which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of January 31, 2018 and January 31, 2017, the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”), and our report dated March 5, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
 
Basis for Opinion
 
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting preceding this report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB and in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Canada.
 
 

 
 
48


 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 

 
/s/ KPMG LLP

 
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants


Toronto, Canada


March 5, 2018
 
 
 
49

The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(US dollars in thousands; US GAAP)
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash
   
35,145
     
38,135
 
Accounts receivable (net)
               
Trade (Note 5)
   
28,792
     
25,401
 
Other (Note 6)
   
3,171
     
3,709
 
Prepaid expenses and other (Note 4)
   
7,621
     
5,149
 
Inventory (Note 7)
   
123
     
167
 
     
74,852
     
72,561
 
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
   
3,966
     
1,525
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Note 8)
   
12,798
     
10,447
 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
   
4,660
     
7,027
 
DEFERRED TAX CHARGE (Note 18)
   
453
     
422
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Note 9)
   
178,001
     
145,445
 
GOODWILL (Note 10)
   
350,148
     
263,113
 
     
624,878
     
500,540
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable
   
7,897
     
4,679
 
Accrued liabilities (Note 11)
   
25,538
     
23,247
 
Income taxes payable
   
3,270
     
2,170
 
Deferred revenue
   
30,985
     
23,728
 
     
67,690
     
53,824
 
LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 12)
   
37,000
     
-
 
LONG-TERM DEFERRED REVENUE
   
1,128
     
421
 
LONG-TERM INCOME TAXES PAYABLE
   
8,663
     
5,725
 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
   
11,585
     
9,975
 
     
126,066
     
69,945
 
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Note 13)
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Note 14)
               
Common shares – unlimited shares authorized; Shares issued and outstanding totaled 76,773,497 at January 31, 2018 (January 31, 2017 – 75,874,684)
   
274,536
     
253,242
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
451,151
     
448,597
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(15,252
)
   
(32,779
)
Accumulated deficit
   
(211,623
)
   
(238,465
)
     
498,812
     
430,595
 
     
624,878
     
500,540
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Approved by the Board:

 

‘Eric A. Demirian’
 
‘Edward J. Ryan’
Eric A. Demirian
 
Edward J. Ryan
Chairman of the Board
 
Chief Executive Officer
 


50

The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(US dollars in thousands, except per share and weighted average share amounts; US GAAP)
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
Year Ended
 
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
                   
REVENUES
   
237,439
     
203,779
     
184,993
 
COST OF REVENUES
   
63,704
     
56,051
     
53,859
 
GROSS MARGIN
   
173,735
     
147,728
     
131,134
 
EXPENSES
                       
Sales and marketing
   
33,128
     
24,943
     
22,424
 
Research and development
   
41,804
     
35,556
     
31,293
 
General and administrative
   
25,448
     
23,077
     
21,607
 
Other charges (Note 19)
   
3,994
     
3,455
     
1,491
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
33,477
     
30,001
     
26,222
 
     
137,851
     
117,032
     
103,037
 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
   
35,884
     
30,696
     
28,097
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
   
(1,297
)
   
(611
)
   
(522
)
INVESTMENT INCOME
   
161
     
1,415
     
195
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
   
34,748
     
31,500
     
27,770
 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (Note 17)
                       
Current
   
6,572
     
4,022
     
1,443
 
Deferred
   
1,297
     
3,640
     
5,765
 
     
7,869
     
7,662
     
7,208
 
NET INCOME
   
26,879
     
23,838
     
20,562
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note 15)
                       
Basic
   
0.35
     
0.31
     
0.27
 
Diluted
   
0.35
     
0.31
     
0.27
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (thousands)
                       
Basic
   
76,324
     
75,800
     
75,595
 
Diluted
   
77,112
     
76,515
     
76,409
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
51

The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(US dollars in thousands; US GAAP)
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
                   
Comprehensive income
                 
Net Income
   
26,879
     
23,838
     
20,562
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax
 Expense (recovery) of $255 for the year ended January 31, 2018 (January 31, 2017 – recovery of ($143); January 31, 2016 – recovery of $(797))
   
17,527
     
2,084
     
(9,640
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of income tax expense of nil for the year ended January 31, 2018 (January 31, 2017 - $11; January 31, 2016 - nil)
   
-
     
977
     
(28
)
Gain on marketable securities reclassified into net income
   
-
     
(960
)
   
-
 
     Total other comprehensive income (loss)
   
17,527
     
2,101
     
(9,668
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
   
44,406
     
25,939
     
10,894
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 

 

52

The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(US dollars in thousands; US GAAP)
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
                   
Common shares
                 
Balance, beginning of year
   
253,242
     
252,471
     
247,839
 
  Stock options and share units exercised
   
1,294
     
771
     
4,632
 
  Acquisitions (Note 3)
   
20,000
     
-
     
-
 
Balance, end of year
   
274,536
     
253,242
     
252,471
 
                         
Additional paid-in capital
                       
Balance, beginning of year
   
448,597
     
446,747
     
450,623
 
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 16)
   
2,807
     
2,022
     
1,577
 
Stock options and share units exercised
   
(290
)
   
(205
)
   
(68
)
Settlement of stock options (Note 16)
   
-
     
-
     
(7,000
)
Stock option income tax benefits
   
-
     
33
     
1,615
 
Cumulative adjustment upon modified retrospective accounting policy adoption (Note 2)
   
37
     
-
     
-
 
Balance, end of year
   
451,151
     
448,597
     
446,747
 
                         
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
                       
Balance, beginning of year
   
(32,779
)
   
(34,880
)
   
(25,212
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
   
17,527
     
2,101
     
(9,668
)
Balance, end of year
   
(15,252
)
   
(32,779
)
   
(34,880
)
                         
Accumulated deficit
                       
Balance, beginning of year
   
(238,465
)
   
(262,303
)
   
(282,865
)
Net income
   
26,879
     
23,838
     
20,562
 
Cumulative adjustment upon modified retrospective accounting policy adoption (Note 2)
   
(37
)
   
-
     
-
 
Balance, end of year
   
(211,623
)
   
(238,465
)
   
(262,303
)
                         
Total Shareholders’ Equity
   
498,812
     
430,595
     
402,035
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



 


 
53

The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(US dollars in thousands; US GAAP)
Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                 
Net income
   
26,879
     
23,838
     
20,562
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation
   
4,101
     
3,628
     
3,377
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
33,477
     
30,001
     
26,222
 
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 16)
   
2,807
     
2,022
     
1,577
 
Other non-cash operating activities
   
(784
)
   
(1,028
)
   
(392
)
Deferred tax expense
   
1,297
     
3,640
     
5,765
 
     Deferred tax charge
   
(31
)
   
358
     
22
 
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
   Accounts receivable
                       
   Trade
   
(1,963
)
   
2,727
     
764
 
   Other
   
16
     
(212
)
   
203
 
   Prepaid expenses and other
   
(1,772
)
   
(64
)
   
(86
)
   Inventory
   
52
     
2
     
314
 
   Accounts payable
   
1,428
     
(317
)
   
(412
)
   Accrued liabilities
   
(592
)
   
3,674
     
25
 
   Income taxes payable
   
6,326
     
1,431
     
(1,690
)
   Deferred revenue
   
902
     
2,883
     
(2,008
)
Cash provided by operating activities
   
72,143
     
72,583
     
54,243
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Purchase of marketable securities
   
-
     
(241
)
   
(4,667
)
Sale of marketable securities
   
-
     
6,140
     
-
 
Additions to property and equipment
   
(5,086
)
   
(4,914
)
   
(4,309
)
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (Note 3)
   
(111,867
)
   
(71,348
)
   
(120,853
)
Cash used in investing activities
   
(116,953
)
   
(70,363
)
   
(129,829
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from borrowing on the credit facility
   
80,000
     
10,801
     
-
 
Credit facility repayments
   
(43,000
)
   
(10,200
)
   
-
 
Payment of debt issuance costs
   
-
     
(957
)
   
-
 
Issuance of common shares for cash, net of issuance costs
   
1,003
     
145
     
158
 
Settlement of stock options (Note 16)
   
-
     
-
     
(2,590
)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
38,003
     
(211
)
   
(2,432
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
   
3,817
     
(1,087
)
   
(2,822
)
(Decrease) increase in cash
   
(2,990
)
   
922
     
(80,840
)
Cash, beginning of year
   
38,135
     
37,213
     
118,053
 
Cash, end of year
   
35,145
     
38,135
     
37,213
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid during the year for interest
   
680
     
64
     
31
 
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
   
3,887
     
3,861
     
3,533
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
54

The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise indicated; US GAAP)

Note 1 - Description of the Business

The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (“Descartes,” “Company,” “our” or “we”) is a provider of global logistics technology solutions. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) and data solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access and analyze global trade data; research and perform trade tariff and duty calculations; file customs and security documents for imports and exports;  and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in a large, collaborative multi-modal logistics community. Our pricing model provides our customers with flexibility in purchasing our solutions either on a subscription, transactional or perpetual license basis. Our primary focus is on serving transportation providers (air, ocean and truck modes), logistics service providers (including third-party logistics providers, freight forwarders and customs brokers) and distribution-intensive companies for which logistics is either a key or a defining part of their own product or service offering, or for which our solutions can provide an opportunity to reduce costs, improve service levels, or support growth by optimizing the use of assets and information.

Note 2 –Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States (“US”) dollars and are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the US (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Canadian Securities Administrators and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the preparation of consolidated financial statements.

Our fiscal year commences on February 1st of each year and ends on January 31st of the following year. Our fiscal year, which ends on January 31, 2018, is referred to as the “current fiscal year”, “fiscal 2018”, “2018” or using similar words. Our previous fiscal year, which ended on January 31, 2017, is referred to as the “previous fiscal year”, “fiscal 2017”, “2017” or using similar words. Other fiscal years are referenced by the applicable year during which the fiscal year ends. For example, “2019” refers to the annual period ending January 31, 2019 and the “fourth quarter of 2019” refers to the quarter ending January 31, 2019.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Descartes and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. We do not have any variable interests in variable interest entities. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated during consolidation.

Foreign currency translation
The US dollar is the presentation currency of the Company. Assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries are translated into US dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated into US dollars using daily exchange rates. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are accumulated in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. On substantial liquidation of a foreign operation, the component of accumulated other comprehensive income relating to that particular foreign operation is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

The functional currency of each of our entities is the local currency in which they operate. Transactions incurred in currencies other than the local currency of an entity are converted to the local currency at the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are re-measured into the local currency at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. All foreign
 
 
55

currency re-measurement gains and losses are included in net income. For the year ended January 31, 2018, foreign currency re-measurement loss of $0.4 million was included in net income (January 31, 2017 – loss of $0.1 million; January 31, 2016 – loss of $0.2 million).

Use of estimates
Preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying note disclosures. Although these estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best knowledge of current events, actual results may be different from the estimates. These estimates, judgments and assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable at that time, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.

Estimates and assumptions are used when accounting for items such as allocations of the purchase price and the fair value of net assets acquired in business combination transactions, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, allowance for doubtful accounts, collectability of other receivables, provisions for excess or obsolete inventory, restructuring accruals, revenue related estimates including vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of selling price and best estimate of selling price (“BESP”), fair value of stock-based compensation, assumptions embodied in the valuation of assets for impairment assessment, accounting for income taxes, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, realization of investment tax credits, uncertain tax positions and recognition of contingencies.

Cash
Cash included highly liquid short-term deposits with original maturities of three months or less.

Financial instruments
Fair value of financial instruments
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320 "Investments - Debt and Equity Securities" (Topic 320) related to accounting for certain investments in equity securities, and based on our intentions regarding these instruments, we classify our marketable securities as available for sale and account for these investments at fair value.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable (net), accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes payable approximate their fair value due to their short maturities.

Derivative instruments
We use derivative instruments to manage equity risk relating to our share-based compensation. We account for these instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” (Topic 815), which requires that every derivative instrument be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at its fair value as of the reporting date. We do not designate our derivative instruments as hedges and as such the changes in our derivative financial instruments' fair values are recognized in earnings. The fair value of equity contract derivatives is determined utilizing a valuation model based on the quoted market value of our common shares at the balance sheet date.

Foreign exchange risk
We are exposed to foreign exchange risk because the Company transacts business in currencies other than the US dollar. Accordingly, our results are affected, and may be affected in the future, by exchange rate fluctuations of the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar, euro, British pound sterling and various other foreign currencies.

Interest rate risk
We are exposed to interest rate fluctuations to the extent that we borrow on our credit facility, which depending on the type of advance under the available facilities, interest will be charged based on either i) Canada or US prime rate; or ii) Banker’s Acceptance (BA); or iii) LIBOR.
 
 
56

Credit risk
We are exposed to credit risk through our invested cash and accounts receivable. We hold our cash with reputable financial institutions. The lack of concentration of accounts receivable from a single customer and the dispersion of customers among industries and geographical locations mitigate our credit risk.

We do not use any type of speculative financial instruments, including but not limited to foreign exchange contracts, futures, swaps and option agreements, to manage our foreign exchange or interest rate risks. In addition, we do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

Equity risk
We are exposed to equity risk through certain share-based compensation expenses that are fair valued at the balance sheet date. The Company enters into equity derivative contracts including floating-rate equity forwards to partially offset the potential fluctuations of certain future share-based compensation expenses. The Company does not hold derivatives for speculative purposes.

Allowance for doubtful accounts
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make their required payments. Specifically, we consider the age of the receivables, customers’ payment history, historical write-offs, the creditworthiness of the customer, and current economic trends among other factors. Accounts receivable are written off, and the associated allowance is eliminated, if it is determined that the specific balance is no longer collectible. The allowance is maintained for 100% of all accounts deemed to be uncollectible and, for those receivables not specifically identified as uncollectible, an allowance is maintained for a specific percentage of those receivables based upon the aging of accounts, our historical collection experience and current economic expectations. To date, the actual losses have been within our expectations. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance as of January 31, 2018 and 2017.

Inventory
Finished goods inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of finished goods is determined on the basis of average cost of units.

The valuation of inventory, including the determination of obsolete or excess inventory, requires management to estimate the future demand for our products within specified time horizons. We perform an assessment of inventory which includes a review of, among other factors, demand requirements, product life cycle and development plans, product pricing and quality issues. If the demand for our products indicates we are no longer able to sell inventories above cost or at all, we write down inventory to market or excess inventory is written off.

Impairment of long-lived assets
We test long-lived assets or asset groups, such as property and equipment and finite life intangible assets, for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. Circumstances which could trigger a review include, but are not limited to: significant adverse changes in the business climate or legal factors; current period cash flow or operating losses combined with a history of losses or a forecast of continuing losses associated with the use of the asset or asset group; and a current expectation that the asset or asset group will more likely than not be sold or disposed of before the end of its estimated useful life. An impairment loss is recognized when the estimate of undiscounted future cash flows generated by such asset or asset group is less than the carrying amount. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the present value of the expected future cash flows. No impairment of long-lived assets has been identified or recorded in our consolidated statements of operations for any of the fiscal years presented.

Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not subject to amortization.

 
57

We test for impairment of goodwill at least annually on October 31st of each year and at any other time if any event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce our fair value below our reporting unit’s carrying amount. Our operations are analyzed by management and our chief operating decision makers as being part of a single industry segment providing logistics technology solutions. Accordingly, our goodwill impairment assessment is based on the allocation of goodwill to a single reporting unit. We completed the qualitative assessment during our third quarter of 2018 and concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the goodwill was greater than the carrying value. As a result, no impairment of goodwill was recorded in fiscal 2018 (no impairments were recorded for fiscal 2017 or fiscal 2016).

We perform further quarterly analysis of whether any event has occurred that would more likely than not reduce our fair value below our reporting unit’s carrying amount and, if so, we perform a goodwill impairment test between the annual date. Any impairment adjustment is recognized as an expense in the period that the adjustment is identified.

Intangible assets related to our acquisitions are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Intangible assets include customer agreements and relationships, non-compete covenants, existing technologies and trade names. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We write down intangible asset or asset groups with a finite life to fair value when the related undiscounted cash flows are not expected to allow for recovery of the carrying value. Fair value of intangible asset or asset groups is determined by discounting the expected related future cash flows.

Amortization of our intangible assets is generally recorded at the following rates:
 
 
Customer agreements and relationships
Straight-line over three to twenty years
 
Existing technologies
Straight-line over two to twelve years
 
Trade names
Straight-line over one to fifteen years
 
Non-compete covenants
Straight-line over two to twelve years

Property and equipment
Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation of our property and equipment is generally recorded at the following rates:
 
 
Computer equipment and software
30% declining balance
 
Furniture and fixtures
20% declining balance
 
Leasehold improvements
Straight-line over lesser of useful life or term of lease
 
Fully depreciated property and equipment are removed from the balance sheet when they are no longer in use.

Revenue recognition
We recognize revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. We consider revenue realized or realizable and earned when there exists persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the product has been delivered or the services have been provided to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. All revenue is recognized net of any related sales taxes. In addition to this general policy, the specific revenue recognition policies for each major category of revenue are included below.

Services Revenues - Services revenues are principally comprised of the following: (i) ongoing transactional fees for use of our services and products by our customers, which are recognized as the transactions occur; (ii) professional services revenues from consulting, implementation and training services related to our services and products, which are recognized as the services are performed; (iii) maintenance, subscription and other related revenues, including revenues associated with maintenance
 
 
58

and support of our services and products, which are recognized ratably over the subscription period; and (iv) hardware revenues, which are recognized when hardware is shipped.

License Revenues - License revenues are derived from perpetual licenses granted to our customers to use our software products, which are recognized when the license is delivered.

We enter into arrangements from time to time that may consist of multiple deliverables which may include any combination of services and software licenses. Our typical multiple-element arrangements involve: (i) software with maintenance support services, (ii) professional services and (iii) hardware with services. For any arrangements involving multiple deliverables involving non-software elements (hardware, professional services, subscription, etc.) the consideration from the arrangement is allocated to each respective element based on its relative selling price, using VSOE of selling price. In instances when we are unable to establish the selling price using VSOE, we attempt to establish selling price of each element based on acceptable third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”); however, we are generally unable to reliably determine the selling price of similar competitor products or services on a stand-alone basis. In these instances, we use our BESP in our allocation of the arrangement consideration. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the product or service was sold on a stand-alone basis. We determine BESP for each specific element in a multiple element arrangement considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, competitive landscape, internal costs, gross margin objectives and pricing practices.

For arrangements involving multiple deliverables of software with maintenance support services, the revenue is recognized based on ASC Subtopic 985-605 “Software: Revenue Recognition”.  If we are unable to determine VSOE of fair value for all of the deliverables of the arrangement, but are able to obtain VSOE of fair value for all the undelivered elements, revenue is allocated using the residual method. Under the residual method, the amount of revenue allocated to the delivered elements equals the total arrangement consideration less the aggregate fair value of any undelivered elements. If VSOE of fair value of any undelivered software items does not exist, revenue from the entire arrangement is initially deferred and recognized at the earlier of: (i) delivery of those elements for which VSOE of fair value did not exist; or (ii) when VSOE of fair value can be established.

Research and development costs
To date, we have not capitalized any costs related to research and development of our computer software products. Costs incurred between the dates that the product is considered to be technologically feasible and is considered to be ready for general release to customers have historically been expensed as they have not been significant.

Stock-based compensation plans
Stock Options
We maintain stock option plans for non-employee directors, officers, employees and other service providers. Options to purchase our common shares are granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common shares as of the date of grant. This fair market value is determined using the closing price of our common shares on the TSX on the day immediately preceding the date of the grant.

Employee stock options generally vest over a five-year period starting from the grant date and expire seven years from the grant date. Non-employee directors’ and officers’ stock options generally have quarterly vesting over a three- to five-year period. We issue new shares from treasury upon the exercise of a stock option.

The fair value of employee stock option grants that are ultimately expected to vest are amortized to expense in our consolidated statement of operations based on the straight-line attribution method. The fair value of stock option grants is calculated using the Black-Scholes Merton option-pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of our common stock and other factors. The risk-free interest rates are based on Government of Canada average bond yields for a period consistent with the
 
59

expected life of the option in effect at the time of the grant. The expected option life is based on the historical life of our granted options and other factors.

Effective as of February 1, 2017, the Company adopted a change in accounting policy in accordance with ASU 2016-09 to account for forfeitures as they occur. The change was applied on a modified retrospective basis, and no prior periods were restated as a result of this change in accounting policy.

Performance & Restricted Share Units
We maintain a performance and restricted share unit plan pursuant to which certain of our officers are eligible to receive grants of performance share units (“PSUs”) and restricted share units (“RSUs”).

PSUs vest at the end of a three-year performance period. The ultimate number of PSUs that vest is based on the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of our Company relative to the TSR of companies comprising a peer index group. TSR is calculated based on the weighted-average closing price of shares for the five trading days preceding the beginning and end of the performance period. The fair value of PSUs is expensed to stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period. PSUs expire ten years from the grant date. New shares are issued from treasury upon the redemption of a PSU.

PSUs are measured at fair value estimated using a Monte Carlo Simulation approach. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of our common stock and other factors. The risk-free interest rates are based on the Government of Canada average bond yields for a period consistent with the expected life of the PSUs at the time of the grant. The expected PSU life is based on the historical life of our stock options and other factors.

RSUs vest annually over a three-year period starting from the grant date and expire ten years from the grant date. We issue new shares from treasury upon the redemption of an RSU.

RSUs are measured at fair value based on the closing price of our common shares for the day preceding the date of the grant and will be expensed to stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period.

Deferred Share Unit Plan
Our board of directors adopted a deferred share unit plan effective as of June 28, 2004, pursuant to which non-employee directors are eligible to receive grants of deferred share units (“DSUs”), each of which has an initial value equal to the weighted-average closing price of our common shares for the five trading days preceding the grant date. The plan allows each director to choose to receive, in the form of DSUs, all, none or a percentage of the eligible director’s fees which would otherwise be payable in cash. If a director has invested less than the minimum amount of equity in Descartes, as prescribed from time to time by the board of directors, then the director must take at least 50% of the base annual fee for serving as a director in the form of DSUs. Each DSU fully vests upon award but is distributed only when the director ceases to be a member of the board of directors. Vested units are settled in cash based on our common share price when conversion takes place. Fair value of the liability is based on the closing price of our common shares at the balance sheet date.

Cash-Settled Restricted Share Unit Plan
Our board of directors adopted a cash-settled restricted share unit plan effective as of May 23, 2007, pursuant to which certain of our employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive grants of cash-settled restricted share units (“CRSUs”), each of which has an initial value equal to the weighted-average closing price of our common shares for the five trading days preceding the date of the grant. The CRSUs generally vest based on continued employment and have annual vesting over three- to five-year periods. Vested units are settled in cash based on our common share price when conversion takes place, which is within 30 days following a vesting date and in any event prior to December 31st of the calendar year in which a vesting date occurs. Fair value of the liability is based on the closing price of our common shares at the balance sheet date.

 
60

Business combinations
We apply the provisions of ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations” (Topic 805), in the accounting for our acquisitions. It requires us to recognize separately from goodwill, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments would be recorded to our consolidated statement of operations.

Costs to exit or restructure certain activities of an acquired company or our internal operations are accounted for as termination and exit costs pursuant to ASC Topic 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations” (Topic 420) and are accounted for separately from the business combination.

For a given acquisition, we generally identify certain pre-acquisition contingencies as of the acquisition date and may extend our review and evaluation of these pre-acquisition contingencies throughout the measurement period in order to obtain sufficient information to assess whether we include these contingencies as a part of the purchase price allocation and, if so, to determine the estimated amounts.
If we determine that a pre-acquisition contingency (non-income tax related) is probable in nature and estimable as of the acquisition date, we record our best estimate for such a contingency as a part of the preliminary purchase price allocation. We often continue to gather information and evaluate our pre-acquisition contingencies throughout the measurement period and if we make changes to the amounts recorded or if we identify additional pre-acquisition contingencies during the measurement period, such amounts will be included in the purchase price allocation during the measurement period and, subsequently, in our results of operations.

Uncertain tax positions and tax related valuation allowances assumed in connection with a business combination are initially estimated as of the acquisition date. We review these items during the measurement period as we continue to actively seek and collect information relating to facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. Changes to these uncertain tax positions and tax related valuation allowances made subsequent to the measurement period, or if they relate to facts and circumstances that did not exist at the acquisition date, are recorded in our provision for income taxes in our consolidated statement of operations.

Income taxes
We use the liability method of income tax allocation to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. These temporary differences are measured using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the extent that we consider it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In determining the valuation allowance, we consider factors such as the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected taxable income, our history of losses for tax purposes, and the character of income tax assets and tax planning strategies. A change to these factors could impact the estimated valuation allowance and income tax expense.

We evaluate our uncertain tax positions by using a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions and provisions for income taxes. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not, based solely on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the appropriate amount of the benefit to recognize. The amount of benefit to recognize is measured as the maximum amount which is
 
 
61

more likely than not to be realized. The tax position is derecognized when it is no longer more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit. We continually assess the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and adjust the income tax provisions, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes in the period in which the facts that give rise to a revision become known.

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and all additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive common shares had been issued during the period. The treasury stock method is used to compute the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, which was our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2017. As a result of adoption, excess tax benefits or deficiencies related to stock-based compensation are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of the provision for income taxes and reported as operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, on a prospective basis. Effective as of February 1, 2017, the Company adopted a change in accounting policy in accordance with ASU 2016-09 to account for forfeitures as they occur. The change was applied on a modified retrospective basis, and no prior periods were restated as a result of this change in accounting policy. Accordingly, we have recognized a cumulative adjustment charge of less than $0.1 million in accumulated deficit in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 as a result of the adoption of this change in accounting policy.

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 provides guidance to more clearly articulate the requirements for the measurement and disclosure of inventory. ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, which was our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”) and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance during 2015 and 2016, collectively referred to as “Topic 606”. These updates supersede the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, "Revenue Recognition" and nearly all other existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP. The core principle of Topic 606 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. Topic 606 can be applied either (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented with the option to elect certain practical expedients; or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures (the “cumulative effect approach”). Topic 606 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. We anticipate that we will adopt Topic 606 using the cumulative effect approach when this guidance becomes effective for us, starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

We are currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of Topic 606 will have on our results of operations, financial position and disclosures. To date we have established a project team with the objective of evaluating the effect that Topic 606 will have on our consolidated financial statements,
 
 
62

related disclosures, business processes, systems and controls. We are analyzing the impact of the new standard on our contracts by reviewing current accounting policies, practices and our revenue contracts to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard. In parallel, we are assessing the changes to our business processes, systems and controls in order to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. While we are continuing to assess all potential impacts of the new revenue recognition standard, we currently believe the most significant impact will relate to our accounting for costs to obtain a contract, on premise subscription offerings as well as expanded disclosures related to revenue, performance obligations and contract balances.

Under the new standard, we will defer all incremental commission costs to obtain customer contracts and amortize these costs over an expected period of benefit, which we have determined to be approximately five years. As a result, we expect an increase in deferred commission assets and a change in the timing of recognition of commission expense in future reporting periods under the new standard. We anticipate a retained earnings adjustment of approximately $2.0 to $3.0 million, net of a tax impact of $0.8 to $1.1 million, upon adoption related to contract costs. The ultimate impact is subject to actual commissions earned in fiscal 2018.

Under current GAAP, revenue attributable to subscription services related to on premise offerings is recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement because Vendor Specific Objective Evidence (VSOE) does not exist for the undelivered maintenance and support element as it is not sold separately. The requirement to have VSOE for undelivered elements to enable the separation of the delivered software licenses is eliminated under the new revenue recognition standard. Accordingly, under this new standard we will be required to recognize as revenue a portion of the arrangement fee upon delivery of the initial software at the outset of the arrangement. This difference will result in allocating a transaction price to the delivered software component of a subscription offering and thus an earlier recognition of revenue related to that transaction price. The Company continues to evaluate the impact related to on premise subscription offerings.

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 supersedes the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories reducing the number of items that are recognized in other comprehensive income as well as simplifying the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 supersedes the lease guidance in ASC Topic 840, “Leases” and requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2019 (fiscal 2020). The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The adoption of this standard is expected to increase assets and liabilities, as we will be required to record a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability in our consolidated financial statements, as well as a decrease to operating costs, an increase to finance costs (due to accretion of the lease liability) and an increase to depreciation and amortization (due to amortization of the right-of-use asset). The Company continues to evaluate the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2020 (fiscal 2021). Early
 
 
63

adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 clarifies the presentation and classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” (“ASU 2016-16”). ASU 2016-16 requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this standard will result in the write-off of the balance of unamortized deferred tax charges and the recognition of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions. We anticipate an increase in retained earnings of up to $4.0 million upon adoption related to the unrecognized income tax effects of asset transfers that occurred prior to adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is not permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2020 (fiscal 2021). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”). ASU 2017-09 clarifies the guidance on when to apply modification accounting for share-based payment awards. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or disclosures.

Note 3 – Acquisitions

Fiscal 2018 Acquisitions
On May 18, 2017, we acquired Z-Firm LLC (“ShipRush”), a US-based provider of e-commerce multi-carrier parcel shipping solutions for small-to medium-sized businesses. The ShipRush platform helps customers streamline their supply chain and reduce transportation costs by automatically importing orders, comparing carrier rates, printing shipping labels for all major carriers, and tracking through final
 
 
64

delivery. The purchase price for the acquisition was $14.2 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded using cash on hand. Additional contingent consideration of up to $3.0 million in cash is payable if certain revenue performance targets are met by ShipRush in the two years following the acquisition. The fair value of the contingent consideration was valued at $1.2 million at the acquisition date. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $0.4 million with a fair value of $0.4 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was nominal. The completion of the initial purchase price allocation is pending the finalization of the fair value for certain taxation-related balances, accrued liability balances as well as potential unrecorded liabilities. We expect to finalize the purchase price allocation on or before May 18, 2018.

On June 1, 2017, we acquired substantially all of the assets of PCSTrac, Inc., including certain related assets of Progressive Computer Services Inc., doing business as PCS Technologies (collectively referred to as “PCSTrac”). US-based PCSTrac helps specialty retailers and their logistics service providers collaborate to improve carton-level visibility for shipments from distribution centers to stores. PCSTrac’s solutions provide visibility and insight into the store replenishment supply chain, helping increase sales, enhance loss prevention, and improve inventory control. The total purchase price for the acquisition was $11.5 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded using cash on hand. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $0.4 million with a fair value of $0.4 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was nominal. The completion of the initial purchase price allocation is pending the finalization of the fair value for certain taxation-related balances, accrued liability balances as well as potential unrecorded liabilities. We expect to finalize the purchase price allocation on or before June 1, 2018.

On August 14, 2017, we acquired MacroPoint LLC (“MacroPoint”), an electronic transportation network providing location-based truck tracking and predictive freight capacity data content. US-based MacroPoint runs a connected network helping transportation brokers, logistics service providers and shippers track the locations of deliveries in trucks as well as predictive freight capacity to help identify early opportunities for additional freight moves. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $106.2 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded using $20.0 million of our common shares, $80.0 million from drawing on our credit facility and the balance from cash on hand. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $2.0 million with a fair value of $2.0 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was nominal. The completion of the initial purchase price allocation is pending the finalization of the fair value for certain taxation-related balances, accrued liability balances as well as potential unrecorded liabilities. We expect to finalize the purchase price allocation on or before August 14, 2018.

For the businesses acquired during fiscal 2018, we incurred acquisition-related costs of $0.9 million. The acquisition-related costs were primarily for advisory services and are included in other charges in our consolidated statements of operations. During 2018, we have recognized aggregate revenues of $12.6 million, respectively, and aggregate net income of $0.6 million, respectively, from ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint since the date of acquisition in our consolidated statements of operations.
 
 
 
 
 

65


The preliminary purchase price allocations for businesses acquired during 2018, which have not been finalized, are as follows:
 
   
ShipRush
   
PCSTrac
   
MacroPoint
   
Total
 
Purchase price consideration:
                       
Cash, less cash acquired related to ShipRush ($253), PCSTrac (nil) and MacroPoint ($2,098)
   
14,198
     
11,492
     
86,177
     
111,867
 
Common shares issued
   
-
     
-
     
20,000
     
20,000
 
Contingent consideration
   
1,233
     
-
     
-
     
1,233
 
Net working capital adjustments payable
   
88
     
40
     
163
     
291
 
     
15,519
     
11,532
     
106,340
     
133,391
 
Allocated to:
                               
Current assets, excluding cash acquired
   
461
     
467
     
2,127
     
3,055
 
Current liabilities
   
(266
)
   
(10
)
   
(1,693
)
   
(1,969
)
Deferred revenue
   
(609
)
   
-
     
(5,787
)
   
(6,396
)
Net tangible (liabilities) assets assumed
   
(414
)
   
457
     
(5,353
)
   
(5,310
)
Finite life intangible assets acquired:
                               
Customer agreements and relationships
   
2,400
     
1,850
     
26,030
     
30,280
 
Existing technology
   
4,710
     
3,270
     
17,170
     
25,150
 
In-process research and development
   
-
     
-
     
290
     
290
 
Tradenames
   
120
     
60
     
570
     
750
 
Non-compete covenants
   
100
     
80
     
2,420
     
2,600
 
Goodwill
   
8,603
     
5,815
     
65,213
     
79,631
 
     
15,519
     
11,532
     
106,340
     
133,391
 

The above transactions were accounted for using the acquisition method in accordance with ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations”. The purchase price allocations in the table above represents our estimates of the allocations of the purchase price and the fair value of net assets acquired. The preliminary purchase price allocations may differ from the final purchase price allocations, and these differences may be material. Revisions to the allocations will occur as additional information about the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available. The final purchase price allocations will be completed within one year from the acquisition dates.

The acquired intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives as follows:
 
ShipRush
PCSTrac
MacroPoint
  Customer agreements and relationships
9 years
13 years
12 years
  Existing technology
5 years
5 years
5 years
  Trade names
8 years
4 years
8 years
  Non-compete covenants
5 years
5 years
5 years

The goodwill on the ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint acquisitions arose as a result of the combined strategic value to our growth plan. The goodwill arising from the PCSTrac, ShipRush and MacroPoint acquisitions is deductible for tax purposes.

Fiscal 2017 Acquisitions
On December 23, 2016, we acquired The Datamyne Inc. (“Datamyne”), a provider of cloud-based trade data content solutions for customers to analyze import and export trade activity. Datamyne, primarily operating in the U.S. and South America, collects, cleanses and commercializes logistics trade data from over 50 nations across five continents, including key markets in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the European Union. Subscribers use Datamyne’s webbased solutions and business intelligence tools to augment, speed up and simplify trade data research, and to shape global marketing,
 
 
66

prospecting, and sourcing strategies. The total purchase price for the acquisition was $52.5 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded with cash on hand. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $1.5 million with a fair value of $1.4 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was $0.1 million. In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the working capital for Datamyne was finalized resulting in a $0.4 million decrease in goodwill and a $0.4 million decrease in current liabilities. The purchase price was finalized in the three month period ended January 31, 2018 with no adjustments.

On November 11, 2016, we acquired 4Solutions Information Technology Pty Ltd. (“4Solutions”), an Australia-based provider of cloud-based business-to-business supply chain integration solutions. 4Solutions operates the Health Supply Network, an electronic document exchange network for the healthcare community, which allows large multi-national, local pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers connect and collaborate to automate a wide array of supply chain processes. The total purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $2.5 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded with cash on hand. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $0.2 million with a fair value of $0.2 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was nil. The purchase price was finalized in the three month period ended October 31, 2017 with no adjustments.

On October 12, 2016, we acquired Appterra LLC (“Appterra”), a US-based provider of cloud-based business-to-business supply chain integration solutions. Appterra’s solutions help its customers connect electronically, automate supply chain processes, and enhance collaboration and visibility among global trading partners.  The total purchase price for the acquisition was $5.7 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded with cash on hand. Additional contingent consideration of up to $1.6 million in cash is payable if certain revenue performance targets are met by Appterra in the two years following the acquisition. The fair value of the contingent consideration was valued at $0.7 million at the acquisition date. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $0.1 million with a fair value of $0.1 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was nil. The purchase price was finalized in the three month period ended October 31, 2017 with no adjustments.

On April 29, 2016, we acquired pixi* Software GmbH (“Pixi”), a Germany-based provider of technology solutions for e-commerce order fulfilment and warehouse management. Pixi’s solutions help its customers automate e-commerce processes originating from online orders, and Pixi is currently integrated with hundreds of e-commerce sites in Europe. The total purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $10.6 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded by drawing on our credit facility. The draw on the credit facility has subsequently been repaid. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $0.6 million with a fair value of $0.4 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was $0.2 million. The purchase price was finalized in the three month period ended April 30, 2017 with no adjustments.
 
 
 
 
 
 

67


The final purchase price allocations for businesses we acquired during 2017 are as follows:
 
   
Pixi
   
Appterra
   
4Solutions
   
Datamyne
   
Total
 
Purchase price consideration:
                             
Cash, less cash acquired related to Pixi ($688),  Appterra ($66), 4Solutions ($281) and Datamyne ($2,637)
   
10,648
     
5,703
     
2,456
     
52,541
     
71,348
 
Contingent consideration
   
-
     
700
     
-
     
-
     
700
 
Net working capital adjustments (receivable)
   
(26
)
   
(118
)
   
4
     
(567
)
   
(707
)
     
10,622
     
6,285
     
2,460
     
51,974
     
71,341
 
Allocated to:
                                       
Current assets, excluding cash acquired
   
500
     
391
     
257
     
1,837
     
2,985
 
Property and equipment
   
46
     
21
     
33
     
87
     
187
 
Deferred income tax asset
   
-
     
18
     
-
     
3,281
     
3,299
 
Current liabilities
   
(523
)
   
(328
)
   
(182
)
   
(1,263
)
   
(2,296
)
Deferred revenue
   
(78
)
   
(633
)
   
(164
)
   
(2,979
)
   
(3,854
)
Deferred income tax liability
   
(1,870
)
   
-
     
(443
)
   
(10,955
)
   
(13,268
)
Income tax liability
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(694
)
   
(694
)
Net tangible liabilities assumed
   
(1,925
)
   
(531
)
   
(499
)
   
(10,686
)
   
(13,641
)
 
Finite life intangible assets acquired:
                                       
Customer agreements and relationships
   
1,375
     
1,840
     
910
     
13,300
     
17,425
 
Existing technology
   
4,467
     
1,160
     
607
     
12,500
     
18,734
 
Trade names
   
-
     
-
     
91
     
1,790
     
1,881
 
   Non-compete covenants
   
-
     
50
     
-
     
390
     
440
 
Goodwill
   
6,705
     
3,766
     
1,351
     
34,680
     
46,502
 
     
10,622
     
6,285
     
2,460
     
51,974
     
71,341
 

No in-process research and development was acquired in these transactions.

The acquired intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives as follows:
 
Pixi
Appterra
4Solutions
Datamyne
  Customer agreements and relationships
9 years
11 years
8 years
9 years
  Existing technology
5 years
5 years
2 years
6 years
  Trade names
N/A
N/A
5 years
9 years
  Non-compete covenants
N/A
5 years
N/A
5 years

The goodwill on the Pixi, Appterra, 4Solutions and Datamyne acquisitions arose as a result of the combined strategic value to our growth plan. The goodwill arising from the Pixi, 4Solutions and Datamyne acquisitions are not deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill arising from the Appterra acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.

Fiscal 2016 Acquisitions
On November 25, 2015, we acquired Oz Development Inc. (“Oz”), a US-based provider of application integration solutions that help small-to-medium sized businesses (“SMBs”) automate a number of logistics and supply chain processes. The solutions help a growing SMB community connect to, and integrate with, leading SMB ERP, CRM and e-commerce platforms. The total purchase price for the
 
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acquisition was $29.5 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded with cash on hand. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $0.3 million with a fair value of $0.3 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was nil. The purchase price was finalized in the three month period ended January 31, 2016 with no adjustments.

On July 22, 2015, we acquired all outstanding shares of privately-held BearWare Inc. (“BearWare”), a US-based provider of mobile solutions designed to improve collaboration between retailers and their logistics service providers. BearWare's system leverages mobile technologies to scan cartons at each point from the distribution centers through to the store front, helping retailers and their logistics service providers collaborate on store shipments. The total purchase price for the acquisition was $11.2 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded with cash on hand. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $0.8 million with a fair value of $0.7 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was $0.1 million. The purchase price was finalized in the three month period ended July 31, 2016 with no adjustments.

On July 20, 2015, we acquired all outstanding shares of privately-held MK Data Services LLC (“MK Data”), a US-based provider of denied party screening trade data and solutions. MK Data's technology screens shipments against a comprehensive, frequently updated, international database of restricted parties helping businesses comply with denied party screening requirements. The total purchase price for the acquisition was $80.2 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded with cash on hand. The acquisition included an employee retention agreement to provide up to $3.1 million in retention bonuses to employees’ conditional on future services rendered over a specified time period. These amounts were expensed over the service period and paid in fiscal 2018. The gross contractual amount of trade receivables acquired was $1.3 million with a fair value of $1.2 million at the date of acquisition. Our acquisition date estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was $0.1 million. The purchase price was finalized in the three month period ended July 31, 2016 with no adjustments.

The final purchase price allocations for businesses we acquired during 2016 are as follows:
 
   
MK Data
   
BearWare
   
Oz
   
Total
 
Purchase price consideration:
                       
Cash, net of cash acquired related to MK Data ($345), BearWare ($243) and Oz ($870)
   
80,151
     
11,243
     
29,459
     
120,853
 
Net working capital adjustments (receivable)
   
(84
)
   
(19
)
   
(24
)
   
(127
)
     
80,067
     
11,224
     
29,435
     
120,726
 
Allocated to:
                               
Current assets, excluding cash acquired
   
2,083
     
759
     
466
     
3,308
 
Property and equipment
   
-
     
-
     
29
     
29
 
Current liabilities
   
(204
)
   
(112
)
   
(293
)
   
(609
)
Deferred revenue
   
(2,610
)
   
(451
)
   
(1,634
)
   
(4,695
)
Net tangible assets (liabilities) assumed
   
(731
)
   
196
     
(1,432
)
   
(1,967
)
Finite life intangible assets acquired:
                               
Customer agreements and relationships
   
7,500
     
2,600
     
5,400
     
15,500
 
Existing technology
   
22,000
     
3,400
     
7,500
     
32,900
 
Tradenames
   
190
     
70
     
90
     
350
 
   Non-compete covenants
   
-
     
-
     
240
     
240
 
Goodwill
   
51,108
     
4,958
     
17,637
     
73,703
 
     
80,067
     
11,224
     
29,435
     
120,726
 

No in-process research and development was acquired in these transactions.

 
69

The acquired intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives as follows:
 
MK Data
BearWare
Oz
  Customer agreements and relationships
13 years
11 years
9 years
  Existing technology
7 years
5 years
5 years
  Tradenames
5 years
5 years
3 years
  Non-compete covenants
N/A
N/A
5 years

The goodwill on the MK Data, BearWare and Oz acquisitions arose as a result of the combined strategic value to our growth plan. The goodwill arising from the MK Data, BearWare and Oz acquisitions is deductible for tax purposes.

Pro Forma Results of Operations (Unaudited)
The financial information in the table below summarizes selected results of operations on a pro forma basis as if we had acquired MacroPoint, PCSTrac, ShipRush, Datamyne, 4Solutions, Appterra, Pixi, Oz, BearWare and MK Data as of the beginning of each of the periods presented.

This pro forma information is for information purposes only and does not purport to represent what our results of operations for the periods presented would have been had the acquisitions of MacroPoint, PCSTrac, ShipRush, Datamyne, 4Solutions, Appterra, Pixi, Oz, BearWare and MK Data occurred at the beginning of the period indicated, or to project our results of operations for any future period.

Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
   
247,093
     
236,972
     
228,665
 
Net income
   
26,673
     
22,414
     
17,381
 
Earnings per share
                       
Basic
   
0.35
     
0.30
     
0.23
 
Diluted
   
0.35
     
0.29
     
0.23
 

Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (Topic 820) defines fair value as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability. The fair value, in this context, should be calculated based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, not on assumptions specific to the entity. In addition, the fair value of liabilities should include consideration of non-performance risk, including our own credit risk.

Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value into three levels:
Level 1—inputs are based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level 2—inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3—inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques.
 
70

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable (net), accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes payable approximate their fair value (a Level 2 measurement) due to their short maturities.

The Company enters into equity derivative contracts including floating-rate equity forwards to partially offset the potential fluctuations of certain future share-based compensation expenses. The Company does not hold derivatives for speculative purposes. As at January 31, 2018, we had equity derivatives for 242,000 Descartes common shares with a weighted average price of $21.00. The following table shows the Company’s derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of January 31, 2018:

   
Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedge Instruments
   
Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated As Hedge Instruments
   
Fair Value
 
Derivative assets:
                 
Equity contracts
   
-
     
1,764
     
1,764
 

The fair value of equity contract derivatives is determined utilizing a valuation model based on the quoted market value of our common shares at the balance sheet date (Level 2 fair value inputs). The fair value of equity contract derivatives is recorded as other current assets and gains and losses are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated financial statements. For the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recognized an expense recovery in general and administrative expenses of $1.1 million, $0.5 million and nil, respectively.

Note 5 – Trade Receivables

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Trade receivables
   
30,111
     
26,495
 
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
   
(1,319
)
   
(1,094
)
     
28,792
     
25,401
 

Included in accounts receivable are unbilled receivables in the amount of $0.6 million as at January 31, 2018 ($1.0 million as at January 31, 2017). For the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, bad debt expense was $0.8 million, $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Note 6 – Other Receivables

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Net working capital adjustments receivable from acquisitions
   
118
     
565
 
Other receivables
   
3,053
     
3,144
 
     
3,171
     
3,709
 

Other receivables include receivables related to sales and use taxes, income taxes and non-trade receivables. At January 31, 2018, $0.1 million ($0.6 million as at January 31, 2017) of the net working capital adjustments receivable from acquisitions is recoverable from amounts held in escrow related to the respective acquisitions. The change in net working capital adjustments receivable from acquisitions is primarily due to cash collections during the period.
 

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Note 7 – Inventory

At January 31, 2018 and January 31, 2017, inventory is entirely comprised of finished goods inventory. Finished goods inventory consists of hardware and related parts for mobile asset units held for sale. For the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, a provision for excess or obsolete inventories has been recorded in cost of revenues of $0.1 million, nil and $0.1 million, respectively.

Note 8 – Property and Equipment

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Cost
           
Computer equipment and software
   
36,374
     
29,687
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
1,296
     
1,846
 
Leasehold improvements
   
438
     
566
 
     
38,108
     
32,099
 
Accumulated amortization
               
Computer equipment and software
   
24,403
     
20,153
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
669
     
1,164
 
Leasehold improvements
   
238
     
335
 
     
25,310
     
21,652
 
Net
   
12,798
     
10,447
 

Note 9 - Intangible Assets

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Cost
           
Customer agreements and relationships
   
162,772
     
125,057
 
Existing technology
   
174,506
     
137,587
 
Trade names
   
7,532
     
6,314
 
Non-compete covenants
   
5,980
     
2,916
 
     
350,790
     
271,874
 
Accumulated amortization
               
Customer agreements and relationships
   
73,621
     
56,509
 
Existing technology
   
92,304
     
64,879
 
Trade names
   
4,221
     
3,335
 
Non-compete covenants
   
2,643
     
1,706
 
     
172,789
     
126,429
 
Net
   
178,001
     
145,445
 

Intangible assets related to our acquisitions are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. The change in intangible assets during the year ended January 31, 2018 is primarily due to the acquisitions of ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint, partially offset by amortization. The balance of the change in intangible assets is due to foreign currency translation.

Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized into income over their useful lives. Amortization expense for existing intangible assets is expected to be $178.0 million over the following periods: $34.9 million for 2019, $33.5 million for 2020, $30.0 million for 2021, $25.7 million for 2022, $18.2 million for 2023 and $35.7 million thereafter. Expected future amortization expense is subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and assumes no future adjustments to acquired intangible assets.

 
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Note 10 – Goodwill

Goodwill is recorded when the consideration paid for an acquisition of a business exceeds the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill since January 31, 2016:

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Balance at beginning of year
   
263,113
     
217,486
 
Acquisition of Pixi
   
-
     
6,705
 
Acquisition of Appterra
   
-
     
3,766
 
Acquisition of 4Solutions
   
-
     
1,351
 
Acquisition of Datamyne
   
(435
)
   
35,115
 
Acquisition of ShipRush
   
8,603
     
-
 
Acquisition of PCSTrac
   
5,815
     
-
 
Acquisition of MacroPoint
   
65,213
     
-
 
Adjustments on account of foreign exchange
   
7,839
     
(1,310
)
Balance at end of year
   
350,148
     
263,113
 

Note 11 - Accrued Liabilities

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Accrued compensation and benefits
   
14,234
     
14,786
 
Accrued professional fees
   
1,107
     
864
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
10,197
     
7,597
 
     
25,538
     
23,247
 

Other accrued liabilities include accrued expenses related to third party resellers and royalties, suppliers, accrued restructuring charges and accrued contingent acquisition purchase consideration.

Note 12 - Debt

On March 2, 2016, we amended our revolving debt facility with a new senior secured credit facility. The credit facility consists of a $150.0 million revolving operating credit facility to be available for general corporate purposes including the financing of ongoing working capital needs and acquisitions. The credit facility also provides for an additional $7.5 million available to support foreign exchange and interest rate hedging. The credit facility has a five-year maturity with no fixed repayment dates prior to the end of the five-year term ending March 2, 2021. Borrowings under the credit facility are secured by a first charge over substantially all of Descartes’ assets. Depending on the type of advance, interest rates under the revolving operating portion of the credit facility are based on the Canada or US prime rate, Bankers’ Acceptance (BA) or London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an additional 0 to 200 basis points based on the ratio of net debt to adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as defined in the credit agreement. A standby fee of between 20 to 28 basis points will be charged on all undrawn amounts. The credit facility contains certain customary representations, warranties and guarantees, and covenants.

 
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Long-term debt is comprised of the following:

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Credit facility
   
37,000
     
-
 
Total amount outstanding
   
37,000
     
-
 
                 
Available for use
   
113,000
     
150,000
 

The outstanding balance of $37.0 million is required to be repaid prior to March 2, 2021. No amounts have been drawn on the facility that are available to support foreign exchange and interest rate hedging. We are in compliance with the covenants of the credit facility as of January 31, 2018.

As at January 31, 2018, we have outstanding letters of credit of approximately $0.3 million ($0.3 million as at January 31, 2017), which are not related to our credit facility.

Note 13 - Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Commitments
The following information is provided in respect of our operating and capital lease obligations:

Years Ended January 31,
Operating
Leases
Capital
Leases
Total
2019
5,135
61
5,196
2020
3,241
55
3,296
2021
1,782
2
1,784
2022
768
-
768
2023
471
-
471
2024
297
-
297
2025
287
-
287
2026
290
-
290
2027
188
-
188
 
12,459
118
12,577

Lease Obligations
We are committed under non-cancelable operating leases for business premises, computer equipment and vehicles with terms expiring at various dates through 2027. We are also committed under non-cancelable capital leases for computer equipment expiring at various dates through 2021. The future minimum amounts payable under these lease agreements are outlined in the chart above. The $0.1 million balance of the capital lease obligation outstanding at January 31, 2018 is included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. For the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, rental expense from operating leases was $5.1 million, $4.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

Other Obligations
As described in Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements, we maintain deferred share unit (“DSU”) and cash-settled restricted share unit (“CRSU”) plans for our non-employee directors and employees. Any payments made pursuant to these plans are settled in cash. For DSUs and CRSUs, the units vest over time and the liability recognized at any given consolidated balance sheet date reflects only those units vested at that date that have not yet been settled in cash. As such, we had an unrecognized aggregate liability for the unvested CRSUs and DSUs of $0.9 million and nil, respectively, for which no liability was recorded on our consolidated balance sheet at January 31, 2018, in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. The ultimate liability for any payment of DSUs and CRSUs is dependent on the trading price of our common shares. To partially offset our
 
74

exposure to fluctuations in our stock price, we have entered into equity derivative contracts, including floating-rate equity forwards. As at January 31, 2018, we had equity derivatives for 242,000 Descartes common shares.

Contingencies
We are subject to a variety of other claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. The consequences of these matters are not presently determinable but, in the opinion of management after consulting with legal counsel, the ultimate aggregate potential liability is not currently expected to have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position.

Product Warranties
In the normal course of operations, we provide our customers with product warranties relating to the performance of our hardware, software and network services. To date, we have not encountered material costs as a result of such obligations and have not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in our consolidated financial statements.

Business combination agreements
In respect of our acquisitions of Appterra and ShipRush, up to $4.6 million in cash may become payable if certain revenue performance targets are met in the two years following the acquisition. A balance of $2.2 million is accrued related to the fair value of this contingent consideration as at January 31, 2018.

Guarantees
In the normal course of business, we enter into a variety of agreements that may contain features that meet the definition of a guarantee under ASC Topic 460, “Guarantees”. The following lists our significant guarantees:

Intellectual property indemnification obligations
We provide indemnifications of varying scope to our customers against claims of intellectual property infringement made by third parties arising from the use of our products. In the event of such a claim, we are generally obligated to defend our customers against the claim and we are liable to pay damages and costs assessed against our customers that are payable as part of a final judgment or settlement. These intellectual property infringement indemnification clauses are not generally subject to any dollar limits and remain in force for the term of our license agreement with our customer, which license terms are typically perpetual. Historically, we have not encountered material costs as a result of such indemnification obligations.

Other indemnification agreements
In the normal course of operations, we enter into various agreements that provide general indemnities. These indemnities typically arise in connection with purchases and sales of assets, securities offerings or buy-backs, service contracts, administration of employee benefit plans, retention of officers and directors, membership agreements, customer financing transactions, and leasing transactions. In addition, our corporate by-laws provide for the indemnification of our directors and officers. Each of these indemnities requires us, in certain circumstances, to compensate the counterparties for various costs resulting from breaches of representations or obligations under such arrangements, or as a result of third party claims that may be suffered by the counterparty as a consequence of the transaction. We believe that the likelihood that we could incur significant liability under these obligations is remote. Historically, we have not made any significant payments under such indemnities.

In evaluating estimated losses for the guarantees or indemnities described above, we consider such factors as the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. We are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount payable under such guarantees or indemnities as many of these arrangements do not specify a maximum potential dollar exposure or time limitation. The amount also depends on the outcome of future events and conditions, which cannot be predicted. Given the foregoing, to date, we have not accrued any liability in our financial statements for the guarantees or indemnities described above.

 
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Note 14 – Share Capital

On April 18, 2016, we filed a final short-form base shelf prospectus, allowing us to offer and issue the following securities: (i) common shares; (ii) preferred shares; (iii) senior or subordinated unsecured debt securities; (iv) subscription receipts; (v) warrants; and (vi) securities comprised of more than one of the aforementioned common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, subscription receipts and/ or warrants offered together as a unit. These securities may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more shelf prospectus supplements. The aggregate initial offering price of securities that may be sold by us (or certain of our current or future shareholders) pursuant to our base shelf prospectus during the 25-month period that our base shelf prospectus, including any amendments thereto, remains valid is limited to $500 million. The short-form base shelf prospectus expires on May 18, 2018.

The following table sets forth the common shares outstanding (number of shares in thousands):

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
(thousands of shares)
 
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Balance, beginning of year
   
75,875
     
75,761
     
75,480
 
Shares issued:
                       
Stock options and share units exercised
   
141
     
114
     
281
 
Acquisitions (Note 3)
   
757
     
-
     
-
 
Balance, end of year
   
76,773
     
75,875
     
75,761
 

Cash flows provided from stock options and share units exercised during 2018, 2017 and 2016 were approximately $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Note 15 - Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) (number of shares in thousands):

Year Ended
 
January 31, 2018
   
January 31, 2017
   
January 31, 2016
 
                   
Net income for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share
   
26,879
     
23,838
     
20,562
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
76,324
     
75,800
     
75,595
 
Dilutive effect of employee stock options
   
167
     
230
     
452
 
Dilutive effect of restricted and performance share units
   
621
     
485
     
362
 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
   
77,112
     
76,515
     
76,409
 
Earnings per share
                       
Basic
   
0.35
     
0.31
     
0.27
 
Diluted
   
0.35
     
0.31
     
0.27
 

For the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the application of the treasury stock method excluded 270,525, 145,932 and nil stock options, respectively, from the calculation of diluted EPS as the assumed proceeds from the unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of such stock options that are attributed to future service periods made such stock options anti-dilutive.

For the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 2,475, 25,000 and nil stock options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as those options had an exercise price
 
 
76

greater than or equal to the average market value of our common shares during the applicable periods and their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Note 16 - Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Total estimated stock-based compensation expense recognized in our consolidated statement of operations was as follows:

Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Cost of revenues
   
90
     
40
     
24
 
Sales and marketing
   
246
     
81
     
41
 
Research and development
   
85
     
14
     
-
 
General and administrative
   
2,386
     
1,887
     
1,512
 
Effect on net income
   
2,807
     
2,022
     
1,577
 

Differences between how GAAP and applicable income tax laws treat the amount and timing of recognition of stock-based compensation expense may result in a deferred tax asset. We have recorded a valuation allowance against any such deferred tax asset except for $0.6 million ($0.1 million at January 31, 2017) recognized in the United States. The tax benefit realized in connection with stock options exercised and settled during 2018, 2017 and 2016 was nominal, nominal and $1.6 million, respectively.

Stock Options

As of January 31, 2018, we had 520,709 stock options granted and outstanding under our shareholder-approved stock option plan and 4,273,332 remained available for grant. In addition, we had 136,500 stock options outstanding pursuant to option grants made outside of our shareholder-approved stock option plan as permitted under the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange in certain circumstances.

For the years ended January 31, 2018 and 2017 the Company settled nil options. For the year ended January 31, 2016, the Company settled 446,875 options for $4.4 million of common shares issued from treasury and $2.6 million in cash related to payment of applicable employee withholding taxes.

As of January 31, 2018, $1.6 million of total unrecognized compensation costs, net of forfeitures, related to non-vested stock option awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years. The total fair value of stock options vested during 2018 was $0.8 million.

The total number of options granted during the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was 274,500, 170,932 and nil, respectively. The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $5.26, $4.46 and nil per option, respectively.

The weighted-average assumptions were as follows:

Year Ended
 
January 31, 2018
   
January 31, 2017
   
January 31, 2016
 
  Expected dividend yield (%)
   
-
     
-
     
N/A
 
  Expected volatility (%)
   
23.5
     
25.2
     
N/A
 
  Risk-free rate (%)
   
1.0
     
0.6
     
N/A
 
  Expected option life (years)
   
5
     
5
     
N/A
 

 
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A summary of option activity under all of our plans is presented as follows:

   
Number of Stock Options Outstanding
   
Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price
   
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)
   
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
 
Balance at January 31, 2016
   
468,889
   
$
8.25
     
3.5
     
5.2
 
Granted
   
170,932
   
$
19.06
                 
Exercised
   
(113,500
)
 
$
4.93
                 
Balance at January 31, 2017
   
526,321
   
$
12.36
     
4.2
     
4.9
 
Granted
   
274,500
   
$
23.18
                 
Exercised
   
(142,112
)
 
$
6.98
                 
Forfeited
   
(1,500
)
 
$
23.14
                 
Balance at January 31, 2018
   
657,209
   
$
18.21
     
4.9
     
5.7
 
                                 
Vested or expected to vest at January 31, 2018
   
657,209
   
$
18.21
     
4.9
     
5.7
 
                                 
Exercisable at January 31, 2018
   
328,642
   
$
16.25
     
4.4
     
3.5
 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $2.5 million, $1.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options surrendered for shares during the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was approximately nil, nil and $6.7 million, respectively.

Options outstanding and options exercisable as at January 31, 2018 by range of exercise price are as follows:
 
     
Options Outstanding
   
Options Exercisable
 
Range of Exercise Prices
   
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
   
Number of Stock Options
   
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Number of Stock Options
 
$4.89 – $6.93
   
$
6.31
     
38,777
     
1.1
   
$
6.31
     
38,777
 
$11.73 – $11.89
   
$
11.87
     
174,500
     
3.4
   
$
11.88
     
108,000
 
$19.19 - $20.86
   
$
19.43
     
170,932
     
5.3
   
$
19.27
     
102,285
 
423.14 – $26.57
   
$
23.17
     
273,000
     
6.2
   
$
23.14
     
79,580
 
     
$
18.21
     
657,209
     
4.9
   
$
16.25
     
328,642
 

78

A summary of the status of our unvested stock options under our shareholder-approved stock option plan as of January 31, 2018 is presented as follows:

   
Number of Stock Options Outstanding
   
Weighted-
Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share
 
Balance at January 31, 2016
   
53,578
   
$
2.52
 
Granted
   
170,932
   
$
4.46
 
Vested
   
(72,218
)
 
$
3.70
 
Balance at January 31, 2017
   
152,292
   
$
4.12
 
Granted
   
274,500
   
$
5.26
 
Vested
   
(149,225
)
 
$
4.70
 
Forfeited
   
(1,500
)
 
$
5.25
 
Balance at January 31, 2018
   
276,067
   
$
4.98
 

The above-noted table excludes the 175,000 options granted, with the permission of the Toronto Stock Exchange, pursuant to terms other than our shareholder approved stock option plan.

Performance Share Units

A summary of PSU activity is as follows:

   
Number of PSUs Outstanding
   
Weighted-
Average Granted Date Fair Value
   
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)
   
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
 
Balance at January 31, 2016
   
253,537
   
$
12.39
     
7.2
     
4.9
 
Granted
   
54,480
   
$
23.37
                 
Performance units issued
   
29,630
   
$
9.26
                 
Balance at January 31, 2017
   
337,647
   
$
13.73
     
6.6
     
7.3
 
Granted
   
51,121
   
$
30.13
                 
Performance units issued
   
51,752
   
$
14.37
                 
Balance at January 31, 2018
   
440,520
   
$
15.91
     
6.1
     
11.9
 
                                 
Vested or expected to vest at January 31, 2018
   
440,520
   
$
15.91
     
6.1
     
11.9
 
                                 
Exercisable at January 31, 2018
   
334,919
   
$
12.46
     
5.3
     
9.0
 

The aggregate intrinsic values represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the aggregate closing share price of our common shares on January 31, 2018) that would have been received by PSU holders if all PSUs had been vested on January 31, 2018.

As of January 31, 2018, $1.6 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years. The total fair value of PSUs vested during 2018 was $1.7 million.

 
79

Restricted Share Units

A summary of RSU activity is as follows:

   
Number of RSUs Outstanding
   
Weighted-
Average Granted Date Fair Value
   
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)
   
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
 
Balance at January 31, 2016
   
224,779
   
$
10.03
     
7.4
     
4.3
 
Granted
   
38,456
   
$
18.81
                 
Balance at January 31, 2017
   
263,235
   
$
11.17
     
6.7
     
5.7
 
Granted
   
35,785
   
$
23.14
                 
Balance at January 31, 2018
   
299,020
   
$
12.80
     
6.1
     
8.1
 
                                 
Vested or expected to vest at January 31, 2018
   
299,020
   
$
12.80
     
6.1
     
8.1
 
                                 
Exercisable at January 31, 2018
   
262,345
   
$
11.55
     
5.8
     
7.1
 

The aggregate intrinsic values represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the aggregate closing share price of our common shares on January 31, 2018) that would have been received by RSU holders if all RSUs had been vested on January 31, 2018.

As of January 31, 2018, $0.8 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years. The total fair value of RSUs vested during 2018 was $0.8 million.

Deferred Share Unit Plan

As at January 31, 2018, the total number of DSUs held by participating directors was 242,082 (241,482 at January 31, 2017), representing an aggregate accrued liability of $6.8 million ($5.2 million at January 31, 2017). During 2018, 43,606 DSUs were granted and 43,006 DSUs were redeemed and settled in cash. As at January 31, 2018, the unrecognized aggregate liability for the unvested DSUs was nil (nil at January 31, 2017). The fair value of the DSU liability is based on the closing price of our common shares at the balance sheet date. The total compensation cost related to DSUs recognized in our consolidated statements of operations was approximately $2.3 million, $1.6 million and $1.9 million for the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 
 
 
80

Cash-Settled Restricted Share Unit Plan

A summary of activity under our CRSU plan is as follows:

   
Number of CRSUs Outstanding
   
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)
 
Balance at January 31, 2016
   
100,749
     
1.6
 
Granted
   
43,218
         
Vested and settled in cash
   
(66,638
)
       
Balance at January 31, 2017
   
77,329
     
1.4
 
Granted
   
32,978
         
Vested and settled in cash
   
(50,802
)
       
Forfeited
   
(1,334
)
       
Balance at January 31, 2018
   
58,171
     
1.5
 
                 
Non-vested at January 31, 2018
   
51,651
     
1.5
 

We recognize the compensation cost of the CRSUs ratably over the service/vesting period relating to the grant and have recorded an aggregate accrued liability of $0.8 million at January 31, 2018 ($0.8 million at January 31, 2017). As at January 31, 2018, the unrecognized aggregate liability for the unvested CRSUs was $0.9 million ($0.9 million at January 31, 2017). The fair value of the CRSU liability is based on the closing price of our common shares at the balance sheet date. The total compensation cost related to CRSUs recognized in our consolidated statements of operations was approximately $1.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.7 million for the years ended January 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Note 17 - Income Taxes

Income before income taxes is earned in the following tax jurisdictions:

Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
                   
Canada
   
17,964
     
19,560
     
13,933
 
United States
   
6,203
     
2,670
     
4,773
 
Other countries
   
10,581
     
9,270
     
9,064
 
     
34,748
     
31,500
     
27,770
 

 
81

Income tax expense is incurred in the following jurisdictions:

Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Current income tax expense
                 
Canada
   
1,243
     
447
     
94
 
United States
   
494
     
873
     
70
 
Other countries
   
4,835
     
2,702
     
1,279
 
     
6,572
     
4,022
     
1,443
 
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)
                       
Canada
   
2,051
     
4,251
     
3,493
 
United States
   
1,876
     
1,272
     
800
 
Other countries
   
(2,630
)
   
(1,883
)
   
1,472
 
     
1,297
     
3,640
     
5,765
 
     
7,869
     
7,662
     
7,208
 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent; (2) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) and changing how existing AMT credits can be realized; (3) requiring companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries; (4) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (5) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017; (6) requiring a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations; (7) generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; and (8) creating the base erosion anti-abuse, a new minimum tax.

Due to the timing of the enactment and the complexity involved in applying the provisions of the Tax Act, we have made reasonable estimates of the effects and recorded provisional amounts in our consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2018. As we collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret the Tax Act and any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. Those adjustments are not expected to materially impact our provision for income taxes and effective tax rate in the period in which the adjustments are made. The accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed in fiscal 2019. Additional impacts from the enactment of the Tax Act will be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period as provided for in Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”).

The following amounts for the income tax effects of the Tax Act have been recorded as of January 31, 2018:

Deferred and current tax effects
The Tax Act reduces the U.S. statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. Accordingly, we have remeasured our deferred taxes as of January 31, 2018 to reflect the reduced rate that will apply in future periods when these deferred taxes are settled or realized. In addition, we have remeasured a related uncertain tax position to reflect the reduced tax rate that would apply in future periods. We recognized a tax benefit of $0.7 million to reflect the reduced U.S. tax rate and other effects of the Tax Act.
 

 
82

Alternative minimum tax
The Tax Act has eliminated AMT. Existing AMT credits are now refundable if not used to offset taxes owing. Consequently, we have recorded a decrease related to deferred tax assets of $1.9 million and a corresponding increase to other long-term assets to reflect the refundable nature of these credits.

The net tax recovery recognized in 2018 related to the Tax Act was $0.7 million. We have reviewed the earnings and profits calculations of our foreign controlled subsidiaries under U.S. ownership and have determined that there are no untaxed earnings that are required to be repatriated and therefore no transition tax has been recorded. As we complete our analysis of the Tax Act and incorporate additional guidance that may be issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS or other standard-setting bodies, and as we finalize fiscal 2018 income tax filings and detailed earnings and profit calculations for foreign subsidiaries, there may be changes to the provisional amounts during the SAB 118 measurement period which are not expected to be material.

Income tax expense for 2018, 2017 and 2016 was 23%, 24% and 26% of income before income taxes, respectively, with current income tax expense being 19%, 13% and 5% of income before income taxes, respectively.

Current tax expense increased in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to a charge of $1.5 million attributable to changes in the estimate of our uncertain tax positions, $0.8 million in Canada as a result of less income being sheltered by loss carry-forwards and other attributes and $0.3 million in adjustments in respect to income tax of previous periods.  Current tax expense increased in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, an increase of $0.7 million attributable to changes in the estimate of our uncertain tax positions partially offset by an increase of $0.5 million in adjustments in respect to income tax of previous periods.

Deferred income tax expense decreased in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to $1.1 million in tax rate reductions in the US and EMEA and $0.7 million reduction in deferred tax charges and recognition of deferred tax assets related to stock compensation. Deferred income tax expense decreased in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to changes in estimates of valuation allowances partially offset by the effect of tax rate reductions against certain deferred tax assets in EMEA.

The components of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Assets
           
Accruals not currently deductible
   
9,060
     
11,975
 
Accumulated net operating losses
   
13,868
     
17,571
 
Corporate minimum taxes
   
-
     
1,767
 
Research and development and other tax credits and expenses
   
1,580
     
3,424
 
Other timing differences
   
-
     
683
 
Total deferred income tax assets
   
24,508
     
35,420
 
Liabilities
               
Difference between tax and accounting basis of intangible assets
   
(12,976
)
   
(23,393
)
Difference between tax and accounting basis of property and equipment
   
(6,933
)
   
(2,655
)
Uncertain tax positions incurred in loss years
   
(133
)
   
(205
)
Other timing differences
   
(134
)
   
-
 
Total deferred income tax liabilities
   
(20,176
)
   
(26,253
)
Net deferred income taxes
   
4,332
     
9,167
 
Valuation allowance
   
(11,257
)
   
(12,115
)
Net deferred income taxes, net of valuation allowance
   
(6,925
)
   
(2,948
)
                 
 
 
83

As at January 31, 2018, we have not accrued for foreign withholding taxes and Canadian income taxes applicable to approximately $284.1 million of unremitted earnings of subsidiaries operating outside of Canada. These earnings, which we consider to be invested indefinitely, will become subject to these taxes if and when they are remitted as dividends or if we sell our stock in the subsidiaries. If we decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, we would need to adjust our income tax provision in the period we determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside Canada.

The provision (recovery) for income taxes varies from the expected provision at the statutory rates for the reasons detailed in the table below:

Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Net income before taxes
   
34,748
     
31,500
     
27,770
 
                         
Combined basic Canadian statutory rates
   
26.5
%
   
26.5
%
   
26.5
%
                         
Income tax expense based on the above rates
   
9,207
     
8,347
     
7,359
 
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
                       
Permanent differences including amortization of intangible assets
   
(1,870
)
   
(882
)
   
(2,593
)
Effect of differences between Canadian and foreign tax rates
   
595
     
213
     
169
 
Effect of rate changes on current year timing differences
   
(571
)
   
495
     
1,150
 
Adjustments relating to previous periods
   
(152
)
   
(431
)
   
36
 
Increase (decrease) in tax reserves
   
1,954
     
492
     
(172
)
Valuation allowance
   
(1,564
)
   
(1,580
)
   
(41
)
Stock compensation
   
(135
)
   
351
     
345
 
Deferred tax charges
   
179
     
400
     
270
 
Other, including foreign exchange
   
226
     
257
     
685
 
Income tax expense
   
7,869
     
7,662
     
7,208
 

We have income tax loss carry forwards which expire as follows:

Expiry year
 
United States
   
EMEA
   
Asia Pacific
   
Total
 
2019
   
883
     
-
     
732
     
1,615
 
2020
   
-
     
-
     
291
     
291
 
2021
   
-
     
-
     
12
     
12
 
2022
   
1
     
-
     
23
     
24
 
2023
   
190
     
1,507
     
-
     
1,697
 
Thereafter
   
6,686
     
54,657
     
6,361
     
67,704
 
     
7,760
     
56,164
     
7,419
     
71,343
 

The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total estimated liability associated with uncertain tax positions taken:
 
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Liability, beginning of year
   
6,388
     
5,768
 
Gross increases – current period
   
3,368
     
1,939
 
Lapsing due to statutes of limitations
   
(779
)
   
(1,319
)
Liability, end of year
   
8,977
     
6,388
 

 
84

We have identified accruals of $9.0 million with respect to uncertain tax positions as at January 31, 2018. It is possible that these uncertain tax positions will not be realized in which case up to $8.7 million of the recorded liability will decrease the effective tax rate in future years if this liability is reversed. We believe that it is reasonably possible that $1.0 million of the uncertain tax positions could decrease tax expense in the next 12 months relating primarily to tax years becoming statute barred for purposes of future tax examinations by local taxing jurisdictions.

We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a current tax expense. As at January 31, 2018 and January 31, 2017, the unrecognized tax positions have resulted in no material liability for estimated interest and penalties.

Descartes and our subsidiaries file their tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions within which they operate. We are no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities in our major tax jurisdictions as follows:

 
Years No Longer Subject to Audit
Tax Jurisdiction
 
United States Federal
2014 and prior
Canada
2013 and prior
United Kingdom
2014 and prior
Sweden
2011 and prior
Norway
2014 and prior
Netherlands
2014 and prior
Belgium
2014 and prior

Note 18 – Deferred Tax Charge

Deferred tax charges arise as a result of internal reorganizations of intellectual property between certain subsidiaries. The tax impact related to these reorganizations is amortized to tax expense over the remaining estimated useful life of the intellectual property, which is between three to eight years.

Note 19 - Other Charges

Other charges are comprised of acquisition-related costs and restructuring initiatives which have been undertaken from time to time under various restructuring plans. Acquisition-related costs primarily include retention bonuses to employees joining by way of an acquisition, advisory services, brokerage services and administrative costs, and collectively relate to completed and prospective acquisitions.

The following tables shows the components of other charges as follows:

Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Acquisition-related costs
   
3,471
     
3,019
     
1,416
 
Restructuring plans
   
523
     
436
     
76
 
     
3,994
     
3,455
     
1,492
 

 
85

Fiscal 2018 Restructuring Plan

In the third quarter of fiscal 2018, management approved and began to implement the fiscal 2018 restructuring plan to reduce operating expenses and increase operating margins. To date, $0.5 million has been recorded within other charges in conjunction with this restructuring plan. These charges are comprised of workforce reduction charges. This plan is complete with a nominal amount of further expected costs.

The following table shows the changes in the restructuring provision for the fiscal 2018 restructuring plan.

   
Workforce
Reduction
 
Balance at January 31, 2017
   
-
 
Accruals and adjustments
   
456
 
Cash draw downs
   
(211
)
Balance at January 31, 2018
   
245
 

Fiscal 2017 Restructuring Plan

In the third quarter of 2017, management approved and began to implement the fiscal 2017 restructuring plan to reduce operating expenses and increase operating margins. To date, $0.4 million has been recorded within other charges in conjunction with this restructuring plan. These charges are comprised of workforce reduction charges and office closure costs. This plan is substantially complete with a nominal amount of further expected costs.

The following table shows the changes in the restructuring provision for the fiscal 2017 restructuring plan.

   
Workforce Reduction
   
Office Closure Costs
   
Total
 
Balance at January 31, 2016
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Accruals and adjustments
   
309
     
118
     
427
 
Cash draw downs
   
(308
)
   
(30
)
   
(338
)
Foreign exchange
   
(1
)
   
-
     
(1
)
Balance at January 31, 2017
   
-
     
88
     
88
 
Accruals and adjustments
   
-
     
(26
)
   
(26
)
Cash draw downs
   
-
     
62
     
62
 
Balance at January 31, 2018
   
-
     
-
     
-
 

 
 
 
 
86

Note 20 - Segmented Information

We review our operating results, assess our performance, make decisions about resources, and generate discrete financial information at the single enterprise level. Accordingly, we have determined that we operate in one reportable business segment providing logistics technology solutions. The following tables provide our revenue information by geographic location of customer and revenue type:

Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
                 
United States
   
133,263
     
106,672
     
96,300
 
Europe, Middle-East and Africa
   
77,576
     
75,165
     
68,451
 
Canada
   
15,667
     
13,266
     
12,572
 
Asia Pacific
   
10,933
     
8,676
     
7,670
 
     
237,439
     
203,779
     
184,993
 



Year Ended
 
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
                 
Services
   
229,294
     
196,867
     
176,288
 
Licenses
   
8,145
     
6,912
     
8,705
 
     
237,439
     
203,779
     
184,993
 

Services revenues are composed of the following: (i) ongoing transactional and/or subscription fees for use of our services and products by our customers; (ii) professional services revenues from consulting, implementation and training services related to our services and products; (iii) maintenance and other related revenues, which include revenues associated with maintenance and support of our services and products; and (iv) hardware revenues. License revenues derive from licenses granted to our customers to use our software products.

The following table provides information by geographic area of operation for our long-lived assets. Long-lived assets represent property and equipment and intangible assets that are attributed to geographic areas.

   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
2018
   
2017
 
Total long-lived assets
           
United States
   
108,077
     
71,805
 
Europe, Middle-East and Africa
   
37,857
     
40,872
 
Canada
   
44,865
     
43,215
 
     
190,799
     
155,892
 

Note 21 – Subsequent Event

On February 2, 2018, Descartes acquired Aljex Software, Inc. (“Aljex”), a cloud-based provider of back-office transportation management solutions for freight brokers and transportation providers. US-based Aljex helps customers automate business processes and create electronic documents critical for executing transportation moves through the lifecycle of a shipment. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $32.4 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded from drawing on
 
87

our existing credit facility. As of the issue date of these consolidated financial statements, the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities has not been determined.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
88

 
Corporate Information
 
 
Stock Exchange Information
Our common stock trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol DSG and on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DSGX.

Transfer Agents
Computershare Investor Services Inc.
Computershare Trust Company
100 University Avenue
12039 West Alameda Parkway
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1
Suite Z-2 Lakewood, Colorado
North America: (800) 663-9097
80228 USA
Phone: (416) 263-9200
Phone: (303) 262-0600


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
Bay Adelaide Centre
333 Bay Street
Suite 4600
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2S5
Phone: (416) 777-8500


Investor Inquiries
Investor Relations
The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
120 Randall Drive
Waterloo, Ontario N2V 1C6
Phone: (519) 746-8110 ext. 202358
Toll Free: (800) 419-8495
E-mail: investor@descartes.com
www.descartes.com


The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
120 Randall Drive
Waterloo, Ontario N2V 1C6
Canada
Phone: 
(519) 746-8110
 
(800) 419-8495
Fax:
(519) 747-0082

info@descartes.com
www.descartes.com