DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 29, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and EMC Merger Transaction

References in these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements to the “Company” or “Dell Technologies” mean Dell Technologies Inc. individually and together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation — These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”)

Fiscal Period

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Friday nearest January 31. The fiscal years ended January 29, 2021, January 31, 2020, and February 1, 2019 were 52-week periods.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation — These Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Dell Technologies and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as the accounts of VMware, Inc. and SecureWorks Corp. (“Secureworks”), each of which is majority-owned by Dell Technologies. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

The Company also consolidates Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") where it has been determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the applicable entities’ operations. For each VIE, the primary beneficiary is the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to such VIE. In evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of each entity, the Company evaluates its power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE by considering the purpose and design of each entity and the risks each entity was designed to create and pass through to its respective variable interest holders. The Company also evaluates its economic interests in each of the VIEs. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding consolidated VIEs.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes. Management has considered the actual and potential impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic on the Company’s critical and significant accounting estimates. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents — All highly liquid investments, including credit card receivables due from banks, with original maturities of 90 days or less at date of purchase, are reported at fair value and are considered to be cash equivalents. All other investments not considered to be cash equivalents are separately categorized as investments.

Investments

Investments — All equity and other securities are recorded as long-term investments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Strategic investments in publicly-traded companies are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets. Strategic investments in privately-held companies without readily determinable fair values are recorded at cost, less impairment, and are adjusted for observable price changes. Fair value measurements and impairments for strategic investments are recognized in interest and other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). In evaluating equity investments without readily determinable fair values for impairment or observable price changes, the Company uses inputs that include pre- and post-money valuations of recent financing events and the impact of those events on its fully diluted ownership percentages, as well as other available information regarding the issuer’s historical and forecasted performance.

Allowance for Expected Credit Losses

Allowance for Expected Credit Losses — The Company recognizes an allowance for losses on accounts receivable in an amount equal to the current expected credit losses. The estimation of the allowance is based on an analysis of historical loss experience, current receivables aging, and management’s assessment of current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectation of future conditions, as well as an assessment of specific identifiable customer accounts considered at risk or uncollectible. The Company assesses collectibility by pooling receivables where similar characteristics exist and evaluates receivables individually when specific customer balances no longer share those risk characteristics and are considered at risk or uncollectible. The expense associated with the allowance for expected credit losses is recognized in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

The Company’s policy for estimating this allowance is based on an expected loss model and reflects the adoption of the new accounting standard related to current expected credit losses in the most recent fiscal year. See “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements” in this Note 2 for more information. In prior periods, this allowance was estimated using an incurred loss model, which did not require the consideration of forward-looking information and conditions in the reserve calculation.

Accounting for Operating Leases as a Lessee

Accounting for Operating Leases as a Lessee — In its ordinary course of business, the Company enters into leases as a lessee for office buildings, warehouses, employee vehicles, and equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. Operating leases result in the recognition of right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease, measured on a discounted basis. At lease inception, the lease liability is measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The operating lease ROU asset equals the lease liability adjusted for any initial direct costs, prepaid or deferred rent, and lease incentives. The Company uses the implicit rate when readily determinable. As most of the leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. Incremental borrowing rates used to determine the present value of lease payments were derived by reference to the Company’s secured-debt yields corresponding to the lease commencement date.

The lease term may include options to extend or to terminate the lease that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in most instances. The Company has elected not to record leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Lease expense on such leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not generate material sublease income and has no material related party leases. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The Company’s office building agreements contain costs such as common area maintenance and other executory costs that are variable in nature. Variable lease costs are expensed as incurred. The Company combines lease and non-lease components, such as common area and other maintenance costs, in calculating the ROU assets and lease liabilities for its office buildings and employee vehicles. Under certain service agreements with third-party logistics providers, the Company directs the use of the inventory within the warehouses and, therefore, controls the assets. The warehouses and some of the equipment used are considered embedded leases. The Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components separately. The lease components consist of the warehouses and some of the equipment, such as conveyor belts. The non-lease components consist of services and other shared equipment, such as material handling and transportation. The Company allocates the consideration to the lease and non-lease components using their relative standalone values. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Accounting for Leases as a Lessor

Accounting for Leases as a Lessor — The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Dell Financial Services and its affiliates (“DFS”) act as a lessor to provide equipment financing to customers through a variety of lease arrangements (“DFS leases”). Subsequent to the adoption of amended accounting guidance for leasing transactions (the “current lease standard”), new DFS leases are classified as sales-type leases, direct financing leases, or operating leases. Direct financing leases under the current lease standard are immaterial. Leases that commenced prior to the adoption of the current lease standard were not reassessed or restated pursuant to the practical expedients elected and continue to be accounted for under previous lease accounting guidance.

The Company also offers alternative payment structures and “as-a-service” offerings that are assessed to determine whether an embedded lease arrangement exists. The Company accounts for those contracts as a lease arrangement under the current lease standard if it is determined that the contract contains an identified asset and that control of that asset has transferred to the customer.

When a contract includes lease and non-lease components, the Company allocates consideration under the contract to each component based on relative standalone selling price and subsequently assesses lease classification for each lease component within a contract. DFS provides lessees with the option to extend the lease or purchase the underlying asset at the end of the lease term, which is considered when evaluating lease classification. In general, DFS’s lease arrangements do not have variable payment terms and are typically non-cancelable.

On commencement of sales-type leases, the Company recognizes profit up-front, and amounts due from the customer under the lease contract are recognized as financing receivables on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Interest income is recognized as Net revenue over the term of the lease based on the effective interest method. The Company has elected not to include sales and other taxes collected from the lessee as part of lease revenue.

All other leases that do not meet the definition of a sales-type lease or direct financing lease are classified as operating leases. The underlying asset in an operating lease arrangement is carried at depreciated cost as “Equipment under operating leases” within Property, plant, and equipment, net on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the term of the underlying lease contract and is recognized as Cost of net revenue. The depreciable basis is the original cost of the equipment less the estimated residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease term. The residual value is based upon estimates of the value of the equipment at the end of the lease term using historical studies, industry data, and future value-at-risk demand valuation methods. The Company recognizes operating lease income to product revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term and expenses deferred initial direct costs on the same basis. Impairment of equipment under operating leases is assessed on the same basis as other long-lived assets.

See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding the Company’s lessor arrangements.

Financing Receivables

Financing Receivables — Financing receivables are presented net of allowance for losses and consist of customer receivables and residual interest. Gross customer receivables includes amounts due from customers under revolving loans, fixed-term loans, fixed-term sales-type or direct financing leases, and accrued interest. The Company has two portfolios, consisting of (i) fixed-term leases and loans and (ii) revolving loans, and assesses risk at the portfolio level to determine the appropriate allowance levels. The portfolio segments are further segregated into classes based on products, customer type, and credit risk evaluation: (i) Revolving — Dell Preferred Account (“DPA”); (ii) Revolving — Dell Business Credit (“DBC”); and (iii) Fixed-term — Consumer and Commercial. Fixed-term leases and loans are offered to qualified small and medium-sized businesses, large commercial accounts, governmental organizations, and educational entities. Fixed-term loans are also offered to qualified individual consumers. Revolving loans are offered under private label credit financing programs. The DPA revolving loan programs are primarily offered to individual consumers and the DBC revolving loan programs are primarily offered to small and medium-sized business customers.

The Company retains a residual interest in equipment leased under its fixed-term lease programs. The amount of the residual interest is established at the inception of the lease based upon estimates of the value of the equipment at the end of the lease term using historical studies, industry data, and future value-at-risk demand valuation methods.

Allowances for Financing Receivables Leases

Allowance for Financing Receivables Losses — The Company recognizes an allowance for losses on financing receivables, including both the lease receivable and unguaranteed residual, in an amount equal to the probable losses net of recoveries. The allowance for losses on the lease receivable is determined based on various factors, including lifetime expected losses determined using macroeconomic forecast assumptions and management judgments applicable to and through the expected life of the portfolios as well as past due receivables, receivable type, and customer risk profile. Both fixed and revolving receivable loss rates are affected by macroeconomic conditions, including the level of gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth, the level of commercial capital equipment investment, unemployment rates, and the credit quality of the borrower.

Generally, expected credit losses as a result of residual value risk on equipment under lease are not considered to be significant primarily because of the existence of a secondary market with respect to the equipment. The lease agreement also clearly defines applicable return conditions and remedies for non-compliance, to ensure that the leased equipment will be in good operating condition upon return. Model changes and updates, as well as market strength and product acceptance, are monitored and adjustments are made to residual values in accordance with the significance of any such changes.

When an account is deemed to be uncollectible, customer account principal and interest are charged off to the allowance for losses. While the Company does not generally place financing receivables on non-accrual status during the delinquency period, accrued interest is included in the allowance for loss calculation and, therefore, the Company is adequately reserved in the event of charge off. Recoveries on receivables previously charged off as uncollectible are recorded to the allowance for financing receivables losses. The expense associated with the allowance for financing receivables losses is recognized as cost of net revenue.

The Company’s policy for estimating this allowance is based on an expected loss model and reflects the adoption of the new accounting standard related to current expected credit losses in the most recent fiscal year. See “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements” in this Note 2 for more information. In prior periods, this allowance was estimated using an incurred loss model, which did not require the consideration of forward-looking information and conditions in the reserve calculation.

Asset Securitization

Asset Securitization — The Company transfers certain U.S. and European customer loan and lease payments and associated equipment to Special Purpose Entities (“SPEs”) that meet the definition of a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) and are consolidated into the Consolidated Financial Statements. These SPEs are bankruptcy-remote legal entities with separate assets and liabilities. The purpose of the SPEs is to facilitate the funding of customer loan and lease payments and associated equipment in the capital markets. These SPEs have entered into financing arrangements with multi-seller conduits that, in turn, issue asset-backed debt securities in the capital markets. The asset securitizations in the SPEs are accounted for as secured borrowings. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the impact of the consolidation.

Inventories

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value are made, if required, for estimated excess, obsolescence, or impaired balances. At the point of the loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment — Property, plant, and equipment are carried at depreciated cost. Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated economic lives of the assets or the lease term, as applicable. The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property, plant, and equipment are generally as follows:

	Estimated Useful Life
Computer equipment	3-5 years
Equipment under operating leases	Term of underlying lease contract
Buildings	10-30 years or term of underlying land lease
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of 5-20 years or lease term
Machinery and equipment	3-5 years

Gains or losses related to retirements or dispositions of fixed assets are recognized in the period during which the retirement or disposition occurs.

Capitalized Software Development Costs

Capitalized Software Development Costs — Software development costs related to the development of new product offerings are capitalized subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility, which is demonstrated by the completion of a detailed program design or working model, if no program design is completed. The Company amortizes capitalized costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the products, which generally range from two to four years.

Internal Use Software

The Company capitalizes certain internal and external costs to acquire or create internal use software which are incurred subsequent to the completion of the preliminary project stage. Development costs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over five years. Costs associated with maintenance and minor enhancements to the features and functionality of the Company’s internal use software, including its website are expensed as incurred.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of the assets based on the undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset is determined not to be recoverable, a write-down to fair value is recorded. Fair values are determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows, or external appraisals, as applicable. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations — The assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. During the measurement period, which expires one year from the acquisition date, if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, cumulative changes in the estimated fair values of the net assets recorded may change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill. If material, the amount will be adjusted in the reporting period in which the adjustment amount is determined. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on business combinations.

In-process research and development costs are recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset and assessed for impairment thereafter until completion, at which point the asset is amortized over its expected useful life. All acquisition costs are expensed as incurred, and the results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the acquisition date.

Intangible Assets Including Goodwill

Intangible Assets Including Goodwill — Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate the asset may be impaired. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually during the third fiscal quarter and whenever events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation — The majority of the Company’s international sales are made by international subsidiaries, some of which have the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency. The Company’s subsidiaries that do not use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency translate assets and liabilities at current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses from these international subsidiaries are translated using either the monthly average exchange rates in effect for the period in which the activity was recognized or the specific daily exchange rate associated with the date the transactions actually occur. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) in stockholders’ equity (deficit).

Local currency transactions of international subsidiaries that have the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency are remeasured into U.S. Dollars using the current rates of exchange for monetary assets and liabilities and historical rates of exchange for nonmonetary assets and liabilities. Gains and losses from remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are included in interest and other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). See Note 20 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for amounts recognized from remeasurement during the periods presented.

Hedging Instruments

Hedging Instruments — The Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily forward contracts, options, and swaps, to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures. The relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking hedge transactions, are formally documented. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and are measured at fair value.

The Company’s hedge portfolio includes non-designated derivatives and derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. For derivative instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges, the Company assesses hedge effectiveness at the onset of the hedge, then performs qualitative assessments at regular intervals throughout the life of the derivative. The gain or loss on cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), as a separate component of stockholders’ equity (deficit), and reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. For derivatives that are not designated as hedges or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the Company recognizes the change in the instrument’s fair value currently in earnings as a component of interest and other, net.

Cash flows from derivative instruments are presented in the same category on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as the cash flows from the underlying hedged items.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — The Company sells a wide portfolio of products and services to its customers. The Company’s agreements have varying requirements depending on the goods and services being sold, the rights and obligations conveyed, and the legal jurisdiction of the arrangement.

Revenue is recognized for these arrangements based on the following five steps:

(1)    Identify the contract with a customer. The Company evaluates facts and circumstances regarding sales transactions in order to identify contracts with its customers. An agreement must meet all of the following criteria to qualify as a contract eligible for revenue recognition under the model: (i) the contract must be approved by all parties who are committed to perform their respective obligations; (ii) each party’s rights regarding the goods and services to be transferred to the customer can be identified; (iii) the payment terms for the goods and services can be identified; (iv) the customer has the ability and intent to pay and it is probable that the Company will collect substantially all of the consideration to which it will be entitled; and (v) the contract must have commercial substance. Judgment is used in determining the customer’s ability and intent to pay, which is based upon various factors, including the customer’s historical payment experience or customer credit and financial information.

(2)    Identify the performance obligations in the contract.  The Company’s contracts with customers often include the promise to transfer multiple goods and services to the customer. Distinct promises within a contract are referred to as “performance obligations” and are accounted for as separate units of account. The Company assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct for the purpose of identifying the performance obligations in the contract. This assessment involves subjective determinations and requires management to make judgments about the individual promised goods or services and whether such goods or services are separable from the other aspects of the contractual relationship. Promised goods and services are considered distinct provided that: (i) the customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (that is, the good or service is capable of being distinct); and (ii) the Company’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (that is, the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract). The Company’s performance obligations include various distinct goods and services such as hardware, software licenses, support and maintenance agreements, and other service offerings and solutions. Promised goods and services are explicitly identified in the Company’s contracts and may be sold on a standalone basis or bundled as part of a combined solution. In certain hardware solutions, the hardware is highly interdependent on, and interrelated with, the embedded software. In these offerings, the hardware and software licenses are accounted for as a single performance obligation.

(3)    Determine the transaction price.  The transaction price reflects the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to the customer. If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount, the Company estimates the amount to which it expects to be entitled using either the expected value or most likely amount method. Generally, volume discounts, rebates, and sales returns reduce the transaction price. In determining the transaction price, the Company only includes amounts that are not subject to significant future reversal.

(4)    Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract. When a contract includes multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation in an amount that depicts the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated in proportion to the standalone selling price (“SSP”) of each performance obligation.

The best evidence of SSP is the observable price of a good or service when the Company sells that good or service separately in similar circumstances to similar customers. If a directly observable price is available, the Company will utilize that price for the SSP. If a directly observable price is not available, the SSP must be estimated. The Company estimates SSP by considering multiple factors, including, but not limited to, pricing practices, internal costs, and profit objectives as well as overall market conditions, which include geographic or regional specific factors, competitive positioning, and competitor actions.

(5)    Recognize revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of the contract with the Company’s customer are satisfied. Revenue is recognized either over time or at a point in time, depending on when the underlying products or services are transferred to the customer. Revenue is recognized at a point in time for products upon transfer of control. Revenue is recognized over time for support and deployment services, software support, software-as-a-service (“SaaS”), and infrastructure-as-a-service (“IaaS”). Revenue is recognized either over time or at a point in time for professional services and training depending on the nature of the offering to the customer.

The Company reports revenue net of any revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrently with specific revenue-producing transactions.

The Company has elected the following practical expedients:

•The Company does not account for significant financing components if the period between revenue recognition and when the customer pays for the product or service will be one year or less.

•The Company recognizes revenue equal to the amount it has a right to invoice when the amount corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the Company’s performance to date.

•The Company does not account for shipping and handling activities as a separate performance obligation, but rather as an activity performed to transfer the promised good.

The following summarizes the nature of revenue recognized and the manner in which the Company accounts for sales transactions.

Products

Product revenue consists of revenue from sales of hardware products, including notebooks and desktop PCs, servers, storage hardware, and other hardware-related devices, as well as revenue from software license sales, including non-essential software applications and third-party software licenses.

Revenue from sales of hardware products is recognized when control has transferred to the customer, which typically occurs when the hardware has been shipped to the customer, risk of loss has transferred to the customer, the Company has a present right to payment, and customer acceptance has been satisfied. Customer acceptance is satisfied if acceptance is obtained from the customer, if all acceptance provisions lapse, or if the Company has evidence that all acceptance provisions will be, or have been, satisfied. Revenue from software license sales is generally recognized when control has transferred to the customer, which is typically upon shipment, electronic delivery, or when the software is available for download by the customer. For certain software arrangements in which the customer is granted a right to additional unspecified future software licenses, the Company’s promise to the customer is considered a stand-ready obligation in which the transfer of control and revenue recognition will occur over time.

Services

Services revenue consists of revenue from sales of support services, including hardware support that extends beyond the Company’s standard warranties, software maintenance, and installation; professional services; training; SaaS; and IaaS. Revenue associated with undelivered performance obligations is deferred and recognized when or as control is transferred to the customer. Revenue from fixed-price support or maintenance contracts sold for both hardware and software is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of performance because the Company is required to provide services at any given time. Other services revenue is recognized when the Company performs the services and the customer receives and consumes the benefits.

Other

Revenue from leasing arrangements is not subject to the revenue standard for contracts with customers and remains separately accounted for under existing lease accounting guidance. The Company records operating lease rental revenue as product revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company records revenue from the sale of equipment under sales-type leases as product revenue in an amount equal to the present value of minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. Sales-type leases also produce financing income, which is included in products net revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and is recognized at effective rates of return over the lease term. The Company also offers qualified customers fixed-term loans and revolving credit lines for the purchase of products and services offered by the Company. Financing income attributable to these loans is recognized in products net revenue on an accrual basis.

Disaggregation of Revenue — The Company’s revenue is presented on a disaggregated basis on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and in Note 19 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements based on an evaluation of disclosures outside of the financial statements, information regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for evaluating the financial performance of operating segments, and other information that is used to evaluate the Company’s financial performance or make resource allocations. This information includes revenue from products and services, revenue from reportable segments, and revenue by major product categories within the segments.

Contract Assets — Contract assets are rights to consideration in exchange for goods or services that the Company has transferred to a customer when such a right is conditional on something other than the passage of time. Such amounts have been insignificant to date.

Contract Liabilities — Contract liabilities primarily consist of deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is recorded when the Company has a right to invoice or payments have been received for undelivered products or services, or in situations where revenue recognition criteria have not been met. Deferred revenue primarily includes amounts received in advance for extended warranty services and software maintenance. Revenue is recognized on these items when the revenue recognition criteria are met, generally resulting in ratable recognition over the contract term. The Company also has deferred revenue related to undelivered hardware and professional services, consisting of installations and consulting engagements, which are recognized when the Company’s performance obligations under the contract are completed. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about deferred revenue.

Costs to Obtain a Contract — The Company capitalizes incremental direct costs to obtain a contract, primarily sales commissions and employer taxes related to commission payments, if the costs are deemed to be recoverable. The Company has elected, as a practical expedient, to expense as incurred costs to obtain a contract equal to or less than one year in duration. Capitalized costs are deferred and amortized over the period of contract performance or the estimated life of the customer relationship, if renewals are expected, and are typically amortized over an average period of three to seven years. Amortization expense is recognized on a straight-line basis and included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

The Company periodically reviews these deferred costs to determine whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that could impact the carrying value or period of benefit of the deferred sales commissions. There were no material impairment losses for deferred costs to obtain a contract during the fiscal years ended January 29, 2021, January 31, 2020, and February 1, 2019.

Deferred costs to obtain a contract as of January 29, 2021 and January 31, 2020 were $1.8 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. Deferred costs to obtain a contract are classified as current assets and other non-current assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, based on when the expense is expected to be recognized.

Vendor Rebates and Settlements — The Company may receive consideration from vendors in the normal course of business. Certain of these funds are rebates of purchase price paid and others are related to reimbursement of costs incurred by the Company to sell the vendor’s products. The Company recognizes a reduction of cost of goods sold if the funds are determined to be a reduction of the price of the vendor’s products. If the consideration is a reimbursement of costs incurred by the Company to sell or develop the vendor’s products, then the consideration is classified as a reduction of such costs, most often operating expenses, in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). In order to be recognized as a reduction of operating expenses, the reimbursement must be for a specific, incremental, and identifiable cost incurred by the Company in selling the vendor’s products or services.

In addition, the Company may settle commercial disputes with vendors from time to time. Claims for loss recoveries are recognized when a loss event has occurred, recovery is considered probable, the agreement is finalized, and collectibility is assured. Amounts received by the Company from vendors for loss recoveries are generally recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold.

Shipping Costs — The Company’s shipping and handling costs are included in cost of net revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

Standard Warranty Liabilities

Standard Warranty Liabilities — The Company records warranty liabilities for estimated costs of fulfilling its obligations under standard limited hardware and software warranties at the time of sale. The liability for standard warranties is included in accrued and other current and other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The specific warranty terms and conditions vary depending upon the product sold and the country in which the Company does business, but generally includes technical support, parts, and labor over a period ranging from one to three years. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of installed units currently under warranty, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims on those units, and cost per claim to satisfy the Company’s warranty obligation. The anticipated rate of warranty claims is the primary factor impacting the estimated warranty obligation. The other factors are less significant due to the fact that the average remaining aggregate warranty period of the covered installed base is approximately 18 months, repair parts are generally already in stock or available at pre-determined prices, and labor rates are generally arranged at preestablished amounts with service providers. Warranty claims are relatively predictable based on historical experience of failure rates. If actual results differ from the estimates, the Company revises its estimated warranty liability. Each quarter, the Company reevaluates its estimates to assess the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary.

Loss Contingencies

Loss Contingencies — The Company is subject to the possibility of various losses arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company considers the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a liability, as well as the Company’s ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company regularly evaluates current information available to determine whether such accruals should be adjusted and whether new accruals are required.The Company accrues a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and that it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. The Company reviews these accruals at least quarterly and adjusts them to reflect ongoing negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other relevant information. To the extent new information is obtained and the Company’s views on the probable outcomes of claims, suits, assessments, investigations, or legal proceedings change, changes in the Company’s accrued liabilities would be recorded in the period in which such a determination is made. For some matters, the amount of liability is not probable or the amount cannot be reasonably estimated and therefore accruals have not been made.

Selling, General, and Administrative

Selling, General, and Administrative — Selling expenses include items such as sales salaries and commissions, marketing and advertising costs, contractor services, and allowance for expected credit losses. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). For the fiscal years ended January 29, 2021, January 31, 2020, and February 1, 2019, advertising expenses were $1.3 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.1 billion, respectively. General and administrative expenses include items for the Company’s administrative functions, such as finance, legal, human resources, and information technology support. These functions include costs for items such as salaries and benefits and other personnel-related costs, maintenance and supplies, outside services, intangible asset amortization, and depreciation expense.

Research and Development

Research and Development — Research and development (“R&D”) costs are expensed as incurred. R&D costs include salaries and benefits and other personnel-related costs associated with product development. Also included in R&D expenses are infrastructure costs, which consist of equipment and material costs, facilities-related costs, and depreciation expense.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company calculates a provision for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by identifying the temporary differences arising from the different treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. The Company accounts for the tax impact of including Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) in U.S. taxable income as a period cost. The Company provides valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, where appropriate. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers all available evidence for each jurisdiction, including past operating results, estimates of future taxable income, and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies. In the event the Company determines that all or part of the net deferred tax assets are not realizable in the future, the Company will make an adjustment to the valuation allowance that will be charged to earnings in the period in which such a determination is made.

The accounting guidance for uncertainties in income tax prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits and a consideration of the relevant taxing authority’s administrative practices and precedents.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation — The Company measures stock-based compensation expense for all share-based awards granted based on the estimated fair value of those awards at grant date. The Company estimates the fair value of service-based stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. To estimate the fair value of performance-based awards containing a market condition, the Company uses the Monte Carlo valuation model. The fair value of all other share-based awards is based on the closing price of the Class C Common Stock as reported on the NYSE on the date of grant.

The compensation cost of service-based stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units is recognized net of any estimated forfeitures on a straight-line basis over the employee requisite service period. Compensation cost for performance-based awards is recognized on a graded accelerated basis net of estimated forfeitures over the requisite service period. Forfeiture rates are estimated at grant date based on historical experience and adjusted in subsequent periods for differences in actual forfeitures from those estimates. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of stock-based compensation.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Reference Rate Reform — In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to GAAP guidance on contract modifications and certain hedging relationships to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate to alternative reference rates. The Company may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. Adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial results.

Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity — In August 2020, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, and the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity's own equity. In addition, the guidance on calculating diluted earnings per share has been simplified and made more internally consistent. Public entities must adopt the new guidance for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company will early adopt this guidance for the fiscal year beginning January 30, 2021 on a modified retrospective basis. Adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial results.

Simplifying Accounting for Income Taxes — In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes, and by clarifying and amending existing guidance in order to improve consistent application of GAAP for other areas of Topic 740. Public entities must adopt the new guidance for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt this guidance for the fiscal year beginning January 30, 2021. Adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial results.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments — In June 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance which replaced the current incurred loss impairment methodology for measurement of credit losses on financial instruments with a methodology (the “current expected credit losses model” or “CECL model”) that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Under the CECL model, the allowance for losses on financial assets, measured at amortized cost, reflects management’s estimate of credit losses over the remaining expected life of such assets.

The Company adopted the standard (the “new CECL standard”) as of February 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method, with the cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of stockholders’ equity (deficit) as of the adoption date. The cumulative effect of adopting the new CECL standard resulted in an increase of $111 million and $27 million to the allowance for expected credit losses within financing receivables, net and accounts receivable, net, respectively, on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, and a corresponding decrease of $28 million to other non-current liabilities related to deferred taxes and $110 million to stockholders’ equity (deficit) as of February 1, 2020. See Note 2, Note 4, and Note 20 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the Company’s allowance for financing receivables losses and allowance for expected credit losses of accounts receivable.

Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software — In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance on a customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud-computing arrangement when hosted by a vendor. The guidance provides that, in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract, certain implementation costs should be capitalized and amortized over the term of the arrangement. The Company adopted the standard during the three months ended May 1, 2020 using the prospective method. The impact of the adoption of this standard was immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Leases — In February 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance on the accounting for leasing transactions. The primary objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring lessees to recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and an ROU asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The guidance also results in some changes to lessor accounting and requires additional disclosures about all leasing arrangements.

The Company adopted the new lease standard as of February 2, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach, with the cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of stockholders’ equity (deficit) as of the adoption date. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient using the transition option whereby prior comparative periods were not retrospectively adjusted in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, prior comparative periods have not been adjusted in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company also elected the package of practical expedients that does not require reassessment of initial direct costs, classification of a lease, and definition of a lease.

The adoption of the new lease standard resulted in the recognition of $1.6 billion in operating lease liabilities and related right of use (“ROU”) assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The Company recorded an immaterial adjustment to stockholders’ equity (deficit) as of February 2, 2019 to reflect the cumulative effect of adoption of the new lease standard. As of February 2, 2019, there were no material finance leases for which the Company was a lessee.

In the area of lessor accounting, as of February 2, 2019, the Company began to originate operating leases due to the elimination of third-party residual value guarantee insurance from the sales-type lease classification test. Leases that commenced prior to the adoption of the new lease standard were not reassessed or restated pursuant to the practical expedients elected. Accordingly, there was no cumulative adjustment to stockholders’ equity (deficit) related to lessor accounting.

See Note 4 and Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the Company’s leases from a lessor and lessee perspective, respectively.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers — In May 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The new standard established a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes substantially all of the previous revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The new standard requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Further, the new standard requires additional disclosures to help enable users of the financial statements to better understand the nature, amount, timing, risks, and judgments related to revenue recognition and related cash flows from contracts with customers. Concurrently, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for costs to fulfill or obtain a customer contract. The Company adopted these standards during the three months ended May 4, 2018 using the full retrospective method, which requires the Company to recast each prior period presented consistent with the new guidance. The Company recorded a credit of approximately $1 billion to retained earnings as of January 29, 2016 to reflect the cumulative effect of the adoption. Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — In January 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance that generally requires changes in the fair value of equity investments, other than those accounted for under the equity method, to be recognized through net income, rather than other comprehensive income. For equity investments without readily determinable fair values, the Company is no longer permitted to use the cost method of accounting. The Company has elected to apply the measurement alternative for those investments. Under the alternative, the Company measures investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, adjusted by observable price changes on a prospective basis. The Company must make a separate election to use the alternative for each eligible investment and is required to reassess at each reporting period whether an investment qualifies for the alternative. The Company adopted this standard during the three months ended May 4, 2018. Adoption of the standard was applied through a cumulative one-time adjustment to accumulated deficit of $56 million for the accumulated unrealized gain previously recorded in other comprehensive income.

Money Market Funds

Money Market Funds — The Company’s investment in money market funds that are classified as cash equivalents hold underlying investments with a weighted average maturity of 90 days or less and are recognized at fair value. The valuations of these securities are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, when available, or pricing models whereby all significant inputs are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data. The Company reviews security pricing and assesses liquidity on a quarterly basis. As of January 29, 2021, the Company’s U.S. portfolio had no material exposure to money market funds with a fluctuating net asset value.

Equity and Other Securities and Debt Securities

Equity and Other Securities — The majority of the Company’s investments in equity and other securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of strategic investments in publicly-traded companies. The valuation of these securities is based on quoted prices in active markets.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments — The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist primarily of foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts and interest rate swaps. The fair value of the portfolio is determined using valuation models based on market observable inputs, including interest rate curves, forward and spot prices for currencies, and implied volatilities. Credit risk is also factored into the fair value calculation of the Company’s derivative financial instrument portfolio. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Company’s derivative financial instrument activities.

As part of its risk management strategy, the Company uses derivative instruments, primarily foreign currency forward and option contracts and interest rate swaps, to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures, respectively.

The Company’s objective is to offset gains and losses resulting from these exposures with gains and losses on the derivative contracts used to hedge the exposures, thereby reducing volatility of earnings and protecting the fair values of assets and liabilities. The earnings effects of the derivative instruments are presented in the same income statement line items as the earnings effects of the hedged items. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the Company assesses hedge effectiveness both at the onset of the hedge and at regular intervals throughout the life of the derivative. The Company does not have any derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Deferred Compensation Plans —The Company offers deferred compensation plans for eligible employees, which allow participants to defer payment for a portion of their compensation. Assets were the same as liabilities associated with the plans at approximately $308 million and $241 million as of January 29, 2021 and January 31, 2020, respectively, and are included in other assets and other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The net impact to the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) is not material since changes in the fair value of the assets substantially offset changes in the fair value of the liabilities. As such, assets and liabilities associated with these plans have not been included in the recurring fair value table above.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis — Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and therefore are not included in the recurring fair value table above. These assets consist primarily of non-financial assets such as goodwill and intangible assets. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about goodwill and intangible assets.

As of January 29, 2021 and January 31, 2020, the Company held private strategic investments of $990 million and $852 million, respectively. As these investments represent early-stage companies without readily determinable fair values, they are not included in the recurring fair value table above.

The Company has elected to apply the measurement alternative for these investments. Under the alternative, the Company measures investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, adjusted by observable price changes. The Company must make a separate election to use the alternative for each eligible investment and is required to reassess at each reporting period whether an investment qualifies for the alternative. In evaluating these investments for impairment or observable price changes, the Company uses inputs including pre- and post-money valuations of recent financing events and the impact of those events on its fully diluted ownership percentages, as well as other available information regarding the issuer’s historical and forecasted performance.