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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Consolidation, Policy

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include our financial statements and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

We do not have off-balance sheet arrangements, financings, or other similar relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, also known as special purpose entities. In the ordinary course of business, we lease certain equipment and certain real properties, primarily field sales offices, and research and development facilities, as described in Note 9. “Commitments and Contingencies.

Revenue Recognition, Policy

Revenue Recognition

We report revenue in two categories based on how the revenue is generated: (i) system and software and (ii) service and support.

System and software revenues – We derive system and software revenues from the sale of licenses of software products, emulation hardware systems, and finance fee revenues from our long-term installment receivables from product sales. We primarily license our products using two different license types:

1. Term licenses – We use this license type primarily for software sales. This license type provides the customer with the right to use a fixed list of software products for a specified time period, typically three years, with payments spread over the license term, and does not provide the customer with the right to use the products after the end of the term. Term license arrangements may allow the customer to share products between multiple locations and remix product usage from the fixed list of products at regular intervals during the license term. We generally recognize product revenue from term license arrangements upon product delivery and start of the license term. In a term license agreement where we provide the customer with rights to unspecified or unreleased future products, we recognize revenue ratably over the license term.

2. Perpetual licenses – We use this license type for software and emulation hardware system sales. This license type provides the customer with the right to use the product in perpetuity and typically does not provide for extended payment terms. We generally recognize product revenue from perpetual license arrangements upon product delivery assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition have been met.

We include finance fee revenues from the accretion on the discount of long-term installment receivables in system and software revenues.

Service and support revenues – We derive service and support revenues from software and hardware post-contract maintenance or support services and professional services, which include consulting, training, and other services. We recognize maintenance and support revenue ratably over the support services term. We record professional service revenue as the services are provided to the customer.

We determine whether product revenue recognition is appropriate based upon the evaluation of whether the following four criteria have been met:

 

1. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists – Generally, we use either a customer signed contract or qualified customer purchase order as evidence of an arrangement for both term and perpetual licenses. For professional service engagements, we generally use a signed professional services agreement and a statement of work to evidence an arrangement. Sales through our distributors are evidenced by an agreement governing the relationship, together with binding purchase orders from the distributor on a transaction-by-transaction basis.

2. Delivery has occurred – We generally deliver software and the corresponding access keys to customers electronically. Electronic delivery occurs when we provide the customer access to the software. We may also deliver the software on a compact disc. With respect to emulation hardware systems, we transfer title to the customer upon shipment. Our software license and emulation hardware system agreements generally do not contain conditions for acceptance.

3. Fee is fixed or determinable – We assess whether a fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of the arrangement, primarily based on the payment terms associated with the transaction. We have established a history of collecting under the original contract with installment terms without providing concessions on payments, products, or services. Additionally, for installment contracts, we determine that the fee is fixed or determinable if the arrangement has a payment schedule that is within the term of the licenses and the payments are collected in equal or nearly equal installments, when evaluated on a cumulative basis. If the fee is not deemed to be fixed or determinable, we recognize revenue as payments become due and payable.

Significant judgment is involved in assessing whether a fee is fixed or determinable. We must also make these judgments when assessing whether a contract amendment to a term arrangement (primarily in the context of a license extension or renewal) constitutes a concession. Our experience has been that we are able to determine whether a fee is fixed or determinable for term licenses. If we no longer were to have a history of collecting under the original contract without providing concessions on term licenses, revenue from term licenses would be required to be recognized when payments under the installment contract become due and payable. Such a change could have a material impact on our results of operations.

4. Collectibility is probable – To recognize revenue, we must judge collectibility of the arrangement fees on a customer-by-customer basis pursuant to our credit review process. We typically sell to customers with whom there is a history of successful collection. We evaluate the financial position and a customer’s ability to pay whenever an existing customer purchases new products, renews an existing arrangement, or requests an increase in credit terms. For certain industries for which our products are not considered core to the industry or the industry is generally considered troubled, we impose higher credit standards. If we determine that collectibility is not probable based upon our credit review process or the customer’s payment history, we recognize revenue as payments are received.

Multiple element arrangements involving software licenses – For multiple element arrangements involving software and other software-related deliverables, vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (VSOE) must exist to allocate the total fee among all delivered and non-essential undelivered elements of the arrangement. If undelivered elements of the arrangement are essential to the functionality of the product, we defer revenue until the essential elements are delivered. If VSOE does not exist for one or more non-essential undelivered elements, we defer revenue until such evidence exists for the undelivered elements, or until all elements are delivered, whichever is earlier. If VSOE of all non-essential undelivered elements exist but VSOE does not exist for one or more delivered elements, we recognize revenue using the residual method. Under the residual method, we defer revenue related to the undelivered elements based upon VSOE and we recognize the remaining portion of the arrangement fee as revenue for the delivered elements, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met. If we can no longer establish VSOE for non-essential undelivered elements of multiple element arrangements, we defer revenue until all elements are delivered or VSOE is established for the undelivered elements, whichever is earlier.

We base our VSOE for certain product elements of an arrangement upon the pricing in comparable transactions when the element is sold separately. We primarily base our VSOE for term and perpetual support services upon customer renewal history where the services are sold separately. We also base VSOE for professional services and installation services for emulation hardware systems upon the price charged when the services are sold separately.

Multiple element arrangements involving hardware – For multiple element arrangements involving our emulation hardware systems, we allocate revenue to each element based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. In order to meet the separation criteria to allocate revenue to each element we must determine the standalone selling price of each element using a hierarchy of evidence. The authoritative guidance requires that, in the absence of VSOE or third-party evidence (TPE), a company must develop an estimated selling price (ESP). ESP is defined as the price at which the vendor would transact if the deliverable was sold by the vendor regularly on a standalone basis. A company should consider market conditions as well as entity-specific factors when estimating a selling price.

When VSOE or TPE does not exist, we base our ESP for certain elements in arrangements on either costs incurred to manufacture a product plus a reasonable profit margin or standalone sales to similar customers. In determining profit margins, we consider current market conditions, pricing strategies related to the class of customer, and the level of penetration we have with the customer. We may have limited sales on a standalone basis to the same or similar customers and/or guaranteed pricing on future purchases of the same item. If we are unable to demonstrate value on a standalone basis of an element, we could be required to combine elements which may impact the timing of revenue recognition if not delivered together.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy
We measure financial instruments at fair value on a quarterly basis. The Financial Accounting Standards Board established a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

 

   

Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

 

   

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations whose significant inputs are observable; and

 

   

Level 3—One or more significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.

Business Combination Contingent Consideration
We have estimated the fair value of this contingent consideration as the present value of the expected contingent payments over the term of the arrangements.
Notes Payable Fair Value Determination
We based the fair value of notes payable on the quoted market price or rates available to us for instruments with similar terms and maturities.
Business Combinations Policy
For each business we acquire, the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net tangible assets acquired and net tangible liabilities assumed has been allocated to various identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets typically consist of purchased technology and customer-related intangibles, which are amortized to expense over their useful lives. Goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets, is not amortized.
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives
To partially offset the net exposures in the euro, British pound, and the Japanese yen, we enter into foreign currency exchange contracts of less than one year which are designated as cash flow hedges. Any gain or loss on Japanese yen contracts is classified as product revenue when the hedged transaction occurs. Any gain or loss on euro and British pound contracts is classified as operating expense when the hedged transaction occurs.
Derivatives, Policy
We formally document all relationships between foreign currency exchange contracts and hedged items as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions. All hedges designated as cash flow hedges are linked to forecasted transactions and we assess, both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the effectiveness of the foreign currency exchange contracts in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged items. We report the effective portions of the net gains or losses on foreign currency exchange contracts as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) in stockholders’ equity. Accumulated OCI associated with hedges of forecasted transactions is reclassified to the condensed consolidated statement of operations in the same period the forecasted transaction occurs. We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when we determine that a foreign currency exchange contract is not highly effective as a hedge. To the extent a forecasted transaction is no longer deemed probable of occurring, we prospectively discontinue hedge accounting treatment and we reclassify deferred amounts to other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Derivatives Not Designated or Qualifying as Hedges
We enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to offset the earnings impact relating to the variability in exchange rates on certain short-term monetary assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies. We do not designate these foreign currency contracts as hedges.
Receivables, Policy
We include balances under term agreements that are due within one year in trade accounts receivable, net and balances that are due more than one year from the balance sheet date in term receivables, long-term. We discount the total product portion of the agreements to reflect the interest component of the transaction. We amortize the interest component of the transaction, using the effective interest method, to system and software revenues over the period in which payments are made and balances are outstanding. We determine the discount rate at the outset of the arrangement based upon the current credit rating of the customer. We reset the discount rate periodically considering changes in prevailing interest rates but do not adjust previously discounted balances.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Receivables, Policy
Trade accounts receivable include billed amounts whereas term receivables, short-term are comprised of unbilled amounts. Term receivables, short term represent the portion of long-term installment agreements that are due within one year. Billings for term agreements typically occur 30 days prior to the contractual due date, in accordance with individual contract installment terms. Term receivables, long-term represent unbilled amounts which are scheduled to be collected beyond one year.
Financing Receivable Credit Quality
We perform a credit risk assessment of all customers using the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) credit rating as our primary credit-quality indicator. The S&P credit ratings are based on the most recent S&P score available. For customers that do not have an S&P credit rating, we base our credit risk assessment on an internal credit assessment which is based on selected short-term financial ratios. Our internal credit assessment is based upon results provided in the customers’ most recent financial statements.
Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts Receivable
We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable and term receivables for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We regularly evaluate the collectibility of our trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When we become aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, such as in the case of bankruptcy or deterioration in the customer’s operating results, financial position, or credit rating, we record a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount believed to be collectible. We also record unspecified reserves for bad debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors including length of time the receivables are past due, the financial health of the customers, the current business environment, and historical experience. Current economic conditions we have considered include forecasted spending in the semiconductor industry, consumer spending for electronics, integrated circuit research and development spending, and volatility in gross domestic product. If these factors change or circumstances related to specific customers change, we adjust the estimates of the recoverability of receivables resulting in either additional selling expense or a reduction in selling expense in the period such determination is made.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy
When we consider the potential loss from any dispute or legal matter probable and the amount or the range of loss can be estimated, we will accrue a liability for the estimated loss. Legal proceedings are subject to uncertainties, and the outcomes are difficult to predict. Because of such uncertainties, we base accruals on the best information available at the time. As additional information becomes available, we reassess the potential liability related to pending claims and litigation matters and may revise estimates.
Earnings Per Share, Policy
We compute basic net income (loss) per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. We compute diluted net income (loss) per share using the weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, restricted stock units, purchase rights from ESPPs, and warrants using the treasury stock method and common shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible subordinated debentures, if dilutive.