Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the company to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments, which are readily convertible into cash, with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost approximates the first-in, first-out method. Substantially all inventories represent finished goods held for sale.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for depreciation of buildings is generally 20 to 30 years, and the estimated useful lives of machinery and equipment is generally three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the related lease or the life of the improvement. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances or events may indicate that the carrying amounts are not recoverable. If the fair value is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference.

Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Software Development Costs

The company capitalizes certain internal and external costs incurred to acquire or create internal-use software. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally three to seven years.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Identifiable Intangible Assets

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, while indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances or events may indicate that the carrying amounts are not recoverable. The company also tests indefinite-lived intangible assets, consisting of acquired trade names, for impairment at least annually as of the first day of the fourth quarter. If the fair value is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference.

Equity and Cost Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments

Investments are accounted for using the equity method if the investment provides the company the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if the company has an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%, although other factors, such as representation on the investee's Board of Directors, are considered in determining whether the equity method is appropriate. The company records its investments in equity method investees meeting these characteristics as "Investments in affiliated companies" in the company's consolidated balance sheets.

All other equity investments, which consist of investments for which the company does not possess the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the cost method, if privately held, or as available-for-sale, if publicly traded, and are included in "Other assets" in the company's consolidated balance sheets. Under the cost method of accounting, investments are carried at cost and are adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in realizable value and additional investments. The company accounts for available-for-sale investments at fair value, using quoted market prices, and the related holding gains and losses are included in "Other" in the shareholders' equity section in the company's consolidated balance sheets. The company assesses its long-term investments accounted for as available-for-sale on a quarterly basis to determine whether declines in market value below cost are other-than-temporary. When the decline is determined to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis for the individual security is reduced and a loss is realized in the company's consolidated statement of operations in the period in which it occurs. The company makes such determination based upon the quoted market price, financial condition, operating results of the investee, and the company's intent and ability to retain the investment over a period of time, which is sufficient to allow for any recovery in market value. In addition, the company assesses the following factors:

• broad economic factors impacting the investee's industry;

• publicly available forecasts for sales and earnings growth for the industry and investee; and

• the cyclical nature of the investee's industry.

The company could incur an impairment charge in future periods if, among other factors, the investee's future earnings differ from currently available forecasts.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cost in Excess of Net Assets of Companies Acquired

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the assets acquired. The company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of the first day of the fourth quarter, and when an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist, such as (i) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (ii) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, (iii) unanticipated competition, (iv) a loss of key personnel, (v) a more-likely-than-not sale or disposal of all or a significant portion of a reporting unit, (vi) the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit, or (vii) the recognition of a goodwill impairment loss of a subsidiary that is a component of the reporting unit. In addition, goodwill is required to be tested for impairment after a portion of the goodwill is allocated to a business targeted for disposal.

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment utilizing a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test requires the identification of the reporting units and comparison of the fair value of each of these reporting units to the respective carrying value. The company's reporting units are defined as each of the three regional businesses within the global components business segment, which are the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia/Pacific and each of the two regional businesses within the global Enterprise Computing Solutions ("ECS") business segment, which are North America and EMEA. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is less than its fair value, no impairment exists and the second step is not performed. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than its fair value, the second step must be performed to compute the amount of the goodwill impairment, if any. In the second step, the impairment is computed by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess.

The company generally estimates the fair value of a reporting unit using a three-year weighted average multiple of earnings before interest and taxes from comparable companies, which utilizes a look-back approach. The assumptions utilized in the evaluation of the impairment of goodwill under this approach include the identification of reporting units and the selection of comparable companies, which are critical accounting estimates subject to change. Additionally, the company supplements its multiple of earnings look-back approach with a forward-looking discounted cash flow methodology. The assumptions included in the discounted cash flow methodology included forecasted revenues, gross profit margins, operating income margins, working capital cash flow, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others, all of which require significant judgments by management. The company also reconciles its discounted cash flow analysis to its current market capitalization allowing for a reasonable control premium.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency Translation

The assets and liabilities of international operations are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with the related translation gains or losses reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity in the company's consolidated balance sheets. The results of international operations are translated at the monthly average exchange rates.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. The carrying value of the company's deferred tax assets is dependent upon the company's ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions. Should the company determine that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance to the deferred tax assets would be established in the period such determination was made.

It is the company's policy to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management's assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At December 31, 2011, the company believes it has appropriately accounted for any unrecognized tax benefits. To the extent the company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is established or is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, the company's effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be affected.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of consolidated net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains or losses on investment securities and interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, in addition to other employee benefit plan items. Unrealized gains or losses on investment securities are net of any reclassification adjustments for realized gains or losses included in consolidated net income. Foreign currency translation adjustments included in comprehensive income were not tax effected as investments in international affiliates are deemed to be permanent. All other comprehensive income items are net of related income taxes.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

The company records share-based payment awards exchanged for employee services at fair value on the date of grant and expenses the awards in the consolidated statements of operations over the requisite employee service period. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for forfeitures and is generally recognized over the vesting period of the award on a straight-line basis. Stock-based compensation expense related to awards with a market or performance condition is generally recognized over the vesting period of the award utilizing the graded vesting method. The company recorded, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses, amortization of stock-based compensation of $39,225, $34,613, and $33,017 in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segment Reporting

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The company's operations are classified into two reportable business segments: global components and global ECS.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The company recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred or services are rendered, the sales price is determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue typically is recognized at time of shipment. Sales are recorded net of discounts, rebates, and returns, which historically have not been material.

A portion of the company's business involves shipments directly from its suppliers to its customers. In these transactions, the company is responsible for negotiating price both with the supplier and customer, payment to the supplier, establishing payment terms with the customer, product returns, and has risk of loss if the customer does not make payment. As the principal with the customer, the company recognizes the sale and cost of sale of the product upon receiving notification from the supplier that the product was shipped.

The company has certain business with select customers and suppliers that is accounted for on an agency basis (that is, the company recognizes the fees associated with serving as an agent in sales with no associated cost of sales) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605-45-45. Generally, these transactions relate to the sale of supplier service contracts to customers where the company has no future obligation to perform under these contracts or the rendering of logistics services for the delivery of inventory for which the company does not assume the risks and rewards of ownership.

Effective January 1, 2011, the company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13, "Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements" ("ASU No. 2009-13") and Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-14, "Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements" ("ASU No. 2009-14"). ASU No. 2009-13 amends guidance included within ASC Topic 605-25to require an entity to use an estimated selling price when vendor specific objective evidence or acceptable third party evidence does not exist for any products or services included in a multiple element arrangement. The arrangement consideration should be allocated among the products and services based upon their relative selling prices, thus eliminating the use of the residual method of allocation. ASU No. 2009-13 also requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures regarding significant judgments made and changes in applying this guidance. ASU No. 2009-14 amends guidance included within ASC Topic 985-605 to exclude tangible products containing software components and non-software components that function together to deliver the product's essential functionality. Entities that sell joint hardware and software products that meet this scope exception will be required to follow the guidance of ASU No. 2009-13. The adoption of the provisions of ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 did not materially impact the company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $78,666, $61,423, and $54,006 in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Comparability of Prior Year Financial Data, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Policy

The company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments.  The allowances for doubtful accounts are determined using a combination of factors, including the length of time the receivables are outstanding, the current business environment, and historical experience.

Fair Value of Debt Policy

The carrying amount of the company's short-term borrowings in various countries, revolving credit facility, asset securitization program, and other obligations approximate their fair value.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Policy

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  The company utilizes a fair value hierarchy, which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The fair value hierarchy has three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 Quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3 Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.