Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company

We are a global software company that simplifies the development, deployment and management of business applications on-premise or in the cloud, on any platform or device, to any data source, with enhanced performance, minimal IT complexity and low total cost of ownership. Our products are generally sold as perpetual licenses, but certain products and business activities also use term licensing models and our new Progress Pacific platform offering uses a subscription based model. We also provide product maintenance, consulting, training, and customer support services.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, we completed the divestitures of the ten product lines which were not considered core product lines of our business: Actional, Artix, DataXtend, FuseSource, ObjectStore, Orbacus, Orbix, Savvion, Shadow and Sonic. The divestitures were part of the new strategic plan (the "Plan") we announced during fiscal year 2012. After the announcement of the Plan, we began reporting our results in two reportable segments: Core and non-Core. Since the non-Core segment ceased to exist during the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, after the closing of all these divestitures, we now operate as one reportable segment.

In June 2013, we entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement to divest our Apama product line to Software AG. The target market, deployment and sales model for the Apama product line differed significantly from those of our core strategy and the divestiture allowed us to focus entirely on providing leading cloud and mobile application development and integration technologies through a single cohesive platform. The sale closed in July 2013 for a purchase price of $44.3 million.

The revenues and direct expenses of the product lines divested are included in discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of income, including prior period amounts which have been revised to reflect the presentation.

Accounting Principles

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

Basis of Consolidation

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

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and records changes in estimates in the period in which they become known. These estimates are based on historical data and experience, as well as various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The most significant estimates relate to the timing and amounts of revenue recognition, the realization of tax assets and estimates of tax liabilities, fair values of investments in marketable and auction rate securities, intangible assets and goodwill valuations, the recognition and disclosure of contingent liabilities, the collectability of accounts receivable, and assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation

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

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

Transaction gains or losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in foreign currency (loss) gain in the statements of income as incurred.

Cash Equivalents and Investments

Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with remaining maturities of three months or less. As of November 30, 2013, all of our cash equivalents were invested in money market funds.

We classify investments, which consist of auction rate securities (ARS), state and municipal bond obligations, and corporate bonds and notes, as investments available-for-sale, which are stated at fair value. We include aggregate unrealized holding gains and losses, net of taxes, on available-for-sale securities as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. We include realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities in other (expense) income on the consolidated statements of income.

We monitor our investment portfolio for impairment on a periodic basis. In the event that the carrying value of an investment exceeds its fair value and the decline in value is determined to be other than temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis for the investment is established. In determining whether an other-than-temporary impairment exists, we consider the nature of the investment, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, and our intent and ability to continue holding the security for a period sufficient for an expected recovery in fair value.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Credit Memos

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

We also record an allowance for estimates of potential sales credit memos. This allowance is determined based on an analysis of historical credit memos issued and current economic trends, and is recorded as a reduction of revenue.

A summary of activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (in thousands):




	November 30, 2013			November 30, 2012			November 30, 2011
Beginning balance	$	2,278		$	5,495		$	3,769
Charge to costs and expenses	649			1,031			1,963
Write-offs and other	(688		)	(4,543		)	(94		)
Translation adjustments	11			295			(143		)
Ending balance	$	2,250		$	2,278		$	5,495

A summary of activity in the allowance for sales credit memos is as follows (in thousands):




	November 30, 2013			November 30, 2012			November 30, 2011
Beginning balance	$	746		$	1,188		$	1,211
Charge to revenue	225			109			—
Write-offs and other	(71		)	(551		)	(23		)
Translation adjustments	3			—			—
Ending balance	$	903		$	746		$	1,188

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, derivative instruments and trade receivables. We have cash investment policies which, among other things, limit investments to investment-grade securities. We hold our cash and cash equivalents, investments and derivative instrument contracts with high quality financial institutions and we monitor the credit ratings of those institutions. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers, and the risk with respect to trade receivables is further mitigated by the diversity, both by geography and by industry, of the customer base. No single customer represented more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable or revenue in fiscal years 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. We base the fair value of short-term investments on quoted market prices or other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. The fair value of ARS is based on a valuation methodology utilizing discounted cash flow models due to the absence of quoted market prices. We measure and record derivative financial instruments at fair value. We elect fair value measurement for certain financial assets on a case-by-case basis. See Note 4 for further discussion of financial instruments that are carried at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis.

Derivative Instruments

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

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

Property and Equipment

We record property and equipment at cost. We record property and equipment purchased in business combinations at fair values which are then treated as the cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the useful lives of the assets. Useful lives by major asset class are as follows: computer equipment and software, 3 to 7 years; buildings and improvements, 5 to 39 years; and furniture and fixtures, 5 to 7 years. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Product Development and Internal Use Software

Expenditures for product development, other than internal use software costs, are expensed as incurred. Product development expenses primarily consist of personnel and related expenses for our product development staff, the cost of various third-party contractor fees, and allocated overhead expenses.

Software development costs associated with internal use software are incurred in three stages of development: the preliminary project stage, the application development stage, and the post-implementation stage. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Certain internal and external qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized as property and equipment. Internal use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of three years, beginning when the software is ready for its intended use.

During the year ended November 30, 2013, $0.8 million of internal use software development costs were capitalized. During the years ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no internal software development costs capitalized. Amortization expense related to internal use software totaled $0 during the years ended November 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill is the amount by which the cost of acquired net assets in a business combination exceeded the fair value of net identifiable assets on the date of purchase. We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, if any, for impairment annually on December 15 or on an interim basis when events and circumstances arise that indicate impairment may have occurred. We first perform a qualitative test and if necessary, perform a quantitative test. To conduct these quantitative impairment tests of goodwill, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. If the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, we record an impairment loss to the extent that the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. We estimate the fair values of our reporting units using discounted cash flow models or other valuation models, such as comparative transactions and market multiples.

We periodically review long-lived assets (primarily property and equipment) and intangible assets with finite lives (purchased technology, capitalized software and customer-related intangibles, which we amortize using the pattern in which the economic benefit will be realized or using the straight-line method if a pattern cannot be reliably determined) for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of those assets are no longer appropriate. We base each impairment test on a comparison of the undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, we write down the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow analysis. We recorded no impairment losses in fiscal year 2011. In fiscal year 2012 we recorded an impairment loss of $0.9 million related to assets no longer deployed as part of cost reduction strategies associated with our restructuring action. In fiscal year 2013, we recorded an additional $0.1 million impairment loss related to these assets.

Comprehensive Loss

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

Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised of the following components (in thousands):



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on investments			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance, December 1, 2011	$	(7,545	)	$	(4,108	)	$	(11,653	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(638		)	1,257			619
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to realized losses included in earnings	—			270			270
Balance, December 1, 2012	$	(8,183	)	$	(2,581	)	$	(10,764	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(1,066		)	(209		)	(1,275		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to realized losses included in earnings	—			380			380
Balance, November 30, 2013	$	(9,249	)	$	(2,410	)	$	(11,659	)

The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 relate to realized losses on available-for-sale ARS, which are recorded in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income. The tax effect on accumulated unrealized losses on investments was $1.4 million, $1.5 million and $2.0 million at November 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

We derive our revenue primarily from software licenses and maintenance and services. Our license arrangements generally contain multiple elements, including software maintenance services, consulting services, and customer education services. We do not recognize revenue until the following four basic criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) our product has been shipped or, if delivered electronically, the customer has the right to access the software, (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collection of the fee is probable.

Evidence of an arrangement generally consists of a contract or purchase order signed by the customer. In regard to delivery, we generally ship our software electronically and do not license our software with conditions of acceptance. If an arrangement does contain conditions of acceptance, we defer recognition of the revenue until the acceptance criteria are met or the period of acceptance has passed. Services are considered delivered as the work is performed or, in the case of maintenance, over the contractual service period. We assess whether a fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of the arrangement and consider the payment terms of the transaction, including transactions that extend beyond our customary payment terms. We do not license our software with a right of return. In assessing whether the collection of the fee is probable, we consider customer credit-worthiness, a customer’s historical payment experience, economic conditions in the customer’s industry and geographic location and general economic conditions. If we do not consider collection of a fee to be probable, we defer the revenue until the fees are collected, provided all other conditions for revenue recognition have been met.

In determining when to recognize revenue from a customer arrangement, we are often required to exercise judgment regarding the application of our accounting policies to a particular arrangement. The primary judgments used in evaluating revenue recognized in each period involve: determining whether collection is probable, assessing whether the fee is fixed or determinable, and determining the fair value of the maintenance and services elements included in multiple-element software arrangements. Such judgments can materially impact the amount of revenue that we record in a given period. While we follow specific and detailed rules and guidelines related to revenue recognition, we make and use significant management judgments and estimates in connection with the revenue recognized in any reporting period, particularly in the areas described above. If management made different estimates or judgments, material differences in the timing of the recognition of revenue could occur.

In regard to software license revenues, perpetual and term license fees are recognized as revenue when the software is delivered, no significant obligations or contingencies related to the software exist, other than maintenance, and all other revenue recognition criteria are met. We generally recognize revenue for products distributed through application partners and distributors on a sell-in basis.

Revenue from maintenance is recognized ratably over the service period. Maintenance revenue is deferred until the associated license is delivered to the customer and all other criteria for revenue recognition have been met. Revenue from other services, which are primarily consulting and customer education services, is generally recognized as the services are delivered to the customer, provided all other criteria for revenue recognition have been met.

We generally sell our software licenses with maintenance services and, in some cases, also with consulting services. For these multiple element arrangements, we allocate revenue to the delivered elements of the arrangement using the residual method, whereby revenue is allocated to the undelivered elements based on vendor specific objective evidence (or VSOE) of fair value of the undelivered elements with the remaining arrangement fee allocated to the delivered elements and recognized as revenue assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. For the undelivered elements, we determine VSOE of fair value to be the price charged when the undelivered element is sold separately. We determine VSOE for maintenance sold in connection with a software license based on the amount that will be separately charged for the maintenance renewal period. Substantially all license arrangements indicate the renewal rate for which customers may, at their option, renew their maintenance agreement. We determine VSOE for consulting services by reference to the amount charged for similar engagements when a software license sale is not involved. We review services sold separately on a periodic basis and update, when appropriate, our VSOE of fair value for such maintenance and services to ensure that it reflects our recent pricing experience. If VSOE of fair value for the undelivered elements cannot be established, we defer all revenue from the arrangement until the earlier of the point at which such sufficient VSOE does exist or all elements of the arrangement have been delivered, or if the only undelivered element is maintenance, then we recognize the entire fee ratably over the maintenance period. If payment of the software license fees is dependent upon the performance of consulting services or the consulting services are essential to the functionality of the licensed software, then we recognize both the software license and consulting fees using the completed contract method.

Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities are excluded from revenue.

With the introduction of Progress Pacific in fiscal year 2013, we have also begun offering products via a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) model, which is a subscription based model. Subscription revenue derived from these agreements is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the subscription term, provided persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, access to our software has been granted to the customer, the fee for the subscription is fixed or determinable, and collection of the subscription fee is probable.

Deferred revenue generally results from contractual billings for which revenue has not been recognized and consists of the unearned portion of license, maintenance, and services fees. Deferred revenue expected to be recognized as revenue more than one year subsequent to the balance sheet date is included in long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $1.6 million, $1.5 million and $2.9 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Warranty Costs

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

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant service period. We estimate the fair value of each stock-based award on the measurement date using either the current market price of the stock or the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model

incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of options, a risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. We recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the award, which is generally 4 or 5 years for options, and 3 years for restricted stock units and restricted stock awards.

Acquisition-Related Costs

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and include those costs incurred as a result of a business combination. These costs consist of professional service fees, including third-party legal and valuation-related fees, as well as retention fees, including earn-out payments treated as compensation expense. We incurred $3.2 million of acquisition-related costs, which are included in acquisition-related expenses in our consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013.

Restructuring Charges

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

Income Taxes

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

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

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (ASU 2013-11). ASU 2013-11 clarifies guidance and eliminates diversity in practice on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (ASU 2013-05). ASU 2013-05 provides guidance on releasing cumulative translation adjustments when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or a business within a foreign entity. ASU 2013-05 is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-05 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02), which replaces the presentation requirements for reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income in ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and to present significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by respective line items of net income if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety. We adopted ASU 2013-02 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 and applied it prospectively. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have any impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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

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