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Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The Company

Progress Software Corporation ("Progress," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our") provides the best products to develop, deploy and manage high-impact applications. Our comprehensive product stack is designed to make technology teams more productive and we have a deep commitment to the developer community, both open source and commercial alike. With Progress, organizations can accelerate the creation and delivery of strategic business applications, automate the process by which applications are configured, deployed and scaled, and make critical data and content more accessible and secure — leading to competitive differentiation and business success. Hundreds of thousands of enterprises, plus approximately 1,700 software companies and 3.5 million developers, depend on Progress to achieve their business goals.

Our products are generally sold as perpetual licenses, but certain products also use term licensing models and our cloud-based offerings use a subscription-based model. More than half of our worldwide license revenue is realized through relationships with indirect channel partners, principally independent software vendors (“ISVs”), original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), distributors and value-added resellers. ISVs develop and market applications using our technology and resell our products in conjunction with sales of their own products that incorporate our technology. OEMs are companies that embed our products into their own software products or devices. Value-added resellers are companies that add features or services to our product, then resell it as an integrated product or complete "turn-key" solution.

We operate in North America and Latin America (the "Americas"); Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"); and the Asia Pacific region, through local subsidiaries as well as independent distributors.

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 amount of revenue recognition, including the determination of the nature and timing of the satisfaction of performance obligations, the standalone selling price of performance obligations, and the transaction price allocated to performance obligations; the realization of tax assets and estimates of tax liabilities; fair values of investments in marketable securities; assets held for sale; 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 stockholders’ 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, net in the statements of operations.
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, net in the statements of operations 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, 2021, all of our cash equivalents were invested in money market funds.

We classify investments, state and municipal bond obligations, U.S. treasury and government agency bonds, 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 stockholders’ equity. We include realized gains and losses in interest income and other, net on the consolidated statements of operations.

We monitor our investment portfolio for impairment on a periodic basis. Fair value is calculated based on publicly available market information. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, we evaluate, among other factors, general market conditions, credit quality of debt instrument issuers, and the extent to which the fair value is less than cost. To determine credit losses, we employ a systematic methodology that considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence. In addition, we consider specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of, and business outlook for, the investee. If we have plans to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery, then a decline in fair value below cost is recorded as an impairment charge in other (expense) income, net and a new cost basis in the investment is established. If market, industry, and/or investee conditions deteriorate, we may incur future impairments.

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, 2021November 30, 2020November 30, 2019
Beginning balance$886 $667 $574 
Charge to costs and expenses58 429 606 
Write-offs and other(408)(169)(457)
Translation adjustments16 (41)(56)
Ending balance$552 $886 $667 

A summary of activity in the allowance for sales credit memos is as follows (in thousands):
November 30, 2021November 30, 2020November 30, 2019
Beginning balance$429 $158 $266 
(Credit) charge to revenue(340)265 (60)
Write-offs and other— — (46)
Translation adjustments(7)(2)
Ending balance$82 $429 $158 
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 2021, 2020 or 2019.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt approximates fair value due to the short-term nature or market interest rates 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. We measure and record derivative financial instruments at fair value. See Note 4: Fair Value Measurements for further discussion of financial instruments that are carried at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis.

Derivative Instruments

We record all derivatives 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.

Cash Flow Hedge

We entered into an interest rate swap contract in July 2019 to manage the variability of cash flows associated with approximately one-half of our variable rate debt. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge and we assessed the hedge's effectiveness both at the onset of the hedge and at regular intervals throughout the life of the derivative. To the extent that the interest rate swap is highly effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows, changes in the fair value of the derivative are included as a component of other comprehensive loss on our consolidated balance sheets. Although we determined at the onset of the hedge that the interest rate swap will be a highly effective hedge throughout the term of the contract, any portion of the fair value swap subsequently determined to be ineffective will be recognized in earnings.

Forward Contracts

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 economic effectiveness of our foreign currency hedge positions. Principal currencies hedged include the euro, British pound, Brazilian real, Indian rupee, 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 foreign currency loss, net in the consolidated statements of operations.
Inventories

Inventories consist of hardware and related component parts and are recorded at the lower of cost, as determined by the first-in, first-out method, or net realizable value. The Company reduces inventory to net realizable value based on excess and obsolete inventories determined primarily by historical usage and forecasted demand. If our review indicates a reduction in utility below carrying value, we reduce our inventory to a new cost basis through a charge to costs of revenue. At November 30, 2021, the Company had no reserve for excess and obsolete inventories.

Property and Equipment

We record property and equipment at cost. We record property and equipment purchased in business combinations at fair value, which is 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.

Property and equipment is classified as held for sale when it meets the held for sale criteria of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment and is measured at the lower of the carrying value or the fair value less cost to sell. Losses resulting from this measurement are recognized in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met while gains are not recognized until the date of sale. Once designated as held for sale, we stop recording depreciation expense on the asset. We assess the fair value less cost to sell of long-lived assets held for sale at each reporting period until it no longer meets this classification. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, we reclassified certain corporate land and building assets previously reported as property and equipment to assets held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet as we began an active program to sell and expect to sell these assets within one year. If the assets held for sale were carried at fair value, it would be considered a Level 3 fair value measurement, and determined based on the use of appraisals and input from market participants. As we determined that fair value was significantly above carrying value as of November 30, 2021, we have continued to record the assets held for sale at their carrying value.

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 fiscal years ended November 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019, there were no internal use software development costs capitalized. We did not incur any amortization expense related to internal use software development costs during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2021 and 2020 as these costs were fully amortized as of November 30, 2019.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill

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. The Company has a single reporting unit. We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, if any, for impairment annually or on an interim basis when events and circumstances arise that indicate impairment may have occurred.

The Company performed a quantitative assessment as of October 31, 2021 and concluded that there was no impairment since it was not more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit was less than its carrying value. We estimated the fair value of our reporting unit based on our market capitalization. In performing our annual assessment as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, we first performed a qualitative test and if necessary, performed a quantitative test. To conduct the quantitative impairment test of goodwill, we compared the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. We estimated the fair values of our reporting units using discounted cash flow models or other valuation models, such as comparative transactions and market multiples. We did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges during fiscal years 2020 or 2019.
Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets

Intangible assets are comprised of purchased technology, customer-related assets, and trademarks and trade names acquired through business combinations. All of our intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life. Refer to Note 8: Business Combinations for further information.

We periodically review long-lived assets (primarily property and equipment) and intangible assets with finite lives 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 or asset group. If impairment is indicated, we write down the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow analysis.

We did not recognize any intangible asset impairment charges during fiscal years 2021 and 2020. During fiscal year 2019, we incurred an impairment charge of $22.7 million as a result of our decision to reduce our current and ongoing spending levels within our cognitive application product lines, which consisted primarily of our DataRPM and Kinvey products.

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

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

Accumulated other comprehensive loss by components, net of tax (in thousands):
Foreign Currency Translation AdjustmentUnrealized (Losses) Gains on InvestmentsUnrealized Losses on Hedging ActivityTotal
Balance, December 1, 2019$(28,393)$(30)$(1,551)$(29,974)
Other comprehensive income (loss)777 44 (3,625)(2,804)
Balance, December 1, 2020$(27,616)$14 $(5,176)$(32,778)
Other comprehensive (loss) income(2,439)(63)2,837 335 
Balance, November 30, 2021$(30,055)$(49)$(2,339)$(32,443)

The tax effect on accumulated unrealized losses on hedging activity and unrealized (losses) gains on investments was $0.7 million, $1.6 million and $0.4 million as of November 30, 2021, November 30, 2020, and November 30, 2019, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Policy

We derive our revenue primarily from software licenses and maintenance and services. Our license arrangements generally contain multiple performance obligations, including software maintenance services. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. When an arrangement contains multiple performance obligations, we account for individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. We recognize revenue through the application of the following steps: (i) identification of the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognition of revenue when or as we satisfy the performance obligations. Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities are excluded from revenue and we do not license our software with a right of return.

Software Licenses

Software licenses are on-premise and fully functional when made available to the customer. As the customer can use and benefit from the license on its own, on-premise software licenses represent distinct performance obligations. Revenue is recognized upfront at the point in time when control is transferred, which is defined as the point in time when the client can use and benefit from the license. Our licenses are sold as perpetual or term licenses, and the arrangements typically contain various combinations of maintenance and services, which are generally accounted for as separate performance obligations. We use the residual approach to allocate the transaction price to our software license performance obligations because, due to the pricing of our licenses being highly variable, they do not have an observable stand-alone selling price ("SSP"). As required, we evaluate the residual approach estimate compared to all available observable data in order to conclude the estimate is representative of its SSP.
Perpetual licenses are generally invoiced upon execution of the contract and payable within 30 days. Term licenses are generally invoiced in advance on an annual basis over the term of the arrangement, which is typically one to three years. Any difference between the revenue recognized and the amount invoiced to the customer is recognized on our consolidated balance sheets as unbilled receivables until the customer is invoiced, at which point the amount is reclassified to accounts receivable.

Maintenance

Maintenance revenue is made up of technical support, bug fixes, and when-and-if available unspecified software upgrades. As these maintenance services are considered to be a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same duration and measure of progress, we have concluded that they represent one combined performance obligation. Revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period. The SSP of maintenance services is a percentage of the net selling price of the related software license, which has remained within a tight range and is consistent with the stand-alone pricing of subsequent maintenance renewals.

Maintenance services are generally invoiced in advance on an annual basis over the term of the arrangement, which is typically one to three years.

Services

Services revenue primarily includes consulting and customer education services. In general, services are distinct performance obligations. Services revenue is generally recognized as the services are delivered to the customer. We apply the practical expedient of recognizing revenue upon invoicing for time and materials-based arrangements as the invoiced amount corresponds to the value of the services provided. The SSP of services is based upon observable prices in similar transactions using the hourly rates sold in stand-alone services transactions. Services are either sold on a time and materials basis or prepaid upfront.

We also offer products via a software-as-a-service ("SaaS") model, which is a subscription-based model. Our customers can use hosted software over the contract period without taking possession of it and the cloud services are available to them throughout the entire term, even if they do not use the service. Revenue related to SaaS offerings is recognized ratably over the contract period. The SSP of SaaS performance obligations is determined based upon observable prices in stand-alone SaaS transactions. SaaS arrangements are generally invoiced in advance on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis over the term of the arrangement, which is typically one to three years.

Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations

When an arrangement contains multiple performance obligations, we account for individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation in a contract based on its relative SSP. Although we do not have a history of offering these elements, prior to allocating the transaction price to each performance obligation, we consider whether the arrangement has any discounts, material rights, or specified future upgrades that may represent additional performance obligations. Determining whether products and services are distinct performance obligations and the determination of the SSP may require significant judgment.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $0.9 million, $0.5 million, and $0.8 million in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, 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, less the present value of expected dividends when applicable, 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, the Black-Scholes option valuation model, or the Monte Carlo Simulation valuation model. The Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo Simulation valuation models incorporate assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of options or awards, a risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. We recognize stock-based compensation expense related to options and restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the service period of the award, which is generally 4 or 5 years for options and 3 or 4 years for restricted stock units, and adjust the expense each period for actual forfeitures. We recognize stock-based compensation expense related to performance stock units and our employee stock purchase plan using an accelerated attribution method.

Acquisition-Related Costs

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and include those costs incurred as a result of a business combination. These costs primarily consist of professional services fees, including third-party legal and valuation-related fees, as well as retention fees and earn-out payments treated as compensation expense. We incurred $4.1 million, $3.6 million, and $1.7 million of acquisition-related costs, which are included in acquisition-related expenses in our consolidated statement of operations, for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2021, November 30, 2020, and November 30, 2019, respectively.

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. We incurred $6.3 million, $5.9 million, and $6.3 million of restructuring related costs, which are included in restructuring expenses in our consolidated statement of operations, for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2021, November 30, 2020, and November 30, 2019, respectively.

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 operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Business Combinations
In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2021-08"), which improves the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination by addressing inconsistency in practice related to (1) the recognition of an acquired contract liability; and (2) payment terms and their effect on subsequent revenue recognized by the acquirer. The amendments in this update require an entity (acquirer) to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606. The guidance in ASU 2021-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. Upon adoption, this update did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"), which requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, including accounts receivable, upon initial recognition of that financial asset using a forward looking expected loss model, rather than an incurred loss model. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses when the fair value is below the amortized cost of the asset, removing the concept of "other-than-temporary" impairments. The Company adopted this standard effective December 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Convertible Debt
In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity ("ASU 2020-06"), which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The standard eliminates the liability and equity separation model for convertible instruments with a cash conversion feature. As a result, after adoption, entities will no longer separately present in equity an embedded conversion feature for such debt. Additionally, the embedded conversion feature will no longer be amortized into income as interest expense over the instrument’s life. Instead, entities will account for a convertible debt instrument wholly as debt unless (1) a convertible instrument contains features that require bifurcation as a derivative under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or (2) a convertible debt instrument was issued at a substantial premium. Additionally, the standard requires applying the if-converted method to calculate convertible instruments’ impact on diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. It can be adopted on either a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. We plan to early adopt the new standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 in accordance with the modified retrospective approach. Upon adoption, we expect to record a $47.5 million decrease to additional paid-in capital, a $56.0 million decrease to debt discount, a $4.9 million increase to retained earnings, and a $13.4 million decrease to long-term deferred tax liabilities.
Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). ASU 2019-12 updates specific areas of ASC 740, Income Taxes, to reduce complexity while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. The new standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. We do not expect this update to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.