SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

General

The Company commences revenue recognition when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Generally, the products the Company sells do not require significant production, modification or customization. Installation of the Company’s products is generally routine, consists of implementation and configuration and does not have to be performed by the Company.

At the time of a sales transaction, the Company makes an assessment of the collectability of the amount due from the customer. Revenues are recognized only if it is reasonably assured that collection will occur. When making this assessment, the Company considers customer credit-worthiness and historical payment experience. If it is determined from the outset of the arrangement that collection is not reasonably assured, revenues are recognized on a cash basis, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied. At the outset of the arrangement, the Company also assesses whether the fee associated with the order is fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or significant uncertainties. When assessing whether the fee is fixed or determinable, the Company considers the payment terms of the transaction, the Company’s collection experience in similar transactions, and the Company’s involvement, if any, in third-party financing transactions, among other factors. If the fee is not fixed or determinable, revenues are recognized only as payments become due from the customer, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are met. If a significant portion of the fee is due after the Company’s normal payment terms, the Company evaluates whether the Company has sufficient history of successfully collecting past transactions with similar terms without offering concessions. If that collection history is sufficient, revenue recognition commences, upon delivery of the products, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied. If the Company was to make different judgments or assumptions about any of these matters, it could cause a material increase or decrease in the amount of revenues reported in a particular period.

The Company often receives multiple purchase orders or contracts from a single customer or a group of related customers that are evaluated to determine if they are, in effect, part of a single arrangement. In situations when the Company has concluded that two or more orders with the same customer are so closely related that they are, in effect, parts of a single arrangement, the Company accounts for those orders as a single arrangement for revenue recognition purposes. In other circumstances, when the Company has concluded that two or more orders with the same customer are independent buying decisions, such as an earlier purchase of a product and a subsequent purchase of a software upgrade or maintenance contract, the Company accounts for those orders as separate arrangements for revenue recognition purposes.

For many of the Company’s products, there has been an ongoing practice of Avid making available at no charge to customers minor feature and compatibility enhancements as well as bug fixes on a when-and-if-available basis (collectively “Software Updates”), for a period of time after initial sales to end users. The implicit obligation to make such Software Updates available to customers over a period of time represents implied post-contract customer support, which is deemed to be a deliverable in each arrangement and is accounted for as a separate element (“Implied Maintenance Release PCS”).

Over the course of the last two years, in connection with a strategic initiative to increase support and other recurring revenue streams, the Company has taken a number of steps to eliminate the longstanding practice of providing Implied Maintenance Release PCS for many of its products, including Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius product lines. In the third quarter and fourth quarter of 2015, respectively, the Company concluded that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for its Media Composer and Sibelius product lines had ceased. In the first quarter of 2016, in connection with the release of Cloud Collaboration in Pro Tools version 12.5, which was an undelivered feature that had prevented the Company from recognizing any revenue related to new Pro Tools 12 software sales as it represented a specified upgrade right for which vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value was not available, the Company concluded that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Pro Tools 12 product lines had also ended. The determination that Pro Tools 12 Implied Maintenance Release PCS had ended was based on management (i) clearly communicating a policy of no longer providing any Software Updates or other support to customers that are not covered under a paid support plan and (ii) implementing robust digital rights management tools to enforce the policy. With the new policy and technology for Pro Tools 12 in place, combined with management’s intent to continue to adhere to the policy, management concluded in the first quarter of 2016 that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Pro Tools 12 transactions no longer exists. As a result of the conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Pro Tools 12 has ended, revenue and net income in the first quarter of 2016 increased approximately $11.1 million, reflecting the recognition of orders received after the launch of Pro Tools 12 that would have qualified for earlier recognition using the residual method of accounting. In addition, the elimination of Implied Maintenance Release PCS also resulted in the accelerated recognition of maintenance and product revenues that were previously being recognized on a ratable basis over a much longer expected period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS rather than the contractual maintenance period. The reduction in the estimated amortization period of transactions being recognized on a ratable basis resulted in an additional $41.8 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company enters into certain contractual arrangements that have multiple elements, one or more of which may be delivered subsequent to the delivery of other elements. These multiple-deliverable arrangements may include products, support, training, professional services and Implied Maintenance Release PCS. For these multiple-element arrangements, the Company allocates revenue to each deliverable of the arrangement based on the relative selling prices of the deliverables. In such circumstances, the Company first determines the selling price of each deliverable based on (i) VSOE of fair value if that exists; (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”), when VSOE does not exist; or (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“BESP”), when neither VSOE nor TPE exists. Revenue is then allocated to the non-software deliverables as a group and to the software deliverables as a group using the relative selling prices of each of the deliverables in the arrangement based on the selling price hierarchy. The Company’s process for determining BESP for deliverables for which VSOE or TPE does not exist involves significant management judgment. In determining BESP, the Company considers a number of data points, including:


•	the pricing established by management when setting prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone basis;


•	contractually stated prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone basis;


•	the pricing of standalone sales that may not qualify as VSOE of fair value due to limited volumes or variation in prices; and


•	other pricing factors, such as the geographical region in which the products are sold and expected discounts based on the customer size and type.

In determining a BESP for Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which the Company does not sell separately, the Company considers (i) the service period for the Implied Maintenance Release PCS, (ii) the differential in value of the Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable compared to a full support contract, (iii) the likely list price that would have resulted from the Company’s established pricing practices had the deliverable been offered separately, and (iv) the prices a customer would likely be willing to pay.

The Company estimates the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS based on the length of time the product version purchased by the customer is planned to be supported with Software Updates. If facts and circumstances indicate that the original service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS for a product has changed significantly after original revenue recognition has commenced, the Company will modify the remaining estimated service period accordingly and recognize the then-remaining deferred revenue balance over the revised service period.

The Company has established VSOE of fair value for some of the Company’s professional services, training and support offerings. The Company’s policy for establishing VSOE of fair value consists of evaluating standalone sales to determine if a substantial portion of the transactions fall within a reasonable range. If a sufficient volume of standalone sales exist and the standalone pricing for a substantial portion of the transactions falls within a reasonable range, management concludes that VSOE of fair value exists.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-14, the Company excludes from the scope of software revenue recognition requirements the Company’s sales of tangible products that contain both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the essential functionality of the tangible products. The Company adopted ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 prospectively on January 1, 2011 for new and materially modified arrangements originating after December 31, 2010.

Prior to the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, the Company primarily recognized revenues using the revenue recognition criteria of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition. As a result of the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2009-14 on January 1, 2011, a majority of the Company’s products are now considered non-software elements under GAAP, which excludes them from the scope of ASC Subtopic 985-605 and includes them within the scope of ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Because the Company had not been able to establish VSOE of fair value for Implied Maintenance Release PCS, as described further below, substantially all revenue arrangements prior to January 1, 2011 were recognized on a ratable basis over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS. Subsequent to January 1, 2011 and the adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, the Company determines a relative selling price for all elements of the arrangement through the use of BESP, as VSOE and TPE are typically not available, resulting in revenue recognition upon delivery of arrangement consideration attributable to product revenue, provided all other criteria for revenue recognition are met, and revenue recognition of Implied Maintenance Release PCS and other service and support elements over time as services are rendered.

The timing of revenue recognition of customer arrangements follows a number of different accounting models determined by the characteristics of the arrangement, and that timing can vary significantly from the timing of related cash payments due from customers. One significant factor affecting the timing of revenue recognition is the determination of whether each deliverable in the arrangement is considered to be a software deliverable or a non-software deliverable. For transactions occurring after January 1, 2011, the Company’s revenue recognition policies have generally resulted in the recognition of approximately 70% of billings as revenue in the year of billing, and prior to January 1, 2011, the previously applied revenue recognition policies resulted in the recognition of approximately 30% of billings as revenue in the year of billing. The Company expects this trend to continue in future periods.

Revenue Recognition of Non-Software Deliverables

Revenue from products that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized upon delivery of the product to the customer. Products are considered delivered to the customer once they have been shipped and title and risk of loss has been transferred. For most of the Company’s product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped. Revenue from support that is considered a non-software deliverable is initially deferred and is recognized ratably over the contractual period of the arrangement, which is generally twelve months. Professional services and training services are typically sold to customers on a time and materials basis. Revenue from professional services and training services that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized for these deliverables as services are provided to the customer. Revenue for Implied Maintenance Release PCS that is considered a non-software deliverable is recognized ratably over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which ranges from one to eight years.

Revenue Recognition of Software Deliverables

The Company recognizes the following types of elements sold using software revenue recognition guidance: (i) software products and software upgrades, when the software sold in a customer arrangement is more than incidental to the arrangement as a whole and the product does not contain hardware that functions with the software to provide essential functionality, (ii) initial support contracts where the underlying product being supported is considered to be a software deliverable, (iii) support contract renewals, and (iv) professional services and training that relate to deliverables considered to be software deliverables. Because the Company does not have VSOE of the fair value of its software products, the Company is permitted to account for its typical customer arrangements that include multiple elements using the residual method. Under the residual method, the VSOE of fair value of the undelivered elements (which could include support, professional services or training, or any combination thereof) is deferred and the remaining portion of the total arrangement fee is recognized as revenue for the delivered elements. If evidence of the VSOE of fair value of one or more undelivered elements does not exist, revenues are deferred and recognized when delivery of those elements occurs or when VSOE of fair value can be established. VSOE of fair value is typically based on the price charged when the element is sold separately to customers. The Company is unable to use the residual method to recognize revenues for some arrangements that include products that are software deliverables under GAAP since VSOE of fair value does not exist for Implied Maintenance Release PCS elements, which are included in some of the Company’s arrangements.

For software products that include Implied Maintenance Release PCS, an element for which VSOE of fair value does not exist, revenue for the entire arrangement fee, which could include combinations of product, professional services, training and support, is recognized ratably as a group over the longest service period of any deliverable in the arrangement, with recognition commencing on the date delivery has occurred for all deliverables in the arrangement (or begins to occur in the case of professional services, training and support). Standalone sales of support contracts are recognized ratably over the service period of the product being supported.

From time to time, the Company offers certain customers free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements. When a software deliverable arrangement contains an Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable, revenue recognition of the entire arrangement will only commence when any free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements have been delivered, assuming all other products in the arrangement have been delivered and all services, if any, have commenced.

Other Revenue Recognition Policies

In a limited number of arrangements, the professional services and training to be delivered are considered essential to the functionality of the Company’s software products. If services sold in an arrangement are deemed to be essential to the functionality of the software products, the arrangement is accounted for using contract accounting. As the Company has concluded that it cannot reliably estimate its contract costs, the Company uses the completed contract method of contract accounting. The completed contract method of accounting defers all revenue and costs until the date that the products have been delivered and professional services, exclusive of post-contract customer support, have been completed. Deferred costs related to fully deferred contracts are recorded as a component of inventories in the consolidated balance sheet, and generally all other costs of sales are recognized when revenue recognition commences.

The Company records as revenues all amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs and records its actual shipping costs as a component of cost of revenues. Reimbursements received from customers for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as revenues, with related costs recorded as cost of revenues. The Company presents revenues net of any taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities.

In the consolidated statements of operations, the Company classifies revenues as product revenues or services revenues. For multiple-element arrangements that include both product and service elements, including Implied Maintenance Release PCS, the Company evaluates available indicators of fair value and applies its judgment to reasonably classify the arrangement fee between product revenues and services revenues. The amount of multiple-element arrangement fees classified as product and service revenues based on management estimates of fair value when VSOE of fair value for all elements of an arrangement does not exist could differ from amounts classified as product and service revenues if VSOE of fair value for all elements existed.

Allowance for Sales Returns and Exchanges

The Company maintains allowances for estimated potential sales returns and exchanges from its customers. The Company records a provision for estimated returns and other allowances as a reduction of revenues in the same period that related revenues are recorded based on historical experience and specific customer analysis. Use of management estimates is required in connection with establishing and maintaining a sales allowance for expected returns and other credits. If actual returns differ from the estimates, additional allowances could be required.

The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for sales returns and exchanges for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Allowance for sales returns and exchanges – beginning of year	$	8,583		$	9,510		$	12,519
Additions and adjustments to the allowance	9,325			8,468			9,260
Deductions against the allowance	(10,047		)	(9,395		)	(12,269		)
Allowance for sales returns and exchanges – end of year	$	7,861		$	8,583		$	9,510

The allowance for sales returns and exchanges, which is recorded as a reduction to gross accounts receivable, reflects an estimate of amounts invoiced that will not be collected, as well as other allowances and credits that have been or are expected to offset the trade receivables. Since many of the Company’s transactions require some or all of amounts invoiced to be recorded in deferred revenue under GAAP due to revenue recognition considerations, the Company has recorded reductions to deferred revenue of $1.5 million, $3.2 million and $3.7 million as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to eliminate the estimated deferred revenue attributable to transactions already provided for by the sales, returns and exchanges allowance.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses from bad debt resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments for products or services. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowances, the Company analyzes accounts receivable balances, historical bad debt experience, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness and current economic trends. To date, actual bad debts have not differed materially from management’s estimates.

The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts – beginning of year	$	643		$	1,182		$	1,444
Bad debt (recovery) expense	886			(23		)	(143		)
Reduction in allowance for doubtful accounts	(772		)	(516		)	(119		)
Allowance for doubtful accounts – end of year	$	757		$	643		$	1,182

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Translation of Foreign Currencies

The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency, except for the Irish manufacturing branch and Orad Hi-Tech Systems Ltd. (“Orad”) that the Company acquired in June 2015. The functional currency for both the Irish manufacturing branch and Orad is the U.S. dollar due to the extensive interrelationship of the operations of the Irish branch, Orad and the U.S. parent, and the high volume of intercompany transactions among the two subsidiaries and the parent. The assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items for these entities are translated using rates that approximate those in effect during the period. Cumulative translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ deficit. The Company does not record tax provisions or benefits for the net changes in the foreign currency translation adjustment as the Company intends to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings in its foreign subsidiaries.

The U.S. parent company, Irish manufacturing branch and Orad, all of whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, carry certain monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. These assets and liabilities typically include cash, accounts receivable and intercompany operating balances denominated in foreign currencies. These assets and liabilities are remeasured into the U.S. dollar at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency transaction and remeasurement gains and losses are included within marketing and selling expenses in the results of operations.

The U.S. parent company and various other wholly owned subsidiaries have long-term intercompany loan balances denominated in foreign currencies that are remeasured into the U.S. dollar at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Such loan balances are not expected to be settled in the foreseeable future. Any gains and losses relating to these loans are included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ deficit.

The Company has significant international operations and, therefore, the Company’s revenues, earnings, cash flows and financial position are exposed to foreign currency risk from foreign-currency-denominated receivables, payables, sales and expense transactions, and net investments in foreign operations. The Company derives more than half of it revenues from customers outside the United States. The business is, for the most part, transacted through international subsidiaries and generally in the currency of the end-user customers. Therefore, the Company is exposed to the risks that changes in foreign currency could adversely affect its revenues, net income, cash flow and financial position. Foreign currency transaction and remeasurement gains and losses are included within marketing and selling expenses in the results of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 the Company recorded net (gains) losses of $(0.6) million, $(1.3) million, and $0.9 million respectively, that resulted from foreign currency denominated transactions and the revaluation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company measures cash equivalents and marketable securities at fair value on a recurring basis. The cash equivalents and market securities consist primarily of money market investments, mutual funds and insurance contracts held in deferred compensation plans. The money market investments and mutual funds held in the Company’s deferred compensation plan in the U.S. are reported at fair value within other current assets using quoted market prices with the gains and losses included as other (expense) income in the Company’s statement of operations. The insurance contracts held in the deferred compensation plans for employees in Israel and Germany are reported at fair value within other long-term assets using other observable inputs. Other than the investments held in the Company’s deferred compensation plans, the Company held no marketable securities at December 31, 2016 or 2015. Amortization or accretion of premium or discount is included in interest income (expense) in the results of operations.

Concentration of Credit Risk [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions that management believes to be of high credit quality, and, generally, there are no significant concentrations in any one issuer. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers that make up the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across different regions. No individual customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total net revenues or net accounts receivable in the periods presented.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market value. Management regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and writes down inventory to its realizable value to reflect estimated obsolescence or lack of marketability based on assumptions about future inventory demand and market conditions. Inventory in the digital-media market, including the Company’s inventory, is subject to rapid technological change or obsolescence; therefore, utilization of existing inventory may differ from the Company’s estimates.

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

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. The Company typically depreciates its property and equipment using the following minimum and maximum useful lives:



	Depreciable Life
	Minimum	Maximum
Computer and video equipment and software, including internal use software	2 years	5 years
Manufacturing tooling and testbeds	3 years	5 years
Office equipment	3 years	5 years
Furniture, fixtures and other	3 years	8 years

The Company capitalizes certain development costs incurred in connection with its internal use software. Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct, are capitalized until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Capitalized costs are recorded as part of property and equipment. Maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Internal use software is amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life, generally three years.

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or other disposition of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in other (expense) income in the results of operations.

Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Acquisition-related intangible assets consist of customer relationships, developed technology, trade names and non-compete agreements. These assets are determined to have either finite or indefinite lives. For finite-lived intangible assets amortization is straight-line over the estimated useful lives of such assets, which are generally two years to twelve years. Straight-line amortization is used because the Company cannot reliably determine a discernible pattern over which the economic benefits would be realized. The Company does not have any indefinite-lived intangible assets. Intangible assets are tested for impairment when events and circumstances indicate there is an impairment. The impairment test involves comparing the sum of undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value as of the measurement date. Impairment occurs when the carrying value of the assets exceeds the sum of undiscounted cash flows. Impairment is then measured as the difference between the carrying value and fair value determined using a discounted cash flow method. In estimating the fair value using a discounted cash flow method, the Company uses assumptions that include forecast revenues, gross margins, operating profit margins, growth rates and long-term discount rates, all of which require significant judgment by management. Changes to these assumptions could affect the estimated fair value of the intangible asset and could result in an impairment charge in future.

The Company performs its annual and interim goodwill impairment tests when it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The Company has concluded it has one reporting unit and the annual measurement date is October 31, 2016.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for events and circumstances that indicate a potential impairment. A long-lived asset is assessed for impairment when the undiscounted expected future cash flows derived from that asset are less than its carrying value. The cash flows used for this analysis take into consideration a number of factors including past operating results, budgets and economic projections, market trends and product development cycles. The amount of any impairment would be equal to the difference between the estimated fair value of the asset, based on a discounted cash flow analysis, and its carrying value.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Expenses

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are classified as marketing and selling expenses. Advertising expenses were not material in the periods presented.

Research, Development, and Computer Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Development costs for software to be sold that are incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility, but prior to the general release of the product, are capitalized. Upon general release, these costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the expected life of the related products, generally 12 to 36 months. The straight-line method generally results in approximately the same amount of expense as that calculated using the ratio that current period gross product revenues bear to total anticipated gross product revenues. The Company periodically evaluates the assets, considering a number of business and economic factors, to determine if an impairment exists. No amounts have been capitalized during 2016, 2015, and 2014 as the costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility have not been material.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the net tax effects of tax credits, operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes compared to the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets are regularly reviewed for recoverability with consideration for such factors as historical losses, projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. The Company is required to record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in its financial statements by applying a two-step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. If the tax position is deemed more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax reserves (“unrecognized tax benefits”) that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties.

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

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans allow the Company to grant stock awards, options, or other equity-based instruments, or a combination thereof, as part of its overall compensation strategy. For stock-based awards granted, the Company records stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value over the requisite service periods for the individual awards, which generally equal the vesting periods. The vesting of stock-based award grants may be based on time, performance conditions, market conditions, or a combination of performance and market conditions.

Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Product Warranties

The Company provides warranties on externally sourced and internally developed hardware. The warranty period for all of the Company’s products is generally 90 days to one year, but can extend up to 5 years depending on the manufacturer’s warranty or local law. For internally developed hardware and in cases where the warranty granted to customers for externally sourced hardware is greater than that provided by the manufacturer, the Company records an accrual for the related liability based on historical trends and actual material and labor costs. At the end of each quarter, the Company reevaluates its estimates to assess the adequacy of the recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the accrued amounts accordingly.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Computation of Net Income Per Share

Net income per share is presented for both basic earnings per share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted earnings per share (“Diluted EPS”). Basic EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding non-vested restricted stock held by employees. Diluted EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units, the proceeds and remaining unrecorded compensation expense of which are then assumed to have been used to repurchase outstanding common stock using the treasury stock method. For periods when the Company reports a loss, all potential common stock is considered anti-dilutive. For periods when the Company reports net income, potential common shares with combined purchase prices and unamortized compensation costs in excess of the Company’s average common stock fair value for the related period or that are contingently issuable are considered anti-dilutive. The Company issued the Notes in 2015, and the Company applied the treasury stock method in measuring the dilutive impact of those potential common shares to be issued.

Accounting for Restructuring Plans [Policy Text Block]

Accounting for Restructuring Plans

The Company records facility-related and contract termination restructuring charges in accordance with ASC Topic 420, Liabilities: Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. Based on the Company’s policies for the calculation and payment of severance benefits, the Company accounts for employee-related restructuring charges as an ongoing benefit arrangement in accordance with ASC Topic 712, Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits. The Company recognizes facility-related restructuring charges upon exiting all or a portion of a leased facility and meeting cease-use and other requirements. The amount of restructuring charges is based on the fair value of the lease obligation for the abandoned space, which includes a sublease assumption that could be reasonably obtained. Restructuring charges and accruals require significant estimates and assumptions, including sub-lease income assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are monitored on at least a quarterly basis for changes in circumstances and any corresponding adjustments to the accrual are recorded in the Company’s statement of operations in the period when such changes are known.

Related Party Transactions

From time to time the Company enters into arrangements with parties which may be affiliated with the Company, executive officers and members of the Company’s Board of Directors. These transactions are primarily comprised of sales transactions in the normal course of business and are immaterial to the financial statements for all periods presented.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement

On March 30, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The standard is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted ASU No. 2016-09 during the second quarter of 2016 on a modified retrospective basis for the income statement impact of forfeitures. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 had no impact to the Company’s income taxes and consolidated statements of cash flows. Accordingly, a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2016 for the impact of forfeitures is immaterial.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Topic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU No. 2014-15 provides guidance around management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The Company adopted ASC 205-40 in the fourth quarter of 2016, and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the financial statements or related disclosures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted

In May, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU No. 2014-09 is the final updated standard on revenue recognition. The standard supersedes the most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and early adoption as of January 1, 2017 is permitted.

Subsequently, the FASB has issued the following standards related to ASU No. 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations; ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing; and ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The Company must adopt ASU No. 2016-08, ASU No. 2016-10 and ASU No. 2016-12 with ASU No. 2014-09 (collectively, the “new revenue standards”).

Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the new revenue standards. The Company expects to elect the modified transition method and, while the Company is still in the early stages of evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard, it expects the impact will be significant. The adoption will result in a significant cumulative reduction in deferred revenue as of January 1, 2018 because the Company will no longer require VSOE of fair value to recognize software deliverables with Implied Maintenance Release PCS upon delivery. Upon adoption of ASC 606, the Company expects to recognize a greater proportion of revenue upon delivery of its products, whereas some of the Company’s current product sales are initially recorded in deferred revenue and recognized over a long period of time. Accordingly, the Company’s operating results may become more volatile as a result of the adoption.

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic (842). The guidance requires an entity to recognize virtually all of their leases on the balance sheet, by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements, as well as the timing of its adoption of the standard.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230). The guidance reduces diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Statements of Cash Flows. Certain of ASU No. 2016-15 requirements are as follows: 1) cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs should be classified as cash outflows for financing activities, 2) contingent consideration payments made soon after a business combination should be classified as cash outflows for investing activities and cash payment made thereafter should be classified as cash outflows for financing up to the amount of the contingent consideration liability recognized at the acquisition date with any excess classified as operating activities, 3) cash proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims should be classified on the basis of the nature of the loss, 4) cash proceeds from the settlement of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI) Policies should be classified as cash inflows from investing activities and cash payments for premiums on COLI policies may be classified as cash outflows for investing activities, operating activities, or a combination of investing and operating activities, and 5) cash paid to a tax authority by an employer when withholding shares from an employee's award for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as cash outflows for financing activities. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements, as well as the timing of its adoption of the standard.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740). The guidance requires companies to recognize the income tax effects of intercompany sales and transfers of assets, other than inventory, in the income statement as income tax expense (or benefit) in the period in which the transfer occurs. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-16 on its financial statements, as well as timing of its adoption of the standard.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The guidance requires companies to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, companies will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet is required. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements, as well as the timing of its adoption of the standard.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The revised guidance will be applied prospectively, and is effective for calendar year-end SEC filers in 2020. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements, as well as timing of its adoption of the standard.