Significant Accounting Policies | 6 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Significant Accounting Policies | |
Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Significant Accounting Policies |
|
(a)Overview of Licensing Model Changes |
|
Transition to the aspenONE Licensing Model |
|
Prior to fiscal 2010, we offered term or perpetual licenses to specific products, or specifically defined sets of products, which we refer to as point products. The majority of our license revenue was recognized under an “upfront revenue model,” in which the net present value of the aggregate license fees was recognized as revenue upon shipment of the point products. Customers typically received one year of post-contract software maintenance and support, or SMS, with their license agreements and then could elect to renew SMS annually. Revenue from SMS was recognized ratably over the period in which the SMS was delivered. |
|
In fiscal 2010, we introduced the following changes to our licensing model: |
|
| (i) | | We began offering our software on a subscription basis, allowing our customers access to all products within a licensed suite (aspenONE Engineering or aspenONE Manufacturing and Supply Chain). SMS is included for the entire term of the arrangement and customers are entitled to any software products or updates introduced into the licensed suite. We refer to this license arrangement as our aspenONE licensing model. |
|
| (ii) | | We began to include SMS for the entire term on our point product term arrangements. |
|
Beginning in fiscal 2012, we introduced our Premier Plus SMS offering to provide more value to our customers. As a part of this offering, customers receive 24x7 support, faster response times, dedicated technical advocates and access to web-based training modules. |
|
Revenue related to our aspenONE licensing model and to term point product license arrangements with Premier Plus SMS is recognized over the term of the arrangement on a ratable basis. The changes to our licensing model introduced in fiscal 2010 did not change the method or timing of customer billings or cash collections. |
|
Impact of Licensing Model Changes |
|
The principal accounting implications of the changes to our licensing model in fiscal 2010 are as follows: |
|
| · | | Prior to fiscal 2010, the majority of our license revenue was recognized on an upfront basis. Since the upfront model resulted in the net present value of multiple years of future installments being recognized at the time of shipment, the changes to our licensing model resulted in a reduction in our software license revenue for fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2012 as compared to the fiscal years preceding our licensing model changes. These changes did not impact the incurrence or timing of our expenses, and there was no corresponding expense reduction to offset the lower revenue, resulting in operating losses for fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2012. By fiscal 2013, a sufficient number of license arrangements had been renewed on the aspenONE licensing model to generate ratable revenue sufficient to support an operating profit. |
|
| · | | Since fiscal 2010, revenue from annually renewable SMS arrangements (“legacy SMS revenue”) has decreased, and been offset by a corresponding increase in subscription and software revenue as customers have transitioned to our aspenONE licensing model. Under our aspenONE licensing model and for point product arrangements with Premier Plus SMS included for the full contract term, the entire arrangement fee, including the SMS component, is included within subscription and software revenue. |
|
| · | | Installment payments from aspenONE agreements and from point product arrangements with SMS included for the contract term are not considered fixed or determinable, and as a result, are not included in installments receivable. Accordingly, our installments receivable balance has decreased as licenses previously executed under our upfront revenue model reached the end of their terms. |
|
| · | | The amount of our deferred revenue has increased as more revenue from our term license portfolio has been recognized on a ratable basis. |
|
(b)Revenue Recognition |
|
We generate revenue from the following sources: (1) licensing software products and SMS; and (2) providing professional services and training. We sell our software products to end users under fixed-term and perpetual licenses. As a standard business practice, we offer extended payment term options for our fixed-term license arrangements, which are generally payable on an annual basis. Many of our fixed-term license agreements include product mixing rights that allow customers the flexibility to change or alternate the use of multiple products included in the license arrangement after those products are delivered to the customer. We refer to these arrangements as token arrangements. Tokens are fixed units of measure. The amount of software usage is limited by the number of tokens purchased by the customer. |
|
Four basic criteria must be satisfied before software license revenue can be recognized: persuasive evidence of an arrangement between us and an end user; delivery of our product has occurred; the fee for the product is fixed or determinable; and collection of the fee is probable. |
|
Persuasive evidence of an arrangement—We use a signed contract as evidence of an arrangement for software licenses and SMS. For professional services we use a signed contract and a work proposal to evidence an arrangement. In cases where both a signed contract and a purchase order are required by the customer, we consider both taken together as evidence of the arrangement. |
|
Delivery of our product—Software and the corresponding access keys are generally delivered to customers electronically or via disk media with standard shipping terms of FOB Origin. Our software license agreements do not contain conditions for acceptance. |
|
Fee is fixed or determinable—We assess whether a fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of the arrangement. Significant judgment is involved in making this assessment. |
|
Under our upfront revenue model, we are able to demonstrate that the fees are fixed or determinable for all arrangements, including those for our term licenses that contain extended payment terms. We have an established history of collecting under the terms of these contracts without providing concessions to customers. In addition, we also assess whether a contract modification to an existing term arrangement constitutes a concession. In making this assessment, significant analysis is performed to ensure that no concessions are given. Our software license agreements do not include a right of return or exchange. For license arrangements executed under the upfront revenue model, we recognize license revenue upon delivery of the software product, provided all other revenue recognition requirements are met. |
|
We cannot assert that the fees under our aspenONE licensing model and point product arrangements with Premier Plus SMS are fixed or determinable because the rights provided to customers, and the economics of the arrangements, are not comparable to our transactions with other customers under the upfront revenue model. As a result, the amount of revenue recognized for these arrangements is limited by the amount of customer payments that become due. |
|
Collection of fee is probable—We assess the probability of collecting from each customer at the outset of the arrangement based on a number of factors, including the customer’s payment history, its current creditworthiness, economic conditions in the customer’s industry and geographic location, and general economic conditions. If in our judgment collection of a fee is not probable, revenue is recognized as cash is collected, provided all other conditions for revenue recognition have been met. |
|
Vendor-Specific Objective Evidence of Fair Value |
|
We have established VSOE for certain SMS offerings, professional services, and training, but not for our software products or our Premier Plus SMS offering. We assess VSOE for SMS, professional services, and training, based on an analysis of standalone sales of the offerings using the bell-shaped curve approach. We do not have a history of selling our Premier Plus SMS offering to customers on a standalone basis, and as a result are unable to establish VSOE for this deliverable. As of July 1, 2014, we are no longer able to establish VSOE for legacy SMS offerings sold with our perpetual license arrangements. As a result, all perpetual license agreements that include legacy SMS entered into subsequent to June 30, 2014 are being recognized ratably over the legacy SMS service period. Loss of VSOE on legacy SMS offerings sold with our perpetual license arrangements did not have a material impact on our revenue during the three and six months ended December 31, 2014. |
|
We allocate the arrangement consideration among the elements included in our multi-element arrangements using the residual method. Under the residual method, the VSOE of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the arrangement fee is recognized as revenue upon delivery of the software, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. If VSOE does not exist for an undelivered element in an arrangement, revenue is deferred until such evidence does exist for the undelivered elements, or until all elements are delivered, whichever is earlier. Under the upfront revenue model, the residual license fee is recognized upon delivery of the software provided all other revenue recognition criteria were met. Arrangements that qualified for upfront recognition during fiscal 2014 and prior periods included sales of perpetual licenses, amendments to existing legacy term arrangements and renewals of legacy term arrangements. |
|
Subscription and Software Revenue |
|
Subscription and software revenue consists of product and related revenue from our (i) aspenONE licensing model, including Premier Plus SMS; (ii) point product arrangements with our Premier Plus SMS offering included for the contract term; (iii) legacy arrangements including (a) amendments to existing legacy term arrangements, (b) renewals of legacy term arrangements and (c) legacy arrangements that are being recognized over time as a result of not previously meeting one or more of the requirements for recognition under the upfront revenue model; (iv) legacy SMS arrangements; and (v) perpetual arrangements. |
|
When a customer elects to license our products under our aspenONE licensing model, our Premier Plus SMS offering is included for the entire term of the arrangement and the customer receives, for the term of the arrangement, the right to any new unspecified future software products and updates that may be introduced into the licensed aspenONE software suite. Due to our obligation to provide unspecified future software products and updates, we are required to recognize revenue ratably over the term of the arrangement, once the other revenue recognition criteria noted above have been met. |
|
Our point product arrangements with Premier Plus SMS include SMS for the term of the arrangement. Since we do not have VSOE for our Premier Plus SMS offering, the SMS element of our point product arrangements is not separable. As a result, revenue associated with point product arrangements with Premier Plus SMS included for the contract term is recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement, once the other revenue recognition criteria have been met. |
|
Perpetual and legacy term license arrangements do not include the same rights as those provided to customers under the aspenONE licensing model and point product arrangements with Premier Plus SMS. Legacy SMS revenue is generated from legacy SMS offerings provided in support of perpetual and legacy term license arrangements. Customers typically receive SMS for one year and then can elect to renew SMS annually. During fiscal 2014 and prior periods, we had VSOE for certain legacy SMS offerings sold with perpetual and term license arrangements and could therefore separate the undelivered elements. Accordingly, license fee revenue for perpetual and legacy term license arrangements was recognized upon delivery of the software products using the residual method, provided all other revenue recognition requirements were met. VSOE of fair value for the undelivered SMS component sold with our perpetual and term license arrangements was deferred and subsequently amortized into revenue ratably over the contractual term of the SMS arrangement. As of July 1, 2014, we are no longer able to establish VSOE for our legacy SMS offerings sold with our perpetual license arrangements. As a result, all perpetual license agreements that include legacy SMS entered into subsequent to June 30, 2014 are being recognized ratably over the legacy SMS service period. Loss of VSOE on legacy SMS offerings sold with our perpetual license arrangements did not have a material impact on revenue during the three and six months ended December 31, 2014. |
|
Services and Other Revenue |
|
Professional Services Revenue |
|
Professional services are provided to customers on a time-and-materials (T&M) or fixed-price basis. We recognize professional services fees for our T&M contracts based upon hours worked and contractually agreed-upon hourly rates. Revenue from fixed-price engagements is recognized using the proportional performance method based on the ratio of costs incurred to the total estimated project costs. Project costs are typically expensed as incurred. The use of the proportional performance method is dependent upon our ability to reliably estimate the costs to complete a project. We use historical experience as a basis for future estimates to complete current projects. Additionally, we believe that costs are the best available measure of performance. Out-of-pocket expenses which are reimbursed by customers are recorded as revenue. |
|
In certain circumstances, professional services revenue may be recognized over a time period longer than the period over which the services are performed. If the costs to complete a project are not estimable or the completion is uncertain, the revenue is recognized upon completion of the services. In circumstances in which professional services are sold as a single arrangement with, or in contemplation of, a new aspenONE license or point product arrangement with Premier Plus SMS, revenue is deferred and recognized on a ratable basis over the longer of (i) the period the services are performed or (ii) the license term. When we provide professional services considered essential to the functionality of the software, we recognize the combined revenue from the sale of the software and related services using the completed contract or percentage-of-completion method. |
|
We have occasionally been required to commit unanticipated additional resources to complete projects, which resulted in losses on those contracts. Provisions for estimated losses on contracts are made during the period in which such losses become probable and can be reasonably estimated. |
|
Training Revenue |
|
We provide training services to our customers, including on-site, Internet-based and customized training. Revenue is recognized in the period in which the services are performed. In circumstances in which training services are sold as a single arrangement with, or in contemplation of, a new aspenONE license or point product arrangement with Premier Plus SMS, revenue is deferred and recognized on a ratable basis over the longer of (i) the period the services are performed or (ii) the license term. |
|
Deferred Revenue |
|
Deferred revenue includes amounts billed or collected in advance of revenue recognition, including arrangements under the aspenONE licensing model, point product arrangements with Premier Plus SMS, legacy SMS arrangements, professional services, and training. Under the aspenONE licensing model and for point product arrangements with Premier Plus SMS, VSOE does not exist for the undelivered elements, and as a result the arrangement fees are recognized ratably (i.e., on a subscription basis) over the term of the license. Deferred revenue is recorded as each invoice becomes due. |
|
For arrangements under the upfront revenue model, a portion of the arrangement fee is generally recorded as deferred revenue due to the inclusion of an undelivered element, typically our legacy SMS offering or professional services. The amount of revenue allocated to undelivered elements is based on the VSOE for those elements using the residual method, and is earned and recognized as revenue as each element is delivered. |
|
(c) Loss Contingencies |
|
We accrue estimated liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation and other sources when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the claim, assessment or damages can be reasonably estimated. We believe that we have sufficient accruals to cover any obligations resulting from claims, assessments or litigation that have met these criteria. Please refer to Note 11 for discussion of these matters and related liability accruals. |
|
(d)Foreign Currency Transactions |
|
Foreign currency exchange gains and (losses) generated from the settlement and remeasurement of transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiaries are recognized in our results of operations as incurred as a component of other income (expense), net. Net foreign currency (losses) were ($0.2) million and ($0.1) million during the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and ($0.5) million and ($1.3) million during the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively. |
|
(e)Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements |
|
In May 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU No. 2014-09 was issued by the FASB as a part of the joint project with the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify revenue recognition principles and develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. |
|
ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for the fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 is not permitted. The amendments included within ASU No. 2014-09 should be applied by using one of the following methods: |
|
Retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented. The entity may elect any of the practical expedients described in ASU No. 2014-09 when applying this method. |
|
Retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU No. 2014-09 recognized at the date of initial application. In the reporting periods that include the date of the initial application of ASU No. 2014-09, the entity should disclose the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected by the application of ASU No. 2014-09 in the current reporting period as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change. |
|
We expect to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. |
|
(f)Other |
|
For further information with regard to our “Significant Accounting Policies,” please refer to Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. |
|