Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Description of the Business. Teradata Corporation ("we," "us," "Teradata," or the "Company") is a leading hybrid cloud analytics software provider focusing on delivering pervasive data intelligence to our customers, which we define as the ability to leverage 100% of a company’s data to uncover real-time intelligence, at scale. We help customers integrate and simplify their analytics ecosystem, access and manage data, and use analytics to extract answers and derive business value from data. Our solutions and services comprise software, hardware, and related business consulting and support services to deliver analytics across a company’s entire analytical ecosystem.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation. The financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company changed its historical presentation of its revenue and cost of revenue categories. Previously, the Company presented revenue and cost of revenue on two lines: product and cloud, and services. As part of the Company’s business transformation, the Company is transitioning away from perpetual transactions to subscription-based transactions. To better reflect this shift in the business, the Company adopted a revised presentation in the first quarter of 2018, including the separation of recurring revenue from non-recurring product and consulting services. Recurring revenue consists of our on-premises and off-premises subscriptions, which have varying term lengths from one month to five years. Recurring revenue is intended to depict the revenue recognition model for these subscription transactions. The recurrence of these revenue streams in future periods depends on several factors, including contractual periods and customers' renewal decisions. Perpetual software licenses and hardware revenue consists of hardware, perpetual software licenses, and subscription/term licenses recognized upfront. Consulting services revenue consists of consulting, implementation and installation services.

In connection with these revisions, the Company also revised its cost of revenue classification to present costs associated with the new revenue presentation. This change in presentation does not affect the Company’s total revenues, total cost of revenues or overall total gross profit (defined as total revenue less total cost of revenue).

Prior period amounts have been restated to conform to the current year presentation, unless otherwise stated that the prior period amounts have not been restated.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates and judgments, including those related to allowances for doubtful accounts, the valuation of inventory to net realizable value, impairments of goodwill and other intangibles, stock-based compensation, pension and other postemployment benefits, and income taxes and any changes will be accounted for on a prospective basis. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition under Topic 605 (periods prior to January 1, 2018)

Teradata records revenue when it is realized, or realizable, and earned. Teradata considers these requirements met when:


•	Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists


•	The offerings or services have been delivered to the customer


•	The sales price is fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or significant uncertainties


•	Collectibility is reasonably assured

Teradata reports revenue net of any taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions. The Company assesses whether fees are fixed or determinable at the time of sale. Standard payment terms may vary based on the country in which the agreement is executed, but are generally between 30 days and 90 days. Payments that are due within six months are generally deemed to be fixed or determinable based on a successful collection history on such arrangements, and thereby satisfy the required criteria for revenue recognition.

The Company’s deliverables often involve delivery or performance at different periods of time. The Company's deliverables include the following:


•	Subscription license - revenue for these arrangements is typically recognized ratably over the contract term.


•	Cloud and service model - revenue for these arrangements are recognized outside the software rules and revenue is recognized ratably over the contract term.


•	Rentals - revenue for these arrangements is generally recognized straight-line over the term of the contract and are generally accounted for as operating leases.


•	Perpetual software and hardware - revenue is generally recognized upon delivery once title and risk of loss have been transferred.


•	Unspecified software upgrades - revenue is recognized straight-line over the term of the arrangement.


•	Maintenance support services - revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract.


•	Consulting, implementation and installation services - revenue is recognized as services are provided. In certain instances, acceptance of the product or service is specified by the customer. In such cases, revenue is deferred until the acceptance criteria have been met. Delivery and acceptance generally occur in the same reporting period.

For multiple deliverable arrangements that contain non-software related deliverables, the Company allocates revenue to each deliverable based upon the relative selling price hierarchy and if software and software-related deliverables are also included in the arrangement, to those deliverables as a group based on the best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) for the group. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price (“VSOE”) if available, third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available, or BESP if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. The Company then recognizes revenue when the remaining revenue recognition criteria are met for each deliverable. For the software group or arrangements that contain only software and software-related deliverables, the revenue is allocated utilizing the residual or fair value method. Under the residual method, the VSOE of the undelivered elements is deferred and accounted for under the applicable revenue recognition guidance, and the remaining portion of the software arrangement fee is allocated to the delivered elements and is recognized as revenue. The fair value method is similar to the relative selling price method used for non-software deliverables except that the allocation of each deliverable is based on VSOE.

VSOE is based upon the normal pricing and discounting practices for those offerings and services when sold separately. Teradata uses the stated renewal rate approach in establishing VSOE for maintenance and when-and-if-available software upgrades. Under this approach, the Company assesses whether the contractually stated renewal rates are substantive and consistent with the Company’s normal pricing practices. Renewal rates greater than the lower level of our targeted pricing ranges are substantive and, therefore, meet the requirements to support VSOE. In instances where there is not a substantive renewal rate in the arrangement, the Company allocates revenue based upon BESP, using the minimum established pricing targets as supported by the renewal rates for similar customers utilizing the bell-curve method. VSOE for consulting services is based on the hourly rates for standalone consulting services projects by geographic region and are indicative of the Company’s customary pricing practices. Pricing in each market is structured to obtain a reasonable margin based on input costs.

The Company determines BESP for a product or service by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, geographies, market conditions, product life cycles, competitive landscape, internal costs, gross margin objectives, purchase volumes and pricing practices. The primary consideration in developing BESP for the Company’s platforms is the bell-curve method based on historical transactions. The BESP analysis is at the geography level to align it with the way in which the Company goes to market and establishes pricing for its offerings. BESP is analyzed on a semi-annual basis using data from the four previous quarters, which the Company believes best reflects most recent pricing practices in a changing marketplace.

Shipping and Handling. Product shipping and handling are included in cost in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents. All short-term, highly-liquid investments having original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Teradata establishes provisions for doubtful accounts using both percentages of accounts receivable balances to reflect historical average credit losses and specific provisions for known issues.

Inventories

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost of service parts is determined using the average cost method. Finished goods inventory is determined using actual cost.

Available-for-sale Securities

Available-for-sale Securities. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses are excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses are included in other income and expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

Long-Lived Assets

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment, leasehold improvements and rental equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the related assets primarily on a straight-line basis. Equipment is depreciated over 3 to 5 years and buildings over 25 to 45 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the life of the lease or the asset, whichever is shorter. Total depreciation expense on the Company’s property and equipment for December 31 was as follows:



In millions	2018		2017		2016
Depreciation expense	$	67	$	55	$	49

Capitalized Software

Capitalized Software. Direct development costs associated with internal-use software are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the resulting software. The costs are capitalized when both the preliminary project stage is completed and it is probable that computer software being developed will be completed and placed in service. Teradata typically amortizes capitalized internal-use software on a straight-line basis over three years beginning when the asset is substantially ready for use.

Costs incurred for the development of analytic applications are expensed as incurred based on the frequency and agile nature of development. Prior to 2017, costs incurred for the development of analytic database software that will be sold, leased or otherwise marketed were capitalized between technological feasibility and the point at which a product was ready for general release. Technological feasibility is established when planning, designing and initial coding activities that are necessary to establish the product can be produced to meet its design specifications are complete. In the absence of a program design, a working model is used to establish technological feasibility. These costs are included within capitalized software and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of four years using the greater of the ratio that current gross revenues for a product bear to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues for that product or the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic life of the product beginning when the product is available for general release. Costs capitalized include direct labor and related overhead costs. Costs incurred prior to technological feasibility and after general release are expensed as incurred.

In 2016, our research and development efforts became more driven by market requirements and rapidly changing customers' needs. In addition, the Company started applying agile development methodologies to help respond to new technologies and trends. Agile development methodologies are characterized by a more dynamic development process with more frequent and iterative revisions to a product release features and functions as the software is being developed. Due to the shorter development cycle and focus on rapid production associated with agile development, the Company did not capitalize any amounts for external-use software development costs in 2018 and 2017 due to the relatively short duration between the completion of the working model and the point at which a product is ready for general release. Prior capitalized costs will continue to be amortized under the greater of revenue-based or straight-line method over the estimated useful life.

The following table identifies the activity relating to capitalized software for the following periods:



	Internal-use Software									External-use Software
In millions	2018			2017			2016			2018			2017			2016
Beginning balance at January 1	$	16		$	13		$	13		$	105		$	174		$	177
Capitalized	6			9			6			—			—			59
Amortization	(7		)	(6		)	(6		)	(48		)	(69		)	(62		)
Ending balance at December 31	$	15		$	16		$	13		$	57		$	105		$	174

The aggregate amortization expense (actual and estimated) for internal-use and external-use software for the following periods is:



	Actual		For the years ended (estimated)
In millions	2018		2019		2020		2021		2022		2023
Internal-use software amortization expense	$	7	$	6	$	7	$	7	$	6	$	6
External-use software amortization expense	$	48	$	34	$	23	$	—	$	—	$	—

Estimated expense, which is recorded to cost of sales for external use software, is based on capitalized software at December 31, 2018 and does not include any new capitalization for future periods.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets such as property and equipment, acquired intangible assets and internal capitalized software are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment is calculated based on the present value of future cash flows and an impairment loss would be recognized when estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than the carrying amount. No impairment was recognized during 2018.

Goodwill

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill amounts are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment annually or upon occurrence of an event or change in circumstances that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. See Note 5 for additional information.

Warranty

Warranty. Provisions for product warranties are recorded in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The Company accrues warranty reserves using percentages of revenue to reflect the Company’s historical average warranty claims.

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred (except for the capitalized software development costs discussed above). Research and development costs primarily include labor-related costs, contractor fees, and overhead expenses directly related to research and development support.

Pension and Postemployment Benefits

Pension and Postemployment Benefits. The Company accounts for its pension benefit and its non-U.S. postemployment benefit obligations using actuarial models. The measurement of plan obligations was made as of December 31, 2018. Liabilities are computed using the projected unit credit method. The objective under this method is to expense each participant’s benefits under the plan as they accrue, taking into consideration salary increases and the plan’s benefit allocation formula. Thus, the total pension or postemployment benefit to which each participant is expected to become entitled is broken down into units, each associated with a year of past or future credited service.

The Company recognizes the funded status of its pension and non-U.S. postemployment plan obligations in its consolidated balance sheet and records, in other comprehensive income, certain gains and losses that arise during the period, but are deferred under pension and postemployment accounting rules. See Note 8 for additional information.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency. Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries that operate in a local currency environment are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense accounts are translated at daily exchange rates prevailing during the period. Adjustments arising from the translation are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in determining net income.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. Income tax expense is provided based on income before income taxes in the various jurisdictions in which the Company conducts its business. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes. These deferred taxes are determined based on the enacted tax rates expected to apply in the periods in which the deferred assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. The Company made an accounting policy election in 2018 related to the Tax Act to provide for the tax expense related to global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) in the year the tax is incurred. Teradata recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company records valuation allowances related to its deferred income tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. See Note 6 for additional information.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation. Stock-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, restricted shares and restricted share units, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair value. The fair value of each stock option award on the grant date is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: expected dividend yield, expected stock price volatility, weighted-average risk-free interest rate and weighted average expected term of the options. The Company’s expected volatility assumption used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is based on Teradata's historical volatility. The expected term for options granted is based upon historical observation of actual time elapsed between date of grant and exercise of options for all employees. The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes model is based on the implied yield curve available on U.S. Treasury issues at the date of grant with a remaining term equal to the Company’s expected term assumption. The Company has never declared or paid a cash dividend. See Note 7 for additional information.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reported period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is similar to basic earnings per share, except that the weighted-average number of shares outstanding includes the dilution from potential shares added from stock options, restricted share awards and other stock awards. Refer to Note 7 for share information on the Company’s stock compensation plans.

The components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31 are as follows:



In millions, except earnings (loss) per share	2018		2017			2016
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	30	$	(67	)	$	125
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock	119.2		125.8			129.7
Dilutive effect of employee stock options, restricted shares and other stock awards	2.0		—			1.8
Common stock and common stock equivalents	121.2		125.8			131.5
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.25	$	(0.53	)	$	0.96
Diluted	$	0.25	$	(0.53	)	$	0.95

For 2017, due to the net loss attributable to Teradata common stockholders, largely due to the tax expense recorded because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, potential common shares that would cause dilution, such as employee stock options, restricted shares and other stock awards, have been excluded from the diluted share count because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For 2017, the fully diluted shares would have been 127.8 million

Options to purchase 2.6 million shares in 2018, 2.7 million shares in 2017 and 5.2 million shares in 2016 of common stock, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Leases. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance under Topic 842, which requires a lessee to account for leases as finance or operating leases. Both types of leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability on its balance sheet, with differing methodology for income statement recognition. For lessors, the standard modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. Entities will classify leases to determine how to recognize lease-related revenue and expense. This standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. We anticipate adopting this standard on January 1, 2019 using the prospective adoption approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings on the adoption date with prior periods not recast and anticipate electing certain of the practical expedients allowed under the standard. We are in the process of aggregating and evaluating lease arrangements, implementing new controls and processes, and implementing a lease accounting system. Based on a preliminary assessment, the Company expects that most of its operating lease commitments will be subject to the new guidance and recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption. The impact to the Company’s balance sheet is estimated to result in approximately 3 percent increase in assets and approximately 4 percent increase in liabilities. The impact on our results of operations and cash flows is not expected to be material.

Comprehensive Income. In February 2018, the FASB issued new guidance for Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2018-02), which allows companies to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Reform Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact on our results of operations and cash flows is not expected to be material.

Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made. In June 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to clarify and improve the scope and the accounting guidance for contributions received and contributions made. The amendments are intended to assist entities in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as contributions (nonreciprocal transactions) or as exchange (reciprocal) transactions and determining whether a contribution is conditional. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that modifies disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Implementation on a prospective or retrospective basis varies by specific disclosure requirement. Early adoption is permitted. The standard also allows for early adoption of any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this update while delaying adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its disclosures.

Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. For public companies, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its disclosures.

Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that reduces complexity for the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement and aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). For public companies, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Implementation should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows are not expected to be material.