Cerner Corporation 2015 Annual Report
At the center of everything we do stands our commitment to improve health and care
for the individual. We design our technologies to be open, scalable and data-driven.
And through our global relationships, we create healthier stories of improved care,
lowered costs, increased safety, aligned priorities, long-term value and changed
lives – for the organization, the community, the individual and
grandfathers and granddaughters.
Cerner Corporation
2015 Annual Report
Table of Contents: Annual Report 2015
Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Cerner’s Long-Term Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Letter to Our Shareholders, Clients and Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Appendix: Reconciliation of 2015 Non-GAAP Results to GAAP Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Form 10-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Business and Industry Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . 42
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Consolidated Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Consolidated Statements of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Basis of Presentation, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . . . . 71
Business Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Fair Value Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Property and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Software Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Contingencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Other Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Earnings Per Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Share-Based Compensation and Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Foundations Retirement Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Related Party Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Segment Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Quarterly Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Stock Price Performance Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Corporate Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
1
Board of Directors
Neal L. Patterson
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and Co-founder, Cerner Corporation
Clifford W. Illig
Vice Chairman and Co-founder, Cerner Corporation
Gerald E. Bisbee Jr., Ph.D.
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder,
The Health Management Academy
Former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President,
ReGen Biologics, Inc ., 1998–September 2011
Denis A. Cortese, M.D.
Emeritus President and Chief Executive Officer, Mayo Clinic
Foundation Professor, Arizona State University College of
Health Solutions
Director of Arizona State University’s Health Care
Delivery & Policy Program
President of the Healthcare Transformation Institute
The Honorable John C. Danforth
Partner, Dowd Bennett LLP
Partner, Bryan Cave LLP, January 1995–September 2014
Ambassador to the United Nations, July 2004–January 2005
U .S . Senator, Missouri, 1976–1995
Mitchell E. Daniels Jr.
President, Purdue University
Governor of the State of Indiana, January 2005–January 2013
Linda M. Dillman
Chief Information Officer, QVC, Inc .
Senior Vice President of Enterprise Services/Global Functions IT,
Hewlett-Packard Company, August 2009–January 2012
Executive Vice President of Benefits and Risk Management,
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc ., April 2006–July 2009
Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer,
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc ., August 2002–April 2006
William B. Neaves, Ph.D.
President Emeritus and Director, The Stowers Institute for
Medical Research
William D. Zollars
Former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President,
YRC Worldwide (now YRC Freight), November 1999–July 2011
2
Leadership
Neal L. Patterson
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder
Clifford W. Illig
Vice Chairman of the Board and Co-founder
Zane M. Burke
President
Marc G. Naughton
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Michael R. Nill
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Jeffrey A. Townsend
Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff
Julia M. Wilson
Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer
Joanne M. Burns
Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
John P. Glaser
Senior Vice President, Population Health and Global Strategy
Michael C. Neal
Senior Vice President, Consulting and Application Services
John T. Peterzalek
Senior Vice President, Client Relationships
Robert J. Shave
Senior Vice President, Cerner Corporation and President,
Cerner Canada
Randy D. Sims
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Donald D. Trigg
Senior Vice President and President, Cerner Health Ventures
Michael R. Battaglioli
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Cameron D. Burt
Vice President and General Manager, Australia and New Zealand
Emil E. Peters
Vice President and General Manager, Europe and Latin America
Michael A. Pomerance
Vice President and General Manager, Middle East
Rebecca A. LaNasa
General Manager, Asia
3
Cerner’s Long-Term Performance
The following table provides a view of our growth over the last decade and since we first became a
publicly traded company in 1986 .
1986
2005
2015
2005–2015
1986–2015
Compound Annual Growth Rates
Previous Decade
Since Going Public
i
e
n
L
p
o
T
i
e
n
L
m
o
t
t
o
B
t
e
e
h
S
e
c
n
a
l
a
B
Bookings
Revenue
Domestic Revenue
Global Revenue
Revenue Backlog
Adjusted Operating Earnings1
$18
$17
$17
$1,355
$5,427
$1,161
$4,425
$1,048
$3,904
$0 .2
$113
$521
$11
$3
$2,140
$14,195
$147
$1,075
Adjusted Operating Margin1
14 .8%
12 .6%
24 .3%
Adjusted Net Earnings1
$2
$85
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share1
$0 .01
$0 .27
$741
$2 .11
Total Assets
Cash and Investments
Days Sales Outstanding
Total Debt
Equity
h
s
a
C
t
n
e
m
t
s
e
v
n
I
t
e
k
r
a
M
w Operating Cash Flow
o
F
Free Cash Flow1
l
t
h Capital Expenditures
w
o
r
G
n
R&D Spending
Associate Headcount
i
Market Capitalization
e Cerner Stock Price
c
n
a
m
r
o
f
r
e
P
S&P 500 Index
NASDAQ Composite Index
$26
$1,304
$5,562
$8
161
$1
$16
$1
-$1
$1
$2
$274
$686
89
80
$223
$605
$761
$3,870
$229
$948
$66
$321
$101
$362
$226
$685
149
6,830
22,200
$0 .24
$11 .36
$60 .17
$45
349
242
$3,569 $20,455
2,205
5,007
1,248
2,044
15%
14%
14%
16%
21%
22%
24%
23%
16%
10%
-1%
10%
18%
15%
17%
14%
12%
13%
18%
19%
9%
5%
22%
21%
21%
31%
28%
22%
23%
20%
20%
17%
-2%
25%
21%
27%
NM
23%
22%
19%
21%
23%
10%
8%
NOTES
Dollars are in millions except Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share and stock prices .
Free Cash Flow represents cash flows from operating activities less capital purchases and capitalized software development costs .
NM = Not Meaningful
1 Adjusted operating earnings, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted earnings per share, and free cash flow reflect
adjustments compared to results reported on a Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis . Non-GAAP results should not be
substituted as a measure of our performance but instead should be used along with GAAP results as a supplemental measure of financial
performance . Non-GAAP results are used by management along with GAAP results to analyze our business, to make strategic decisions, to
assess long-term trends on a comparable basis, and for management compensation purposes . Please see the appendix following "A Letter
to Our Shareholders, Clients and Associates" for a reconciliation of these items to GAAP results .
4
A Letter to Our Shareholders, Clients and Associates
2015 was a year of increase for Cerner as we
experienced strong financial growth along with
record numbers of new clients and new associates .
It was a year in which we completed our largest
strategic acquisition ever with the purchase of
Siemens Health Services while also enjoying a
competitive position in a strong replacement
market for electronic health records (EHRs) . It was
also a year in which we saw increased appetite for
new types of health IT solutions and services .
Some highlights:
• We had record bookings of $5 .4 billion,
reflecting 28 percent growth over 2014 .
• Our revenue increased 30 percent to $4 .4
billion, including over $900 million from the
acquisition of the Health Services business .
• Our adjusted operating earnings1 increased
28 percent, and our adjusted diluted EPS1 of
$2 .11 also reflects 28 percent growth .
• We ended 2015 with a strong cash and
investment balance of $686 million and debt
of only $605 million, even after funding our
$1 .4 billion acquisition of the Health Services
business, $345 million of stock repurchases,
$685 million in R&D investments, and $362
million in capital expenditures to support
our growth .
• Our bookings included nearly $2 billion from
new client relationships, representing more
than 200 new client sites . Quite simply, it was
the best year in our 36-year history from a new
business standpoint .
• In what we believe was the most rigorous
and competitive procurement of the decade,
Cerner solutions were selected to modernize
the U .S . Department of Defense’s 55 hospitals,
352 clinics and other care venues .
• All in all, we added over 230 new acute care
facilities and 30,000 new hospital beds across
more than 35 states and six countries in 2015 .
• Most
for our
significantly
future, our
HealtheIntentSM platform for population health
management had a breakout year, including
new clients from inside our biggest competitor’s
client base .
Paradoxically, although it was a great year for
growth and new business, it was a disappointing
year for Cerner shareholders as the price of
CERN shares decreased 7 percent for the year,
the first annual decline since 2008 . We took the
opportunity to buy back more than 5 million shares .
It’s important here to note to Cerner shareholders
that, even after the 2015 decline, Cerner’s stock
price has grown at a compound annual growth
rate of 21 percent over the past five years, beating
both the S&P 500 Index (10 percent) and the
NASDAQ Composite Index (14 percent) over the
same period .
For the second year in a row, we are simultaneously
recognized by Forbes as one of the “World’s Most
Innovative Companies” and by Fortune as one
of the “World’s Most Admired Companies .” In
November, I was included in Harvard Business
Review’s “100 Best-Performing CEOs in the World”
list . Most of these lists are based on formulas that
include some measures of long-term performance .
External recognitions come and go, but it’s nice
for Cerner to be acknowledged in this way .
A note on the management team . Growing
a company requires a great deal of trust . If as
a leader you insist on putting yourself at the
center of everything, then you had better get
used to liking how much you can physically and
mentally do alone—which isn’t much, no matter
how energetic, smart and organized you may
be . Working with other people is hard, but I
have always had a philosophy and a discipline
of surrounding myself with people smarter and
more capable than myself . I think it was Steve
Jobs who said, “A players hire A players, B
players hire C players .” I am glad to get to work
with what I believe to be the best management
team in health IT .
In the rest of this letter, I want to spend some time
talking about our health IT environment, changes
in the broader environment of health care, and
some of the things we’re doing to create value for
clients, both now and in the future . I’ll also give a
personal update .
5
OUR HEALTH IT ENVIRONMENT—PLENTY
OF COMPLEXITY, MOVING TARGETS
Compared to many industries, health care has
had a very long journey to automation—perhaps
the longest . The evolution from a handful of
health care pioneers using computers for medical
processes in the 1950s to something approaching
nationwide levels of adoption of EHRs in the
2010s has taken six long decades . Cerner has
been an active part of that journey since 1979 .
In 2003, we were part of an industry coalition
that contracted RAND Corporation (“RAND”) to
research health IT . The researchers went away
for two years and built an econometric model to
simulate the impact of widespread adoption and
interconnection of health IT in the U .S . When their
results were published in Health Affairs in 2005,
RAND concluded that nationwide adoption and
interconnection of health IT could save the U .S .
up to $162 billion a year, prevent up to 2 .2 million
adverse drug events (ADEs) and improve the
management of chronic conditions .2 At the time,
only a quarter of U .S . hospitals had adopted some
version of an EHR . Today, that number is closer to
97 percent, with 31 percent recognized for having
the most advanced levels of adoption .3,4 Just a few
months ago, the U .S . Department of Health and
Human Services reported a “dramatic downturn”
in hospital-acquired conditions had occurred over
a four-year period from 2010 to 2014 . Twenty-
four fewer people per 1,000 discharges were
getting hospital-acquired conditions, and ADEs
were the biggest part of the reduction . The lives
of 87,000 real people were saved . Using words
like “heartwarming,” the officials hypothesized
that EHR adoption was responsible in part for the
reduction in ADEs .5 As someone who believes
in the original RAND research, I am excited to
see it begin to prove out . Here I must add that,
although adoption has increased significantly,
many EHR owners still have inferior platforms,
and factors like poor usability and a lack of
patient-centeredness can hinder full acceptance
and use . What’s more, we are nowhere near the
point of having full nationwide interconnection
(that is to say, interoperability) of EHRs . The lack
of interoperability was a subject in my letter last
year . In June 2015, I delivered testimony to the
Senate HELP Committee about how to achieve
interoperability . If interested, you can read it online .6
Why has the automation journey taken so long?
I believe it’s because everything in health care
is hard, complex and ambiguous—and that’s on
the good days . Unlike banking, where the tasks
and objectives are well-defined and rarely vague,
health care is a constantly evolving science and art
whose practitioners are dedicated to making the
best of bad situations—like trauma and sickness—
and doing so against the backdrop of extreme
biologic diversity and complexity . The U .S . health
care system, too, with its multiple independent
parts, is recognized as a complex adaptive system,
where “no one is ‘in charge’, [and] no one has the
authority or resources to design the system .”7
Consequently, the system perpetually changes
itself, although the U .S . government exerts some
influence through policy, regulation and its role as
the single largest payer for health care services in
the nation .
1979
1982
1984
1986
Neal Patterson, Paul Gorup and
Cliff Illig leave Arthur Andersen
& Co . to form their own company
PathNet® is installed in the lab
at St . John Medical Center in
Tulsa, OK
Cerner secures $1 .5 million
venture capital funding
from First Chicago
Capital Corporation
Cerner goes public and is
listed on NASDAQ (CERN)
$17 million of revenue
149 associates
1987
Cerner listed as one
of Inc . magazine’s
100 fastest-growing
companies
6
This is our playing field . Mix in the well-known
complexity of information technology, and it is a
very difficult environment to master . I believe that
is why many companies enter health IT, but few
stay . Our long-term commitment and sole focus
on health care has allowed Cerner to thrive while
many others have entered and exited .
Across four decades, we have executed against a
vision for the future of health care and health IT .
We helped start a global movement to automate
the paper-based medical record, with the U .S .
leading the way . Today the U .S . is more automated
than not, and much of health care worldwide is
in some stage of implementing EHRs . The wave
is going around the world—a good thing for
Cerner, patients and the public . And in the U .S .
where most organizations have some degree of
automation, the replacement market for EHRs is
also going strong .
I think we’re at the beginning—not the end—of
what health IT can do . What the U .S . did through
Meaningful Use was the equivalent of getting the
house wired . It was a start, but now we have things
to plug in . Health IT is moving to a new phase
where interoperability, openness and intelligence
are coming into focus . The next 10 years will be
an age of pluggable, high-value smart apps for
health care—apps designed by clinicians and
entrepreneurs—that will extend the core EHR
capabilities and increase its benefits . As with the
smartphone, the EHR will be an ecosystem for
apps to run on . In February 2016, we launched
Cerner Open Developer Experience for SMART®
on FHIR® applications . Our commitment to being
the most open and interoperable platform in
health care is already bringing us exciting new
clients and partnerships .
The newly digitized health system is generating
tons of data that can be studied for further
insights . Later in this letter, I will give an update
on how our population health platform uses this
vast resource to improve health and care . Being
wired is not enough . In the decade ahead, we will
be going for the value—the big number in the
RAND study .
THE BROADER HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT—
PRESSURE ON THE PROVIDERS
Before I go further, I want to comment on the
very big transition that is occurring in our clients’
environments . Many of you are aware of health
care’s misaligned payment incentives; I have used
this letter to write about it before . For a very long
time, the dominant U .S . payment model for health
care has been fee-for-service (FFS), a system that
pays for every single service a provider furnishes
to a patient . In the complex adaptive system of
U .S . health care, the payment model was never
something that was designed; it just evolved over
time . The problem with FFS is that it pays for sick
care but has no consideration or incentives for
health . It rewards ordering possibly unnecessary
tests and procedures and punishes coordinating
care between providers .
In the FFS world,
providers get no reward for good outcomes
and bear no risk for poor outcomes . Perversely,
it actually costs providers dearly to engage in
the kind of care coordination that keeps people
1990
1992
1993
1994
Revenues surpass $50 million
2 for 1 stock split (May 12)
2 for 1 stock split (March 1)
1,000 associates
Cerner Vision Center opens
Revenues surpass
$100 million
1995
2 for 1 stock split
(Aug . 7)
7
healthy . The fact that there is no business model
for health is not the providers’ fault . They didn’t
design the payment model, and it actually is a
source of dissatisfaction because it separates
them from their missions .
Seeking to align payment models with health and
not just care, the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA)
set the expectation that the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) would use its status
as the largest payer to rapidly move the market
toward outcomes-focused, risk-based payments .
In 2015, Secretary Burwell laid out a plan to shift 50
percent of Medicare payments to so-called value-
based payment models by the end of 2018, and
to tie most remaining traditional FFS payments to
quality measures . In March, the U .S . Department
of Health & Human Services announced that
it is nearly a year ahead of schedule in tying an
increasing percentage of Medicare payments to
quality . (I should add here that, although payment
reform is occurring in the U .S ., nearly every
developed health care system is at some stage of
dealing with the problem of how to align incentives
for providers .)
introduced the concept of
The ACA also
accountable care organizations (ACOs)—groups
of primary care physicians, specialists and
hospitals working together to improve the health
of a defined population . ACOs that provide care
at a lower cost while meeting quality targets are
eligible to receive a portion of the shared savings
from Medicare . To anyone who has been in health
care since at least the 1980s, the structure of an
ACO may sound quite a bit like a managed care
organization (MCO) . The hope and expectation
is that the rigorous quality measurements and
outcome-based payments will create aligned
accountability that prevents the gamesmanship
and rationing that occurred due to payer pressures
under managed care .
By now, anyone running a health system is certain
that, over the next few years, their revenue will
increasingly come from alternative payment
models . Since 2010, that impending reality has
created pressures toward provider consolidation .
Driven by a need to better coordinate care for
improved outcomes, hospitals are trying to align
all of the resources that impact the health of
the populations they manage under the same
ownership and control . Provider organizations
of all sizes must decide whether to merge or
remain independent .
Those that aren’t planning to merge must come
up with plans to affiliate or partner with other
in their communities, creating
organizations
networks for patients and consumers to navigate .
Interestingly, our data suggests that consolidation
creates opportunities for Cerner . We have about
25 percent market share in acute care health IT, but
our clients have accounted for almost 50 percent
of the hospital buying activity in recent years .
Whether merging or not, a correlated thought
is that, in this pressured environment, providers
are looking to align at the business strategy
level with companies that have a solid track
record of producing innovations, optimizations
and strategic collaborations that help improve
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
HNA Millennium® Phase 1 is completed
3,000 associates
Revenues surpass $500 million
4,000 associates
Cerner makes Fortune list of
“Best 100 Companies to Work For”
Cerner and Atos Origin
awarded UK National
Health Services Choose
and Book contract
8
performance and increase competitiveness . Our
history of strong performance with partnerships
is proving to be important in the marketplace .
Consumers in the communities where these
decisions are playing out should benefit from
the increased competition for “healthy lives .” It’s
reasonable to expect to see increased pricing
transparency, easier sharing of records, less
self-navigation required of patients, and greater
teamwork and collaboration to occur among
caregivers across different venues of care .
In summary, providers who have done business
the same way for decades now know they must
quickly transition to risk-based, population-based
models of care provision . In this environment,
existing and new IT systems are needed to
provide the levers for managing costs, changing
workflows, coordinating care and producing
the results needed to satisfy the new payment
systems . Suddenly it’s critical to have reliable
information about who is well and who is
sick, who is stable and who is at risk of having
complications, who has received preventive
care and who has not, and who is likely to be an
engaged consumer and who is not .
At last, providers are to be rewarded for thinking
about how to keep people healthy … and that’s
the whole idea .
THE FUTURE OF POPULATION
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Factors in the health IT environment and broader
health care environment are combining in 2016 to
create a new wave in health IT, a wave of demand
for population health management systems
and services . Fortunately, we predicted this and
began investing in research and development of a
true platform for population health management
in 2012 . The art of business is in the timing . Too
early and you die . Too late and you are irrelevant .
I feel very good about our timing with regard to
population health management .
At a very simplified level, population health
management is a model of care provision where
a group of providers are responsible for the
health of a defined population, and they actively
work to improve the health of that population
so that costs are controlled and outcomes are
improved . Core philosophies about population
health management are not new; they have been
theorized since the managed care era as an ideal
way to manage health . I even wrote about them in
my letter to shareholders in 1994 . In the capitation
of the 1990s, however, the incentive structures
around payment were not right to create true
population health management . What’s more, the
state of technology would not have been ideal to
support the deep and rapid analytics needed for
population health management . To do population
health management right, you need the right
incentive structure, a lot of data, and a way to
analyze it and put it into action quickly .
It only took two decades of waiting, but the timing
finally began looking right . As detailed in the last
section, the incentive structure around payment
is finally arriving . And the gradual digitization
of health care—including devices—has solved
2004
2005
2006
2007
Cerner celebrates 25th anniversary
Revenues surpass $1 billion
2 for 1 stock split (Jan . 10)
Revenues surpass $1 .5 billion
Cerner ranks third among software
companies in The Wall Street Journal’s
Top 50 Returns over a five-year period
5,000 associates
Nearly 7,000 associates
Introduced CareAware® device
architecture and line of devices
Cerner signs contract with BT for
London region of NHS program
First Cerner Millennium® site
in France
Opened Cerner Healthe Clinic
at our World Headquarters
Shipped first production units of
RxStation® medication dispensing
devices; 25 clients purchase
CareAware iBus® device connectivity
Delivered new Cerner ProVision®
PACS Workstation
Opened new Data Center at
World Headquarters
Signed first clients in Spain and Egypt;
opened office in Dublin, Ireland
Acquired Etreby Computer Company
(retail pharmacy solutions)
9
the need for a lot of data . Personal technologies
and consumer devices now allow pervasive and
low-cost methods of tracking health indicators
and behaviors in daily life . In 2012, digital health
care generated an estimated 500 petabytes
of data worldwide . By 2020, that number is
expected to grow to 25,000 petabytes .8 The only
missing ingredient, then, has been a systematic
way to analyze the data and make it actionable
in providers’ workflows . Fortunately, as we saw
this situation developing in the early part of
this decade, we knew a good health IT systems
company that could take care of the problem .
When payment reform was still a small but growing
dot on the horizon, we spent time thinking about
what a true population health management
platform would look like . We used our experience
with our own health plan and employee population
to learn about incentives, behaviors and device
usage . We realized that the platform needed to
have EHR data, but it also needed to have and be
much, much more . If you have a chronic condition
and see four specialists across town on different
EHR platforms, who is going to put together the
total picture of your care? If you’re asthmatic,
how is information about the weather going to
make it into decisions about what you do that
day? If you leave the doctor’s office and don’t
fill your prescription, how will your doctor know?
And if you have a genetic variation that puts you
at greater risk for medication-related side effects,
how will you and your doctor know what to watch
out for? In design sessions, we broke out of our
EHR box and began to picture a very large-scale
data aggregation engine that could sit above the
level of the EHR, accept data from any source,
normalize it and create an actionable, single
longitudinal record out of all of the complexity .
We suspected it from the beginning, but it
became perfectly clear that population health
management done right was going to be its own
platform, not just a tab in the EHR . It would have
a family of solutions that would run on it, and
other solutions that would reside within the EHR
and in personal devices, accessing information
from the layer above . This might have been
daunting if we had seen ourselves only as an EHR
company, but we have a history of transforming
ourselves through systems development multiple
times over the years—first PathNet® in the early
1980s, then Health Network Architecture™ in
the 1980s, Cerner Millennium® in the 1990s, and
CareAware® for devices in the 2000s . We have
had good instincts and unparalleled experience
building very successful platforms for health care .
We view ourselves as a health care architecture
and systems company first, and an EHR company
second . Throughout our history, we have
expanded our vision multiple times while never
letting go of our core . We still have our first
PathNet client .
It’s a little bit like the movie Field of Dreams . You
make a leap of faith and build it when no one else
can see the need . You do your best to build it
right . You read the signs and hope you have built
it at the right time . Then you wait—hopefully not
too long—to see if they come .
2008
2009
2010
Free cash flow surpasses $100 million
Cerner celebrates 30th anniversary
Smart Semi, a mobile hospital room of
the future, introduced and made 93 stops,
hosting nearly 9,000 client attendees
Signed first agreement for the
Cerner Smart Room™
Expanded footprint in Middle East with signing
of Ministry of Health in United Arab Emirates
Signed first hosted client in France
Signed first client in Latin America
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act
becomes law and includes $35 billion in
incentives for the adoption of health care IT
First two Cerner ITWorksSM contracts signed
Announced new mission statement, “To contribute to the systemic
improvement of health care delivery and the health of communities”
Introduced HealtheIntent SM cloud-based platform
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act becomes law
in an effort to reform how health care is delivered in the U .S .
University of Missouri and Cerner create
Tiger Institute for Health Innovation
Announced agreement with CareFusion to better integrate medical
devices and electronic health records
Announced acquisition of IMC Health Care
Cerner clients connect with HHS and CDC
to fight spread of influenza
Fisher-Titus Medical Center and Magruder Hospital partner with
Cerner to become first all-digital, smart hospitals in the U .S .
First two Cerner RevWorksSM contracts signed
Introduced uCern® platform and opened
uCern Store
Cerner honored as one of the best employers for healthy lifestyles
by The National Business Group on Health
Cerner added to NASDAQ 100 Index
Neal Patterson recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best-
Performing Bosses” for providing shareholders with the “biggest
bang for the buck”
Cerner added to S&P 500 index
8,000 associates
10
We began building the HealtheIntent platform in
2012 . In early 2013, we signed a very good alpha
client, Advocate Health and Advocate Physician
Partners, which was ahead of the curve in taking
on risk for the populations they managed . On
September 18, 2013, seven months after contract
signing, our IP Development and Population
Health teams made an on-time delivery of the
first set of platform deliverables for population
health, a solution called HealtheRegistriesSM. The
data aggregation engine fired up and began
connecting data sources, building a record above
the EHR . To date, we have connected 274 data
sources (and counting) from 83 unique systems,
ranging from EHRs (of which Cerner Millennium
is only one) to insurance claims feeds to device
data to open source environmental data .
Word began getting out, and we picked up some
more innovative clients in 2014 . In 2015, the
platform had a breakout year, and we ended the
year with 85 signed clients .
the
technology adoption
In Everett Rogers’ classic Diffusion of Innovations
theory,
lifecycle
resembles a bell curve, with innovators, early
late majority and
adopters, early majority,
laggards all following each other into a market .
With HealtheIntent, we have captured some key
innovator clients, and we seem to be on a path to
attract the early adopters to follow . We believe
that there is another wave of opportunities in
health IT beyond the current EHR market . We
know what pre-chasm, early markets look like and
have experience leading with vision to shape them .
One of the most exciting things about our collection
of HealtheIntent clients is that it’s attracting high
quality clients and new types of clients . We are
getting business from the leading health systems
who are Cerner Millennium clients, but we’ve also
broken outside of the Cerner base in 2015 and
signed two of our main EHR competitor’s clients .
We are in talks with others and do not expect that
to be a fluke . We secured our first state Medicaid
program clients, and we recently signed a Fortune
500 financial services group with a reciprocal inter-
insurance exchange, opening up the commercial
non-health system market . We have also signed
our first UK client, one of the National Health
Service’s integrated primary and acute system
vanguard sites in the UK .
HealtheIntent has proven its ability to scale . It
currently has 5 .5 petabytes of data, 59 million
persons, and it is performing more than 100,000
processing jobs daily across activated clients,
giving them access to near real-time data .
It supports our clients’ abilities to scale their
population
activities,
health management
allowing the automation of personalized plans
for care and programmable intelligence . Taking
data from all connected sources, it is designed
to drive actions to providers, health coaches and
individual people—both when they are healthy
and if they become patients . It enables strategic
payer and provider network management
informed by analytics and research . The key to
it all is distilling content with context out of very
big data . It is a big job with a purpose that gets
very personal—creating healthier stories .
2011
2012
2 for 1 stock split (June 27)
Acquired Resource Systems
(long-term care solutions)
Acquired Clairvia
(workforce management solutions)
Revenue and bookings surpass $2 billion
Introduced new logo and tagline: Health
care is too important to stay the same .™
Launched Cerner Skybox SM suite of
cloud services
Signed 1st Cerner QualityWorksSM client
Cerner associates shed more than
20,000 pounds during Slimdown
Throwdown weight-loss competition
Cerner clients begin receiving stimulus
funds related to achieving Meaningful Use
Surpassed $3 billion in annual bookings, including over
$1 billion in Q4
Announced $170 million Share Repurchase Program
Acquisition of behavioral health company Anasazi Software
86% of clients attested or in process of attesting for
Stage 1 Meaningful Use
Nearly double the number of client sites achieved HIMSS
Analytics Electronic Medical Records Adoption ModelSM
Stage 6 or 7 in 2012 than our closest competitor;
most stage 6 or 7 clients outside the U .S . as well
PowerChart+Touch™ went live at 13 early adopter clients
Advocate Health Care partnership led to more than
20% improvement in ability to predict readmissions
Partnered with NBA to provide HealtheAthlete,® an
organization-wide automated health care management system
Healthy Nevada project is creating a culture of health,
digitizing health care and establishing integrated
communication among all providers in the community
2013
2 for 1 stock split (July 1)
Annual bookings grew 20% to $3 .8 billion
Total assets surpass $4 billion
Completed $170 million Share Repurchase Program and
announced another $217 million Share Repurchase Program
Announced partnership with Intermountain Healthcare for
clinical systems, revenue cycle and population health
Signed first client in Brazil, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
Acquisitions of wellness company PureWellness and
laboratory automation company Labotix
Associates who manage and support our clients’ IT systems
moved into new Continuous Campus facility
Purchased 237 acres adjacent to Innovations Campus in
Kansas City, MO, for long-term plan to add 15,000 associates
Released HealtheRegistriesSM on Cerner’s
cloud-based population health platform
#4 on Top 100 Healthiest Companies in America
#13 on Forbes list of World’s Most Innovative Companies,
ahead of Google and Apple
14,000 associates
11
It is impossible to tell how big the population
health wave will get, but the numbers of clients
who have signed on in the first two years after
publicly introducing the platform resemble the
early numbers with Cerner Millennium . Like
Cerner Millennium, HealtheIntent is a platform
that enables a family of solutions . The solutions
are complementary to the function of EHR and
device platforms, and they have the potential to
create a lot of value for providers and people .
The maturity of the platform and introduction of
solutions are working out well with the timing of
the market, and they are drawing in new types of
clients . In short, we think we have a good chance
to become a market leader for population health
management systems and, in doing so, to change
health and care for the better .
PERSONAL NOTE
Before I close, I want to share a personal update .
Most of you know that I am on my own journey
through the health care system . As I shared in
late January, I was diagnosed with a soft tissue
cancer just after the start of 2016 . I’m finished
with the first phase of my treatment, working on
the second phase even as I write this . It’s not fun,
but it is a great opportunity to observe the health
system through the eyes of a patient . I have had
great support from inside and outside Cerner .
I have been curious about what would interest
me the most about this experience, but I haven’t
settled on a precise theme yet . I am struck and
personally impacted by how much being a patient
can at times be a full-time, all-consuming job that
requires active management . It’s causing me to
reflect on how we can make it easier for patients .
Health care ultimately becomes personal and is
simply too important to stay the same .
I debated about whether to include this next
detail, but it seems to have relevance . As it turned
out, the best place to receive specialty care for
my type of cancer is a facility that happens to
be in the midst of converting from an outdated
and heavily interfaced multi-vendor electronic
medical record environment to an enterprise-
wide system . The system is from one of our
competitors . (Someone up there certainly has an
interesting sense of humor!) Since their go-live,
my observation is that it has been a bumpy ride,
with reduced appointment volumes and delays
at appointment time . I’ve had appointments with
my physician go missing from the system . I’ve
experienced waits related to my record being
locked . I have had a key piece of lab work left
out of an order, resulting in a 3-hour delay in my
treatment and “active management” to resolve .
The doctors and nurses are wonderful, and the
staff is kind and professional, but my personal
experience is that the conversion has definitely
had challenges .
2014
2015
Annual revenue grew 17% to $3 .4 billion
Revenue grew 30% to $4 .4 billion
Repurchased $217 million of stock
under our Share Repurchase Program
First place on Kansas City Business Journal’s
list of Healthiest Employers for companies
employing over 3,500 people
CEO Neal Patterson recognized with Industry
Leader Award by CHIME
Named to top 25 of Forbes list of World’s
Most Innovative Companies
Named to Fortune magazine’s list of World’s
Most Admired Companies and #1 Most
Admired in Health Care industry
15,800 associates
Surpassed $5 billion in annual bookings
Completed $1 .4 billion acquisition of
Siemens Health Services
Repurchased $345 million of stock under
Share Repurchase Program
Awarded Department of Defense Healthcare
Management System Modernization contract
as part of Leidos Partnership
22,200 associates
Cerner awards
• #1 on Fortune magazine’s list of World’s
Most Admired Companies in Health Care:
Pharmacy and Other Services category
• #1 on Black Book Rankings’ list of
EHR suppliers for multi-hospital
health systems and IDNs as well as
community hospitals
12
• #1 on Black Book Rankings’ list of HIE
suppliers for inpatient and ambulatory
EHRs for the third consecutive year
• #6 Healthiest Workplaces in America
by Healthiest Employers, LLC
• Named to Forbes list of World’s
Most Innovative Companies
• Recognized on Forbes list of
America’s Best Employers
• Board member Mitch Daniels named
as one of Fortune magazine’s Top 50
World’s Greatest Leaders
• Chilmark Research gave Cerner’s
population health management
solutions the best product overall
and market overall grades
As frustrating as this experience has been, it has
also been a blessing in disguise for two reasons .
One, it validates for me some of the tough design
decisions we have made with our systems over a
number of years and how real the consequences
of those decisions can be . Two, I’m receiving an
invaluable perspective that will help us do an even
better job for providers, patients and families in the
future . There is nothing like experience for a teacher .
Long story short … I see plenty of opportunities
in health care .
CLOSE
I feel very good about our future . The complexity of
health care and the universal desire to be healthy
are market drivers that aren’t going away . The next
era in health care is a shift toward prediction and
prevention, personalized engagement and new
types of interactions that are both continuous
and contextual . Because Cerner invests in the
future, we continue to arrive at the right place
and time with systems that address real needs
in health care . One thing I have learned is that
clients rarely tell you to invest in the future, but
they count on you to have thought about it when
it arrives . So far, Cerner has done an exceptional
job of seeing around the corner and navigating
big transitions between eras in health IT markets .
Our success is a function of three things:
1 . having a compelling vision for the future,
sometimes years or even decades in advance,
2 . innovating by investing heavily in solutions and
services that create future value for clients, and
3 . building a culture of trusted relationships
based on a shared commitment to health .
What we do is incredibly important, and it’s personal .
It touches our friends, our family and, ultimately,
ourselves . I am fortunate to have thousands
of associates and clients that share a powerful
mission to change health care for the better,
who are passionate about making a difference .
During our 30 years as a public company,
our vision, innovation and culture have resulted
in superior shareholder value over time . Nothing
in nature or business moves in a straight line,
but I believe Cerner is well positioned for
continued success .
Thanks for your confidence in Cerner .
Sincerely,
NEAL L . PATTERSON
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
& Co-founder
2Richard Hillestad et al ., “Can Electronic Medical Record Systems Transform Health Care? Potential Health Benefits, Savings, and Costs,”
Health Affairs, Vol . 24, No . 5, September 2005 .
3Federal statistics retrieved from The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HealthIV .gov Dashboard,
http://dashboard .healthit .gov/quickstats/quickstats .php .
4HIMSS Analytics, Abbreviated United States EMR Adoption ModelSM, available at http://www .himssanalytics .org/provider-solutions .
(See 2015 Q4 Stages 6 and 7 .)
5Joyce Frieden, “HHS: Dramatic Downturn in Hospital-Acquired Conditions,” MedPage Today, December 1, 2015, available at
http://www .medpagetoday .com/HospitalBasedMedicine/GeneralHospitalPractice/54954 .
6United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Full Committee Hearing: “Health Information Exchange: A Path
Towards Improving the Quality and Value of Health Care for Patients,” June 10, 2015, available at http://www .help .senate .gov/imo/media/doc/
Patterson2 .pdf .
7William B . Rouse, “Health Care as a Complex Adaptive System: Implications for Design and Management,” The Bridge, vol . 38, No . 1, Spring 2008,
available at https://www .nae .edu/Publications/Bridge/EngineeringandtheHealthCareDeliverySystem/
HealthCareasaComplexAdaptiveSystemImplicationsforDesignandManagement .aspx .
8Jimeng Sun and Chandan K . Reddy, “Big Data Analytics for Healthcare,” Tutorial Presentation at the SIAM International Conference on Data
Mining, Austin, Texas (2013), available at http://www .siam .org/meetings/sdm13/sun .pdf .
13
Appendix:
Reconciliation of 2015 Non-GAAP Results to GAAP Results*
($ in millions except Earnings Per Share)
GAAP Operating Earnings
Share-based compensation expense
Voluntary separation plan expense
Health Services acquisition-related amortization
Acquisition-related deferred revenue adjustment
Other acquisition-related adjustments
Operating
Earnings
Operating
Margin %
$781
17.7%
75
46
79
48
46
Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)
$1,075
24.3%
GAAP Net Earnings
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax
Voluntary separation plan expense, net of tax
Health Services acquisition-related amortization, net of tax
Acquisition-related deferred revenue adjustment, net of tax
Other acquisition-related adjustments, net of tax
Adjusted Net Earnings (non-GAAP)
GAAP Operating Cash Flow
Capital purchases
Capitalized software development costs
Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)
Net
Earnings
Diluted
Earnings
Per Share
$539
$1.54
52
31
55
33
31
$741
0 .15
0 .09
0 .15
0 .09
0 .09
$2.11
$948
(362)
(265)
$321
* More detail on these adjustments and management’s use of Non-GAAP results is in our 2015 annual
report on Form 10-K and our current reports on Form 8-K .
14
Cerner Corporation
2015 Annual Report
Form 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(X)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the fiscal year ended: January 2, 2016
OR
( )
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________ to ___________
Commission File Number: 0-15386
CERNER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
2800 Rockcreek Parkway
North Kansas City, MO
(Address of principal executive offices)
43-1196944
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
Number)
64117
(Zip Code)
(816) 201-1024
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Name of each exchange on which registered
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(NASDAQ Global Select Market)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
16
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any,
every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of
this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and
post such files).
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter)
is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or
a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [ ] Smaller reporting company [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [X]
As of July 4, 2015, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant
was $21.0 billion based on the closing sale price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Shares of common
stock held by each executive officer, director and holder of 10% or more of the outstanding common stock have been
excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status for purposes of this
calculation is not intended as a conclusive determination of affiliate status for other purposes.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Outstanding at February 12, 2016
340,016,851 shares
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Document
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the
Annual Shareholders' Meeting to be held May 27,
2016
Parts into Which Incorporated
Part III
17
PART I.
Item 1. Business
Overview
Cerner Corporation started doing business as a Missouri Corporation in 1980, and it was merged into a Delaware corporation
in 1986. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “Cerner,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean
Cerner Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Our corporate world headquarters is located in a Company-owned office park in North Kansas City, Missouri, with our principal
place of business located at 2800 Rockcreek Parkway, North Kansas City, Missouri 64117. Our telephone number is
816.201.1024. Our Web site, which we use to communicate important business information, can be accessed at:
www.cerner.com. We make our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K
and all amendments to those reports available free of charge on or through this Web site as soon as reasonably practicable
after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We do not
intend for information contained in our website to be part of this annual report on Form 10-K.
Cerner is a leading supplier of health care information technology (HCIT). Our mission is to contribute to the improvement
of health care delivery and the health of communities. We offer a wide range of intelligent solutions and services that support
the clinical, financial and operational needs of organizations of all sizes. We have systems in more than 20,000 facilities
worldwide, including hospitals, physician practices, laboratories, ambulatory centers, behavioral health centers, cardiac
facilities, radiology clinics, surgery centers, extended care facilities, retail pharmacies, and employer sites.
Cerner solutions are offered on the unified Cerner Millennium® architecture and on the HealtheIntent™ cloud-based platform.
Cerner Millennium is a person-centric computing framework, which includes integrated clinical, financial and management
information systems. This architecture allows providers to securely access an individual’s electronic health record (EHR) at
the point of care, and it organizes and proactively delivers information to meet the specific needs of physicians, nurses,
laboratory technicians, pharmacists, front- and back-office professionals and consumers. Our HealtheIntent platform is a
cloud-based platform designed to scale at a population level while facilitating health and care at a person and provider level.
On the HealtheIntent platform, we offer EHR-agnostic solutions that help health care systems aggregate, transform and
reconcile data across the continuum of care, manage the health of populations they serve, improve outcomes and lower
costs.
On February 2, 2015, Cerner acquired substantially all of the assets, and assumed certain liabilities of Siemens AG's health
information technology business unit, Siemens Health Services (now referred to as "Cerner Health Services"). Cerner Health
Services offers a portfolio of enterprise-level clinical and financial health care information technology solutions, as well as
departmental, connectivity, population health, and care coordination solutions globally. Solutions are offered on the Soarian®,
Invision®, and i.s.h.med® platforms, among others.
We offer a broad range of services, including implementation and training, remote hosting, operational management services,
revenue cycle services, support and maintenance, health care data analysis, clinical process optimization, transaction
processing, employer health centers, employee wellness programs and third party administrator (TPA) services for employer-
based health plans.
In addition to software and services, we offer a wide range of complementary hardware and devices, both directly from Cerner
and as a reseller for third parties.
18
The following table presents our consolidated revenues by major solutions and services and by segment, as a percentage
of total revenues:
Revenues by Solutions & Services
System sales
Support and maintenance
Services
Reimbursed travel
Revenues by Segment
Domestic
Global
For the Years Ended
2015
2014
2013
29%
22%
47%
2%
100%
88%
12%
100%
28%
21%
48%
3%
100%
29%
23%
46%
2%
100%
89%
11%
88%
12%
100%
100%
Health Care and Health Care IT Industry
There are several trends in health care that we believe create a favorable environment for Cerner. One is the unsustainable
rate of growth in health care spending. In 2014, U.S. health care spending increased 5.5 percent to $3.0 trillion, representing
17.7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates U.S.
health care spending in 2015 at $3.2 trillion, or 18.0 percent of GDP, and projects it to be 19.6 percent of GDP by 2024. We
believe health care IT is one of few remaining levers that can change this trajectory. Further, health care providers continue
to operate in an environment that includes what we call ‘raining measures and mandates’. Examples of these include:
•
•
•
•
Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) provisions within the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that offer incentives for health care organizations to modernize operations through
“Meaningful Use” of HCIT and penalizes for non-compliance;
Value-Based Purchasing programs that link reimbursement to quality, clinical process, patient experience, and
outcomes;
Increasing requirements to report quality metrics; and
Readmission reduction programs that penalize hospitals for unnecessary readmissions.
Collectively, these measures and mandates are driving providers to focus on delivering higher quality care at a lower cost,
and we believe HCIT is a key lever that can help providers accomplish this goal. They also represent a shift away from
traditional fee-for-service (FFS) reimbursement models to models more aligned with quality, outcomes, and efficiency. The
largest signal of this shift occurred in January of 2015 when the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services laid out a plan
to shift 50% of Medicare payments to value-based payment models by the end of 2018, and to tie 90% of the remaining
traditional FFS payments to quality measures. We believe that tying payment to health outcomes is going to produce some
major shifts in the way health care is provided in the next decade, and we expect a much greater focus on patient engagement,
wellness and prevention. As health care providers become accountable for proactively managing the health of the populations
they serve, we expect them to need ongoing investment in sophisticated information technology solutions that will enable
them to predict when intervention is needed so they can improve outcomes and lower the cost of providing care.
The increasingly complex and more clinical outcomes-based reimbursement environment is also contributing to a heightened
demand for revenue cycle solutions and services and a desire for these solutions and services to be closely aligned with
clinical solutions. We believe this trend is positive for Cerner because our Cerner Millennium revenue cycle solutions and
services are integrated with our clinical solutions, creating a clinically driven revenue cycle solution that has had significant
adoption in recent years.
Over the past several years, we have seen a shift in the U.S. marketplace towards a preference for a single platform across
inpatient and ambulatory settings. The number of physicians employed by hospitals has increased as hospitals have acquired
physician groups, and health systems are recognizing the benefit of having a single patient record at the hospital and the
physician office. We are benefiting from this trend due to our unified Cerner Millennium platform that spans multiple venues
and significant enhancements we have made to our physician solutions in recent years.
19
While health care providers are showing a preference for a single platform across multiple venues, there is also an increased
push for interoperability across disparate systems to address the reality that no patient’s record will only have information
from a single health care IT system. We believe our health information should be shareable and accessible among our
primary care physicians, specialists, and hospital physicians. In recent years, a great deal of money has been spent on health
care IT for the purpose of creating a digital health care system. And while that has largely occurred, the day-to-day lack of
interoperability across health care organizations and platforms limits the benefits to individuals and reduces the return on
the investments made to digitize the health system.
As a result, Cerner has led or been a key participant in nearly every major industry effort to advance interoperability and
system openness. One example is Cerner’s role as a founding member of the CommonWell Health Alliance, an open, not-
for-profit industry consortium that brought health care IT firms together for the purpose of enabling safe nationwide
interoperability. We believe CommonWell complements federal policy by providing a solution for identity management,
record location and consent management. The vision of CommonWell is for a patient to be able to visit a new doctor, give
their consent, and, within moments, have his or her lifetime record available from all the prior places he or she has visited.
CommonWell members represent about 70% of the acute care market and about 25% of the ambulatory market. CommonWell
membership also spans a diverse range of clinical care settings beyond acute and ambulatory, including health IT market
leaders in imaging, perinatal, emergency department, laboratory, retail pharmacy, oncology, care management, patient portal,
post-acute care, and state and federal government agencies. As of the end of 2015, more than 1,200 provider sites across
49 states have gone live with CommonWell Services and have already generated nearly 30 million queries. There are an
additional 6,000 sites that have committed to CommonWell Services.
Outside the United States, we believe Cerner’s growth opportunities are good, as most countries are also dealing with health
care expenditures growing faster than their economies, which is leading to a focus on controlling costs while also improving
quality of care.
Cerner Vision and Growth Strategy
For over three decades, Cerner has been continuously building intelligent solutions for the health care industry. Together
with our clients, we are creating a future where the health care system works to improve the well-being of individuals and
communities. Our vision has always guided our large investments in research and development (R&D), which have created
strong levels of organic growth throughout our history. Our proven ability to innovate has led to what we believe to be industry-
leading architectures and an unmatched breadth and depth of solutions and services. The strength of our solutions and
services has led to our ability to gain market share in recent years, which has contributed to our growth. We believe we are
positioned to continue gaining share in coming years as regulatory requirements and industry shifts continue to pressure
health care providers to improve quality while lowering costs, which will require having more sophisticated information
technology than many of our competitors provide.
In addition to growth by gaining market share, we believe we have a significant opportunity to grow revenues by expanding
our solution footprint with existing clients. There is opportunity to expand penetration of our core solutions, such as EHRs
and computerized physician order entry, and increase penetration of our broad range of complementary solutions that can
be offered into our existing client base. Examples include women’s health, anesthesiology, imaging, clinical process
optimization, critical care, health care devices, device connectivity, emergency department, revenue cycle and surgery.
We also have an opportunity to grow by expanding penetration of services we offer that are targeted at capturing a larger
percentage of our clients’ existing IT spending. These services leverage our proven operational capabilities and the success
of our CernerWorksSM managed services business, where we have demonstrated the ability to improve our clients’ service
levels at a cost that is at or below amounts they were previously spending. One of these services is Cerner ITWorksSM, a
suite of solutions and services that improves the ability of hospital IT departments to meet their organization’s needs while
also creating a closer alignment between Cerner and our clients. A second example is Cerner RevWorksSM, which includes
solutions and services to help health care organizations improve their revenue cycle functions.
We have made progress over the past several years at reducing the total cost of our solutions, which expands our end market
opportunities by allowing us to offer lower-cost, higher-value solutions and services to smaller community hospitals, critical
access hospitals and physician practices. For example, our CommunityWorksTM offering leverages a shared instance of the
Cerner Millennium platform across multiple clients, which decreases the total cost for these clients.
20
We also expect to drive growth over the course of the next decade through initiatives outside the core HCIT market. For
example, we offer clinic, pharmacy, wellness and third-party administrator services directly to employers. These offerings
have been shaped by what we have learned from changes we have implemented at Cerner. We have removed our third-
party administrator and become self-administered, launched an on-site clinic and pharmacy, incorporated biometric
measurements for our population, realigned the economic incentives for associates in our health plan, and implemented a
data-driven wellness management program. These changes have had a positive impact on the health of our associates while
also keeping our health care costs below industry averages.
As discussed below, another opportunity for future growth, and a significant area of investment for Cerner, is leveraging the
vast amounts of data being created as the health care industry is digitized and using this data to help providers and employers
manage the health of populations.
Population Health
Population Health Management involves a shift from solely automating health systems to managing a person’s health. Getting
there requires complete, accurate patient data and meaningfully using that data to engage individuals, exchange information
between providers and ultimately drive better outcomes at a lower cost. This shift will shape the future of health care and
enable a system driven by accountability, transparency and value.
Cerner's approach to population health is to enable organizations to:
•
•
KNOW what is happening and predict what will happen within their population through solutions for data exchange,
longitudinal record, enterprise data warehouse, analytics and quality and regulatory reporting;
ENGAGE providers and patients in health and care delivery through personal health portals and solutions for care
management, home care, long-term care, and retail pharmacy; and
• MANAGE health and improve care with capacity and workforce management, clinical research, predictive modeling,
health registries, and contract and network management.
These solutions are enabled by Cerner’s HealtheIntent platform, which is a multi-purpose, programmable platform designed
to scale at a population level while facilitating health and care at a person and provider level. This cloud-based platform
enables organizations to aggregate, transform and reconcile data across the continuum of care, and helps improve outcomes
and lower costs.
HealtheIntent is scalable, secure and can be accessed anywhere, anytime. It is able to receive data from any EHR, existing
HCIT system and other data sources, such as pharmacy benefits managers or insurance claims. HealtheIntent collects data
from multiple, disparate sources in near real-time, providing clarity to millions of data points in an actionable and programmable
workflow. It enables organizations to identify, score and predict the risks of individual patients, allowing them to match the
right care programs to the right individuals. The EHR-agnostic nature of our HealtheIntent platform allows us to offer our
solutions to the entire marketplace, not just existing Cerner clients.
We have created a series of initial solutions on the HealtheIntent platform, including the following solutions that are generally
available or scheduled to be released in the next year:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Longitudinal Record - provides clinicians and the patient a view of their consolidated clinical record, gathered and
normalized from multiple sources.
Registries - identifies and automatically segments patients by disease, guides interventions according to clinical
best practice, provides visibility to quality measures for provider’s population, produces client-defined performance
scorecards, and tracks their health and their interventions according to clinical best practice.
Analytics - allows the integrated data to be analyzed for the purpose of population health management and research.
Provider Performance Management - creates visibility for providers on their performance against key clinical and
operation metrics and can be aligned with payment models that incentivize high quality and efficient care.
Patient/Member Engagement - an enhanced patient portal complemented by engagement services to help health
care organizations create more meaningful interactions and engagement with the members they serve, and provides
the ability to target individuals at risk of becoming chronically ill.
Care Management - provides a person-centric approach of proactive surveillance, coordination and facilitation of
health services across the care continuum to achieve optimal health status, quality and costs.
Population Health Programs - leverages evidence-based guidelines and the contextual information within
HealtheIntent to provide identification, prediction and management of a condition at the population, provider and
person level and facilitates a personalized plan of care for each member.
21
•
Contract Network Management - for managing provider networks, modeling to inform payer negotiations,
determining appropriate business models, and managing contract performance in near real-time.
In summary, we believe our comprehensive architectural approach to population health is differentiated in the marketplace.
We expect population health to be a large contributor to our long-term growth as health care continues to evolve towards a
model that incents keeping people healthy.
Software Development
We commit significant resources to developing new health information system solutions and services. As of the end of 2015,
approximately 5,900 associates were engaged in research and development activities. Total expenditures for the development
and enhancement of our software solutions were approximately $685 million, $467 million and $419 million during the 2015,
2014 and 2013 fiscal years, respectively. These figures include both capitalized and non-capitalized portions and exclude
amounts amortized for financial reporting purposes.
As discussed above, continued investment in R&D remains a core element of our strategy. This will include ongoing
enhancement of our core solutions and development of new solutions and services.
Intellectual Property
We have developed a broad portfolio of intellectual property rights to protect the proprietary interests in our solutions, services
and brands. Our solutions embody valuable trade secrets preserved through a variety of technical and legal measures and
constitute works of authorship protected by copyrights in the U.S. and globally. We have registered or applied to register
certain trademarks and service marks in a number of countries with particular emphasis on the Cerner branding elements.
We continue to develop our patent portfolio and own more than 300 issued patents with hundreds of patent applications
pending. We do not consider any of our businesses to be dependent upon any one patent, copyright, trademark, or trade
secret, or any family or families of the same.
Our solutions and services incorporate or rely on intellectual property licensed from third parties. Certain technologies
licensed to Cerner are also important for internal use in running our business and supporting our clients. Although replacing
any existing licenses could be inconvenient, based on our experiences, existing contractual relationships, and the incentives
of our technology suppliers, we believe that Cerner will continue to obtain these technologies or suitable alternatives for
commercially reasonable prices and on commercially reasonable terms.
Sales and Marketing
The markets for Cerner HCIT solutions, health care devices and services include integrated delivery networks, physician
groups and networks, managed care organizations, hospitals, medical centers, free-standing reference laboratories, home
health agencies, blood banks, imaging centers, pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, employers, governments and
public health organizations. The majority of our sales are clinical and revenue cycle solutions and services to hospitals and
health systems, but our solutions and services are highly scalable and sold to organizations ranging from physician practices,
to community hospitals, to complex integrated delivery networks, to local, regional and national government agencies. Sales
to large health systems typically take approximately nine to 18 months, while the sales cycle is often shorter when selling to
smaller hospitals and physician practices.
Our executive marketing management is located at our Innovation Campus in Kansas City, Missouri, while our client
representatives are deployed across the United States and globally. In addition to the United States, through our subsidiaries,
we have sales associates and/or offices giving us a presence in more than 25 countries.
We support our sales force with technical personnel who perform demonstrations of Cerner solutions and services and assist
clients in determining the proper hardware and software configurations. Our primary direct marketing strategy is to generate
sales contacts from our existing client base and through presentations at industry seminars and tradeshows. We market the
PowerWorks® solutions, offered on a subscription basis, directly to the physician practice market using lead generation
activities and through existing acute care clients that are looking to extend Cerner solutions to affiliated physicians. We attend
a number of major tradeshows each year and sponsor executive user conferences, which feature industry experts who
address the HCIT needs of large health care organizations.
Client Services
Substantially all of Cerner’s clients that buy software solutions also enter into software support agreements with us for
maintenance and support of their Cerner systems. In addition to immediate software support in the event of problems, these
agreements allow clients to access new releases of the Cerner solutions covered by support agreements. Each client has
22
24-hour access to the applicable client support teams, including those located at our world headquarters in North Kansas
City, Missouri, our Continuous Campus in Kansas City, Kansas, our campus in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and our global support
organizations in Germany, England and Ireland.
Most clients who buy hardware through Cerner also enter into hardware maintenance agreements with us. These
arrangements normally provide for a fixed monthly fee for specified services. In the majority of cases, we utilize subcontractors
to meet our hardware maintenance obligations. We also offer a set of managed services that include remote hosting,
operational management services and disaster recovery.
Backlog
At the end of 2015, we had a revenue backlog of $14.2 billion, which compares to $10.6 billion at the end of 2014. Such
backlog represents contracted revenue that has not yet been recognized. We estimate that approximately 27 percent of the
backlog at the end of 2015 will be recognized as revenue during 2016.
Competition
The market for HCIT solutions, devices and services is intensely competitive, rapidly evolving and subject to rapid technological
change. Our principal competitors in the health care solutions and services market each offer a suite of software solutions
that compete with many of our software solutions and services. These competitors include, but are not limited to:
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
Computer Programs and Systems, Inc.
Epic Systems Corporation
GE Healthcare Technologies
Healthland, Inc.
McKesson Corporation
MEDHOST, Inc.
Medical Information Technology, Inc.
Other competitors focus on only a portion of the market that we address. For example, we deem the following
competitors, which offer HCIT services that compete directly with some of our service offerings, as principal competitors in
the HCIT services space:
Clinovations, Inc.
Dell, Inc. (Dell)
Encore Health Resources, LLC
IBM Corporation (IBM)
Impact Advisors
S&P Consultants
The Advisory Board Company (Advisory Board)
Xerox Corporation, Ltd.
We view the following competitors that offer solutions to the ambulatory market, but do not currently have a significant
presence in the broader health systems and independent hospital market, as principal competitors in this market:
AmazingCharts.com, Inc.
athenahealth, Inc. (athenahealth)
eClinicalWorks, LLC
e-MDs, Inc.
Netsmart Technologies
Practice Fusion, Inc.
Quality Systems, Inc.
SRSsoft
Vitera Healthcare Solutions
Cerner partners with third parties as a reseller of devices and markets its own competing proprietary health care devices.
We view our principal competitors in the health care device market to include, without limitation:
CapsuleTech, Inc.
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Connexall Company, Ltd.
Nanthealth, LLC
Omnicell, Inc.
PerfectServe, Inc.
Qualcomm, Inc.
Siemens AG
Vocera Communication, Inc.
23
We view our principal competitors in the health care revenue cycle and transaction services market to include, without
limitation:
3M Company
Accretive Health, Inc.
athenahealth
Conifer Health Solutions
Dell
Deloitte Consulting, LLP
Emdeon Corporation
Experian plc
MedAssets, Inc.
Optum, Inc. (Optum)
Quadramed Corporation
SSI Group, Inc.
We view our competitors in the population health market to range from small niche competitors, to large health insurance
companies including, without limitation:
ActiveHealth Management
Advisory Board
Aetna, Inc.
athenahealth
Evolent Health, LLC
Health Catalyst
IBM
Influence Health, Inc.
MedeAnalytics, Inc.
Optum
WellCentive, Inc.
In addition, we expect that major software information systems companies, large information technology consulting service
providers and system integrators, start-up companies, managed care companies, healthcare insurance companies,
accountable care organizations and others specializing in the health care industry may offer competitive software solutions,
devices or services. The pace of change in the HCIT market is rapid and there are frequent new software solutions, devices
or services introductions, enhancements and evolving industry standards and requirements. We believe that the principal
competitive factors in this market include the breadth and quality of solution and service offerings, the stability of the solution
provider, the features and capabilities of the information systems and devices, the ongoing support for the systems and
devices and the potential for enhancements and future compatible software solutions and devices.
Number of Employees (Associates)
At the end of 2015, we employed approximately 22,200 associates worldwide.
Operating Segments
Information about our operating segments, which are geographically based, may be found in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” below and in Note (18) to the consolidated financial statements.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following table sets forth the names, ages, positions and certain other information regarding the Company’s executive
officers as of February 12, 2016. Officers are elected annually and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Name
Neal L. Patterson
Age
66
Positions
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Clifford W. Illig
Zane M. Burke
Marc G. Naughton
Michael R. Nill
Randy D. Sims
Jeffrey A. Townsend
Julia M. Wilson
65
50
60
51
55
52
53
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
President
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff
Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer
24
Neal L. Patterson, co-founder of the Company, has been Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company for more than five years. Mr. Patterson served as President of the Company from July 2010 to September
2013, which position he also held from March of 1999 until August of 1999.
Clifford W. Illig, co-founder of the Company, has been a Director of the Company for more than five years. He previously
served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company until October 1998 and as President of the Company until March of 1999.
Mr. Illig was appointed Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors in March of 1999.
Zane M. Burke joined the Company in September 1996. Since that time, he has held a variety of client-facing sales,
implementation and support roles, including Corporate Controller and Vice President of Finance. He was promoted to
President of the Company’s West region in 2002 and Senior Vice President of National Alignment in 2006. He was further
promoted to Executive Vice President - Client Organization in July 2011 and to President of the Company in September
2013.
Marc G. Naughton joined the Company in November 1992 as Manager of Taxes. In November 1995 he was named Chief
Financial Officer and in February 1996 he was promoted to Vice President. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in
March 2002 and promoted to Executive Vice President in March 2010.
Michael R. Nill joined the Company in November 1996. Since that time he has held several positions in the Technology,
Intellectual Property and CernerWorks Client Hosting Organizations. He was promoted to Vice President in January 2000,
promoted to Senior Vice President in April 2006 and promoted to Executive Vice President and named Chief Engineering
Officer in February 2009. Mr. Nill was appointed Chief Operating Officer in May 2011.
Randy D. Sims joined the Company in March 1997 as Vice President and Chief Legal Officer and was promoted to Senior
Vice President in March 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Sims worked at Farmland Industries, Inc. for three years
where he last served as Associate General Counsel. Prior to Farmland, Mr. Sims was in-house legal counsel at The Marley
Company for seven years, holding the position of Assistant General Counsel when he left to join Farmland.
Jeffrey A. Townsend joined the Company in June 1985. Since that time he has held several positions in the Intellectual
Property Organization and was promoted to Vice President in February 1997. He was appointed Chief Engineering Officer
in March 1998, promoted to Senior Vice President in March 2001, named Chief of Staff in July 2003 and promoted to Executive
Vice President in March 2005.
Julia M. Wilson first joined the Company in July 1990. Since that time, she has held several positions in the Functional Group
Organization. She was promoted to Vice President and Chief People Officer in August 2003, to Senior Vice President in
March 2007 and to Executive Vice President in March 2013.
25
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Related to our Business
We may incur substantial costs related to product-related liabilities. Many of our software solutions, health care devices
or services (including life sciences/research services) are intended for use in collecting, storing and displaying clinical and
health care-related information used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and in related health care settings such as
admissions, billing, etc. We attempt to limit by contract our liability; however, the limitations of liability set forth in the contracts
may not be enforceable or may not otherwise protect us from liability for damages. We may also be subject to claims that
are not covered by contract. Although we maintain liability insurance coverage, there can be no assurance that such coverage
will cover any particular claim that has been brought or that may be brought in the future, that such coverage will prove to
be adequate or that such coverage will continue to remain available on acceptable terms, if at all. A successful material claim
or series of claims brought against us, if uninsured or under-insured, could materially harm our business, results of operations
and financial condition. Product-related claims, even if not successful, could damage our reputation, cause us to lose existing
clients, limit our ability to obtain new clients, divert management’s attention from operations, result in significant revenue
loss, create potential liabilities for our clients and us and increase insurance and other operational costs.
We may be subject to claims for system errors and warranties. Our software solutions and health care devices are very
complex and may contain design, coding or other errors, especially when first introduced. It is not uncommon for HCIT
providers to discover errors in software solutions and/or health care devices after their introduction to the market. Similarly,
the installation of our software solutions and health care devices is very complex and errors in the implementation and
configuration of our systems can occur. Our software solutions and health care devices are intended for use in collecting,
storing, and displaying clinical and health care-related information used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and in
related health care settings such as admissions, billing, etc. Therefore, users of our software solutions and health care devices
have a greater sensitivity to errors than the market for software products and devices generally. Our client agreements
typically provide warranties concerning material errors and other matters. If a client’s Cerner software solution or health care
devices fail to meet these warranties or leads to faulty clinical decisions or injury to patients, it could 1) constitute a material
breach under the client agreement, allowing the client to terminate the agreement and possibly obtain a refund or damages
or both, or require us to incur additional expense in order to make the software solution or health care device meet these
criteria or 2) subject us to claims or litigation by our clients or clinicians or directly by the patient. Additionally, such failures
could damage our reputation and could negatively affect future sales. Our client agreements generally limit our liability arising
from such claims but such limits may not be enforceable in certain jurisdictions or circumstances. Although we maintain
liability insurance coverage, there can be no assurance that such coverage will cover any particular claim that has been
brought or that may be brought in the future, that such coverage will prove to be adequate or that such coverage will continue
to remain available on acceptable terms, if at all. A successful material claim or series of claims brought against us, if uninsured
or under-insured, could materially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may experience interruptions at our data centers or client support facilities, which could interrupt clients’ access
to their data, exposing us to significant costs and reputational harm. Our business relies on the secure electronic
transmission, data center storage and hosting of sensitive information, including protected health information, personally
identifiable information, financial information and other sensitive information relating to our clients, company and workforce.
We perform data center and/or hosting services for certain clients, including the storage of critical patient and administrative
data and support services through various client support facilities. If any of these systems are interrupted, damaged or
breached by an unforeseen event or actions of a Cerner associate or contractor or a third party or fail for any extended period
of time, it could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. Complete failure of all local public power and
backup generators; impairment of all telecommunications lines; a concerted denial of service attack; a significant system,
network or data breach; damage, injury or impairment (environmental, accidental or intentional) to the buildings, the equipment
inside the buildings housing our data centers, the personnel operating such facilities or the client data contained therein; or
errors by the personnel trained to operate such facilities could cause a disruption in operations and negatively impact clients
who depend on us for data center and system support services. We offer our clients disaster recovery services for additional
fees to protect clients from isolated data center failures, leveraging our multiple data center facilities, however only a small
percentage of our hosted clients choose to contract for these services. Additionally, Cerner’s core systems are disaster
tolerant as we have implemented redundancy across physically diverse data centers. Any interruption in operations at our
data centers and/or client support facilities could damage our reputation, cause us to lose existing clients, hurt our ability to
obtain new clients, result in significant revenue loss, create potential liabilities for our clients and us and increase insurance
and other operating costs.
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If our IT security is breached, we could be subject to increased expenses, exposure to legal claims and regulatory
actions, and clients could be deterred from using our solutions and services. We are in the information technology
business, and our products and services store, retrieve, manipulate and manage our clients’ information and data (and that
of their patients), as well as our own data. We believe we have a reputation for secure and reliable solution offerings and
related services, and we have invested a great deal of time and resources in protecting the security, confidentiality, integrity
and availability of our solutions, services and the internal and external data that we manage. At times, we encounter attempts
by third parties to identify and exploit solution and service vulnerabilities, penetrate or bypass our security measures, and
gain unauthorized access to our or our clients’, partners’ and suppliers’ software, hardware and cloud offerings, networks
and systems, any of which could lead to the compromise of personal information or the confidential information or data of
Cerner, our clients or their patients.
High-profile security breaches at other companies have increased in recent years, and security industry experts and
government officials have warned about the risks of hackers and cyber-attacks targeting information technology products
and businesses. Although this is an industry-wide problem that affects other software and hardware companies, we may be
targeted by computer hackers because we are a prominent health care IT company. These risks will increase as we continue
to grow our cloud offerings and store and process increasingly large amounts of data, including personal health information,
and our clients’ confidential information and data, and host or manage parts of our clients’ businesses in cloud-based IT
environments.
If a cyber-attack or other security incident described above were to allow unauthorized access to or modification of our clients’
or suppliers’ data, our own data or our IT systems, or if our solutions or services are perceived as having security vulnerabilities,
we could suffer significant damage to our brand and reputation. This in turn could lead to fewer clients using our solutions
and services and result in reduced revenue and earnings. The costs we would incur to address and fix these security incidents
would increase our expenses. These types of security incidents could also lead to lawsuits, regulatory investigations and
claims and increased legal liability, including in some cases contractual costs related to notification and fraud monitoring of
impacted persons.
Our proprietary technology may be subject to claims for infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property
rights of others, or may be infringed or misappropriated by others. We rely upon a combination of license agreements,
confidentiality policies and procedures, confidentiality provisions in employment agreements, confidentiality agreements with
third parties and technical security measures to maintain the confidentiality, exclusivity and trade secrecy of our proprietary
information. We also rely on trademark and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property rights in the U.S. and abroad.
We continue to develop our patent portfolio of U.S. and global patents, but these patents do not provide comprehensive
protection for the wide range of solutions, devices and services we offer. Despite our protective measures and intellectual
property rights, we may not be able to adequately protect against theft, copying, reverse-engineering, misappropriation,
infringement or unauthorized use or disclosure of our intellectual property, which could have an adverse effect on our
competitive position.
In addition, we are routinely involved in intellectual property infringement or misappropriation claims, and we expect this
activity to continue or even increase as the number of competitors, patents and patent enforcement organizations in the
HCIT market increases, the functionality of our software solutions and services expands, the use of open-source software
increases and we enter new geographies and new market segments. These claims, even if unmeritorious, are expensive to
defend and are often incapable of prompt resolution. If we become liable to third parties for infringing or misappropriating
their intellectual property rights, we could be required to pay a substantial damage award, develop alternative technology,
obtain a license or cease using, selling, offering for sale, licensing, importing, implementing or supporting the applicable
solutions, devices and services.
We may become subject to legal proceedings that could have a material adverse impact on our business, results
of operations and financial condition. From time to time and in the ordinary course of our business, we and certain of our
subsidiaries may become involved in various legal proceedings. All such legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable and,
regardless of the merits of the claims, litigation may be expensive, time-consuming and disruptive to our operations and
distracting to management. If resolved against us, such legal proceedings could result in excessive verdicts, injunctive relief
or other equitable relief that may affect how we operate our business. Similarly, if we settle such legal proceedings, it may
affect how we operate our business. Future court decisions, alternative dispute resolution awards, business expansion or
legislative activity may increase our exposure to litigation and regulatory investigations. In some cases, substantial non-
economic remedies or punitive damages may be sought. Although we maintain liability insurance coverage, there can be no
assurance that such coverage will cover any particular verdict, judgment or settlement that may be entered against us, that
such coverage will prove to be adequate or that such coverage will continue to remain available on acceptable terms, if at
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all. If we incur liability that exceeds our insurance coverage or that is not within the scope of the coverage in legal proceedings
brought against us, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to risks associated with our global operations. We market, sell and service our solutions, devices and
services globally. We have established offices around the world, including in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and the
Asia Pacific region. Our acquisition of the Cerner Health Services business increased our assets and operations within
Europe and, accordingly, our exposure to economic conditions in Europe. We plan to continue to expand our non-U.S.
operations and enter new global markets. This expansion will require significant management attention and financial resources
to develop successful direct and indirect non-U.S. sales and support channels. Our business is generally transacted in the
local functional currency. In some countries, our success will depend in part on our ability to form relationships with local
partners. There is a risk that we may sometimes choose the wrong partner. For these and other reasons, we may not be
able to maintain or increase non-U.S. market demand for our solutions, devices and services.
Non-U.S. operations are subject to inherent risks, and our business, results of operations and financial condition, including
our revenue growth and profitability, could be adversely affected by a variety of uncontrollable and changing factors. These
include, but are not limited to:
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The impact of global economic conditions;
Effects of sovereign debt conditions, including budgetary constraints;
Unfavorable or volatile foreign currency exchange rates;
Legal compliance costs or business risks associated with our global operations where: i) local laws and customs
differ from, or are more stringent than those in the U.S., such as those relating to privacy or security breaches or ii)
risk is heightened with respect to laws prohibiting improper payments and bribery, including without limitation the
U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Anti-Bribery Act and similar laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions;
Certification, licensing or regulatory requirements;
Unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
Changes to or reduced protection of intellectual property rights in some countries;
Potentially adverse tax consequences as a result of changes in tax laws or otherwise, and difficulties associated
with repatriating cash generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner;
Different or additional functionality requirements or preferences;
Trade protection measures;
Export control regulations;
Health service provider or government spending patterns;
Natural disasters, war or terrorist acts;
Labor disruptions that may occur in a country;
Poor selection of a partner in a country; or
Political unrest which may impact sales or threaten the safety of associates or our continued presence in these
countries and the related potential impact on global stability.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could materially affect our financial results. Our consolidated financial
statements are presented in U.S. dollars. In general, the functional currency of our subsidiaries is the local currency. For
each subsidiary, assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange
rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing
during the month of the transaction. Therefore, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other major
currencies affect our revenues, net earnings and the value of balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies. Future
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies,
could materially affect our financial results.
We are subject to tax legislation in numerous countries; tax legislation initiatives or challenges to our tax positions
could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We are a global corporation with a
presence in more than 25 countries. As such, we are subject to tax laws, regulations and policies of the U.S. federal, state
and local governments and of comparable taxing authorities in other country jurisdictions. From time to time, various legislative
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initiatives may be proposed that could adversely affect our tax positions and/or our tax liabilities. There can be no assurance
that our effective tax rate, tax payments, tax credits or incentives will not be adversely affected by these initiatives. In addition,
U.S. federal, state and local, as well as other countries’ tax laws and regulations are extremely complex and subject to varying
interpretations. There can be no assurance that our tax positions will not be challenged by relevant tax authorities or that we
would be successful in any such challenge, which could result in additional taxation, penalties and interest payments.
Our success depends upon the recruitment and retention of key personnel. To remain competitive in our industries,
we must attract, motivate and retain highly skilled managerial, sales, marketing, consulting and technical personnel, including
executives, consultants, programmers and systems architects skilled in the HCIT, health care devices, health care
transactions, population health management, revenue cycle and life sciences industries and the technical environments in
which our solutions, devices and services are offered. Competition for such personnel in our industries is intense in both the
U.S. and abroad. Our failure to attract additional qualified personnel to meet our needs could have a material adverse effect
on our prospects for long-term growth. In addition, we invest significant time and expense in training our associates, which
increases their value to clients and competitors who may seek to recruit them and increases the cost of replacing them. Our
success is dependent to a significant degree on the continued contributions of key management, sales, marketing, consulting
and technical personnel. The unexpected loss of key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business, results
of operations and financial condition, and could potentially inhibit development and delivery of our solutions, devices and
services and market share advances.
We depend on third party suppliers and our revenue and operating earnings could suffer if we fail to manage suppliers
properly. We license or purchase intellectual property and technology (such as software, hardware and content) from third
parties, including some competitors, and incorporate such third party software, hardware or content into, or sell or license it
in conjunction with, our solutions, devices and services. We depend on some of the third party software, hardware or content
in the operation and delivery of our solutions, devices and services. For instance, we currently depend on Microsoft Oracle
and IBM technologies for portions of the operational capabilities of our Millennium solutions. Our remote hosting and cloud
services businesses also rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain functions of these businesses, such as Oracle
database technologies, CITRIX technologies and Cisco networking technologies. Additionally, we rely on EMC, Hewlett
Packard, NetApp, IBM and others for our hardware technology platforms.
Most of our third party software license support contracts expire within one to five years, can be renewed only by mutual
consent and may be terminated if we breach the terms of the license and fail to cure the breach within a specified period of
time. Most of these third party software licenses are non-exclusive; therefore, our competitors may obtain the right to use
any of the technology covered by these licenses and use the technology to compete directly with us.
If any of our third party suppliers were to change product offerings, cease actively supporting the technologies, fail to update
and enhance the technologies to keep pace with changing industry standards, encounter technical difficulties in the continuing
development of these technologies, significantly increase prices, terminate our licenses or supply contracts, suffer significant
capacity or supply chain constraints or suffer significant disruptions, we would need to seek alternative suppliers and incur
additional internal or external development costs to ensure continued performance of our solutions, devices and services.
Such alternatives may not be available on attractive terms, or may not be as widely accepted or as effective as the intellectual
property or technology provided by our existing suppliers. If the cost of licensing, purchasing or maintaining our third party
intellectual property or technology significantly increases, our operating earnings could significantly decrease. In addition,
interruption in functionality of our solutions, devices or services as a result of changes in third party suppliers could adversely
affect our commitments to clients, future sales of solutions, devices and services, and negatively affect our revenue and
operating earnings.
We may encounter difficulties in successfully completing the integration of our Cerner Health Services business
into our business or fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of the Cerner Health Services business.
The integration of two independent businesses is a complex, costly and time-consuming process and involves numerous
risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of operations, services, solutions and personnel, the diversion of management’s
attention from other business concerns, the expansion into markets in which we have little or no direct prior experience, and
the potential inability to maintain the goodwill of existing clients. Potential difficulties that we may encounter as part of the
integration process, which may preclude us from fully realizing the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the
anticipated synergies, growth opportunities and cost savings, include, among other factors:
• managing a larger company;
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the possibility of faulty assumptions underlying expectations regarding the integration process, including known and
unknown liabilities in the legacy Cerner Health Services business or arising out of the integration, or assumptions
around client retention;
integrating two business cultures;
creating uniform standards, controls, procedures, policies and information systems and minimizing the costs
associated with such matters;
integrating information systems, purchasing, accounting, finance, legal, sales, billing, payroll and regulatory
compliance functions;
preserving client, supplier, research and development, distribution, marketing, promotion and other important
relationships;
commercializing "go forward" solutions under development and increasing revenues from existing marketed solutions;
combining the sales force territories and competencies associated with the sale of solutions and services presently
sold or provided by legacy Cerner or the Cerner Health Services business;
integrating personnel from different businesses while maintaining focus on providing consistent, high-quality solutions
and client support and attracting prospective clients;
integrating complex technologies and solutions from different businesses in a manner that is seamless to clients;
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performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management’s attention to the integration of the Cerner Health
Services business.
If our management is unable to successfully integrate the Cerner Health Services business in a manner that permits us to
achieve the cost savings and operating synergies anticipated to result from the Cerner Health Services acquisition, such
anticipated benefits may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. The significant diversion
of our management’s attention away from the ongoing businesses, and any difficulties encountered in the transition and
integration process, could adversely affect our financial results. Moreover, the failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of
the Cerner Health Services acquisition could result in material increases in costs or material decreases in the amount of
expected revenues. Any of the above difficulties could adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with clients,
partners, suppliers and associates or our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Cerner Health Services acquisition,
or could reduce our earnings or otherwise adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We intend to continue strategic business acquisitions and other combinations, which are subject to inherent risks.
In order to expand our solutions, device offerings and services and grow our market and client base, we may continue to
seek and complete strategic business acquisitions and other combinations that we believe are complementary to our business.
Acquisitions have inherent risks which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial
condition or prospects, including, but not limited to: 1) failure to successfully integrate the business and financial operations,
services, intellectual property, solutions or personnel of an acquired business and to maintain uniform standard controls,
policies and procedures; 2) diversion of our management’s attention from other business concerns; 3) entry into markets in
which we have little or no direct prior experience; 4) failure to achieve projected synergies and performance targets; 5) loss
of clients or key personnel; 6) incurrence of debt or assumption of known and unknown liabilities; 7) write-off of software
development costs, goodwill, client lists and amortization of expenses related to intangible assets; 8) dilutive issuances of
equity securities; and, 9) accounting deficiencies that could arise in connection with, or as a result of, the acquisition of an
acquired company, including issues related to internal control over financial reporting and the time and cost associated with
remedying such deficiencies. If we fail to successfully integrate acquired businesses or fail to implement our business
strategies with respect to these acquisitions, we may not be able to achieve projected results or support the amount of
consideration paid for such acquired businesses.
We could suffer losses due to asset impairment charges. We assess our goodwill for impairment during the second
quarter every year and on an interim date should events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill
may not be recoverable in accordance with provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill
and Other. Declines in business performance or other factors could cause the fair value of a reporting unit to be revised
downward and could result in a non-cash impairment charge. This could negatively affect our reported net earnings.
Volatility and disruption resulting from global economic or market conditions could negatively affect our business,
results of operations and financial condition. Our business, results of operations, financial condition and outlook may be
impacted by the health of the global economy. Volatility and disruption in global capital and credit markets may lead to
slowdowns or declines in client spending which could adversely affect our business and financial performance. Our business
and financial performance, including new business bookings and collection of our accounts receivable, may be adversely
affected by current and future economic conditions (including a reduction in the availability of credit, higher energy costs,
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rising interest rates, financial market volatility and lower than expected economic growth) that cause a slowdown or decline
in client spending. Reduced purchases by our clients or changes in payment terms could adversely affect our revenue growth
and cause a decrease in our cash flow from operations. Bankruptcies or similar events affecting clients may cause us to
incur bad debt expense at levels higher than historically experienced. Further, volatility and disruption in global financial
markets may also limit our ability to access the capital markets at a time when we would like, or need, to raise capital, which
could have an impact on our ability to react to changing economic and business conditions. Accordingly, if global financial
and economic volatility continues or worsens, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially
and adversely affected.
If we are unable to manage our growth in the new markets in which we offer solutions, health care devices or services,
our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer. Our future financial results will depend in part
on our ability to profitably manage our business in the new markets that we enter. Over the past several years, we have
engaged in the identification of, and competition for, growth and expansion opportunities in the areas of analytics, revenue
cycle and population health. In order to achieve those initiatives, we will need to, among other things, recruit, train, retain
and effectively manage associates, manage changing business conditions and implement and improve our technical,
administrative, financial control and reporting systems for offerings in those areas. Difficulties in managing future growth in
new markets could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We will continue to incur significant expenses in connection with the integration of the Cerner Health Services
business into Cerner. As we work to integrate the business, we expect to continue to incur significant expenses relating
to the integration of personnel, geographically diverse operations, information technology systems, accounting systems,
clients, and strategic partners of each business and the implementation of consistent standards, policies, and procedures,
and we may be subject to material write downs in assets and charges to earnings. The integration process will be long-term
and will continue to create significant expenses.
Our work with government clients exposes us to additional risks inherent in the government contracting
environment. Our clients include national, provincial, state and local governmental entities. Our government work carries
various risks inherent in the government contracting process. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Government entities, particularly in the U.S., often reserve the right to audit our contracts and conduct inquiries and
investigations of our business practices with respect to government contracts. U.S. government agencies conduct
reviews and investigations and make inquiries regarding our systems in connection with our performance and
business practices with respect to our government contracts. Negative findings from audits, investigations or inquiries
could affect our future sales and profitability by preventing us, by operation of law or in practice, from receiving new
government contracts for some period of time.
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If a government client discovers improper or illegal activities in the course of audits or investigations, we may become
subject to various civil and criminal penalties, including those under the civil U.S. False Claims Act, and administrative
sanctions, which may include termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and
suspensions or debarment from doing business with other agencies of that government. The inherent limitations of
internal controls may not prevent or detect all improper or illegal activities.
U.S. government contracting regulations impose strict compliance and disclosure obligations. Disclosure is required
if certain company personnel have knowledge of “credible evidence” of a violation of federal criminal laws involving
fraud, conflict of interest, bribery or improper gratuity, a violation of the civil U.S. False Claims Act or receipt of a
significant overpayment from the government. Failure to make required disclosures could be a basis for suspension
and/or debarment from federal government contracting in addition to breach of the specific contract and could also
impact contracting beyond the U.S. federal level. Reported matters also could lead to audits or investigations and
other civil, criminal or administrative sanctions.
• Government contracts are subject to heightened reputational and contractual risks compared to contracts with
commercial clients. For example, government contracts and the proceedings surrounding them are often subject to
more extensive scrutiny and publicity. Negative publicity, including allegations of improper or illegal activity, poor
contract performance, deficiencies in services or other deliverables, or information security breaches, regardless of
accuracy, may adversely affect our reputation.
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Terms and conditions of government contracts also tend to be more onerous and are often more difficult to negotiate.
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• Government entities typically fund projects through appropriated monies. While these projects are often planned
and executed as multi-year projects, government entities usually reserve the right to change the scope of or terminate
these projects for lack of approved funding and/or at their convenience. Changes in government or political
developments, including budget deficits, shortfalls or uncertainties, government spending reductions (e.g.,
Congressional sequestration of funds under the Budget Control Act of 2011) or other debt constraints, such as those
recently experienced in the U.S. and Europe, could result in our projects being reduced in price or scope or terminated
altogether, which also could limit our recovery of incurred costs, reimbursable expenses and profits on work completed
prior to the termination. Furthermore, if insufficient funding is appropriated to the government entity to cover termination
costs, we may not be able to fully recover our investments.
The occurrences or conditions described above could affect not only our business with the particular government entities
involved, but also our business with other entities of the same or other governmental bodies or with certain commercial
clients, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
There are risks associated with our outstanding and future indebtedness. We have customary restrictive covenants
in our current debt agreements, which may limit our flexibility to operate our business. These covenants include limitations
on priority debt, liens, mergers, asset dispositions, and transactions with affiliates, and require us to maintain certain leverage
and interest coverage ratios. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default that, if not cured or
waived, could result in reduced liquidity for the Company and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition. Additionally, our ability to pay interest and repay the principal for our indebtedness is
dependent upon our ability to manage our business operations, generate sufficient cash flows to service such debt and the
other factors discussed in this section. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage any of these risks successfully.
Risks Related to the Health Care Information Technology, Health Care Device, Health Care Transaction, Revenue
Cycle Management and Population Health Management Industries
The health care industry is subject to changing political, economic and regulatory influences, which could impact
the purchasing practices and operations of our clients and increase our costs to deliver compliant solutions and
services. For example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (as modified by The Health Information
Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009) (collectively, HIPAA) continues to have a direct impact on the health care industry by requiring national provider
identifiers and standardized transactions/code sets, operating rules and necessary security and privacy measures in order
to ensure the appropriate level of privacy of protected health information. These regulatory factors affect the purchasing
practices and operation of health care organizations.
Many health care providers are consolidating to create integrated health care delivery systems with greater market power.
These providers may try to use their market power to negotiate price reductions for our solutions, health care devices and
services. As the health care industry consolidates, our client base could be eroded, competition for clients could become
more intense and the importance of landing new client relationships becomes greater.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act
of 2010, became law in 2010. This comprehensive health care reform legislation included provisions to control health care
costs, improve health care quality, and expand access to affordable health insurance. Together with ongoing statutory and
budgetary policy developments at a federal level, this health care reform legislation could include changes in Medicare and
Medicaid payment policies and other health care delivery administrative reforms that could potentially negatively impact our
business and the business of our clients. Because not all the administrative rules implementing health care reform under the
legislation have been finalized, and because of ongoing federal fiscal budgetary pressures yet to be resolved for federal
health programs, the full impact of the health care reform legislation and of further statutory actions to reform healthcare
payment on our business is unknown, but there can be no assurances that health care reform legislation will not adversely
impact either our operational results or the manner in which we operate our business. Health care industry participants may
respond by reducing their investments or postponing investment decisions, including investments in our devices, solutions
and services.
The health care industry is highly regulated, and thus, we are subject to a number of laws, regulations and industry
initiatives, non-compliance with certain of which could materially adversely affect our operations or otherwise
adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. As a participant in the health care industry,
our operations and relationships, and those of our clients, are regulated by a number of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign
governmental entities. The impact of these regulations on us is direct, to the extent that we are ourselves subject to these
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laws and regulations, and is also indirect, both in terms of the level of government reimbursement available to our clients
and because, in a number of situations, even though we may not be directly regulated by specific health care laws and
regulations, our solutions, devices and services must be capable of being used by our clients in a way that complies with
those laws and regulations. There is a significant and wide-ranging number of regulations both within the U.S. and abroad,
such as regulations in the areas of health care fraud, e-prescribing, claims processing and transmission, health care devices,
the security and privacy of patient data and interoperability standards, that may be directly or indirectly applicable to our
operations and relationships or the business practices of our clients. Specific risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
Health Care Fraud. U.S. federal and state governments continue to enhance regulation of and increase their scrutiny over
practices involving health care fraud, waste and abuse perpetuated by health care providers and professionals whose services
are reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and other government health care programs. Our health care provider clients, as well
as our provision of products and services to government entities, subject our business to laws and regulations on fraud and
abuse which, among other things, prohibit the direct or indirect payment or receipt of any remuneration for patient referrals,
or arranging for or recommending referrals or other business paid for in whole or in part by these federal or state health care
programs. U.S. federal enforcement personnel have substantial funding, powers and remedies to pursue suspected or
perceived fraud and abuse. The effect of this government regulation on our clients is difficult to predict. Many of the regulations
applicable to our clients and that may be applicable to us, including those relating to marketing incentives offered in connection
with health care device sales, are vague or indefinite and have not been interpreted by the courts. They may be interpreted
or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that could broaden their applicability to us or require
our clients to make changes in their operations or the way in which they deal with us. If such laws and regulations are
determined to be applicable to us and if we fail to comply with any applicable laws and regulations, we could be subject to
civil and criminal penalties, sanctions or other liability, including exclusion from government health programs, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Even an unsuccessful challenge
by a regulatory or prosecutorial authority of our activities could result in adverse publicity, could require a costly response
from us and could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Preparation, Transmission and Submission of Medical Claims for Reimbursement. Our solutions are capable of electronically
transmitting claims for services and items rendered by a physician to many patients' payers for approval and reimbursement.
We also provide revenue cycle management services to our clients that include the coding, preparation and submission of
claims for medical service to payers for reimbursement. Such claims are governed by U.S. federal and state laws. U.S.
federal law provides civil liability to any persons that knowingly submit, or cause to be submitted, a claim to a payer, including
Medicare, Medicaid and private health plans, seeking payment for any services or items that overbills or bills for services or
items that have not been provided to the patient. U.S. federal law may also impose criminal penalties for intentionally
submitting such false claims. We have policies and procedures in place that we believe result in the accurate and complete
preparation, transmission, submission and collection of claims, provided that the information given to us by our clients is also
accurate and complete. The HIPAA security, privacy and transaction standards, as discussed below, also have a potentially
significant effect on our claims preparation, transmission and submission services, since those services must be structured
and provided in a way that supports our clients' HIPAA compliance obligations. In connection with these laws, we may be
subjected to U.S. federal or state government investigations and possible penalties may be imposed upon us; false claims
actions may have to be defended; private payers may file claims against us; and we may be excluded from Medicare, Medicaid
or other government-funded health care programs. Any investigation or proceeding related to these laws, even if unwarranted
or without merit, may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Implementation of ICD-10 Coding for Medical Coding. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandated that
all providers, payers, clearinghouses and billing services implement the use of new patient codes for medical coding, referred
to as ICD-10 codes on and after October 1, 2015. This mandate substantially increased the number of medical billing codes
by which providers will seek reimbursement, increasing the complexity of submitting claims for reimbursement. Claims
submitted for services performed after October 1, 2015 must use ICD-10 codes or they may not be paid. Our efforts to provide
services and solutions that enable our clients to comply with the ICD-10 mandate could be time consuming and expensive.
In addition, due to the effort and expense of complying with the ICD-10 mandate, our clients may postpone or cancel decisions
to purchase our solutions and services. Either of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
Regulation of Health Care Devices. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that certain of our solutions
are medical devices that are actively regulated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (Act) and amendments to
the Act. Other countries have similar regulations in place related to medical devices, that now or may in the future apply to
certain of our solutions. If other of our solutions are deemed to be actively regulated medical devices by the FDA or similar
regulatory agencies in countries where we do business, we could be subject to extensive requirements governing pre- and
33
post-marketing activities including pre-market notification clearance. Complying with these medical device regulations on a
global perspective is time consuming and expensive and could be subject to unanticipated and significant delays. Further,
it is possible that these regulatory agencies may become more active in regulating software and devices that are used in
health care. If we are unable to obtain the required regulatory approvals for any such solutions or health care devices, our
short and long term business plans for these solutions or health care devices could be delayed or canceled.
There have been eight FDA inspections at various Cerner sites since 2003. Inspections conducted at our World Headquarters
and Innovations Campus in 2010 resulted in the issuance of an FDA Form 483 observation to which we responded promptly.
The FDA has taken no further action with respect to the Form 483 observation that was issued in 2010. The remaining FDA
inspections, including inspections at our world headquarters in 2006, 2007 and 2014, resulted in no issuance of a Form 483.
We remain subject to periodic FDA inspections and we could be required to undertake additional actions to comply with the
Act and any other applicable regulatory requirements. Our failure to comply with the Act and any other applicable regulatory
requirements could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue to manufacture, distribute and deliver our solutions,
services and devices. The FDA has many enforcement tools including recalls, product corrections, seizures, injunctions,
refusal to grant pre-market clearance of products, civil fines and criminal prosecutions. Any of the foregoing could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Security and Privacy of Patient Information. U.S. federal, state and local and foreign laws regulate the confidentiality of
personal information, how that information may be used, and the circumstances under which such information may be
released. These regulations govern both the disclosure and use of confidential personal and patient medical record information
and require the users of such information to implement specified security and privacy measures. U.S. regulations currently
in place governing electronic health data transmissions continue to evolve and are often unclear and difficult to apply. Laws
in non-U.S. jurisdictions may have similar or even stricter requirements related to the treatment of personal or patient
information.
In the U.S., HIPAA regulations require national standards for some types of electronic health information transactions and
the data elements used in those transactions to ensure the integrity, security and confidentiality of health information and
standards to protect the privacy of individually identifiable health information. Covered entities under HIPAA, which include
health care organizations such as our clients, our employer clinic business model and our claims processing, transmission
and submission services, are required to comply with the privacy standards, the transaction regulations and the security
regulations. Moreover, the HITECH provisions of ARRA, and associated regulatory requirements, extend many of the HIPAA
obligations, formerly imposed only upon covered entities, to business associates as well. As a business associate of our
clients who are covered entities, we were in most instances already contractually required to ensure compliance with the
HIPAA regulations as they pertain to handling of covered client data. However, the extension of these HIPAA obligations to
business associates by law has created additional liability risks related to the privacy and security of individually identifiable
health information.
Evolving HIPAA and HITECH-related laws or regulations in the U.S. and data privacy and security laws or regulations in non-
U.S. jurisdictions could restrict the ability of our clients to obtain, use or disseminate patient information. This could adversely
affect demand for our solutions if they are not re-designed in a timely manner in order to meet the requirements of any new
interpretations or regulations that seek to protect the privacy and security of patient data or enable our clients to execute
new or modified health care transactions. We may need to expend additional capital, software development and other
resources to modify our solutions and devices to address these evolving data security and privacy issues. Furthermore, our
failure to maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements
could damage our reputation and expose us to claims, fines and penalties.
In Europe, we are subject to European Union (“EU”) data protection legislation, including the 1995 EU Directive on Data
Protection, which requires member states to impose minimum restrictions on the collection and use of personal data that, in
some respects, are more stringent, and impose more significant burdens on subject businesses, than current privacy standards
in the U.S. The EU directives establish several obligations that organizations must follow with respect to use of personal
data, including a prohibition on the transfer of personal information from the EU to other countries whose laws do not protect
personal data to an adequate level of privacy or security. In addition to this EU-wide legislation, certain member states have
adopted more stringent data protection standards. Cerner had addressed these requirements by certification to the U.S. -
EU and U.S. - Switzerland Safe Harbor Frameworks prior to such Frameworks being invalidated in October 2015 by the
European Court of Justice. Although negotiations between the U.S. and the EU to establish a successor to the Safe Harbor
Framework are underway, the outcome of those negotiations are uncertain. In the interim, we are pursuing alternative
methods of compliance, but those methods may be subject to scrutiny by data protection authorities in European member
states. On December 15, 2015, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (Council) reached a political
34
agreement on the future EU data protection legal framework. Subject to formal adoption by the European Parliament in 2016,
the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will replace the 1995 Data Protection Directive. Although the final text of
the GDPR has not yet been released, and minor modifications remain possible, it is expected that the regulation will have
significant impacts on how businesses can collect and process the personal data of EU individuals. The GDPR is expected
to become effective sometime in 2018, two years after its final adoption in 2016. The costs of compliance with, and other
burdens imposed by, such laws, regulations and policies, or modifications thereto, that are applicable to us may limit the use
and adoption of our solutions and could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Applicable statutes and regulations have granted broad enforcement powers to regulatory agencies to investigate and enforce
our compliance with these privacy and security laws and regulations. Governmental enforcement personnel, particularly in
the EU, have substantial funding, powers and remedies to pursue suspected or perceived violations. If we fail to comply
with any applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to civil penalties, sanctions or other liability. Enforcement
investigations, even if meritless, could have a negative impact on our reputation, cause us to lose existing clients or limit our
ability to attract new clients.
Interoperability Standards. Our clients are concerned with and often require that our software solutions and health care
devices be interoperable with other third party HCIT suppliers. Market forces or governmental/regulatory authorities could
create software interoperability standards that would apply to our solutions, health care devices or solutions, and if our
software solutions, health care devices or services are not consistent with those standards, we could be forced to incur
substantial additional development costs to conform. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
(ONC) has developed a comprehensive set of criteria for the functionality, interoperability and security of various software
modules in the HCIT industry. ONC, however, continues to modify and refine those standards. Achieving certification is
becoming a competitive requirement, resulting in increased software development and administrative expense to conform
to these requirements.
ARRA Meaningful Use Program. Various U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. government agencies are also developing
standards for the use of information technology that could become mandatory in connection with health care services that
are paid for by these agencies. For example, ARRA requires “meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology”
by health care providers in order to receive stimulus funds from the U.S. federal government. Regulations have been issued
that identify standards and implementation specifications and establish the certification standards for qualifying electronic
health record technology. Nevertheless, these standards and specifications are subject to interpretation by the entities
designated to certify such technology. While a combination of our solutions have been certified as meeting the Stage 1 and
Stage 2 standards for certified health record technology, the regulatory standards to achieve certification continue to evolve,
and we will face requirements in late 2016 and early 2017 to certify to the criteria edition applicable to Stage 3. We may incur
increased development costs and delays in delivering solutions as we need to update our software, devices or health care
devices to be in compliance with these varying and evolving standards. In addition, delays in interpreting these standards
may result in postponement or cancellation of our clients’ decisions to purchase our solutions or health care devices. If our
software solutions, devices or health care devices are not compliant with these evolving standards, our market position and
sales could be impaired and we may have to invest significantly in changes to our software solutions, devices or health care
devices. Further, we bear potential financial risks where we have entered into agreements with clients to warrant their ability
to meet future stage meaningful use certification requirements. While a client’s ability to meet future stage meaningful use
attestation requirements may be dependent on such client’s ability to adopt, rollout and attain sufficient use of our certified
solutions on a timely basis, we may face risks that come from issues in full adoption of our certified solutions, which in turn
could lead to a client missing its attestation targets. These risks are enhanced when we are under agreements to provide
application management services to our clients that place responsibilities on us for application configuration and
implementation as a prerequisite to or impactful to meaningful use attainment ordinarily borne by the client in other
circumstances.
We operate in intensely competitive and dynamic industries, and our ability to successfully compete and continue
to grow our business depends on our ability to respond quickly to market changes and changing technologies and
to bring competitive new solutions, devices, features and services to market in a timely fashion. The market for health
care information systems, health care solutions and services to the health care industry is intensely competitive, dynamically
evolving and subject to rapid technological and innovative changes. Development of new proprietary technology or services
is complex, entails significant time and expense and may not be successful. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to
introduce new solutions, devices or services on schedule, or at all, nor can we guarantee that such solutions, devices or
services will achieve market acceptance. Moreover, we cannot guarantee that errors will not be found in our new solution
releases, devices or services before or after commercial release, which could result in solution, device or service delivery
35
redevelopment costs, harm to our reputation, lost sales, license terminations or renegotiations, product liability claims,
diversion of resources to remedy errors and loss of, or delay in, market acceptance.
Certain of our competitors have greater financial, technical, product development, marketing or other resources than us and
some of our competitors offer software solutions, devices or services that we do not offer. Our principal existing competitors
are set forth above under Part I, Item 1 "Competition".
In addition, we expect that major software information systems companies, large information technology consulting service
providers and system integrators, start-up companies and others specializing in the health care industry may offer competitive
software solutions, devices or services. As we continue to develop new health care devices and services to address areas
such as analytics, transaction services, HCIT and device integration, revenue cycle and population health management, we
expect to face new competitors, and these competitors may have more experience in these markets and/or more established
relationships with prospective clients. We face strong competition and often face downward price pressure, which could
adversely affect our results of operations or liquidity. Additionally, the pace of change in the health care information systems
market is rapid and there are frequent new software solution introductions, software solution enhancements, device
introductions, device enhancements and evolving industry standards and requirements. There are a limited number of
hospitals and other health care providers in the U.S. market and in recent years, the health care industry has been subject
to increasing consolidation. If we are unable to recognize the impact of industry consolidation, falling costs and technological
advancements in a timely manner, or we are too inflexible to rapidly adjust our business models, our prospects and financial
results could be negatively affected materially.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our quarterly operating results may vary, which could adversely affect our stock price. Our quarterly operating results
have varied in the past and may continue to vary in future periods, including variations from guidance, expectations or
historical results or trends. Quarterly operating results may vary for a number of reasons including demand for our solutions,
devices and services, the financial condition of our current and potential clients, our long sales cycle, potentially long installation
and implementation cycles for larger, more complex systems, accounting policy changes and other factors described in this
section and elsewhere in this report. As a result of health care industry trends and the market for our solutions, a large
percentage of our revenues are generated by the sale and installation of larger, more complex and higher-priced systems.
The sales process for these systems is lengthy and involves a significant technical evaluation and commitment of capital
and other resources by the client. Sales may be subject to delays due to changes in clients’ internal budgets, procedures for
approving large capital expenditures, competing needs for other capital expenditures, additions or amendments to U.S.
federal, state or local regulations, availability of personnel resources or by actions taken by competitors. Delays in the expected
sale, installation or implementation of these large systems may have a significant negative impact on our anticipated quarterly
revenues and consequently our earnings, since a significant percentage of our expenses are relatively fixed.
Revenue recognized in any quarter may depend upon our or our clients’ abilities to meet project milestones. Delays in meeting
these milestone conditions or modification of the project plan could result in a shift of revenue recognition from one quarter
to another and could have a material adverse effect on results of operations for a particular quarter.
Our revenues from system sales historically have been lower in the first quarter of the year and greater in the fourth quarter
of the year, primarily as a result of clients’ year-end efforts to make final capital expenditures for the then-current year.
Our sales forecasts may vary from actual sales in a particular quarter. We use a “pipeline” system, a common industry
practice, to forecast sales and trends in our business. Our sales associates monitor the status of all sales opportunities, such
as the date when they estimate that a client will make a purchase decision and the potential dollar amount of the sale. These
estimates are aggregated periodically to generate a sales pipeline. We compare this pipeline at various points in time to
evaluate trends in our business. This analysis provides guidance in business planning and forecasting, but these pipeline
estimates are by their nature speculative. Our pipeline estimates are not necessarily reliable predictors of revenues in a
particular quarter or over a longer period of time, partially because of changes in the pipeline and in conversion rates of the
pipeline into contracts that can be very difficult to estimate. A negative variation in the expected conversion rate or timing of
the pipeline into contracts, or in the pipeline itself, could cause our plan or forecast to be inaccurate and thereby adversely
affect business results. For example, a slowdown in information technology spending, adverse economic conditions, new
U.S. federal, state or local regulations related to our industry or a variety of other factors can cause purchasing decisions to
be delayed, reduced in amount or cancelled, which would reduce the overall pipeline conversion rate in a particular period
of time. Because a substantial portion of our contracts are completed in the latter part of a quarter, we may not be able to
36
adjust our cost structure quickly enough in response to a revenue shortfall resulting from a decrease in our pipeline conversion
rate in any given fiscal quarter.
The trading price of our common stock may be volatile. The market for our common stock may experience significant
price and volume fluctuations in response to a number of factors including actual or anticipated variations in operating results,
articles or rumors about our performance or solutions, devices or services, announcements of technological innovations or
new services or products by our competitors or us, changes in expectations of future financial performance or estimates of
securities analysts, governmental regulatory action, health care reform measures, client relationship developments, economic
conditions and changes occurring in the securities markets in general and other factors, many of which are beyond our
control. For instance, our quarterly operating results have varied in the past and may continue to vary in future periods, due
to a number of reasons including, but not limited to, demand for our solutions, devices and services, the financial condition
of our current and potential clients, our long sales cycle, potentially long installation and implementation cycles for larger,
more complex and higher-priced systems, key management changes, accounting policy changes and other factors described
herein. As a matter of policy, we do not generally comment on our stock price or rumors.
Furthermore, the stock market in general, and the markets for software, health care devices, other health care solutions and
services and information technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that often has been unrelated
to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect
the trading price of our common stock, regardless of actual operating performance.
Our Directors have authority to issue preferred stock and our corporate governance documents contain anti-takeover
provisions. Our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine
the preferences, rights and privileges of those shares without any further vote or action by the shareholders. The rights of
the holders of common stock may be harmed by rights granted to the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in
the future and issuances of preferred stock could be used to delay or hinder a change of control of the Company.
In addition, some provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer
to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock or otherwise effect a change of control of the Company. These include
provisions that provide for a classified board of directors, require advance notice of stockholder proposals at stockholder
meetings, prohibit shareholders from taking action by written consent and restrict the ability of shareholders to call special
meetings. We are also subject to provisions of Delaware law that prohibit us from engaging in any business combination
with any interested shareholder for a period of three years from the date the person became an interested shareholder,
unless certain conditions are met, which could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control.
Cautions about Forward-looking Statements
Statements made in this report, the Annual Report to Shareholders of which this report is made a part, other reports and
proxy statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), communications to shareholders, press releases
and oral statements made by representatives of the Company that are not historical in nature, or that state the Company’s
or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, plans, goals or predictions of future events or performance, may
constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements can often
be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "could," "should," "will," "intended," "continue," "believe,"
"may," "expect," "hope," "anticipate," "goal," "forecast," "plan," "guidance," "opportunity," "prospects" or "estimate" or the
negative of these words, variations thereof or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. It is important to note that any such performance
and actual results, financial condition or business, could differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this
Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere herein or in other reports filed with the SEC. Other unforeseen factors not identified
herein could also have such an effect. Any forward-looking statements made in this report speak only as of the date of this
report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect
changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial condition or
business over time.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None
37
Item 2. Properties
Our properties consist mainly of owned and leased office and data center facilities.
Our corporate world headquarters is located in a Company-owned office park (the Headquarters Campus) in North Kansas
City, Missouri. The Headquarters Campus and two other nearby locations, collectively contain approximately 2.22 million
gross square feet of useable space situated on 278 acres of land. The Headquarters Campus and the nearby properties
primarily house office space, but also include space for other business needs, such as our Healthe Clinic and our Headquarters
Campus data centers.
Company-owned office space, known as the Innovation Campus, houses associates from our intellectual property
organization and consists of 830,000 gross square feet of useable space located in Kansas City, Missouri.
Owned office space known as the Continuous Campus, houses associates who manage and support our clients' IT systems
and consists of 650,000 gross square feet of useable space located in Kansas City, Kansas.
In connection with our acquisition of Siemens Health Services on February 2, 2015, we acquired approximately 110 acres
of property in Malvern, Pennsylvania. This property includes approximately 675,000 gross square feet of office space, and
a 100,000 square foot data center.
Our Cerner-operated data center facilities, which are used to provide remote hosting, disaster recovery and other services
to our clients, are located at the Headquarters Campus and newly purchased office space in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, known
as the Lee's Summit Tech Center. The Lee's Summit Tech Center consists of 550,000 gross square feet and houses data
center space and certain third-party tenants in a multi-tenant office building.
We have purchased approximately 286 acres of land located in Kansas City, Missouri. This property, known as the Trails
Campus, was acquired as a site for future office space development to further accommodate our anticipated growth.
Construction on the Trails Campus began in November 2014. The first two phases of the project are expected to include
approximately 985,000 gross square feet of office and warehouse space, and are expected to be complete in the second
quarter of 2017.
As of the end of 2015, we leased additional domestic office space in the following locations:
Brooklyn, New York
Burlington, Vermont
Carlsbad, California
Columbia, Missouri
Costa Mesa, California
Culver City, California
Denver, Colorado
Downington, Pennsylvania
Durham, North Carolina
Franklin, Tennessee
Garden Grove, California
Kansas City, Missouri
Mason, Ohio
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nevada, Missouri
New Concord, Ohio
New York, New York
North Kansas City, Missouri
Rochester, Minnesota
Salt Lake City, Utah
Tempe, Arizona
Waltham, Massachusetts
Yardley, Pennsylvania
38
Globally, we also leased office space in the following locations:
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Augsburg, Germany
Bangalore, India
Berlin, Germany
Brasov, Romania
Brisbane, Australia
Cairo, Egypt
Doha, Qatar
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dublin, Ireland
Erlangen, Germany
Essen, Germany
Frankfurt, Germany
Getafe, Spain
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Gmund, Austria
Gothenburg, Sweden
Hamburg, Germany
Idstein, Germany
Kolkata, India
Kosice, Slovakia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Lisbon, Portugal
London, England
Madrid, Spain
Malmo, Sweden
Melbourne, Australia
Murcia, Spain
Oslo, Norway
Oviedo, Spain
Paris, France
Perth, Australia
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Singapore
St. Wolfgang, Germany
Sydney, Australia
The Hague, Netherlands
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Upplands Vasby, Sweden
Vienna, Austria
We are not a party to and none of our property is subject to any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary
routine litigation incidental to our business.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
39
Part II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select MarketSM under the symbol CERN. The following table sets forth
the high, low and last sales prices for the fiscal quarters of 2015 and 2014 as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
High
2015
Low
Last
High
2014
Low
$
$
74.83
75.72
75.00
68.31
$
63.19
65.67
57.42
55.82
72.77
68.48
61.34
60.17
$
$
63.07
56.94
60.07
66.45
$
51.65
48.39
50.30
55.75
Last
56.15
51.27
58.66
65.03
At February 12, 2016, there were approximately 960 owners of record. To date, we have paid no cash dividends and we do
not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We believe it is in the shareholders’ best interest for us to reinvest
funds in the operation of the business.
The following table provides information with respect to Common Stock purchases by the Company during the fourth fiscal
quarter of 2015:
Period
October 4, 2015 - October 31, 2015
November 1, 2015 - November 28, 2015
November 29, 2015 - January 2, 2016
Total
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased (a)
Average Price
Paid per Share
—
2,481,853
8,868
2,490,721
$
$
—
58.40
59.94
58.41
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (b)
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
That May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs (b)
— $
2,481,853
—
2,481,853
145,000,000
—
—
(a) Of the 2,490,721 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, presented on the table above, 8,868 were originally granted to employees
as restricted stock pursuant to our 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the Omnibus Plan). The Omnibus Plan allows for the withholding of shares
to satisfy minimum tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock. Pursuant to the Omnibus Plan, the shares reflected above were
relinquished by employees in exchange for our agreement to pay U.S. federal and state withholding obligations resulting from the vesting of the
Company’s restricted stock.
(b) As announced on September 8, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for an aggregate purchase of up to
$245 million of our common stock, excluding transaction costs. During 2015, the Company repurchased 4.1 million shares for total consideration
of $245 million pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan. As of January 2, 2016, the program was complete.
See Part III, Item 12 for information relating to securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans.
40
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
(In thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues
Operating earnings
Earnings before income taxes
Net earnings
Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
Balance Sheet Data:
2015
(1)(2)
2014
(1)(3)
2013
(1)(4)
2012
(1)
2011
(1)
$ 4,425,267
781,136
781,380
539,362
$ 3,402,703
763,084
774,174
525,433
$ 2,910,748
576,012
588,054
398,354
$ 2,665,436
571,662
587,708
397,232
$ 2,203,153
459,798
469,694
306,627
1.57
1.54
1.54
1.50
1.16
1.13
1.16
1.13
0.91
0.88
343,178
350,908
342,150
350,386
343,636
352,281
341,861
351,394
337,267
347,734
Working capital
Total assets
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excl. current
installments
Shareholders' equity
$ 1,049,967
5,561,984
$ 1,714,471
4,530,565
$ 1,121,276
4,098,364
$ 1,210,394
3,704,468
$ 1,063,593
3,000,358
563,353
3,870,384
62,868
3,565,968
111,717
3,167,664
136,557
2,833,650
86,821
2,310,681
(1)
Includes share-based compensation expense. The impact of this expense is as follows:
(In thousands, except share data)
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Total share-based compensation expense
Amount of related income tax benefit
Net impact on earnings
Decrease to diluted earnings per share
$
$
$
74,926
(23,435)
51,491
0.15
$
$
$
62,965
(22,101)
40,864
0.12
$
$
$
48,954
(18,607)
30,347
0.09
$
$
$
38,112
(14,578)
23,534
0.07
$
$
$
29,479
(11,256)
18,223
0.05
(2)
Includes pre-tax charges for amortization of acquisition-related intangibles of $79 million and acquisition costs and related adjustments of $46
million, both associated with our acquisition and integration of the Cerner Health Services business, as well as costs related to our voluntary
separation plan of $46 million.
(3)
Includes $16 million of pre-tax acquisition costs and related adjustments associated with our acquisition of the Cerner Health Services business.
(4)
Includes a pre-tax settlement charge of $106 million, as further described in Note 10 of the notes to consolidated financial statements.
41
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is intended to help the reader understand our results of
operations and financial condition. This MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our
financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (Notes).
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2015 and 2013 each consisted of 52 weeks and
ended on January 2, 2016 and December 28, 2013, respectively. Fiscal year 2014 consisted of 53 weeks and ended on
January 3, 2015. The additional week in fiscal 2014 impacts the results of operations discussion below. All references to
years in this MD&A represent fiscal years unless otherwise noted.
Management Overview
Our revenues are primarily derived by selling, implementing and supporting software solutions, clinical content, hardware,
devices and services that give health care providers secure access to clinical, administrative and financial data in real or
near-real time, helping them to improve quality, safety and efficiency in the delivery of health care.
Our fundamental strategic focus is the creation of organic growth by investing in research and development (R&D) to create
solutions and services for the health care industry. This strategy has driven strong growth over the long-term, as reflected
in five- and ten-year compound annual revenue growth rates of 14% or more. This growth has also created an important
strategic footprint in health care, with Cerner® solutions in more than 20,000 facilities worldwide, including hospitals, physician
practices, laboratories, ambulatory centers, behavioral health centers, cardiac facilities, radiology clinics, surgery centers,
extended care facilities, retail pharmacies, and employer sites. Selling additional solutions back into this client base is an
important element of our future revenue growth. We are also focused on driving growth through market share expansion by
strategically aligning with health care providers that have not yet selected a supplier and by displacing competitors in health
care settings that are looking to replace their current supplier. We may also supplement organic growth with acquisitions.
We expect to drive growth through solutions and services that reflect our ongoing ability to innovate and expand our reach
into health care. Examples of these include our CareAware® health care device architecture and devices, Cerner ITWorks
services, revenue cycle solutions and services, and population health solutions and services. Finally, we believe there is
significant opportunity for growth outside of the United States, with many non-U.S. markets focused on health care information
technology as part of their strategy to improve the quality and lower the cost of health care.
Beyond our strategy for driving revenue growth, we are also focused on earnings growth. Similar to our history of growing
revenue, our net earnings have increased at compound annual rates of 17% or more over the most recent five- and ten-year
periods. We expect to drive continued earnings growth through ongoing revenue growth coupled with margin expansion,
which we expect to achieve through efficiencies in our implementation and operational processes and by leveraging R&D
investments and controlling general and administrative expenses.
We are also focused on continuing to deliver strong levels of cash flow, which we expect to do by continuing to grow earnings
and prudently managing capital expenditures.
Siemens Health Services
On February 2, 2015, we acquired substantially all of the assets, and assumed certain liabilities of Siemens AG's health
information technology business unit, Siemens Health Services, as further described in Note (2) of the notes to consolidated
financial statements. The acquired business (now referred to as "Cerner Health Services") offers a portfolio of enterprise-
level clinical and financial health care information technology solutions, as well as departmental, connectivity, population
health, and care coordination solutions globally. Solutions are offered on the Soarian, Invision, and i.s.h.med platforms,
among others. Cerner Health Services also offers a range of complementary services including support, hosting, managed
services, implementation services, and strategic consulting.
We believe the acquisition enhances our organic growth opportunities as it provides us a larger base into which we can sell
our combined portfolio of solutions and services. The acquisition also augments our non-U.S. footprint and growth
opportunities, increases our scale for R&D investment, and adds over 5,000 highly-skilled associates that will enhance our
capabilities.
42
The addition of this business has a significant impact on the comparability of our 2015 consolidated financial statements in
relation to the comparative periods presented herein.
Results Overview
The Company delivered strong levels of bookings, revenues, earnings and operating cash flows in 2015.
New business bookings revenue in 2015, which reflects the value of executed contracts for software, hardware, professional
services and managed services, was $5.4 billion, which is an increase of 28% compared to $4.3 billion in 2014.
Revenues for 2015 increased 30% to $4.4 billion compared to $3.4 billion in 2014. Our fiscal year 2015 revenues include
approximately $930 million attributable to the acquired Cerner Health Services business. The remaining year-over-year
increase in revenue reflects ongoing demand for Cerner's core solutions and services driven by our clients' needs to keep
up with regulatory requirements; contributions from Cerner ITWorks and revenue cycle solutions and services; and attaining
new clients.
Our 2015 net earnings were $539 million compared to $525 million in 2014. Diluted earnings per share were $1.54 in 2015
compared to $1.50 in 2014. Disclosure of the earnings contribution from the Cerner Health Services business is not practicable,
as we have already integrated operations in many areas. The overall increase in net earnings and diluted earnings per share
was primarily a result of increased revenues, partially offset by elevated operating expenses, which included costs associated
with the acquisition and integration of the Cerner Health Services business, and our voluntary separation plan, as discussed
further below.
The 2015 and 2014 net earnings and diluted earnings per share reflect the impact of stock-based compensation expense.
The effect of these expenses reduced the 2015 net earnings and diluted earnings per share by $51 million and $0.15,
respectively, and the 2014 net earnings and diluted earnings per share by $41 million and $0.12, respectively.
The 2015 net earnings and diluted earnings per share also reflect the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangibles
and acquisition costs and related adjustments, both associated with our acquisition and integration of the Cerner Health
Services business, as well as costs related to the voluntary separation plan, as further described in Note (1) of the notes to
consolidated financial statements. Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles related to the Cerner Health Services
business reduced 2015 net earnings and diluted earnings per share by $54 million and $0.15, respectively. Acquisition costs
and related adjustments related to the Cerner Health Services business reduced 2015 net earnings and diluted earnings per
share by $31 million and $0.09, respectively. Costs related to the voluntary separation plan reduced net earnings and diluted
earnings per share by $31 million and $0.09, respectively.
The 2014 net earnings and diluted earnings per share also reflect the impact of acquisition costs and related adjustments
associated with our acquisition of the Cerner Health Services business, which reduced net earnings and diluted earnings
per share by $10 million and $0.03, respectively.
We had cash collections of receivables of $4.4 billion in 2015 compared to $3.5 billion in 2014. Days sales outstanding was
80 days for the 2015 fourth quarter compared to 85 days for the 2015 third quarter and 66 days for the 2014 fourth quarter.
Operating cash flows for 2015 were strong at $948 million compared to $847 million in 2014.
Health Care Information Technology Market Outlook
We have provided an assessment of the health care information technology market under “Health Care and Health Care IT
Industry” in Part I, Item 1 "Business," which is incorporated herein by reference.
43
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014
(In thousands)
Revenues
System sales
Support and maintenance
Services
Reimbursed travel
Total revenues
Costs of revenue
Costs of revenue
Total margin
Operating expenses
Sales and client service
Software development
General and administrative
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles
Total operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Operating earnings
Other income, net
Income taxes
Net earnings
Revenues & Backlog
2015
% of
Revenue
2014
% of
Revenue
%
Change
$ 1,281,890
975,701
2,094,874
72,802
29% $
22%
47%
2%
945,858
724,840
1,642,119
89,886
28%
21%
48%
3%
4,425,267
100%
3,402,703
100%
750,781
3,674,486
1,838,600
539,799
423,424
91,527
2,893,350
3,644,131
781,136
244
(242,018)
17%
83%
42%
12%
10%
2%
65%
82%
18%
604,377
2,798,326
1,395,568
392,805
233,393
13,476
2,035,242
2,639,619
763,084
11,090
(248,741)
18%
82%
41%
12%
7%
—%
60%
78%
22%
36 %
35 %
28 %
(19)%
30 %
24 %
31 %
32 %
37 %
81 %
579 %
42 %
38 %
2 %
$
539,362
$
525,433
3 %
Revenues increased 30% to $4.4 billion in 2015, as compared to $3.4 billion in 2014.
•
•
•
System sales, which include revenues from the sale of licensed software (including perpetual license sales and
software as a service), technology resale (hardware, devices, and sublicensed software), deployment period
licensed software upgrade rights, installation fees, transaction processing and subscriptions, increased 36% to
$1.3 billion in 2015 from $946 million in 2014. The increase in system sales was primarily driven by contributions
from the Cerner Health Services business.
Support and maintenance revenues increased 35% to $976 million in 2015 compared to $725 million in 2014.
This increase was primarily attributable to contributions from the Cerner Health Services business.
Services revenue, which includes professional services, excluding installation, and managed services, increased
28% to $2.1 billion in 2015 from $1.6 billion in 2014. This increase was driven by contributions from the Cerner
Health Services business.
Revenue backlog, which reflects contracted revenue that has not yet been recognized as revenue, increased 34% to
$14.2 billion in 2015 compared to $10.6 billion in 2014. This increase was driven by growth in new business bookings
during the past four quarters, including continued strong levels of managed services, Cerner ITWorks and Cerner revenue
cycle services bookings that typically have longer contract terms, coupled with contributions from the Cerner Health
Services business.
44
Costs of Revenue
Cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues was 17% in 2015 compared to 18% in 2014. The lower cost of revenues
as a percent of revenue was primarily driven by a lower mix of technology resale, which carries a higher cost of revenue.
Cost of revenues includes the cost of reimbursed travel expense, sales commissions, third party consulting services and
subscription content and computer hardware, devices and sublicensed software purchased from manufacturers for delivery
to clients. It also includes the cost of hardware maintenance and sublicensed software support subcontracted to the
manufacturers. Such costs, as a percent of revenues, typically have varied as the mix of revenue (software, hardware,
devices, maintenance, support, services and reimbursed travel) carrying different margin rates changes from period to
period. Cost of revenues does not include the costs of our client service personnel who are responsible for delivering our
service offerings. Such costs are included in sales and client service expense.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased 42% to $2.9 billion in 2015, compared with $2.0 billion in 2014.
•
•
Sales and client service expenses as a percent of total revenues were 42% in 2015, compared to 41% in 2014.
These expenses increased 32% to $1.8 billion in 2015, from $1.4 billion in 2014. Sales and client service expenses
include salaries and benefits of sales, marketing, support, and services personnel, depreciation and other
expenses associated with our managed service business, communications expenses, unreimbursed travel
expenses, expense for share-based payments, and trade show and advertising costs. The increase was primarily
driven by the addition of the Cerner Health Services business.
Software development expenses as a percent of revenue were 12% in 2015 and 2014. Expenditures for software
development reflect ongoing development and enhancement of the Cerner Millennium and HealtheIntent
platforms, with a focus on supporting key initiatives to enhance physician experience, revenue cycle and population
health solutions. Software development expenses in 2015 also include expenditures related to Cerner Health
Services solutions. A summary of our total software development expense in 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
(In thousands)
Software development costs
Capitalized software costs
Capitalized costs related to share-based payments
Amortization of capitalized software costs
Total software development expense
For the Years Ended
2015
2014
$ 685,260
(262,177)
(2,479)
119,195
$ 467,158
(175,262)
(2,538)
103,447
$ 539,799
$ 392,805
• General and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues were 10% in 2015, compared to 7% in 2014.
These expenses increased 81% to $423 million in 2015, from $233 million in 2014. General and administrative
expenses include salaries and benefits for corporate, financial and administrative staffs, utilities, communications
expenses, professional fees, depreciation and amortization, transaction gains or losses on foreign currency,
expense for share-based payments, acquisition costs and related adjustments. The increase in general and
administrative expenses was primarily driven by the addition of the Cerner Health Services business. General
and administrative expenses in 2015 and 2014 include acquisition costs and related adjustments associated with
our Cerner Health Services business of $46 million and $16 million, respectively. General and administrative
expenses in 2015 also include $46 million of costs associated with our voluntary separation plan. We expect
acquisition costs and related adjustments to significantly decline in future periods. At the end of 2015, our voluntary
separation plan was complete. Refer to Note (1) of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further detail
regarding the voluntary separation plan.
•
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles increased 579% to $92 million in 2015, from $13 million in 2014.
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles includes the amortization of customer relationships, acquired
technology, trade names, and non-compete agreements recorded in connection with our business acquisitions.
The increase in amortization of acquisition-related intangibles was driven by the acquisition of the Cerner Health
Services business in the first quarter of 2015. Refer to Note (2) of the notes to consolidated financial statements
for further detail regarding intangible assets recorded in connection with our acquisition of the Cerner Health
Services business.
45
Non-Operating Items
• Other income was less than $1 million in 2015 compared to $11 million in 2014. This decline is primarily due to
increased interest expense as a result of the issuance of Senior Notes in January 2015, as further discussed in
Note (9) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. Interest income also declined in 2015 due to lower
average investment balances throughout the year. Refer to Note (11) of the notes to consolidated financial
statements for further detail on the composition of other income.
• Our effective tax rate was 31% in 2015 compared to 32% in 2014. The rates include net favorable permanent
differences recognized in both periods. Refer to Note (12) of the notes to consolidated financial statements for
further information regarding our effective tax rate.
The research and development credit expired on December 31, 2013, but in the fourth quarter of 2014, was
retroactively reinstated from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. We recognized the research and development
tax credit related to 2014 in the fourth quarter of 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the research and development
credit was made permanent for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2014. We recognized the research
and development tax credit related to 2015 in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Operations by Segment
We have two operating segments: Domestic and Global. The Domestic segment includes revenue contributions and
expenditures associated with business activity in the United States. The Global segment includes revenue contributions
and expenditures linked to business activity in Aruba, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile,
Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Guam, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Arab
Emirates. Refer to Note (18) of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our
reportable segments.
The following table presents a summary of our operating segment information for the years ended 2015 and 2014:
(In thousands)
Domestic Segment
Revenues
Costs of revenue
Operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Domestic operating earnings
Global Segment
Revenues
Costs of revenue
Operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Global operating earnings
Other, net
Consolidated operating earnings
Domestic Segment
2015
% of
Revenue
2014
% of
Revenue
%
Change
$ 3,904,454
651,826
1,577,594
2,229,420
100%
17%
40%
57%
$ 3,021,790
542,210
1,163,413
1,705,623
100%
18%
39%
56%
1,675,034
43%
1,316,167
44%
520,813
98,955
233,047
332,002
100%
19%
45%
64%
380,913
62,167
182,965
245,132
100%
16%
48%
64%
188,811
36%
135,781
36%
(1,082,709)
(688,864)
$
781,136
$
763,084
29%
20%
36%
31%
27%
37%
59%
27%
35%
39%
57%
2%
•
•
Revenues increased 29% to $3.9 billion in 2015 from $3.0 billion in 2014. This increase was primarily driven by
contributions from the Cerner Health Services business.
Cost of revenues was 17% of revenues in 2015 compared to 18% in 2014. The lower cost of revenues as a
percent of revenue was primarily driven by a lower mix of technology resale, which carries a higher cost of revenue.
46
• Operating expenses were 40% of revenues in 2015 compared to 39% in 2014. The slight increase as a percent
of revenues was primarily driven by the addition of the Cerner Health Services business.
Global Segment
•
•
Revenues increased 37% to $521 million in 2015 from $381 million in 2014. This increase was driven by
contributions from the Cerner Health Services business.
Cost of revenues was 19% of revenues in 2015 compared to 16% of revenues in 2014. The higher cost of
revenues in 2015 was primarily driven by a higher amount of third party resources utilized for support and services.
• Operating expenses increased 27% to $233 million in 2015 from $183 million in 2014, due primarily to the addition
of the Cerner Health Services business.
Other, net
Operating results not attributed to an operating segment include expenses, such as software development, general and
administrative expenses, acquisition costs and related adjustments, share-based compensation expense, and certain
amortization and depreciation. These expenses increased 57% to $1.1 billion in 2015 from $689 million in 2014. This
increase is primarily due to the addition of corporate and development personnel from our acquisition of the Cerner Health
Services business. Additionally, 2015 includes amortization of acquisition-related intangibles associated with our Cerner
Health Services business, acquisition costs and related adjustments, and costs related to our voluntary separation plan
of $79 million, $46 million, and $46 million, respectively. Our 2014 fiscal year includes acquisition costs and related
adjustments of $16 million.
Fiscal Year 2014 Compared to Fiscal Year 2013
(In thousands)
Revenues
System sales
Support and maintenance
Services
Reimbursed travel
Total revenues
Costs of revenue
Costs of revenue
Total margin
Operating expenses
Sales and client service
Software development
General and administrative
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles
Total operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Operating earnings
Other income, net
Income taxes
Net earnings
2014
% of
Revenue
2013
% of
Revenue
%
Change
$
945,858
724,840
1,642,119
89,886
28% $
21%
48%
3%
847,809
661,979
1,330,851
70,109
29%
23%
46%
2%
3,402,703
100%
2,910,748
100%
604,377
2,798,326
1,395,568
392,805
233,393
13,476
2,035,242
2,639,619
763,084
11,090
(248,741)
18%
82%
41%
12%
7%
—%
60%
78%
22%
514,722
2,396,026
1,173,051
338,786
295,383
12,794
1,820,014
2,334,736
576,012
12,042
(189,700)
18%
82%
40%
12%
10%
—%
63%
80%
20%
12 %
9 %
23 %
28 %
17 %
17 %
17 %
19 %
16 %
(21)%
5 %
12 %
13 %
32 %
$
525,433
$
398,354
32 %
47
Revenues & Backlog
Revenues increased 17% to $3.4 billion in 2014, as compared to $2.9 billion in 2013.
•
•
•
System sales increased 12% to $946 million in 2014 from $848 million in 2013. The increase in system sales
was primarily driven by strong growth in software and subscriptions of $65 million and $23 million, respectively.
Support and maintenance revenues increased 9% to $725 million in 2014 compared to $662 million in 2013. This
increase was attributable to continued success at selling Cerner Millennium applications and implementing them
at client sites.
Services revenue increased 23% to $1.6 billion in 2014 from $1.3 billion in 2013. This increase was driven by
growth in CernerWorks managed services of $70 million as a result of continued demand for our hosting services
and a $241 million increase in professional services due to increased implementation and consulting activities.
Revenue backlog increased 19% to $10.6 billion in 2014 compared to $8.9 billion in 2013. This increase was driven by
growth in new business bookings during the past four quarters, including continued strong levels of managed services,
Cerner ITWorks and Cerner revenue cycle services bookings that typically have longer contract terms.
Costs of Revenue
Cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues was 18% of total revenues in both 2014 and 2013.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased 12% to $2.0 billion in 2014, compared with $1.8 billion in 2013.
•
•
Sales and client service expenses as a percent of total revenues were 41% in 2014, compared to 40% in 2013.
These expenses increased 19% to $1.4 billion in 2014, from $1.2 billion in 2013. The increase as a percent of
revenue reflects a higher mix of services during the period that was driven by strong services revenue growth.
Software development expenses as a percent of revenue were 12% in 2014 and 2013. Expenditures for software
development reflect ongoing development and enhancement of the Cerner Millennium and HealtheIntent
platforms, with a focus on supporting key initiatives to enhance physician experience, revenue cycle, and
population health solutions. A summary of our total software development expense in 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
(In thousands)
Software development costs
Capitalized software costs
Capitalized costs related to share-based payments
Amortization of capitalized software costs
Total software development expense
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
$ 467,158
(175,262)
(2,538)
103,447
$ 418,747
(172,211)
(2,438)
94,688
$ 392,805
$ 338,786
• General and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues were 7% in 2014, compared to 10% in 2013.
These expenses decreased 21% to $233 million in 2014 from $295 million in 2013. The 2013 amount includes
a $106 million settlement charge, as further described in Note (10) of our notes to consolidated financial statements.
The decrease of $62 million was primarily driven by the 2013 settlement charge, offset by $16 million of acquisition
costs related to the acquisition of Siemens Health Services and a $15 million increase in corporate personnel
costs, as we increased such personnel to support our overall revenue growth.
•
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles was approximately $13 million in both 2014 and 2013.
Non-Operating Items
• Other income was $11 million in 2014 and $12 million in 2013. Refer to Note (11) of the notes to consolidated
financial statements for further detail on the composition of other income.
48
• Our effective tax rate was 32% in both 2014 and 2013. The rates include net favorable permanent differences
recognized in both periods. Refer to Note (12) of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further
information regarding our effective tax rate.
Operations by Segment
The following table presents a summary of our operating segment information for the years ended 2014 and 2013:
(In thousands)
Domestic Segment
Revenues
Costs of revenue
Operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Domestic operating earnings
Global Segment
Revenues
Costs of revenue
Operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Global operating earnings
Other, net
2014
% of
Revenue
2013
% of
Revenue
%
Change
$ 3,021,790
542,210
1,163,413
1,705,623
100%
18%
39%
56%
$ 2,550,115
458,540
977,334
1,435,874
100%
18%
38%
56%
1,316,167
44%
1,114,241
44%
380,913
62,167
182,965
245,132
100%
16%
48%
64%
360,633
56,182
155,093
211,275
100%
16%
43%
59%
135,781
36%
149,358
41%
(688,864)
(687,587)
18%
18%
19%
19%
18%
6%
11%
18%
16%
(9)%
—%
32%
Consolidated operating earnings
$
763,084
$
576,012
Domestic Segment
•
•
Revenues increased 18% to $3.0 billion in 2014 from $2.6 billion in the same period in 2013. This increase was
driven by growth across most of our business.
Cost of revenues was 18% of revenues in both 2014 and 2013.
• Operating expenses increased 19% to $1.2 billion in 2014, from $977 million in 2013, due primarily to an increase
in personnel expenses.
Global Segment
•
•
Revenues increased 6% to $381 million in 2014 from $361 million in 2013. This increase was primarily driven by
increases in managed services and professional services of $11 million and $13 million, respectively, partially
offset by a decline in software revenues of $7 million.
Cost of revenues was 16% of revenues in 2014 and 2013.
• Operating expenses increased 18% to $183 million in 2014 from $155 million in 2013, due primarily to increases
in personnel expense and bad debt expense of $14 million and $7 million, respectively.
Other, net
These expenses were $689 million in 2014 compared to $688 million in 2013. The 2013 amount includes a $106 million
settlement charge, as further described in Note (10) of our notes to consolidated financial statements. The 2013 settlement
charge was offset primarily by increases in personnel expenses and acquisition costs of $57 million and $16 million,
respectively, in 2014.
49
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity is influenced by many factors, including the amount and timing of our revenues, our cash collections from our
clients and the amount we invest in software development, acquisitions and capital expenditures.
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash, cash equivalents, which primarily consist of money market funds and time
deposits with original maturities of less than 90 days, and short-term investments. At the end of 2015, we had cash and cash
equivalents of $402 million and short-term investments of $111 million, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $635
million and short-term investments of $786 million at the end of 2014. We utilized a large amount of cash and investments
to fund the acquisition of the Cerner Health Services business in February 2015.
The non-U.S. subsidiaries for which we have elected to indefinitely reinvest earnings outside the U.S. held approximately
35% of our aggregate cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at January 2, 2016. As part of our current business
strategy, we plan to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of these foreign operations; however, should the earnings of these
foreign operations be repatriated, we would accrue and pay tax on such earnings, which may be material.
We maintain a $100 million multi-year revolving credit facility, which expires in October 2020. The facility provides an unsecured
revolving line of credit for working capital purposes, which includes a letter of credit facility. We have the ability to increase
the maximum capacity to $200 million at any time during the facility's term, subject to lender participation. As of the end of
2015, we had no outstanding borrowings under this facility; however, we had $16 million of outstanding letters of credit, which
reduced our available borrowing capacity to $84 million. Refer to Note (9) of the notes to consolidated financial statements
for additional information regarding our credit facility.
We believe that our present cash position, together with cash generated from operations, short-term investments and, if
necessary, our available line of credit, will be sufficient to meet anticipated cash requirements during 2016.
The following table summarizes our cash flows in 2015, 2014 and 2013:
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Total change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)
Cash from Operating Activities
(In thousands)
Cash collections from clients
Cash paid to employees and suppliers and other
Cash paid for interest
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds
Total cash from operations
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 947,526
(1,405,943)
236,249
(10,913)
(233,081)
$ 847,027
(284,567)
(120,324)
(9,310)
432,826
$ 695,865
(688,429)
(119,389)
(2,790)
(114,743)
635,203
202,377
317,120
$ 402,122
$ 635,203
$ 202,377
$ 320,738
$ 392,643
$ 168,339
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 4,419,650
(3,340,551)
(13,164)
(118,409)
$ 3,480,591
(2,483,559)
(5,682)
(144,323)
$ 3,050,633
(2,172,418)
(6,973)
(175,377)
$ 947,526
$ 847,027
$ 695,865
Cash flow from operations increased $100 million in 2015 compared to 2014, due primarily to an increase in cash impacting
earnings. Operating cash flows in 2015 include payments in connection with our voluntary separation program and acquisition
and related costs associated with our acquisition of the Cerner Health Services business of $46 million and $46 million,
respectively. Operating cash flows in 2014 included payments in connection with our acquisition of the Cerner Health Services
business of $16 million. Disclosure of the operating cash flow contribution from the Cerner Health Services business is not
50
practicable, as we have already integrated operations in many areas. Cash flow from operations increased $151 million in
2014 compared to 2013, due primarily to 2013 including a payment related to the previously mentioned settlement charge,
along with an increase in 2014 of cash impacting earnings. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we received total client cash
collections of $4.4 billion, $3.5 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. Days sales outstanding was 80 days in the fourth quarter
of 2015, compared to 85 days for the 2015 third quarter and 66 days for the 2014 fourth quarter. Revenues provided under
support and maintenance agreements represent recurring cash flows. We expect these revenues to continue to grow as the
base of installed systems grows.
Cash from Investing Activities
(In thousands)
Capital purchases
Capitalized software development costs
Sales and maturities of investments, net of purchases
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
Purchases of other intangibles
Total cash flows from investing activities
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ (362,132) $ (276,584) $ (352,877)
(174,649)
(36,221)
(67,877)
(56,805)
(264,656)
720,406
(1,478,129)
(21,432)
(177,800)
190,810
(7,476)
(13,517)
$(1,405,943) $ (284,567) $ (688,429)
Cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of capital spending, short-term investment, and acquisition activities.
Our capital spending in 2015 was driven by capitalized equipment purchases primarily to support growth in our CernerWorks
managed services business, investments in a cloud infrastructure to support cloud-based solutions, building and improvement
purchases to support our facilities requirements and capitalized spending to support our ongoing software development
initiatives. Total capital spending is expected to increase in 2016 in excess of $100 million, primarily driven by an increase
in spending on our Trails Campus and ongoing investments in growth initiatives.
Short-term investment activity historically consists of the investment of cash generated by our business in excess of what is
necessary to fund operations. The 2014 activity is impacted by a change in investment mix, whereas we invested more
heavily in cash equivalents versus short-term and long-term investments, as we prepared to fund our acquisition of the Cerner
Health Services business in February 2015. The increase in net cash from investments in 2015 is due to the use of proceeds
from additional investment sales and maturities to partially fund our acquisition of the Cerner Health Services business. We
expect 2016 to reflect net purchases of investments, as we expect strong levels of cash flow.
During 2015, we paid cash to acquire the Cerner Health Services business and the Lee's Summit Tech Center of $1.39 billion
and $85 million, respectively. In 2014, we acquired 100% of the outstanding membership interests of InterMedHx, LLC for
$7 million. In 2013, we acquired the net assets of Kaufman & Keen, LLC (doing business as PureWellness) and 100% of
the outstanding stock of Labotix Corporation for an aggregate of $68 million, net of cash acquired. We expect to continue
seeking and completing strategic business acquisitions that are complementary to our business. Refer to Note (2) of the
notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our business acquisitions.
Cash from Financing Activities
(In thousands)
Long-term debt issuance
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Cash from option exercises (including excess tax benefits)
Treasury stock purchases
Contingent consideration payments for acquisition of businesses
Cash grants
Other, net
Total cash flows from financing activities
51
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 500,000
(14,325)
107,434
(345,057)
(11,012)
—
(791)
$
— $
(14,930)
71,411
(217,082)
(10,617)
48,000
2,894
—
(24,700)
71,330
(170,042)
(800)
—
4,823
$ 236,249
$ (120,324) $ (119,389)
In January 2015, we issued $500 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes. Proceeds from the Senior Notes
are available for general corporate purposes. Refer to Note (9) of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
for additional information regarding the Senior Notes.
Cash inflows from stock option exercises are dependent on a number of factors, including the price of our common stock,
grant activity under our stock option and equity plans, and overall market volatility. We expect cash inflows from stock option
exercises to continue in 2016 based on the number of exercisable options at the end of 2015 and our current stock price.
During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we purchased 5.7 million shares of our common stock for total consideration of $345 million,
4.1 million shares of our common stock for total consideration of $217 million, and 3.6 million shares of our common stock
for total consideration of $170 million, respectively. At the end of 2015, all repurchase programs were complete. Refer to
Note (14) of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our share repurchase programs.
During 2015, we paid an aggregate of $11 million of contingent consideration related to our acquisitions of InterMedHx, LLC
and Kaufman & Keen, LLC (doing business as PureWellness). In 2014, we paid $11 million of the contingent consideration
related to our acquisition of PureWellness. We expect additional contingent consideration payments in 2016 related to our
acquisitions of the Lee's Summit Tech Center and InterMedHx. Refer to Note (2) of the notes to consolidated financial
statements for additional information regarding our contingent consideration arrangements.
In January 2014 we received $48 million of cash grants from the Kansas Department of Commerce for project costs in
connection with the construction of our Continuous Campus. Refer to Note (16) of the notes to consolidated financial
statements for additional information.
Free Cash Flow
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)
Capital purchases
Capitalized software development costs
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 947,526
(362,132)
(264,656)
$ 847,027
(276,584)
(177,800)
$ 695,865
(352,877)
(174,649)
$ 320,738
$ 392,643
$ 168,339
Free cash flow decreased $72 million in 2015, compared to 2014. This decrease is due to higher levels of both capital
spending to support our growth initiatives and facilities requirements, and capitalized spending to support our ongoing software
development initiatives, partially offset by an increase in cash flows from operations. Free cash flow increased $224 million
in 2014, compared to 2013. This increase is largely due to an increase in cash flows from operations combined with a
decrease in capital purchases, primarily due to the completion of construction on our Continuous Campus. Free cash flow
for 2013 also includes a payment related to the settlement charge, described in Note (10) of our notes to consolidated financial
statements. We believe our free cash flow levels reflect continued strength in our earnings. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP
financial measure used by management along with GAAP results to analyze our earnings quality and overall cash generation
of the business. We define free cash flow as cash flows from operations reduced by capital purchases and capitalized software
development costs. The table above sets forth a reconciliation of free cash flow to cash flows from operating activities, which
we believe to be the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to free cash flow. The presentation of free cash flow
is not meant to be considered in isolation, nor as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results, and investors should be aware
that non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow may also be different from similar non-GAAP financial
measures used by other companies and may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential
inconsistencies in the method of calculation. We believe free cash flow is important to enable investors to better understand
and evaluate our ongoing operating results and allows for greater transparency in the review of our overall financial, operational
and economic performance, because free cash flow takes into account the capital expenditures necessary to operate our
business.
52
Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table represents a summary of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments at the end of 2015,
except short-term purchase order commitments arising in the ordinary course of business.
(In thousands)
Balance sheet obligations(a):
Long-term debt obligations
Interest on long-term debt obligations
Capital lease obligations
Interest on capital lease obligations
Other obligations:
Operating lease obligations
Purchase obligations
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021 and
thereafter
Total
Payments Due by Period
$
— $
2,500
$
— $
— $
1,100
$ 509,850
$ 513,450
15,588
41,797
2,248
26,436
77,610
16,099
23,035
1,236
25,076
57,981
16,474
14,225
654
20,290
24,454
16,714
10,016
254
15,390
9,601
16,892
3,343
27
46,391
128,158
—
—
92,416
4,419
9,757
3,927
15,875
6,000
112,824
179,573
Total
$ 163,679
$ 125,927
$
76,097
$
51,975
$
35,046
$ 578,116
$ 1,030,840
(a) At the end of 2015, liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits were $5 million.
We have no off balance sheet arrangements as defined in Regulation S-K. The effects of inflation on our business during
2015, 2014 and 2013 were not significant.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note (1) of the notes to consolidated financial statements for information regarding recently issued accounting
pronouncements.
Critical Accounting Policies
We believe that there are several accounting policies that are critical to understanding our historical and future performance,
as these policies affect the reported amount of revenue and other significant areas involving our judgments and estimates.
These significant accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, software development, potential impairments of goodwill,
and income taxes. These accounting policies and our procedures related to these accounting policies are described in detail
below and under specific areas within this MD&A. In addition, Note (1) to the consolidated financial statements expands
upon discussion of our accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue within our multiple element arrangements, including software and software-related services, using
the residual method. Key factors in our revenue recognition model are our assessments that implementation services are
not essential to the functionality of our software, we can establish vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value
for any undelivered elements, and the length of time it takes for us to achieve the delivery and implementation milestones
for our licensed software. If our business model were to change such that implementation services are deemed to be essential
to the functionality of our software, the period of time over which our licensed software revenue would be recognized would
lengthen. If VSOE of fair value cannot be established for both the implementation services and the support services, the
entire arrangement fee is recognized ratably over the period during which the implementation services are expected to be
performed or the support period, whichever is longer, beginning with delivery of the software, provided that all other revenue
recognition criteria are met.
We also recognize revenue for certain projects in which services are deemed essential to the functionality of the software
using the percentage of completion method. Our revenue recognition is dependent upon our ability to reliably estimate the
direct labor hours to complete a project which generally can span several years. We utilize our historical project experience
and detailed planning process as a basis for our future estimates to complete current projects. Significant delays in completion
of the projects, unforeseen cost increases or penalties could result in significant reductions to revenue and margins on these
contracts. The actual project results can be significantly different from the estimated results. When adjustments are identified
53
near or at the end of a project, the full impact of the change in estimate is recognized in that period. This can result in a
material impact on our results for a single reporting period.
Software Development Costs
Costs incurred internally in creating computer software solutions and enhancements to those solutions are expensed until
completion of a detailed program design, which is when we determine that technological feasibility has been established.
Thereafter, all software development costs are capitalized until such time as the software solutions and enhancements are
available for general release, and the capitalized costs subsequently are reported at the lower of amortized cost or net
realizable value.
Net realizable value is computed as the estimated gross future revenues from each software solution less the amount of
estimated future costs of completing and disposing of that product. Because the development of projected net future revenues
related to our software solutions used in our net realizable value computation is based on estimates, a significant reduction
in our future revenues could impact the recovery of our capitalized software development costs. If we missed our estimates
of net future revenues by 10%, the amount of our capitalized software development costs would not be impaired.
Capitalized costs are amortized based on current and expected net future revenue for each software solution with minimum
annual amortization equal to the straight-line amortization over the estimated economic life of the software solution. We are
amortizing capitalized costs over five years. The five-year period over which capitalized software development costs are
amortized is an estimate based upon our forecast of a reasonable useful life for the capitalized costs. Historically, use of our
software programs by our clients has exceeded five years and is capable of being used a decade or more.
We expect that major software information systems companies, large information technology consulting service providers
and systems integrators and others specializing in the health care industry may offer competitive products or services. The
pace of change in the HCIT market is rapid and there are frequent new product introductions, product enhancements and
evolving industry standards and requirements. As a result, the capitalized software solutions may become less valuable or
obsolete and could be subject to impairment.
Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment annually or whenever there is an impairment indicator. All goodwill
is assigned to a reporting unit, where it is subject to an annual impairment assessment. We assess goodwill for impairment
in the second quarter of each fiscal year and evaluate impairment indicators at each quarter end. We assessed our goodwill
for impairment as of the second quarters of 2015 and 2014 and concluded that goodwill was not impaired. The assessments
consisted of a qualitative analysis in accordance with Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, Testing for Goodwill Impairment.
A key consideration in conducting those analyses was the significant growth in both the revenues and operating earnings of
our reporting units since our last quantitative assessment. Our last quantitative assessment was performed in 2011, in which
the fair values of each of our reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts by a significant margin. We used a discounted
cash flow analysis utilizing Level 3 inputs, to determine the fair value of the reporting units in 2011. Goodwill amounted to
$799 million and $321 million at the end of 2015 and 2014, respectively. If future anticipated cash flows from our reporting
units that recognized goodwill do not materialize as expected, our goodwill could be impaired, which could result in significant
charges to earnings.
Income Taxes
We make a number of assumptions and estimates in determining the appropriate amount of expense to record for income
taxes. These assumptions and estimates consider the taxing jurisdictions in which we operate as well as current tax
regulations. Accruals are established for estimates of tax effects for certain transactions, business structures and future
projected profitability of our businesses based on our interpretation of existing facts and circumstances. If these assumptions
and estimates were to change as a result of new evidence or changes in circumstances, the change in estimate could result
in a material adjustment to the consolidated financial statements.
We have discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our
Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosure contained herein.
54
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk, primarily changes in LIBOR, related to our Series 2015-C Notes issued in January 2015.
As of January 2, 2016, the interest rate for the current interest period on our Series 2015-C Notes was 1.36%, based on the
three-month floating LIBOR rate. Based on our balance of $75 million of Series 2015-C Notes as of January 2, 2016, an
increase in interest rates of 1.0% would cause a corresponding increase in our annual interest expense of less than $1
million.
We have global operations, and as a result, we are exposed to market risk related to foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations through January 2, 2016 have not had a material impact on our financial position
or operating results. We currently do not use currency hedging instruments, though we actively monitor our exposure to
foreign currency fluctuations and may use hedging transactions in the future if management deems it appropriate. We believe
most of our global operations are naturally hedged for foreign currency risk as our foreign subsidiaries invoice their clients
and satisfy their obligations primarily in their local currencies. There can be no guarantee that the impact of foreign currency
fluctuations in the future will not have a material impact on our financial position or operating results.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The Financial Statements and Notes required by this Item are submitted as a separate part of this report. See Note (19) to
the Consolidated Financial Statements for supplementary financial information.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
N/A
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) have evaluated the effectiveness
of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15
(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report (the Evaluation Date). They have concluded that, as
of the Evaluation Date and based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by paragraph (b) of
Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that material
information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within
those entities and would be disclosed on a timely basis. The CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures are designed, and are effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information
required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time period specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. They have also concluded
that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed
in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act are accumulated and communicated to the Company’s
management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
b) Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Company’s
management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 2,
2016. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in its Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).
The Company’s management has concluded that, as of January 2, 2016, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting is effective based on these criteria. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm that
audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report has issued an audit report on the
effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein under “Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”.
55
c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
On February 2, 2015, we acquired Siemens Health Services, as further described in Note (2) of the notes to
consolidated financial statements. We continue to integrate policies, processes, people, technology and operations
for our combined operations, and we will continue to evaluate the impact of any related changes to internal control
over financial reporting during the next fiscal year. Except for any changes in internal controls related to the integration
of the Siemens Health Services business into Cerner, there were no other changes in the Company’s internal controls
over financial reporting during the year ended January 2, 2016, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
d) Limitations on Controls.
The Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, have concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving
their objectives and are effective at that reasonable assurance level. However, the Company’s management can
provide no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting can
prevent all errors and all fraud under all circumstances. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated,
can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the
design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must
be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of
controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company
have been or will be detected. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions
about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its
stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes
in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent
limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Item 9B. Other Information
N/A
56
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information under “Information Concerning Directors,” “Certain Transactions,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance: Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” and “Committees of the Board:
Audit Committee” set forth in the Company's definitive proxy statement related to its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders
(the "Proxy Statement"), which will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year
pursuant to Regulation 14A, is incorporated herein by reference.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our Board
of Directors since our last disclosure thereof.
The information required by this Item 10 regarding our Executive Officers is set forth under the caption “Executive Officers
of the Registrant” in Part I above.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information under “Committees of the Board: Compensation Committee,” "Director Compensation," "2015 Director
Compensation Table," "Compensation Committee Report," "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Summary
Compensation Table," "2015 Grants of Plan-Based Awards," "Outstanding Equity Awards at 2015 Fiscal Year-End," "2015
Option Exercises and Stock Vested," "Employment Agreements & Potential Payments Under Termination or Change in
Control" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" set forth in the Proxy Statement, which will be
filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A, is incorporated
herein by reference.
57
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table provides information about our common stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans
as of January 2, 2016:
(In thousands, except per share data)
Plan category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (4)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Total
(1) Includes grants of stock options, time-based and performance-based restricted stock.
(2) Includes weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options only.
(3) Excludes securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and rights.
Securities to
be issued
upon
exercise of
outstanding
options and
rights (1)
24,824
$
—
24,824
Weighted
average
exercise
price per
share (2)
34.46
—
Securities
available for
future
issuance(3)
20,091
—
20,091
(4) Includes the Stock Option Plan D, Stock Option Plan E, 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan F, 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan G and 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. All new grants are
made under the 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as the previous plans are no longer active.
The information under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” set forth in the Proxy Statement,
which will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year pursuant to Regulation
14A, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information under “Certain Transactions” and "Meetings of the Board and Committees" set forth in the Proxy Statement,
which will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year pursuant to Regulation
14A, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information under “Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” set forth in the Proxy Statement,
which will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year pursuant to Regulation
14A, is incorporated herein by reference.
58
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
a) Financial Statements and Exhibits
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements:
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets - As of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Operations -Years Ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and
December 28, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years Ended January 2, 2016, January 3,
2015 and December 28, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and
December 28, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - Years Ended January 2, 2016,
January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) See the Index to Exhibits immediately following the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
59
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
Date: February 17, 2016
CERNER CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Neal L. Patterson
Neal L. Patterson
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature and Title
Date
/s/ Neal L. Patterson
Neal L. Patterson, Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
February 17, 2016
/s/ Clifford W. Illig
Clifford W. Illig, Vice Chairman and Director
/s/ Marc G. Naughton
Marc G. Naughton, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
/s/ Michael R. Battaglioli
Michael R. Battaglioli, Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
February 17, 2016
/s/ Gerald E. Bisbee, Jr.
Gerald E. Bisbee, Jr., Ph.D., Director
/s/ Denis A. Cortese, M.D.
Denis A. Cortese, M.D., Director
/s/ John C. Danforth
John C. Danforth, Director
/s/ Mitchell E. Daniels
Mitchell E. Daniels, Director
/s/ Linda M. Dillman
Linda M. Dillman, Director
/s/ William B. Neaves
William B. Neaves, Ph.D., Director
/s/ William D. Zollars
William D. Zollars, Director
February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
60
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
Form
10-K
8-K
Exhibit(s)
Filing Date
SEC File No./Film No.
Filed
Herewith
3(a)
3.2
2/11/2015
12/23/2013
Cerner Corporation 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan F
DEF 14A
Annex I
3.1
3.2
4
10.1*
10.2*
10.3*
10.4*
10.5*
10.6*
10.7*
10.8*
10.9*
10.10*
10.11*
10.12*
10.13*
10.14*
10.15*
10.16*
Third Restated Certificate of
September 12, 2013
Incorporation dated
Amended & Restated Bylaws as of September 16, 2008
(as amended March 31, 2010, March 9, 2011 and
December 23, 2013)
Specimen stock certificate
2006 Form of Indemnification Agreement for use
between the Registrant and its Directors
2010 Form of Indemnification Agreement for use
between the Registrant and its Directors and Section 16
Officers
Amended & Restated Executive Employment
Agreement of Neal L. Patterson dated January 1, 2008
Amended Stock Option Plan D of Registrant dated
December 8, 2000
Amended Stock Option Plan E of Registrant dated
December 8, 2000
Cerner Corporation 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan F
Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement
Cerner Corporation 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan F
Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Certificate
Cerner Corporation 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan F
Director Restricted Stock Agreement
Cerner Corporation 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan F
Nonqualified Stock Option Director Agreement
Cerner Corporation 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan F
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Agreement for
Section 16 Officers
Cerner Corporation 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan G
(as amended on December 3, 2007)
Cerner Corporation 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan G
Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Certificate
Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
(As Amended and Restated May 22, 2015)
Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
- Director Restricted Stock Agreement
Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
- Performance Based Restricted Stock Agreement
61
10-K
4(a)
10-K
10(a)
8-K
99.1
10-K
10(c)
10-K
10(f)
10-K
10(g)
10-K
10(v)
10-Q
10(a)
10-K
10(x)
10-K
10(w)
8-K
99.1
2/28/2007
000-15386/07658265
2/28/2007
000-15386/07658265
6/3/2010
000-15386/10875957
2/27/2008
000-15386/08646565
3/30/2001
000-15386/1586224
3/30/2001
000-15386/1586224
4/16/2001
000-15386/1603080
3/17/2005
000-15386/05688830
11/10/2005
000-15386/051193974
3/17/2005
000-15386/05688830
3/17/2005
000-15386/05688830
6/4/2010
000-15386/10879084
10-K
10(g)
10-K
10(q)
2/27/2008
000-15386/08646565
2/27/2008
000-15386/08646565
8-K
10.2
5/27/2015
10-Q
10.1
7/27/2012
10-K
10(u)
2/8/2013
10.17*
10.18*
10.19*
10.20*
10.21*
10.22*
10.23*
10.24*
10.25*
10.26
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
21
23
Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive
Plan-Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Certificate
Cerner Corporation 2001 Associate Stock Purchase
Plan as Amended and Restated March 1, 2010 and May
27, 2011
Cerner Corporation Performance-Based Compensation
Plan (as Amended and Restated May 22, 2015)
Form of 2015 Executive Performance Agreement
Cerner Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan as Amended & Restated dated January 1, 2008
Cerner Corporation 2005 Enhanced Severance Pay
Plan as Amended & Restated Effective January 4, 2015
Exhibit A Severance Matrix, effective April 1, 2011 to the
Cerner Corporation 2005 Enhanced Severance Pay
Plan as Amended & Restated dated August 15, 2010
Second Amended and Restated Aircraft Time Sharing
Agreement between Cerner Corporation and Neal L.
Patterson dated July 24, 2013
Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement between Cerner
Corporation and Neal Patterson dated October 28, 2015
Interparty Agreement, dated January 19, 2010, among
Kansas Unified Development, LLC, OnGoal, LLC and
Cerner Corporation
Real Estate Purchase Agreement between Cerner
Property Development, Inc. and Trails Property II, Inc.
dated July 30, 2013
First Amendment to Real Estate Purchase Agreement
between Cerner Property Development, Inc. and Trails
Property II, Inc. dated December 23, 2013
Second Amendment
to Real Estate Purchase
Agreement between Cerner Property Development, Inc.
and Trails Property II, Inc. dated October 16, 2014
Master Sale and Purchase Agreement between
Siemens AG and Cerner Corporation dated August 5,
2014
the Master Sale and
to
Amendment Agreement
Purchase Agreement between Siemens AG and Cerner
Corporation dated February 2, 2015
Master Note Purchase Agreement between Cerner
Corporation and the Purchasers listed in Schedule A
thereto dated December 4, 2014
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated
October 30, 2015, among Cerner Corporation and U.S.
Bank National Association, Bank of America, N.A. and
Commerce Bank, N.A.
Subsidiaries of Registrant
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
62
10-K
10(v)
2/8/2013
S-8
4.6
5/27/2011
333-174568/11877216
8-K
10.1
5/27/2015
10-Q
10-K
10.1
10(k)
5/8/2015
2/27/2008
000-15386/08646565
10-K
10.23
2/11/2015
10-Q
10(a)
4/29/2011
000-15386/11794978
10-Q
10.1
7/26/2013
8-K
99.1
1/22/2010
000-153866/10543089
8-K
10.1
8/1/2013
10-K
10.28
2/11/2015
10-K
10.29
2/11/2015
10-Q
2.1
10/24/2014
8-K
10.1
2/2/2015
8-K
10.1
12/5/2014
8-K
10.1
11/3/2015
X
X
X
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
Certification of Neal L. Patterson pursuant to Section 302
of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Marc G. Naughton pursuant to Section
302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Neal L. Patterson pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Marc G. Naughton pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
101.LAB
101.PRE
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
Document
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be identified by Part IV, Item 15(a)(3).
PLEASE NOTE: Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have filed or incorporated by reference the
agreements referenced above as exhibits to this annual report on Form 10-K. The agreements have been filed to provide investors with information
regarding their respective terms. The agreements are not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company or its business or
operations. In particular, the assertions embodied in any representations, warranties and covenants contained in the agreements may be subject
to qualifications with respect to knowledge and materiality different from those applicable to investors and may be qualified by information in
confidential disclosure schedules not included with the exhibits. These disclosure schedules may contain information that modifies, qualifies and
creates exceptions to the representations, warranties and covenants set forth in the agreements. Moreover, certain representations, warranties and
covenants in the agreements may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties, rather than establishing matters as facts.
In addition, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may have changed after the date of the
respective agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company's public disclosures. Accordingly, investors
should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants in the agreements as characterizations of the actual state of facts about the
Company or its business or operations on the date hereof.
63
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Cerner Corporation:
We have audited Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 2, 2016, based
on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining
effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal
control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of
internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the
design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary
to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts
and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of
the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition,
use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of January 2, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
the consolidated balance sheets of Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in shareholders’ equity
for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 2, 2016, and our report dated February 17, 2016 expressed an
unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/KPMG LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
February 17, 2016
64
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Cerner Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries as of January 2,
2016 and January 3, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and
changes in shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 2, 2016. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 2, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 2, 2016, based on criteria
established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 17, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness
of Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting.
/s/KPMG LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
February 17, 2016
65
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015
(In thousands, except share data)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Receivables, net
Inventory
Prepaid expenses and other
Deferred income taxes, net
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Software development costs, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Long-term investments
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Deferred revenue
Accrued payroll and tax withholdings
Other accrued expenses
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities
Deferred revenue
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 350,323,367 shares issued at January 2,
2016 and 346,985,811 shares issued at January 3, 2015
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Treasury stock, 10,364,691 shares at January 2, 2016 and 4,652,515 shares at January 3, 2015
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
66
2015
2014
$ 402,122
111,059
1,034,084
15,788
264,780
—
1,827,833
1,309,214
562,559
799,182
688,058
173,073
202,065
$ 635,203
785,663
672,778
23,789
209,278
22,075
2,348,786
924,260
420,199
320,538
126,636
231,147
158,999
$ 5,561,984
$ 4,530,565
$ 215,510
41,797
278,443
184,225
57,891
777,866
563,353
324,516
25,865
1,691,600
$ 160,285
67,460
209,655
140,230
56,685
634,315
62,868
256,601
10,813
964,597
3,503
1,075,782
3,457,843
(590,390)
(76,354)
3,870,384
3,470
933,446
2,918,481
(245,333)
(44,096)
3,565,968
$ 5,561,984
$ 4,530,565
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013
(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenues:
System sales
Support, maintenance and services
Reimbursed travel
Total revenues
Costs and expenses:
Cost of system sales
Cost of support, maintenance and services
Cost of reimbursed travel
Sales and client service
Software development (Includes amortization of $119,195, $103,447 and $94,688, respectively)
General and administrative
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles
Total costs and expenses
Operating earnings
Other income, net
Earnings before income taxes
Income taxes
Net earnings
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 1,281,890
3,070,575
72,802
$ 945,858
2,366,959
89,886
$ 847,809
1,992,830
70,109
4,425,267
3,402,703
2,910,748
430,335
247,644
72,802
1,838,600
539,799
423,424
91,527
314,089
200,402
89,886
1,395,568
392,805
233,393
13,476
302,374
142,239
70,109
1,173,051
338,786
295,383
12,794
3,644,131
2,639,619
2,334,736
781,136
763,084
576,012
244
11,090
12,042
781,380
774,174
588,054
(242,018)
(248,741)
(189,700)
$ 539,362
$ 525,433
$ 398,354
$
$
1.57
1.54
$
$
1.54
1.50
$
$
1.16
1.13
343,178
342,150
343,636
350,908
350,386
352,281
67
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013
(In thousands)
Net earnings
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other (net of tax benefits of $3,201, $1,111 and $3,604,
respectively)
Change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments (net of taxes (benefits) of
$(46), $(331) and $10, respectively)
Comprehensive income
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 539,362
$ 525,433
$ 398,354
(32,171)
(30,145)
(8,185)
(87)
(522)
11
$ 507,104
$ 494,766
$ 390,180
68
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013
(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Share-based compensation expense
Provision for deferred income taxes
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of businesses acquired):
Receivables, net
Inventory
Prepaid expenses and other
Accounts payable
Accrued income taxes
Deferred revenue
Other accrued liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital purchases
Capitalized software development costs
Purchases of investments
Sales and maturities of investments
Purchase of other intangibles
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
Net cash used in investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Long-term debt issuance
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Proceeds from excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of options
Treasury stock purchases
Contingent consideration payments for acquisition of businesses
Cash grants
Other
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
Summary of acquisition transactions:
Fair value of tangible assets acquired
Fair value of intangible assets acquired
Fair value of goodwill
Less: Fair value of liabilities assumed
Less: Fair value of contingent liability payable
Cash paid for acquisitions
Cash acquired
Net cash used
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
69
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 539,362
$ 525,433
$ 398,354
452,225
70,121
65,245
(160,124)
12,951
(55,363)
7
(690)
9,450
14,342
302,353
59,292
106,905
(74,786)
8,117
(14,625)
2,974
(21,764)
4,346
(51,218)
263,538
46,295
(22,647)
(9,599)
(8,111)
(36,038)
4,130
14,694
18,053
27,196
947,526
847,027
695,865
(362,132)
(264,656)
(487,981)
1,208,387
(21,432)
(1,478,129)
(276,584)
(177,800)
(1,214,036)
1,404,846
(13,517)
(7,476)
(352,877)
(174,649)
(1,106,819)
1,070,598
(56,805)
(67,877)
(1,405,943)
(284,567)
(688,429)
500,000
(14,325)
55,959
51,475
(345,057)
(11,012)
—
(791)
—
(14,930)
39,532
31,879
(217,082)
(10,617)
48,000
2,894
—
(24,700)
39,927
31,403
(170,042)
(800)
—
4,823
236,249
(120,324)
(119,389)
(10,913)
(233,081)
635,203
(9,310)
(2,790)
432,826
202,377
(114,743)
317,120
$ 402,122
$ 635,203
$ 202,377
$
$ 532,625
637,980
485,387
(176,863)
(1,000)
1,478,129
—
$
184
3,800
16,785
(1,693)
(11,600)
7,476
—
6,165
25,489
59,570
(3,615)
(18,982)
68,627
(750)
$ 1,478,129
$
7,476
$
67,877
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the years ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013
(In thousands)
Common Stock
Additional
Retained
Treasury
Shares
Amount
Paid-in Capital
Earnings
Stock
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 29, 2012
344,179
$
3,442
$
840,769
$
1,994,694
$
— $
(5,255)
Exercise of stock options (including net-settled option exercises)
3,204
Employee share-based compensation expense
Employee share-based compensation net excess tax benefit
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Treasury stock purchases
Distribution of treasury stock in stock split
Net earnings
—
—
—
—
(3,045)
—
32
—
—
—
—
(31)
—
27,056
46,295
40,493
—
—
(141,760)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(170,042)
141,791
—
398,354
—
—
—
—
(8,174)
—
—
—
Balance at December 28, 2013
344,338
3,443
812,853
2,393,048
(28,251)
(13,429)
Exercise of stock options (including net-settled option exercises)
2,648
Employee share-based compensation expense
Employee share-based compensation net excess tax benefit
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Treasury stock purchases
Net earnings
—
—
—
—
—
27
—
—
—
—
—
21,613
59,292
39,688
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(217,082)
525,433
—
—
—
—
(30,667)
—
—
Balance at January 3, 2015
346,986
3,470
933,446
2,918,481
(245,333)
(44,096)
Exercise of stock options (including net-settled option exercises)
3,337
Employee share-based compensation expense
Employee share-based compensation net excess tax benefit
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Treasury stock purchases
Net earnings
—
—
—
—
—
33
—
—
—
—
—
15,647
70,121
56,568
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(345,057)
539,362
—
—
—
—
(32,258)
—
—
Balance at January 2, 2016
350,323
$
3,503
$
1,075,782
$
3,457,843
$
(590,390) $
(76,354)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
70
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Basis of Presentation, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include all the accounts of Cerner Corporation (Cerner, the Company, we, us or our)
and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements were prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
These principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities,
the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2015 and 2013 each consisted of 52 weeks and
ended on January 2, 2016 and December 28, 2013, respectively. Fiscal year 2014 consisted of 53 weeks and ended on
January 3, 2015. All references to years in these notes to consolidated financial statements represent fiscal years unless
otherwise noted.
Nature of Operations
We design, develop, market, install, host and support health care information technology, health care devices, hardware and
content solutions for health care organizations and consumers. We also provide a wide range of value-added services,
including implementation and training, remote hosting, operational management services, revenue cycle services, support
and maintenance, health care data analysis, clinical process optimization, transaction processing, employer health centers,
employee wellness programs and third party administrator services for employer-based health plans.
Factors Impacting Comparability of Financial Statements
Siemens Health Services
On February 2, 2015, we acquired Siemens Health Services, as further described in Note (2). The addition of the Siemens
Health Services business has a significant impact on the comparability of our consolidated financial statements as of and
for the year ended January 2, 2016, in relation to the comparative periods presented herein.
52/53 Week Periods
Our 2014 fiscal year included 53 weeks, as discussed above. This additional week impacts the comparability of our
consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended January 3, 2015, in relation to the comparative periods
presented herein.
Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangibles
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles includes the amortization of customer relationships, acquired technology, trade
names, and non-compete agreements recorded in connection with our business acquisitions. Historically, such amounts
were included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Effective for our second
quarter of 2015, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles is presented on a separate line within our consolidated
statements of operations. While this reporting change did not impact our consolidated results, prior period reclassifications
have been made to conform to the current period presentation.
Acquisition Transactions within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Historically, the fair value of tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business acquisitions were presented on a
net basis within our consolidated statements of cash flows. Effective for our first quarter of 2015, the fair value of tangible
assets acquired and the fair value of liabilities assumed are presented separately. While this reporting change did not impact
our consolidated results, prior period reclassifications have been made to conform to the current period presentation.
71
Voluntary Separation Plan
In the first quarter of 2015, the Company adopted a voluntary separation plan ("VSP") for eligible associates. Generally, the
VSP was available to U.S. associates who met a minimum level of combined age and tenure, excluding, among others, our
executive officers. Associates who elected to participate in the VSP receive financial benefits commensurate with their tenure
and position, along with vacation payout and medical benefits.
We account for voluntary separation benefits in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)
Topic 712, Compensation-Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits. Voluntary separation benefits are recorded to expense
when the associates irrevocably accept the offer and the amount of the termination liability is reasonably estimable. The
irrevocable acceptance period for most associates electing to participate in the VSP ended in May 2015. During 2015, we
recorded pre-tax charges for the VSP of $46 million, which is included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated
statements of operations. At the end of 2015, this program was complete.
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
(In thousands)
Cash paid during the year for:
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
Interest (including amounts capitalized of $7,106, $1,583, and $2,281, respectively)
Income taxes, net of refunds
$
13,164
118,409
$
5,682
144,323
$
6,973
175,377
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Revenue Recognition - We recognize software related revenue in accordance with the provisions of ASC 985-605,
Software – Revenue Recognition and non-software related revenue in accordance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. In
general, revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria have been met:
•
•
Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;
• Our fee is fixed or determinable; and
•
Collection of the revenue is reasonably assured.
The following are our major components of revenue:
•
•
•
System sales – includes the licensing of computer software, software as a service, deployment period upgrades,
installation, content subscriptions, transaction processing and the sale of computer hardware and sublicensed
software;
Support, maintenance and service – includes software support and hardware maintenance, remote hosting and
managed services, training, consulting and implementation services; and
Reimbursed travel – includes reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses (primarily travel) incurred in connection with
our client service activities.
We provide for several models of procurement of our information systems and related services. The predominant model
involves multiple deliverables and includes a perpetual software license agreement, project-related implementation and
consulting services, software support and either hosting services or computer hardware and sublicensed software, which
requires that we allocate revenue to each of these elements.
Allocation of Revenue to Multiple Element Arrangements
For multiple element arrangements that contain software and non-software elements, we allocate revenue to software and
software-related elements as a group and any non-software element separately. After the arrangement consideration has
been allocated to the non-software elements, revenue is recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria are met for
each element. For the group of software and software-related elements, revenue is recognized under the guidance applicable
to software transactions.
72
Since we do not have vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value on software licenses within our multiple element
arrangements, we recognize revenue on our software and software-related elements using the residual method. Under the
residual method, license revenue is recognized in a multiple-element arrangement when vendor-specific objective evidence
of fair value exists for all of the undelivered elements in the arrangement, when software is delivered, installed and all other
conditions to revenue recognition are met. We allocate revenue to each undelivered element in a multiple-element
arrangement based on the element’s respective fair value, with the fair value determined by the price charged when that
element is sold separately. Specifically, we determine the fair value of the software support, hardware maintenance,
sublicensed software support, remote hosting, subscriptions and software as a service portions of the arrangement based
on the substantive renewal price for these services charged to clients; professional services (including training and consulting)
portion of the arrangement, based on hourly rates which we charge for these services when sold apart from a software
license; and sublicensed software based on its price when sold separately from the software. The residual amount of the fee
after allocating revenue to the fair value of the undelivered elements is attributed to the licenses for software solutions. If
evidence of the fair value cannot be established for the undelivered elements of a license agreement using VSOE, the entire
amount of revenue under the arrangement is deferred until these elements have been delivered or VSOE of fair value can
be established.
We also enter into arrangements that include multiple non-software deliverables. For each element in a multiple element
arrangement that does not contain software-related elements to be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting, the
following must be met: the delivered products or services have value to the client on a stand-alone basis; and for an
arrangement that includes a general right of return relative to the delivered products or services, delivery or performance of
the undelivered product or service is considered probable and is substantially controlled by the Company. We allocate the
arrangement consideration to each element based on the selling price hierarchy of VSOE of fair value, if it exists, or third-
party evidence (TPE) of selling price. If neither VSOE nor TPE are available, we use estimated selling price. After the
arrangement consideration has been allocated to the elements, we account for each respective element in the arrangement
as described below.
For certain arrangements, revenue for software, implementation services and, in certain cases, support services for which
VSOE of fair value cannot be established are accounted for as a single unit of accounting. If VSOE of fair value cannot be
established for both the implementation services and the support services, the entire arrangement fee is recognized ratably
over the period during which the implementation services are expected to be performed or the support period, whichever is
longer, beginning with delivery of the software, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are met. The revenue
recognized from single units of accounting are typically allocated and classified as system sales and support, maintenance
and services. In cases where VSOE cannot be established, revenue is classified based on contract value.
Revenue Recognition Policies for Each Element
We provide implementation and consulting services. These services vary depending on the scope and complexity of the
engagement. Examples of such services may include database consulting, system configuration, project management, testing
assistance, network consulting, post conversion review and application management services. Except for limited
arrangements where our software requires significant modifications or customization, implementation and consulting services
generally are not deemed to be essential to the functionality of the software and, thus, do not impact the timing of the software
license recognition. However, if software license fees are tied to implementation milestones, then the portion of the software
license fee tied to implementation milestones is deferred until the related milestone is accomplished and related fees become
due and payable and non-forfeitable. Implementation fees, for which VSOE of fair value can be determined, are recognized
over the service period, which may extend from nine months to several years for multi-phased projects.
Remote hosting and managed services are marketed under long-term arrangements generally over periods of five to 10
years. These services are typically provided to clients that have acquired a perpetual license for licensed software and have
contracted with us to host the software in our data center. Under these arrangements, the client generally has the contractual
right to take possession of the licensed software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty and it is
feasible for the client to either run the software on its own equipment or contract with another party unrelated to us to host
the software. Additionally, these services are not deemed to be essential to the functionality of the licensed software or other
elements of the arrangement. As such, in situations for which we have VSOE of fair value for the undelivered items, we
allocate the residual portion of the arrangement fee to the software and recognize it once the client has the ability to take
possession of the software. The remaining fees in these arrangements, as well as the fees for arrangements where the client
does not have the contractual right or the ability to take possession of the software at any time or for situations in which
VSOE of fair value does not exist for undelivered elements, are generally recognized ratably over the hosting service period.
73
We also offer our solutions on a software as a service model, providing time-based licenses for our software solutions available
within an environment that we manage from our data centers. The data centers provide system and administrative support
as well as processing services. Revenue on these services is combined and recognized on a monthly basis over the term
of the contract. We capitalize related pre-contract direct set-up costs consisting of third party costs and direct software
installation and implementation costs associated with the initial set up of a software as a service client. These costs are
amortized over the term of the arrangement.
Software support fees are marketed under annual and multi-year arrangements and are recognized as revenue ratably over
the contractual support term. Hardware and sublicensed software maintenance revenues are recognized ratably over the
contractual maintenance term.
Subscription and content fees are generally marketed under annual and multi-year agreements and are recognized ratably
over the contractual terms.
Hardware and sublicensed software sales are generally recognized when title and risk of loss have transferred to the client.
The sale of equipment under sales-type leases is recorded as system sales revenue at the inception of the lease. Sales-
type leases also produce financing income, which is included in system sales revenue and is recognized at consistent rates
of return over the lease term.
Where we have contractually agreed to develop new or customized software code for a client, we utilize percentage-of-
completion accounting, labor-hours method.
Revenue generally is recognized net of any taxes collected from clients and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.
Payment Arrangements
Our payment arrangements with clients typically include an initial payment due upon contract signing and date-based licensed
software payment terms and payments based upon delivery for services, hardware and sublicensed software. Revenue
recognition on support payments received in advance of the services being performed are deferred and classified as either
current or long term deferred revenue depending on whether the revenue will be earned within one year.
We have periodically provided long-term financing options to creditworthy clients through third party financing institutions
and have directly provided extended payment terms to clients from contract date. These extended payment term arrangements
typically provide for date based payments over periods ranging from 12 months up to seven years. As a significant portion
of the fee is due beyond one year, we have analyzed our history with these types of arrangements and have concluded that
we have a standard business practice of using extended payment term arrangements and a long history of successfully
collecting under the original payment terms for arrangements with similar clients, product offerings, and economics without
granting concessions. Accordingly, in these situations, we consider the fee to be fixed and determinable in these extended
payment term arrangements and, thus, the timing of revenue is not impacted by the existence of extended payments.
Some of these payment streams have been assigned on a non-recourse basis to third party financing institutions. We account
for the assignment of these receivables as sales of financial assets. Provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met,
we recognize revenue for these arrangements under our normal revenue recognition criteria, and if appropriate, net of any
payment discounts from financing transactions.
(b) Cash Equivalents - Cash equivalents consist of short-term marketable securities with original maturities less than 90
days.
(c) Investments – Our short-term investments are primarily invested in time deposits, commercial paper, government and
corporate bonds, with maturities of less than one year. Our long-term investments are primarily invested in government and
corporate bonds with maturities of less than two years. All of our investments, other than a small portion accounted for under
the cost and equity methods, are classified as available-for-sale.
Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses reflected in accumulated other
comprehensive loss until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities, if any, are
determined on a specific identification basis.
74
We regularly review investment securities for impairment based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria that include the
extent to which cost exceeds fair value, the duration of any market decline, and the financial health of and specific prospects
for the issuer. Unrealized losses that are other than temporary are recognized in earnings.
Premiums are amortized and discounts are accreted over the life of the security as adjustments to interest income for our
investments. Interest income is recognized when earned.
Refer to Note (3) and Note (4) for further description of these assets and their fair value.
(d) Concentrations - The majority of our cash and cash equivalents are held at three major financial institutions. The majority
of our cash equivalents consist of money market funds. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance
provided on such deposits. Generally these deposits may be redeemed upon demand.
As of the end of 2015, we had a significant concentration of receivables owed to us by Fujitsu Services Limited, which are
currently in dispute. Refer to Note (5) for additional information.
(e) Inventory - Inventory consists primarily of computer hardware and sublicensed software, held for resale. Inventory is
recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value.
(f) Property and Equipment - We account for property and equipment in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and
Equipment. Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is
computed using the straight-line method over periods of one to 50 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed
using a straight-line method over the shorter of the lease terms or the useful lives, which range from periods of one to 15
years.
(g) Software Development Costs - Software development costs are accounted for in accordance with ASC 985-20, Costs
of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed. Software development costs incurred internally in creating computer software
products are expensed until technological feasibility has been established upon completion of a detailed program design.
Thereafter, all software development costs incurred through the software’s general release date are capitalized and
subsequently reported at the lower of amortized cost or net realizable value. Capitalized costs are amortized based on current
and expected future revenue for each software solution with minimum annual amortization equal to the straight-line
amortization over the estimated economic life of the solution. We amortize capitalized software development costs over five
years.
(h) Goodwill - We account for goodwill under the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. Goodwill is not
amortized but is evaluated for impairment annually or whenever there is an impairment indicator. All goodwill is assigned to
a reporting unit, where it is subject to an annual impairment assessment. Based on these evaluations, there was no impairment
of goodwill in 2015, 2014 or 2013. Refer to Note (7) for more information on goodwill and other intangible assets.
(i) Intangible Assets - We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.
Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over periods of three to 30 years.
(j) Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected
to be recovered or settled. Refer to Note (12) for additional information regarding income taxes.
(k) Earnings per Common Share - Basic earnings per share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed, in accordance with
ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of
common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other
contracts to issue stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that
then shared in our earnings. Refer to Note (13) for additional details of our earnings per share computations.
(l) Accounting for Share-based Payments - We recognize all share-based payments to associates, directors and
consultants, including grants of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares, in the financial statements as
compensation cost based on their fair value on the date of grant, in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock
75
Compensation. This compensation cost is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis for the fair value of
awards that actually vest. Refer to Note (14) for a detailed discussion of share-based payments.
(m) Foreign Currency - In accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries
whose functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance
sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The net exchange differences
resulting from these translations are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses resulting from
foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
(n) Collaborative Arrangements - In accordance with ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements, third party costs incurred and
revenues generated by arrangements involving joint operating activities of two or more parties that are each actively involved
and exposed to risks and rewards of the activities are classified in the consolidated statements of operations on a gross
basis only if we are determined to be the principal participant in the arrangement. Otherwise, third party revenues and costs
generated by collaborative arrangements are presented on a net basis. Payments between participants are recorded and
classified based on the nature of the payments.
(o) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which
requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or
services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The new standard
is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018, with early adoption permitted in the first quarter of 2017. The standard
permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. At this time, we have not selected a transition
method, nor have we determined if we will adopt early. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have
on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Debt Issuance Costs. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30):
Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance
sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for the Company in the first
quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted, and retrospective application required. The Company adopted the standard
early, effective in the first quarter of 2015. The adoption of ASU 2015-03 did not have a material impact on our consolidated
financial statements. Refer to Note (9) for further information regarding debt issuance costs.
Consolidation. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the
Consolidation Analysis, which provides guidance when evaluating whether to consolidate certain legal entities. The updated
guidance modifies evaluation criteria of limited partnerships and similar legal entities, eliminates the presumption that a
general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are
involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. ASU
2015-02 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption
of ASU 2015-02 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Measurement-Period Adjustments. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic
805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which eliminates the requirement to retrospectively
adjust the financial statements for measurement-period adjustments that occur in periods after a business combination is
consummated. An acquirer now must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the
measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. ASU 2015-16 is effective for
the Company in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the standard early, effective
in the third quarter of 2015. The adoption of ASU 2015-16 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
Deferred Income Taxes. In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards
Update (ASU) 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires all deferred
income tax assets and liabilities to be classified as noncurrent in our consolidated balance sheets. ASU 2015-17 is effective
for the Company in the first quarter of 2017, with early adoption permitted, and either prospective or retrospective application
accepted. The Company adopted the standard early, in the fourth quarter of 2015, and elected prospective application, which
is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet for the year ended January 2, 2016. Prior periods have not been retrospectively
adjusted. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Financial Instruments. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects of recognition,
76
measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for the Company in the first
quarter of 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-01 will have on our
consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
(2) Business Acquisitions
Siemens Health Services
On February 2, 2015, we acquired substantially all of the assets, and assumed certain liabilities of Siemens Health Services,
the health information technology business unit of Siemens AG ("Siemens"), a stock corporation established under the laws
of Germany, and its affiliates. Siemens Health Services offered a portfolio of enterprise-level clinical and financial health
care information technology solutions, as well as departmental, connectivity, population health, and care coordination solutions
globally. Solutions were offered on the Soarian, Invision, and i.s.h.med platforms, among others. Siemens Health Services
also offered a range of complementary services, including support, hosting, managed services, implementation services,
and strategic consulting.
We believe the acquisition enhances our organic growth opportunities as it provides us a larger base into which we can sell
our combined portfolio of solutions and services. The acquisition also augments our non-U.S. footprint and growth
opportunities, increases our ability and scale for R&D investment, and adds over 5,000 highly-skilled associates that will
enhance our capabilities. These factors, combined with the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the
operations of Cerner and Siemens Health Services, are the basis for acquisition and comprise the resulting goodwill recorded.
Consideration for the acquisition was $1.39 billion of cash, consisting of the $1.3 billion agreed upon purchase price plus
working capital and certain other adjustments under the Master Sale and Purchase Agreement ("MSPA") dated August 5,
2014, as amended.
We incurred pre-tax costs of $22 million and $16 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, in connection with our acquisition
of Siemens Health Services, which are included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of
operations.
The acquisition of Siemens Health Services is being treated as a purchase in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business
Combinations, which requires allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed in the transaction. Our allocation of purchase price is based on management's judgment after evaluating several
factors, including a preliminary valuation assessment. The allocation of purchase price is preliminary and subject to changes,
which could be significant, as appraisals of tangible and intangible assets are finalized, and additional information becomes
available.
77
The preliminary allocation of purchase price is as follows:
(in thousands)
Receivables, net of allowances of $34,159
Other current assets
Property and equipment
Goodwill
Intangible assets:
Customer relationships
Existing technologies
Trade names
Total intangible assets
Other non-current assets
Accounts payable
Deferred revenue (current)
Other current liabilities
Deferred revenue (non-current)
Total purchase price
Estimated
Weighted
Average
Useful Life
20 years
10 years
5 years
8 years
Allocation
Amount
$
232,432
55,392
158,288
485,387
396,000
201,990
39,990
637,980
513
(42,327)
(102,320)
(17,286)
(14,930)
$ 1,393,129
The intangible assets in the table above are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, with
such amortization included in amortization of acquisition-related intangibles in our consolidated statements of operations.
The fair value measurements of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities were based on significant inputs not observable
in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements within the fair value measurement hierarchy. Level 3 inputs included,
among others, discount rates that we estimated would be used by a market participant in valuing these assets and liabilities,
projections of revenues and cash flows, client attrition rates, royalty rates, and market comparables.
Property and equipment was valued primarily using the sales comparison method, a form of the market approach, in which
the value is derived by evaluating the market prices of assets with comparable features such as size, location, condition and
age. Our analysis included multiple property categories, including land, buildings, and personal property and included
assumptions for market prices of comparable assets, and physical and economic obsolescence, among others.
Customer relationship intangible assets were valued using the excess earnings method, a form of the income approach, in
which the value is derived by estimation of the after-tax cash flows specifically attributable to the customer relationships. Our
analysis consisted of two customer categories, order backlog and existing customer relationships and included assumptions
for projections of revenues and expenses, contributory asset charges, discount rates, and a tax amortization benefit, among
others.
Existing technology and trade name intangible assets were valued using the relief from royalty method, a form of the income
approach, in which the value is derived by estimation of the after-tax royalty savings attributable to owning the assets.
Assumptions in these analyses included projections of revenues, royalty rates representing costs avoided due to ownership
of the assets, discount rates, and a tax amortization benefit.
Deferred revenue was valued using an income approach, in which the value was derived by estimation of the fulfillment cost,
plus a normal profit margin (which excludes any selling margin), for performance obligations assumed in the acquisition.
Assumptions included estimations of costs incurred to fulfill the obligations, profit margins a market participant would expect
to receive, and a discount rate.
The goodwill of $485 million was allocated among our Domestic and Global operating segments, and is expected to be
deductible for tax purposes. Refer to Note (7) for additional information on goodwill.
78
Our consolidated statements of operations include revenues of approximately $930 million attributable to the acquired
business (now referred to as "Cerner Health Services") since the February 2, 2015 acquisition date. Disclosure of the earnings
contribution from the Cerner Health Services business is not practicable, as we have already integrated operations in many
areas.
The following table provides unaudited pro forma results of operations for the years ended January 2, 2016 and January 3,
2015, as if the acquisition had been completed on the first day of our 2014 fiscal year.
(In thousands, except per share data)
Pro forma revenues
Pro forma net earnings
Pro forma diluted earnings per share
For the Years Ended
2014
2015
$ 4,518,947
$ 4,549,387
546,027
463,344
1.56
1.32
These pro forma results are based on estimates and assumptions, which we believe are reasonable. They are not the results
that would have been realized had we been a combined company during the periods presented, nor are they indicative of
our consolidated results of operations in future periods. The pro forma results for the 2015 year include pre-tax adjustments
for amortization of intangible assets, fair value adjustments for deferred revenue, and the elimination of acquisition costs of
$7 million, $6 million and $22 million, respectively. Pro forma results for the 2014 year include pre-tax adjustments for
amortization of intangible assets, fair value adjustments for deferred revenue, and elimination of acquisition costs of $86
million, $52 million, and $16 million respectively.
Lee's Summit Tech Center
On December 17, 2015, we purchased real estate interests, in-place tenant leases, and certain other assets associated with
the property commonly referred to as the Summit Technology Campus, located in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The acquired
property (now referred to as the "Lee's Summit Tech Center") consists of a 550,000 square foot multi-tenant office building.
We expect to utilize this space to support our data center and office space needs. Consideration for the Lee's Summit Tech
Center is expected to total $86 million, consisting of $85 million of up-front cash plus contingent consideration not to exceed
$1 million.
The acquisition of the Lee's Summit Tech Center is being treated as a purchase in accordance with ASC Topic 805. The
preliminary allocation of purchase price resulted in the allocation of $86 million to property and equipment, net in our
consolidated balance sheets. This preliminary allocation of purchase price is based on management's judgment after
evaluating several factors, including an appraisal of the acquired real estate. Such allocation is subject to changes, as
intangible assets and obligations associated with the in-place tenant leases are evaluated and additional information becomes
available; however, we do not expect material changes. No goodwill is expected to result from the transaction. We expect
the in-place tenant leases to have a de minimis impact on our consolidated financial statements.
InterMedHx
On April 1, 2014, we purchased 100% of the outstanding membership interests of InterMedHx, LLC (InterMedHx). InterMedHx
was a provider of health technology solutions in the areas of preventive care, patient administration, and medication history.
We believe the addition of InterMedHx solutions provides additional capabilities in the market.
Consideration for the acquisition of InterMedHx is expected to total $19 million, consisting of up-front cash plus contingent
consideration, which is payable at a percentage of the revenue contribution from InterMedHx solutions and services. We
valued the contingent consideration at $12 million based on projections of revenue over the assessment period. During 2015,
we paid $2 million to satisfy a portion of this contingent consideration obligation.
The allocation of purchase price to the estimated fair value of the identified tangible and intangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed resulted in goodwill of $17 million and $4 million in intangible assets related to the value of existing
technologies. The goodwill was allocated to our Domestic operating segment and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
Identifiable intangible assets are being amortized over a period of five years.
79
The operating results of InterMedHx were combined with our operating results subsequent to the purchase date of April 1,
2014. Pro-forma results of operations have not been presented because the effect of this acquisition was not material to
our results.
PureWellness
On March 4, 2013, we purchased the net assets of Kaufman & Keen, LLC (doing business as PureWellness). PureWellness
was a health and wellness company that developed solutions for the administration and management of wellness programs,
and to enable plan member engagement strategies. Our acquisition of PureWellness further expands what we believe to
be a robust offering of solutions to manage and improve the health of populations.
Consideration for the acquisition of PureWellness was $69 million consisting of up-front cash plus contingent consideration,
which was payable upon the achievement of certain revenue milestones from PureWellness solutions and services during
the period commencing on August 1, 2013 and ending April 30, 2015. During 2015 and 2014, we paid $10 million and $11
million, respectively, to satisfy all contingent consideration obligations.
The allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair value of the identified tangible and intangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed resulted in goodwill of $49 million and $20 million in intangible assets, of which $10 million and $10 million
was related to the value of established customer relationships and existing technologies, respectively. The goodwill was
allocated to our Domestic operating segment and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Identifiable intangible assets
are being amortized over a weighted-average period of seven years.
The operating results of PureWellness were combined with our operating results subsequent to the purchase date of March 4,
2013.
Labotix
On March 18, 2013, we purchased 100% of the outstanding stock of Labotix Corporation (together with its wholly owned
subsidiary Labotix Automation, Inc., Labotix). Labotix was a developer of laboratory automation solutions for clinical
laboratories. We believe the combination of Cerner Millennium, Cerner Copath, and Labotix allows us to offer a comprehensive
set of capabilities to support high volume laboratory testing.
Consideration for the acquisition of Labotix was $18 million, which was paid in cash. The allocation of purchase price to the
estimated fair value of the identified tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulted in goodwill of
$12 million and $5 million in intangible assets related to the value of existing technologies. The goodwill was allocated to our
Domestic operating segment and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Identifiable intangible assets are being
amortized over a period of five years.
The operating results of Labotix were combined with our operating results subsequent to the purchase date of March 18,
2013.
80
(3) Investments
Available-for-sale investments at the end of 2015 were as follows:
(In thousands)
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
Time deposits
Government and corporate bonds
Total cash equivalents
Short-term investments:
Time deposits
Commercial paper
Government and corporate bonds
Total short-term investments
Long-term investments:
Government and corporate bonds
Total available-for-sale investments
Available-for-sale investments at the end of 2014 were as follows:
(In thousands)
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
Time deposits
Commercial Paper
Total cash equivalents
Short-term investments:
Time deposits
Commercial paper
Government and corporate bonds
Total short-term investments
Long-term investments:
Government and corporate bonds
Total available-for-sale investments
Adjusted
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
$ 126,752
$
— $
— $ 126,752
5,677
73
132,502
30,989
1,500
78,655
111,144
156,527
$ 400,173
$
—
—
—
—
—
20
20
14
34
—
—
—
—
(2)
(103)
(105)
5,677
73
132,502
30,989
1,498
78,572
111,059
(569)
155,972
$
(674) $ 399,533
Adjusted
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
$ 189,137
$
— $
— $ 189,137
9,989
115,638
314,764
52,830
435,555
297,311
785,696
219,439
$ 1,319,899
$
—
—
—
—
1
69
70
26
96
—
—
—
(1)
(12)
(90)
(103)
9,989
115,638
314,764
52,829
435,544
297,290
785,663
(500)
218,965
$
(603) $ 1,319,392
Investments reported under the cost method of accounting as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015 were $16 million and
$9 million, respectively. Investments reported under the equity method of accounting as of January 2, 2016 and January 3,
2015 were $1 million and $4 million, respectively.
We sold available-for-sale investments for proceeds of $293 million and $698 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, resulting
in insignificant gains or losses in each period.
81
(4) Fair Value Measurements
We determine fair value measurements used in our consolidated financial statements based upon the price that would be
received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement
date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data
obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant
assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value
hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair
value hierarchy are described below:
•
•
•
Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the
ability to access.
Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not
active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term
of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the
fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The following table details our financial assets measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis at the end of 2015:
(In thousands)
Description
Money market funds
Time deposits
Government and corporate bonds
Time deposits
Commercial paper
Balance Sheet Classification
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Short-term investments
Government and corporate bonds
Short-term investments
Government and corporate bonds
Long-term investments
Fair Value Measurements Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
126,752
$
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
5,677
73
30,989
1,498
78,572
155,972
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
The following table details our financial assets measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis at the end of 2014:
(In thousands)
Description
Money market funds
Time deposits
Commercial paper
Time deposits
Commercial paper
Balance Sheet Classification
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Short-term investments
Government and corporate bonds
Short-term investments
Government and corporate bonds
Long-term investments
Fair Value Measurements Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
189,137
$
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
9,989
115,638
52,829
435,544
297,290
218,965
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
We estimate the fair value of our long-term, fixed rate debt using a Level 3 discounted cash flow analysis based on current
borrowing rates for debt with similar maturities. We estimate the fair value of our long-term, variable rate debt using a Level
3 discounted cash flow analysis based on LIBOR rate forward curves. The fair value of our long-term debt, including current
maturities, at the end of 2015 and 2014 was approximately $505 million and $15 million, respectively. The carrying amount
of such debt at the end of 2015 and 2014 was $500 million and $14 million, respectively.
82
(5) Receivables
Receivables consist of accounts receivable and the current portion of amounts due under sales-type leases. Accounts
receivable primarily represent recorded revenues that have been billed. Billings and other consideration received on contracts
in excess of related revenues recognized are recorded as deferred revenue. Substantially all receivables are derived from
sales and related support and maintenance and professional services of our clinical, administrative and financial information
systems and solutions to health care providers.
We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and generally do not require collateral from our clients. We provide an
allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts based on specific identification, historical experience and our judgment.
A summary of net receivables is as follows:
(In thousands)
Gross accounts receivable
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
Current portion of lease receivables
Total receivables, net
2015
2014
$ 1,043,069
$ 641,160
48,119
25,531
994,950
615,629
39,134
57,149
$ 1,034,084
$ 672,778
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of our allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
(in thousands)
Allowance for doubtful accounts - beginning balance
Additions charged to costs and expenses
Additions through acquisitions
Deductions(a)
Allowance for doubtful accounts - ending balance
(a) Deductions in 2014 include a $14 million reclassification to other non-current assets.
2015
2014
2013
$
$
25,531
2,317
34,159
$
36,286
5,274
—
(13,888)
(16,029)
33,230
6,954
489
(4,387)
$
48,119
$
25,531
$
36,286
Lease receivables represent our net investment in sales-type leases resulting from the sale of certain health care devices
to our clients. The components of our net investment in sales-type leases are as follows:
(In thousands)
Minimum lease payments receivable
Less: Unearned income
Total lease receivables
Less: Long-term receivables included in other assets
Current portion of lease receivables
2015
2014
$ 101,968
$ 125,906
5,593
96,375
57,241
6,089
119,817
62,668
$
39,134
$
57,149
83
Future minimum lease payments to be received under existing sales-type leases for the next five years are as follows:
(In thousands)
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
$
42,083
28,242
15,985
11,269
4,389
During the second quarter of 2008, Fujitsu Services Limited’s (Fujitsu) contract as the prime contractor in the National Health
Service (NHS) initiative to automate clinical processes and digitize medical records in the Southern region of England was
terminated by the NHS. This had the effect of automatically terminating our subcontract for the project. We continue to be in
dispute with Fujitsu regarding Fujitsu’s obligation to pay the amounts comprised of accounts receivable and contracts
receivable related to that subcontract, and we are working with Fujitsu to resolve these issues based on processes provided
for in the contract. Part of that process requires final resolution of disputes between Fujitsu and the NHS regarding the
contract termination. As of January 2, 2016, it remains unlikely that our matter with Fujitsu will be resolved in the next 12
months. Therefore, these receivables have been classified as long-term and represent less than the majority of other long-
term assets at the end of 2015 and 2014. While the ultimate collectability of the receivables pursuant to this process is
uncertain, we believe that we have valid and equitable grounds for recovery of such amounts and that collection of recorded
amounts is probable. Nevertheless, it is reasonably possible that our estimates regarding collectability of such amounts
might materially change in the near term, considering that we do not have complete knowledge of the status of the proceedings
between Fujitsu and NHS and their effect on our claim.
During 2015 and 2014, we received total client cash collections of $4.4 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively.
(6) Property and Equipment
A summary of property, equipment and leasehold improvements stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and
amortization, is as follows:
(In thousands)
Computer and communications equipment
Land, buildings and improvements
Leasehold improvements
Furniture and fixtures
Capital lease equipment
Other equipment
Less accumulated depreciation and leasehold amortization
Total property and equipment, net
Depreciable
Lives (Yrs)
1 — 5
12 — 50
1 — 15
5 — 12
3 — 5
3 — 20
2015
2014
$ 1,261,338
742,760
201,155
102,681
3,200
1,155
$ 1,137,497
439,567
187,351
96,244
3,196
915
2,312,289
1,864,770
1,003,075
940,510
$ 1,309,214
$ 924,260
Depreciation and leasehold amortization expense for 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $217 million, $163 million and $136 million,
respectively.
84
(7) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows:
(In thousands)
Balance at the end of 2013
Goodwill recorded in connection with business acquisitions
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other
Balance at the end of 2014
Goodwill recorded in connection with business acquisitions
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other
Balance at the end of 2015
A summary of net intangible assets is as follows:
(In thousands)
Purchased software
Customer lists
Internal use software
Trade names
Other
Total
Intangible assets, net
Domestic
Global
Total
$
294,413
$
13,009
$
307,422
16,757
—
311,170
419,667
—
—
(3,641)
9,368
65,720
(6,743)
16,757
(3,641)
320,538
485,387
(6,743)
$
730,837
$
68,345
$
799,182
2015
2014
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
$ 169,703
$
110,344
$ 370,073
$
495,328
68,966
40,739
43,133
168,024
115,325
36,062
5,690
5,080
100,681
42,336
962
25,561
$ 1,018,239
$
$
330,181
$ 339,243
688,058
$
$
73,637
19,712
507
8,407
212,607
126,636
Amortization expense for 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $116 million, $36 million and $33 million, respectively.
Estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows:
(In thousands)
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
$ 121,473
114,428
100,109
96,191
53,452
(8) Software Development
Information regarding our software development costs is included in the following table:
(In thousands)
Software development costs
Capitalized software development costs
Amortization of capitalized software development costs
Total software development expense
85
For the Years Ended
2015
2014
2013
$ 685,260 $ 467,158 $ 418,747
(264,656)
(177,800)
(174,649)
119,195
103,447
94,688
$ 539,799 $ 392,805 $ 338,786
Accumulated amortization as of the end of 2015 and 2014 was $1.0 billion and $891 million, respectively.
(9) Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
The following is a summary of indebtedness outstanding:
(In thousands)
Note agreement, 5.54%
Senior Notes
Capital lease obligations
Other
Debt and capital lease obligations
Less: debt issuance costs
Debt and capital lease obligations, net
Less: current portion
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
5.54% Notes
2015
2014
$
— $
500,000
92,416
13,450
605,866
(716)
605,150
(41,797)
14,233
—
116,095
—
130,328
—
130,328
(67,460)
$ 563,353
$
62,868
In November 2005, we completed a £65 million unsecured private placement of debt at 5.54% pursuant to a Note Agreement.
The Note Agreement was payable in seven equal annual installments, which commenced November 2009. These 5.54%
Notes were paid in full in 2015.
Senior Notes
In January 2015, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured Senior Notes ("Senior Notes"), pursuant
to a Master Note Purchase Agreement dated December 4, 2014. The issuance consisted of $225 million of 3.18% Series
2015-A Notes due February 15, 2022, $200 million of 3.58% Series 2015-B Notes due February 14, 2025, and $75 million
in floating rate Series 2015-C Notes due February 15, 2022. Interest is payable semiannually on February 15th and August
15th in each year, commencing on August 15, 2015 for the Series 2015-A Notes and Series 2015-B Notes. The Series 2015-
C Notes will accrue interest at a floating rate equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Master Note Purchase
Agreement), payable quarterly on February 15th, May 15th, August 15th and November 15th in each year, commencing on
May 15, 2015. As of January 2, 2016, the interest rate for the current interest period was 1.36% based on the three-month
floating LIBOR rate. The debt issuance costs in the table above relate to the issuance of these Senior Notes. The Master
Note Purchase Agreement contains certain leverage and interest coverage ratio covenants and provides certain restrictions
on our ability to borrow, incur liens, sell assets, and other customary terms. Proceeds from the Senior Notes are available
for general corporate purposes.
Capital Leases
Our capital lease obligations are primarily related to the procurement of hardware and health care devices, and generally
have a term of five years.
Other
Other indebtedness includes estimated amounts payable through September 2025, under an agreement entered into in
September 2015.
Credit Facility
In October 2015, we amended and restated our revolving credit facility. The amended facility provides a $100 million unsecured
revolving line of credit for working capital purposes, which includes a letter of credit facility, expiring in October 2020. We
have the ability to increase the maximum capacity to $200 million at any time during the facility’s term, subject to lender
participation. Interest is payable at a rate based on prime, LIBOR, or the U.S. federal funds rate, plus a spread that varies
depending on the leverage ratios maintained. The agreement provides certain restrictions on our ability to borrow, incur liens,
86
sell assets and pay dividends and contains certain cash flow and liquidity covenants. As of the end of 2015, we had no
outstanding borrowings under this facility; however, we had $16 million of outstanding letters of credit, which reduced our
available borrowing capacity to $84 million.
Covenant Compliance
As of January 2, 2016, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.
Minimum annual payments under existing capital lease obligations and maturities of indebtedness outstanding at the end of
2015 are as follows:
Capital Lease Obligations
Minimum
Lease
Payments
Less:
Interest
Principal
Senior
Notes
Other
Total
$
44,045
$
2,248
$
41,797
$
— $
— $
24,271
14,879
10,270
3,370
—
1,236
654
254
27
—
23,035
14,225
10,016
3,343
—
—
—
—
—
500,000
2,500
—
—
1,100
9,850
41,797
25,535
14,225
10,016
4,443
509,850
$
96,835
$
4,419
$
92,416
$ 500,000
$
13,450
$ 605,866
(In thousands)
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021 and thereafter
Total
(10) Contingencies
We accrue estimates for resolution of any legal and other contingencies when losses are probable and estimable, in
accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies.
The terms of our software license agreements with our clients generally provide for a limited indemnification of such clients
against losses, expenses and liabilities arising from third party claims based on alleged infringement by our solutions of an
intellectual property right of such third party. The terms of such indemnification often limit the scope of and remedies for such
indemnification obligations and generally include a right to replace or modify an infringing solution. To date, we have not had
to reimburse any of our clients for any judgments or settlements to third parties related to these indemnification provisions
pertaining to intellectual property infringement claims. For several reasons, including the lack of prior indemnification claims
and the lack of a monetary liability limit for certain infringement cases under the terms of the corresponding agreements with
our clients, we cannot determine the maximum amount of potential future payments, if any, related to such indemnification
provisions.
In addition to commitments and obligations in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various legal proceedings
and claims, including for example, employment disputes and litigation alleging solution defects, personal injury, intellectual
property infringement, violations of law and breaches of contract and warranties. Many of these proceedings are at preliminary
stages and many seek an indeterminate amount of damages.
No less than quarterly, we review the status of each significant matter and assess our potential financial exposure. We accrue
a liability for an estimated loss if the potential loss from any legal proceeding or claim is considered probable and the amount
can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination
as to whether the amount of an exposure is reasonably estimable, and accruals are based only on the information available
to our management at the time the judgment is made. Furthermore, the outcome of legal proceedings is inherently uncertain,
and we may incur substantial defense costs and expenses defending any of these matters. Should any one or a combination
of more than one of these proceedings be successful, or should we determine to settle any or a combination of these matters,
we may be required to pay substantial sums, become subject to the entry of an injunction or be forced to change the manner
in which we operate our business, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations or
financial condition.
87
Settlement Charge
On December 10, 2013, the Company received an interim ruling on a pending arbitration matter between Cerner and a client,
awarding the client damages and awarding us part of our counterclaim to collect accounts receivable. The client dispute
arose from allegations that a certain patient accounting software solution sold to the client in 2008 was defective and did not
deliver the promised benefits. This matter was resolved and paid in 2013. We recognized a gross pre-tax charge of $106
million in the fourth quarter of 2013, which is included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements
of operations.
(11) Other Income
A summary of other income is as follows:
(In thousands)
Interest income
Interest expense
Other
Other income, net
(12) Income Taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) for 2015, 2014 and 2013 consists of the following:
(In thousands)
Current:
Federal
State
Foreign
Total current expense
Deferred:
Federal
State
Foreign
Total deferred expense (benefit)
Total income tax expense
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$
$
$
11,990
(11,820)
74
$
16,342
(3,993)
(1,259)
15,314
(4,226)
954
244
$
11,090
$
12,042
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 140,921
$ 114,508
$ 178,424
18,647
17,205
13,504
13,824
25,148
8,775
176,773
141,836
212,347
60,015
5,680
(450)
95,057
8,873
2,975
(9,792)
(7,116)
(5,739)
65,245
106,905
(22,647)
$ 242,018
$ 248,741
$ 189,700
88
Temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities that give rise
to significant portions of deferred income taxes at the end of 2015 and 2014 relate to the following:
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses
Tax credits and separate return net operating losses
Share based compensation
Other
Gross deferred tax assets
Less: Valuation allowance
Total deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Software development costs
Depreciation and amortization
Prepaid expenses
Contract and service revenues and costs
Other
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liability
2015
2014
$
27,555
$
29,265
69,555
16,334
25,398
28,953
58,271
10,347
142,709
122,969
—
(776)
142,709
122,193
(216,435)
(133,242)
(25,655)
(10,684)
(3,589)
(163,938)
(129,684)
(80)
(7,511)
(3,545)
(389,605)
(304,758)
$ (246,896) $ (182,565)
At the end of 2015, we had net operating loss carry-forwards subject to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code for U.S.
federal income tax purposes of $5 million that are available to offset future U.S. federal taxable income, if any, through 2020.
We had net operating loss carry-forwards from foreign jurisdictions of $1 million that are available to offset future taxable
income, with expiration dates occurring between 2021 and 2034, and $38 million that are available to offset future taxable
income with no expiration. We had a deferred tax asset for state net operating loss carry-forwards of $1 million which are
available to offset future taxable income, if any, through 2034. In addition, we have a state income tax credit carry-forward
of $16 million available to offset income tax liabilities through 2030, and a foreign jurisdiction tax credit carry-forward available
to offset future tax liabilities of $1 million through 2026.
During 2013, we recorded a valuation allowance of $1 million against our deferred tax asset for certain foreign net operating
losses. During 2015, we removed the valuation allowance against foreign net operating losses, as a result of a change in
judgment caused by a change in circumstances. We expect to fully utilize the net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards
in future periods.
At the end of 2015, we had not provided tax on the cumulative undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries of
approximately $108 million, because it is our intention to reinvest these earnings indefinitely. If these earnings were distributed,
we would be subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes, net of U.S. foreign tax credits
which may be available. The calculation of this unrecognized deferred tax liability is complex and not practicable.
89
The effective income tax rates for 2015, 2014, and 2013 were 31%, 32%, and 32%, respectively. These effective rates differ
from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% as follows:
(In thousands)
Tax expense at statutory rates
State income tax, net of federal benefit
Tax credits
Foreign rate differential
Permanent differences
Other, net
Total income tax expense
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$ 273,483
$ 270,961
$ 205,819
16,129
(20,681)
(14,821)
(14,314)
2,222
19,301
(19,469)
(13,057)
(12,253)
3,258
17,425
(18,683)
(480)
(14,760)
379
$ 242,018
$ 248,741
$ 189,700
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefit is presented below:
(In thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefit - beginning balance
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior periods
Gross increases - tax positions in prior periods
Gross increases - tax positions in current year
Settlements
Currency translation
2015
2014
2013
$
7,202
$
2,100
$
2,176
(4,323)
690
2,824
(1,299)
(216)
(804)
5,906
—
—
—
(76)
—
—
—
—
Unrecognized tax benefit - ending balance
$
4,878
$
7,202
$
2,100
If recognized, $4 million of the unrecognized tax benefit will favorably impact our effective tax rate. We anticipate that it is
reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by up to $2 million within the next twelve months due
to the potential settlement of examinations by taxing authorities and lapse of the statutes of limitations in various taxing
jurisdictions. Our U.S. federal returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service through 2012. We have various
state and foreign returns under examination.
The ending amounts of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were $1 million in both 2015 and
2014. We classify interest and penalties as income tax expense in our consolidated statement of operations.
The foreign portion of our earnings before income taxes was $83 million, $68 million, and $5 million in 2015, 2014, and 2013
respectively, and the remaining portion was domestic.
90
(13) Earnings Per Share
A reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations are as follows:
2015
2014
2013
Earnings
Shares
Per-
Share
Earnings
Shares
Per-
Share
Earnings
Shares
Per-
Share
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Numerator)
(Denominator)
Amount
(Numerator)
(Denominator)
Amount
(Numerator)
(Denominator)
Amount
Basic earnings per share:
Income available to common shareholders $
539,362
343,178
$
1.57
$
525,433
342,150
$
1.54
$
398,354
343,636
$
1.16
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and non-vested shares
—
7,730
—
8,236
—
8,645
Diluted earnings per share:
Income available to common shareholders
including assumed conversions
$
539,362
350,908
$
1.54
$
525,433
350,386
$
1.50
$
398,354
352,281
$
1.13
Options to purchase 2.9 million, 5.7 million and 6.1 million shares of common stock at per share prices ranging from $50.04
to $73.40, $44.05 to $66.10 and $36.92 to $56.39, were outstanding at the end of 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, but
were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.
(14) Share-Based Compensation and Equity
Stock Option and Equity Plans
As of the end of 2015, we had five fixed stock option and equity plans in effect for associates and directors. This includes
one plan from which we could issue grants, the Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the Omnibus Plan);
and four plans from which no new grants are permitted, but some awards remain outstanding (Plans D, E, F, and G).
Awards under the Omnibus Plan may consist of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock
units, performance shares, performance units, performance grants and bonus shares. At the end of 2015, 20.1 million shares
remain available for awards. Stock options granted under the Omnibus Plan are exercisable at a price not less than fair
market value on the date of grant. Stock options under the Omnibus Plan typically vest over a period of five years and are
exercisable for periods of up to 10 years.
Stock Options
The fair market value of each stock option award granted in 2015 is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-
Merton (BSM) pricing model. The pricing model requires the use of the following estimates and assumptions:
•
•
•
Expected volatilities under the BSM model are based on an equal weighting of implied volatilities from traded options
on our common shares and historical volatility.
The expected term of stock options granted is the period of time for which an option is expected to be outstanding
beginning on the grant date. Our calculation of expected term takes into account the contractual term of the option,
as well as the effects of employees' historical exercise patterns; groups of associates (executives and non-executives)
that have similar historical behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes.
The risk-free rate is based on the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond with a term consistent with the expected term of
the awards.
The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair market value of stock options were as follows:
Expected volatility (%)
Expected term (yrs)
Risk-free rate (%)
91
For the Years Ended
2015
2014
2013
27.6%
7
1.8%
29.7%
9
2.9%
30.5%
9
1.9%
Stock option activity for 2015 was as follows:
(In thousands, except per share data)
Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited and expired
Outstanding at end of year
Exercisable at end of year
(In thousands, except for grant date fair values)
Weighted-average grant date fair values
Total intrinsic value of options exercised
Cash received from exercise of stock options
Tax benefit realized upon exercise of stock options
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Number of
Shares
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Yrs)
$
24,629
3,678
(3,723)
(317)
24,267
27.00
67.07
16.15
48.42
34.46
$ 649,227
13,694
$
19.42
$ 557,957
5.96
4.29
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$
21.51
$
22.59
$
19.57
$ 196,127
$ 124,828
$ 118,051
51,475
66,868
31,879
44,029
31,403
43,523
As of the end of 2015, there was $154 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under
all plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.16 years.
Non-vested Shares
Non-vested shares are valued at fair market value on the date of grant and will vest provided the recipient has continuously
served on the Board of Directors through such vesting date or, in the case of an associate, provided that performance
measures are attained. The expense associated with these grants is recognized over the period from the date of grant to
the vesting date, when achievement of the performance condition is deemed probable.
Non-vested share activity for 2015 was as follows:
(In thousands, except per share data)
Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at end of year
(In thousands, except for grant date fair values)
Weighted average grant date fair values for shares granted during the year
Total fair value of shares vested during the year
92
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Number of
Shares
$
506
315
(206)
(58)
557
$
46.21
68.57
45.60
43.57
59.42
For the Years Ended
2014
2013
2015
$
$
68.57
13,730
$
$
55.27
11,294
$
$
46.66
13,649
As of the end of 2015, there was $16 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share awards
granted under all plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.01 years.
Associate Stock Purchase Plan
We established an Associate Stock Purchase Plan (ASPP) in 2001, which qualifies under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue
Code. Each individual employed by us and associates of our U.S. based subsidiaries, except as provided below, are eligible
to participate in the ASPP (Participants). The following individuals are excluded from participation: (a) persons who, as of
the beginning of a purchase period under the Plan, have been continuously employed by us or our domestic subsidiaries for
less than two weeks; (b) persons who, as of the beginning of a purchase period, own directly or indirectly, or hold options or
rights to acquire under any agreement or Company plan, an aggregate of 5% or more of the total combined voting power or
value of all outstanding shares of all classes of Company common stock; and, (c) persons who are customarily employed
by us for less than 20 hours per week or for less than five months in any calendar year. Participants may elect to make
contributions from 1% to 20% of compensation to the ASPP, subject to annual limitations determined by the Internal Revenue
Service. Participants may purchase Company common stock at a 15% discount on the last business day of the option period.
The purchase of Company common stock is made through the ASPP on the open market and subsequently reissued to
Participants. The difference between the open market purchase and the Participant’s purchase price is recognized as
compensation expense, as such difference is paid by Cerner, in cash.
Share Based Compensation Cost
Our stock option and non-vested share awards qualify for equity classification. The costs of our ASPP, along with participant
contributions, are recorded as a liability until open market purchases are completed. The amounts recognized in the
consolidated statements of operations with respect to stock options, non-vested shares and ASPP are as follows:
(In thousands)
For the Years Ended
2015
2014
2013
Stock option and non-vested share compensation expense
$
70,121
$
59,292
$
46,295
Associate stock purchase plan expense
Amounts capitalized in software development costs, net of amortization
Amounts charged against earnings, before income tax benefit
Amount of related income tax benefit recognized in earnings
Preferred Stock
5,393
(588)
4,603
(930)
$
$
74,926
23,435
$
$
62,965
22,101
$
$
3,704
(1,045)
48,954
18,607
As of the end of 2015 and 2014, we had 1.0 million shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock, $0.01 par value.
Treasury Stock
In September 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program that allowed the Company to repurchase shares
of our common stock up to $245 million, excluding transaction costs. During 2015, we repurchased 4.1 million shares for
total consideration of $245 million under the program. These shares were recorded as treasury stock and accounted for
under the cost method. No repurchased shares have been retired. This program is now complete.
In December of 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase under which the Company was authorized to
repurchase common stock in an amount up to $217 million. In May 2014, our Board of Directors approved an amendment
to the repurchase program that was authorized in December 2013. Under the amendment, the Company was authorized
to repurchase shares of our common stock up to an additional $100 million, for an aggregate of $317 million, excluding
transaction costs. Under this program, we repurchased 1.6 million shares for total consideration of $100 million, and 4.1
million shares for total consideration of $217 million, in 2015 and 2014, respectively. These shares were recorded as treasury
stock and accounted for under the cost method. No repurchased shares have been retired. This program is now complete.
In December 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program that allowed the Company to repurchase shares
of our common stock of up to $170 million, excluding transaction costs. During 2013, we repurchased 3.6 million shares for
total consideration of $170 million. All of the repurchased shares at the time of our June 2013 stock split were utilized to settle
a portion of the stock split distribution. This program is now complete.
93
(15) Foundations Retirement Plan
The Cerner Corporation Foundations Retirement Plan (the Plan) was established under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code. All associates age 18 and older and who are not a member of an excluded class are eligible to participate. Participants
may elect to make pre-tax and Roth (post-tax) contributions from 1% to 80% of eligible compensation to the Plan, subject
to annual limitations determined by the Internal Revenue Service. Participants may direct contributions into mutual funds, a
stable value fund, a Company stock fund, or a self-directed brokerage account. The Plan has a first tier discretionary match
that is made on behalf of participants in an amount equal to 33% of the first 6% of the participant’s salary contribution. The
Plan's first tier discretionary match expenses amounted to $30 million, $18 million and $15 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013,
respectively.
The Plan also provides for a second tier matching contribution that is purely discretionary, the payment of which will depend
on overall Company performance and other conditions. If approved by the Compensation Committee, contributions by the
Company will be tied to attainment of established financial metric goals, such as earnings per share for the year. Participants
who defer 2% of their paid base salary, are actively employed as of the last day of the Plan year and are employed before
October 1st of the Plan year are eligible to receive the second tier discretionary match contribution, if any such second tier
matching contribution is approved by the Compensation Committee. For the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013 we expensed
$7 million, $5 million and $14 million for the second tier discretionary distributions, respectively.
(16) Related Party Transactions
Continuous Campus
During 2009, as part of our long-term space planning analysis, we determined that we would require additional office space
for associates to accommodate our anticipated growth. We evaluated various sites in the Kansas City metropolitan area and
negotiated with several different governmental entities regarding available incentives. Upon completion of this review, we
decided to proceed with an office development (known as our “Continuous Campus”) in Wyandotte County, Kansas. In order
to maximize available incentives, we agreed to pursue the office development in conjunction with the development of an
18,000 seat, multi-sport stadium complex and related recreational athletic complex.
The stadium complex was developed by Kansas Unified Development, LLC (the “Developer”), an entity controlled by Neal
Patterson, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Clifford Illig, Vice Chairman
of the Board of Directors of the Company. Sporting Kansas City (“Sporting KC”) is the principal tenant of the stadium complex.
OnGoal LLC (“OnGoal”), the owner of the Sporting KC professional soccer club, is also controlled by Messrs. Patterson and
Illig.
The Company currently estimates it will receive incentives in the aggregate of $82 million from the Developer, the Unified
Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas (the “Unified Government”) and the Kansas Department of
Commerce. Components of the $82 million of incentives are described below:
Cash Grants - In January 2014 we received $48 million of cash grants from the Kansas Department of Commerce for project
costs. The State of Kansas has issued bonds in order to fund these incentives and has incurred costs of issuance and debt
service obligations. As consideration for the grant, we made certain new job and state payroll tax withholding commitments.
Should aggregate state payroll tax withholdings (related to associates at our Continuous Campus) over a 10-year period
commencing in January 2014 be less than $49 million (the $48 million of cash we received plus amounts representing debt
service costs incurred by the State of Kansas), we would be required to repay the shortfall. The $49 million maximum
repayment amount will be adjusted up or down during the 10-year period, based on any future change to Kansas payroll tax
withholding rates.
Under a separate agreement, the Developer and OnGoal have agreed to be responsible for certain shortfall payments that
may become due. If no payment from Developer or OnGoal becomes due at the end of the 10-year period, the Developer
or OnGoal will pay us a success fee of $4 million.
We recorded the cash grants as an obligation/liability at $48 million, upon receipt in January 2014. Over time this liability
will accrete, utilizing the effective interest method, up to the maximum repayment amount, offset by reductions based on
actual state payroll tax withholdings generated by our Continuous Campus associates. This activity is recognized as a
component of operating expense as it occurs over a period not to exceed 10 years. At the end of 2015, the obligation/liability
94
balance was $35 million, the majority of which is included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities in our consolidated
balance sheets.
Sales Tax Exemptions - We have received a sales tax exemption on materials and other fixed assets purchased in connection
with the construction. As such, we were not required to remit an aggregate of $11 million of sales tax on these capital
purchases.
State Income Tax Credits - We expect state income tax credits to aggregate $19 million. Such credits are available to offset
our Kansas state income tax, and are being recognized as a reduction of income tax expense as we are eligible to claim
them.
Land - We acquired the land for our Continuous Campus from the Unified Government with certain contingencies upon which
the office complex was being constructed. The purchase price of the land, equal to the site’s fair market value, was paid by
the Developer. In the second quarter of 2012, we commenced vertical construction on the office development, which resolved
contingencies and the land contributed to the Company from the Unified Government was recorded at its $4 million appraisal
value.
Trails Campus Development
In December 2013, we purchased approximately 237 acres of land located in Kansas City, Missouri, from Trails Properties
II, Inc. (“Trails”), for $43 million. Trails is an entity controlled by Messrs. Patterson and Illig. The property (currently known
as our "Trails Campus") was acquired as a site for future office space development to further accommodate our anticipated
growth. Construction on the Trails Campus began in November 2014.
GRAND Construction, LLC
GRAND Construction, LLC ("Grand") is a limited liability company owned in part by an entity controlled by Messrs. Patterson
and Illig. Grand has historically provided construction management and related services to the Company in connection with
our office campuses, for which we paid $2 million in both 2015 and 2013. The amount paid in 2014 was less than $1 million.
We expect to pay Grand an additional $3 million, under an existing agreement, over a period estimated at two years.
(17) Commitments
Leases
We are committed under operating leases primarily for office and data center space and computer equipment through October
2027. Rent expense for office and warehouse space for our regional and global offices for 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $32
million, $25 million and $20 million, respectively. Aggregate minimum future payments under these non-cancelable operating
leases are as follows:
Operating
Lease
Obligations
$
26,436
25,076
20,290
15,390
9,757
15,875
$
112,824
(In thousands)
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021 and thereafter
95
Other Obligations
We have purchase commitments with various vendors, and minimum funding commitments under collaboration agreements
through 2023. Aggregate future payments under these commitments are as follows:
(In thousands)
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021 and thereafter
Purchase
Obligations
$
77,610
57,981
24,454
9,601
3,927
6,000
$
179,573
Siemens Innovation Alliance
Concurrently with the execution of the MSPA, we entered into an agreement with Siemens AG to create a strategic alliance
to jointly invest in innovative projects that integrate health information technology with medical technologies for the purpose
of enhancing workflows and improving clinical outcomes. Each company will contribute up to $50 million to fund projects of
shared importance to both companies and their clients, over an initial term of three years, commencing on February 2, 2015.
In 2015, we contributed less than $1 million to fund approved projects.
96
(18) Segment Reporting
We have two operating segments, Domestic and Global. Revenues are derived primarily from the sale of clinical, financial
and administrative information systems and solutions. The cost of revenues includes the cost of third party consulting services,
computer hardware, devices and sublicensed software purchased from manufacturers for delivery to clients. It also includes
the cost of hardware maintenance and sublicensed software support subcontracted to the manufacturers. Operating expenses
incurred by the geographic business segments consist of sales and client service expenses including salaries of sales and
client service personnel, expenses associated with our managed services business, marketing expenses, communications
expenses and unreimbursed travel expenses. “Other” includes expenses that have not been allocated to the operating
segments, such as software development, general and administrative expenses (including the settlement charge discussed
in Note (10)), acquisition costs and related adjustments, share-based compensation expense, and certain amortization and
depreciation. Performance of the segments is assessed at the operating earnings level by our chief operating decision maker,
who is our Chief Executive Officer. Items such as interest, income taxes, capital expenditures and total assets are managed
at the consolidated level and thus are not included in our operating segment disclosures. Accounting policies for each of the
reportable segments are the same as those used on a consolidated basis.
In connection with our acquisition of the Cerner Health Services business, we commenced an evaluation of our methodology
for allocating operating expenses to our reportable segments. Effective for our first quarter of 2015, certain expenses
historically reported in "Other" have been allocated to the geographic segments. This new allocation reflects the manner in
which the business is now managed, subsequent to the acquisition. While this reporting change did not impact our consolidated
results, the segment data has been recast to be consistent for all periods presented.
The following table presents a summary of our operating segments and other expense for 2015, 2014 and 2013:
(In thousands)
2015
Revenues
Cost of revenues
Operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Operating earnings (loss)
(In thousands)
2014
Revenues
Cost of revenues
Operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Operating earnings (loss)
(In thousands)
2013
Revenues
Cost of revenues
Operating expenses
Total costs and expenses
Operating earnings (loss)
Domestic
Global
Other
Total
$ 3,904,454
$ 520,813
$
— $ 4,425,267
651,826
1,577,594
2,229,420
98,955
233,047
332,002
—
1,082,709
1,082,709
750,781
2,893,350
3,644,131
$ 1,675,034
$ 188,811
$(1,082,709) $ 781,136
Domestic
Global
Other
Total
$ 3,021,790
$ 380,913
$
— $ 3,402,703
542,210
1,163,413
1,705,623
62,167
182,965
245,132
—
688,864
688,864
604,377
2,035,242
2,639,619
$ 1,316,167
$ 135,781
$ (688,864) $ 763,084
Domestic
Global
Other
Total
$ 2,550,115
$ 360,633
$
— $ 2,910,748
458,540
977,334
1,435,874
56,182
155,093
211,275
—
687,587
687,587
514,722
1,820,014
2,334,736
$ 1,114,241
$ 149,358
$ (687,587) $ 576,012
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(19) Quarterly Results (unaudited)
Selected quarterly financial data for 2015 and 2014 is set forth below:
(In thousands, except per share data)
2015
First Quarter (a)
Second Quarter (a)(b)
Third Quarter (a)(b)
Fourth Quarter (a)(b)
Total
Earnings
Before
Income
Taxes
Revenues
Net
Earnings
Basic
Earnings
Per Share
Diluted
Earnings
Per Share
$ 996,089
$ 167,120
$ 110,934
$
0.32
$
1,125,997
170,657
115,038
1,127,887
215,671
147,282
1,175,294
227,932
166,108
$ 4,425,267
$ 781,380
$ 539,362
0.33
0.43
0.49
0.32
0.33
0.42
0.48
(a) First through Fourth quarter results include pre-tax acquisition costs of $17 million, $3 million, $1 million and $1 million, respectively, as further described in Note (2).
(b) Second through Fourth quarter results include pre-tax costs related to the VSP of $42 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively, as further described in Note (1).
(In thousands, except per share data)
2014
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter (c)
Fourth Quarter (c)
Total
Earnings
Before
Income
Taxes
Revenues
Net
Earnings
Basic
Earnings
Per Share
Diluted
Earnings
Per Share
$ 784,761
$ 180,993
$ 119,526
$
0.35
$
851,762
194,370
129,033
840,149
190,335
129,002
926,031
208,476
147,872
0.38
0.38
0.43
$ 3,402,703
$ 774,174
$ 525,433
0.34
0.37
0.37
0.42
(c) Third and Fourth quarter results include pre-tax acquisition costs of $9 million and $6 million, respectively, as further described in Note (2).
98
99
Corporate Information
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING
The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting will be held at 10:00 a .m . local time on May 27, 2016, at The Cerner
Round Auditorium in the Cerner Vision Center, located on the Cerner campus at 2850 Rockcreek
Parkway, North Kansas City, Missouri, 64117 . A formal notice of the Meeting, together with our Proxy
Statement and Proxy Card, will be available to each shareholder of record as of March 30, 2016 .
ANNUAL REPORT/FORM 10-K
Publications of interest to current and potential Cerner investors (including our quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission) are available at no charge to shareholders . To obtain copies of these materials, you can
access them at www .cerner .com/about/Investor_Relations/ or send a written request to:
Cerner Corporation
Investor Relations
2800 Rockcreek Parkway
North Kansas City, MO 64117-2551
Inquiries of an administrative nature relating to shareholder accounting records, stock transfer, change
of address and miscellaneous shareholder requests should be directed to our transfer agent and
registrar, Computershare Trust Company, N .A . at 1-800-884-4225 .
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Computershare Trust Company, N .A .
P .O . Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
1-800-884-4225
STOCK LISTINGS
Cerner Corporation’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select MarketSM under the
symbol CERN .
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
KPMG LLP
Kansas City, MO
100
© Cerner Corporation. All Rights Reserved. All Cerner trademarks and logos are owned or licensed by Cerner Corporation
and/or its affiliates. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered marks of their respective owners.
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2800 Rockcreek Parkway
North Kansas City, MO USA 64117
816.221.1024
Worldwide
with associates in
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
India
Ireland
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
United Arab Emirates
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