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Cerner

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FY2020 Annual Report · Cerner
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2020

ANNUAL REPORT

2020 ANNUAL REPORT

This page intentionally left blank

Table of contents

Board of Directors ..........................................................................................................................................................................................2

Leadership ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................3

Cerner’s long-term performance ...........................................................................................................................................................4

A letter to our shareholders, clients and associates ...................................................................................................................5

Appendix: Reconciliation of GAAP results to Non-GAAP results .....................................................................................12

Corporate responsibility at Cerner ......................................................................................................................................................13

Appendix: Key Performance Indicator index ...............................................................................................................................22

Form 10-K ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

Business and Industry Overview ..............................................................................................................................................................................28
Risk Factors........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Properties ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................50
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities ....................................................................................................................................................................50
Selected Financial Data .................................................................................................................................................................................................52
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  ................................................53
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk ...................................................................................................................67
Controls and Procedures  .............................................................................................................................................................................................67
Security  Ownership  of  Certain Beneficial Owners  and Management and 
Related Stockholder Matters ......................................................................................................................................................................................69
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules  ...................................................................................................................................................70
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm .................................................................................................................76
Consolidated Balance Sheets  ...................................................................................................................................................................................79
Consolidated Statements of Operations . ...........................................................................................................................................................80
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income  .................................................................................................................................81
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ............................................................................................................................................................82
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity. .............................................................................................................83
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ....................................................................................................................................................84
Basis of Presentation, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies ...............................84
Revenue Recognition .............................................................................................................................................................................................87
Receivables ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................90
Investments..................................................................................................................................................................................................................92
Property and Equipment .....................................................................................................................................................................................93
Leases..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................93
Software Development .........................................................................................................................................................................................95
Business Acquisition. ..............................................................................................................................................................................................96
Gain on Sale of Businesses. ................................................................................................................................................................................97
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets .........................................................................................................................................................99
Long-term Debt.......................................................................................................................................................................................................100
Fair Value Measurements...................................................................................................................................................................................102
Other Income ............................................................................................................................................................................................................103
Income Taxes ............................................................................................................................................................................................................103
Earnings Per Share ................................................................................................................................................................................................105
Share-Based Compensation and Equity ..................................................................................................................................................106
Defined Contribution Retirement Plans ....................................................................................................................................................109
Purchase Obligations ............................................................................................................................................................................................110
Contingencies............................................................................................................................................................................................................110
Segment Reporting ..................................................................................................................................................................................................111
Quarterly Results ......................................................................................................................................................................................................113

Stock price performance graph ..........................................................................................................................................................114

Corporate information ..............................................................................................................................................................................115

Board of Directors

Brent Shafer
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, 
Cerner Corporation

Gerald E. Bisbee Jr., Ph.D., M.B.A.
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer,
Think Medium

Mitchell E. Daniels Jr., J.D.
President,  
Purdue University

Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H.
Executive Vice President and Chief Patient Officer, Strategic 
Communications, Global Public Policy and Population Health,  
Merck & Co., Inc.

Major General Elder Granger, M.D., 
USA Army (Retired)
President and Chief Executive Officer,  
The 5Ps, LLC

John J. Greisch, M.B.A.
Former President and Chief Executive Officer,
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

Melinda J. Mount, M.B.A.
Former President,
AliphCom, Inc. (d/b/a Jawbone)

George A. Riedel, M.B.A.
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,  
Cloudmark, Inc. and 
Sr. Lecturer at Harvard Business School

R. Halsey Wise, M.B.A.
Founder and Chief Executive,
Lime Barrell Advisors, LLC

2

William D. Zollars
Lead Independent Director,  
Cerner Corporation and
Former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President,  
YRC Worldwide, Inc.

Leadership

Brent Shafer
Chairman of the Board and 
Chief Executive Officer

Donald D. Trigg
President

Travis S. Dalton
Executive Vice President, 
Chief Client & Services Officer and 
President, Cerner Government Services

Daniel P. Devers
Executive Vice President,  
Chief Legal Officer and  
Secretary

Mark J. Erceg
Executive Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer

Jerome Labat
Executive Vice President and  
Chief Technology Officer

Tracy L. Platt
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Human Resources Officer

Kimberly H. Gerard
Senior Vice President and
Chief Transformation Officer

William E. Graff
Senior Vice President and
Chief Information Officer

Maria M. Houchins
Senior Vice President,
Business Processes and
Corporate Planning

Darrell E. Johnson
Senior Vice President and
Chief Marketing Officer

Eva L. Karp, D.H.A.
Senior Vice President,
Chief Clinical and Patient  
Safety Officer

William B. Mintz
Senior Vice President and
Chief Strategy Officer

Rama V. Nadimpalli
Senior Vice President and GM,
Cerner India

Brenna M. Quinn
Senior Vice President,
Revenue Cycle

3

Cerner’s long-term performance
This table provides a view of our growth over the last decade and since we first became a 
publicly traded company in 1986.

Compound Annual Growth Rates

Previous Decade
2010 - 2020

Since Going Public
1986 - 2020

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 

1986

2010

2020

$18 

$17 

$17 

$1,995 

$5,585 

$1,850 

$5,506 

$1,562 

$4,880 

   International Revenue 

$0.2 

$288 

$626 

Revenue Backlog

$11 

$4,940 

$13,036 

Operating Earnings (GAAP)

$3 

$359 

$915 

Operating Margin (GAAP)

14.8%

19.4%

16.6%

Net Earnings (GAAP)

$2 

$237 

$780 

Diluted Earnings Per Share (GAAP)

$0.01 

$0.69 

$2.52 

Adjusted Operating Earnings¹

$3 

$384 

$1,098 

11%

Adjusted Operating Margin¹

14.8%

20.8%

19.9%

Adjusted Net Earnings¹

$2 

$253 

$879 

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share¹

$0.01 

$0.74 

$2.84 

Total Assets

   Cash and Investments

Days Sales Outstanding

Total Debt

Equity

w Operating Cash Flow
o
Free Cash Flow¹
F

l

h
s
a
C

t
n
e
m
t
s
e
v
n
I

t
e
k
r
a
M

t

h Capital Expenditures
w
o
r
G

Associate Headcount

Research and Development

Market Capitalization

e Cerner Stock Price
c
n
a
m
r
o
f
r
e
P

S&P 500 Index

NASDAQ Composite Index

$26 

$2,423 

$7,521 

$8 

 161 

$1 

$836 

$1,568 

 87 

 76 

$93 

$1,336 

$16 

$1,905 

$4,483 

$1 

$456 

$1,437 

($1)

$273 

$857 

$1 

$2 

$102 

$285 

$284 

$797 

 149 

 8,242 

26,379

$0.24 

$23.68 

$78.48 

$45 

$7,886 $24,003

$349 

$2,653 

$12,888 

$242 

$1,258 

$3,756 

11%

12%

12%

8%

10%

10%

13%

14%

13%

14%

12%

6%

-1%

31%

9%

12%

12%

11%

11%

12%

13%

12%

17%

12%

18%

19%

18%

27%

23%

18%

19%

18%

19%

20%

18%

18%

17%

-2%

24%

18%

24%

NM

18%

19%

16%

19%

20%

11%

8%

Notes: Amounts are in millions except operating margin, adjusted operating margin, diluted earnings per share, adjusted 
diluted earnings per share, days sales outstanding, associate headcount, stock prices and index information.

NM = Not Meaningful

¹Adjusted 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. These non-
GAAP financial measures 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

Honored to support healthcare systems and their important work  
Rarely does a company’s vision and mission come into focus as 
powerfully as Cerner’s did in 2020. The overwhelming impact 
of the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of a 
seamless and connected world where everyone thrives.  

As the worldwide market share leader in acute electronic health 
record solutions, the past year was a reminder of the enormous 
responsibility Cerner and our associates have to improve access 
to and affordability of high-quality healthcare — for everyone. 

Brent Shafer
Chairman of the Board and  
Chief Executive Officer

Percentage of market share

Leading worldwide acute EHR market share

Cerner

Epic

MEDITECH

Allscripts

cpsi

MEDHOST

athenahealth

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Market share data validated as of Dec. 31, 2019, by KLAS Research. Data sourced from the following reports:  
Market share data validated as of Dec. 31, 2019, by KLAS Research. Data sourced from the following 
“Global (non-US) EMR Market Share 2020 | Regional Vendor Energy Rising” May 2020 (pgs. 100-101) and  
reports: “Global (non-US) EMR Market Share 2020 | Regional Vendor Energy Rising" May 2020 (pgs. 
“US Hospital EMR Market Share 2020 | Shifting Perspectives Among Large and Small Hospitals” April 2020. (pg. 24)  
100-101) and “US Hospital EMR Market Share 2020 | Shifting Perspectives Among Large and Small 
© 2020 KLAS Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.  
Hospitals" April 2020. (pg. 24) © 2020 KLAS Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.  

Market share reflects recent divestitures of Cerner assets to CompuGroup Medical SE in 2020.
Market share reflects recent divestitures of Cerner assets to CompuGroup Medical SE in 2020. 

5

We welcome this opportunity with a dual focus on delivering technology that makes providers 
more effective today, while pressing forward with urgency to build the tools and partnerships 
that will transform healthcare well into the future; thus, creating value for our shareholders.

Before sharing the financial highlights from this past year, let me express my extreme gratitude 
for the frontline caregivers and workers who sacrificed their health and safety to keep 
communities around the world safe. We are also proud of the way Cerner associates stepped 
up to put our clients first while adapting to a new remote work environment and caring for their 
loved ones.

Financial highlights
Despite several important business wins, which I will comment on shortly, revenue was down 
3% in 2020 due to our efforts to rationalize our business portfolio. Specifically, as part of 
ongoing portfolio management, Cerner divested its commercial RevWorks business to R1 
RCM Inc. and certain global businesses to CompuGroup Medical SE. These divestitures reflect 
Cerner’s purposeful focus of resources on improving our core platforms. 

In addition, we furthered our progress with transformation initiatives and reached 
approximately $300 million of cumulative cost reductions over the past two years. The 
company’s portfolio management and business simplification efforts are also reflected by 
product offerings being reduced from 25,000 individual features to about 400 products. 
Cerner’s transformation allows us to increase efficiency and have a more rapid impact on 
healthcare technology. These actions, coupled with tight cost control, contributed to Cerner’s 
full year adjusted operating margini expanding to 19.9%, a 140 basis point improvement over 
last year.

Full year free cash flowi was a record-high $857 million, driven by solid operating cash flow and 
cost and capital reductions since beginning transformation initiatives two years ago. Cerner 
plans to continue driving operating efficiencies and business simplification to meet operational 
improvement goals and deliver value to shareholders.   

Cerner’s adjusted net earningsi increased to $879 million while adjusted diluted EPSi grew  
six percentage points to $2.84. Through dividend and share buyback programs, the company 
returned nearly $1 billion of capital to shareholders, and Cerner remains in a position to 
deploy capital in the coming year with a strong cash balance and ample debt capacity. Cerner 
expects solid top- and bottom-line growth in 2021 due to continued success with its multi-year 
transformation effort, provided pandemic response continues to show positive progress. 

Additionally, in 2020, Cerner joined Fortune magazine’s Fortune 500 list for the first time. The 
company has been on the cusp of this ranking for years, and I am confident the strategies we 
have in place will fuel positive revenue growth for years to come. Cerner’s resilient business 
model and its success executing growth strategies and transformation efforts over the past  
18 months helped to mitigate the unexpected impact of COVID-19. Paired with over 600 
patents — 167 granted in the past year and a half — Cerner is positioned more than ever to 
define innovation in the industry and lead the transformation of healthcare. 

6

Cerner’s commitment to our clients  
Cerner’s commitment to our clients’ success is evident in our relentless pursuit of innovation. 
Despite the havoc, the pandemic reinforced the importance of technology, its role in 
supporting healthcare’s infrastructure and how we should re-imagine care delivery. COVID-19 
showcased the importance of simplifying access, improving the interoperable exchange of 
critical health data and more quickly advancing clinical research. 

Cerner has played a leading role in the digitization and automation of healthcare. Our unique 
and differentiated ability to ingest heterogenous data, normalize and curate it, then return 
the data with analytical insights to providers is improving care delivery and the economics 
of healthcare. In the past year, Cerner has made strong investments and has established 
collaborations and partnerships that lay an even stronger foundation in data science for the 
next frontier of healthcare. 

Cerner is a strategic partner for the future
As a testament to Cerner’s technology, innovation and incredible commitment of our 
associates, many health systems, hospitals and clinics extended or expanded their relationships 
with Cerner. These clients clearly view Cerner as a long-term strategic partner to help them 
navigate healthcare.

To better coordinate single registration across its 28 hospitals and clinics in six states, Banner 
Health built upon its multi-year, long-standing strategic alignment by adding Cerner’s revenue 
cycle management solution last year.

Intermountain Healthcare, one of Cerner’s most closely aligned clients, also signed a multi-
year expansion. Intermountain remains a model of care delivery and our collaboration with this 
widely recognized large, not-for-profit can be a template for health systems worldwide. 

Also in 2020, Cerner’s data rich HealtheIntent® platform and health networks became a vital 
part of the health ecosystem. Through the company’s health information exchange (HIE) 
capabilities, England’s National Health Service’s caregivers more than doubled the number of 
shared records accessed. Today, approximately 20 million people in England have the benefit 
of interoperable health data. 

Overall, Cerner added 23 organizations (nearly a third of which are entirely new to Cerner) to its 
Health Network business to help organizations better understand and predict what will happen 
within a population, engage consumers and better manage healthcare outcomes. 

COVID-19 brought considerable focus to the unique challenges rural populations face. Cerner’s 
CommunityWorksSM business proved to be an affordable, cost-effective cloud-based model for 
many communities. In 2020, 25 new community, critical access and specialty hospitals added 
Cerner technology agreements. 

For financial and clinical improvements to their health systems, I have repeatedly challenged 
our provider clients to “get current” on Cerner® software. I am pleased to report more than 
two-thirds of these hospitals, health systems and clinics have the most recent code installed, 
more than doubling over the past year. In addition to benefiting from Cerner’s latest innovations, 
organizations on current code collectively save four million hours per year in the EHR. 

7

Re-imagining the future of healthcare
In the earliest stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, Cerner transitioned all associates whose work 
permitted to a virtual environment. These actions have allowed for continued flexibility in 
supporting providers as they have adapted and responded to the virus. 

For example, London’s 4,000-bed Nightingale Hospital — created in a 100-acre convention 
center — required expanded use of the Cerner EHR to improve care coordination and increase 
efficiency. The Nightingale Hospital was quickly connected via Cerner’s HIE to other London 
acute Trusts and local primary and community providers. 

In Philadelphia, Einstein Healthcare used Cerner’s AWS-powered data science tools, including 
HealtheDataLab™, to contact more than 4,000 patients with underlying conditions at higher 
risk of contracting COVID-19. Over 3,000 booked telehealth appointments, filled prescriptions, 
or received specialist referrals as a result.

Using Cerner’s Command Center dashboard, a vital tool during the pandemic, clients are able 
to access near real-time data on resource availability and critical patient needs across their 
health systems to support faster decision-making. 

Cerner Learning 
Health Network™

33 states + 
Washington, D.C.

56 health system 
member organizations

991 settings 
of care

22,000+ 
hospital beds

26,000+ 
affiliated physicians

The pre-pandemic launch of the Cerner 
Learning Health Network™, a pilot with Duke 
Clinical Research, provided a chance to 
evaluate the impact of real-world data to 
increase the safety, efficacy and efficiency 
of drug development. A nationwide network 
of diverse health systems, brought together 
by the Cerner Learning Health Network, uses 
de-identified patient data to advance clinical 
research and improve outcomes. While it 
showed early success with proven therapies 
for chronic cardiovascular disease, potentially 
the biggest healthcare crisis of our lifetime 
provided an ideal use case.  

Researchers needed quick access to data 
— number of positive COVID-19 cases, 
mortality rates, treatment options, treatment 
effectiveness — from a diverse population 
to understand the disease and better inform 
clinical care. Leveraging Cerner’s clinical 
scale and AWS’s data science capabilities, the 
Learning Health Network helped fuel a dataset 
of COVID-19-positive patients comprised of 
nearly half a million records. In collaboration 
with AWS, Cerner offered this crucial resource 
free-of-charge. Approximately 40 academic 
organizations have used the data to support 
studies, clinical trials and medical treatments 
related to the pandemic. 

8

With traditional research processes today, new drugs and therapies take an average of nearly 
$1 billion to move from lab to market, according to analysis in the Journal of the American 
Medical Association. In total, the Learning Health Network is a national database of nearly 
92 million patient records that has the potential to drastically transform clinical care through 
research beyond COVID-19. It provides health systems more cost-effective research methods 
and access to usable data to advance healthcare innovation and improve care quality. 

Investing in the future - Improving care through data-driven 
insights and interoperability 
Data has the potential to be a billion-dollar business for Cerner, driving significant growth and 
providing value to multiple industries beyond healthcare. Cerner expects to play a meaningful 
role in the clinical trials value chain by helping hospitals make studies more accessible to 
patients and decreasing the cost of treatment discovery. 

Cerner’s acquisition of Kantar Health, expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, will 
enhance our access to pharmaceutical and life sciences and help improve the safety, efficiency 
and efficacy of clinical research. Kantar Health brings a wealth of consulting competency and 
epidemiological, oncology and rare disease expertise, along with robust real-world information 
about a patient’s health status and care delivery. This, combined with Cerner’s technology 
strength and patient insights, is expected to enable researchers to more rapidly address the 
most complex clinical questions.

Cerner’s investment in and collaboration with 
Elligo Health Research brings clinical trial 
resources to populations that may otherwise 
not have access while providing more data 
insights to the Cerner Learning Health Network.  
Through this collaboration, we expect rural 
hospitals, minority populations and underserved 
communities, as well as physician practices to 
have more access to trial therapies and care. 

For decades, Cerner has worked to connect 
patient care. The company has long supported 
the clearing of unnecessary hurdles that 
prevented meaningful information sharing and 
interoperability. As such, Cerner was among 
the first major EHR suppliers last year to 
unequivocally support the final rules of the  
21st Century Cures Act to improve consumer 
access to personal health data. 

Amazon Halo and the 
value of data-sharing

•  Wearable technology  
can help customers  
improve their health  
and wellness by  
integrating into a  
patient’s EHR 

•  Allows individuals to 

opt-in to share activity, sleep, body 
fat percentage and other wellness  
data with care providers

The industry must now shift the interoperability conversation from connectivity to usability. 
At Cerner Health Conference, we introduced Cerner Unite™, a portfolio of interoperability 
products, and Cerner Discover™, a portfolio of intelligence-integrated products, that will take 
data connectivity to the next level. 

9

Federal business 
progress

Department of Defense
Department of Defense
• 14 sites deployed in 2020 
•  14 sites deployed in 2020 
• 20 total DoD commands now live
•  20 total DoD commands now live
Veterans Affairs
• First go-live live at VA Medical 
Veterans Affairs
   Center in Washington
•  First go-live at VA Medical Center  
• Plus four outpatient clinics in 
   Montana, Idaho and Washington
•  Plus four outpatient clinics in     
U.S. Coast Guard
• Four sites deployed

Montana, Idaho and Washington

in Washington

Five years ago, Cerner began a journey to 
create a longitudinal health record for the U.S. 
Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. 
In April, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, these 
departments — for the first time in history —
launched a joint HIE to securely connect and 
share health information, establishing a seamless 
care experience for 18 million Service members, 
Veterans and their families. Throughout 2020, 
Cerner implemented several “go-live” events 
across the agencies. In the third quarter, the  
VA announced a historic and successful 
milestone — the deployment of the new EHR 
at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and its 
four community-based outpatient clinics across 
Montana, Idaho and Washington.

•  Four sites deployed

U.S. Coast Guard

The joint HIE also expanded to include 
CommonWell Health Alliance, an industry-wide 
data-sharing association Cerner co-founded 
in 2013, to advance interoperability. More than 
15,000 hospitals and clinics in this nationwide 
network joined the approximately 46,000 
community partners who are already part of the 
joint HIE. Through these exchanges, clinicians can have a more complete view of their patients’ 
medical histories and current conditions, allowing for better-informed decision-making.

Eliminating inequities in healthcare 
Minority groups, particularly African-Americans, have been disproportionately affected 
by COVID-19 due to lack of healthcare access, educational and income gaps and work 
environments. In fact, it’s estimated that 80% of issues related to a person’s health are  
non-clinical factors. 

Consistent with our mission, Cerner partnered with Testing for America, the United Negro 
College Fund and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to offer affordable, rapid COVID-19 
testing for students, faculty and staff at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

Cerner is proudly providing interoperability services and online tools to connect laboratory 
partners, university medical centers and public health entities. This collaboration has enabled 
universities to allow students to return to campus and make adjustments as needed for a safe 
learning environment. 

COVID-19 has also disproportionately affected underserved and geographically remote 
communities, emphasizing how social determinants of health (SDOH) impact care delivery 
outcomes. 

10

Cerner is developing new tools to aid clinicians in understanding how SDOH affect patient 
health, thereby beginning the work to eliminate inequities in healthcare. One example  
includes a series of dashboards built from the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index that locates 
social disparities and pinpoints where resources are needed. Providers can use data and 
insights from HealtheIntent to stratify risk within communities and strategically engage 
underserved populations. 

Cerner’s Social Determinants Innovation Collaborative (SDIC), introduced in 2019, has grown 
to more than 50 health systems with over 150 representatives who share best practices for 
addressing SDOH in their communities. Through regular meetings, SDIC leaders discuss how 
to address barriers to care, like food insecurity, homelessness, access to transportation and 
substance abuse. 

Conclusion
On behalf of Cerner associates around the world, thank you for your investment in Cerner  
and belief in the company’s vision. We accomplished a great deal in an extraordinary, 
unforgettable year. 

Thank you, once again, to all healthcare professionals for their tireless, heroic work and to 
Cerner’s associates for their passion and commitment. We will remain focused on innovation 
that will transform the future — because healthcare is too important to stay the same. 

Brent Shafer
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

iAdjusted operating margin, free cash flow, adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted EPS 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. These non-GAAP financial measures 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.

11

Appendix: Reconciliation of GAAP results to Non-GAAP results*

Adjusted Operating Earnings and  
Adjusted Operating Margin

($ in millions)

1986

2010

2020

Operating 
Earnings

Operating 
Margin %

Operating 
Earnings

Operating 
Margin %

Operating 
Earnings

Operating 
Margin %

Operating earnings (GAAP)

$3

14.8%

$359

19.4%

$915

16.6%

  Share-based compensation expense

  Acquisition-related amortization

  Organizational restructuring and other expense

  Allowance on non-current asset

  COVID-19 related expense

  Gain on sale of businesses

Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)/
Adjusted Operating Margin (non-GAAP)

Adjusted Net Earnings and  
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

($ in millions, except per share data)

25

154

55

168

21

6

(221)

$3

14.8%

$384

20.8%

$1,098

19.9%

1986

Diluted 
Earnings 
Per Share

Net 
Earnings 

2010

Diluted 
Earnings 
Per Share

Net 
Earnings 

2020

Diluted 
Earnings 
Per Share

Net 
Earnings 

Net earnings (GAAP)

$2 

$0.01 

$237 

$0.69 

$780 

$2.52

154 

55 

168 

21 

6 

(76)

(221)

(10)

(1)

3

Pre-tax adjustments for Adjusted Net Earnings:

  Share-based compensation expense

  Acquisition-related amortization

  Organizational restructuring and other expense

  Allowance on non-current asset

  COVID-19 related expense

  Investment gains

  Gain on sale of businesses

25 

After-tax adjustments for Adjusted Net Earnings:

  Income tax effect of pre-tax adjustments

(9)

  Share-based compensation permanent tax items

Valuation allowance on net operating loss 
carryforwards

Adjusted Net Earnings (non-GAAP)/  
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP)

Free Cash Flow  
($ in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)

Capital purchases

Capitalized software development costs

Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)

Cash flows from investing activities (GAAP)

Cash flows from financing activities (GAAP)

$2 

$0.01 

$253 

$0.74

$879 

$2.84

1986

$1 

(1)

(1)

($1)

($2)

($1)

2010

$456 

(102)

(81)

$273 

($521)

$35 

2020

$1,437 

(284)

(296)

$857 

($801)

($461)

*More detail on these adjustments and management’s use of Non-GAAP results is in our 2020 annual report on Form 10-K and our current reports on 
Form 8-K.

12

 
 
 
Corporate responsibility  
at Cerner

The events of the past year brought Cerner’s vision of a seamless and connected world  
where everyone thrives into sharp focus. At a deeper level, the company’s purpose is to 
advance humanity, enabling access to health and care for all communities regardless of  
socio-economic divides. 

In this year’s Corporate Responsibility Report, I am pleased to share with you the progress 
Cerner has made in advancing its diversity and inclusion efforts along with its thoughtful 
COVID-19 response and impactful community involvement. Cerner remains committed to 
promoting a clean environment and reducing the company’s overall environmental impact. 

In 2020, Cerner’s Associate Business Resource Groups continued the important work of 
advancing equality and equity across the company while building a supportive professional 
environment where associates can safely engage. The executive leaders and I used this network 
to guide our actions when the nation was gripped by civil and social unrest. 

Cerner is proud of the diversity and equality recognition we received from Forbes and the 
Human Rights Campaign Foundation. We are especially honored to have a perfect score on the 
Corporate Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year. Through all our corporate diversity 
and inclusion efforts, associates are encouraged to voice and respect different viewpoints and 
ideas as this is vital for Cerner’s innovative spirit to thrive. 

The pandemic highlighted this spirit, resulting in a burst of innovation to support hospitals and 
health systems as they responded to COVID-19. Much of this work was completed remotely as 
Cerner transitioned associates whose work allowed to a virtual environment within weeks of the 
initial outbreak. Given the size of our workforce and the organizations we support, Cerner plays 
an important role in keeping our communities as safe as possible. 

During such times of uncertainty, I am always grateful to hear the inspiring stories of how 
Cerner associates give back. Associate contributions in 2020 provided meals for frontline 
caregivers and workers, personal protective equipment for students completing annual exams 
and food for families in need. Through Cerner’s corporate foundation, associate donations 
enabled children to receive life-changing care and wellness exams. Additionally, Cerner offered 
time off to volunteer, and associates logged nearly 35,000 hours to causes they believe in.  

Though the year was challenging, 2020 showed how collaboration, innovation and dedication 
to making a difference can lead to positive change. I am optimistic about the future of 
healthcare and our global community.  

Brent Shafer
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

13

Corporate responsibility
Cerner believes we have a responsibility to our clients, associates, shareholders and the 
communities in which we operate to conduct business in a manner that promotes strong 
corporate, social and environmental governance. We believe this commitment to corporate 
responsibility inherently drives value for all Cerner stakeholders.

With the oversight of Cerner’s Board of Directors, we routinely assess, modify and improve our 
approach to managing the business. Through thoughtful execution of our COVID-19 response, 
continued advancement of diversity and inclusion initiatives, impactful community involvement 
and the expansion, diversification and initiation of the declassification of the company’s Board 
of Directors, Cerner further enhanced its focus on corporate responsibility in 2020.

It’s our mission to relentlessly seek breakthrough innovation that will shape healthcare of 
tomorrow. To do so responsibly, we respect and encourage the perspectives of every person, 
value our diversity, act with integrity and diligently deliver on our commitments. We believe 
that what we do doesn’t just impact healthcare — it impacts the world.

Visit www.cerner.com/about/corporate-responsibility for more information on  
Cerner’s corporate responsibility.

Corporate recognition

Most Innovative Companies

Best Employers for  
New Graduates

Best Employers for Diversity

Helen Darling Award for 
Excellence in Health Care 
Value and Innovation

Best Employers for  
Healthy Lifestyles

Best Places to Work

Corporate Equality Index 
Perfect Score

Second consecutive year

Third consecutive year

14

COVID-19 response 
The COVID-19 pandemic has united the entire healthcare ecosystem to work tirelessly to solve 
challenging issues that our industry has never encountered at such speed and scale. It has 
been our privilege to navigate this complex journey together with our clients as we shift from 
surge to recovery efforts. 

Protecting the health and well-being of our associates and clients was Cerner’s chief objective 
amidst the outbreak of the pandemic. With guidance from our COVID-19 Task Force, Cerner 
was able to seamlessly implement our business continuity plans by transitioning a large 
majority of our workforce to a virtual environment, while continuing to deliver world-class 
solutions and services to our clients. Throughout the pandemic, the Task Force has maintained 
close communication with the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease 
Control to provide continual guidance and support of our remote workforce, rolling out 
enhanced health, wellness and family resources to assist our associates and their loved ones 
with navigating the challenging new environment. 

With our workforce safe, connected and  
well-supported, we were able to effectively 
address the unique challenges that COVID-19 
presented to healthcare providers, highlighting 
what Cerner does best as a company — 
working closely with our clients to develop 
innovative solutions to complex problems and 
re-imagining the delivery of healthcare.      

Throughout the pandemic, Cerner has 
supported our clients with data and intelligence 
solutions designed to aid the fast and effective 
decision making of care providers. We 
expanded access to our platforms, enhanced 
our telehealth offerings, provided critical 
technology infrastructure to stand up temporary 
hospitals and surge facilities and developed 
dashboards that use artificial intelligence to help 
clients efficiently monitor and manage complex 
resource and patient needs in new and dynamic 
care settings.

Operation Safe

As part of Operation Safe, Cerner 
is honored to share our facilities, 
technology, expertise and associate 
volunteers with our coalition partners 
to provide COVID-19 vaccinations 
to thousands of eligible Missouri 
residents every week at Cerner’s 
headquarters in North Kansas City.

Further, early in the pandemic, as COVID-19 
cases increased worldwide, Cerner began 
preparing for COVID-19 vaccines by reaching out to our clients to ensure they had the 
technology necessary for large-scale vaccination efforts. Cerner provided hospitals with 
our Mass Vaccination solution to supplement rapid vaccination of frontline staff and patients 
without sacrificing their safety. In addition, Cerner is providing the physical location, technology, 
financial support, logistics management and volunteers for mass vaccination events in the 
Kansas City area. We are proud of the initiatives we’ve been able to deliver in response to 
COVID-19 and look forward to rolling out additional innovation to support our clients and 
communities through the pandemic. 

Visit www.cerner.com/covid-19 for more information on Cerner’s COVID-19 response.

15

Cerner today

40+ years 

of HIT experience

26,400
Cerner associates

600+ 

P AT E NT S
W O R L D W I D E

More than

650,000 PHYSICIAN 

USERS

and 2,200,000 non-physician users

3,300+

U.S. home healthcare 
and long-term care 
facilities

4,000+
U.S. 
hospitals

6,000+
U.S. physician
practices

262 million+ 

longitudinal records managed
within the HealtheIntent platform

Includes historical records

$800 million

APPROXIMATE ANNUAL R&D INVESTMENT

89 languages
spoken for business
Includes dialects

Cerner Millennium® 
translated into 7 languages

NOTE: All data points are global except as noted. Updated Q1 2021.

Global footprint
Cerner is truly a global company with our life-changing solutions and services being utilized 
by healthcare providers and patients around the world. With a presence in over 35 different 
countries, our associates speak 89 different native languages and dialects, and come from a 
variety of cultures, races and backgrounds. The unique experiences of our diverse workforce 
offer an invaluable platform from which we can explore enhanced solutions for our clients and 
the patients they serve.

Locations associates are 
based for work

Cerner client and user countries

16

Governance
We believe strong corporate governance practices and policies are critical to fostering a culture 
of integrity, managing a better-performing and sustainable business and achieving long-term 
shareholder value. Through our framework of policies and processes, we focus on better 
managing our business and on aligning the interests of management with our stakeholders.  

Over the past year, Cerner has further-strengthened its corporate governance by expanding, 
diversifying and initiating the process to declassify the Board of Directors, as well as taking 
steps to more closely align executive compensation with shareholder interests through 
enhanced claw back agreements, double trigger equity vesting upon a change-in-control and 
inclusion of additional performance metrics in equity grants.   

The company’s environmental, social and governance policies and practices are overseen by 
the Nominating, Governance & Public Policy Committee of Cerner’s Board of Directors.

Visit the Governance section of www.cerner.com/about/corporate-responsibility for more 
information on Cerner’s corporate governance.

Board of Directors

Cerner’s complex and evolving business requires a Board of Directors with diverse 
backgrounds, experience, ethnicity, gender, race and skills. Cerner’s Board members possess 
a vital diversity of skills and attributes essential to overseeing the direction of the company to 
protect and promote the long-term value of Cerner for its shareholders.

Following the addition of four highly experienced directors to the Board of 
Directors in 2019, Cerner further expanded the breadth of knowledge and 
experience of its Board in 2020 with the addition of Major General Elder 
Granger, M.D., U.S. Army (retired). As a proven clinical, military and business 
leader who has successfully navigated complex policy, regulatory and 

competitive environments, Dr. Granger brings invaluable insights to Cerner particularly in the 
commercial and federal health sectors. The opportunity to bring Dr. Granger on board is not 
only another step in Cerner’s improved corporate governance, it also adds another dimension 
of experience that complements the skills of the rest of our Board of Directors.

Board skills and attributes

Independence
Healthcare

Information Technology

Global Business

Financial Statements

Government and Public Policy

Information Protection

Diversity

Public Company

Gender and ethnic diversity*

Board tenure*

3 women of 
11 directors

6-15
years

36%
diverse

1 African-
American of 
11 directors

16+
years

Average
7.6 
years

1.5
years

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11

Number of board members*

Average age: 66 years*

*As of December, 31, 2020, which is inclusive of Linda M. Dillman, who unexpectedly passed away in March of 2021

Visit www.cerner.com/about/leadership to learn more about Cerner’s Board of Directors.

17

Human capital

“At Cerner, we aspire for all associates to have flexibility to 
manage their life; create work that is meaningful and makes 
a difference; and feel appreciated, valued, recognized and 
rewarded. We want to attract, engage and retain the best 
available talent for our clients and ultimately the patients 
and consumers of healthcare we serve.”

Tracy L. Platt
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Human Resources Officer

Our associates are at the core of everything we do. We understand that it is through listening, 
acknowledging and welcoming different viewpoints that innovation thrives. The Associate 
Experience is how Cerner ensures we are an employer of choice. Investment from all levels of 
leadership support programming and initiatives that make Cerner a great place to work.

Through organizational health and engagement feedback, learning and leadership 
development programs, competitive compensation practices, health and well-being benefits, 
global recognition initiatives and community and philanthropy events and services, Cerner is 
dedicated to building a culture and community designed to foster an exceptional and diverse 
global workforce.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are core to our mission. 

• Diversity means understanding that each associate is unique.
It’s about recognizing, valuing and respecting their individual
dimensions, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation,
disabilities, generation or veteran status.

• Equity is a choice. We choose to create fair and impartial actions

and opportunities for all.

Dr. Andrea Hendricks
Senior Executive Director and  
Chief DEI Officer

• Inclusion is a focus on all associates having the opportunity to be fully engaged in the

workplace. Associates have a seat at the table where their unique perspectives and ideas
are leveraged for the greater good.

This is how we work together. Cerner’s strategy focuses on all three. Our approach to Diversity, 
Equity and Inclusion centers around four main areas:

Workplace

Workforce

Community

Marketplace

Cerner strives to create 
an engaging, innovative 
atmosphere that 
promotes safety and  
a sense of belonging  
for all associates.

Cerner aims to attract, 
retain and develop 
skilled associates from 
diverse backgrounds.

Cerner supports 
regional and global 
economies through 
diverse partnerships 
that develop healthy and 
educated individuals.

Cerner’s corporate 
mission is to relentlessly 
seek breakthrough 
innovation that will 
shape healthcare  
of tomorrow.

Please view Cerner’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Annual Report on our DEI website at 
www.cerner.com/about/diversity-inclusion for more details.

18

Wellness

At Cerner, we are committed to providing our associates and their 
families with the tools, resources and support needed to improve 
their health and wellness.  

Healthe at Cerner is Cerner’s internal wellness brand, offering a vast catalog of easily accessible 
and personalized physical, mental, legal and financial health resources.  

From on-site health clinics, pharmacies and fitness centers to on-demand wellness and 
strength training classes; maternity and new parent resources to virtual counseling and therapy 
solutions; financial advisory services to expert legal assistance; the mission of Healthe at Cerner 
is to empower our associates and their families to obtain their optimal level of health. 

Visit healtheatcerner.com to learn more about Healthe at Cerner.

Cerner Charitable Foundation

Building upon its rich history, First Hand Foundation expanded as Cerner Charitable 
Foundation in 2020. As Cerner’s corporate philanthropy, the foundation is building healthier 
tomorrows and stronger communities.

Over the last 25 years, the Cerner Charitable Foundation has improved the lives of nearly 
600,000 people around the world. To celebrate this anniversary, the foundation published a 
digital book, which can be viewed online.

The foundation’s work to provide equitable access to healthcare for children began with  
its individual medical grant program. In 2020, the Cerner Charitable Foundation awarded  
$2.4 million in funding to children in need while passing the milestone of 15,000 grants 
awarded since the program’s inception.  

Celebrating 25 years

View Cerner Charitable Foundation’s 
digital 25th anniversary book at 
cernercharitablefoundation.org/
anniversarybook

E
R
U
T
U
F
E
H
T
G
N
I
T
C
U
R
T
S
N
O
C

CONSTRUCTING 
T H E   F U T U R E

i

N
O
I
T
A
D
N
U
O
F
D
N
A
H
T
S
R
I
F

B U I L D I N G   U P O N   T W E N T Y   F I V E   Y E A R S

Through initiatives sponsored by the foundation 
and work with causes close to their hearts, 
Cerner associates volunteered more than 
39,000 hours to make a difference in the 
communities they call home around the world. 

As COVID-19 gripped the country, the 
foundation established a new initiative to deliver 
23,981 meals to font-line workers from 80 
restaurant partners funded by associate and 
community member contribution.

Cerner Charitable Foundation’s work is guided 
by the social determinants of heath and driven 
toward a vision of an equitable world where 
individuals and communities thrive.  

Visit cernercharitablefoundation.org to learn 
more about the Cerner Charitable Foundation.

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive compensation

Our compensation strategy is linked to our performance 
management philosophy, which is designed to identify 
and reward associate performance through compensation. 
We believe in pay for performance and linking executive 
compensation with shareholder value, as represented by our 
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Named Executive Officer 
(NEO) pay mix. 

Average age: 66 years*

Other

CEO Compensation

We strengthened our governance framework by making 
modifications to our compensation programs, including 
expanding our ability to clawback incentive compensation  
2% Base salary
to more broadly cover conduct deemed detrimental to  
the company, as well as amending our change-in-control 
vesting provisions to require that all future equity grants 
require a “double trigger” prior to any change-in-control 
vesting acceleration. 

Performance-based 
cash incentives
11%

9%

Long-term incentive 
plan equity award
78%

NEO Compensation

Base salary

9%

Performance-based 

cash incentives

11%

Long-term incentive 

plan equity award

78%

CEO Compensation

Other

2% Base salary

9%

Performance-based 
cash incentives
11%

Long-term incentive 
plan equity award
78%

NEO Compensation

Base salary
9%

Performance-based 
cash incentives
11%

Long-term incentive 
plan equity award
78%

Average age: 66 years*

Further, to continue increasing management alignment with 
our stakeholders and delivery of both short and long-term 
value, we have approved several enhancements to our 2021 compensation programs. Our 
cash incentive program will now be based on annual metrics as opposed to quarterly results. 
Additionally, two new performance metrics will be added to NEO awards to complement 
our existing financial-related performance metrics — a client success metric will be added to 
help reinforce our relentless client focus, and an organizational health metric will be added 
to directly link NEO compensation with associate engagement and workplace diversity and 
inclusion. Finally, our 2021 performance-based equity awards will include three performance 
metrics – Adjusted EPS, revenue growth and relative total shareholder return (TSR) – to drive 
long-term value creation for our associates and shareholders.

Data security and privacy
The security and privacy of user and patient data is paramount to every aspect of how Cerner 
delivers its solutions and services. Our Computer Security Incident Response Center (CSIRC) 

is responsible for 24x7x365 continuous threat monitoring of all Cerner 
platforms. The CSIRC evaluates and coordinates responses across 
multiple threat vectors in order to safeguard Cerner environments. As 
part of the company’s vulnerability and threat management program, 
Cerner’s security professionals analyze and quantify the risk potential 
of identified vulnerabilities and threats to both Cerner and its clients.  

Cerner utilizes a defense-in-depth strategy, employing multiple 

security solutions and countermeasures through various layers of the ecosystem to protect 
Cerner platforms. We regularly conduct security architecture reviews, internal assessments and 
external audits to examine the controls present within our platforms and Cerner’s operations, 
and to validate that Cerner is operating effectively in accordance with its Security Program. 

Visit www.cerner.com/security and www.cerner.com/privacy for more on Cerner’s security 
and privacy programs. 

20

Environment 
At Cerner, we have policies and practices in place to encourage that we operate our business 
and provide solutions and services to our clients in a manner that promotes clean business 
practices and reduces our corporate footprint on the environment.  

In addition to our high-level corporate programs, our associates have organized grassroots 
eco-awareness groups pursuing more sustainable practices on our campuses and in our daily 

lives, working to safeguard the future health 
of our associates, families and communities. 
Through coordinated focus groups, recycling 
initiatives, ride share programs, community 
events, philanthropy and sustainability 
awareness campaigns, our associates 
are dedicated to making and promoting 
eco-friendly choices and considering the 
environmental impact of everything we do.

At the time of publishing this report, we are 
working through an assessment of our carbon 

footprint for the past three years. Upon completion of the carbon assessment, we intend to 
publish our scope emissions data to the Corporate Responsibility section of our website. 

Visit the Environmental section of www.cerner.com/about/corporate-responsibility to learn 
more about Cerner’s commitment to the environment.

21

Appendix: Key Performance Indicator index

Reference index

Key Performance Indicator

2020

2019

2018

Governance

Classification of Board of Directors

Declassification 
initiated

Classified

Classified

Members of Board of Directors*

Independent Board Members (%)*

Board Gender & Ethnic Diversity (%)*

Formal Board oversight of company 
environmental, social and governance 
initiatives

* As of December 31, 2020

11

91%

36%

Yes

10

90%

30%

No

9

89%

22%

No

Environmental

SASB TC-SI-130a.1

Total energy consumed (GJ)**

962,841

1,033,704 

1,003,629 

SASB TC-SI-130a.2

Total water consumed (m³)**

295,438

336,709

340,685

Scope 1 GHG Emissions (Tonnes CO2e)**

Scope 2 GHG Emissions (Tonnes CO2e)**

Scope 3 GHG Emissions (Tonnes CO2e)**

Cerner is currently undergoing a third-party 
carbon assessment for the years 2018-2020. 
When the results are available, we intend to 
update this table and the Key Performance 
Indicator Index on Cerner’s Corporate 
Responsibility website

SASB TC-SI-130a.3

Discussion of the integration of 
environmental considerations into 
strategic planning for data center needs

See Data Centers section of Cerner’s 
Environmental Policy

**Environmental metrics are specific to our properties in the Kansas City area, Malvern, PA and Bangalore, India.

Social

SASB TC-SI-330a.1

Global workforce (# of associates)

26,400 

27,400 

29,200 

Americas (%)

Asia-Pacific (%)

Europe and Middle East (%)

74%

20%

6%

72%

20%

8%

76%

17%

7%

Discussion of systems for managing workforce and risk prevention: 

With a presence in over 35 countries, we are able to serve clients around the globe. 
Leveraging technology, collaboration and anchored in a common global set of associate 
behaviors, our associates work effectively across borders in pursuit of Cerner’s mission. 
We recognize and value the diversity in our global workforce and take a global lens 
to equity and inclusion in all countries in which we operate, as described earlier in this 
report. Our human resources programs and processes, including associate recognition, 
performance management, associate surveys, town halls and job framework allow us to 
create a consistent global associate experience at scale, while allowing for customization 
at the country or regional level where appropriate. We supplement our global approach 
with locally relevant programs and policies that enable us to recruit and retain top talent 
in all our locations. We behave with integrity in everything we do, and that includes 
complying with all local laws and regulations, maintaining strict policies around data 
protection and enforcing a program of mandatory compliance training for all associates.

22

Reference Index

Key Performance Indicator

2020

2019

2018

Social (continued)

SASB TC-SI-330a.2

Employee engagement (%)

68%

See discussion

Discussion of employee engagement:

Prior to 2020, our annual employee surveys were developed and administered internally.  
In 2019, we engaged with Korn Ferry to enhance our employee engagement survey 
methodology.  The result of this collaboration was our 2020 organizational health 
and engagement survey, developed in partnership with Korn Ferry and delivered via 
the Qualtrics survey platform. Our 2020 engagement index was calculated as the 
percentage of associates who responded Agree or Strongly Agree to the statements 
“Cerner motivates me to do more than is required”, “I feel motivated to do more than is 
required of me”, “I feel proud to work for Cerner”, “I would recommend Cerner as a good 
place to work”, and “Given your choice, how long would you plan to continue working for 
Cerner” (with 5+ years viewed as favorable).  Due to the change in survey methodology, 
our prior year engagement metrics are not directly comparable to those from 2020.

Inclusion index (%)

 73%

N/A

N/A

Discussion of inclusion index:

For the first time, in 2020, our organizational health and engagement survey included 
a validated index for inclusion against which Cerner is measuring the health of our 
workforce and driving improvements in leadership behavior. Our 2020 inclusion index 
was calculated as the percentage of associates who responded Agree or Strongly Agree 
to the statements “I feel a sense of connection and belonging at work”, “Opportunities 
for advancement are available to associates regardless of personal background”, “The 
people I work with discuss and debate issues respectfully to get better results”, “I can 
freely express my voice without fear of negative consequences”. In 2021, a quantitative 
Organizational Health metric will be added to performance-based cash compensation 
for our Named Executive Officers (NEOs) to directly link their compensation with key 
organizational objectives including attracting, engaging and retaining top talent and 
continuing to cultivate a highly diverse and inclusive workplace.

SASB TC-SI-330a.3

Gender

Global Workforce

Total workforce male (%)

Total workforce female (%)

Management1

Management male (%)

Management female (%)

Technical Staff2

Technical Staff male (%)

Technical Staff female (%)

All Other Associates3

All other male (%)

All other female (%)

62%

38%

65%

35%

75%

25%

46%

54%

61%

39%

65%

35%

75%

25%

46%

54%

1 All leadership levels plus team lead and manager level associates  

2 Associates with Job Family Groups of Development, Information Technology and Support  

3 Associates not included in Management or Technical Staff groups

58%

42%

63%

37%

75%

25%

41%

59%

23

Reference Index

Key Performance Indicator

2020

2019

2018

Social (continued)

SASB TC-SI-330a.3 
(continued)

Data Security

SASB TC-SI-230a.2

Data Privacy

Ethnicity (U.S. Only)

White (%)

Asian (%)

Hispanic (%)

African American (%)

Other (%)

74%

12%

4%

8%

3%

75%

12%

3%

8%

2%

74%

11%

5%

8%

3%

Discussion of gender and ethnicity disclosures:

See the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion section of Cerner’s 2020 Corporate Responsibility 
Report

Cerner Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website

Description of approach to data security risks, including use of third-party cybersecurity 
standards:

See the Data Security and Privacy section of Cerner’s 2020 Corporate Responsibility 
Report

Cerner Security Program

SASB TC-SI-220a.1

Description of policies and practices relating to behavioral advertising and user privacy:

See the Data Security and Privacy section of Cerner’s 2020 Corporate Responsibility 
Report

Cerner Privacy Policies

Managing Systemic Risks from Technology Disruptions

SASB TC-SI-550a.2

Description of business continuity risks related to disruptions of operations:

See Cybersecurity and Information Technology Risks in the Risk Factors section of 
Cerner’s 2020 Form 10-K

24

Cerner Corporation
2020 Annual Report
Form 10-K

25

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K 

☒ 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 

1934

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2020   

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 No.)

64117
(Zip Code)

(816) 221-1024 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

CERN

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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 ☒     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 ☒

26

Table of Contents

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.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be 
submitted 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 such files).

Yes ☒    No ☐

Yes ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 
a  smaller  reporting  company,  or  an  emerging  growth  company.  See  the  definitions  of  "large  accelerated  filer," 
"accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☒     Accelerated filer ☐

     Non-accelerated filer ☐    Smaller reporting company  ☐    Emerging growth company ☐ 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition 
period  for  complying  with  any  new  or  revised  financial  accounting  standards  pursuant  to  Section  13(a)  of  the 
Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of 
the  effectiveness  of  its  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  under  Section  404(b)  of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley Act  (15 
U.S.C.7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐    No ☒

As  of  June  30,  2020,  the  aggregate  market  value  of  the  registrant's  common  stock  held  by  non-affiliates  of  the 
registrant was $18.6 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  each  of  the  registrant's  classes  of  common  stock,  as  of  the  latest 
practicable date.

Class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

Outstanding at February 1, 2021
306,294,309 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Document
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the 
2021 Annual Shareholders' Meeting

Parts into Which Incorporated
Part III

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PART I.

This annual report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements 
based  on  expectations,  estimates,  and  projections  as  of  the  date  of  this  filing. Actual  results  may  differ  materially  from 
those expressed in forward-looking statements. See Item 1A of Part I — "Risk Factors."

Item 1. Business.

Overview

Cerner Corporation started doing business as a Missouri corporation in 1980 and 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 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")  solutions  and  tech-enabled  services.  Our 
mission is to relentlessly seek breakthrough innovation that will shape health care of tomorrow. We offer a wide range of 
intelligent solutions and tech-enabled services that support the clinical, financial and operational needs of organizations of 
all  sizes.  Cerner®  solutions  and  services  help  clinicians  make  care  decisions  and  assist  organizations  in  managing  the 
health  of  their  populations.  We  also  offer  integrated  clinical  and  financial  systems  to  help  manage  day-to-day  revenue 
functions, as well as a wide range of services to support clinical, financial and operational needs. We are also expanding 
our presence in the life sciences industry by working with health care stakeholders to harness data to improve the safety, 
efficiency, and efficacy of clinical research.

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 solutions that aggregate, transform and reconcile 
data  across  the  continuum  of  care,  enabling  key  stakeholders  to  manage  the  health  of  populations,  improve  outcomes, 
enhance  clinical  research  and  lower  costs.  Cerner  also  has  an  EHR  agnostic  platform,  CareAware®,  that  facilitates 
connectivity  of  health  care  devices  to  EHRs  and  helps  improve  hospital  operations,  allowing  for  more  efficient  and 
effective care.

On  February  2,  2015,  Cerner  acquired  the  Health  Services  business  from  Siemens  AG,  which  offered  a  portfolio  of 
enterprise-level  clinical  and  financial  health  care  information  technology  solutions,  as  well  as  departmental  and  care 
coordination solutions globally. Refer to Notes (8) and (9) of the notes to consolidated financial statements ("Notes") for 
information on our acquisitions and dispositions.

We  offer  a  broad  range  of  tech-enabled  services,  including  implementation  and  training,  remote  hosting,  operational 
management services, revenue cycle services, support and maintenance, health care data analysis, real-world evidence, 
clinical  process  optimization,  transaction  processing,  employer  health  centers,  employee  wellness  programs  and  third-
party administrator services for employer-based health plans.

In  addition  to  software  and  services,  we  offer  a  wide  range  of  complementary  hardware  and  devices,  primarily  as  a 
reseller for third parties.

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The  following  table  presents  consolidated  revenues  by  our  business  models  and  by  segment,  as  a  percentage  of  total 
revenues:

Revenues by Business Models

Licensed software

Technology resale

Subscriptions

Professional services

Managed services

Support and maintenance

Reimbursed travel

Revenues by Segment

Domestic

International

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

2018

 12 %

 12 %

 11 %

 3 %

 7 %

 35 %

 23 %

 19 %

 4 %

 6 %

 35 %

 21 %

 20 %

 5 %

 6 %

 34 %

 21 %

 21 %

 1 %
 100 %

 2 %
 100 %

 2 %
 100 %

 89 %

 11 %

 89 %

 11 %

 88 %

 12 %

 100 %

 100 %

 100 %

A description of our business models is as follows:

•

•

•

•

Licensed  software  -  We  develop  and  license  intellectual  property  ("IP")  (our  architectures,  application  software, 
executable and referential knowledge, data and algorithms) to our clients. Our licensed software business model 
includes  revenues  from  IP  delivered  via  perpetual  license  and  software  as  a  service,  where  functionality  is 
delivered via "the cloud".

Technology  resale  -  We  bundle  licensed  software  with  other  companies'  IP  in  the  form  of  sublicenses  to  create 
complete  technology  solutions  for  our  clients.  We  also  resell  bundled  computer  equipment  (hardware)  from 
technology  companies  to  create  a  completely  functional  system.  Additionally,  we  resell  medical  devices  for  a 
growing list of medical device companies.

Subscriptions - Another method by which we provide IP is on a time-based subscription model that has a periodic 
usage  charge.  This  is  the  primary  way  we  package  and  provide  medical  knowledge,  which  changes  frequently 
based on research and can be updated independently from the software in which it is embedded. Also included in 
this  category  of  revenue  is  our  Electronic  Data  Interchange  ("EDI")  transaction  revenue.  EDI  is  the  electronic 
transfer of data between health care providers and payers.

Professional  services  -  We  provide  a  wide  range  of  professional  services  to  assist  our  clients  in  the 
implementation  of  our  information  systems  in  their  organizations.  These  services  are  in  the  form  of  project 
management,  technical  and  application  expertise,  clinical  process  optimization,  regulatory  consulting  and 
education  and  training  of  our  clients'  workforce  to  assist  in  the  design  and  implementation  of  our  systems. This 
business model also includes certain outsourcing services utilized by health care organizations.

• Managed services - Our managed services business model includes revenues from remote hosting, application 
management services, operational management services, and disaster recovery. Remote hosting is the largest of 
these  offerings,  and  it  involves  Cerner  buying  the  necessary  equipment,  installing  it  in  one  of  our  data  centers, 
and operating the entire system on the client's behalf.

•

Support and maintenance - This business model is comprised of the ongoing support and maintenance services 
we provide our clients. Almost all of our clients contract for these services. Clients with support contracts get 24x7 
access  to  our  immediate  response  center,  which  serves  as  our  "emergency  room,"  as  well  as  access  to  our 
SolutionWorks organization for less urgent issues. In addition, our clients' support payments give them ongoing 
access  to  the  latest  releases  of  our  IP.  We  also  provide  support  for  sublicensed  software  and  maintenance  for 
third party hardware.

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•

Reimbursed  travel  -  Includes  reimbursable  out-of-pocket  expenses  (primarily  travel)  incurred  in  connection  with 
our client service activities.

Health Care and Health Care IT Industry

There are several major forces shaping health care worldwide.

•

•

•

•

•

•

Rising Health Care Costs - Health care costs continue to rise above the rate of inflation, with total health care 
expenditures  increasing  4.5%  to  $3.8  trillion  in  2019,  representing  18%  of  the  U.S.  Gross  Domestic  Product 
("GDP").  Health  expenditures  are  expected  to  grow  over  5%  annually  over  the  next  decade,  which  would  bring 
them  to  approximately  20%  of  GDP.  Similar  growth  trends  exist  in  most  major  non-U.S.  markets  as  well.  We 
believe this trajectory is unsustainable and that health care IT can play an important role in facilitating a shift from 
a  high-cost  health  care  system  that  incents  volume  to  a  proactive  system  that  incents  health,  quality  and 
efficiency.

Industry Consolidation - The number of health care providers turning to mergers, acquisitions and partnerships 
has  surged.  On  a  15-year  basis  the  percentage  of  hospitals  functioning  under  a  health  system  rather  than 
operating independently increased from approximately 50% to approximately 65%. Today, over 70% of hospitals 
are operating as part of a health system rather than independently. This consolidation trend has also included the 
outpatient  setting  as  health  systems  are  seeking  to  build  out  health  networks  within  defined  Metropolitan 
Statistical Areas ("MSAs"). 

Evolving Reimbursement - With the full enactment of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ACA"), 
Medicaid expansion in more than three-quarters of all states, and the aging population driving Medicare growth, 
the  government  is  playing  an  increasingly  material  role  in  U.S.  health  care  economics.  The  implications  for 
providers include increased regulatory requirements for payment at less favorable terms than commercial payers. 
This reality has exacerbated an already tough margin profile and is expected to be the new normal for the years to 
come.  Provider  organizations  are  also  dealing  with  an  ongoing  shift  to  value-based  reimbursement  models 
through  programs  like  the  Medicare  Access  and  CHIP  Reauthorization  Act  ("MACRA")  and  Bundled  Payment 
Care Initiative, which change the way that Medicare rewards clinicians for value over volume. These reforms, over 
time, could materially change provider economics.

Consumer Expectations - Increased out-of-pocket expense and technology utilization outside health care have 
contributed  to  rising  consumer  expectations  on  cost,  convenience  and  service.  This  growing  consumerism  has 
increased the political focus on rising drug prices, surprise medical bills, and escalating premiums, highlighting the 
importance of having comprehensive strategies for engaging consumers. 

Cognitive  Computing  -  Today,  health  care  is  principally  digitized  across  the  core  clinical,  operational  and 
financial settings. However, while workflows have been digitized, business processes remain largely unautomated 
and  the  industry  has  yet  to  realize  the  benefits  of  digitization  achieved  in  other  industries.  Cognitive  computing 
represents a meaningful opportunity to leverage the digitization that now exists in health care to improve efficiency 
and quality, and we believe Cerner is well positioned to play a key role in helping the health care industry achieve 
this potential.

Coronavirus ("COVID-19") Pandemic – The health care and life sciences industries are at the forefront of the 
pandemic with heroic efforts by health care providers on the frontlines and advances in technology and science 
enabling  vaccines  to  get  to  market  in  an  unprecedented  timeframe.  Looking  beyond  2020,  we  believe  the 
pandemic  could  lead  to  an  acceleration  of  macro  trends  already  playing  out.  Examples  of  this  include  the 
likelihood the pandemic accelerates the role of the Federal government as the top regulator and payor for health 
care;  ongoing  health  system  consolidation;  and  increased  consumer  expectations,  particularly  around  the 
convenience of telehealth.   

For  the  core  provider  market,  many  of  these  forces  are  contributing  to  an  overall  challenging  macro  environment. 
Providers are simultaneously seeking to grow key service lines, drive operational efficiencies to make money at Medicare 
rates,  and  build  out  the  competencies  required  to  take  and  effectively  manage  risk  and  participate  in  value-based 
reimbursement models. Information technology is seen as an enabler of these efforts, which represents an opportunity for 

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Cerner. At the same time, the low-margin nature of provider businesses can make it difficult to fund required investment, 
making it important for solutions and services to have a clear return on investment.

Cerner Vision and Growth Strategy

Throughout  our  history,  Cerner  has  focused  on  creating  innovation  at  the  intersection  of  health  care  and  information 
technology.  Our  vision  has  long  been  to  create  a  Health  Network  Architecture  ("HNA")  for  providers  of  care  in  every 
community. HNA has four core pillars: automate the care process; connect the person; structure, store and study the data; 
and then 'close the loop' by pushing analytic insights back into the care process. The base digitization that now exists in 
health care is foundational to achieving this vision, and we believe it can be achieved in the decade to come.

Our framework for growth as we work towards achieving our long-term vision includes three core areas. 

First, we are focused on delivering in our core market, including executing effectively on our large U.S. federal contracts, 
continuing  to  enhance  key  solution  areas,  such  as  revenue  cycle,  that  are  important  to  existing  clients  and  represent 
revenue growth  opportunities,  and aligning with our provider clients to  help them  increase revenue  in  key  service  lines, 
tackle  margin  compression  and  optimize  their  reimbursement  dollars.  In  addition,  we  are  investing  in  platform 
modernization, with a focus on delivering a software as a service platform that we expect to lower total cost of ownership, 
improve clinician experience and patient outcomes, enable clients to accelerate adoption of new functionality, and better 
leverage third-party innovations. These efforts, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, can differentiate Cerner and 
position our installed client base to better manage the forces of change playing out in health care.

Second, we are continuing work towards advancing the HNA vision that has driven Cerner almost since its inception. We 
believe that through the creation of a cohesive architecture for health care, the walls between care centers will become 
transparent as information travels seamlessly among care settings. Data collected at one setting will be available to others 
across  the  country,  ensuring  every  individual  in  every  part  of  the  care  process  is  connected  to  the  right  knowledge, 
resources  and  persons  at  the  appropriate  time  and  place.  We  believe  the  coming  decade  is  the  window  when  the 
confluence  of  technology,  data  liquidity  and  business  model  shifts  can  make  this  vision  a  reality.  Health  systems  are 
increasingly building network strategies within specific regions to enhance contracting power, increase patient stickiness 
and move closer to the premium dollar. Cerner has an opportunity to become a strategic partner and assist with network 
design, provide services in areas such as cybersecurity and operational reporting, and improve performance under value-
based  contracting.  Cerner's  HealtheIntent  platform  was  purpose-built  as  a  cloud-based,  EHR-agnostic  platform  that 
enables these efforts. HealtheIntent is also foundational to our offerings in other areas that represent growth opportunities 
for  Cerner.  These  include  provider  market  offerings,  such  as  long-term  care,  home  care  and  hospice,  rehabilitation, 
behavioral health, community care, care team communications, and health systems operations, as well as consumer and 
employer offerings.

Third,  Cerner  has  an  opportunity  to  harness  data  to  drive  growth  in  new  areas,  including  using  real-world  evidence  to 
improve clinical research and providing release of information services to drive efficiencies for the legal, life insurance and 
other industries. Cerner has natural points of differentiation, including our proximity to the data given that our technology 
assets  are  in  place  in  approximately  a  quarter  of  U.S.  health  care  facilities,  and  our  proven  ability  to  aggregate  and 
normalize  multiple  sources  of  data  through  our  HealtheIntent  platform,  which  contains  data  from  over  250  million 
longitudinal records.

The  early  returns  have  been  positive.  We  have  made  progress  in  the  pharma  and  life  sciences  space  with  our 
HealtheDataLabSM offering and the Cerner Learning Health NetworkTM, a strategy originating from our collaboration with 
the Duke Clinical Research Institute.

We have made good progress at building the Cerner Learning Health Network. With a mission of revolutionizing clinical 
research, the Cerner Learning Health Network offers health systems complimentary access to a network of bi-directional, 
de-identified data resources. This access helps advance research efforts and provides opportunities to generate revenue 
with funded research studies from life science companies.

In  late  2020,  Cerner  took  two  actions  to  enhance  the  Learning  Heath  NetworkSM  and  further  position  Cerner  to  play  a 
meaningful  role  in  advancing  clinical  research.  First,  Cerner  invested  in  Elligo  Health  Research,  a  leading  integrated 
research organization that enables clinical trials with nationwide community-based health care practices. Cerner plans to 
work with Elligo to expand the data and tools available in the Cerner Learning Health Network to offer additional clinical 
trial resources to community and rural hospitals and physician practices. This collaboration is expected to shorten clinical 

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research  timeframes,  make  clinical  trials  more  broadly  and  easily  accessible  and  reduce  the  costs  associated  with 
bringing therapies to market.

Second, Cerner announced an agreement to acquire Kantar Health, a division of Kantar Group. Kantar Health is a leading 
data, analytics and real-world evidence and commercial research consultancy serving the life science industry. With this 
acquisition, which we expect to close in the second quarter of 2021, subject to certain conditions, Cerner plans to harness 
data  to  improve  the  safety,  efficiency  and  efficacy  of  clinical  research  across  life  sciences,  pharmaceuticals  and  health 
care at large. This acquisition is expected to allow the Cerner Learning Health Network client consortium to more directly 
engage  with  life  sciences  for  funded  research  studies.  This  acquisition  is  expected  to  be  a  strong  complement  to  our 
existing  Data-as-a-Service  efforts  as  it  would  bring  a  meaningful  entry  into  the  pharmaceutical  market  through  Kantar 
Health's existing clients and their strong leadership team with important industry experience and relationships.

Cerner expects to build on this early success and continue creating information-based solutions that reinvent traditional 
health  care  businesses,  allow  our  customers  to  better  serve  their  markets  and  ultimately  change  lives.  We  believe  the 
data space not only represents a material addressable market beyond Cerner's traditional provider base, but that it is also 
consistent with, and a compelling advancement of, the vision of personalized medicine that animated the original thinking 
around HNA.

Importantly, Cerner's health data strategy is based on curating data from a willing and engaged network of providers with 
an emphasis on clear boundaries around the usage of patient data and based on clearly defined use cases with clarity 
and transparency around data rights.

In  summary,  we  believe  Cerner's  core  value  proposition  remains  strong  and  there  is  ample  opportunity  to  grow  both 
organically  and  inorganically  through  the  areas  discussed  above. As  Cerner  drives  these  areas  of  growth,  we  expect  a 
strong  and  dynamic  competitive  landscape,  ranging  from  startups  to  mega-cap  companies  that  are  attracted  to  the 
substantial  addressable  markets  across  health  care.  Success  will  require  entrepreneurial  scale.  We  will  have  to  move 
faster  and  be  nimbler  than  the  mega-caps,  while  also  leveraging  our  advantages  of  size  and  experience  that  venture-
backed startups lack.

Contracting with the Government

As  we  grow  our  federal  business,  revenue  attributable  to  prime  contracts  or  to  subcontracts  with  other  contractors 
engaged  in  work  for  the  U.S.  government  is  becoming  a  bigger  contributor  to  our  overall  revenue.  Within  the  U.S. 
government,  our  revenues  are  diversified  across  various  agencies,  including  the  Department  of  Defense  and  the  U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs. During 2020 and 2019, approximately 18% and 13%, respectively, of our total revenues 
were  attributable  to  our  relationships  (as  the  prime  contractor  or  a  subcontractor)  with  U.S.  government  agencies. 
Contracting  with  the  U.S.  government  subjects  us  to  substantial  regulation  and  unique  risks,  including  the  U.S. 
government's ability to cancel any contract at any time through a termination for the convenience of the U.S. government. 
Government  cancellation  terms  typically  permit  the  recovery  of  all  or  a  portion  of  our  incurred  costs  and  fees  for  work 
performed  prior  to  termination  when  the  U.S.  government  issues  a  termination  for  convenience.  These  regulations  and 
risks are described in more detail below under "Risk Factors" in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Software Development

We  commit  significant  resources  to  developing  new  health  information  system  solutions  and  services. As  of  the  end  of 
2020,  approximately  7,200  associates  were  engaged  in  research  and  development  activities. Total  expenditures  for  the 
development and enhancement of our software solutions were $797 million, $784 million and $747 million during 2020, 
2019  and  2018,  respectively.  These  figures  include  both  capitalized  and  non-capitalized  portions  and  exclude  amounts 
amortized for financial reporting purposes.

As discussed above, continued investment in research and development ("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  a  broad  portfolio  of  intellectual  property  rights  to  protect  the  proprietary  interests  in  our  solutions,  services, 
devices  and  brands.  Our  solutions  constitute  works  of  authorship  protected  by  copyrights  in  the  United  States  and 
globally. We own valuable trade secrets embodied in, or related to, our solutions, services and devices and protect these 

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rights  through  a  number  of  technical  and  legal  measures.  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 600 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, devices and services incorporate or rely on intellectual property rights licensed from third parties, including 
software subject to open source software licenses. 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  on 
commercially reasonable terms or under open source software licenses acceptable to Cerner.

Managing Cybersecurity Risks

Our business operations, including the provision of the solutions and services described above, involve the compilation, 
hosting  and  transmission  of  confidential  information,  including  patient  health  information.  We  have  included  security 
features  in  our  solutions  and  services  that  are  intended  to  protect  the  privacy  and  integrity  of  this  information,  but  our 
solutions and services may be vulnerable to security breaches, viruses, programming errors and other similar disruptive 
problems. Cerner maintains documented information privacy, security and risk management programs with clearly defined 
roles,  responsibilities,  policies,  and  procedures  which  are  designed  to  secure  the  information  maintained  on  Cerner's 
platforms.

In  addition,  all  of  our  associates  are  required  to  complete  annual  cybersecurity  education  and  training,  which  includes 
identifying suspicious emails, Internet threats, telecommunication threats and ransomware. Cerner regularly reviews and 
modifies  its  security  program  to  reflect  changing  technology,  regulatory  environment,  laws,  risk,  industry  and  security 
practices  and  other  business  needs.  We  believe  our  policies  and  procedures  are  adequate  to  ensure  that  relevant 
information about cybersecurity risks and incidents is appropriately reported and disclosed.

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 world headquarters in North 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 35 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,  in  years  when  COVID-19  was  not  a  concern,  through 
presentations at industry seminars and tradeshows. We market our ambulatory 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. Normally, 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.

Backlog

Backlog,  which  reflects  contracted  revenue  that  has  not  yet  been  recognized  as  revenue,  was  $13.04  billion  as  of 
December 31, 2020, of which we expect to recognize approximately 30% as revenue over the next 12 months.

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We  believe  that  backlog  may  not  necessarily  be  a  comprehensive  indicator  of  future  revenue  as  certain  of  our 
arrangements may be canceled (or conversely renewed) at our clients' option; thus contract consideration related to such 
cancellable periods has been excluded from our calculation of backlog. However, historically our experience has been that 
such  cancellation  provisions  are  rarely  exercised.  We  expect  to  recognize  $1.08  billion  of  revenue  over  the  next  12 
months under currently executed contracts related to such cancellable periods, which is not included in our calculation of 
backlog.

Competition

The  market  for  HCIT  solutions,  devices  and  services  is  intensely  competitive,  rapidly  evolving  and  subject  to  rapid 
technological  change.  The  principle  markets  in  which  we  compete  include,  without  limitation,  health  care  software 
solutions, HCIT services, ambulatory, health care device and technology resale, health care revenue cycle and transaction 
services, value-based care technologies, analytics systems, care management solutions, population health management, 
and  post-acute  care.  Our  principal  existing  competitors,  including  their  affiliates,  in  these  markets  include,  but  are  not 
limited to:

Ÿ	Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
Ÿ	Arcadia Solutions, LLC
Ÿ	athenahealth, Inc.
Ÿ	Capsule Technologies, Inc.
Ÿ	Computer Programs and Systems, Inc.
Ÿ	eClinicalWorks, LLC

Ÿ	Epic Systems Corporation
Ÿ	Health Catalyst, Inc.
Ÿ	InterSystems Corporation
Ÿ	Innovaccer, Inc.
Ÿ	Medical Information Technology, Inc. (MEDITECH)
Ÿ	Optum, 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,  health  care  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  our  markets  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. We believe that we compete favorably with our competitors on the basis of these factors and that we are the 
leader-  or  among  the  leaders-  in  each  of  our  main  offerings.  Our  brand  recognition  and  reputation  for  innovative 
technology and service delivery, combined with our breadth of solution and services offerings, global distribution channels 
and client relationships position us as a strong competitor going forward.

Human Capital Management

Cerner believes that attracting, engaging and retaining employees is vital to the Company's continued success. Our Chief 
Human  Resources  Officer,  reporting  directly  to  our  Chief  Executive  Officer,  oversees  our  human  capital  management 
strategies. In addition, our Board of Directors is actively involved in our human capital management in its oversight of our 
long-term strategy and through its committees and engagement with management. 

At Cerner, we're collectively working to create a culture and a community where our employees, who we refer to as our 
associates,  feel  their  voice  is  heard  in  our  ongoing  efforts  to  make  a  difference  in  the  future  of  health  care.  Our  efforts 
have  earned  Cerner  recognition  over  the  years  as  one  of  Forbes'  Best  Employers,  Best  Employers  for  Diversity,  Best 
Employers for LGBTQ Equality and a perfect score on the Human Right Campaign Equality Index.

The Company employed approximately 26,400 associates worldwide as of December 31, 2020. Of that total population, 
approximately 74% of our associates were employed in the United States and the remaining associates were employed 
outside the United States. Approximately 35% of our associates work in professional services (implementation, training, 
consulting  and  other  services),  27%  of  our  associates  work  in  development  (coding  and  engineering),  10%  of  our 
associates  work  in  managed  services  (hosting),  and  the  remaining  associates  work  in  other  areas  with  no  such  area 
making up 10% or more of our associate base.

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Our human capital management operating model focuses on the following strategic areas:

Talent  Acquisition:  We  continue  to  actively  hire  talent  and  are  primarily  focused  on  recruiting  talent  in  support  of  our 
strategic  growth  initiatives.  We  strive  for  the  attraction,  retention  and  development  of  skilled,  engaged  teams  of  diverse 
associates.  

Learning  and  Leadership  Development:  Associate  training  is  also  an  important  component  of  our  human  capital 
management.  We  have  programs  designed  specifically  to  support  early  career  talent,  as  well  as  management 
development. The Company continues to explore solutions that provide training material and support to all levels in the 
organization.

Compensation:    Cerner  offers  competitive  compensation  to  attract,  reward  and  motivate  associates.  We  have  a  pay  for 
performance  compensation  philosophy  and  reward  associates  through  a  combination  of  base  pay,  cash  incentives  and 
equity awards for the results they achieve, as well as how they achieve those results. Our Cerner Foundations Retirement 
Plan (401k) and Associate Stock Purchase Plan provide associates an opportunity for an ownership stake in Cerner.

Health,  Wellbeing  and  Benefits:  Consistent  with  our  strong  commitment  to  associate  wellbeing,  we  offer  a  full  suite  of 
programs, many of which are also offered virtually, including: fitness classes, wellness coaching, a data-driven wellness 
management  program,  comprehensive  bariatric  care,  musculoskeletal  health  coaching,  as  well  as  on-site  child  care, 
fitness centers, health clinics and pharmacies. We also offer associates a comprehensive and competitive set of benefit 
plans. 

Associate Experience and Engagement: We strive to create an environment in which associates are fully engaged, feel 
safe,  have  a  sense  of  belonging  and  are  empowered  to  make  a  difference.  We  focus  on  an  inclusive  culture  to  retain 
talent. These ongoing efforts are shaped by the action planning from our annual employee engagement census survey.   

Talent  Management:  Cerner  has  a  yearly  performance  management  process  to  encourage  development  and  feedback 
conversations. Manager and employee conversations are an important part of the growth and career development of our 
associates. 

Organization  Design  and  Effectiveness:    This  area  focuses  on  organizational  design  consulting,  the  integration  of  new 
associates from our business acquisitions, and coaching. 

Associate  Relations  and  Employment  Practices:  This  area  focuses  on  compliance  with  applicable  employment  laws, 
associate  relations  and  resolving  associate  employment-related  disputes,  as  well  as  on  managing  the  process  for 
departing  associates,  including  the  provision  of  outplacement  services.  In  addition,  this  area  provides  proactive 
performance  coaching  for  our  associates.  Associates  are  encouraged  to  report  ethics,  safety,  or  grievances  through 
multiple channels including a company provided confidential hotline.

Diversity  and  Inclusion  ("D&I"):    This  area  focuses  on  education,  diversity  management,  associate  community  building, 
market  outreach,  fostering  a  culture  of  inclusion  and  diversity  strategies.  We  have  an  enterprise-wide  D&I  strategy  to 
achieve holistic transformation in collaboration with executives, leaders and associates. We focus on inclusive solutions 
and supporting diversity for clients.

Global Community and Philanthropy, Events and Services:  This area focuses on community building, philanthropy, social 
responsibility  and  sustainability.  Our  associates  give  back  to  the  communities  where  they  work  and  live,  contributing 
millions of dollars last year to First Hand Foundation, a project of Cerner Charitable Foundation.

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Information about our Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the names, ages, positions and certain other information regarding the Company's executive 
officers as of February 1, 2021. Officers are elected annually and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Name

Brent Shafer

Marc G. Naughton

Travis S. Dalton

Daniel P. Devers

Jerome Labat

Tracy L. Platt

Donald D. Trigg

Age

Positions

63

65

50

48

55

47

49

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Executive Vice President, Chief Client & Services Officer and President, Cerner 
Government Services

Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

President

Brent Shafer was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors effective February 1, 2018. 
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Shafer served as Chief Executive Officer of Philips North America, a health technology 
company and the North American division of Koninklijke Philips N.V. ("Philips") since February 2014. In that position, Mr. 
Shafer led an organization of 17,000 employees and oversaw a health technology portfolio that included a broad range of 
solutions and services covering patient monitoring, imaging, clinical informatics, sleep and respiratory care as well as a 
group of market-leading consumer-oriented brands. For 12 years, Mr. Shafer played a key role in helping Philips develop 
and strengthen its health care focus, increase its profitability and grow its market share. Prior to that, Mr. Shafer served as 
Chief Executive Officer of the global Philips' Home Healthcare Solutions business, a home health care services provider 
with 6,000 employees, from May 2010 until May 2014, as Chief Executive Officer of the North America region for Royal 
Philips  Electronics  from  January  2009  until  May  2010,  and  as  president  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  the  Healthcare 
Sales and Service business for Philips North America from May 2005 until May 2010. Prior to joining Philips, Mr. Shafer 
served  in  various  senior  leadership  positions  with  other  companies,  including  Hill-Rom  Company  Inc.,  GE  Medical 
Systems, and Hewlett-Packard.

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.

Travis S. Dalton joined the Company in August 2001 as Practice Operations Manager and has held a variety of business 
and  client  senior  leadership  roles  since  that  time,  including  Client  Results  Executive  from  February  2009  until  he  was 
promoted to Vice President and Client Results Executive, a title which he held from March 2011 to December 2012. Mr. 
Dalton's  role  was  expanded  in  December  2012,  and  he  served  as  the  Vice  President,  Investor  Owned  and  General 
Manager  Federal  from  December  2012  until  he  was  promoted  to  Senior  Vice  President,  Investor  Owned  and  General 
Manager  Federal  in  March  2016  (which  title  was  changed  to  Senior  Vice  President  and  General  Manager,  Federal 
Government  in  October  2017).  His  role  was  changed  to  Senior  Vice  President  and  President,  Cerner  Government 
Services in August 2018. He was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Client and Services Officer and President, 
Cerner  Government  Services  in  January  2021.  In  this  role,  Mr.  Dalton  oversees  worldwide  client  relationship 
management,  sales,  services,  consulting,  support,  hosting  and  client  success.  He  also  leads  Cerner's  work  in 
implementing  a  new,  interoperable  electronic  health  record  for  the  U.S.  Departments  of  Defense  (DOD)  and  Veterans 
Affairs (VA).

Daniel P. Devers was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer in January 2021 and has served as 
Senior Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Officer since May 2013. As Cerner's Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Devers 
is  responsible  for  overseeing  Cerner's  worldwide  legal  affairs  including  litigation,  intellectual  property  and  corporate 
matters.  Prior  to  serving  as  Chief  Legal  Officer,  Mr.  Devers  served  as  Senior  Vice  President  –  Cloud  Strategy  from 
February  2020  to  January  2021,  Senior  Vice  President  and  General  Counsel  from April  2018  to  February  2020,  Senior 
Corporate Counsel – Intellectual Property from 2003 to 2007 and Corporate Counsel – Intellectual Property from February 
2002 to December 2003. He has been a member of the Cerner Executive Committee since March 2020. Mr. Devers was 

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an equity partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP prior to joining Cerner. He taught patent law at the University of Missouri 
and served a three-year gubernatorial appointment to the Missouri Technology Corporation's Board of Directors.

Jerome  Labat  joined  the  Company  in  June  2020  as  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Technology  Officer  (CTO). As 
CTO,  Mr.  Labat  has  executive  responsibility  for  client-facing  software  products  and  technology  development,  including 
platform and product development, modernization and security. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Labat served as Senior 
Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Micro Focus International plc, a British multinational, pure-play enterprise 
software  and  information  technology  company,  from  September  2017  until  June  2020.  In  this  role,  Mr.  Labat  led  an 
organization  of  about  500  people  globally  and,  among  other  things  was  responsible  for  the  company's  product  portfolio 
technology  and  strategy  vision  as  to  how  Micro  Focus'  solutions  would  support  its  clients  through  their  digital 
transformation,  and  developed  and  implemented  technology  and  solution  strategies  to  support  Micro  Focus'  digital 
transformation.  Prior  to  joining  Micro  Focus,  Mr.  Labat  spent  five  years  with  Hewlett  Packard  Enterprise  Corporation 
(HPE), his most recent title being CTO HPE- Software Division, which he held from December 2013 to August 2017. In 
this  role,  Mr.  Labat  led  HPE's  cloud  automation  business.  Prior  to  serving  as  CTO  HPW-Software  Division,  Mr.  Labat 
served  as  Vice  President  and  General  Manager,  Cloud  Automation  and  Management  for  HPE  and  in  various  senior 
leadership positions with other companies, including Intuit Corporation and Oracle Corporation.

Tracy L. Platt joined the Company in July 2019 as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to 
joining  the  Company,  Ms.  Platt  spent  nearly  10  years  in  executive  HR  roles  at  Medtronic  Plc,  a  global  health  care 
company  that  develops  and  distributes  medical  devices.  More  specifically,  Ms.  Platt  was  Vice  President,  Human 
Resources,  Medtronic  from  September  2009  to  July  2019.  Ms.  Platt  brings  health  care  experience  from  Medtronic  and 
other  key  organizations,  including  Cardinal  Health  and  GE  Healthcare.  Her  most  recent  role  at  Medtronic  included  HR 
leadership for its global operations organization and driving an operating model transformation throughout the enterprise.

Donald  D.  Trigg  originally  joined  the  Company  in  2002  as  Vice  President,  Corporate  Positioning.  He  has  held  multiple 
roles  during  his  time  at  the  Company,  including  Chief  Marketing  Officer  from  2003  to  2007,  General  Manager  for  the 
Kansas City region from 2006-2007, Managing Director for the United Kingdom and Ireland from 2008-2010, Senior Vice 
President and President, Cerner Health Ventures from 2012-2018, and Executive Vice President, Strategic Growth from 
2019  to  February  2020.  From  2010-2012,  Mr.  Trigg  served  as  Chief  Revenue  Officer  at  CodeRyte,  Inc.  prior  to  its 
acquisition by 3M's health care division. Mr. Trigg also spent more than a decade serving in the public policy space as a 
senior advisor for the 2000 Bush for President campaign in Austin, TX, the Director of Policy at the U.S. Department of 
Commerce and in a series of senior policy roles in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

Market and Industry Data

This  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  may  contain  market,  industry  and  government  data  and  forecasts  that  have  been 
obtained from publicly available information, various industry publications and other published industry sources. We have 
not  independently  verified  the  information  and  cannot  make  any  representation  as  to  the  accuracy  or  completeness  of 
such information. None of the reports and other materials of third party sources referred to in this annual report on Form 
10-K were prepared for use in, or in connection with, this annual report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

COVID-19 Risks

The  extent  to  which  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  measures  taken  in  response  could  materially  adversely  affect 
our financial condition, future bookings and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are 
highly uncertain and are difficult to predict. The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to control its spread have significantly 
curtailed the movement of people, goods and services worldwide, including in most or all of the regions in which we sell 
our software, health care devices, technology-enabled services or other services (collectively referred to as "Products and 
Services")  and  conduct  our  business  operations.  It  has  caused  us  to  modify  our  business  practices,  and  we  may  take 
further  actions  as  required  by  government  authorities,  our  clients  or  as  determined  to  be  in  the  best  interests  of  our 
associates, clients and business partners. These measures and our clients' focus on the pandemic have also resulted in 
delays in marketing, selling and implementing our Products and Services. There is no certainty that these measures will 
be  sufficient  to  mitigate  the  risks  posed  by  the  virus  and  our  ability  to  perform  critical  functions  could  be  harmed.  The 
magnitude  and  duration  of  the  disruption  and  resulting  decline  in  business  activity  is  uncertain.  In  particular,  we  have 
experienced  and  may  continue  to  experience  a  negative  financial  impact  due  to  a  number  of  factors,  including  without 
limitation:

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•
•

•

•

•

Cerner's efforts and investments in assisting its clients in their response to the pandemic;
Near-term declines in new business bookings as our clients focus on helping their patients during the crisis, rather 
than making new or expanded purchasing decisions, and longer-term declines in bookings for new Products and 
Services to the extent that the pandemic results in a sustained global or U.S. economic downturn;
Delays in implementing our Products and Services, including delays in the pace of completion of existing projects, 
while  client  resources  are  reallocated  or  dedicated  to  fighting  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  and  supply  chain 
interruptions;
Financial  pressures  being  put  on  our  clients,  which  may  in  turn  result  in  a  delay  in  collections  or  non-payment 
from our clients; and
Financial pressures being put on our strategic investments for which we hold an equity interest increases the risk 
of asset impairment.

Although we experienced some challenges in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, including declines in 
revenue  related  to  project  delays,  at  this  time,  we  have  not  experienced  a  negative  impact  on  our  liquidity,  access  to 
capital  or  overall  operations.  While  we  generally  expect  the  level  of  demand  for  our  Products  and  Services  negatively 
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to recover as we progress through fiscal 2021, we are unable to predict the ultimate 
impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, including the nature and timing of when demand recovery may occur. Even after the 
COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may experience material adverse impacts to our business as a result of the global 
or U.S. economic impact and any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future. There are no comparable recent 
events that provide guidance as to the effect the COVID-19 pandemic may have, and, as a result, the ultimate impact of 
the  pandemic  on  our  operations  and  financial  results  is  highly  uncertain  and  subject  to  change.  To  the  extent  the 
COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many 
of the other risks described below.

Cybersecurity and Information Technology Risks

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. We perform data center and hosting 
services for certain clients, including the collection and storage of critical patient and administrative data and the provision 
of  support  services.  We  rely  on  the  secure  electronic  transmission,  processing  and  storage  of  sensitive  information, 
including  protected  health  information;  personally  identifiable  information;  financial  information;  and  other  sensitive 
information relating to our clients and their patients, our company and our third-party suppliers. We also use public cloud 
providers and other third parties in connection with hosting our own data. A catastrophic failure of our backup generators 
during a prolonged public utility power outage; an impairment of telecommunications lines; a successful concerted denial 
of service attack; a significant system, network or data breach; damage, injury or impairment to the buildings, equipment, 
personnel operating such facilities or the client data contained therein; or errors by the personnel operating such facilities 
could cause a disruption in operations and negatively impact our clients. System redundancy, disaster recovery and other 
continuity measures may be inadequate. Any interruption, damage or breach of our systems or those of third parties on 
which we rely 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, increase our operating costs and have a material adverse impact on 
our results of operations.

A security breach could subject us to increased expenses, legal exposure and regulatory actions, and clients and 
prospective clients could be deterred from using our Products and Services. Our Products and Services require us 
to  store,  retrieve,  process  and  manage  our  clients'  information  and  data  (and  that  of  their  patients),  as  well  as  our  own 
data. Persons with authorized access, both associates and third parties, may use such access to harm the Company. Or 
persons outside of our organization may attempt to identify and exploit Product and Service vulnerabilities, penetrate or 
bypass our security measures, and gain unauthorized access to our software, hardware and cloud offerings, networks and 
systems,  or  those  of  our  clients  and  suppliers,  any  of  which  could  lead  to  disruptions  in  mission-critical  systems  or  the 
unauthorized release or corruption of protected health information, personally identifiable information, financial information 
or  other  sensitive  information,  or  the  confidential  information  or  data  of  Cerner,  our  clients  or  their  patients,  or  our 
suppliers. We may be targeted by computer hackers because we are a prominent health care IT company and have high 
profile clients, including government clients. Additionally, our clients and their employees may be targeted by hackers who 
compromise their credentials and lead to unauthorized access of our systems. These risks may increase as we continue 
to grow our cloud offerings, collect, store and process increasingly large amounts of our clients' confidential data, including 
protected  health  information  and  sensitive  personal  data,  and  host  or  manage  parts  of  our  clients'  businesses  in  cloud-
based/multi-tenant IT environments. We also use third party public cloud providers in connection with certain client facing 

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cloud-based offerings and to host our own data. There can be no assurance that our policies, procedures and controls or 
those of third parties on which we rely will detect or prevent all of these threats and we cannot predict the full impact of 
any such past or future incident.

The costs we would incur to address and remediate these security incidents would increase our expenses. Our efforts to 
address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays, cessation of service and loss of 
existing  or  potential  clients  that  may  impede  our  sales,  development  of  solutions,  provision  of  services  or  other  critical 
functions. If a cyber-attack or other security incident were to allow unauthorized access to or modification of data or our IT 
systems, or if our Products 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 Products and Services and result in reduced 
revenue and earnings. These types of security incidents could also lead to lawsuits, regulatory investigations and claims 
and,  in  some  cases,  contractual  costs  related  to  notification  and  fraud  monitoring. There  can  be  no  assurance  that  our 
cyber  risk  insurance  will  adequately  cover  all  of  our  losses  from  any  future  security  breaches  or  remain  available  on 
acceptable terms, if at all.

Operating and Product Risks

We may be subject to claims for system errors and warranties or incur substantial costs related to product and 
service-related liabilities. Many of our Products and 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  registration,  scheduling  and  billing.  Our  Products  and  Services,  or  the  third-party  software  products  or 
services incorporated therein, may contain design, coding or other errors, especially when first introduced. Similarly, errors 
in the implementation and configuration can occur and have occurred in the past. These errors could affect the ability of 
our Products and Services to properly function, integrate or operate with other offerings, scale to meet the needs of our 
clients, create vulnerabilities and adversely affect market acceptance. Our client agreements typically provide warranties 
concerning material errors and other matters. Our failure to meet these warranties could allow the client to terminate the 
agreement and possibly obtain a refund or damages or both, require us to incur additional expense to correct such failure, 
subject  us  to  claims,  damage  our  reputation  and  negatively  affect  future  sales.  We  attempt  to  contractually  limit  our 
liability; however, these contractual limitations may not be enforceable or otherwise protect us from liability. We may also 
be  subject  to  claims  that  are  not  covered  by  contract. There  is  no  assurance  that  our  liability  insurance  will  adequately 
cover any claim or remain available on acceptable terms, if at all. If we are uninsured or under-insured for any such claim, 
our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially harmed. Product and service-related claims, 
even if not successful, could damage our reputation, result in the loss of existing or potential clients, divert management's 
attention, result in significant revenue loss, create potential liabilities for our clients and us and increase our operational 
costs.

Our proprietary technology may be subject to claims for infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property 
rights of others, or our intellectual property rights may be infringed or misappropriated by others or our software 
may  be  subject  to  claims  related  to  open  source  software  licenses.  We  rely  upon  a  combination  of  confidentiality 
practices and policies, contractual arrangements and technical security measures to maintain the confidentiality and trade 
secrecy  of  our  proprietary  information.  We  also  rely  on  trademark,  copyright  and  patent  laws  to  protect  our  intellectual 
property  rights.  Despite  these  efforts,  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  occasionally  involved  in  intellectual  property 
infringement  or  misappropriation  claims.  These  claims,  even  if  unmeritorious,  are  expensive  to  defend  and  are  often 
incapable  of  prompt  resolution.  If  we  are  unsuccessful  in  defending  these  claims,  we  could  be  required  to  pay  a 
substantial  damage  award,  develop  alternative  technology,  obtain  a  license  or  cease  using,  selling,  offering  for  sale, 
licensing,  implementing  or  supporting  the  applicable  Products  and  Services.  We  rely  upon  open  source  software  in  our 
Products  and  Services.  We  may  encounter  claims  alleging  unauthorized  use  of  the  software  purported  to  be  licensed 
under  open  source  terms,  demanding  release  of  derivative  works  of  open  source  software  that  could  include  our 
proprietary source code, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source licenses. These claims 
could result in litigation and, even if unmeritorious, could be expensive to defend and incapable of prompt resolution. We 
could  also  be  required  to  make  our  software  source  code  available  under  the  applicable  open  source  license,  utilize  or 
develop  alternative  technology,  or  cease  using,  selling  or  supporting  the  applicable  Products  and  Services  if  we  are 
unsuccessful in defending such claims.

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We  may  become  involved  in  legal  proceedings  that  could  have  a  material  adverse  impact  on  our  business, 
results of operations and financial condition, and our inability or failure to effectively manage publicity related to 
such claims or legal proceedings could adversely impact our business. From time to time and in the ordinary course 
of our business, we may become involved in various legal proceedings and claims, including for example, those relating to 
employment  practices,  solution  and  implementation  defects,  personal  injury,  torts,  intellectual  property  infringement, 
violations of law and breaches of contract and warranties. All disputes and legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable. 
And,  regardless  of  the  merits  of  the  claims,  litigation  may  lead  to  negative  publicity  and  may  be  expensive,  time-
consuming  and  disruptive  to  our  operations  and  distracting  to  management.  If  resolved  against  us,  legal  proceedings 
could result in excessive judgments, injunctive relief or other equitable relief that may affect how we operate our business. 
Any  settlements  of  disputes  or  legal  proceedings  may  also  affect  how  we  operate  our  business.  There  can  be  no 
assurance that our liability insurance will adequately cover any judgment or settlement or remain available on acceptable 
terms, if at all. If we incur liability that exceeds our insurance coverage or that is not within the scope of the coverage, it 
could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition.  Additionally,  the 
dissemination  of  information  via  social  media,  including  information  about  alleged  harassment,  discrimination  or  other 
claims,  could  harm  our  business,  brand,  reputation,  financial  condition,  and  results  of  operations,  regardless  of  the 
information's accuracy.

We  are  subject  to  risks  associated  with  our  global  operations.  We  market,  sell  and  support  our  Products  and 
Services globally. We periodically evaluate entering into new markets and adjusting our focus in certain existing markets. 
Significant management attention and financial resources could be required to address the risks noted below associated 
with new market entry into non-U.S. markets and potential disruptions if we chose to adjust our focus in a given market. 
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:

• Greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable and longer collection periods;
•
•

Difficulties and costs of staffing and managing non-U.S. operations and labor disruptions;
Effects  of  sovereign  debt  conditions,  including  budgetary  constraints,  or  health  service  provider  or  government 
spending patterns or government-imposed austerity measures;
Legal  compliance  costs  or  business  risks  associated  with  our  global  operations,  such  as:  i)  local  laws  and 
customs differing from, or more stringent than those in the United States, such as those relating to data protection 
and  data  security,  trade  protection  measures  and  intellectual  property  rights,  ii)  heightened  risk  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,  iii)  export  control 
regulations, iv) different or additional functionality requirements or preferences, or v) certification (e.g. CE marking 
for  medical  device  software),  licensing  or  regulatory  requirements  and  unexpected  changes  to  those 
requirements; 
The United Kingdom's withdrawal of its membership from the European Union ("EU"), which is commonly referred 
to as "Brexit" and associated uncertainty and disruptions relating thereto;
Natural disasters, war, terrorist acts 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; and

•

•

•

• Our ability to form relationships with local partners, which help us to offer our Products and Services at scale, and 

our reliance on these partners whose reputation may not be regarded as highly outside the United States.

We operate in intensely competitive and dynamic industries, and our ability to successfully compete depends on 
our  ability  to  anticipate  or  respond  quickly  to  market  changes  and  to  bring  competitive  new  Products  and 
Services and features to market in a timely fashion. The market for our Products and Services is intensely competitive, 
dynamically  evolving  and  subject  to  rapid  technological  advances  and  innovative  enhancements,  changing  delivery  and 
pricing models, evolving standards in computer hardware and software development and communications infrastructure, 
and  changing  and  increasingly  sophisticated  client  needs.  Development  of  new  proprietary  Products  or  Services  is 
complex,  entails  significant  time  and  expense,  may  not  be  successful  and  often  involves  a  long  return  on  investment 
cycle. We cannot guarantee that the market for our Products and Services will continue to grow or that we will be able to 
successfully introduce new Products or Services. We provide solutions to clients via various deployment models, including 
client-server-based  solutions  and  cloud-based  offerings. As  we  move  more  of  our  offerings  to  the  cloud,  we  may  incur 
disruption as we transition existing clients and be less competitive during the transition, which could impact revenue and 
profitability. We believe we must continue to dedicate a significant amount of resources to our research and development 
efforts  to  maintain  our  competitive  position;  and  oftentimes,  successful  investments  require  several  years  before 
generating significant revenue.

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In  addition,  we  expect  that  major  software  information  systems  companies,  highly  capitalized  consumer  technology 
companies,  large  information  technology  consulting  service  providers  and  system  integrators,  start-up  companies  and 
others operating in the health care industry may offer competitive Products and Services. As we continue to develop new 
Products  and  Services  to  address  areas  such  as  analytics,  machine  learning  ("ML"),  artificial  intelligence  ("AI"),  value-
based  care,  consumer  solutions,  population  health  management  and  other  health  network  solutions,  we  expect  to  face 
new competitors, and these competitors may have more experience in these markets, better brand recognition 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. If we do not adapt our pricing models to reflect changes 
in use of our Products and Services or changes in client demand, our revenues could decrease.

Our  success  also  depends  on  our  ability  to  maintain  and  expand  our  business  with  our  existing  clients  and  effectively 
transition existing clients to current Products and Services, as well as attracting additional clients. Certain clients originally 
purchased one or a limited number of our Products and Services. These clients may choose not to expand their use of or 
purchase  new  Products  and  Services.  Failure  to  retain  and  generate  additional  business  from  our  current  clients  could 
materially  and  adversely  impact  our  business,  financial  condition  and  operating  results.  In  addition,  there  are  a  limited 
number of hospitals and other health care providers in the U.S. market, and the health care industry has been subject to 
increasing  consolidation,  which  can  cause  fewer  new  footprint  opportunities  or  lead  to  the  replacement  of  our  Products 
and  Services  in  existing  clients  if  the  acquiror  (or  the  group  being  acquired)  has  a  relationship  with  a  different  Health 
Information Technology (HIT) provider. If we are unable to adapt to the impact of industry consolidation, falling costs and 
technological advancements in a timely manner, our prospects and financial results could be negatively affected.

We  intend  to  continue  strategic  business  acquisitions  and  to  make  strategic  investments,  which  are  subject  to 
inherent  risks.  In  order  to  expand  our  Products  and  Services  offerings  and  grow  our  market  and  client  base,  we  may 
continue to seek and complete strategic business acquisitions and investments that we believe are complementary to our 
business. Acquisitions  and  strategic  investments  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)  diversion  of  our 
management's  attention;  2)  investment  in  or  entry  into  markets  in  which  we  have  little  or  no  direct  prior  experience;  3) 
failure  to  achieve  projected  synergies;  4)  failure  to  commercialize  "go  forward"  Products  and  Services;  4)  failure  to 
successfully  integrate  the  business;  5)  loss  of  clients,  key  personnel,  suppliers  and  other  important  relationships;  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;  9) 
accounting deficiencies relating to 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;  and  10)  litigation  related  to 
acquisition activity. Further, when we make a strategic investment, we have to rely on third party management teams to 
drive  the  portfolio  company's  success  and  at  times  infuse  additional  capital  or  provide  bridge  loans  to  protect  our 
investment.  If  we  fail  to  successfully  integrate  acquired  businesses  or  fail  to  implement  our  business  strategies  with 
respect  to  our  acquisitions  or  investments,  we  may  not  be  able  to  achieve  projected  results  or  support  the  amount  of 
consideration paid for such acquired businesses or invested into a portfolio company.

If  we  are  unable  to  manage  our  growth  in  the  new  markets  in  which  we  offer  Products  and  Services,  our 
business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer. Our future financial results will depend on our 
ability to profitably manage our business in the new markets that we enter. We expect to pursue growth and expansion 
opportunities in the areas of analytics, ML, AI, value-based care, consumer solutions, population health and other health 
network  solutions.  To  achieve  success  in  those  areas,  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.

Long sales cycles for our Products and Services could have a material adverse impact on our future results of 
operations. Some of our Products and Services have long sales cycles, ranging from several months to eighteen months 
or more beginning at initial contact with the client through execution of a contract. Implementing, replacing, or expanding 
an  information  system,  or  modifying,  adding  or  outsourcing  business  processes,  are  major  decisions  for  health  care 
organizations.  Many  of  the  Products  and  Services  we  provide  require  a  substantial  capital  investment  and  time 
commitments by the client or prospective client. Any decision by our clients or prospective clients to delay a purchasing 
decision could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

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We  depend  on  strategic  relationships  and  third-party  suppliers  and  our  revenue  and  operating  earnings  could 
suffer if we fail to manage these relationships properly. To be successful, we must continue to maintain our existing 
strategic relationships and establish additional strategic relationships as necessary with leaders in the markets in which 
we  operate. As  we  decide  to  partner  rather  than  directly  provide  certain  Products  and  Services,  we  will  become  more 
dependent on these strategic relationships to meet our clients' needs. We believe that these relationships contribute to our 
ability to further build our brand, extend the reach of our Products and Services, develop and deploy new products and 
services,  and  generate  additional  revenues  and  cash  flows.  The  loss  of  a  critical  strategic  relationship  or  failure  to 
establish  additional  relationships,  or  the  failure  to  realize  anticipated  synergies  and  benefits  of  these  strategic 
relationships, could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We license or purchase certain intellectual property and technology (such as software, services, hardware and content) 
from third parties, including some competitors, and depend on such intellectual property and technology in the operation 
and delivery of our Products and Services. Additionally, we sell or license third party intellectual property and technology in 
conjunction  with  our  Products  and  Services.  Our  remote  hosting  and  cloud  services  businesses  also  rely  on  a  limited 
number  of  software  and  services  suppliers  for  certain  functions  of  these  businesses.  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  the  technology  covered  by 
these  licenses  to  compete  directly  with  us.  If  our  third  party  suppliers  were  to  change  product  offerings,  cease  actively 
supporting  the  technologies,  fail  to  update  and  enhance  the  technologies,  encounter  technical  difficulties  in  developing 
these  technologies,  significantly  increase  prices,  change  delivery  models,  terminate  our  licenses  or  supply  contracts  or 
suffer significant capacity or supply chain constraints or disruptions, we may need to seek alternative suppliers and incur 
additional  internal  or  external  development  costs  to  ensure  continued  performance  of  our  Products  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.  In  addition,  interruption  in  functionality  of  our  Products  and 
Services as a result of changes in third party suppliers could adversely affect our commitments to clients, future sales of 
Products and Services, and negatively affect our revenue and operating earnings.

Our  success  depends  upon  the  recruitment  and  retention  of  key  personnel.  Members  of  our  senior  management 
team  and  other  key  personnel  have  departed  the  Company  during  the  past  few  years  for  a  variety  of  reasons,  and  we 
cannot guarantee that there will not be additional departures. To remain competitive, we must attract, motivate and retain 
highly  skilled  managerial,  sales,  marketing,  consulting  and  technical  personnel,  including  key  personnel  skilled  in  the 
industries  and  technical  environments  in  which  our  Products  and  Services  are  offered.  As  we  modernize  our  core 
platforms to the cloud, it is important that we retain and attract experienced technical talent with cloud expertise to lead 
this transformation. Competition for such personnel in our industries is intense in both the United States and abroad. Our 
failure to attract additional qualified personnel and to retain and motivate existing personnel to meet our needs could have 
a material adverse effect on our prospects for long-term growth. We may also experience increased compensation costs 
that are not offset by either improved productivity or higher sales. The unexpected loss of key personnel, or the failure to 
successfully develop and execute effective succession planning to assure smooth transitions of those key associates and 
their  knowledge,  relationships  and  expertise,  could  disrupt  our  business  and  have  a  material  adverse  impact  on  our 
results of operations and financial condition, and could potentially inhibit development and delivery of our Products and 
Services and market share advances.

We might not be successful in achieving expected operating efficiencies and sustaining or improving operating 
expense reductions and might experience business disruptions and adverse tax consequences associated with 
restructuring, realignment and cost reduction activities. Cerner has implemented and plans to continue to implement 
several  restructuring  and  realignment  initiatives  to  reduce  costs  and  increase  operating  efficiencies.  There  can  be  no 
assurance that we will realize, in full or in part, the anticipated benefits of these initiatives. If we are unable to deliver on 
these initiatives, while continuing to invest in business growth, or if the volume and nature of change overwhelms available 
resources,  our  business  operations  and  financial  results  could  be  materially  and  adversely  impacted.  Our  ability  to 
successfully manage and execute these initiatives and realize expected savings and benefits in the amounts and at the 
times anticipated is important to our business success. Any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our 
businesses,  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations.  Moreover,  our  ability  to  achieve  our  other  strategic  goals  and 
business plans might be adversely affected and we could experience business disruptions with clients and elsewhere if 
our restructuring and realignment efforts and our cost reduction activities prove ineffective.

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Regulatory Risks

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 Products and Services 
that enable our clients to meet their compliance requirements. 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 Products and Services. As the health care industry consolidates, our client base could 
be consolidated with fewer buyers, competition for clients could become more intense and the importance of maintaining 
and acquiring new client relationships becomes greater.

The last five years have been quite active legislatively with major statutes such as the Protecting Access to Medicare Act 
(PAMA)  of  2014  establishing  requirements  for  "Appropriate  Use  Criteria"  in  ordering  high  dollar  diagnostic  imaging 
services, the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 which reformed how physicians are paid under Medicare 
and  which  established  the  Merit-based  Incentive  Payment  System  (MIPS);  the  21st  Century  Cures Act  of  2016  (Cures 
Act),  which  laid  the  groundwork  for  a  nationwide  trusted  health  information  exchange,  established  interoperability 
requirements for providers, payers and consumers, and set the framework for information blocking regulations; and most 
recently  the  Substance  Use  Disorder  Prevention  that  Promotes  Opioid  Recovery  and  Treatment  for  Patients  and 
Communities (SUPPORT) Act of 2018 that includes significant policies for addressing the opioid crisis. These statutes are 
heavily  laden  with  provisions  that  directly  call  for  or  describe  roles  for  the  use  of  health  information  technology  to  help 
providers comply with new federal requirements under Medicare and state Medicaid programs.

Reform of payment policies for Medicare and Medicaid continues to evolve. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care 
Act became law in 2010; this comprehensive health care reform legislation introduced value-based principles into federal 
health  insurance  payments  systems,  sought  to  improve  health  care  quality,  and  expanded  access  to  affordable  health 
insurance. MACRA built upon the value based policies introduced by the ACA. These legislative initiatives accelerated the 
adoption of "Alternative Payment Models" (APMs) as bundled payment models based on episodes of care or per capita 
payment for defined populations as alternatives to traditional fee for service payments to providers. New APMs continue to 
be developed under the authorities of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovations, and value-based efforts such 
as the Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization (MSSP ACO) program or Bundled Payment for 
Care  Improvement  (BPCI)  advanced  episode-based  payment  model  program  have  seen  their  second  iteration.  APMs 
have evolved to usually require two-sided risk (shared saving and shared losses) and use of Certified EHR Technology 
(CEHRT) as a precondition for program participation. However, even after failed attempts to repeal the ACA, continuing 
challenges in the courts create uncertainty for the continued implementation of the ACA. Given a fractious and polarized 
legislative  environment  at  the  federal  level,  the  near-term  prospects  for  health  care  related  legislation  face  uncertainty. 
Because of ongoing federal fiscal budgetary pressures yet to be resolved for federal health programs, we cannot predict 
the full effect of health care legislation on our business at this time. The direction and pace of health care reform initiatives 
may  adversely  impact  either  our  operational  results  or  the  way  we  operate  our  business.  We  also  anticipate  significant 
impacts  from  information  blocking  provisions  of  the  Cures  Act  and  its  enabling  regulations,  which  includes  mandated 
adoption of new certified capabilities and updates to support new interoperability requirements as a part of required use of 
certified  HIT.  We  expect  expanded  surveillance  by  federal  agencies  of  certified  HIT  and  its  use  by  our  clients.  We  also 
anticipate newly expanded regulations under the federal Self-Referral and Anti-Kickback Laws that will contain expanded 
safe  harbors  for  value  based  care,  and  that  may  promote  expanded  donation  of  certified  HIT  and  of  cybersecurity 
technologies  in  support  of  trusted  health  information  exchange  to  support  coordinated  patient  care  within  value  based 
APMs. In response to this uncertainty, purchasers of HIT may elect to update HIT already in use and postpone investment 
decisions in new or replacement HIT, including investments in our Products and Services. Future legislation and regulation 
together  with  future  judicial  decisions  may  ultimately  impact  the  fiscal  stability  and  sustainability  of  HIT  purchasers. 
Differences  in  demand  related  to  new  regulatory  requirements  and  near-term  compliance  deadlines  that  contribute  to 
demand for our Products and Services could impact our financial results. There can be no certainty that any legislation 
that  may  be  adopted  or  judicial  decisions  will  be  favorable  to  our  business.  We  cannot  predict  whether  or  when  future 
health  care  reform  initiatives  at  the  federal  or  state  level  or  other  initiatives  affecting  our  business  will  be  proposed, 
enacted  or  implemented  or  what  impact  those  initiatives  may  have  on  our  business,  results  of  operations  and  financial 
condition.

The health care industry is highly regulated, and thus, we are subject to several 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 several U.S. federal, state, local and 
foreign  governmental  entities. The  impact  of  these  regulations  on  us  is  both  direct,  to  the  extent  that  we  are  ourselves 

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subject to these laws and regulations, and also indirect, in terms of government program requirements applicable to our 
clients for the use of HIT. Even though we may not be directly regulated by specific health care laws and regulations, our 
Products  and  Services  must  be  capable  of  being  used  by  our  clients  in  a  way  that  complies  with  those  laws  and 
regulations.  There  are  a  significant  and  wide-ranging  number  of  regulations  both  within  the  United  States  and  abroad, 
such  as  regulations  in  the  areas  of  health  care  fraud,  information  blocking,  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 and information blocking, are vague or 
indefinite and have not been interpreted by the courts. They may be interpreted or applied by prosecutorial, regulatory or 
judicial authorities 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 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 or 
from providing certain Products and Services to our clients who participate in such 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,  require  a  costly  response  from  us 
and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Preparation, Transmission, Submission and Collection of Medical Claims for Reimbursement. Our Products and Services 
are capable of electronically transmitting claims for services and items rendered by a physician to many patients' payers 
for approval and 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.  In  addition,  federal  and  state  law  regulates  the  collection  of  debt  and  may  impose  monetary  penalties  for 
violating those regulations. 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 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") security, privacy 
and  transaction  standards,  as  discussed  below,  also  have  a  potentially  significant  effect  on  our  claims  preparation, 
transmission and submission services, because 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.

Regulation  of  Health  Care  Devices. The  U.S.  Food  and  Drug Administration  ("FDA")  has  determined  that  certain  of  our 
Products  and  Services  are  covered  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 Products and Services. If other of our Products and Services 
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 post-marketing activities including pre-market 
notification  clearance.  Complying  with  these  medical  device  regulations  globally  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 Products and Services, our short- and long-term business plans for these Products and 
Services could be delayed or canceled. Our sites have been previously subject to FDA inspections, and we remain subject 
to periodic FDA inspections. We could be required to undertake additional actions to comply with the Act and any other 

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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  Products  and 
Services.

Security  and  Privacy.  U.S.  federal,  state  and  local  laws  and  foreign  legislation  govern  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 are also evolving and may have similar or even stricter requirements related to the treatment of 
personal or patient information.

Data  protection  regulations  impact  how  businesses,  including  both  us  and  our  clients,  can  collect  and  process  the 
personal  data  of  individuals.  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 Products and Services 
and could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we 
incur  development,  resource,  and  capital  costs  in  delivering,  updating,  and  supporting  Products  and  Services  to  enable 
our  U.S.  and  non-U.S.  clients  to  comply  with  these  varying  and  evolving  standards.  U.S.  federal,  state,  and  non-U.S. 
governmental enforcement personnel have substantial powers and remedies, particularly in the EU, to pursue suspected 
or perceived violations. If we fail to comply with any applicable laws or regulations or fail to deliver compliant Products and 
Services,  we  could  be  subject  to  civil  penalties,  sanctions  and  contract  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.  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 the U.S., HIPAA regulations apply 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  and  their  business 
associates  under  HIPAA,  which  include  health  care  organizations  such  as  our  clients,  our  employer  clinic  business  and 
our  claims  processing,  transmission  and  submission  services,  are  required  to  comply  with  HIPAA  privacy  standards, 
transaction regulations and security regulations. We and our U.S. clients are also subject to evolving state laws regarding 
the privacy and security of health care information and personal information generally.

In non-U.S. jurisdictions, we also are subject to transnational, national and local data protection legislation, including, but 
not  limited  to,  the  EU  General  Data  Protection  Regulation  ("GDPR"),  Canadian  Personal  Information  Protection  and 
Electronic Documents Act and Canadian Provincial legislation. In addition to EU and Canadian federal legislation, certain 
European member states and Canadian provinces have adopted more stringent data protection standards, particularly for 
health data. These regulations may impose restrictions on the processing of personal data (including health data) that, in 
some  respects,  are  more  stringent,  and  impose  more  significant  burdens  on  subject  businesses,  than  current  privacy 
standards in the United States.

In non-U.S. jurisdictions, we are subject to potential restrictions on cross-border transfers of personal data to the United 
States  as  well  as  other  countries  where  Cerner  has  business  operations.  A  recent  EU  court  decision  regarding  the 
adequacy of U.S. law to protect EU personal data created additional uncertainty regarding the lawfulness of transfers of 
EU  personal  data  to  the  United  States  and  India.  Cerner  has  addressed  these  requirements  through  the  execution  of 
Standard  Contractual  Clause  Agreements  and  by  designing  our  support  services  to  minimize,  to  the  extent  feasible, 
transfers  of  our  EU  client's  patient  data  to  the  United  States.  However,  the  adoption  of  data  privacy  laws  and  court 
decisions  that  restrict  cross  border  transfers  or  otherwise  require  data  localization  could  have  a  material  impact  on  our 
business.  Furthermore,  the  perception  by  non-U.S.  clients  that  we  cannot  provide  adequate  assurance  for  transfers  of 
personal  information  may  limit  the  use  and  adoption  of  our  Products  and  Services  and  could  have  a  material  adverse 
impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Development  and  adoption  of  ML  and AI  technologies  offer  the  potential  to  significantly  improve  the  delivery  of  health 
care. The application of ML and AI technologies to personal and patient information may be regulated under some privacy 
laws  (e.g.  GDPR).  Furthermore,  the  lack  of  standards  for  measuring  the  accuracy  and  effectiveness  of  ML  and AI  can 
raise  new  or  exacerbate  existing  technological,  legal  or  other  challenges  that  could  impact  our  reputation  and  have  a 
material adverse impact on our results of operations.

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Interoperability  Standards.  Our  commercial  and  government  clients  continue  to  be  subject  to  requirements  to  adopt 
interoperable  HIT  which  requires  that  our  Products  and  Services  be  interoperable  with  other  third  party  HIT  suppliers. 
Market  forces  and  governmental/regulatory  authorities  create  software  interoperability  standards  that  may  apply  to  our 
Products and Services. In the case of certain of our Products, these interoperability standards are the basis of certification 
requirements  that  our  Products  must  meet,  and,  in  turn,  many  of  our  clients  must  meet  prerequisite  or  participation 
requirements for many federal health insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid Fee for Service programs, for 
alternative  payment  models  under  the  Innovation  Center  of  CMS  and  for  other  federal  or  state  health  insurance  or 
reimbursement programs. These expectations for interoperability are supported by the information blocking prohibitions of 
the  Cures  Act.  If  our  Products  and  Services  are  not  consistent  with  those  requirements,  we  could  be  forced  to  incur 
substantial  additional  development  costs  to  conform.  The  Office  of  the  National  Coordinator  for  Health  Information 
Technology (ONC) is also charged under the Cures Act with developing a Trusted Exchange Framework that establishes 
governance  requirements  for  trusted  health  information  exchange  in  the  United  States.  ONC  has  developed  the  U.S. 
Common  Data  Set  for  Interoperability  which  may  lay  the  groundwork  for  iterative  expansion  of  future  data  exchange 
requirements  for  trusted  exchange.  ONC  continues  to  modify  and  refine  these  standards.  We  may  incur  increased 
software development and administrative expense and delays in delivering Products and Services if we need to update 
our Products and Services to conform to these varying and evolving requirements. In addition, delays in interpreting these 
standards may result in postponement or cancellation of our clients' decisions to purchase our Products and Services. If 
our  Products  and  Services  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 Products and Services.

Federal  Requirements  for  Certified  Health  Information  Technology.  Various  U.S.  federal,  state  and  non-government 
agencies continue to generate requirements for the use of certified health information technology. In many cases, these 
requirements  have  become  conditions  for  receiving  payment  for  health  care  services  to  beneficiaries  of  federal  health 
insurance  programs. These  requirements  are  expansions  of  the  statutory ARRA  HITECH  program  that  began  providing 
incentive payments in 2011 to hospitals and eligible providers for the "meaningful use of certified electronic health record 
technology  ("CEHRT")."  Although  those  incentive  programs  have  expired,  CEHRT  continues  to  be  a  requirement  of 
participation in federal health care programs in order to receive reimbursement for health items and services provided by 
our  clients  to  Medicare  and  Medicaid  beneficiaries.  In  2015,  MACRA  required  the  use  of  CEHRT  as  part  of  its  Quality 
Payment Program for eligible providers under Medicare. CEHRT is also one of the areas measured under the Merit based 
Incentive Payment System (known as MIPS) by which the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule was restructured. In the last 
several  years,  participation  in  Medicare's  "alternative  payment  models"  to  replace  traditional  "fee  for  service"  payments 
with quality and risk-sharing payment models has been conditioned on the adoption of CEHRT. The Cures Act has tied 
CEHRT  to  its  policy  goals  of  reducing  barriers  to  the  exchange  of  health  information  data  blocking,  encouraging 
nationwide interoperability, consumer access to health information and improving health information availability between 
consumers  and  their  care  teams. The  regulations  establishing  the  certification  standards  for  CEHRT  will  continue  to  be 
updated to support these policy goals with greater emphasis on interoperability, consumer engagement, patient safety and 
health information privacy and security. The ONC has finalized additional regulations under the Cures Act to enforce the 
act's policy directives relating to data blocking and interoperability. Along with recent CMS actions taken for Medicare and 
Medicaid, these regulations will also mandate adoption of updated and expanded certified capabilities of CEHRT that our 
clients  must  adopt  to  remain  able  to  participate  in  the  federal  programs  mentioned  earlier.  In  addition,  the  ONC  has 
increased its surveillance activities concerning vendor compliance relative to CEHRT.

We have completed certification efforts to meet current CEHRT requirements that became mandatory for certain Federal 
programs. We will continue to address additional regulatory requirements to update our basis for CEHRT as they evolve to 
support the mandatory updates imposed by new regulations under the Cures Act. Given recent CMS regulations, these 
updates  must  become  certified  and  adopted  by  our  clients  by  January  1,  2023.  However,  these  standards  and 
specifications  are  subject  to  interpretation  by  the  entities  designated  to  certify  our  electronic  health  care  technology  as 
CEHRT  compliant.  Additionally,  the  Cures  Act  requires  us  to  comply  with  conditions  of  certification  such  that  if  our 
business  practices  or  our  Products  and  Services  are  not  compliant  with  these  evolving  regulatory  requirements,  our 
market  position  and  sales  could  be  impaired,  and  we  may  have  to  invest  significantly  in  changes  to  our  Products  and 
Services.  Further,  we  bear  potential  financial  risks  where  we  are  alleged  to  have  not  appropriately  complied  with  these 
regulations. We also bear financial risk where we have entered into agreements with clients to warrant their ability to meet 
future  federal  program  requirements  that  require  use  of  CEHRT.  While  a  client's  ability  to  meet  future  federal  health 
program related attestation requirements may be dependent on the client's ability to adopt, rollout and attain sufficient use 
of our certified Products and Services on a timely basis, we may face risks that come from issues in full adoption of our 
certified  Products  and  Services,  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 

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responsibilities  on  us  for  application  configuration  and  implementation  as  a  prerequisite  to  meaningful  use  attainment 
ordinarily borne by the client.

Our  work  with  government  clients  exposes  us  to  additional  risks  inherent  in  the  government  contracting 
environment.  Our  clients  include  national,  provincial,  state,  local  and  foreign  governmental  entities  and  their  agencies. 
Our government work carries various risks inherent in contracting with government entities. These risks include, but are 
not limited to, the following:

• Government entities, particularly in the United States, often reserve the right to audit our contracts and conduct 
reviews,  inquiries  and  investigations  of  our  business  practices  and  performance  with  respect  to  government 
contracts. If a government client discovers improper conduct  during its 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,  suspension  of  payments,  fines  and  civil 
money penalties, and suspensions or debarment from doing business with other government agencies.
U.S.  government  contracting  regulations  impose  strict  compliance  and  disclosure  obligations  and  our  failure  to 
comply  with  these  obligations  could  be  a  basis  for  suspension  or  debarment,  or  both,  from  federal  government 
contracting in addition to breach of the specific contract.

•

•

• Government  contracts  are  subject  to  heightened  reputational  and  contractual  risks  compared  to  contracts  with 
commercial  clients  and  often  involve  more  extensive  scrutiny  and  publicity.  Negative  publicity,  including 
allegations of improper or illegal activity, poor contract performance, or information security breaches, regardless 
of accuracy, may adversely affect our reputation.
Terms and conditions of government contracts also tend to be more onerous, are often more difficult to negotiate 
and involve additional costs. We must comply with specific procurement regulations and a variety of other socio-
economic  requirements,  as  well  as  various  statutes,  regulations  and  requirements  related  to  employment 
practices, recordkeeping and accounting. Our failure to comply with a variety of complex procurement rules and 
regulations  could  result  in  our  liability  for  penalties,  including  termination  of  our  government  contracts, 
disqualification  from  bidding  on  future  government  contracts  and  suspension  or  debarment  from  government 
contracting.  

• Government  entities  typically  fund  projects  through  appropriated  monies.  Our  VA  Electronic  Health  Record 
Modernization  and  DOD  MHS  Genesis  agreements  are  indefinite  delivery,  indefinite  quantity  contracts.  The 
change in presidential administration may affect VA and DOD budget priorities for this ongoing work.

•

• Government entities reserve the right to change the scope of or terminate these projects at their convenience for 
lack  of  approved  funding  or  other  reasons,  which  could  limit  our  recovery  of  reimbursable  expenses  or 
investments. In addition, government contracts may be protested, which could result in administrative procedures 
and litigation, result in delays in performance and payment, be expensive to defend and be incapable of prompt 
resolution.
It  is  common  in  contracting  with  governments  for  there  to  be  a  prime  contractor  with  privity  of  contract  to  the 
government client and one or more subcontractors. We serve in both capacities for different government clients. 
There are inherent risks in being a subcontractor, including without limitation, reliance on the performance of the 
prime contractor for the execution of the contract to the satisfaction of the client. Additionally, when we serve as 
the prime contractor, we rely on our subcontractors to fulfill certain contractual obligations under our agreements 
with government clients. A failure by the prime contractor to perform under an agreement under which we serve 
as  a  subcontractor,  or  a  failure  by  a  subcontractor  to  perform  under  an  agreement  under  which  we  serve  as  a 
prime  contractor,  could  have  a  material  adverse  impact  on  our  business,  results  of  operations  and  financial 
condition.

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.

Capital and Credit Risks

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.  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 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 

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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, particularly in light of the 
ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic,  our  business,  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition  could  be  materially  and 
adversely affected.

There are risks associated with our outstanding and future indebtedness. As of December 31, 2020, we had $1.34 
billion  of  long-term  debt  outstanding,  and  we  may  incur  additional  indebtedness  in  the  future.  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 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. In addition, the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") is scheduled to be phased out, and when it does, 
we will need to agree upon a replacement index with the lenders under our outstanding indebtedness at the time. Such 
new  rates  may  not  be  as  favorable  to  us  as  those  in  effect  prior  to  any  LIBOR  phase-out.  With  respect  to  our  Third 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the "Credit Agreement") and the related interest rate swap, if the 
swap  and  the  Credit  Agreement  replacement  rates  are  not  identical,  our  hedge  could  be  less  effective.  Our  failure  to 
manage these risks effectively could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.  

We  cannot  guarantee  that  our  capital  allocation  strategy,  which  may  include  share  repurchases  and  dividend 
payments, will be fully implemented or that it will enhance long-term shareholder value. As of December 31, 2020, 
the total available for repurchase under our stock repurchase program was $927 million. The repurchase program does 
not  have  an  expiration  date  and  we  are  not  obligated  to  repurchase  a  specified  number  or  dollar  value  of  shares. 
Additionally,  while  we  expect  to  pay  a  cash  dividend  on  a  quarterly  basis,  future  declarations  of  such  quarterly  cash 
dividends are subject to approval by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors' determination that the declaration 
of  dividends  are  in  the  best  interests  of  Cerner  and  its  shareholders.  Either  or  both  of  our  repurchase  or  dividend 
programs  may  be  suspended  or  terminated  at  any  time  and,  even  if  fully  implemented,  may  not  enhance  long-term 
shareholder value.

Tax, Finance and Accounting Related Risks

We are subject to tax legislation in numerous countries; changes in tax laws 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 35 countries. As such, we are subject to tax laws, regulations and policies of the U.S. federal, 
state and local governments and comparable taxing authorities in other country jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws could 
cause us to experience fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rates in future periods and otherwise adversely 
affect  our  tax  positions  and  our  tax  liabilities.  Our  effective  tax  rates,  tax  payments,  tax  credits  or  incentives  could  be 
adversely affected by changes in tax laws. 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  and  require  significant  judgment  in 
determining  our  worldwide  provision  for  income  taxes  and  other  tax  liabilities. As  these  and  other  tax  laws  and  related 
regulations change, our financial results could be materially impacted. In the ordinary course of a global business, there 
are  many  intercompany  transactions  and  calculations  which  could  be  subject  to  challenge  by  tax  authorities.  We  are 
regularly  under  audit  by  tax  authorities  and  those  authorities  often  do  not  agree  with  positions  taken  by  us  on  our  tax 
returns. Our intercompany transfer pricing has been reviewed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and by foreign 
tax  jurisdictions  and  will  likely  be  subject  to  additional  audits  in  the  future.  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.

Goodwill and other intangible assets represent approximately 17% of our total assets and we could suffer losses 
due  to  asset  impairment  charges.  We  assess  our  goodwill  and  other  intangible  assets  for  impairment  periodically  in 
accordance  with  applicable  authoritative  accounting  guidance.  Declines  in  business  performance  or  other  factors  could 
result in a non-cash impairment charge. This could materially and negatively affect our results of operations and financial 
condition.

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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.

Lower  than  expected  revenue  growth  or  shifts  in  our  revenue  mix  could  adversely  affect  our  results  of 
operations. Our revenue growth and mix could vary over time due to a number of factors, including timing of contracts 
signing, changes in the health of our end markets, unexpected client attrition, and the mix of software, hardware, devices, 
maintenance, support and services revenues, which carry different margin rates which can vary from period to period. Our 
operating results could be harmed by changes in revenue mix and costs, together with numerous other factors, including 
rapid  growth  in  lower  margin  services  business,  declines  in  software,  and  growth  in  non-cash  expenses,  such  as 
amortization and depreciation.

General Risk Factors

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 
Products  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, our clients' abilities 
to meet project milestones, seasonality of revenue collection 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 Products and Services, 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 
applicable laws, availability of personnel resources or by actions taken by competitors. Revenue recognized in any quarter 
may  also  depend  upon  our  clients'  abilities  to  meet  project  milestones.  Delays  in  the  expected  sale,  installation  or 
implementation  of  these  large  systems  or  in  meeting  project  milestones  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.  Because  of  the  complexity  and  value  of  our  contracts,  the  loss  of  even  a  small  number  of  clients  could 
have a significant negative effect on our financial results. We may also experience seasonality in revenues.

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 Products and 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  other  factors,  many  of  which  are  beyond  our  control.  Furthermore,  broad  market  and  industry 
fluctuations may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, regardless of actual operating performance. 
As a matter of policy, we do not generally comment on our stock price or rumors.

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 where the subsidiary operates. 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, future fluctuations in 
foreign  currency  exchange  rates,  particularly  the  strengthening  of  the  U.S.  dollar  against  major  currencies,  could 
materially affect our financial results.

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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, such as advance notice of stockholder proposals at meetings, no ability to take action by written consent and 
restricting  shareholders  from  calling  special  meetings.  We  are  also  subject  to  the  business  combination  provisions  that 
could delay or prevent a change of control.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None

Item 2. Properties.

As of the end of 2020, we owned approximately 6.7 million gross square feet of real estate located in the greater Kansas 
City metro area and Malvern, Pennsylvania. Such property primarily consists of office space, data center, and warehouse 
facilities used primarily by our Domestic segment.

As of the end of 2020, we also leased approximately 357 thousand gross square feet of office space in the United States 
used by our Domestic segment, and approximately 1.4 million gross square feet of office and data center space outside 
the United States, primarily in Australia, Canada, Europe, India, and the Middle East, which is used by our International 
segment.

In general, we believe our facilities are suitable to meet our current and reasonably anticipated future needs.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we are involved in litigation which is incidental to our business. In our opinion, no litigation to which we 
are  currently  a  party  is  likely  to  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  consolidated  financial  condition,  results  of 
operations, or cash flows.

The disclosure relating to our dispute and settlement with Fujitsu Services Limited contained in Note (19) is incorporated 
herein by reference.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Part II.

Item  5.  Market  for  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.

At February 1, 2021, there were approximately 925 owners of record.

Our Board of Directors declared cash dividends on our issued and outstanding common stock in 2020 and 2019. Subject 
to declaration by our Board of Directors, we expect to continue paying quarterly cash dividends as a part of our current 
capital allocation strategy. Future dividends will be subject to the determination, declaration and discretion of our Board of 
Directors  and  compliance  with  covenants  under  our  outstanding  debt  agreements.  Refer  to  Note  (16)  of  the  Notes  for 
further information regarding our dividend program.

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The table below provides information with respect to Common Stock purchases by the Company during the fourth fiscal 
quarter of 2020:

Period

October 1, 2020 - October 31, 2020
November 1, 2020 - November 30, 2020

December 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Total

Total Number of 
Shares 
Purchased

Average Price 
Paid per Share

113,426  $ 
528,050 

811,066 
1,452,542  $ 

69.76 
73.67 

74.11 
73.61 

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased 
as Part of Publicly 
Announced Plans 
or Programs (a)

Approximate Dollar 
Value of Shares 
That May Yet Be 
Purchased Under 
the Plans or 
Programs (a)

113,426  $ 
528,050  $ 

811,066  $ 

1,025,820,997 
986,919,553 

926,812,469 

1,452,542 

(a)  Under our current share repurchase program, which was initially approved by our Board of Directors on May 23, 2017 (and announced May 25, 
2017) and most recently amended on December 12, 2019 (as announced on December 13, 2019), the Company is authorized to repurchase up 
to $3.70 billion of shares of our common stock, excluding transaction costs. The repurchases are to be effectuated in the open market, by block 
purchase,  in  privately  negotiated  transactions,  or  through  other  transactions  managed  by  broker-dealers.  No  time  limit  was  set  for  the 
completion of the program. During 2020, we repurchased 10.6 million shares for total consideration of $757 million under the program pursuant 
to Rule 10b5-1 plans. As of December 31, 2020, $927 million remains available for repurchase under the program. Refer to Note (16) of the 
Notes for further information regarding our share repurchase program.

See Part III, Item 12 for information relating to securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans.

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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:

Working capital

Total assets

2020(1)

2019(2)

2018(3)

2017(4)

2016

$ 5,505,788  $ 5,692,598  $ 5,366,325  $ 5,142,272  $ 4,796,473 
911,013 
918,434 
636,484 

914,567 
991,473 
780,088 

774,785 
800,851 
630,059 

600,669 
654,512 
529,454 

960,471 
967,129 
866,978 

2.54 
2.52 

1.66 
1.65 

1.91 
1.89 

2.62 
2.57 

1.88 
1.85 

306,669 

309,136 

318,229 

321,235 

330,084 

333,572 

331,373 

337,999 

337,740 

343,653 

$ 1,482,361  $ 1,069,176  $ 1,356,114  $ 1,590,632  $  773,960 

  7,521,096 

  6,894,622 

  6,708,636 

  6,469,311 

  5,629,963 

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

  1,336,069 

  1,038,382 

438,802 

515,130 

537,552 

Shareholders' equity

  4,482,567 

  4,317,328 

  4,928,389 

  4,785,348 

  3,927,947 

(1)

In 2020, we recognized gains upon the disposition of certain business operations as further discussed in Note (9) of the Notes.

(2)

In 2019, we adopted new lease accounting guidance as further discussed in Note (6) of the Notes.

(3)

In 2018, we adopted new revenue recognition guidance as further discussed in Note (2) of the Notes.

(4)

Includes the impact of certain U.S. income tax reform.

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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.

All  references  to  years  in  this  MD&A  represent  fiscal  years  unless  otherwise  noted.  Refer  to  Note  (1)  of  the  Notes  for 
information regarding our fiscal year end.

Information regarding our 2018 results of operations, including a year-to-year comparison against 2019, may be found in 
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our annual report on 
Form 10-K for the period ended December 28, 2019, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
February 10, 2020.

Management Overview

Our revenues are primarily derived by selling, implementing, operating and supporting software solutions, clinical content, 
hardware,  devices  and  services  that  give  health  care  providers  and  other  stakeholders  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 core strategy is to create organic growth by investing in R&D to create solutions and tech-enabled services for the 
health  care  industry.  We  may  also  supplement  organic  growth  with  acquisitions  or  strategic  investments  and 
collaborations.

Cerner's long history of growth has created an important strategic footprint in health care, with Cerner holding more than 
25  percent  market  share  in  the  U.S.  acute  care  EHR  market  and  a  leading  market  share  in  several  non-U.S.  regions. 
Foundational to our growth going forward is delivering value to this core client base, including executing effectively on our 
large  U.S.  federal  contracts  and  cross-selling  key  solutions  and  services  in  areas  such  as  revenue  cycle.  We  are  also 
investing in platform modernization, with a focus on delivering a software as a service platform that we expect to lower 
total cost of ownership, improve clinician experience and patient outcomes, and enable clients to accelerate adoption of 
new functionality and better leverage third-party innovations.

We  also  expect  to  continue  driving  growth  by  leveraging  our  HealtheIntent  platform,  which  is  the  foundation  for 
established  and  new  offerings  for  both  provider  and  non-provider  markets.  The  EHR-agnostic  HealtheIntent  platform 
enables Cerner to become a strategic partner with health care stakeholders and help them improve performance under 
value-based contracting. The platform, along with our CareAware platform, also supports offerings in areas such as long-
term care, home care and hospice, rehabilitation, behavioral health, community care, care team communications, health 
systems operations, consumer and employer, and data-as-a-service.

Beyond our strategy for driving revenue growth, we are also focused on earnings growth. After several years of margin 
compression related to slowing revenue growth, increased mix of low-margin services, and lower software demand due to 
the end of direct government incentives for EHR adoption, Cerner implemented a new operating structure and introduced 
other initiatives focused on cost optimization and process improvement in 2019. To assist in these efforts, we engaged an 
outside consulting firm to conduct a review of our operations and cost structure. We have made good progress since we 
kicked off our transformation in 2019 and expect this progress to be reflected in improved profitability going forward. We 
are focused on ongoing identification of opportunities to operate more efficiently and on achieving the efficiencies without 
impacting the quality of our solutions and services and commitments to our clients.

We  are  also  focused  on  delivering  strong  levels  of  cash  flow  which  we  expect  to  accomplish  by  continuing  to  grow 
earnings  and  prudently  managing  capital  expenditures.  We  expect  to  use  future  cash  flow  and  debt,  as  appropriate,  to 
meet  our  capital  allocation  objectives,  which  include  investing  in  our  business,  potential  acquisitions  or  other  strategic 
investments to drive profitable growth, and returning capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.

COVID-19

Our business and results of operations in 2020 were impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It has caused us to 
modify certain of our business practices, including requiring most of our associates to work remotely; restricting associate 

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travel; developing social distancing plans for our associates; and canceling or postponing in person participation in certain 
meetings, events and conferences. It is not possible to quantify the full financial impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has 
had on our results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition, due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, the 
difficulty inherent in identifying and measuring the various impacts that have or may stem from such an event and the fact 
that  there  are  no  comparable  recent  events  that  provide  guidance  as  to  how  to  measure  or  predict  the  effect  the 
COVID-19 pandemic may have on our business. However, we believe COVID-19 has impacted, and could continue in the 
near-term to impact, our business results, primarily, but not limited to, in the following areas:

•

•

•

•

Bookings, backlog and revenues – A decline in new business bookings as certain client purchasing decisions and 
projects are delayed to focus on treating patients, procuring necessary medical supplies, and managing their own 
organizations through this crisis. This decline in bookings flows through to reduced backlog and lower subsequent 
revenues.

Associate productivity – A decline in associate productivity, primarily for our services personnel, as a large amount 
of work is typically done at client sites, which is being impacted by travel restrictions and our clients' focus on the 
pandemic.  Our  clients'  focus  on  the  pandemic  has  also  led  to  pauses  on  existing  projects  and  postponed  start 
dates  for  others,  which  translates  into  lower  professional  services  revenues  and  a  lower  operating  margin 
percentage.  We  are  mitigating  this  by  doing  more  work  remotely  than  we  have  in  the  past,  but  we  cannot  fully 
offset the negative impact.

Travel – Associate travel restrictions reduce client-related travel, which reduces reimbursed travel revenues and 
lowers  our  costs  of  revenue  as  a  percent  of  revenues.  Such  restrictions  also  reduce  non-reimbursable  travel, 
which lowers operating expenses.

Cash  collections  –  A  delay  in  client  cash  collections  due  to  COVID-19's  impact  on  national  reimbursement 
processes, and client focus on managing their own organizations' liquidity during this time. This translates to lower 
cash flows from operating activities, and a higher days sales outstanding metric. Lower cash flows from operating 
activities may impact how we execute under our capital allocation strategy.

•

Capital expenditures – A decline in capital spending as certain capital projects are delayed.

We believe the impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations for the first quarter of 2020 was limited, with the largest 
impact in the areas of reduced bookings and lower technology resale revenue, due to the mid-March 2020 timing of when 
we implemented changes to our business practices in response to COVID-19, and the nature of the industry in which we 
operate. We believe the impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations for the second through fourth quarters of 2020 
was  much  greater  than  in  the  first  quarter  of  2020  as  the  pandemic  and  practices  we  implemented  in  mid-March  2020 
were  ongoing  for  the  full  period,  with  the  largest  impact  in  the  areas  of  reduced  bookings  and  lower  licensed  software, 
technology resale, professional services, and reimbursed travel revenues.

We expect a negative financial impact to continue into 2021. However, the impact will be difficult to quantify as there are 
many factors outside of our control, so any forward looking statements that we make regarding our projections of future 
financial performance; new solutions and services; capital allocation plans; cost optimization and operational improvement 
initiatives; and the expected benefits of our acquisitions, divestitures or other collaborations will all be subject to increased 
risks,  as  discussed  further  below  and  in  Part  I,  Item  1A  of  this  annual  report  on  Form  10-K. Additionally,  we  may  make 
further modifications to our operations or business plans that have a negative financial impact as required by government 
authorities, our clients or as we determine are in the best interests of our associates, clients and business partners. While 
we expect COVID-19 to have an impact on our results of operations, cash flows, and financial position in the near-term, 
we believe the nature of our products and services offerings will continue to be in demand, regardless of this pandemic. 
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictive measures have created significant economic uncertainty and the 
duration and magnitude of the impact of the pandemic is unknown at this time; therefore, there can be no assurance that 
the ultimate impact of the pandemic will not adversely affect our future operational and financial performance.

Operational Improvement Initiatives

Throughout  2020,  the  Company  has  continued  to  focus  on  leveraging  the  impact  of  our  new  operating  structure,  which 
was rolled out in the first quarter of 2019, and identifying additional efficiencies in our business. We continue to be focused 
on  reducing  operating  expenses  and  generating  other  efficiencies  that  are  expected  to  provide  longer-term  operating 
margin  expansion.  We  are  continuing  our  portfolio  management,  which  includes  ongoing  evaluation  of  our  offerings, 

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exiting certain low-margin businesses, and being more selective as we consider new business opportunities. To assist in 
these efforts, we engaged an outside consulting firm to conduct a review of our operations and cost structure. As part of 
our portfolio management, we closed on the sale of certain of our business operations, primarily conducted in Germany 
and Spain, in July 2020, and the sale of certain of our revenue cycle outsourcing business operations in August 2020. We 
expect  to  continue  to  evaluate  and  complete  divestiture  transactions  that  are  strategic  to  our  operational  improvement 
initiatives.  We  continue  to  be  focused  on  ongoing  identification  of  opportunities  to  operate  more  efficiently  and  on 
achieving the efficiencies without impacting the quality of our solutions and services and commitments to our clients.

In the near term, we expect to incur expenses in connection with these efforts. Such expenses may include, but are not 
limited  to,  consultant  and  other  professional  services  fees,  employee  separation  costs,  contract  termination  costs,  and 
other such related expenses. We recognized $168 million and $221 million of expenses related to these efforts in 2020 
and 2019, respectively, which are included in operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. We expect 
to incur additional expenses in connection with these initiatives in 2021, which may be material.

Results Overview

Bookings,  which  reflect  the  value  of  executed  contracts  for  software,  hardware,  professional  services  and  managed 
services, was $5.58 billion in 2020, which is a decrease of 7% compared to $5.99 billion in 2019.

Revenues for 2020 decreased 3% to $5.51 billion, compared to $5.69 billion in 2019.

Net  earnings  for  2020  increased  47%  to  $780  million,  compared  to  $529  million  in  2019.  Diluted  earnings  per  share 
increased 53% to $2.52 in 2020, compared to $1.65 in 2019.

We had cash collections of receivables of $5.70 billion in 2020, compared to $5.79 billion in 2019. Days sales outstanding 
was 76 days for the 2020 fourth quarter, compared to 81 days for the 2020 third quarter and 72 days for the 2019 fourth 
quarter. Operating cash flows for 2020 were $1.44 billion, compared to $1.31 billion in 2019.

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.

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Results of Operations

Fiscal Year 2020 Compared to Fiscal Year 2019

(In thousands)

Revenues

Costs of revenue

Margin

Operating expenses

Sales and client service
Software development

General and administrative
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles

Total operating expenses

Total costs and expenses

Gain on sale of businesses

Operating earnings

Other income, net
Income taxes

Net earnings

Revenues & Backlog

% of
Revenue

2019

% of
Revenue

% Change  

2020

$ 5,505,788 

932,941 

 100 % $ 5,692,598 
 17 %   1,071,041 

  4,572,847 

 83 %   4,621,557 

  2,582,615 

 47 %   2,675,337 

749,007 
491,586 

55,595 

 14 %  
 9 %  

737,136 
520,598 

 1 %  

87,817 

  3,878,803 

 70 %   4,020,888 

  4,811,744 

 87 %   5,091,929 

220,523 

914,567 

76,906 
(211,385) 

 4 %  

— 

 17 %  

600,669 

53,843 
(125,058) 

 100 %
 19 %

 81 %

 47 %

 13 %
 9 %

 2 %

 71 %

 89 %

 — %

 11 %

 (3) %
 (13) %

 (1) %

 (3) %

 2 %
 (6) %

 (37) %

 (4) %

 (6) %

 52 %

$  780,088 

$  529,454 

 47 %

Revenues  decreased  3%  to  $5.51  billion  in  2020,  as  compared  to  $5.69  billion  in  2019.  The  decline  in  revenues  is 
primarily attributable to the following:

•

•

•

•

The impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our 2020 operations, with the largest impact in the areas of 
licensed software, technology resale, professional services, and reimbursed travel revenues, as further discussed 
above.

The  2020  period  includes  a  $142  million  reduction  in  revenues  due  to  the  termination  of  certain  revenue  cycle 
outsourcing contracts effective in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The 2020 period includes a $43 million reduction in revenues due to the sale of certain of our business operations 
primarily  conducted  in  Germany  and  Spain,  as  further  discussed  in  Note  (9)  of  the  Notes.  We  expect  the 
disposition of such operations to reduce future International Segment revenues by approximately $83 million on 
an annualized basis.

The  2020  period  includes  a  $39  million  reduction  in  revenues  due  to  the  sale  of  certain  of  our  revenue  cycle 
outsourcing business operations, as further discussed in Note (9) of the Notes. We expect the disposition of such 
operations to reduce future Domestic Segment revenues by approximately $77 million on an annualized basis.

These declines are partially offset by increased implementation activity within our federal business, inclusive of ongoing 
projects  with  the  U.S.  Department  of  Defense  and  the  U.S.  Department  of  Veterans Affairs.  In  2020,  18%  of  our  total 
revenues  were  attributable  to  our  relationships  (as  the  prime  contractor  or  a  subcontractor)  with  U.S.  government 
agencies,  compared  to  13%  in  2019.  Refer  to  Note  (2)  of  the  Notes  for  further  information  regarding  revenues 
disaggregated by our business models.

Backlog, which reflects contracted revenue that has not yet been recognized as revenue, was $13.04 billion at the end of 
2020,  compared  to  $13.71  billion  at  the  end  of  2019.  This  decline  in  backlog  is  primarily  attributable  to  the  divestiture 

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transactions discussed above, along with the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our bookings during 2020, as 
further discussed above. We expect to recognize 30% of our backlog as revenue over the next 12 months.

We  believe  that  backlog  may  not  necessarily  be  a  comprehensive  indicator  of  future  revenue  as  certain  of  our 
arrangements may be canceled (or conversely renewed) at our clients' option; thus contract consideration related to such 
cancellable periods has been excluded from our calculation of backlog. However, historically our experience has been that 
such cancellation provisions are rarely exercised. We expect to recognize approximately $1.08 billion of revenue over the 
next  12  months  under  currently  executed  contracts  related  to  such  cancellable  periods,  which  is  not  included  in  our 
calculation of backlog.

Costs of Revenue

Costs of revenue as a percent of revenues were 17% in 2020, compared to 19% in 2019. The lower costs of revenue as a 
percent  of  revenues  was  primarily  driven  by  lower  reimbursed  travel  revenue,  which  carries  a  100%  cost  of  revenue;  a 
lower  mix  of  technology  resale  revenue,  which  carries  a  high  cost  of  revenue;  and  reduced  utilization  of  third-party 
resources associated with professional services and support and maintenance revenue.

Costs of revenue include 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,  and  services)  carrying  different  margin  rates  changes  from  period  to  period.  Costs  of 
revenue 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 decreased 4% to $3.88 billion in 2020, compared to $4.02 billion in 2019.

•

Sales and client service expenses as a percent of revenues were 47% in both 2020 and 2019. These expenses 
decreased  3%  to  $2.58  billion  in  2020,  from  $2.68  billion  in  2019.  Sales  and  client  service  expenses  include 
salaries  and  benefits  of  sales,  marketing,  support,  and  services  personnel,  depreciation  and  other  expenses 
associated  with  our  managed  services  business,  communications  expenses,  unreimbursed  travel  expenses, 
expense  for  share-based  payments,  and  trade  show  and  advertising  costs.  The  decrease  in  sales  and  client 
service expenses was primarily driven by a $41 million reduction in associate travel costs; a $30 million reduction 
in charges incurred in connection with the termination of certain revenue cycle outsourcing contracts, discussed 
above; and the impact of 2019 including a $30 million charge in connection with a client dispute. The divestiture 
transactions, as further discussed in Note (9) of the Notes, also contributed to the reduction in expenses. These 
reductions were partially offset by a $21 million pre-tax charge recorded in 2020 to provide an allowance against 
certain non-current receivables from a former client.

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•

Software  development  expenses  as  a  percent  of  revenues  were  14%  in  2020,  compared  to  13%  in  2019. 
Expenditures for software development include ongoing development and enhancement of the Cerner Millennium 
and HealtheIntent platforms, with a focus on supporting key initiatives to enhance physician experience, revenue 
cycle,  population  health  management,  and  health  network  solutions.  In  addition,  2020  includes  an  increase  in 
costs  incurred  in  connection  with  our  efforts  to  modernize  our  platforms,  with  a  focus  on  development  of  a 
software  as  a  service  platform. A  summary  of  our  total  software  development  expense  in  2020  and  2019  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

2020

2019

$  796,971  $  783,593 

(287,869) 

(270,948) 

(7,408) 

(2,923) 

247,313 

227,414 

$  749,007  $  737,136 

• General and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues were 9% in both 2020 and 2019. These expenses 
decreased 6% to $492 million in 2020, from $521 million in 2019. 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,  certain  organizational  restructuring  and  other  expense.  The  decrease  in  general  and 
administrative expenses includes the impact of 2019 including a $7 million charge to settle disputes with a former 
vendor.  The  divestiture  transactions,  as  further  discussed  in  Note  (9)  of  the  Notes,  also  contributed  to  the 
reduction in expenses. In 2020, general and administrative expenses include $137 million of expenses incurred in 
connection with our operational improvement initiatives, discussed above, compared to $149 million in the same 
period of 2019. We expect to incur additional expenses in connection with these efforts in future periods, which 
may be material.

•

Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles as a percent of revenues was 1% in 2020, compared to 2% in 2019. 
These  expenses  decreased  37%  to  $56  million  in  2020,  from  $88  million  in  2019. 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 decrease in amortization of 
acquisition-related intangibles is primarily due to the impact of certain intangible assets from the Health Services 
acquisition in February 2015 becoming fully amortized in the first quarter of 2020. The divestiture transactions, as 
further discussed in Note (9) of the Notes, also contributed to the reduction in expenses.

Gain on Sale of Businesses

In 2020, we recognized a $221 million gain on sale of businesses. Refer to Note (9) of the Notes for further information 
regarding  divestiture  transactions  that  closed  during  the  third  quarter  of  2020.  We  expect  to  continue  to  evaluate  and 
complete divestiture transactions that are strategic to our operational improvement initiatives discussed above.

Non-Operating Items

• Other  income,  net  was  $77  million  in  2020,  compared  to  $54  million  in  2019.  The  2020  period  includes  a 
$76  million  gain  recognized  on  the  disposition  of  one  of  our  equity  investments.  The  2019  period  includes  a 
$14 million unrealized gain recognized on that same equity investment; and a $16 million gain recognized on the 
disposition  of  another  one  of  our  equity  investments.  The  remaining  difference  is  primarily  attributable  to 
increased interest expense in 2020, from the $600 million of revolving credit loans we borrowed under our Credit 
Agreement in May 2019, and the $300 million of Series 2020-A Notes we issued in March 2020. Refer to Note 
(13) of the Notes for further information regarding the components of other income, net.

• Our effective tax rate was 21% in 2020, compared to 19% in 2019. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2020 is 
primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in  net  excess  tax  benefits  recognized  as  a  component  of  income  tax  expense  in 
connection  with  the  exercise  of  stock  options  and  the  vesting  of  restricted  share  and  share  unit  awards.  Also 
contributing to the increase, are taxes associated with the divestiture transactions that closed in the third quarter 

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of  2020,  as  further  discussed  in  Note  (9)  of  the  Notes.  Refer  to  Note  (14)  of  the  Notes  for  further  discussion 
regarding our effective tax rate. We do not expect significant changes to our overall effective tax rate in 2021, from 
what is reported for 2020.

Operations by Segment

We have two operating segments: Domestic and International. The Domestic segment includes revenue contributions and 
expenditures  associated  with  business  activity  in  the  United  States.  The  International  segment  includes  revenue 
contributions  and  expenditures  linked  to  business  activity  outside  the  United  States,  primarily  from  Australia,  Canada, 
Europe, and the Middle East. Refer to Note (20) of the Notes for further information regarding our reportable segments.

The following table presents a summary of our operating segment information for 2020 and 2019:

(In thousands)

Domestic Segment

Revenues

Costs of revenue

Operating expenses

Total costs and expenses

Domestic operating earnings

International Segment

Revenues

Costs of revenue

Operating expenses

Total costs and expenses

International operating earnings

Other costs and expenses, net

Gain on sale of businesses

Consolidated operating earnings

Domestic Segment

% of 
Segment 
Revenue

2019

% of 
Segment 
Revenue

2020

% Change  

$ 4,879,769 

100%

$ 5,038,127 

100%

854,574 

  2,339,624 

  3,194,198 

  1,685,571 

18%

48%

65%

35%

967,035 

  2,398,422 

  3,365,457 

  1,672,670 

626,019 

100%

78,367 

242,991 

321,358 

304,661 

13%

39%

51%

49%

  (1,296,188) 

220,523 

$  914,567 

654,471 

104,006 

276,914 

380,920 

273,551 

  (1,345,552) 

— 

$  600,669 

19%

48%

67%

33%

100%

16%

42%

58%

42%

(3)%

(12)%

(2)%

(5)%

1%

(4)%

(25)%

(12)%

(16)%

11%

(4)%

52%

•

Revenues decreased 3% to $4.88 billion in 2020, from $5.04 billion in 2019. The decline in revenues is primarily 
driven by:

◦

◦

◦

The  impact  of  the  ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic  on  our  2020  operations,  with  the  largest  impact  in  the 
areas of licensed software, technology resale, professional services, and reimbursed travel revenues, as 
further discussed above.

The 2020 period includes a $142 million reduction in revenues due to the termination of certain revenue 
cycle outsourcing contracts effective in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The  2020  period  includes  a  $39  million  reduction  in  revenues  due  to  the  sale  of  certain  of  our  revenue 
cycle outsourcing business operations, as further discussed in Note (9) of the Notes.

These  declines  are  partially  offset  by  increased  implementation  activity  within  our  federal  business;  inclusive  of 
ongoing projects with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Refer to Note 
(2) of the Notes for further information regarding revenues disaggregated by our business models.

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•

Costs  of  revenue  as  a  percent  of  revenues  were  18%  in  2020,  compared  to  19%  in  2019.  The  lower  costs  of 
revenue as a percent of revenues was primarily driven by lower reimbursed travel revenue, which carries a 100% 
cost  of  revenue;  a  lower  mix  of  technology  resale  revenue,  which  carries  a  high  cost  of  revenue;  and  reduced 
utilization of third-party resources associated with professional services and support and maintenance revenue.

• Operating expenses as a percent of revenues were 48% in both 2020 and 2019. These expenses decreased 2% 
to $2.34 billion in 2020, from $2.40 billion in 2019. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily driven by a 
$32 million reduction in associate travel costs; a $30 million reduction in charges incurred in connection with the 
termination of certain revenue cycle outsourcing contracts, discussed above; and the impact of 2019 including a 
$30 million charge in connection with a client dispute. These reductions were partially offset by a $21 million pre-
tax charge recorded in 2020 to provide an allowance against certain non-current receivables from a former client.

International Segment

•

•

Revenues decreased 4% to $626 million in 2020, from $654 million in 2019. The decline in revenues is primarily 
due to a $43 million reduction from the sale of certain of our business operations primarily conducted in Germany 
and  Spain,  as  further  discussed  in  Note  (9)  of  the  Notes.  Additionally,  we  believe  the  ongoing  COVID-19 
pandemic  has  negatively  impacted  our  operations  for  2020,  as  further  discussed  above.  These  declines  are 
partially  offset  by  2020  revenue  growth  from  increased  implementation  activity  in  Sweden  and  the  United 
Kingdom. Refer to Note (2) of the Notes for further information regarding revenues disaggregated by our business 
models.

Costs  of  revenue  as  a  percent  of  revenues  were  13%  in  2020,  compared  to  16%  in  2019.  The  lower  costs  of 
revenue as a percent of revenues was primarily driven by lower reimbursed travel revenue, which carries a 100% 
cost of revenue; and reduced utilization of third-party resources associated with professional services and support 
and maintenance revenue.

• Operating  expenses  as  a  percent  of  revenues  were  39%  in  2020,  compared  to  42%  in  2019.  These  expenses 
decreased  12%  to  $243  million  in  2020,  from  $277  million  in  2019.  The  decrease  in  operating  expenses  is 
primarily due to the sale of certain of our business operations in Germany and Spain, as further discussed in Note 
(9) of the Notes.

Other, net

Operating costs and expenses not attributed to an operating segment include expenses such as software development, 
general and administrative expenses, share-based compensation expense, certain amortization and depreciation, certain 
organizational restructuring and other expense. These expenses decreased 4% to $1.30 billion in 2020, from $1.35 billion 
in 2019. The decrease is primarily due to lower personnel expenses in 2020 as a result of our operational improvement 
initiatives, as discussed above.

The effects of inflation on our business during 2020 and 2019 were not significant.

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, capital expenditures, and our share repurchase 
and dividend programs.

Our  principal  sources  of  liquidity  are  our  cash,  cash  equivalents,  which  primarily  consist  of  money  market  funds,  time 
deposits and commercial paper with original maturities of less than 90 days, short-term investments, borrowings under our 
Credit Agreement  and  other  sources  of  debt  financing. At  the  end  of  2020,  we  had  cash  and  cash  equivalents  of  $616 
million and short-term investments of $442 million, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $442 million and short-
term investments of $100 million at the end of 2019.

We  have  entered  into  a  Credit  Agreement  with  a  syndicate  of  lenders  that  provides  for  an  unsecured  $1.00  billion 
revolving credit loan facility, along with a letter of credit facility up to $100 million (which is a sub-facility of the $1.00 billion 
revolving credit loan facility). We have the ability to increase the maximum capacity to $1.20 billion at any time during the 
Credit Agreement's term, subject to lender participation and the satisfaction of specified conditions. The Credit Agreement 

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expires in May 2024. At the end of 2020, we had outstanding revolving credit loans and letters of credit of $600 million and 
$34 million, respectively; which reduced our available borrowing capacity to $366 million under the Credit Agreement. 

We  have  also  entered  into  note  purchase  agreements  pursuant  to  which  we  may  issue  and  sell  unsecured  senior 
promissory  notes  to  those  purchasers  electing  to  purchase.  Refer  to  Notes  (1)  and  (11)  of  the  Notes  for  additional 
information regarding our sources of debt financing.

We believe that our present cash position, together with cash generated from operations, short-term investments and, as 
appropriate,  remaining  availability  under  our  Credit Agreement  and  other  sources  of  debt  financing,  will  be  sufficient  to 
meet anticipated cash requirements for the next 12 months.

The following table summarizes our cash flows in 2020 and 2019:

(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

2020

2019

$ 1,436,705  $ 1,313,099 

(801,237) 

(640,408) 

(461,497) 

(601,380) 

(199) 

173,772 

(3,594) 

67,717 

441,843 

374,126 

$  615,615  $  441,843 

$  857,447  $  567,710 

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

$ 5,704,730  $ 5,787,180 

  (4,082,664) 

  (4,348,438) 

(36,302) 

(25,639) 

(149,059) 

(100,004) 

$ 1,436,705  $ 1,313,099 

Cash flows from operations increased $124 million in 2020 compared to 2019, due primarily to a reduction in cash used to 
fund working capital requirements. This includes the impact of $76 million of certain federal payroll taxes related to pay 
cycles  in  the  second  through  fourth  quarters  of  2020,  for  which  we  have  deferred  remittance  to  the  taxing  authority  as 
permitted  under  the  Coronavirus  Aid,  Relief,  and  Economic  Security  Act  (the  "CARES  Act").  Such  remittances  are 
expected to be paid to the taxing authority in equal amounts at the end of 2021 and 2022, respectively, as permitted by 
the  CARES Act.  Days  sales  outstanding  was  76  days  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2020,  compared  to  81  days  for  the  third 
quarter of  2020 and 72 days for the fourth quarter of 2019.

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Cash from Investing Activities

(In thousands)

Capital purchases

Capitalized software development costs

Purchases of investments, net of sales and maturities

Purchases of other intangibles

Sale of businesses

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

Total cash flows from investing activities

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

$  (283,981)  $  (471,518) 

(295,277) 

(273,871) 

(363,387) 

215,107 

(38,243) 

(35,587) 

229,471 

— 

(49,820) 

(74,539) 

$  (801,237)  $  (640,408) 

Cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of capital spending, investment, acquisition, and divestiture activities.

Our capital spending in 2020 was driven by capitalized equipment purchases primarily to support growth in our 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.  Capital  purchases  in  2020  were  below  2019  levels,  primarily  driven  by  reduced  purchases  to  support  our 
facilities requirements, reflective of the completion of construction on the current phases of our Innovations Campus in the 
third  quarter  of  2020.  Capital  purchases  are  expected  to  further  decrease  in  2021,  with  these  construction  phases  now 
complete.

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 2020 activity includes the investment of proceeds from the sale of certain business 
operations  in  the  third  quarter  of  2020,  as  discussed  below.  The  2019  activity  was  impacted  by  changes  made  to  our 
investment mix, such that our excess funds were more heavily held in cash and cash equivalents versus short-term and 
long-term investments.

Investment  activity  also  includes  the  sale  of  one  of  our  equity  investments  in  August  2020  for  cash  proceeds  of 
$90 million. Refer to Note (4) of the Notes for further information regarding this investment.

On  July  1,  2020,  we  sold  certain  of  our  business  operations,  primarily  conducted  in  Germany  and  Spain,  for  cash 
proceeds of $224 million. We also sold certain of our revenue cycle outsourcing business operations on August 3, 2020. 
Refer  to  Note  (9)  of  the  Notes  for  further  information  regarding  these  sales.  We  expect  to  continue  to  evaluate  and 
complete divestiture transactions that are strategic to our operational improvement initiatives discussed above.

In 2020 and 2019, we completed certain business acquisitions of entities providing solutions to clients in the health care 
industry. Refer to Note (8) of the Notes for further information regarding our business acquisitions. In December 2020, we 
entered  into  an  agreement  to  acquire  Kantar  Health,  a  division  of  Kantar  Group,  for  $375  million  in  cash,  subject  to 
adjustment.  Kantar  Health  provides  data,  analytics,  commercial  research,  and  consulting  services  to  the  life  sciences 
industry. The acquisition is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2021, subject to certain conditions. We expect to 
continue seeking and completing strategic business acquisitions, investments, and relationships that are complementary 
to our business.

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Cash from Financing Activities

(In thousands)

Long-term debt issuance

Repayment of long-term debt

Cash from option exercises (net of taxes paid in connection with shares surrendered by associates)

Treasury stock purchases

Dividends paid

Other

Total cash flows from financing activities

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

$  300,000  $  600,000 

(2,500) 

— 

229,933 

241,435 

(756,950) 

  (1,320,542) 

(221,461) 

(113,823) 

(10,519) 

(8,450) 

$  (461,497)  $  (601,380) 

In  March  2020,  we  issued  $300  million  aggregate  principal  amount  of  2.50%  senior  unsecured  Series  2020-A  notes.  In 
May 2019, we borrowed $600 million of revolving credit loans under our Credit Agreement. Refer to Note (11) of the Notes 
for further information regarding these obligations.

We  may  incur  additional  indebtedness  in  the  next  12  months,  which  will  primarily  be  dependent  on  cash  flows  from 
operations  as  well  as  the  timing  of  business  acquisition  and  capital  allocation  activity.  The  proceeds  from  such 
indebtedness would be deployed in accordance with our capital allocation strategy, which may include share repurchases 
and dividend payments (as discussed further below), as well as for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and 
investments. The  terms  and  availability  of  any  such  debt  financing  may  be  impacted  by  economic  and  financial  market 
conditions, as well as our financial condition and results of operations at the time we seek such financing, and there can 
be no assurances that we would be able to obtain such financing on terms that will be acceptable or advantageous to us.

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 net cash inflows from stock 
option exercises to continue in 2021 based on the number of exercisable options at the end of 2020 and our current stock 
price. Refer to Note (16) of the Notes for additional information regarding our stock option and equity plans.

During 2020 and 2019, we repurchased 10.6 million and 18.8 million shares of our common stock for total consideration of 
$757 million and $1.30 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, $927 million remains available for repurchase under 
our share repurchase program. We may continue to repurchase shares under this program, but such repurchases will be 
dependent  on  a  number  of  factors,  including  the  price  of  our  common  stock  and  other  cash  flow  needs.  There  is  no 
assurance that we will repurchase up to the full amount remaining under the program. Refer to Note (16) of the Notes for 
further information regarding our share repurchase program.

Refer to Note (16) of the Notes for a summary of cash dividend activity in 2020 and 2019. Subject to declaration by our 
Board  of  Directors,  we  expect  to  continue  paying  quarterly  cash  dividends  as  a  part  of  our  current  capital  allocation 
strategy.  Future  dividends  will  be  subject  to  the  determination,  declaration  and  discretion  of  our  Board  of  Directors  and 
compliance with covenants under our outstanding debt agreements.

The  source  of  funds  for  such  repurchases  and  dividends  may  include  cash  generated  from  operations,  liquidation  of 
investment holdings and other dispositions of assets, and the incurrence of indebtedness.

Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)
Capital purchases
Capitalized software development costs

Free cash flow (non-GAAP)

36

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

$ 1,436,705  $ 1,313,099 
(471,518) 
(273,871) 

(283,981) 
(295,277) 

$  857,447  $  567,710 

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Free  cash  flow  increased  $290  million  in  2020,  compared  to  2019,  primarily  due  to  reduced  capital  expenditures.  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, and for management compensation purposes. We define free cash 
flow  as  cash  flows  from  operating  activities  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 is 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  and 
understanding of our overall financial, operational and economic performance, because free cash flow takes into account 
certain capital expenditures necessary to operate our business.

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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 2020, 
except short-term purchase order commitments arising in the ordinary course of business.

(In thousands)

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026 and 
thereafter

Total

Payments Due by Period

Balance sheet obligations(a):
Long-term debt obligations
Interest on long-term debt obligations

Other obligations:

Operating lease obligations
Purchase obligations

$ 

—  $  225,000  $ 

27,368 

23,989 

—  $  600,000  $  211,662  $  300,000  $ 1,336,662 
134,682 

17,610 

11,080 

33,750 

20,885 

33,611 
67,126 

27,131 
40,026 

20,347 
37,921 

12,199 
31,630 

7,438 
41,213 

37,224 
521,297 

137,950 
739,213 

Total

$  128,105  $  316,146  $ 

79,153  $  661,439  $  271,393  $  892,271  $ 2,348,507 

(a)    At the end of 2020, liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits were $22 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Refer to Note (11) of the Notes for information regarding our interest rate swap agreement, which is accounted for as a 
cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. LIBOR is scheduled to be phased out by 
the end of 2021. When LIBOR ceases to exist, we will need to agree upon a replacement index with the lenders under our 
Credit Agreement at the time, and such new rates may not be as favorable to us as those in effect prior to any LIBOR 
phase-out. If the swap and the Credit Agreement replacement rates are not identical, our hedge could be less effective.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note (1) of the Notes 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,  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),  Note  (2),  and  Note  (14)  of  the  Notes  expands  upon 
discussion of our accounting policies for these areas.

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Revenue Recognition
In  the  first  quarter  of  2018,  we  adopted Accounting  Standards  Update  ("ASU")  2014-09,  Revenue  from  Contracts  with 
Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09, as amended, replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. 
This  guidance  requires  a  significant  amount  of  judgments  and  estimates  in  implementing  its  five-step  process  to  be 
followed  in  determining  the  amount  and  timing  of  revenue  recognition  and  related  disclosures.  Refer  to  Note  (2)  of  the 
Notes for further discussion regarding significant judgments involved in our application of ASU 2014-09.

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.

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.

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  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 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can often 
be  identified  by  the  use  of  forward-looking  terminology,  such  as  "could,"  "can,"  "should,"  "will,"  "intended,"  "continue," 
"believe,"  "may,"  "expect,"  "hope,"  "anticipate,"  "goal,"  "positioned",  "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. Significant factors that could cause or contribute to such differences 

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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 our business, results of operations, financial condition or business over time.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We are exposed to interest rate risk, primarily changes in LIBOR, related to outstanding revolving credit loans under our 
Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2020, the interest rate on revolving credit loans outstanding was 0.95% based on 
LIBOR  plus  the  applicable  spread.  In  order  to  manage  this  exposure,  we  have  entered  into  an  interest  rate  swap 
agreement, to hedge the variability of cash flows associated with such interest obligations through May 2024. The interest 
rate swap effectively fixes the interest rate on the hedged indebtedness under our Credit Agreement at 3.06%. Refer to 
Note (11) of the Notes for further information regarding outstanding indebtedness and our interest rate swap agreement.

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  December  31,  2020  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  to  consolidated  financial  statements  required  by  this  Item  are  submitted  as  a 
separate part of this report. See Note (21) of the Notes 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.

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our 
Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of our 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").  Based  upon  that  evaluation,  our  CEO  and  CFO  have 
concluded  that,  as  of  the  Evaluation  Date,  our  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  were  designed,  and  were 
effective, to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or 
submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified 
in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, 
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

b) Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined 
in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). We assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of 
Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  ("COSO")  in  its  Internal  Control-Integrated  Framework 
(2013). Based on this assessment, we have concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our internal control over 
financial  reporting  was  effective  based  on  these  criteria.  Our  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  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  which  is  included  herein  under  "Report  of 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm".

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c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

There  were  no  changes  in  our  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting  during  the  fiscal  quarter  ended 
December 31, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls 
over financial reporting.

d) Limitations on Controls.

We  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.

Effective February 19, 2021, we entered into a letter agreement with each of our Named Executive Officers (except John 
Peterzalek,  former  EVP  and  Chief  Client  and  Services  Officer,  and  Marc  Naughton,  EVP  and  Chief  Financial  Officer, 
whose  pending  departures  were  announced  in  January  2021  and  October  2020,  respectively),  pursuant  to  which  the 
terms  of  their  Executive  Severance  Agreements  ("ESAs")  were  amended  to  modify  the  provision  providing  for  partial 
acceleration  of  equity  awards  upon  a  Change  in  Control  (as  such  term  is  defined  in  the  ESAs).  The  ESAs  previously 
provided that 50% of the outstanding and unvested equity incentive awards held by the Named Executive Officers would 
vest on the date that the Change in Control becomes effective with the remaining 50% to continue vesting according to 
their vesting schedules, subject to earlier vesting upon the events specified in the ESAs. The letter agreement amended 
this  provision  to  provide  that  the  50/50  vesting  of  equity  upon  a  Change  in  Control  does  not  apply  with  respect  to  any 
awards granted after January 1, 2021. These amendments were done in connection with the Compensation Committee's 
direction  to  implement  only  double-trigger  vesting  upon  a  change  in  control  for  all  equity  awards  granted  to  all  Cerner 
associates after January 1, 2021. The foregoing description of the letter agreement does not purport to be complete and is 
qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to  the  full  text  of  the  form  of  letter  agreement,  which  is  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit 
10.38 and incorporated herein by reference.  

PART III.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The  information  under  "Information  Concerning  Directors  and  Nominees,"  "Meetings  of  the  Board  and  Committees," 
"Corporate  Governance:  Code  of  Business  Conduct  and  Ethics  and  Other  Governance  Documents,"  "Consideration  of 
Director  Nominees,"  "Committees  of  the  Board:  Audit  Committee"  and  "Certain  Transactions"  as  it  relates  to  family 
relationships as set forth in the Company's definitive proxy statement related to its 2021 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 in our 2020 proxy statement.

The information required by this Item 10 regarding our Executive Officers is set forth under the caption "Information about 
our Executive Officers" in Part I above.

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Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The  information  under  "Committees  of  the  Board:  Compensation  Committee,"  "Director  Compensation,"  "2020  Director 
Compensation  Table,"  "Compensation  Committee  Report,"  "Compensation  Discussion  and  Analysis,"  "Summary 
Compensation Table," "2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards," "Outstanding Equity Awards at 2020 Fiscal Year-End," "2020 
Option  Exercises  and  Stock  Vested,"  "Potential  Payments  Under  Termination  or  Change  in  Control,"  "Pay  Ratio"  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.

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 December 31, 2020:

(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, restricted stock and restricted stock units.

(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)

14,335  $ 
— 

14,335 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price per 
share (2)

58.59 
— 

Securities 
available for 
future 
issuance(3)

17,989 
— 

17,989 

(4) Includes the 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.

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PART IV.

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

a) Financial Statements and Exhibits

(i)

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets - As of December 31, 2020 and December 28, 2019

Consolidated Statements of Operations -Years Ended December 31, 2020, December 28, 2019 
and December 29, 2018

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years Ended December 31, 2020, 
December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -  Years Ended December 31, 2020, December 28, 2019 
and December 29, 2018

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - Years Ended December 31, 2020, 
December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(ii)

Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules are omitted because they are not required or the required information is shown in the
financial statements or notes thereto.

b) Exhibits

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70

3.1

3.2

3.3

4.1

4.2

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*

10.17*

Table of Contents

Exhibit 
Number

Exhibit Description

Third  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  Cerner 
Corporation

Certificate of Amendment to the Third Restated Certificate 
of Incorporation of Cerner Corporation

Amended  &  Restated  Bylaws  of  Cerner  Corporation 
(effective May 27, 2020)

Specimen stock certificate

Description of Company Securities

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit(s)

Filing Date 
SEC File No./Film No.

Filed 
Herewith

3(a)

3.1

3.2

2/11/2015

5/28/2020

5/28/2020

Form

10-K

8-K

8-K

10-K

4(a)

2/28/2007

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

10-K

10(a)

2/28/2007

8-K

99.1

6/3/2010

Executive  Employment  Agreement  between  Cerner 
Corporation and Brent Shafer

Relocation  Agreement  between  Cerner  Corporation  and 
Brent Shafer

Amended  &  Restated  Aircraft  Time  Sharing  Agreement 
between Cerner Corporation and Brent Shafer

Offer Letter - Jerome Labat

Amended  Employment  Agreement  between  Cerner 
Corporation and Jerome Labat

Letter  Agreement  between  Cerner  Corporation  and  Marc 
G. Naughton Regarding Departure

Amended  Employment  Agreement  between  Cerner 
Corporation and Marc G. Naughton

Amended  Employment  Agreement  between  Cerner 
Corporation and John Peterzalek

Letter  Agreement  between  Cerner  and  John  Peterzalek 
Regarding Departure

Amended  Employment  Agreement  between  Cerner 
Corporation and Donald D. Trigg

Cerner  Corporation  2011  Omnibus  Equity  Incentive  Plan 
(As Amended and Restated May 22, 2015)

Cerner  Corporation  2011  Omnibus  Equity  Incentive  Plan 
(As amended and Restated May 30, 2019)

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Director Restricted Stock Agreement

2011  Omnibus  Equity  Incentive  Plan  -  Form  of  Director 
Restricted Stock Agreement

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Performance Based Restricted Stock Agreement

44

10-K

10.3

2/12/2018

10-Q

10.2

5/3/2018

10-Q

10.1

10/26/2018

8-K

10.4

9/11/2017

10-K

10.13

2/8/2019

10-K

10.13

2/10/2020

8-K

8-K

10.2

10.1

5/27/2015

6/3/2019

10-Q

10.2

5/6/2016

10-Q

10.5

4/26/2019

10-K

10(u)

2/8/2013

X

X

X

X

X

71

Table of Contents

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*

10.34*

10.35*

10.36*

10.37*

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Performance Based Restricted Stock Agreement

10-Q

10.3

5/6/2016

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Performance Based Restricted Stock Agreement

10-Q

10.4

10/27/2017

2011  Omnibus  Equity 
Performance Based Restricted Stock Agreement

Incentive  Plan 

-  Form  of 

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Time Based Restricted Stock Agreement

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Time Based Restricted Stock Agreement

2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - Form of Time Based 
Restricted Stock Agreement

Cerner  Corporation  2011  Omnibus  Equity  Incentive  Plan-
Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Certificate

Cerner  Corporation  2011  Omnibus  Equity  Incentive  Plan-
Non-qualified Stock Option Grant Certificate

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Certificate

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Certificate

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

10-Q

10.4

4/26/2019

10-Q

10.4

5/6/2016

10-Q

10.3

10/27/2017

10-Q

10.3

4/26/2019

10-K

10(v)

2/8/2013

10-Q

10.5

5/6/2016

10-Q

10.2

8/3/2016

10-Q

10.2

10/27/2017

10-Q

10.2

4/28/2017

10-Q

10.5

10/27/2017

10-Q

10.3

4/28/2017

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

10-Q

10.6

10/27/2017

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Time Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

Cerner Corporation 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan - 
Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

Cerner  Corporation  2001  Associate  Stock  Purchase  Plan 
as Amended and Restated January 1, 2019

Cerner Corporation 2018 Performance Compensation Plan 
(effective January 1, 2018)

Form  2020  Executive  Performance  Agreement  -  Section 
16 Officer

Form  2019  Executive  Performance  Agreement  -  Section 
16 Officer

10-K

10.37

2/8/2019

8-K

8-K

10.1

10.1

3/6/2018

4/29/2020

10-Q

10.2

4/26/2019

10.38*

Form Amendment to Executive Severance Agreement

10.39

Master  Note  Purchase  Agreement  between  Cerner 
Corporation  and  the  Purchasers  listed  in  Schedule  A 
thereto dated December 4, 2014

8-K

10.1

12/5/2014

72

45

X

X

X

Table of Contents

10.40

10.41

10.42

10.43

10.44

21

23

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

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.

First  Amendment  to  Third  Amended  and  Restated  Credit 
Agreement dated May 6, 2019 among Cerner Corporation, 
U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  Commerce  Bank  N.A., 
and Bank of America, N.A.

Second  Amendment  to  Third  Amended  and  Restated 
Credit Agreement dated November 5, 2019 among Cerner 
Corporation,  U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  Commerce 
Bank N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and PNC Bank, National 
Association.

Master  Note  Agreement  dated  November  11,  2019, 
between  Cerner  Corporation  and  the  Purchasers  listed 
therein

to  Master  Note  Agreement  dated 
First  Amendment 
October  8,  2020,  between  Cerner  Corporation  and  the 
Purchasers listed therein

Subsidiaries of Registrant

Consent  of  Independent  Registered  Public  Accounting 
Firm

Certification  of  Brent  Shafer  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 Brent Shafer 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  -  the  instance  document  does 
not  appear  in  the  interactive  data  file  because  its  XBRL 
tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

101.LAB

101.PRE

101.DEF

104

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
Document

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase 
Document

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 
Document

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
Document

Cover Page Interactive Data File - formatted in Inline 
XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.

8-K

10.1

11/3/2015

8-K

10.1

5/7/2019

8-K

10.1

11/5/2019

8-K

10.4

11/5/2019

8-K

10.1

10/9/2020

X

X

X

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 

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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.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.

None.

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SIGNATURES

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. 

Date: February 19, 2021

CERNER CORPORATION

By:

/s/ Brent Shafer                   
Brent Shafer
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/ Brent Shafer           
Brent Shafer, Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Marc G. Naughton          
Marc G. Naughton, Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Michael R. Battaglioli      
Michael R. Battaglioli, Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Gerald E. Bisbee, Jr.       
Gerald E. Bisbee, Jr., Ph.D., Director

/s/ Mitchell E. Daniels           
Mitchell E. Daniels, Director

/s/ Linda M. Dillman              
Linda M. Dillman, Director

/s/ Julie L. Gerberding       
Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., Director

/s/ Elder Granger        
Elder Granger, M.D., Director

/s/ John J. Greisch        
John J. Greisch, Director

/s/ Melinda J. Mount         
Melinda J. Mount, Director

/s/ George A. Riedel          
George A. Riedel, Director

/s/ R. Halsey Wise           
R. Halsey Wise, Director

/s/ William D. Zollars            
William D. Zollars, Director

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Cerner Corporation:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We  have  audited  Cerner  Corporation  and  subsidiaries'  (the  "Company")  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 
December  31,  2020,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the 
Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission.  In  our  opinion,  the  Company  maintained,  in  all 
material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission.

We  also  have  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United 
States) ("PCAOB"), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and December 28, 2019, 
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  December  31,  2020,  and  the  related  notes  (collectively,  the 
consolidated  financial  statements),  and  our  report  dated  February  19,  2021  expressed  an  unqualified  opinion  on  those 
consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The  Company's  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 the Company's internal 
control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are 
required  to  be  independent  with  respect  to  the  Company  in  accordance  with  the  U.S.  federal  securities  laws  and  the 
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  PCAOB.  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  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  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.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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.

/s/KPMG LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
February 19, 2021

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Cerner Corporation:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cerner Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") 
as  of  December  31,  2020  and  December  28,  2019,  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 December 
31,  2020,  and  the  related  notes  (collectively,  the  consolidated  financial  statements).  In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated 
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 
and December 28, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period 
ended December 31, 2020, 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)  ("PCAOB"),  the  Company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2020,  based  on  criteria 
established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of 
the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 19, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness 
of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Changes in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for 
leases as of December 30, 2018 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).

Basis for Opinion

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  are  a  public  accounting  firm 
registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. 
federal  securities  laws  and  the  applicable  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and  the 
PCAOB.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  PCAOB.  Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and 
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material 
misstatement,  whether  due  to  error  or  fraud.  Our  audits  included  performing  procedures  to  assess  the  risks  of  material 
misstatement  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  whether  due  to  error  or  fraud,  and  performing  procedures  that 
respond  to  those  risks.  Such  procedures  included  examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence  regarding  the  amounts  and 
disclosures  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  Our  audits  also  included  evaluating  the  accounting  principles  used 
and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  presentation  of  the  consolidated 
financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial 
statements  that  was  communicated  or  required  to  be  communicated  to  the  audit  committee  and  that:  (1)  relates  to 
accounts  or  disclosures  that  are  material  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  (2)  involved  our  especially 
challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our 
opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit 
matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Evaluation of contract modifications

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company executes modifications to existing 
arrangements with a significant customer, which may involve significant customization or development of software 
licenses. When a modification occurs, the Company evaluates the modification in order to determine if it should 
be accounted for (i) as a separate contract, (ii) as the termination of the original contract and creation of a new 
contract, (iii) through a cumulative catch up adjustment to the original contract, or a combination thereof. During 
2020, the Company recognized $5.5 billion in total revenue, of which 18% related to this customer.

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We  identified  the  evaluation  of  contract  modifications  as  a  critical  audit  matter.  Specifically,  for  certain  contract 
modifications  with  the  significant  customer,  determining  whether  the  modification  should  be  accounted  for  as  a 
separate contract or part of the existing contract and whether promises in the contract modification represented 
separate  or  combined  performance  obligations  required  challenging  auditor  judgment.  Certain  of  the  existing 
arrangements  and  contract  modifications  involve  customization  and  significant  integration  services.  This 
evaluation  required  challenging  auditor  judgment  due  to  the  varying  nature  of  the  underlying  promises  and  the 
number of contract modifications requiring assessment during the period.

The  following  are  the  primary  procedures  we  performed  to  address  this  critical  audit  matter.  We  evaluated  the 
design  and  tested  the  operating  effectiveness  of  management's  internal  control  related  to  the  determination  of 
whether contract modifications should be accounted for as a separate contract or part of the existing contract, and 
whether  promises  in  these  arrangements  are  distinct  or  combined  performance  obligations.  For  a  selection  of 
contract modifications involving the significant customer, we:

•
•

•

obtained and read the agreements and evaluated the terms and conditions therein 
assessed  whether  the  modification  should  be  accounted  for  as  a  separate  contract  or  part  of  the  existing 
contract 
evaluated the identification of performance obligations in each arrangement by considering the nature of the 
promises within the contract and the interrelationship of the promised goods and services. 

/s/KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 1983.

Kansas City, Missouri
February 19, 2021

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CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2020 and December 28, 2019 

(In thousands, except share data)

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Receivables, net

Inventory

Prepaid expenses and other

Total current assets

Property and equipment, net

Right-of-use assets

Software development costs, net

Goodwill

Intangible assets, net

Long-term investments

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

Deferred revenue

Accrued payroll and tax withholdings

Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt

Deferred income taxes

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ Equity:

Common  stock,  $0.01  par  value,  500,000,000  shares  authorized,  373,224,832  shares  issued  at 

December 31, 2020 and 367,634,796 shares issued at December 28, 2019

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

2020

2019

$  615,615  $  441,843 

442,473 

99,931 

  1,168,712 

  1,139,595 

23,027 

401,160 

23,182 

392,073 

  2,650,987 

  2,096,624 

  1,804,083 

  1,858,772 

104,536 

  1,009,349 

914,520 

329,249 

510,220 

198,152 

123,155 

939,859 

883,158 

364,439 

419,419 

209,196 

$ 7,521,096  $ 6,894,622 

$  235,755  $  273,440 

393,293 

309,814 

229,764 

360,025 

245,843 

148,140 

  1,168,626 

  1,027,448 

  1,336,069 

  1,038,382 

376,035 

157,799 

377,657 

133,807 

  3,038,529 

  2,577,294 

3,732 

3,676 

  2,288,806 

  1,905,171 

  6,475,551 

  5,934,909 

Treasury stock, 67,371,686 shares at December 31, 2020 and 56,723,546 shares at December 28, 2019

  (4,164,718) 

  (3,407,768) 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

Total shareholders’ equity

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

(120,804) 

(118,660) 

  4,482,567 

  4,317,328 

$ 7,521,096  $ 6,894,622 

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CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended December 31, 2020, December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 

(In thousands, except per share data)

Revenues

Costs and expenses:

Costs of revenue

Sales and client service

Software development (Includes amortization of $247,313, $227,414 and $210,228, respectively)

General and administrative

Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles

Total costs and expenses

Gain on sale of businesses

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
2019

2018

2020

$ 5,505,788  $ 5,692,598  $ 5,366,325 

932,941 

  1,071,041 

937,348 

  2,582,615 

  2,675,337 

  2,493,696 

749,007 

491,586 

55,595 

737,136 

520,598 

87,817 

683,663 

389,469 

87,364 

  4,811,744 

  5,091,929 

  4,591,540 

220,523 

— 

— 

914,567 

600,669 

774,785 

76,906 

53,843 

26,066 

991,473 
(211,385) 

654,512 
(125,058) 

800,851 
(170,792) 

$  780,088  $  529,454  $  630,059 

$ 
$ 

2.54  $ 
2.52  $ 

1.66  $ 
1.65  $ 

306,669 
309,136 

318,229 
321,235 

1.91 
1.89 
330,084 
333,572 

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CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended December 31, 2020, December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

(In thousands)

Net earnings
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other (net of taxes (benefit) of $3,250, $(1,288) and $(645), 

respectively)

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge (net of tax benefit of $5,003 and $4,137 in 2020 and 2019, 

respectively)

Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale investments (net of taxes of $56, $290 and $132, 

respectively)

Comprehensive income

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

2018

$  780,088  $  529,454  $  630,059 

12,897 

(3,408) 

(30,575) 

(15,210) 

(12,578) 

169 

878 

— 

405 

$  777,944  $  514,346  $  599,889 

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CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31, 2020, December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

(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
Gain on sale of businesses
Investment gains

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of business 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
Sale of businesses
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
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Payments to taxing authorities in connection with shares directly withheld from associates
Treasury stock purchases
Dividends paid
Other

Net cash used in financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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For the Years Ended
2019

2018

2020

$  780,088  $  529,454  $  630,059 

697,423 
153,449 
1,502 
(220,523) 
(75,834) 

3,686 
960 
(51,442) 
(62,663) 
19,995 
34,500 
155,564 

687,966 
103,641 
51,125 
— 
(29,621) 

58,113 
1,855 
(76,748) 
(8,734) 
(4,599) 
(39,245) 
39,892 

642,591 
95,423 
34,428 
— 
— 

(207,785) 
(9,307) 
156,216 
65,202 
(27,849) 
81,538 
(6,507) 

  1,436,705 

  1,313,099 

  1,454,009 

(283,981) 
(295,277) 
(696,548) 
333,161 
(38,243) 
229,471 
(49,820) 

(471,518) 
(273,871) 
(364,648) 
579,755 
(35,587) 
— 
(74,539) 

(446,928) 
(273,693) 
(623,293) 
551,796 
(36,819) 
— 
— 

(801,237) 

(640,408) 

(828,937) 

300,000 
(2,500) 
253,605 
(23,672) 
(756,950) 
(221,461) 
(10,519) 

600,000 
— 
258,036 
(16,601) 
  (1,320,542) 
(113,823) 
(8,450) 

— 
(75,000) 
91,349 
(9,873) 
(623,127) 
— 
6,864 

(461,497) 

(601,380) 

(609,787) 

(199) 

(3,594) 

(12,082) 

173,772 
441,843 

67,717 
374,126 

3,203 
370,923 

$  615,615  $  441,843  $  374,126 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the years ended December 31, 2020, December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

(In thousands)

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-in Capital

Retained 
Earnings

Treasury Stock

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Loss, Net

Balance at December 30, 2017

  359,205 

$ 

3,592 

$ 

1,380,371 

$ 

4,938,866 

$ 

(1,464,099)  $ 

(73,382) 

Exercise of stock options and vests of restricted shares and share units

3,008 

Employee share-based compensation expense

Cumulative effect of accounting change (ASU 2014-09)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Treasury stock purchases

Net earnings

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

30 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

83,768 

95,423 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

7,600 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(643,669) 

630,059 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(30,170) 

— 

— 

Balance at December 29, 2018

  362,213 

3,622 

1,559,562 

5,576,525 

(2,107,768) 

(103,552) 

Exercise of stock options and vests of restricted shares and share units

5,422 

Employee share-based compensation expense

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Treasury stock purchases

Cash dividends declared

Net earnings

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

54 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

241,968 

103,641 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(171,070) 

529,454 

— 

— 

— 

(1,300,000) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(15,108) 

— 

— 

— 

Balance at December 28, 2019

  367,635 

3,676 

1,905,171 

5,934,909 

(3,407,768) 

(118,660) 

Exercise of stock options and vests of restricted shares and share units

5,590 

Employee share-based compensation expense

Cumulative effect of accounting change (ASU 2016-13)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Treasury stock purchases

Cash dividends declared

Net earnings

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

56 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

230,186 

153,449 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(4,606) 

— 

— 

(234,840) 

780,088 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(756,950) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(2,144) 

— 

— 

— 

Balance at December 31, 2020

  373,225 

$ 

3,732 

$ 

2,288,806 

$ 

6,475,551 

$ 

(4,164,718)  $ 

(120,804) 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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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 
of America ("GAAP"). 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.

Fiscal Period End

Prior to fiscal year 2020, our fiscal year ended on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2019 and 2018 each 
consisted of 364 days and ended on December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively.

In December 2019, our Board of Directors approved the change of our fiscal year to a calendar year, commencing with 
fiscal year 2020. Accordingly, our 2020 fiscal year presented herein consisted of 369 days and ended on December 31, 
2020. Subsequent fiscal years will begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year.

All  references  to  years  in  these  notes  to  consolidated  financial  statements  ("Notes")  represent  the  respective  periods 
described above, 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.

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

(In thousands)

Cash paid during the year for:

For the Years Ended
2019

2018

2020

Interest (including amounts capitalized of $14,855, $17,190, and $12,710, respectively)
Income taxes, net of refunds

$ 

36,302  $ 
149,059 

25,639  $ 
100,004 

15,707 
(15,560) 

Non-cash items:

Lease liabilities recorded upon the commencement of operating leases
Capital purchases

26,352 
22,218 

29,542 
12,673 

— 
11,989 

CARES Act

Cash  flows  from  operating  activities  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2020  include  the  impact  of  $76  million  of  certain 
federal  payroll  taxes  related  to  pay  cycles  in  the  second  through  fourth  quarters  of  2020,  for  which  we  have  deferred 
remittance  to  the  taxing  authority  as  permitted  under  the  CARES Act.  Such  remittances  are  expected  to  be  paid  to  the 
taxing authority in equal amounts at the end of 2021 and 2022, respectively, as permitted by the CARES Act. At December 
31, 2020, $38 million of these deferred remittances are included in both "Accrued payroll and tax withholdings" and "Other 
liabilities" in our consolidated balance sheets.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a)  Cash  Equivalents  -  Cash  equivalents  consist  of  short-term  debt  securities  with  original  maturities  of  less  than  90 
days.

(b) Investments in Debt Securities – We account for our investments in debt securities as available-for-sale investments 
in  accordance  with  Accounting  Standards  Codification  Topic  ("ASC")  320,  Investments-Debt  Securities.  Short-term 
available-for-sale  investments  are  primarily  invested  in  time  deposits,  commercial  paper,  government  and  corporate 
bonds,  with  maturities  of  less  than  one  year.  Long-term  available-for-sale  investments  are  primarily  invested  in 
government and corporate bonds with maturities of less than two years.

Available-for-sale  investments  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 investments, if any, 
are determined on a specific identification basis.

Generally,  premiums  are  amortized  and  discounts  are  accreted  over  the  life  of  the  security  as  adjustments  to  interest 
income for our investments. For investments in callable debt securities, any premiums are amortized to the earliest call 
date. Interest income is recognized when earned.

Refer to Note (4) and Note (12) for further description of these assets and their fair value.

(c)  Investments  in  Equity  Securities  -  We  account  for  our  investments  in  equity  securities  that  give  us  the  ability  to 
exercise  significant  influence  over  the  operating  and  financial  policies  of  an  investee  under  the  equity  method  in 
accordance  with ASC  323,  Investments-Equity  Method  and  Joint  Ventures.  Under  the  equity  method,  we  recognize  our 
share of the earnings or losses of an investee, generally on a three-month lag. Such share of the investee's earnings or 
losses are presented in "Other income, net" in our consolidated statements of operations.

We account for our investments in equity securities that do not qualify for equity method accounting in accordance with 
ASC  321, Investments-Equity Securities ("ASC 321"). We measure these investments at fair value with changes in fair 
value  recognized  in  "Other  income,  net"  in  our  consolidated  statements  of  operations  for  such  investments  with  readily 
determinable  fair  values.  For  these  investments  that  do  not  have  readily  determinable  fair  values,  we  measure  such 
investments at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly 
transactions for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer.

(d) Concentrations - The majority of our cash and cash equivalents are held at three major financial institutions. Deposits 
held  with  banks  may  exceed  the  amount  of  insurance  provided  on  such  deposits.  Generally  these  deposits  may  be 
redeemed upon demand.

(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 - Our software solutions are offered to our clients both through traditional licenses as 
well as software as a service delivery models. Development costs associated with the certain solutions offered exclusively 
through a software as a service model are accounted for in accordance with ASC 350-40, Internal-Use Software. All other 
client  solution  development  costs,  which  represent  a  significant  majority  of  development  costs,  are  accounted  for  in 
accordance with ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed. 

Under  ASC  985-20,  software  development  costs  incurred  in  creating  computer  software  solutions  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 recorded at the 
lower  of  amortized  cost  or  net  realizable  value.  Capitalized  costs  are  amortized  based  on  current  and  expected  future 

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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 costs over five years.

Under  ASC  350-40,  software  development  costs  related  to  preliminary  project  activities  and  post-implementation  and 
maintenance activities are expensed as incurred. We capitalize direct costs related to application development activities 
that  are  probable  to  result  in  additional  functionality.  Capitalized  costs  are  amortized  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  five 
years. We test for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances that could impact recoverability occur.

See Note (7) for further information relating to our software development costs.

(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  2020,  2019  or  2018.  Refer  to  Note  (10)  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 (14) 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  (15)  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,  restricted  stock  units  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 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 (16) for a detailed discussion of share-based payments.

(m) Voluntary Separation Benefits - We account for voluntary separation benefits in accordance with the provisions of 
ASC 712, Compensation-Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits. Voluntary separation benefits are recorded to expense 
when an associate irrevocably accepts the offer and the amount of the termination liability is reasonably estimable.

In  2020  and  2019,  we  recognized  $20  million  and  $52  million,  respectively,  of  expenses  in  connection  with  voluntary 
separation  benefits,  which  are  included  in  "General  and  administrative"  expense  in  our  consolidated  statements  of 
operations.

(n) Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations - We account for involuntary employee separation benefits pursuant to one-time 
benefit arrangements and contract termination costs in accordance with ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations.

In  2020  and  2019,  we  recognized  $22  million  and  $34  million,  respectively,  of  expenses  in  connection  with  involuntary 
associate termination events, which are included in "General and administrative" expense in our consolidated statements 
of operations.

In  2020  and  2019,  we  recognized  $29  million  and  $66  million,  respectively,  of  pre-tax  charges  in  connection  with  the 
termination  of  certain  contracts  prior  to  the  end  of  their  stated  terms.  Such  charges  are  included  in  "Sales  and  client 
service" expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

(o)  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 

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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.

(p) Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2020

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In the first quarter of 2020, we adopted new guidance regarding impairment 
assessment for certain financial assets. Refer to Notes (3) and (4) for further details.

Collaborative Arrangements. In November 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting 
Standards  Update  ("ASU")  2018-18,  Collaborative  Arrangements  (Topic  808):  Clarifying  the  Interaction  between  Topic 
808 and Topic 606, which clarifies when transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement are within the 
scope  of  the  FASB's  recent  revenue  standard  (Topic  606).  Such  guidance  clarifies  revenue  recognition  and  financial 
statement presentation for transactions between collaboration participants. We adopted ASU 2018-18 in the first quarter of 
2020. Such guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

(q) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Reference Rate Reform. The FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects 
of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting in March 2020 and ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): 
Scope in January 2021. Such guidance provides optional financial reporting alternatives to reduce the cost and complexity 
associated  with  the  accounting  for  contracts  and  hedging  relationships  affected  by  reference  rate  reform,  such  as  the 
upcoming  discontinuance  of  LIBOR.  The  accommodations  within  this  guidance  may  be  applied  prospectively  from  the 
beginning of our 2020 first quarter through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the effect that this guidance 
may  have  on  our  contracts  that  reference  LIBOR,  specifically,  our  Third Amended  and  Restated  Credit Agreement  (as 
amended, the "Credit Agreement") and related interest rate swap. As of the date of this filing, we have not elected to apply 
any of the provisions of this guidance.

(2) Revenue Recognition

In  May  2014,  the  FASB  issued ASU  2014-09,  Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers  (Topic  606),  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 replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The standard contains a 
five-step process to be followed in determining the amount and timing of revenue recognition. It also provides guidance on 
accounting for costs incurred to obtain or fulfill contracts with customers, and establishes disclosure requirements which 
are more extensive than those required under prior U.S. GAAP. 

ASU  2014-09,  as  amended  ("Topic  606"),  was  effective  for  the  Company  in  the  first  quarter  of  2018.  We  selected  the 
Modified Retrospective (cumulative effect) transition method of adoption. Such method provided that the cumulative effect 
from  prior  periods  upon  applying  the  new  guidance  to  contracts  which  were  not  complete  as  of  the  adoption  date  be 
recognized  in  our  consolidated  balance  sheets  as  of  December  31,  2017,  including  an  $8  million  increase  to  retained 
earnings.

Revenue Recognition Policy

We  enter  into  contracts  with  customers  that  may  include  various  combinations  of  our  software  solutions  and  related 
services,  which  are  generally  capable  of  being  distinct  and  accounted  for  as  separate  performance  obligations. 
Performance  obligations  that  are  not  distinct  at  contract  inception  are  combined.  Contracts  that  include  software 
customization  may  result  in  the  combination  of  the  customization  services  with  the  software  license  as  one  distinct 
performance obligation.

The  predominant  model  of  customer  procurement  involves  multiple  deliverables  and  includes  a  software  license 
agreement,  project-related  implementation  and  consulting  services,  software  support,  hosting  services,  and  computer 
hardware.  We  allocate  revenues  to  each  performance  obligation  within  an  arrangement  based  on  estimated  relative 
stand-alone  selling  price.  Revenue  is  then  recognized  for  each  performance  obligation  upon  transfer  of  control  of  the 
software solution or services to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive. 

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Generally, we recognize revenue under Topic 606 for each of our performance obligations as follows:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Perpetual  software  licenses  -  We  recognize  perpetual  software  license  revenues  when  control  of  such  licenses 
are  transferred  to  the  client  ("point  in  time").  We  determine  the  amount  of  consideration  allocated  to  this 
performance obligation using the residual approach.

Software as a service - We recognize software as a service ratably over the related hosting period ("over time").

Time-based software and content license fees - We recognize a license component of time-based software and 
content license fees upon delivery to the client ("point in time") and a non-license component (i.e. support) ratably 
over the respective contract term ("over time").

Hosting - Remote hosting recurring services are recognized ratably over the hosting service period ("over time"). 
Certain of our hosting arrangements contain fees deemed to be a "material right" under Topic 606. We recognize 
such  fees  over  the  term  that  will  likely  affect  the  client's  decision  about  whether  to  renew  the  related  hosting 
service ("over time").

Services  -  We  recognize  revenue  for  fixed  fee  services  arrangements  over  time,  utilizing  a  labor  hours  input 
method.  For  fee-for-service  arrangements,  we  recognize  revenue  over  time  as  hours  are  worked  at  the  rates 
clients are invoiced, utilizing the "as invoiced" practical expedient available in Topic 606. For stand-ready services 
arrangements, we recognize revenue ratably over the related service period.

Support and maintenance - We recognize support and maintenance fees ratably over the related contract period 
("over time").

Hardware - We recognize hardware revenues when control of such hardware/devices is transferred to the client 
("point in time").

Transaction  processing  -  We  recognize  transaction  processing  revenues  ratably  as  we  provide  such  services 
("over time").

Certain customer contracts require significant customization of the software to meet the particular requirements specified 
by each customer. The contract pricing is stated as a fixed amount and generally results in the transfer of control of the 
applicable performance obligation over time. We recognize revenue for such contracts based on the proportion of labor 
hours expended to the total hours expected to complete the performance obligation. The impact to revenues for changes 
in estimates of total hours expected to complete performance obligations are recognized in the period in which they occur, 
and were not material for the periods presented herein.

Revenues  are  recognized  net  of  any  taxes  collected  from  customers  and  subsequently  remitted  to  governmental 
authorities.

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Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by our business models:

2020

For the Years Ended

2019

2018

(In thousands)

Domestic
Segment

International
Segment

Total

Domestic
Segment

International
Segment

Total

Domestic
Segment

International
Segment

Total

Licensed software

$ 

604,707  $ 

51,512  $ 

656,219  $ 

628,958  $ 

51,627  $ 

680,585  $ 

573,034  $ 

40,544  $ 

613,578 

Technology resale

173,264   

23,327   

196,591 

225,076   

21,809   

246,885 

208,722   

36,354   

245,076 

Subscriptions

354,023   

24,185   

378,208 

333,298   

25,417   

358,715 

300,555   

25,154   

325,709 

Professional services

  1,717,873   

212,572    1,930,445 

  1,760,532   

231,946    1,992,478 

  1,574,407   

237,056    1,811,463 

Managed services

  1,120,939   

124,488    1,245,427 

  1,098,695   

115,205    1,213,900 

  1,060,081   

94,860    1,154,941 

Support and maintenance

881,778   

189,001    1,070,779 

904,204   

200,434    1,104,638 

921,336   

196,780    1,118,116 

Reimbursed travel

27,185   

934   

28,119 

87,364   

8,033   

95,397 

92,131   

5,311   

97,442 

Total revenues

$  4,879,769  $ 

626,019  $  5,505,788  $  5,038,127  $ 

654,471  $  5,692,598  $  4,730,266  $ 

636,059  $  5,366,325 

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by timing of revenue recognition:

2020

For the Years Ended

2019

2018

Domestic
Segment

International
Segment

Total

Domestic
Segment

International
Segment

Total

Domestic
Segment

International
Segment

Total

$  4,557,358  $ 

585,316  $  5,142,674  $  4,565,172  $ 

600,953  $  5,166,125  $  4,271,934  $ 

569,780  $  4,841,714 

322,411   

40,703   

363,114 

472,955   

53,518   

526,473 

458,332   

66,279   

524,611 

(In thousands)

Revenue recognized over 

time

Revenue recognized at a 

point in time

Total revenues

$  4,879,769  $ 

626,019  $  5,505,788  $  5,038,127  $ 

654,471  $  5,692,598  $  4,730,266  $ 

636,059  $  5,366,325 

Significant Customers

Revenues  attributable  to  our  relationships  (as  the  prime  contractor  or  a  subcontractor)  with  U.S.  government  agencies, 
within  our  Domestic  segment,  comprised  18%  and  13%  of  our  consolidated  revenues  for  2020  and  2019,  respectively. 
Amounts due in connection with these relationships comprised 13% of client receivables as of December 31, 2020. 

Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations

As  of  December  31,  2020,  the  aggregate  amount  of  transaction  price  allocated  to  performance  obligations  that  are 
unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) for executed contracts approximates $13.04 billion, of which we expect to recognize 
approximately 30% of the revenue over the next 12 months and the remainder thereafter. As of December 28, 2019, the 
aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to performance obligations that were unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) 
for executed contracts approximated $13.71 billion. 

Contract Liabilities

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. 
Customer  payments  received  in  advance  of  satisfaction  of  the  related  performance  obligations  are  deferred  as  contract 
liabilities. Such amounts are classified in our consolidated balance sheets as "Deferred revenue". During 2020 and 2019, 
substantially  all  of  our  contract  liability  balance  at  the  beginning  of  each  respective  year  was  recognized  in  revenues 
during that year.

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Costs to Obtain or Fulfill a Contract

We  have  determined  the  only  significant  incremental  costs  incurred  to  obtain  contracts  with  clients  within  the  scope  of 
Topic  606  are  sales  commissions  paid  to  our  associates.  We  record  sales  commissions  as  an  asset,  and  amortize  to 
expense ratably over the remaining performance periods of the related contracts with remaining performance obligations. 
As of December 31, 2020 and December 28, 2019, our consolidated balance sheets included assets of $88 million and 
$89  million,  respectively,  related  to  sales  commissions  to  be  expensed  in  future  periods,  which  are  included  in  "Other 
assets".

We recognized $38 million, $41 million and $41 million of amortization related to these sales commissions assets in 2020, 
2019 and 2018, respectively, which is included in "Costs of revenue" in our consolidated statements of operations.

Significant Judgments when Applying Topic 606

Our  contracts  with  clients  typically  include  various  combinations  of  our  software  solutions  and  related  services. 
Determining whether such software solutions and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be 
accounted for separately versus together may require significant judgment.

Contract  transaction  price  is  allocated  to  distinct  performance  obligations  using  estimated  stand-alone  selling  price.  We 
determine  stand-alone  selling  price  maximizing  observable  inputs  such  as  stand-alone  sales  when  they  exist  or 
substantive renewal prices charged to clients. In instances where stand-alone selling price is not observable, we utilize an 
estimate  of  stand-alone  selling  price.  Such  estimates  are  derived  from  various  methods  that  include:  cost  plus  margin, 
historical pricing practices, and the residual approach. Judgment may be required to determine standalone selling prices 
for each performance obligation and whether it depicts the amount we expect to receive in exchange for the related good 
or service. 

Contract  modifications  occur  when  we  and  our  customers  agree  to  modify  existing  customer  contracts  to  change  the 
scope or price (or both) of the contract or when a customer terminates some, or all, of the existing services provided by 
us.  When  a  contract  modification  occurs,  it  requires  us  to  exercise  judgment  to  determine  if  the  modification  should  be 
accounted for as (i) a separate contract, (ii) the termination of the original contract and creation of a new contract, (iii) a 
cumulative catch up adjustment to the original contract, or a combination thereof. 

The labor hours input method used for our fixed fee services performance obligation is dependent on our ability to reliably 
estimate  the  direct  labor  hours  to  complete  a  project,  which  may  span  several  years.  We  utilize  our  historical  project 
experience and detailed planning process as a basis for our future estimates to complete current projects.

Certain of our arrangements contain variable consideration. We do not believe our estimates of variable consideration to 
be significant to our determination of revenue recognition.

(3) Receivables

Client receivables represent recorded revenues that have either been billed, or for which we have an unconditional right to 
invoice  and  receive  payment  in  the  future.  We  periodically  provide  long-term  financing  options  to  creditworthy  clients 
through  extended  payment  terms.  Generally,  these  extended  payment  terms  provide  for  date-based  payments  over  a 
fixed period, not to exceed the term of the overall arrangement. Thus, our portfolio of client contracts contains a financing 
component,  which  is  recognized  over  time  as  a  component  of  "Other  income,  net"  in  our  consolidated  statements  of 
operations. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and generally do not require collateral from our clients.

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A summary of net receivables is as follows:

(In thousands)

Client receivables

Less: Provision for expected credit losses

Total receivables, net

2020

2019

$ 1,322,278  $ 1,245,670 
106,075 

153,566 

$ 1,168,712  $ 1,139,595 

In addition to the client receivables presented above, at December 31, 2020 and December 28, 2019, we had $17 million 
and  $47  million,  respectively,  of  non-current  net  client  receivables,  which  are  presented  in  "Other  assets"  in  our 
consolidated balance sheets.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of our provision for expected credit losses is as follows:

(In thousands)

Current

Non-current

Total

Provision for expected credit losses - balance at December 30, 2017

$ 

52,786  $ 

18,747  $ 

71,533 

Additions charged to costs and expenses

Deductions, foreign currency and other

Provision for expected credit losses - balance at December 29, 2018

Additions charged to costs and expenses

Deductions, foreign currency and other

Provision for expected credit losses - balance at December 28, 2019

Cumulative effect of accounting change (ASU 2016-13)

Additions charged to costs and expenses

Deductions, foreign currency and other

25,529 

(13,754) 

64,561 

57,167 

(15,653) 

106,075 

4,606 

65,099 

(22,214) 

45,320 

70,849 

(218) 

(13,972) 

63,849 

— 

1,490 

128,410 

57,167 

(14,163) 

65,339 

171,414 

— 

20,703 

4,606 

85,802 

(47,478) 

$ 

(69,692) 
— 

Provision for expected credit losses - balance at December 31, 2020

$  153,566  $ 

38,564  $  192,130 

During 2020 and 2019, we received total client cash collections of $5.70 billion and $5.79 billion, respectively.

Expected Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit 
Losses  on  Financial  Instruments,  which  provides  a  new  impairment  model  for  certain  financial  assets  that  is  based  on 
expected  losses  rather  than  incurred  losses.  Such  guidance  impacts  how  we  determine  our  allowance  for  estimated 
uncollectible  client  receivables.  The  standard  requires  use  of  the  modified  retrospective  (cumulative  effect)  transition 
approach as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance was effective, which for the Company was 
the  first  quarter  of  2020.  Under  this  transition  method,  the  cumulative  effect  from  prior  periods  upon  applying  this  new 
guidance was recognized in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 29, 2019. We did not recast comparative 
periods.

A summary of such cumulative effect adjustment is as follows:

(In thousands)

Receivables, net
Retained earnings

Increase/
(Decrease)

$ 

(4,606) 
(4,606) 

The cumulative effect adjustment is the result of providing an allowance on unbilled client receivables, for which we have 
an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment in the future.

Our estimates of expected credit losses for client receivables at both December 29, 2019 and December 31, 2020, were 
primarily  based  on  historical  credit  loss  experience  and  adjustments  for  certain  asset-specific  risk  characteristics  (i.e. 

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known client financial hardship or bankruptcy). Exposure to credit losses may increase if our clients are adversely affected 
by changes in health care laws; reimbursement or payor models; economic pressures or uncertainty associated with local 
or  global  economic  recessions;  disruption  associated  with  the  COVID-19  pandemic;  or  other  client-specific  factors. 
Although we have historically not experienced significant credit losses, it is possible that there could be an adverse impact 
from  potential  adjustments  to  the  carrying  amount  of  client  receivables  as  clients'  cash  flows  are  impacted  by  the 
COVID-19 pandemic and related economic uncertainty, which may be material.

(4) Investments

Available-for-sale investments at the end of 2020 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

Available-for-sale investments at the end of 2019 were as follows:

(In thousands)

Cash equivalents:

Money market funds

Time deposits

Total cash equivalents

Short-term investments:

Time deposits

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

$ 

40,027  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

40,027 

36,756 

61,000 

137,783 

28,302 

264,000 

149,975 

442,277 

136,983 

— 

— 

— 

— 

12 

247 

259 

152 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(19) 

(44) 

(63) 

36,756 

61,000 

137,783 

28,302 

263,993 

150,178 

442,473 

(57) 

137,078 

$  717,043  $ 

411  $ 

(120)  $  717,334 

Adjusted 
Cost

Gross 
Unrealized 
Gains

Gross 
Unrealized 
Losses

Fair Value

$  185,666  $ 

—  $ 

—  $  185,666 

64,286 

249,952 

2,506 

83,272 

85,778 

96,186 

— 

— 

— 

52 

52 

91 

— 

— 

64,286 

249,952 

— 

(11) 

(11) 

2,506 

83,313 

85,819 

(67) 

96,210 

$  431,916  $ 

143  $ 

(78)  $  431,981 

We sold available-for-sale investments for proceeds of $71 million, $233 million and $45 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, 
respectively, resulting in insignificant gains/losses in each period.

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Other Investments

At  December  31,  2020  and  December  28,  2019,  we  had  investments  in  equity  securities  that  do  not  have  readily 
determinable  fair  values  of  $361  million  and  $314  million,  respectively,  accounted  for  in  accordance  with  ASC  321, 
Investments-Equity  Securities.  Such  investments  are  included  in  "Long-term  investments"  in  our  consolidated  balance 
sheets. We did not record any changes in the measurement of such investments in 2020 or 2019, respectively.

At  December  28,  2019,  we  had  investments  in  equity  securities  with  readily  determinable  fair  values  of  $14  million, 
accounted  for  in  accordance  with  ASC  321.  Such  investments  were  included  in  "Short-term  investments"  in  our 
consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the measurement of such investments favorably impacted "Other income, net" 
by  $76  million  and  $14  million  in  2020  and  2019,  respectively.  In  August  2020,  we  sold  these  investments  for  cash 
proceeds of $90 million.

At December 31, 2020 and December 28, 2019, we had investments in equity securities reported under the equity method 
of accounting of $12 million and $9 million, respectively. Such investments are included in "Long-term investments" in our 
consolidated balance sheets.

Impairment Assessment

We  adopted ASU  2016-13  in  the  first  quarter  of  2020,  which  made  certain  amendments  to  the  model  used  to  assess 
available-for-sale  debt  securities  for  impairment.  Such  guidance  provides  that  an  available-for-sale  debt  security  is 
impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis. A determination is made whether the decline 
in  fair  value  below  the  amortized  cost  basis  has  resulted  from  a  credit  loss  or  other  factors,  such  as  market  liquidity  or 
changes in interest rates. Impairment related to credit losses is recognized in net earnings, whereas impairment related to 
other  factors  is  recognized  as  a  component  of  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss,  net.  We  did  not  recognize  any 
impairment on our available-for-sale debt securities through net earnings in 2020.

(5) 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
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 — 20

2020

2019

$ 1,939,517  $ 1,855,550 
  1,374,541 
  1,403,835 
214,608 
208,496 
132,540 
146,351 
1,078 
1,025 

  3,699,224 

  3,578,317 

  1,895,141 

  1,719,545 

$ 1,804,083  $ 1,858,772 

Depreciation  and  leasehold  amortization  expense  for  2020,  2019  and  2018  was  $365  million,  $347  million  and  $323 
million, respectively.

(6) Leases

In  February  2016,  the  FASB  issued ASU  2016-02,  Leases  (Topic  842),  which  introduced  a  new  accounting  model  that 
requires  most  leases  to  be  reported  on  the  balance  sheet.  It  also  established  disclosure  requirements,  which  are  more 
extensive than those required under prior U.S. GAAP. The standard required use of the modified retrospective (cumulative 
effect) transition approach and was effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019. We selected the effective date of 
ASU  2016-02  as  the  date  of  initial  application  on  transition,  as  permitted  by ASU  2016-02,  as  amended  ("Topic  842"). 
Under this transition method, the cumulative effect from prior periods upon applying the new guidance to arrangements 

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containing  leases  was  recognized  in  our  consolidated  balance  sheets  as  of  December  30,  2018.  We  did  not  recast 
comparative periods.

A summary of such cumulative effect adjustment is as follows:

(In thousands)

Right-of-use asset
Prepaid expenses and other

Other current liabilities
Other liabilities

Arrangements Containing Leases

Increase /
(Decrease)

$  129,652 
3,968 

22,767 
110,853 

The cumulative effect adjustment above, is primarily comprised of arrangements where we are the lessee under operating 
leases  for  real  estate  (office,  data  center,  and  warehouse  space)  and  certain  dedicated  fiber  optic  lines  within  our 
infrastructure. The duration of these agreements ranges from several months to in excess of 20 years. Generally, variable 
lease  payments  under  these  operating  lease  agreements  relate  to  amounts  based  on  changes  to  an  index  or  rate  (i.e. 
percentage change in the consumer price index). We do not have any arrangements where we are the lessee, classified 
as finance leases in our consolidated financial statements.

In  addition  to  the  items  described  above,  we  also  procure  hotel  stays  and  rental  cars  in  connection  with  associate 
business  travel,  and  the  use  of  certain  equipment  for  trade  shows,  client  presentations,  conferences,  and  internal 
meetings. We have made the policy election to classify such arrangements as short-term leases, as defined in Topic 842. 
As  such,  we  have  not  recognized  lease  liabilities  and  right-of-use  assets  for  such  arrangements  in  our  consolidated 
financial statements. The duration of these arrangements is less than one month. Therefore, we do not disclose any short-
term  lease  expense,  as  permitted  by Topic  842.  Expense  for  such  items  is  recognized  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the 
term of such arrangements.

Arrangements in which we are the lessor are not significant to our consolidated financial statements.

Amounts Included in the Consolidated Financial Statements

The  following  table  presents  a  summary  of  lease  liability  and  right-of-use  asset  amounts  included  in  our  consolidated 
balance sheets at the end of 2020 and 2019, under operating lease arrangements where we are the lessee:

(In thousands)

Description

Right-of-use asset

Lease liability - current

Lease liability - non-current

Balance Sheet Classification

Right-of-use assets

Other current liabilities

Other liabilities

2020

2019

$  104,536  $  123,155 

29,913 

90,106 

29,541 

104,614 

Operating lease cost was $37 million and variable lease cost was less than $1 million in both 2020 and 2019.

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Maturity Analysis

Aggregate future payments under operating lease arrangements where we are the lessee (by fiscal year) are as follows:

(In thousands)

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 and thereafter

Aggregate future payments

Impact of discounting

Aggregate lease liability at December 31, 2020

Operating 
Lease 
Obligations

$ 

33,611 
27,131 
20,347 
12,199 
7,438 
37,224 

137,950 
(17,931) 

$ 

120,019 

At December 31, 2020, the weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for our operating 
lease arrangements where we are the lessee were 6.81 years and 3.5%, respectively.

(7) Software Development

A summary of software development costs, net is as follows:

(In thousands)

Software to be sold, leased or marketed
Software delivered exclusively as a service

Total

Software development costs, net

2020

2019

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

$  2,610,476  $  1,788,019  $  2,379,028  $  1,586,134 
158,268 

198,276 

305,233 

385,168 

$  2,995,644  $  1,986,295  $  2,684,261  $  1,744,402 

$  1,009,349 

$ 

939,859 

Estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows:

(In thousands)

2021
2022

2023

2024

2025

$  276,532 
245,911 

194,007 

147,349 

95,431 

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

68

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

2018

$  796,971  $  783,593  $  747,128 

(295,277) 

(273,871) 

(273,693) 

247,313 

227,414 

210,228 

$  749,007  $  737,136  $  683,663 

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(8) Business Acquisition

2020 Acquisitions

On  April  1,  2020,  we  acquired  a  consulting  company  specializing  in  providing  cybersecurity  solutions  to  clients  in  the 
health care industry, for cash consideration of $34 million. We believe this acquisition enhanced our resource capabilities 
and  growth  opportunities  for  our  cybersecurity  solution  offerings.  These  factors,  combined  with  the  synergies  and 
economies of scale expected, are the basis for the acquisition and comprise the resulting goodwill recorded.

On  October  19,  2020,  we  acquired  a  software  company  that  offered  a  patient  referral  management  solution  to  clients 
within the health care industry, for cash consideration of $15 million. We believe this acquisition enhanced our portfolio of 
offerings on our HealtheIntent platform. This factor, combined with the synergies and economies of scale expected, are 
the basis for the acquisition and comprise the resulting goodwill recorded.

These acquisitions were treated as purchases in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), which 
requires allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in the transactions.

The aggregate final allocation of purchase price for our 2020 acquisitions was as follows:

(In thousands)

Receivables, net

Inventory

Prepaid expenses and other

Property and equipment, net

Right-of-use assets

Goodwill

Intangible assets, net
Other assets

Accounts payable

Deferred revenue

Accrued payroll and tax withholdings

Other current liabilities

Deferred income taxes

Total purchase price

Allocation 
Amount

$ 

2,313 

863 

331 

114 

683 

33,709 

16,510 
179 

(880) 

(3,158) 

(501) 

(713) 

(374) 

$ 

49,076 

The goodwill was allocated to our Domestic operating segment, with $4 million of such goodwill expected to be deductible 
for  tax  purposes.  Identifiable  intangible  assets  primarily  consist  of  acquired  technology  intangible  assets  and  are  being 
amortized over a weighted-average period of 8 years. The operating results from of our 2020 acquisitions were combined 
with our operating results subsequent to the respective purchase dates. Pro-forma results of operations, assuming these 
acquisitions were made at the beginning of the earliest period presented, have not been presented because the effect of 
these acquisitions, both individually and in the aggregate, were not material to our results.

2019 Acquisition

On  October  25,  2019,  we  acquired  all  of  the  issued  and  outstanding  membership  interests  of AbleVets,  LLC,  a  Virginia 
limited  liability  company  ("AbleVets"),  for  cash  consideration  of  $76  million.  AbleVets  is  a  health  IT  engineering  and 
consulting company specializing in cybersecurity, cloud and system development solutions for federal organizations. We 
believe  this  acquisition  enhanced  our  resource  capabilities  and  growth  opportunities  within  our  federal  business. These 
factors,  combined  with  the  synergies  and  economies  of  scale  expected  from  combining  the  operations  of AbleVets  with 
Cerner, are the basis for the acquisition and comprise the resulting goodwill recorded.

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The  acquisition  of  AbleVets  was  treated  as  a  purchase  in  accordance  with  ASC  805,  which  requires  allocation  of  the 
purchase price to the estimated fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in the transaction.

The final allocation of purchase price was as follows:

(In thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables, net
Prepaid expenses and other
Property and equipment, net
Right-of-use assets
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Accounts payable

Deferred revenue

Accrued payroll and tax withholdings

Other current liabilities

Other liabilities

Total purchase price

Allocation 
Amount

$ 

471 
11,690 
911 
1,240 
8,448 
37,815 
37,402 
(5,244) 

(157) 

(5,812) 

(2,994) 

(8,016) 

$ 

75,754 

The  fair  values  of  the  acquired  intangible  assets  were  estimated  by  applying  the  income  approach.  Such  estimations 
required the use of inputs that were unobservable in the marketplace (Level 3), including a discount rate that we estimated 
would be used by a market participant in valuing these assets, projections of revenues and cash flows, and client attrition 
rates, among others. Refer to Note (12) for further information about the fair value level hierarchy.

The  goodwill  was  allocated  to  our  Domestic  operating  segment  and  is  expected  to  be  deductible  for  tax  purposes. 
Identifiable intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationship intangible assets and are being amortized over a 
weighted-average  period  of  8  years.  The  operating  results  of  AbleVets  were  combined  with  our  operating  results 
subsequent  to  the  purchase  date  of  October  25,  2019.  Pro-forma  results  of  operations,  assuming  this  acquisition  was 
made at the beginning of the earliest period presented, have not been presented because the effect of this acquisition was 
not material to our results.

(9) Gain on Sale of Businesses

Germany and Spain

On July 1, 2020, we sold certain of our business operations, primarily conducted in Germany and Spain, to affiliates of 
CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA ("CGM"), as a part of our portfolio management strategy. Such operations included 
the associates, intellectual property, client contracts, other assets, and liabilities related to our medico®, Selene®, Soarian 
Health  Archive®,  and  Soarian®  Integrated  Care  solution  offerings.  We  received  a  sale  price  of  $230  million,  which  is 
subject to post-closing adjustments for working capital and certain other adjustments.

The  following  table  presents  a  reconciliation  of  the  sale  price  to  the  net  gain  recognized  on  the  disposed  business 
operations which is included in "Gain on sale of businesses" in our consolidated statements of operations:

(In thousands)

Sale price

Net assets/liabilities removed

Transaction expenses

Foreign currency

Gain on sale of businesses

70

$  230,316 

(7,934) 

(5,583) 

1,550 

$  218,349 

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The following table presents a reconciliation of the sale price to the cash proceeds received from CGM which are included 
in "Sale of businesses" in our consolidated statements of cash flows:

(In thousands)

Sale price

Receivable due from CGM

VAT and other transaction taxes, net

Foreign currency

Cash received from sale of businesses

$  230,316 

(4,049) 

(2,142) 

356 

$  224,481 

Amounts included in our consolidated balance sheets related to the disposed business operations immediately prior to the 
sale on July 1, 2020 were as follows:

(In thousands)

Receivables, net
Inventory

Prepaid expenses and other
Property and equipment, net

Right-of-use assets
Software development costs, net

Goodwill
Intangible assets, net

Accounts payable
Deferred revenue

Accrued payroll and tax withholdings
Other current liabilities

Net assets/(liabilities)

Revenue Cycle Outsourcing

Asset/
(Liability)

$ 

8,646 
65 

5,993 
340 

554 
5,532 

7,692 
3,687 

(2,763) 
(16,756) 

(4,545) 
(511) 

$ 

7,934 

On August 3, 2020, we sold certain of our revenue cycle outsourcing business operations to affiliates of R1 RCM Inc., as a 
part of our portfolio management strategy. Such operations included the associates, client contracts, certain other assets, 
and certain liabilities related to our commercial revenue cycle outsourcing services business. A net gain of $2 million was 
recognized  on  the  disposed  business  operations  and  is  included  in  "Gain  on  sale  of  businesses"  in  our  consolidated 
statements  of  operations.  Amounts  included  in  our  consolidated  balance  sheets  related  to  the  disposed  business 
operations immediately prior to the sale on August 3, 2020 were not material to our consolidated financial statements.

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(10) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment were as follows:

(In thousands)

Balance at the end of 2018

Goodwill recorded in connection with the AbleVets acquisition
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other

Balance at the end of 2019

Purchase price allocation adjustments for the AbleVets acquisition
Goodwill recorded in connection with 2020 business acquisitions
Goodwill reduction in connection with divestiture transactions
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other

Balance at the end of 2020

A summary of net intangible assets is as follows:

(In thousands)

Customer lists

Purchased software

Internal use software

Trade names

Other

Total

Intangible assets, net

Domestic

International

Total

$  782,664  $ 
37,071 
— 

64,880  $  847,544 
37,071 
(1,457) 

— 
(1,457) 

819,735 
744 
33,709 
— 
— 

63,423 
— 
— 
(7,692) 
4,601 

883,158 
744 
33,709 
(7,692) 
4,601 

$  854,188  $ 

60,332  $  914,520 

2020

2019

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

$ 

494,615  $ 

312,044  $ 

500,914  $ 

271,211 

354,228 

207,696 

42,951 

50,535 

337,811 

123,280 

28,961 

18,680 

364,144 

174,572 

41,731 

49,389 

353,722 

99,272 

26,574 

15,532 

$  1,150,025  $ 

820,776  $  1,130,750  $ 

766,311 

$ 

329,249 

$ 

364,439 

Amortization expense for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $85 million, $114 million and $109 million, respectively.

Estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows:

(In thousands)

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

$ 

77,634 

72,328 

62,773 

55,886 

14,836 

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(11) Long-term Debt

The following is a summary of indebtedness outstanding:

(In thousands)

Credit agreement loans due May 5, 2024

Senior notes:

Series 2020-A due March 11, 2030

Series 2015-A due February 15, 2022

Series 2015-B due February 14, 2025

Other

Total indebtedness

Less: debt issuance costs

  Long-term debt

Credit Agreement

2020

2019

$  600,000  $  600,000 

300,000 

225,000 

200,000 

11,662 

— 

225,000 

200,000 

14,162 

  1,336,662 

  1,039,162 

(593) 

(780) 

$ 1,336,069  $ 1,038,382 

In May 2019 and November 2019, we entered into amendments to our Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 
(as  amended,  the  "Credit  Agreement")  with  a  syndicate  of  lenders.  The  Credit  Agreement  provides  for  an  unsecured 
revolving credit facility expiring in May 2024, and includes: (a) a revolving credit loan facility of up to $1.00 billion at any 
time outstanding, and (b) a letter of credit facility of up to $100 million at any time outstanding (which is a sub-facility of the 
$1.00 billion revolving credit loan facility). The Credit Agreement also includes an accordion feature allowing an increase 
of the credit facility of up to an additional $200 million ($1.20 billion in the aggregate) at any time outstanding, subject to 
lender participation and the satisfaction of specified conditions. Borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement are 
due  in  May  2024,  with  prepayment  permitted  at  any  time.  Proceeds  may  be  used  for  working  capital  and  general 
corporate purposes, including but not limited to certain business acquisitions and purchases under our share repurchase 
programs.  The  Credit Agreement  provides  certain  restrictions  on  our  ability  to  borrow,  incur  liens,  sell  assets  and  pay 
dividends, and contains certain leverage and interest coverage covenants.

Generally, interest on revolving credit loans is payable at a variable rate based on LIBOR, prime, or the U.S. federal funds 
rate, plus a spread that varies depending on leverage ratios maintained. Unused commitment, letter of credit, and other 
fees are also payable under the Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the interest rate on 
revolving credit loans outstanding was 0.95% and 2.54%, respectively, based on LIBOR plus the applicable spread.

As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding revolving credit loans and letters of credit of $600 million and $34 million, 
respectively; which reduced our available borrowing capacity to $366 million under the Credit Agreement.

Interest Rate Swap

We  are  exposed  to  market  risk  from  fluctuations  in  the  variable  interest  rates  on  outstanding  indebtedness  under  our 
Credit Agreement. In order to manage this exposure, we have entered into an interest rate swap agreement, with an initial 
notional  amount  of  $600  million,  to  hedge  the  variability  of  cash  flows  associated  with  such  interest  obligations  through 
May 2024. The interest rate swap has an effective start date of May 13, 2019, and is designated as a cash flow hedge, 
which  effectively  fixes  the  interest  rate  on  the  hedged  indebtedness  under  our  Credit  Agreement  at  3.06%.  At 
December  31,  2020  and  December  28,  2019,  this  swap  was  in  a  net  liability  position  with  an  aggregate  fair  value  of 
$37  million  and  $17  million,  respectively;  which  is  presented  in  our  consolidated  balance  sheets  in  "Other  current 
liabilities". We classify fair value measurements of our interest rate swap as Level 2, as further described in Note (12).

Our  interest  rate  swap  agreement  is  accounted  for  in  accordance  with ASC  Topic  815,  Derivatives  and  Hedging.  Such 
agreement is designated as a cash flow hedge and considered to be highly effective under hedge accounting principles. 
Therefore, the swap agreement is recognized in our consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability, measured 
at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the swap agreement are initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive 
loss, net and then subsequently recognized in our consolidated statements of operations in the periods in which earnings 
are affected by the hedged item. All cash flows associated with the swap agreement are classified as operating activities 
in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

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2020 Senior Notes

In March 2020, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% senior unsecured Series 2020-A notes (the 
"Series 2020-A Notes") due March 11, 2030, pursuant to a Master Note Agreement we entered into in November 2019, 
and subsequently amended on October 8, 2020 (collectively and as amended, the "2019 Shelf Agreement"). Interest on 
the  Series  2020-A  Notes  is  payable  semiannually  on  each  March  11  and  September  11,  commencing  September  11, 
2020,  and  the  principal  balance  is  due  at  maturity.  The  Company  may  prepay  at  any  time  all,  or  any  part  of,  the 
outstanding  principal  amount  of  the  Series  2020-A  Notes,  subject  to  the  payment  of  a  make-whole  amount. The  Series 
2020-A  Notes  are  subject  to  the  terms  of  the  2019  Shelf Agreement,  which  contains  customary  events  of  default  and 
covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and transactions with affiliates and the maintenance of certain financial 
ratios.  As  of  the  date  of  this  filing,  $1.50  billion  remains  available  for  sale  under  the  2019  Shelf  Agreement,  which  is 
uncommitted and subject to participation by the purchasers.

2015 Senior Notes

On December 4, 2014, we entered into a Master Note Purchase Agreement (the "Master Note Purchase Agreement") with 
the  Purchasers  listed  therein,  pursuant  to  which  we  may  issue  and  sell  up  to  an  aggregate  principal  amount  of  $1.50 
billion of unsecured senior promissory notes to those Purchasers electing to purchase. In January 2015, we issued $500 
million  aggregate  principal  amount  of  unsecured  Senior  Notes  ("Senior  Notes"),  pursuant  to  the  Master  Note  Purchase 
Agreement. 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 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. As of the date of 
this  filing,  the  remaining  $1.00  billion  available  for  sale  is  uncommitted  and  subject  to  participation  by  the  Purchasers 
under the Master Note Purchase Agreement.

In March 2018, we repaid our $75 million floating rate Series 2015-C Notes due February 15, 2022.

Other 

Other indebtedness includes estimated amounts payable through September 1, 2025, under an agreement entered into in 
September 2015.

Covenant Compliance

As of December 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

Maturities

Maturities of indebtedness outstanding at the end of 2020 are as follows:

(In thousands)

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026 and thereafter

Total

Credit 
Agreement 
Loans

Senior 
Notes

Other

 Total

$ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

— 

— 

— 

600,000 

225,000 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

200,000 

300,000 

11,662 

— 

225,000 

— 

600,000 

211,662 

300,000 

$  600,000  $  725,000  $ 

11,662  $ 1,336,662 

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(12) 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 
2020: 

(In thousands)

Description

Money market funds

Time deposits

Commercial paper

Time deposits

Commercial paper

Government and corporate bonds

Government and corporate bonds

Balance Sheet Classification

Cash equivalents

Cash equivalents

Cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Short-term investments

Short-term investments

Long-term investments

Fair Value Measurements Using

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$ 

40,027  $ 

—  $ 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

36,756 

61,000 

28,302 

263,993 

150,178 

137,078 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

The  following  table  details  our  financial  assets  measured  and  recorded  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  at  the  end  of 
2019: 

(In thousands)

Description

Balance Sheet Classification

Money market funds
Time deposits
Time deposits
Government and corporate bonds
Government and corporate bonds

Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Short-term investments
Long-term investments

Fair Value Measurements Using

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$  185,666  $ 

—  $ 

— 
— 
— 
— 

64,286 
2,506 
83,313 
96,210 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

Our investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values accounted for in accordance with ASC 321 were 
measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of such arrangements 
was based on quoted prices in active markets, reduced by a percentage reflecting a discount for lack of marketability.

Our interest rate swap agreement is measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using a Level 2 valuation. 
The fair value of such agreement is based on the market standard methodology of netting the discounted expected future 
variable  cash  receipts  and  the  discounted  future  fixed  cash  payments.  The  variable  cash  receipts  are  based  on  an 

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expectation  of  future  interest  rates  derived  from  observed  market  interest  rate  forward  curves.  Since  these  inputs  are 
observable  in  active  markets  over  the  terms  that  the  instrument  is  held,  the  derivative  is  classified  as  Level  2  in  the 
hierarchy.

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  2020  and  2019  was  approximately  $1.36  billion  and  $1.07  billion,  respectively.  The 
carrying amount of such debt at the end of 2020 and 2019 was $1.33 billion and $1.03 billion, respectively.

(13) Other Income

A summary of non-operating income and expense is as follows:

(In thousands)

Interest income

Interest expense

Gain on sale of equity investment

Unrealized gain on equity investment

Other

Other income, net

(14) Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) for 2020, 2019 and 2018 consists of the following:

(In thousands)

Current:

Federal

State

Foreign

Total current expense

Deferred:

Federal

State

Foreign

Total deferred expense

Total income tax expense

For the Years Ended
2019

2018

2020

$ 

28,901  $ 

38,227  $ 

34,211 

(29,080) 

(14,469) 

(7,987) 

75,834 

— 

1,251 

15,509 

14,112 

464 

— 

— 

(158) 

$ 

76,906  $ 

53,843  $ 

26,066 

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

2018

$  131,741  $ 

45,575  $ 

89,551 

30,565 

47,577 

209,883 

(4,469) 

(96) 

6,067 

1,502 

13,429 

14,929 

73,933 

30,353 

11,747 

9,025 

51,125 

24,804 

22,009 

136,364 

31,129 

8,144 

(4,845) 

34,428 

$  211,385  $  125,058  $  170,792 

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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 2020 and 2019 relate to the following:

(In thousands)

Deferred tax assets:

Accrued expenses

Tax credits and separate return net operating losses

Contract and service revenues and costs

Share-based compensation

Lease liability

Other

Gross deferred tax assets

Less: Valuation Allowance

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:

Software development costs

Property and equipment

Prepaid expenses

Contract and service revenues and costs

Lease right-of-use assets

Other

Total deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax liability

2020

2019

$ 

63,080  $ 

31,995 

17,976 

9,383 

49,650 

23,928 

17,554 

19,186 

— 

52,643 

29,939 

12,701 

181,571 

146,464 

(3,384) 

— 

178,187 

146,464 

(270,041) 

(247,217) 

(204,568) 

(171,267) 

(37,547) 

— 

(20,639) 

(9,260) 

(39,311) 

(12,112) 

(28,100) 

(10,549) 

(542,055) 

(508,556) 

$  (363,868)  $  (362,092) 

At the end of 2020, we had net operating loss carry-forwards from foreign jurisdictions of $19 million that are available to 
offset future taxable income with no expiration. In addition, we had a state income tax credit carry-forward of $9 million 
available to offset income tax liabilities through December 31, 2030. During 2020, we recorded a valuation allowance of  
$3 million against the net operating loss carry-forward in a foreign jurisdiction due to a change in circumstances. 

At  the  end  of  2020,  we  had  not  provided  tax  on  the  cumulative  undistributed  earnings  of  certain  foreign  subsidiaries  of 
approximately $96 million, because it is our intention to reinvest these earnings indefinitely. The unrecognized deferred tax 
liability relating to these earnings is approximately $5 million.

The effective income tax rates for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were 21%, 19%, and 21%, respectively. A reconciliation of the 
effective income tax rates to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% is follows:

For the Years Ended
2019

2018

2020

$  208,209  $  137,447  $  168,179 
25,321 
(19,737) 
(4,851) 
(1,696) 
6,224 
(2,648) 

18,561 
(22,750) 
(6,328) 
(8,090) 
3,278 
2,940 

24,234 
(21,254) 
1,973 
(1,303) 
(6,534) 
6,060 

$  211,385  $  125,058  $  170,792 

(In thousands)

Tax expense at statutory rates
State income tax, net of federal benefit
Tax credits
Foreign rate differential
Share-based compensation
Permanent differences
Other, net

Total income tax expense

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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

2020

2019

2018

$ 

19,125  $ 

18,688  $ 

15,287 

(3,964) 

(2,383) 

312 

6,595 

— 

136 

1,220 

1,607 

— 

(7) 

— 

1,591 

2,370 

(541) 

(19) 

Unrecognized tax benefit - ending balance

$ 

22,204  $ 

19,125  $ 

18,688 

If  recognized,  $15  million  of  the  unrecognized  tax  benefit  will  favorably  impact  our  effective  tax  rate.  It  is  reasonably 
possible that our unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $11 million within the next twelve months. Our federal 
returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service through 2016. Our federal returns are open for examination 
for 2017 and thereafter. We have various state and foreign returns under examination.

The ending amounts of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were $5 million in 2020 and $4 
million in 2019. We classify interest and penalties as income tax expense in our consolidated statement of operations, and 
our income tax expense for 2020, 2019 and 2018 each included $1 million of interest and penalties.

The foreign portion of our earnings before income taxes was $208 million, $109 million, and $89 million in 2020, 2019, and 
2018 respectively, and the remaining portion was domestic.

(15) Earnings Per Share

A reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations are as follows:

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Numerator)

(Denominator)

Amount

(Numerator)

(Denominator)

Amount

(Numerator)

(Denominator)

Amount

Earnings

2020

Shares

Per-Share

Earnings

2019

Shares

Per-Share

Earnings

2018

Shares

Per-Share

Basic earnings per share:
Income available to common 

shareholders

Effect of dilutive securities:

Stock options, non-vested shares 

and share units

Diluted earnings per share:

Income available to common 

shareholders including assumed 
conversions

$ 

780,088 

306,669 

$ 

2.54 

$ 

529,454 

318,229 

$ 

1.66 

$ 

630,059 

330,084 

$ 

1.91 

— 

2,467 

— 

3,006 

— 

3,488 

$ 

780,088 

309,136 

$ 

2.52 

$ 

529,454 

321,235 

$ 

1.65 

$ 

630,059 

333,572 

$ 

1.89 

Options  to  purchase  4.1  million,  9.6  million  and  12.9  million  shares  of  common  stock  at  per  share  prices  ranging  from 
$52.32  to  $76.49,  $52.32  to  $75.83  and  $50.04  to  $73.40,  were  outstanding  at  the  end  of  2020,  2019  and  2018, 
respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

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(16) Share-Based Compensation and Equity

Stock Option and Equity Plans

At the end of 2020, we had four 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 three plans from which no new grants are permitted, but some awards remain outstanding (Plans 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  2020,  18.0  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 4 or 5 
years and are exercisable for periods of up to 10 years.

Stock Options

The  fair  market  value  of  each  stock  option  award  granted  in  2020  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:

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

2018

 24.5 %

 25.0 %

 27.0 %

 1 %
6

 1.1 %

 1 %  
7

 2.4 %

— 

7

 2.8 %

Weighted-
Average
Exercise 
Price
(Per Share)
56.36 

Number of
Shares

15,416  $ 

Weighted-
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual
 Term (Yrs)

Aggregate
Intrinsic 
Value

3 

(4,931) 

(284) 

10,204 

72.36 

51.49 

60.98 

58.59  $  202,938 

6,437  $ 

57.23  $  136,811 

5.56

4.72

Expected volatility (%)
Expected dividend rate (%)

Expected term (yrs)
Risk-free rate (%)

Stock option activity for 2020 was as follows:

(In thousands, except per share and term data)
Outstanding at beginning of year

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited and expired

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

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(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

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

2018

$ 

16.64  $ 

17.51  $ 

20.13 

$  115,607  $  155,202  $ 

74,530 

253,605 

258,036 

27,103 

36,629 

91,349 

17,233 

At the end of 2020, there was $49 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 1.93 years.

Non-vested Shares and Share Units

Non-vested shares and share units are valued at fair market value on the date of grant and will vest provided the recipient, 
if a member of the Board of Directors, has continuously served on the Board of Directors through such vesting date or, in 
the case of an associate, provided that service and/or performance measures are attained. The expense associated with 
these grants is recognized over the period from the date of grant to the vesting date.

Non-vested share and share unit activity for 2020 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

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date 
Fair Value 
Per Share

Number of 
Shares

2,634  $ 

2,620 

(990) 

(133) 

65.30 

70.12 

66.29 

67.63 

4,131  $ 

68.05 

For the Years Ended
2019

2018

2020

$ 

$ 

70.12  $ 

66.49  $ 

59.34 

70,355  $ 

30,558  $ 

26,264 

At the end of 2020, there was $193 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share and share 
unit awards granted under all plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.79 years.

Associate Stock Purchase Plan

We maintain an associate stock purchase plan ("ASPP"), which qualifies under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. 
Generally,  the ASPP  provides our U.S. based associates the  opportunity  to  purchase  shares  of  our  common stock at  a 
15% discount. Purchases of shares are made on the open market and subsequently reissued to participants of the ASPP. 
The difference between the open market purchase price and the cost to the participants 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  and  share  unit  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 share units 
and ASPP are as follows:

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(In thousands)

For the Years Ended

2020

2019

2018

Stock option and non-vested share and share unit compensation expense

$  153,449  $  103,641  $ 

95,423 

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

5,478 

(4,867) 

6,053 

(410) 

6,082 

914 

$  154,060  $  109,284  $  102,419 

$ 

30,775  $ 

20,967  $ 

21,371 

At the end of 2020 and 2019, we had 1.0 million shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock, $0.01 par value.

Treasury Stock

Under  our  current  share  repurchase  program,  which  was  initially  approved  by  our  Board  of  Directors  in  May  2017  and 
most recently amended in December 2019, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $3.70 billion of shares of our 
common stock, excluding transaction costs. The repurchases are to be effectuated in the open market, by block purchase, 
in privately negotiated transactions, or through  other transactions managed by broker-dealers. No time limit was set for 
the completion of the program. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, we repurchased 10.6 million, 18.8 million, and 11.2 million 
shares for total consideration of $757 million, $1.30 billion, and $644 million, respectively, under the program. The shares 
were recorded as treasury stock and accounted for under the cost method. No repurchased shares have been retired. As 
of December 31, 2020, $927 million remains available for repurchase under the program.

Dividends

Cash dividend activity in 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

Date Declared

Date of Record

Payment Date

Amount per Share

May 29, 2019

September 10, 2019

December 12, 2019

March 19, 2020

May 21, 2020

September 10, 2020

December 10, 2020

June 18, 2019

September 25, 2019

December 27, 2019

April 3, 2020

June 5, 2020

September 25, 2020

December 28, 2020

July 26, 2019

October 9, 2019

January 9, 2020

April 17, 2020

July 17, 2020

October 13, 2020

January 12, 2021

$0.18

$0.18

$0.18

$0.18

$0.18

$0.18

$0.22

In  connection  with  the  declaration  of  such  dividends,  our  non-vested  shares  and  share  units  are  entitled  to  dividend 
equivalents, which will be payable to the holder subject to, and upon vesting of, the underlying awards. Our outstanding 
stock  options  are  not  entitled  to  dividend  or  dividend  equivalents. At  December  31,  2020  and  December  28,  2019,  our 
consolidated  balance  sheets  included  liabilities  for  dividends  payable  of  $69  million  and  $56  million,  respectively,  which 
are included in "Other current liabilities".

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (AOCI)

The components of AOCI, net of tax, were as follows:

(In thousands)

Balance at December 30, 2017

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Balance at December 29, 2018

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Balance at December 28, 2019

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Balance at December 31, 2020

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
adjustment 
and other

Unrealized 
loss on 
cash flow 
hedge

Unrealized 
holding gain 
(loss) on 
available-
for-sale 
investments

Total

$ 

(72,364)  $ 

—  $ 

(1,018)  $ 

(73,382) 

(30,575) 

— 

(102,939) 

— 

— 

— 

(3,408) 

(13,078) 

— 

500 

(106,347) 

(12,578) 

12,897 

— 

(23,687) 

8,477 

402 

3 

(30,173) 

3 

(613) 

(103,552) 

901 

(23) 

265 

194 

(25) 

(15,585) 

477 

(118,660) 

(10,596) 

8,452 

$ 

(93,450)  $ 

(27,788)  $ 

434  $ 

(120,804) 

The effects on net earnings of amounts reclassified from AOCI were as follows:

(In thousands)

AOCI Component

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge

Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments

Years Ended

Location

2020

2019

2018

Other income, net $ 

(10,622)  $ 

(624)  $ 

Income taxes

Net of tax

Other income, net

Income taxes

Net of tax

2,145 

(8,477) 

31 

(6) 

25 

124 

(500) 

29 

(6) 

23 

Total amount reclassified, net of tax

$ 

(8,452)  $ 

(477)  $ 

— 

— 

— 

(4) 

1 

(3) 

(3) 

(17) Defined Contribution Retirement Plans

We maintain certain defined contribution retirement plans (the "Plans"), which qualify under Section 401(k) of the Internal 
Revenue  Code.  Generally,  the  Plans  allow  our  U.S.  associates  to  make  salary  contributions  to  the  Plans,  subject  to 
annual  limitations  determined  by  the  Internal  Revenue  Service.  The  Plans  provide  for  certain  discretionary  matches  on 
behalf of the participants for which we recognized expenses of $61 million, $59 million and $41 million in 2020, 2019 and 
2018, respectively.

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(18) Purchase Obligations

We  have  purchase  commitments  with  various  vendors,  under  agreements  through  2030.  Aggregate  future  payments 
under these commitments are as follows:

(In thousands)

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 and thereafter

Purchase 
Obligations

$ 

67,126 
40,026 
37,921 
31,630 
41,213 
521,297 

$ 

739,213 

(19) Contingencies

We  accrue  estimates  for  resolution  of  any  legal  and  other  contingencies  when  losses  are  probable  and  reasonably 
estimable  in  accordance  with  ASC  450,  Contingencies  ("ASC  450").  No  less  than  quarterly,  and  as  facts  and 
circumstances change, we review the status of each significant matter underlying a legal proceeding or claim 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,  which  may 
prove to be incomplete or inaccurate or unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that might cause us to change 
those  estimates  and  assumptions.  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 one 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, cash flows or financial condition.

As previously disclosed, we were in dispute with Fujitsu Services Limited ("Fujitsu") regarding Fujitsu's obligation to pay 
amounts to us due upon the termination of a subcontract, including client receivables, in connection with Fujitsu's 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. The NHS terminated its contract with Fujitsu, which gave rise to the 
termination  of  our  subcontract  with  Fujitsu.  We  filed  a  request  for  arbitration  with  the  London  Court  of  International 
Arbitration on April 22, 2019 seeking damages. On December 30, 2019, Fujitsu filed its Defense and Counterclaim (the 
"Counterclaim") in response. In its Counterclaim, Fujitsu defended against our claim in full and argued that we are liable to 
Fujitsu for: (i) £306 million in damages based on our alleged fraudulent misrepresentations inducing Fujitsu to enter into 
the  subcontract;  or  (ii)  alternatively,  £173.8  million  in  damages  based  on  our  alleged  breaches  of  the  subcontract.  The 
parties entered into a settlement on November 2, 2020, agreeing to dismiss all claims against each other with prejudice. 

Cerner  Health  Services,  Inc.  ("Cerner  HS"),  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Cerner  Corporation,  filed  a  lawsuit  in  the 
Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  Court  of  Common  Pleas  against  NextGen  Healthcare  Information  Systems,  LLC 
("NextGen")  relating  to  a  dispute  arising  out  of  a  supplier  relationship  initially  established  between  Siemens  Health 
Services, Inc. and NextGen prior to the acquisition of the assets of Siemens Health Services, Inc. by Cerner HS in 2015. 
In  September  2017,  the  court  issued  a  preliminary  injunction  to  prevent  NextGen  from  refusing  to  honor  certain 
contractual obligations to support Cerner HS's clients who use NextGen ambulatory EHR solutions. In September 2018, 
NextGen  filed  a  counterclaim  alleging  breach  of  contract  and  tortious  interference  but  did  not  specify  its  damages. 
NextGen has provided an expert report alleging profit disgorgement damages of $122 million or, alternatively, $26 million 
in  lost  profit  damages.  In  December  2019,  we  deposed  NextGen's  expert,  gaining  additional  clarity  on  categories  of 
alleged  damages  but  not  on  the  alleged  theories  of  liability.  A  trial  commenced  on  January  25,  2021.  We  believe 
NextGen's claims are without merit and are vigorously defending against them; however, there can be no assurances as 
to  the  outcome  of  the  dispute.  We  have  not  concluded  that  a  loss  related  to  the  claims  raised  by  NextGen  in  its 
counterclaim  is  probable,  nor  have  we  accrued  a  liability  related  to  these  claims.  Although  a  loss  may  be  reasonably 

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possible (as defined in ASC 450), we do not have sufficient information to determine the amount or range of reasonably 
possible loss in light of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation generally, the wide range of damages 
presented by NextGen's expert, and the continued lack of clarity on the causal connection between Cerner Corporation's 
and Cerner HS's actions and any alleged damages. 

The terms of our agreements with our clients generally provide for limited indemnification of such clients against losses, 
expenses and liabilities arising from third party or other claims based on, among other things, alleged infringement by our 
solutions  of  an  intellectual  property  right  of  third  parties  or  damages  caused  by  data  privacy  breaches  or  system 
interruptions. The terms of such indemnification often limit the scope of and remedies for such indemnification obligations 
and generally include, as applicable, a right to replace or modify an infringing solution. For several reasons, including the 
lack  of  a  sufficient  number  of  prior  indemnification  claims  relating  to  IP  infringement,  data  privacy  breaches  or  system 
interruptions, the inherent uncertainty stemming from such claims, and the lack of a monetary liability limit for such claims 
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  involved  in  various  other  legal 
proceedings  and  claims  that  arise  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  including  for  example,  employment  and  client 
disputes  and  litigation  alleging  solution  and  implementation  defects,  personal  injury,  intellectual  property  infringement, 
violations of law, breaches of contract and warranties, and compliance audits by various government agencies. Many of 
these proceedings are at preliminary stages and many seek an indeterminate amount of damages. At this time, we do not 
believe the range of potential losses under any claims to be material to our consolidated financial statements.

(20) Segment Reporting

We  have  two  operating  segments,  Domestic  and  International.  Revenues  are  derived  primarily  from  the  sale  of  clinical, 
financial  and  administrative  information  solutions  and  services.  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,  certain  organizational  restructuring  and  other  expense,  share-based  compensation  expense,  and  certain 
amortization  and  depreciation.  "Other"  also  includes  gains  or  losses  recognized  on  the  divestiture  of  businesses. 
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. 

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The following table presents a summary of our operating segments and other expense for 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(In thousands)

2020
Revenues

Costs of revenue
Operating expenses

Total costs and expenses

Gain on sale of businesses

Operating earnings (loss)

(In thousands)

2019
Revenues

Costs of revenue
Operating expenses

Total costs and expenses

Operating earnings (loss)

(In thousands)

2018
Revenues

Costs of revenue
Operating expenses

Total costs and expenses

Operating earnings (loss)

Domestic

International

Other    

Total    

$ 4,879,769  $ 

626,019  $ 

—  $ 5,505,788 

854,574 
  2,339,624 
  3,194,198 

78,367 
242,991 
321,358 

— 
  1,296,188 
  1,296,188 

932,941 
  3,878,803 
  4,811,744 

— 

— 

220,523 

220,523 

$ 1,685,571  $ 

304,661  $ (1,075,665)  $  914,567 

Domestic

International

Other    

Total    

$ 5,038,127  $ 

654,471  $ 

—  $ 5,692,598 

967,035 
  2,398,422 
  3,365,457 

104,006 
276,914 
380,920 

— 
  1,345,552 
  1,345,552 

  1,071,041 
  4,020,888 
  5,091,929 

$ 1,672,670  $ 

273,551  $ (1,345,552)  $  600,669 

Domestic

International

Other    

Total    

$ 4,730,266  $ 

636,059  $ 

—  $ 5,366,325 

827,904 
  2,164,465 
  2,992,369 

109,444 
321,116 
430,560 

— 
  1,168,611 
  1,168,611 

937,348 
  3,654,192 
  4,591,540 

$ 1,737,897  $ 

205,499  $ (1,168,611)  $  774,785 

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(21) Quarterly Results (unaudited)

Selected quarterly financial data for 2020 and 2019 is set forth below:

(In thousands, except per share data)

2020

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter(a)

Fourth Quarter(a)

Total

Earnings 
Before 
Income 
Taxes

Revenues

Net 
Earnings

Basic 
Earnings 
Per Share

Diluted 
Earnings 
Per Share

$ 1,411,741  $  183,971  $  147,159  $ 

0.48  $ 

  1,330,349 

171,530 

134,748 

  1,368,673 

459,840 

356,676 

  1,395,025 

176,132 

141,505 

$ 5,505,788  $  991,473  $  780,088 

0.44 

1.17 

0.46 

0.47 

0.44 

1.16 

0.46 

(a) Third and Fourth quarter results include gains on sale of businesses of $217 million and $4 million, respectively, as further described in Note (9).

(In thousands, except per share data)

2019

First Quarter

Second Quarter(b)

Third Quarter(b)(c)

Fourth Quarter(b)(c)

Total

Earnings 
Before 
Income 
Taxes

Revenues

Net 
Earnings

Basic 
Earnings 
Per Share

Diluted 
Earnings 
Per Share

$ 1,389,877  $  206,376  $  166,219  $ 

0.51  $ 

  1,431,061 

154,123 

126,969 

  1,429,428 

102,312 

81,935 

  1,442,232 

191,701 

154,331 

$ 5,692,598  $  654,512  $  529,454 

0.40 

0.26 

0.49 

0.51 

0.39 

0.26 

0.49 

(b) Second through Fourth quarter results include pre-tax charges for employee separation costs of $41 million, $32 million and $13 million, respectively, as further described in Note (1).

(c) Third and Fourth quarter results include pre-tax charges for contract termination costs of $60 million and $6 million, respectively, as further described in Note (1).

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Stock price performance graph

In September 2020, FTSE Russell completed a migration to enhance its Industry Classification
Benchmark (ICB) framework. As a result, the ICB: 9533 Computer Services (Subsector) Index that
we included in our stock price performance graph in prior years was eliminated. We have now
included the equivalent ICB: 10101010 Computer Services (Subsector) Index from the newly enhanced
ICB structure.

The following graph presents a comparison of the cumulative total shareholder return on our
Common Stock with the cumulative total return of the ICB: 10101010 Computer Services
(Subsector) Index, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the NASDAQ US Benchmark
TR Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2015 in our Common
Stock and in each of the foregoing indices, and that all dividends were reinvested. The total
cumulative dollar returns shown on the graph represent the value that such investments would
have had on December 31, 2020.

Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

12/15

12/16

12/17

12/18

12/19

12/20

Cerner Corporation

ICB: 10101010 Computer Services (Subesector) Index  

Standard & Poor’s 500 Index

NASDAQ US Benchmark TR Index 

The information contained in this stock price performance graph section shall not be deemed to
be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by
reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

114

Corporate information   

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 investors.cerner.com or send a written request to:

Cerner Corporation 
Investor Relations
2800 Rock Creek 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 505000
Louisville, KY 40233-5000
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

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World Headquarters
Cerner Corporation
2800 Rock Creek Parkway
North Kansas City, MO USA 64117
816.221.1024

Worldwide 
with associates in

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
India
Ireland
Malaysia
Mexico

Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America

© 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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