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SPS Commerce

spsc · NASDAQ Technology
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FY2017 Annual Report · SPS Commerce
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2017

ANNUAL REPORT

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

SPS Commerce

333 South Seventh Street, Suite 1000 

Minneapolis, MN 55402 USA

Toll-free: (866) 245-8100 

Main: (612) 435-9400

BEIJING: +86 10 5940 1616

HONG KONG: +852 5808 6596

LONDON: +0 808 234 3866

MELBOURNE: +61 3 9847 7000

TORONTO: 888-550-8665

SYDNEY: +61 2 9657 1366

spscommerce.com

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:

2017 was a year of strong execution for SPS Commerce, in a retail market undergoing significant 
transition. We expanded our network as retailers and suppliers navigated the complexities of an 
omnichannel world and embraced our solutions to meet the changing demands of today’s consumers. 
We also continued to extend our market leadership by adding customers and increasing wallet share.  

The fourth quarter of 2017 represented our 68th consecutive quarter of revenue growth.

For the full year, revenue grew 14% to $220.6 million and recurring revenue grew 15%. We ended the 
year with approximately 25,800 recurring revenue customers, a 4% increase over last year and wallet 
share, or average revenue per recurring revenue customer, grew 10%.

As the retail sector continues to evolve in complexity, many retailers are now looking for real-time 
collaboration, inventory visibility and data which is critical to satisfy elevated consumer demands and 
realize efficiencies to address the high cost of doing business in the omnichannel world.  These trends 
are fueling the adoption of our broad suite of products. In 2017, we rolled out the next generation of our 
web fulfillment product, which moves beyond traditional Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and allows 
us to develop more strategic, consultative relationships with our customers by enhancing their ability to 
consult with SPS Commerce directly through the interface to address the needs of their trading 
partners.  

Other achievements in 2017 include:

.  

•   We expanded the size and strength of our retail network and now have over 75,000 
     customers and over 25,000 recurring revenue customers.

•   We continued to move up market and now have over 2,100 customers that pay us more than 
     $20,000 annually. 

•   Our leadership position continues to drive growth in our channel strategy and we are seeing
     an increase in customers integrating with us through our channel partners, including some of
     the largest global systems integrators. This year channel sales contributed 22% of all new
     business.  

•   We implemented a buyback program to repurchase up to $50 million of SPS Commerce
     shares.

As the retail industry continued to transition in 2017, we adapted our business model to ensure we 
continue executing and deliver strong profit growth while investing at an appropriate level in the busi-
ness relative to market dynamics. We believe in this state of transition, SPS Commerce can continue 
creating shareholder value with a focus on profitability.   

In closing, I am proud of our strong execution in 2017 and I want to thank all SPS Commerce 
employees for their continued execution and hard work. SPS Commerce has grown to be the largest 
retail platform to enable fully-orchestrated retailing across all channels and I am excited about our 
business and the multi-billion dollar opportunity in front of us. 

Archie Black
President and CEO    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
(cid:3) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended: December 31, 2017

or

(cid:4) 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 001-34702

SPS COMMERCE, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

41-2015127
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

333 South Seventh Street, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

(612) 435-9400
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
(Title of each class)

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq Global Market)
(Name of each exchange on which registered)

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  (cid:3)    No  (cid:4)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  (cid:4)    No  (cid:3)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the 
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 
days.    Yes  (cid:3)    No  (cid:4)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be 
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was 
required to submit and post such files).    Yes  (cid:3)    No  (cid:4)

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be 
contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment 
to this Form 10-K.  (cid:4)

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

Large Accelerated Filer

(cid:3)

Accelerated Filer

(cid:4)

Non-Accelerated Filer

(cid:4)

Smaller Reporting Company

(cid:2)(cid:4)

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 
12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).  Emerging growth company.  (cid:4)

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 provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  (cid:4)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  (cid:4)    No  (cid:3)

As of June 30, 2017, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of shares of the registrant’s 
common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based upon the closing sale price of $63.76 per share on the Nasdaq Global Market on such date) was 
approximately $1.1 billion.

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of February 9, 2018  was 17,250,664 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 31, 2018 (the “2018 Proxy Statement”), which is 
expected to be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K.

 
 
 
 
 
SPS COMMERCE, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.

Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures

PART II

Item 5.

Item 6.
Item 7.

Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.

Item 9A.
Item 9B.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial 
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information

PART III

Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

Item 13.
Item 14.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and 
Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services

PART IV

Item 15.
Item 16.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary

SIGNATURES

Page

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11
24
24
25
25

26
28
32

43
44

70
70
71

72
72
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements regarding us, our business prospects 
and our results of operations that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties posed by many factors and events that 
could cause our actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ materially from those that may be 
anticipated by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, 
but are not limited to, those described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this Annual Report on    
Form 10-K.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak 
only as of the date of this report.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following 
words: “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” 
“potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable 
terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words.  We expressly disclaim any intent or 
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events 
or otherwise.  Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report 
and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that advise interested parties of 
the risks and factors that may affect our business.

3

Item 1.

Business

Overview

PART I

We are a leading provider of cloud-based supply chain management solutions, providing network-proven 
fulfillment, sourcing and item assortment management solutions, along with comprehensive retail performance 
analytics to thousands of customers worldwide.  We provide our solutions through the SPS Commerce Platform, a 
cloud-based product suite that improves the way retailers, suppliers, distributors and logistics firms orchestrate the 
sourcing, set up of new vendors and items and fulfillment of products that consumers buy.  Implementing and 
maintaining this suite of supply chain management capabilities is resource intensive and not a core competency for 
most businesses.  The SPS Commerce Platform eliminates the need for on premise software and support staff, which 
enables our customers to focus their resources on their core business.  The SPS Commerce Platform enables 
retailers, suppliers, distributors and logistics firms to increase supply cycle agility, optimize inventory levels and 
sell-through, reduce costs, increase visibility into customer orders and ensure suppliers, distributors and logistics 
firms satisfy exacting retailer requirements.

As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 26,000 customers with contracts to pay us monthly fees, 

which we refer to as recurring revenue customers.  We have also generated revenues by providing our cloud-based 
supply chain management solutions to an additional 49,000 organizations that, together with our recurring revenue 
customers, we refer to as our customers.  Once connected to our Platform, our customers often require integrations 
to new organizations that represent an expansion of our Platform and new sources of revenues for us.

As a provider of cloud services, we enable our customers to easily interact with their trading partners around 
the world without the local implementation and servicing of software that traditional on-premise solutions require.  
Our delivery model also enables us to offer functionality, integration, analytics and reliability with less cost and risk 
than traditional solutions.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we generated revenues of $220.6 million, $193.3 

million and $158.5 million, respectively.  Our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017 represented our 68th 
consecutive quarter of increased revenues.  Recurring revenues from recurring revenue customers accounted for 
92.5%, 91.6% and 90.8% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  
Our revenues are not concentrated with any customer, as our largest customer represented less than 1.0% of total 
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 and less than 2.0% of total revenues for the years ended December 
31, 2016 and 2015.

Our Platform

We operate one of the largest retail trading partner networks through a cloud-based services suite that 

improves the way suppliers, retailers, logistics firms, distributors and other trading partners manage and fulfill 
orders, manage sell-through performance and source new items.  Approximately 75,000 customers across more than 
60 countries currently use our Platform to improve the performance of their trading relationships.  Our Platform 
fundamentally changes how organizations use electronic communication to manage their supply chains by replacing 
the collection of traditional, custom-built, point-to-point integrations with a network model whereby a single 
integration to our Platform enables an organization to connect seamlessly to the entire SPS Commerce network of 
trading partners.

From that single connection, a member of our network can make use of the full suite of our solutions, from 
fulfillment automation, to the analysis and optimization of item sell-through performance, to sourcing new items, 
retailing relationships or providers of logistics and other services.  This represents a fundamental change to 
fulfillment automation and enables inherent adaptability and flexibility not possible with traditional supply chain 
management system architectures.

Our Platform is comprised of a set of coupled cloud services that deliver value as stand-alone offerings, but 
also provide additional value when used collectively.  Our fulfillment product combines integrations that comply 
with numerous rule books for retailers and distributors with whom we and our customers have done business.  By 
maintaining current integrations with retailers, our Platform removes the need for a retailer’s trading partners to 
continually stay up-to-date with the rule book changes required by retailers.  Moreover, by utilizing a cloud services 

4

model, we eliminate or greatly reduce the burden on trading partners to support and maintain an on-premise 
software application, thereby reducing ongoing operating costs.  As the transaction hub for trading partners, we also 
are able to provide increased performance visibility and data analytics capabilities across their supply chains, each of 
which is difficult to gain from traditional, point-to-point integration solutions.

The following solutions are enabled through the SPS Commerce cloud services Platform:

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Trading Partner Community Enablement.  Our Community Enablement solution enables organizations, 
from large to small retailers and suppliers to emerging providers of value-added products and services, 
to verify that they can electronically trade with their trading partners.

Trading Partner Fulfillment.  Our Fulfillment solution provides fulfillment automation and replaces or 
augments an organization’s existing trading partner electronic communication infrastructure, enabling 
them to have visibility into the journey of an order and comply with retailers’ rule books and enabling 
the electronic exchange of information among numerous trading partners through various protocols.

Trading Partner Assortment. Today’s retail marketplace requires the management of tens and even 
hundreds of individual attributes associated with each item a retailer or supplier sells today.  This 
information can include supply chain descriptions and measurements, store and shelf dimensions, 
warehouse dimensions, digital images/video, customer facing descriptions and measurements, and 
warehouse information.  Our Assortment product provides robust, extensible management of this 
information, enabling accurate orders and rapid fulfillment.

Trading Partner Analytics.  Our Analytics solution consists of data analytics applications that enable 
our customers to improve their visibility across, and analysis of, their supply chains.  When focused on 
point-of-sale data, for example, retailers and suppliers can ensure inventory is located where demand is 
highest.  Retailers improve their visibility into supplier performance and their understanding of product 
sell-through.

Trading Partner Sourcing.  Through Retail Universe, our social network for the retail industry, retailers 
can source providers of new items, suppliers can connect with new retailers and the broader retailing 
community can make connections to expand their business networks and grow.

Other Trading Partner Solutions.  We provide a number of peripheral solutions such as barcode 
labeling, planogram services and our scan and pack application, which helps trading partners process 
information to streamline the picking and packaging process.

Our Customer and Sales Sources

As one of the largest providers of cloud services for supply chain management, the trading partner 

relationships that we enable among our retailer, supplier and fulfillment customers naturally lead to new customer 
acquisition opportunities.

“Network Effect”

Once connected to our network, trading partners can exchange electronic supply chain information with each 

other.  The value of our Platform increases with the number of trading partners connected to the Platform.  The 
addition of each new customer to our Platform enables that new customer to communicate with our existing 
customers and enables our existing customers to do business with the new customer.  Additionally, through our 
Sourcing product, our community now has a social network focused on facilitating connections and business 
interactions among retailers and suppliers.  This “network effect” of adding an additional customer to our Platform 
creates a significant opportunity for existing customers to realize incremental sales by working with our new trading 
partners and vice versa.  As a result of this increased volume of activity amongst our network participants, we earn 
additional revenues from these participants.

Customer Acquisition Sources

Community Enablement.  As retailers and suppliers reshape how they do business in an omnichannel 

landscape, they need to bring new capabilities and services to their trading partner networks.  For instance, a 

5

supplier may wish to collaborate with their retailers around point-of-sale analytics data, or a retailer may decide to 
change the workflow or protocol by which it interacts with its suppliers.  In each case, the supplier and retailer may 
engage us to work with its trading partner base to enable the new capability.  Performing these programs on behalf 
of retailers and suppliers often generates supplier sales leads for us.

Referrals from Our Customers.  We also receive sales leads from our customers seeking to communicate 
electronically with their trading partners.  For example, a supplier may refer to us its third-party logistics provider or 
manufacturer which is not in our network.

Channel Partners.  In addition to the customer acquisition sources identified above, we market and sell our 

solutions through a variety of channel partners including software providers, resellers, system integrators and 
logistics partners.  For example, software partners such as Microsoft, NetSuite, Oracle, SAP, Sage and their business 
partner communities generate sales for us as part of broader enterprise resource planning, warehouse management 
system and/or transportation management system sales efforts.  Our logistics partners also drive new sales both by 
providing leads and by embedding our solutions as part of their service offerings.

Our Sales Force

We also sell our solutions through a global sales force which is organized as follows:

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Retailer Sales.  We employ a team of sales professionals who focus on selling our cloud services suite 
to retailers and distributors.

Supplier Sales.  We employ a team of supplier sales representatives focused on selling our cloud 
services suite to suppliers.

Business Development Efforts.  Our business development organization is tasked with finding new 
sources of revenue and development of new business opportunities through channel partners and other 
areas that present opportunity for growth.

Our Growth Strategy

Our objective is to be the leading global provider of supply chain management solutions.  Key elements of our 

strategy include:

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(cid:129)

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Further Penetrate Our Current Market.  We believe the global supply chain management market is 
underpenetrated and, as the retail industry continues to respond to the changing requirements of the 
omnichannel marketplace, and as the supply chain ecosystem becomes more complex and 
geographically dispersed, the demand for supply chain management solutions will increase, especially 
among small- and medium-sized businesses.  We intend to continue leveraging our relationships with 
customers and their trading partners to obtain new sales leads.

Increase Revenues from Our Customer Base.  We believe our overall customer satisfaction is strong and 
will lead our customers to further expand their use of the solutions they have currently purchased as 
well as purchase additional services to continue improving the performance of their trading partner 
relationships, generating additional revenues for us.  We also expect to introduce new solutions to sell to 
our customers.  We believe our position as the incumbent supply chain management solution provider to 
our customers, our integration into our recurring revenue customers’ business systems and the modular 
nature of our Platform are conducive to deploying additional solutions with customers.

Expand Our Distribution Channels.  We intend to grow our business by expanding our network of sales 
representatives to gain new customers.  We also believe there are valuable opportunities to promote and 
sell our solutions through collaboration with other providers.

Expand Our International Presence.  We believe our presence in Asia Pacific, as well as Europe, 
represents a significant competitive advantage.  We plan to increase our international sales efforts to 
obtain new customers around the world.  We intend to leverage our current international presence to 
increase the number of integrations we have with retailers in foreign markets to make our Platform more 
valuable to their trading partners based overseas.

6

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Enhance and Expand Our Platform.  We intend to further improve and develop the functionality and 
features of our Platform, including, from time to time, developing new solutions and applications.

Selectively Pursue Strategic Acquisitions.  The fragmented nature of our market provides opportunity 
for selective acquisitions.  In 2014, we purchased substantially all of the assets of Leadtec Systems 
Australia Pty Ltd (“Leadtec”) and its affiliates, a privately-held provider of cloud-based integration 
solutions in Australia and New Zealand.  This acquisition expanded our base of recurring revenue 
customers and added suppliers to our network. In 2016, we purchased Toolbox Solutions, Inc. (Toolbox 
Solutions), a Canadian based point-of-sale analytics and category management services provider to 
retailers and consumer packaged goods suppliers in North America.  To complement and accelerate our 
internal growth, we may pursue acquisitions of other supply chain management companies to add 
customers or additional functionalities.  We plan to evaluate potential acquisitions of other supply chain 
management companies primarily based on the number of customers and revenue the acquisition would 
provide relative to the purchase price.  We also may pursue acquisitions that allow us to expand into 
regions where we do not have a significant presence or to offer new functionalities we do not currently 
provide.  We plan to evaluate potential acquisitions to expand into new regions or offer additional 
functionalities primarily based on the anticipated growth the acquisition would provide, the purchase 
price and our ability to integrate and operate the acquired business.

Technology, Development and Operations

Technology

We were an early provider of cloud services to the retail supply chain management industry, launching the 

first version of our Platform in 1997.  We use commercially available hardware and cloud services with a 
combination of proprietary and commercially available software.

Our cloud Platform treats all customers as logically separate tenants in a common Platform.  As a result, we 

spread the cost of delivering our solutions across our customer base.  Because we do not manage thousands of 
distinct applications with their own business logic and database schemes, we believe that we can scale our business 
faster than traditional software vendors, even those that modified their products to be accessible over the Internet.

Development

Our research and development efforts focus on maintaining, improving and enhancing our existing solutions, 
as well as developing new solutions and applications.  Our multi-tenant Platform serves all of our customers, which 
allows us to maintain relatively low research and development expenses and release software updates more 
frequently compared to traditional on-premise licensed software solutions that support multiple versions.  Our 
development efforts take place at our U.S. locations in Minnesota and New Jersey, as well as in Toronto, Canada 
and Kiev, Ukraine.

Operations

We operate our infrastructure in third-party data centers located in Minnesota and New Jersey; Melbourne, 

Australia; as well as provisioned services in public cloud providers.  In all cases, infrastructure and services are 
managed by us.

We have internal and third party monitoring software that continually checks our Platform and key underlying 
components for continuous availability and performance, ensuring our Platform is available and providing adequate 
service levels.  We have a technology operations team that provides system provisioning, management, 
maintenance, monitoring and back-up.

We operate a service architecture using industry best practices to insure multiple points of redundancy, high 

availability and scale as needed.  Our databases are replicated between locations with a defined recovery point 
objective.

7

Our Customers

As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 26,000 recurring revenue customers and approximately 

75,000 total customers.  Our primary source of revenue is from small- to mid-sized suppliers in the consumer 
packaged goods industry.  We also generate revenues from other members of the supply chain ecosystem, including 
retailers, distributors, third-party logistics providers and other trading partners.  Our revenues are not concentrated 
with any customer, as our largest customer represented less than 1.0% of total revenues for the year ended 
December 31, 2017 and less than 2.0% of total revenues for both the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Competition

Vendors in the supply chain management industry offer solutions through three delivery methods: on demand 

or cloud-based, traditional on-premise software and managed services.

The market for cloud-based supply chain management solutions is fragmented and rapidly evolving.  Cloud 

service vendors compete directly with each other based on the following:

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breadth of pre-built connections to retailers, third-party logistics providers, and other trading partners;

history of establishing and maintaining reliable integration connections with trading partners;

reputation of the cloud service vendor in the supply chain management industry;

price;

specialization in a customer market segment;

speed and quality with which the cloud service vendor can integrate its customers to their trading 
partners;

functionality of the cloud service solution, such as the ability to integrate the solution with a customer’s 
business systems;

breadth of complementary supply chain management solutions the cloud service vendor offers; and

training and customer support services provided during and after a customer’s initial integration.

We expect to encounter new and increased competition as this market segment consolidates and matures.  
Consolidation among cloud service vendors could create a direct competitor that is able to compete with us more 
effectively than the numerous, smaller vendors currently offering cloud service supply chain management solutions.  
Increased competition from cloud service vendors could reduce our market share, revenues, and operating margins 
or otherwise adversely affect our business.

Cloud service vendors also compete with traditional on-premise software companies and managed service 
providers.  Traditional on-premise software companies focused on supply chain integration management include 
IBM-Sterling Commerce and OpenText-GXS.  These companies offer a “do-it-yourself” approach in which 
customers purchase, install, and manage specialized software, hardware and value-added networks for their supply 
chain integration needs.  This approach requires customers to invest in staff to operate and maintain the software.  
Traditional on-premise software companies use a single-tenant approach in which information maps to retailers are 
built for and used by one supplier, as compared to cloud service solutions that allow multiple customers to share 
information maps with a retailer.

Managed service providers focused on the supply chain management market include IBM-Sterling Commerce 

and OpenText-GXS.  These companies combine traditional on-premise software, hardware and value-added 
networks with professional information technology services to manage these resources.  Like traditional on-premise 
software companies, managed service providers use a single-tenant approach.

Customers of traditional on-premise software companies and managed service providers typically make 

significant upfront investments in the supply chain management solutions these competitors provide, which can 
decrease the customers’ willingness to abandon their investments in favor of a cloud service solution.  Cloud service 
supply chain management solutions also are at a relatively early stage of development compared to traditional on-
premise software and managed service providers.  Cloud service vendors compete with these better established 

8

solutions based on total cost of ownership and flexibility.  If suppliers do not perceive the benefits of cloud service 
solutions, or if suppliers are unwilling to abandon their investments in other supply chain management solutions, our 
business and growth may suffer.  In addition, many traditional on-premise software companies and managed service 
providers have larger customer bases and may be better capitalized than we are, which may provide them with an 
advantage in developing, marketing or servicing solutions that compete with ours.

Intellectual Property and Proprietary Content

We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws as well as confidentiality procedures 

and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary technology and our brand.  We enter into confidentiality and 
proprietary rights agreements with our employees, consultants and other third parties and control access to software, 
documentation and other proprietary information.  We have registered trademarks and pending trademark 
applications in the U.S. and certain foreign countries.  Depending on the jurisdiction, trademarks are generally valid 
as long as they are in use or their registrations are properly maintained and they have not been found to have become 
generic.  Registrations of trademarks can also generally be renewed indefinitely as long as the trademarks are in use.  
We do not have any patents, but we have pending patent applications.  Our trade secrets consist primarily of the 
software we have developed for our SPS Commerce Platform.  Our software is also protected under copyright law, 
but we do not have any registered copyrights.

Employees

As of December 31, 2017, we had 1,336 employees.  We also employ independent contractors to support our 
operations.  We believe that our continued success will depend on our ability to continue to attract and retain skilled 
technical and sales personnel.  We have never had a work stoppage, and none of our employees are represented by a 
labor union.  We believe our relationship with our employees is good.

Company Information

We were originally incorporated as St. Paul Software, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, on January 28, 1987.  On 

May 30, 2001, we reincorporated in Delaware under our current name, SPS Commerce, Inc.  Our principal 
executive offices are located at 333 South Seventh Street, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, and our 
telephone number is (612) 435-9400.  Our website address is www.spscommerce.com.  Information on our website 
does not constitute part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report we file or furnish with the SEC.  
We provide free access to various reports that we file with or furnish to the SEC through our website as soon as 
reasonably practicable after they have been filed or furnished.  These reports include, but are not limited to, our 
Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any 
amendments to these reports.  Our SEC reports can be accessed through the investor relations section of our website 
or through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.  Stockholders may also request copies of these documents from:

SPS Commerce, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
333 South Seventh Street
Suite 1000
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Executive Officers

Set forth below are the names, ages and titles of the persons serving as our executive officers.

Name
Archie C. Black
Kimberly K. Nelson
James J. Frome

Age
55
50
53

Position
  Chief Executive Officer and President
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Archie C. Black has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and a director since 2001.  

Previously, Mr. Black served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1998 to 2001.  Prior to 
joining us, Mr. Black was a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Investment Advisors, Inc. in 
Minneapolis, Minnesota and also spent three years at Price Waterhouse.

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Kimberly K. Nelson has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since November 

2007.  Prior to joining us, Ms. Nelson served as the Finance Director, Investor Relations for Amazon.com from June 
2005 through November 2007 and as the Finance Director, Worldwide Application for Amazon.com’s Technology 
group from April 2003 until June 2005.  Ms. Nelson also served as Amazon.com’s Finance Director, Financial 
Planning and Analysis from December 2000 until April 2003.

James J. Frome has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since August 2012.  

Previously, Mr. Frome served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer from March 2001 to 
August 2012 and our Vice President of Marketing from July 2000 to March 2001.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Frome 
served as a Divisional Vice President of Marketing at Sterling Software, Inc. from 1999 to 2000 and as a Senior 
Product Manager and Director of Product Management at Information Advantage, Inc. from 1993 to 1999.

10

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Set forth below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in other documents we file with the 

SEC, are risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results 
contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other written 
and oral communications from time to time.  Our business could be harmed by any of these risks.  The trading price 
of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks.  In assessing these risks, you should also refer to the 
other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements and related 
notes.

If we are unable to attract new customers, or sell additional solutions, or if our customers do not increase 
their use of our solutions, our revenue growth and profitability will be adversely affected.

To increase our revenues and achieve and maintain profitability, we must regularly add new customers, sell 
additional solutions and our customers must increase their use of the solutions for which they currently subscribe.  
We intend to grow our business by retaining and attracting talent, developing strategic relationships with resellers, 
including resellers that incorporate our applications in their offerings, and increasing our marketing activities.  If we 
are unable to hire or retain quality personnel, convert companies that have been referred to us by our existing 
network into paying customers, ensure the effectiveness of our marketing programs, or if our existing or new 
customers do not perceive our solutions to be of sufficiently high value and quality, we might not be able to increase 
sales and our operating results will be adversely affected.  If we fail to sell our new solutions to existing or new 
customers, we will not generate anticipated revenues from these solutions, our operating results will suffer and we 
might be unable to grow our revenues or maintain profitability.

We do not have long-term contracts with most of our recurring revenue customers, and our success therefore 
depends on our ability to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and a strong reputation in the supply 
chain management industry.

Our contracts with our recurring revenue customers typically allow the customer to cancel the contract for any 

reason with 30 to 90 days’ notice.  Our continued success therefore depends significantly on our ability to meet or 
exceed our recurring revenue customers’ expectations because most recurring revenue customers do not make long-
term commitments to use our solutions.  In addition, if our reputation in the supply chain management industry is 
harmed or diminished for any reason, our recurring revenue customers have the ability to terminate their relationship 
with us on short notice and seek alternative supply chain management solutions.  We may also not be able to 
accurately predict future trends in customer renewals, and our customers’ renewal rates may decline or fluctuate 
because of several factors, including their dissatisfaction with our services, the cost of our services compared to the 
cost of services offered by our competitors and reductions in our customers’ spending levels.  If a significant number 
of recurring revenue customers seek to terminate their relationship with us, our business, results of operations and 
financial condition can be adversely affected in a short period of time.

Our quarterly results of operations may fluctuate in the future, which could result in volatility in our stock 
price.

Our quarterly revenues and results of operations have varied in the past and may fluctuate as a result of a 
variety of factors, including the success of our more recent offerings such as our Trading Partner Analytics solution.  
If our quarterly revenues or results of operations fluctuate, the price of our common stock could decline 
substantially.  Fluctuations in our results of operations may be due to a number of factors, including, but not limited 
to, those listed below and identified throughout this “Risk Factors” section:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

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our ability to retain and increase sales to customers and attract new customers, including our ability to 
maintain and increase our number of recurring revenue customers;

the timing and success of introductions of new solutions or upgrades by us or our competitors;

the strength of the economy, in particular as it affects the retail sector;

the financial condition of our customers;

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(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

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changes in our pricing policies or those of our competitors;

competition, including entry into the industry by new competitors and new offerings by existing 
competitors;

the amount and timing of our expenses, including stock-based compensation and expenditures related to 
expanding our operations, supporting new customers, performing research and development, or 
introducing new solutions;

changes in the payment terms for our solutions; and

system or service failures, security breaches or network downtime.

Due to the foregoing factors, and the other risks discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, you should 

not rely on comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of our future performance.

Interruptions or delays from third-party data centers could impair the delivery of our solutions and our 
business could suffer.

We use third-party data centers, located in Minnesota, New Jersey and Melbourne, as well as provision 
services in public cloud providers, to conduct our operations.  In all cases, infrastructure and services on which our 
Platform runs is managed by us.  Our operations depend on the protection of the equipment and information we 
store in these third-party centers against damage or service interruptions that may be caused by fire, flood, severe 
storm, power loss, telecommunications failures, natural disasters, war, criminal act, military action, terrorist attack 
and other similar events beyond our control.  In addition, third party malfeasance, such as intentional misconduct by 
computer hackers, unauthorized intrusions, computer viruses or denial of service attacks, may also cause substantial 
service disruptions.  A prolonged service disruption affecting our solutions for any of the foregoing reasons could 
damage our reputation with current and potential customers, expose us to liability, cause us to lose recurring revenue 
customers or otherwise adversely affect our business.  We may also incur significant costs for using alternative 
equipment or taking other actions in preparation for, or in reaction to, events that damage the data centers we use.

Our cloud-based supply chain management solutions are accessed by a large number of customers at the same 
time.  As we continue to expand the number of our customers and solutions available to our customers, we may not 
be able to scale our technology to accommodate the increased capacity requirements, which may result in 
interruptions or delays in service.  In addition, the failure of our third-party data centers to meet our capacity 
requirements could result in interruptions or delays in our solutions or impede our ability to scale our operations.  In 
the event that our data center arrangements are terminated, or there is a lapse of service or damage to such facilities, 
we could experience interruptions in our solutions as well as delays and additional expense in arranging new 
facilities and services.

Our industry is a prime target for those that seek to steal confidential information and computer malware, 
viruses, hacking and phishing attacks, and spamming could harm our business and cause us to lose the 
confidence of our users, which could significantly impact our business and results of operations.

As demonstrated by recent material and high-profile data security breaches within the retail industry, 

computer malware, viruses, and computer hacking and phishing attacks have become more prevalent in our industry, 
have occurred on our systems in the past, and may occur on our systems in the future.  Furthermore, given the 
interconnected nature of the retail supply chain and our significant presence in the retail industry, we believe that we 
are a particularly attractive target for such attacks.  In addition, our connection to the retail industry could present the 
opportunity for an attack on our system to serve as a way to obtain access into our users’ systems, which could have 
a material adverse effect on our financial condition and growth prospectus.  Businesses in our industry have 
experienced material sales declines after discovering data breaches, and our business could be similarly impacted.  
The security costs to reduce the likelihood of an attack are high and may continue to increase.  Reputational value is 
based in large part on perceptions of subjective qualities.  While reputations may take decades to build, any negative 
incidents can quickly erode trust and confidence, particularly if they result in adverse mainstream and social media 
publicity, governmental investigations or litigation.  Though it is difficult to determine what, if any, harm may 
directly result from any specific interruption or attack, any failure to maintain performance, reliability, security and 
availability of our products and technical infrastructure to the satisfaction of our users may harm our reputation, 
impair our ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers and expose us to legal claims and 
government action, each of which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of 
operations and growth prospects.

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A failure to protect the integrity and security of our customers’ information and access to our customers’ 
information systems could expose us to litigation, materially damage our reputation and harm our business, 
and the costs of preventing such a failure could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our business involves the collection and use of confidential information of our customers and their trading 

partners.  The collection and use of this information sometimes requires our direct access to our customers’ 
information systems.  We cannot assure you that our efforts to protect this confidential information and access will 
be successful.  Our security measures may be breached as a result of third-party action, including intentional 
misconduct by computer hackers, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise and result in someone obtaining 
unauthorized access to our customers’ data or our data, including our intellectual property and other confidential 
business information, or our IT systems.  Additionally, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees 
or customers into disclosing sensitive information such as user names, passwords or other information in order to 
gain access to our customers’ data or our data or IT systems.  Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized 
access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, 
we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures.  Malicious third-
parties may also conduct attacks designed to temporarily deny customers access to our services.

If any compromise of this information security were to occur, or if we fail to detect and appropriately respond 

to a significant data security breach, we could be subject to legal claims and government action, experience an 
adverse effect on our reputation and need to incur significant additional costs to protect against similar information 
security breaches in the future, each of which could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations 
and growth prospects.  Litigation resulting from such claims may be costly, time-consuming and distracting to 
management.  In addition, because of the critical nature of data security, any perceived breach of our security 
measures could cause existing or potential customers not to use our solutions and could harm our reputation.

We may experience service failures or interruptions due to defects in the hardware, software, infrastructure, 
third party components or processes that comprise our existing or new solutions, any of which could 
adversely affect our business.

Technology solutions as complex as ours may contain undetected defects in the hardware, software, 

infrastructure, third party components or processes that are part of the solutions we provide.  If these defects lead to 
service failures, we could experience delays or lost revenues, diversion of software engineering resources, material 
non-monetary concessions, negative media attention or increased service costs as a result of performance claims 
during the period required to correct the cause of the defects.  We cannot be certain that defects will not be found in 
new solutions or upgraded solutions, resulting in loss of, or delay in, market acceptance, which could have an 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Because customers use our cloud-based supply chain management solutions for critical business processes, 
any defect in our solutions, any disruption to our solutions or any error in execution could cause recurring revenue 
customers to cancel their contracts with us, prevent potential customers from joining our network and harm our 
reputation.  Although most of our contracts with our customers limit our liability to our customers for these defects, 
disruptions or errors, we nonetheless could be subject to litigation for actual or alleged losses to our customers’ 
businesses, which may require us to spend significant time and money in litigation or arbitration or to pay significant 
settlements or damages.  We do not currently maintain any warranty reserves.  Defending a lawsuit, regardless of its 
merit, could be costly and divert management’s attention and could cause our business to suffer.

The insurers under our existing liability insurance policy could deny coverage of a future claim that results 

from an error or defect in our technology or a resulting disruption in our solutions, or our existing liability insurance 
might not be adequate to cover all of the damages and other costs of such a claim.  Moreover, we cannot assure you 
that our current liability insurance coverage will continue to be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.  The 
successful assertion against us of one or more large claims that exceeds our insurance coverage, or the occurrence of 
changes in our liability insurance policy, including an increase in premiums or imposition of large deductible or co-
insurance requirements, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.  
Even if we succeed in litigation with respect to a claim, we are likely to incur substantial costs and our 
management’s attention will be diverted from our operations.

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Our business is dependent on our ability to maintain and scale our technical infrastructure, and any failure to 
effectively maintain and grow our technical infrastructure service could damage our reputation, result in a 
potential loss of users and engagement, and adversely affect our financial results. 

Our reputation and ability to attract, retain and serve our customers is dependent upon the reliable 

performance of our Platform and our underlying technical infrastructure.  As our user base and the amount and types 
of information shared on our Platform continue to grow, we will need an increasing amount of technical 
infrastructure, including network capacity and computing power, to continue to satisfy the needs of our users.  It is 
possible that we may fail to effectively scale and grow our technical infrastructure to accommodate these increased 
demands.  Any failure to effectively maintain and grow our technical infrastructure could damage our reputation, 
result in a potential loss of users and engagement, and adversely affect our financial results.

Our inability to adapt to rapid technological change could impair our ability to remain competitive.

The industry in which we compete is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent introductions of 

new products and evolving industry standards.  Existing products can become obsolete and unmarketable when 
vendors introduce products utilizing new technologies or new industry standards emerge, and as a result, it is 
difficult for us to estimate the life cycles of our products.  Our ability to attract new customers and increase revenues 
from customers will depend in significant part on our ability to anticipate industry standards and to continue to 
enhance existing solutions or introduce or acquire new solutions on a timely basis to keep pace with technological 
developments.  The success of any enhancement or new solution depends on several factors, including the timely 
completion, introduction and market acceptance of the enhancement or solution.  Any new solution we develop or 
acquire might not be introduced in a timely or cost-effective manner and might not achieve the broad market 
acceptance necessary to generate significant revenues.  If any of our competitors implement new technologies before 
we are able to implement them, those competitors may be able to provide more effective solutions than ours at lower 
prices.  Any delay or failure in the introduction of new or enhanced solutions could adversely affect our business, 
results of operations and financial condition.

If we fail to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights adequately, our business could be 
adversely affected.

We believe that proprietary technology is essential to establishing and maintaining our leadership position.  

We seek to protect our intellectual property through trade secrets, copyrights, confidentiality, non-compete and 
nondisclosure agreements, trademarks, domain names and other measures, some of which afford only limited 
protection.  We do not have any patents or registered copyrights.  Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary 
rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our technology or to obtain and use information that we 
regard as proprietary.  We cannot assure you that our means of protecting our proprietary rights will be adequate or 
that our competitors will not independently develop similar or superior technology or design around our intellectual 
property.  In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as 
the laws of the U.S.  Intellectual property protections may also be unavailable, limited or difficult to enforce in some 
countries, which could make it easier for competitors to capture market share.  Our failure to protect adequately our 
intellectual property and proprietary rights could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of 
operations.

An assertion by a third party that we are infringing its intellectual property could subject us to costly and 
time-consuming litigation or expensive licenses and our business might be harmed.

The Internet supply chain management and technology industries are characterized by the existence of a large 

number of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets and by frequent litigation based on allegations of 
infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights.  As we seek to extend our solutions, we could be 
constrained by the intellectual property rights of others.

We might not prevail in any intellectual property infringement litigation given the complex technical issues 

and inherent uncertainties in such litigation.  Defending such claims, regardless of their merit, could be time-
consuming and distracting to management, result in costly litigation or settlement, cause development delays, 
require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements or require us to redesign our products to avoid infringement.  
If our solutions violate any third-party proprietary rights, we could be required to withdraw those solutions from the 

14

market, re-develop those solutions or seek to obtain licenses from third parties, which might not be available on 
reasonable terms or at all.  Any efforts to re-develop our solutions, obtain licenses from third parties on favorable 
terms or license a substitute technology might not be successful and, in any case, might substantially increase our 
costs and harm our business, financial condition and operating results.  Withdrawal of any of our solutions from the 
market might harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

In addition, we incorporate open source software into our Platform.  Given the nature of open source software, 

third parties might assert copyright and other intellectual property infringement claims against us based on our use 
of certain open source software programs.  The terms of many open source licenses to which we are subject have not 
been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts, and there is a risk that those licenses could be construed in a manner that 
imposes unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to commercialize our solutions.  In that event, we 
could be required to seek licenses from third parties in order to continue offering our solutions, to re-develop our 
solutions or to discontinue sales of our solutions, or to release our proprietary software code under the terms of an 
open source license, any of which could adversely affect our business.

Our new products and changes to existing products could fail to attract or retain users or generate revenue.

Our ability to retain, increase and engage our customers and to increase our revenues will depend heavily on 

our ability to create successful new products.  We may introduce significant changes to our existing products or 
develop and introduce new and unproven products which include or use technologies with which we have little or no 
prior development or operating experience.  If new or enhanced products fail to engage customers, we may fail to 
attract or retain customers or to generate sufficient revenues, operating margin, or other value to justify our 
investments and our business may be adversely affected.  In the future, we may invest in new products and 
initiatives to generate revenue, but there is no guarantee these approaches will be successful.  If we are not 
successful with new approaches to monetization, we may not be able to maintain or grow our revenues as 
anticipated or recover any associated development costs and our financial results could be adversely affected.

Our software is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors, our business could be adversely 
affected.

Our products incorporate software that is highly technical and complex.  Our software has contained, and may 

now or in the future contain, undetected errors, bugs or vulnerabilities.  Some errors in our software code may only 
be discovered after the code has been released.  Any defects or errors discovered in our code after release could 
result in damage to our reputation, loss of customers, loss of revenue or liability for damages, any of which could 
adversely affect our business and financial results.

The market for cloud-based supply chain management solutions is at an early stage of development.  If this 
market does not develop or develops more slowly than we expect, our revenues may decline or fail to grow 
and we may incur operating losses.

We derive, and expect to continue to derive, substantially all of our revenues from providing cloud-based 
supply chain management solutions to suppliers, retailers, distributors and logistics firms.  The market for cloud-
based supply chain management solutions is in an early stage of development, and it is uncertain whether these 
solutions will achieve and sustain high levels of demand and market acceptance.  Our success will depend on the 
willingness of retailers and their trading partners to accept our cloud-based supply chain management solutions as an 
alternative to traditional licensed hardware and software solutions.

Some suppliers, retailers, distributors, or logistics firms may be reluctant or unwilling to use our cloud-based 

supply chain management solutions for a number of reasons, including existing investments in supply chain 
management technology.  Supply chain management functions traditionally have been performed using purchased or 
licensed hardware and software implemented by each supplier.  Because this traditional approach often requires 
significant initial investments to purchase the necessary technology and to establish systems that comply with 
retailers’ unique requirements, suppliers may be unwilling to abandon their current solutions for our cloud-based 
supply chain management solutions.

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Other factors that may limit market acceptance of our cloud-based supply chain management solutions 

include:

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our ability to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction;

our ability to maintain continuity of service for all users of our Platform;

the price, performance and availability of competing solutions; and

our ability to assuage suppliers’ confidentiality concerns about information stored outside of their 
controlled computing environments.

If retailers and their trading partners do not perceive the benefits of our cloud-based supply chain management 

solutions, or if retailers and their trading partners are unwilling to accept our Platform as an alternative to the 
traditional approach, the market for our solutions might not continue to develop or might develop more slowly than 
we expect, either of which would significantly adversely affect our revenues and growth prospects.

Privacy concerns and laws, evolving regulation of cloud computing, cross-border data transfer restrictions 
and other domestic or foreign regulations may limit the use and adoption of our solutions and adversely 
affect our business.

Regulation related to the provision of services on the Internet is increasing, as federal, state and foreign 

governments continue to adopt new laws and regulations addressing data privacy and the collection, processing, 
storage and use of personal information.  In some cases foreign data privacy laws and regulations, such as the 
European Union’s Data Protection Directive, and the country-specific regulations that implement that directive, also 
govern the processing of personal information.  Further, laws are increasingly aimed at the use of personal 
information for marketing purposes, such as the European Union’s e-Privacy Directive, and the country-specific 
regulations that implement that directive.  Such laws and regulations are subject to differing interpretations and may 
be inconsistent among jurisdictions.  These and other requirements could reduce demand for our solutions or restrict 
our ability to store and process data or, in some cases, impact our ability to offer our services and solutions in certain 
locations.

In addition to government activity, privacy advocacy and other industry groups have established or may 

establish new self-regulatory standards that may place additional burdens on us.  Our customers may expect us to 
meet voluntary certification or other standards established by third parties.  If we are unable to maintain these 
certifications or meet these standards, it could adversely affect our ability to provide our solutions to certain 
customers and could harm our business.

The costs of compliance with and other burdens imposed by laws, regulations and standards may limit the use 
and adoption of our services and reduce overall demand for them, or lead to significant fines, penalties or liabilities 
for any noncompliance.

Furthermore, concerns regarding data privacy may cause our customers’ customers to resist providing the data 

necessary to allow our customers to use our service effectively.  Even the perception that the privacy of personal 
information is not satisfactorily protected or does not meet regulatory requirements could inhibit sales of our 
products or services, and could limit adoption of our cloud-based solutions.

Evolving regulation of the Internet may increase our expenditures related to compliance efforts, which may 
adversely affect our financial condition.

As Internet commerce continues to evolve, increasing regulation by federal, state or foreign agencies becomes 

more likely.  We are particularly sensitive to these risks because the Internet is a critical component of our cloud-
based business model.  For example, we believe that increased regulation is likely in the area of data privacy, and 
laws and regulations applying to the solicitation, collection, processing or use of personal or consumer information 
could affect our customers’ ability to use and share data, potentially reducing demand for solutions accessed via the 
Internet and restricting our ability to store, process and share data with our clients via the Internet.  In addition, 
taxation of services provided over the Internet or other charges imposed by government agencies or by private 
organizations for accessing the Internet may be imposed.  Any regulation imposing greater fees for Internet use or 
restricting information exchange over the Internet could result in a decline in the use of the Internet and the viability 
of Internet-based services, which could harm our business.

16

Industry-specific regulation is evolving and unfavorable industry-specific laws, regulations or interpretive 
positions could harm our business.

Our customers and potential customers do business in a variety of industries.  Regulators in certain industries 
have adopted and may in the future adopt regulations or interpretive positions regarding the use of cloud computing 
and other outsourced services.  The costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, industry-specific laws, 
regulations and interpretive positions may limit customers’ use and adoption of our services and reduce overall 
demand for our services.  In addition, an inability to satisfy the standards of certain voluntary third-party 
certification bodies that our customers may expect may have an adverse impact on our business.  If in the future we 
are unable to achieve or maintain these industry-specific certifications or other requirements or standards relevant to 
our customers, it may harm our business.

In some cases, industry-specific laws, regulations or interpretive positions may also apply directly to us as a 
service provider.  Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with such requirements could have an adverse 
impact on our business.

We rely on third party infrastructure, software and services that could take a significant time to replace or 
upgrade.

We rely on infrastructure, software and services licensed from third parties to offer our cloud-based supply 

chain management solutions.  This infrastructure, software and services, as well as maintenance rights for this 
infrastructure, software and services, may not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at 
all.  If we lose the right to use or upgrade any of these licenses, our customers could experience delays or be unable 
to access our solutions until we can obtain and integrate equivalent technology.  There might not always be 
commercially reasonable hardware or software alternatives to the third-party infrastructure, software and services 
that we currently license.  Any such alternatives could be more difficult or costly to replace than the third-party 
infrastructure, software and services we currently license, and integration of the alternatives into our Platform could 
require significant work and substantial time and resources.  Any delays or failures associated with our Platform 
could injure our reputation with customers and potential customers and result in an adverse effect on our business, 
results of operations and financial condition.

We may pursue acquisitions and our potential inability to successfully integrate newly acquired companies or 
businesses could adversely affect our financial results.

We may pursue acquisitions of other companies or their businesses in the future.  If we complete acquisitions, 

we face many risks commonly encountered with growth through acquisitions.  These risks include:

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incurring significantly higher than anticipated capital expenditures and operating expenses;

failing to assimilate the operations, customers, and personnel of the acquired company or business;

disrupting our ongoing business;

dissipating our management resources;

dilution to existing stockholders from the issuance of equity securities;

liabilities or other problems associated with the acquired business;

incurring debt on terms unfavorable to us or that we are unable to repay;

becoming subject to adverse tax consequences, substantial depreciation or deferred compensation 
charges;

improper compliance with laws and regulations;

failing to maintain uniform standards, controls and policies; and

impairing relationships with employees and customers as a result of changes in management.

Fully integrating an acquired company or business into our operations may take a significant amount of time.  
We cannot assure you that we will be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered with 

17

acquisitions.  To the extent we do not successfully avoid or overcome the risks or problems related to any 
acquisitions, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.  Future acquisitions also 
could impact our financial position and capital needs, and could cause substantial fluctuations in our quarterly and 
yearly results of operations.  Acquisitions could include significant goodwill and intangible assets, which may result 
in future impairment charges that would reduce our stated earnings.

Because our long-term success depends, in part, on our ability to expand the sales of our solutions to 
customers located outside of the U.S., our business will be susceptible to risks associated with international 
operations.

We have limited experience operating in foreign jurisdictions.  Customers in countries outside of North 
America accounted for 6.0% of our revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively.  In 2014, we purchased substantially all of the assets of Leadtec, a privately-held provider of cloud-
based integration solutions in Australia and New Zealand and in 2016, we acquired all the shares of Toolbox 
Solutions, Inc., a privately-held provider of cloud-based analytic solutions, which is based in Canada.  We also 
undertake software development activities in the Ukraine.  Our inexperience in operating our business outside of 
North America increases the risk that our current and any future international expansion efforts will not be 
successful.  Conducting international operations subjects us to new risks that, generally, we have not faced in the 
U.S., including:

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fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

unexpected changes in foreign regulatory requirements;

longer accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;

difficulties in managing and staffing international operations;

differing technology standards;

potentially adverse tax consequences, including the complexities of foreign value added tax systems and 
restrictions on the repatriation of earnings;

localization of our solutions, including translation into foreign languages and associated expenses;

the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and different legal standards, including 
laws and regulations related to privacy;

increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;

political, social and economic instability abroad, terrorist attacks and security concerns in general; 

greater potential for corruption and bribery; and

reduced or varied protection for intellectual property rights in some countries.

The occurrence of any one of these risks could negatively affect our international business and, consequently, 

our results of operations generally.  Additionally, operating in international markets also requires significant 
management attention and financial resources.  We cannot be certain that the investment and additional resources 
required in establishing, acquiring or integrating operations in other countries will produce desired levels of 
revenues or profitability.

In addition, we operate in parts of the world, such as Ukraine, that are recognized as having governmental 
corruption problems to some degree and where local customs and practices may not foster strict compliance with 
anti-corruption laws.  Our continued operation and potential expansion outside the U.S. could increase the risk of 
such violations in the future.  Despite our training and compliance programs, we cannot assure you that our internal 
control policies and procedures will protect us from unauthorized reckless or criminal acts committed by our 
employees or agents.  In the event that we believe or have reason to believe that our employees or agents have or 
may have violated applicable anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, we may be 
required to investigate or have outside counsel investigate the relevant facts and circumstances, which can be 
expensive and require significant time and attention from senior management.  Violations of these laws may result 
in severe criminal or civil sanctions, which could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on our 
reputation, business, results of operations or financial condition.

18

The use of open source software in our products may expose us to additional risks and harm our intellectual 
property. 

Some of our products use or incorporate software that is subject to one or more open source licenses.  Open 

source software is typically freely accessible, usable and modifiable.  Certain open source software licenses require 
a user who intends to distribute the open source software as a component of the user’s software to disclose publicly 
part or all of the source code to the user’s software.  In addition, certain open source software licenses require the 
user of such software to make any derivative works of the open source code available to others on unfavorable terms 
or at no cost.  This can subject previously proprietary software to open source license terms.  Furthermore, if we fail 
to comply with these licenses, we may be subject to certain conditions, including requirements that we offer our 
services that incorporate the open source software for no cost, that we make available source code for modifications 
or derivative works we create based upon, incorporating or using the open source software and that we license such 
modifications or alterations under the terms of the particular open source license. If an author or third party that 
distributes such open source software were to allege that we had not complied with the conditions of one or more of 
these licenses, we could be required to incur significant legal expenses defending against such allegations and could 
be subject to significant damages, enjoined from the sale of our services that contained the open source software and 
required to comply with the foregoing conditions, which could disrupt the distribution and sale of some of our 
services.

While we monitor the use of all open source software in our products, processes and technology and try to 

ensure that no open source software is used in such a way as to require us to disclose the source code to the related 
product or solution, such use could inadvertently occur.  Additionally, if a third-party software provider has 
incorporated certain types of open source software into software we license from such third party for our products 
and solutions, we could, under certain circumstances, be required to disclose the source code to our products and 
solutions.  This could harm our intellectual property position and have a material adverse effect on our business, 
results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.

Our operations may be adversely affected by ongoing developments in Ukraine.

The political and civil situation in Ukraine cannot be accurately predicted since the removal of President  
Yanukovych from power by the Ukrainian parliament in late February 2014, which was followed by reports of 
Russian military activity in the Crimean region.  Ukraine’s political activities remain fluid and beyond our control.  
We also cannot predict the outcome of developments there or the reaction to such developments by U.S., European, 
U.N. or other international authorities.

We currently engage in software development activities in the Ukraine and have an office in Kiev with 64 
employees.  We continue to monitor the situation closely.  Prolonged or expanded unrest, military activities, or 
broad-based sanctions, should they be implemented, could have a material adverse effect on our operations

We have incurred operating losses in the past and may incur operating losses in the future.

We began operating our supply chain management solution business in 1997.  Throughout most of our history, 

we have experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations.  As of December 31, 2017, we had an 
accumulated deficit of $19.9 million.  We expect our operating expenses to continue to increase in the future as we 
expand our operations and increase our customer base due to expected increased sales and marketing expenses, 
operations costs, research and development costs and general and administration costs.  If our revenues do not 
continue to grow to offset these increased expenses, we may not be profitable.  We cannot assure you that we will be 
able to maintain profitability.  You should not consider recent revenue growth as indicative of our future 
performance.  In fact, in future periods, we may not have any revenue growth, or our revenues could decline.  In 
addition, our ability to achieve profitability is subject to a number of the risks and uncertainties discussed herein, 
many of which are beyond our control.

Our ability to use our U.S. net operating loss carryforwards might be limited.

As of December 31, 2017, we had net operating loss carryforwards of $58.5 million for U.S. federal tax 
purposes.  We also had $10.6 million of various state net operating loss carryforwards.  The net operating loss 
carryforwards for federal tax purposes will expire between 2020 and 2036 if not utilized.  The net operating loss 

19

carryforwards for state tax purposes will expire between 2018 and 2036 if not utilized.  To the extent these net 
operating loss carryforwards are available, we intend to use them to reduce the corporate income tax liability 
associated with our operations.  Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code generally imposes an annual 
limitation on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that might be used to offset taxable income when a 
corporation has undergone significant changes in stock ownership.  We have performed a Section 382 analysis for 
the time period from our inception through December 8, 2010.  During this time period it was determined that we 
had six separate ownership changes under Section 382.  We have not updated the Section 382 analysis subsequent to 
December 8, 2010; however, we believe there have not been any events subsequent to that date that would 
materially impact the analysis.  We believe that approximately $17.6 million of federal losses will expire unused due 
to Section 382 limitations.  The maximum annual limitation of federal net operating losses under Section 382 is 
approximately $1.0 million.  This limitation could be further restricted if any ownership changes occur in future 
years.  To the extent our use of net operating loss carryforwards is significantly limited, our taxable income could be 
subject to corporate income tax earlier than it would if we were able to use net operating loss carryforwards, which 
could result in lower profits.

U.S. federal income tax reform could adversely affect us.

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the statute commonly referred to as the “Tax Cuts 

and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) which enacts a broad range of changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  
The new legislation, among other things, includes changes to U.S. federal tax rates, imposes significant additional 
limitations on the deductibility of interest, allows for the expensing of capital expenditures and puts into effect the 
migration from a ‘worldwide” system of taxation to a territorial system.  We do not expect tax reform to have a 
material impact to our projection of minimal cash taxes or to our net operating loss carryforward.  Our net deferred 
tax assets and liabilities have been revalued at the newly enacted U.S. corporate rate and the impact has been 
recognized in our tax expense in 2017.  We continue to examine the impact this tax reform legislation may have on 
our business.

The markets in which we participate are highly competitive, and our failure to compete successfully would 
make it difficult for us to add and retain customers and would reduce or impede the growth of our business.

The markets for supply chain management solutions are increasingly competitive and global.  We expect 
competition to increase in the future both from existing competitors and new companies that may enter our markets.  
Increased competition could result in pricing pressure, reduced sales, lower margins or the failure of our solutions to 
achieve or maintain broad market acceptance.  We face competition from:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

cloud service providers that deliver business-to-business information systems using a multi-tenant 
approach;

traditional on-premise software providers; and

managed service providers that combine traditional on-premise software with professional information 
technology services.

To remain competitive, we will need to invest continuously in software development, marketing, customer 
service and support and product delivery infrastructure.  However, we cannot assure you that new or established 
competitors will not offer solutions that are superior to or lower in price than ours.  We may not have sufficient 
resources to continue the investments in all areas of software development and marketing needed to maintain our 
competitive position.  In addition, some of our competitors are better capitalized than us, which may provide them 
with an advantage in developing, marketing or servicing new solutions.  Increased competition could reduce our 
market share, revenues and operating margins, increase our costs of operations and otherwise adversely affect our 
business.

Mergers or other strategic transactions involving our competitors could weaken our competitive position, 
which could harm our operating results.

Our industry is highly fragmented, and we believe it is likely that our existing competitors will continue to 

consolidate or will be acquired.  In addition, some of our competitors may enter into new alliances with each other 

20

or may establish or strengthen cooperative relationships with systems integrators, third-party consulting firms or 
other parties.  Any such consolidation, acquisition, alliance or cooperative relationship could lead to pricing 
pressure, loss of customers and our loss of market share and could result in a competitor with greater financial, 
technical, marketing, service and other resources, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
operating results and financial condition.

Economic weakness and uncertainty could adversely affect our revenue, lengthen our sales cycles and make it 
difficult for us to forecast operating results accurately.

Our revenues depend significantly on general economic conditions and the health of retailers.  Economic 

weakness and constrained retail spending adversely affected revenue growth rates in late 2008 and similar 
circumstances may result in slower growth, or reductions, in revenues and gross profits in the future.  We have 
experienced, and may experience in the future, reduced spending in our business due to financial turmoil affecting 
the U.S. and global economy, and other macroeconomic factors affecting spending behavior.  Uncertainty about 
future economic conditions makes it difficult for us to forecast operating results and to make decisions about future 
investments.  In addition, economic conditions or uncertainty may cause customers and potential customers to 
reduce or delay technology purchases, including purchases of our solutions.  Our sales cycle may lengthen if 
purchasing decisions are delayed as a result of uncertain information technology or development budgets or contract 
negotiations become more protracted or difficult as customers institute additional internal approvals for information 
technology purchases.  Delays or reductions in information technology spending could have a material adverse 
effect on demand for our solutions, and consequently our results of operations, prospects and stock price.

Our continued growth could strain our personnel resources and infrastructure, and if we are unable to 
implement appropriate controls and procedures to manage our growth, we will not be able to implement our 
business plan successfully.

We have experienced a period of rapid growth in our headcount and operations.  To the extent that we are able 
to sustain such growth, it will place a significant strain on our management, administrative, operational and financial 
infrastructure.  Our success will depend in part upon the ability of our senior management to manage this growth 
effectively.  To do so, we must continue to hire, train and manage new employees as needed.  If our new hires 
perform poorly, or if we are unsuccessful in hiring, training, managing and integrating these new employees, or if 
we are not successful in retaining our existing employees, our business would be harmed.  To manage the expected 
growth of our operations and personnel, we will need to continue to improve our operational, financial and 
management controls and our reporting systems and procedures.  The additional headcount we are adding will 
increase our cost base, which will make it more difficult for us to offset any future revenue shortfalls by reducing 
expenses in the short term.  If we fail to successfully manage our growth, we will be unable to execute our business 
plan.

If we fail to retain our Chief Executive Officer and other key personnel, our business would be harmed and 
we might not be able to implement our business plan successfully.

Given the complex nature of the technology on which our business is based and the speed with which such 

technology advances, our future success is dependent, in large part, upon our ability to attract and retain highly 
qualified managerial, technical and sales personnel.  The loss of any member of our senior management team or key 
personnel might significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives and could materially harm 
our business and our customer relationships.  In addition, because of the nature of our business, the loss of any 
significant number of our existing engineering, project management and sales personnel could have an adverse 
effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.  Competition for talented personnel is intense, 
and we cannot be certain that we can retain our managerial, technical and sales personnel or that we can attract, 
assimilate or retain such personnel in the future.  Our inability to attract and retain such personnel could have an 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

21

Our failure to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of 
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or to prevent or detect material misstatements in our annual or interim 
financial statements in the future could result in inaccurate financial reporting, or could otherwise harm our 
business.

Ensuring that we have internal financial and accounting controls and procedures adequate to produce accurate 
financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that needs to be re-evaluated frequently.  
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal control over financial 
reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.  In particular, we are required to perform annual system and 
process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management and our 
independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  Furthermore, implementing any appropriate future 
changes to our internal control over financial reporting may entail substantial costs in order to modify our existing 
accounting systems, may take a significant period of time to complete and may distract our officers, directors and 
employees from the operation of our business.  If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in 
the future, or if material weaknesses are identified, the market price of our common stock could decline.

Our failure to raise additional capital or generate cash flows necessary to expand our operations and invest in 
new technologies could reduce our ability to compete successfully and adversely affect our results of 
operations.

We may need to raise additional funds, and we may not be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing 

on favorable terms, if at all.  If we raise additional equity financing, our security holders may experience significant 
dilution of their ownership interests and the value of shares of our common stock could decline.  If we engage in 
debt financing, we may be required to accept terms that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, force us 
to maintain specified liquidity or other ratios or restrict our ability to pay dividends or make acquisitions.  If we need 
additional capital and cannot raise it on acceptable terms, we may not be able to, among other things:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

develop and enhance our solutions;

continue to expand our technology development, sales and marketing organizations;

acquire complementary technologies, products or businesses;

hire, train and retain employees; or

respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated working capital requirements.

Our inability to do any of the foregoing could reduce our ability to compete successfully and adversely affect 

our results of operations.

If the open source community expands into enterprise application and supply chain software, our fee 
revenues may decline.

The open source community is comprised of many different formal and informal groups of software 
developers and individuals who have created a wide variety of software and have made that software available for 
use, distribution and modification, often free of charge.  Open source software, such as the Linux operating system, 
has been gaining in popularity among business users.  If developers contribute enterprise and supply chain 
application software to the open source community, and that software has competitive features and scale to support 
business users in our markets, we may need to change our product pricing and distribution strategy to compete 
successfully, and our fee revenues may decline as a result.

22

Our stock price may be volatile.

Shares of our common stock were sold in our April 2010 initial public offering at a price of $12.00 per share 
and through December 31, 2017, our common stock has traded as high as $79.98 per share and as low as $8.45 per 
share.  An active, liquid and orderly market for our common stock may not be sustained, which could depress the 
trading price of our common stock.  Some of the factors that may cause the market price of our common stock to 
fluctuate include:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to 
be similar to us;

fluctuations in our recorded revenue, even during periods of significant sales order activity;

fluctuations in stock market volume;

changes in estimates of our financial results or recommendations by securities analysts;

failure of any of our solutions to achieve or maintain market acceptance;

changes in market valuations of similar companies;

success of competitive products or services;

changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of debt;

announcements by us or our competitors of significant solutions, contracts, acquisitions or strategic 
alliances;

regulatory developments in the United States of America, foreign countries or both;

litigation involving our company, our general industry or both;

additions or departures of key personnel;

investors’ general perception of us; and

changes in general economic, industry and market conditions.

In addition, if the market for software stocks or the stock market in general experiences a loss of investor 
confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial 
condition or results of operations.  If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause our stock price to fall and may 
expose us to class action lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and a distraction to 
management.

If securities or industry analysts cease publishing research or reports about us, our business or our market, 
or if they publish negative evaluations of our stock, the price of our stock and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or 
industry analysts publish about us or our business.  If one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our 
stock or publishes incorrect or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline.  In 
addition, if one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, 
demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

Future sales of our common stock by our existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.

If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the market price of our 

common stock could decrease significantly.  The perception in the public market that our stockholders might sell 
shares of our common stock could also depress the market price of our common stock.  As of December 31, 2017, 
we had approximately 4.6 million shares of our common stock issuable under approved equity compensation plans 
which are covered by effective registration statements. 

23

Our charter documents and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover that stockholders consider favorable.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and applicable provisions of Delaware law may delay 

or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in our control or change in our management, 
including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares, or transactions that 
our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests, and may ultimately result in the market price of 
our common stock being lower than it would be without these provisions.  These provisions:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

permit our board of directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, 
preferences and privileges as our board may designate, including the right to approve an acquisition or 
other change in our control;

provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed by resolution of the board of directors;

provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by 
law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;

provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate 
candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide notice in writing in a 
timely manner, and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice; and

do not provide for cumulative voting rights.

In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally limits our ability to engage in 

any business combination with certain persons who own 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or any of our 
associates or affiliates who at any time in the past three years have owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting 
stock.  These provisions may have the effect of entrenching our management team and may deprive you of the 
opportunity to sell your shares to potential acquirers at a premium over prevailing prices.  This potential inability to 
obtain a control premium could reduce the price of our common stock.

We do not intend to declare dividends on our stock in the foreseeable future.

We currently intend to retain all future earnings for the operation and expansion of our business and, therefore, 

do not anticipate declaring or paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.  Investors may 
need to sell all or part of their holdings of our common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the 
only way to realize any future gains on their investment.  Any payment of future cash dividends on our common 
stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our results of operations, earnings, 
capital requirements, financial condition, future prospects, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant 
by our board of directors.  Therefore, you should not expect to receive dividend income from shares of our common 
stock.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.

Properties

Our corporate headquarters, including our principal administrative, marketing, sales, technical support and 

research and development facilities, are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota where we lease approximately 166,000 
square feet under an agreement that expires on April 30, 2025.  We have agreed to expand our headquarters 
premises by approximately 48,000 square feet during 2018 and 2020. Our lease agreement also includes a further 
expansion right and a right of first offer to lease certain additional space and two options to extend the term of the 
lease for five years at a market rate determined in accordance with the lease.

We also have operations in or near:

(cid:129)

Little Falls, New Jersey, where we lease approximately 26,000 square feet under an agreement that 
expires on June 30, 2023.  The lease includes a right of first offer to lease certain additional space and 
one option to extend the term of the lease for five years at a market rate determined in accordance with 
the lease.

24

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Toronto, Ontario, where we lease approximately 17,000 square feet under an agreement that expires on 
December 31, 2021.  The lease includes a right of first offer to lease certain additional space and one 
option to extend the term of the lease for five years at a market rate determined in accordance with the 
lease.

Melbourne, Australia, where we lease approximately 11,000 square feet under an agreement that expires 
on October 15, 2021.  The lease includes one option to extend the term of the lease for three years at a 
market rate determined in accordance with the lease.

Sydney, Australia, where we lease approximately 4,000 square feet under an agreement that expires on 
April 30, 2020.  The lease includes a right of first offer to lease certain additional space and one option 
to extend the term of the lease for three years at a market rate determined in accordance with the lease.

Kiev, Ukraine, where we lease approximately 3,000 square feet under an agreement that expires on 
April 26, 2020.  The lease includes one option to extend the term of the lease for two years and 
11 months at a market rate determined in accordance with the lease.

We believe that our current facilities are suitable and adequate to meet our current needs and that suitable 

additional or substitute space will be available as needed to accommodate expansion of our operations.

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings.  From time to time, we may be named as a 

defendant in legal actions or otherwise be subject to claims arising from our normal business activities.  We believe 
that we have obtained adequate insurance coverage or rights to indemnification in connection with potential legal 
proceedings that may arise.

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

25

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities

Market Information.  Our common stock has traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SPSC” 
since April 22, 2010, the date of our initial public offering.  The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, 
the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market.

Fiscal 2016

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

Fiscal 2017

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

High

Low

  $
  $
  $
  $

  $
  $
  $
  $

69.48    $
60.72    $
74.85    $
73.92    $

72.60    $
64.85    $
64.40    $
60.95    $

38.35 
40.94 
58.91 
61.40 

48.11 
53.99 
54.65 
45.02  

Stockholders of Record.  As of February 9, 2018, we had 76 stockholders of record of our common stock, 

excluding holders whose stock is held either in nominee name and/or street name brokerage accounts.

Dividends.  We have not historically paid dividends on our common stock.  We currently intend to retain our 

future earnings, if any, to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and, therefore, we do not expect to 
pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.  Payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be 
at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, 
operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, outstanding indebtedness and plans for expansion and 
restrictions imposed by lenders, if any.

Stock Performance Graph and Cumulative Total Return

Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary in any of our previous or future filings with the SEC, the 
following information relating to the price performance of our common stock shall not be deemed to be “filed” with 
the SEC or to be “soliciting material” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (“Exchange Act”), 
and it shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the (“Securities Act”) of 
1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by 
reference into such filing.

The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return of our common stock with that of the 
Nasdaq US Benchmark TR Index and the Nasdaq US Benchmark Computer Services TR Index from December 31, 
2012 through December 31, 2017, utilizing the last trading day of each respective year.  The graph assumes that 
$100 was invested in shares of our common stock, the Nasdaq US Benchmark TR Index and the Nasdaq US 
Benchmark Computer Services TR Index at the close of market on December 30, 2012, and that dividends, if any, 
were reinvested.  The comparisons in this graph are based on historical data and are not intended to forecast or be 
indicative of future performance of our common stock.

26

 
 
 
 
   
      
  
 
   
      
  
   
      
  
Comparison of Cumulative Total Returns of SPS Commerce, Inc., NASDAQ US Benchmark TR Index and
NASDAQ US Benchmark Computer Services TR Index

12/31/2012
12/31/2013
12/31/2014
12/31/2015
12/30/2016
12/29/2017

SPS Commerce
100.0
175.2
151.9
188.4
187.5
130.4

NASDAQ US

Benchmark
TR Index
100.0
133.5
150.1
150.8
170.5
206.9

NASDAQ US
Benchmark Compute
r

Services TR Index  
100.0
108.0
102.8
100.6
161.3
130.6

Use of Proceeds from Sales of Registered Securities

Not applicable.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

On November 2, 2017, our board of directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $50.0 million of 
common stock.  Under the program, purchases may be made from time to time in the open market over the next two 
years.  During the fourth quarter of 2017, we repurchased 122,147 shares at a cost of $5.8 million.  As of 
December 31, 2017, $44.2 million of the $50.0 million of the share repurchases authorized was available for future 
share repurchases.

27

 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
The following table presents the total number of shares of our common stock that we purchased during the 

fourth quarter of 2017, the average price paid per share, the number of shares that we purchased as part of our 
publicly announced repurchase program and the approximate dollar value of shares that still could be repurchased at 
the end of the applicable period.

Period

November 2 - 30, 2017
December 1 - 31, 2017
Total fourth quarter 2017

Total 
Number of 
Shares 

Purchased    

122,147    $

—   

122,147    $

Total 
Number of 
Shares 
Purchased as 
Part of 
Publicly 
Announced 

Approximate 
Dollar Value 
of Shares that 
May Yet be 
Purchased 
Under the 
Program  
122,147    $44,200,000 
—      44,200,000 
122,147    $44,200,000  

Program    

Average 
Price Paid 
per Share

47.61     
—   
47.61     

See Note H to our consolidated financial statements, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for 

additional information regarding our stock repurchase program.

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data should be read together with our audited consolidated financial 
statements and the related notes and with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations” which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Our historical results are 
not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.

The statements of income data for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, the balance 

sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the operating data relating to Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP 
income per diluted share for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 have been derived from 
our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The statements of income data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the balance sheet data as of 

December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and the operating data relating to Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP income 
per diluted share for each of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 have been derived from our audited 
consolidated financial statements which are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, but which have been 
included in prior Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP income per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures.  We believe 
that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial 
and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations.  Our management uses these non-
GAAP measures to compare the company’s performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses and planning 
purposes.  Adjusted EBITDA is also used for purposes of determining executive and senior management incentive 
compensation.  These measures are also presented to our board of directors.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures 
calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  
These non-GAAP financial measures exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be 
recorded in the company’s financial statements and are subject to inherent limitations.  Investors should review the 
reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures that are 
included below.

28

 
   
   
 
   
The operating data relating to recurring revenue customers for all periods presented is unaudited and has been 

derived from our internal records of our operations.

2017

Year Ended December 31,
2014
2015
2016
(In thousands, except per share data)

2013

Statements of Income Data
Revenues
Cost of revenues (1)
Gross profit
Operating expenses

Sales and marketing (1)
Research and development (1)
General and administrative (1)
Amortization of intangible assets (2)

Total operating expenses

Income from operations
Other income (expense)
Interest income, net
Other income (expense), net (3)

Total other income (expense), net

Income before income taxes
Income tax expense

Net (loss) income

Net (loss) income per share

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding

Basic
Diluted

Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents
Working capital
Total assets
Long-term liabilities
Total stockholders' equity

Operating Data
Adjusted EBITDA (4)
Non-GAAP income per diluted share with tax 
adjustments (5)
Recurring revenue customers (6)
________________
(1)

  $

  $
  $

  $ 220,566    $ 193,295    $ 158,518    $ 127,947    $ 104,391 
31,781 
72,610 

50,043     
    146,941      128,949      108,475     

39,991     
87,956     

64,346     

73,625     

73,295     
23,183     
37,461     
4,574     

65,886     
21,981     
28,827     
4,738     

55,374     
17,954     
24,817     
3,307     
    138,513      121,432      101,452     
7,023     

7,517     

8,428     

46,990     
13,494     
20,233     
2,856     
83,573     
4,383     

1,032     
(320)    
712     
9,140     
11,580     
(2,440)   $

601     
732     
1,333     
8,850     
3,140     
5,710    $

197     
(145)    
52     
7,075     
2,436     
4,639    $

187     
(458)    
(271)    
4,112     
1,408     
2,704    $

39,621 
10,870 
17,189 
3,158 
70,838 
1,772 

112 
(147)
(35)
1,737 
686 
1,051 

(0.14)   $
(0.14)   $

0.34    $
0.33    $

0.28    $
0.27    $

0.17    $
0.16    $

0.07 
0.07 

17,183     
17,183     

16,947     
17,241     

16,565     
17,032     

16,236     
16,814     

15,201 
15,931  

2017

2016

As of December 31,
2015
(In thousands)

2014

2013

  $ 123,127    $ 115,877    $ 121,538    $ 130,795    $ 131,294 
    176,309      153,772      142,552      137,634      137,160 
    335,520      298,229      261,731      243,775      223,330 
11,642 
    276,820      249,267      222,185      205,091      192,773  

14,124     

15,312     

16,937     

15,553     

2017

Year Ended December 31,
2015
(Unaudited, adjusted EBITDA in thousands)

2016

2014

2013

  $ 32,617    $ 26,502    $ 22,620    $ 18,160    $

13,774 

$

0.96    $

0.72    $

0.63    $

0.48    $

0.36 

25,751     

24,805     

23,410     

21,983     

19,690  

For 2017, stock-based compensation expense included a $3.6 million charge due to immediate expensing of 
equity awards upon our Chief Executive Officer meeting certain age and years of service conditions.  Stock-
based compensation expense was as follows (in thousands):

29

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
      
      
  
 
   
Cost of revenues
Sales and marketing
Research and development
General and administrative

Total

2017

  $

1,887    $
2,197     
949     
7,694     
  $ 12,727    $

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

1,309    $
2,412     
618     
3,684     
8,023    $

989    $
1,978     
640     
2,772     
6,379    $

614    $
1,933     
444     
2,405     
5,396    $

2013

475 
1,481 
266 
1,981 
4,203  

(2)

(3)

(4)

For 2013, amortization of intangible assets included $0.3 million for the impairment of a certain non-
competition agreement.

For 2014, other expense included $0.3 million for a one-time Australian stamp duty tax related to the Leadtec 
acquisition.

Adjusted EBITDA consists of net income (loss) adjusted for depreciation and amortization, interest expense, 
interest income, income tax expense, stock-based compensation expense, the discrete impact from tax law 
change and other adjustments as necessary for a fair presentation.  In 2017, the discrete impact from tax law 
change included $8.6 million of tax expense related to The Job Cuts and Tax Act (Tax Act”) reduction in the 
corporate tax rate to 21.0% resulting in a decrease in our net deferred tax assets.  Other adjustments included 
the impact of the fair value adjustment for the Toolbox Solutions share-based earn-out liability in 2016, a one-
time Australian stamp duty tax related to the Leadtec acquisition in 2014, as well as the impact of use tax 
refunds in 2015, 2014 and 2013 related to items previously expensed.  We use Adjusted EBITDA as a 
measure of operating performance because it assists us in comparing performance on a consistent basis, as it 
removes the impact of our capital structure from our operating results.  We believe Adjusted EBITDA is 
useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because it is widely used to measure a 
company’s operating performance without regard to items such as depreciation and amortization, which can 
vary depending upon accounting methods and the book value of assets, and to present a meaningful measure 
of corporate performance exclusive of our capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired.  
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

Net (loss) income
Depreciation and amortization
Interest income, net
Income tax expense
Discrete impact from tax law change
Stock-based compensation expense
Other

Adjusted EBITDA

Year Ended December 31,
2015

  $

2014

2016

2017
(2,440)   $
11,782     
(1,032)    
2,967     
8,613     
12,727     
—     

2,704    $
8,570     
(187)    
1,408     
—     
5,396     
269     
  $ 32,617    $ 26,502    $ 22,620    $ 18,160    $

5,710    $
11,336     
(601)    
3,140     
—     
8,023     
(1,106)    

4,639    $
9,572     
(197)    
2,436     
—     
6,379     
(209)    

2013

1,051 
8,051 
(112)
686 
— 
4,203 
(105)
13,774  

(5)

Non-GAAP income per share consists of net income (loss) plus stock-based compensation expense, 
amortization expense related to intangible assets, the discrete impact from tax law change and other 
adjustments as necessary for a fair presentation, divided by the weighted average number of shares of common 
stock outstanding during each period.  Other adjustments included the impact of the fair value adjustment for 
the Toolbox Solutions share-based earn-out liability in 2016.

Pursuant to a Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation published by the U.S. SEC in May 2016, related to the 
use of non-GAAP financial measures, in 2017, we began including an adjustment to non-GAAP income to 
reflect the income tax effects of the adjustments to GAAP net income (loss).  To quantify the tax effects, we 
recalculate income tax expense excluding the direct book and tax effects of the specific items constituting the 
non-GAAP adjustments.  The difference between this recalculated income tax expense and GAAP income tax 
expense is presented as the income tax effect of the non-GAAP adjustments.

30

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
We believe non-GAAP income per share is useful to an investor because it is widely used to measure a 
company’s operating performance.  The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to non-
GAAP income per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Net (loss) income

  $

Stock-based compensation expense
Amortization of intangible assets
Discrete impact from tax law change
Other

Non-GAAP income as historically reported

Income tax effects of adjustments
Non-GAAP income with tax adjustments
Shares used to compute non-GAAP income per 
share

Basic
Diluted

Non-GAAP income per share with tax adjustments    
  $
  $

Basic
Diluted

Non-GAAP income per share as historically 
reported
Basic
Diluted

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2016

2014

2017
(2,440)   $
12,727     
4,574     
8,613     
—     

4,639    $
6,379     
3,307     
—     
—     

5,710    $
8,023     
4,738     
—     
(1,106)    

2,704    $
5,396     
2,856     
—     
—     
N/A    $ 17,365    $ 14,325    $ 10,956    $
(2,891)    
8,065    $

(3,566)    
  $ 16,700    $ 12,440    $ 10,759    $

(4,925)    

(6,774)    

2013

1,051 
4,203 
3,158 
— 
— 
8,412 
(2,622)
5,790 

17,183     
17,356     

16,947     
17,241     

16,565     
17,032     

16,236     
16,814     

15,201 
15,931 

0.97    $
0.96    $

0.73    $
0.72    $

0.65    $
0.63    $

0.50    $
0.48    $

0.38 
0.36 

N/A    $
N/A    $

1.02    $
1.01    $

0.86    $
0.84    $

0.67    $
0.65    $

0.55 
0.53  

(6)

This reflects the number of recurring revenue customers at the end of the period.  Recurring revenue 
customers are customers with contracts to pay us monthly fees.  A small portion of our recurring revenue 
customers consists of separate units within a larger organization.  We treat each of these units, which may 
include divisions, departments, affiliates and franchises, as distinct customers.  Our contracts with our 
recurring revenue customers typically allow the customer to cancel the contract for any reason with 30 to 90 
days’ notice.

31

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
 
 
Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read 

together with the section titled “Selected Financial Data” and our audited financial statements and related notes 
which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Our actual results could differ materially from 
those anticipated in the forward-looking statements included in this discussion as a result of certain factors, including, 
but not limited to, those discussed in “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

We are a leading provider of cloud-based supply chain management solutions, providing network-proven 
fulfillment, sourcing and item assortment management solutions, along with comprehensive retail performance 
analytics to thousands of customers worldwide.  We provide our solutions through the SPS Commerce Platform, a 
cloud-based product suite that improves the way retailers, suppliers, distributors and logistics firms orchestrate the 
sourcing, set up of new vendors and items and fulfillment of the products that consumers buy.  We derive the 
majority of our revenues from thousands of monthly recurring subscriptions from businesses that utilize our 
solutions.

We plan to continue to grow our business by further penetrating the supply chain management market, 
increasing revenues from our customers as their businesses grow, expanding our distribution channels, expanding 
our international presence and, from time to time, developing new solutions and applications.  We also intend to 
selectively pursue acquisitions that will add customers, allow us to expand into new regions or allow us to offer new 
functionalities.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we generated revenues of $220.6 million, $193.3 

million and $158.5 million, respectively.  Our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017 represented our 68th 
consecutive quarter of increased revenues.  Recurring revenues from recurring revenue customers accounted for 
92.5%, 91.6% and 90.8% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  
Our revenues are not concentrated with any customer, as our largest customer represented less than 1.0% of total 
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 and less than 2.0% of total revenues for the years ended December 
31, 2016 and 2015.

Key Financial Terms and Metrics

Sources of Revenues

Trading Partner Fulfillment.  Our Fulfillment solution provides fulfillment automation and replaces or 
augments an organization’s existing trading partner electronic communication infrastructure, enabling suppliers to 
have visibility into the journey of an order and comply with retailers’ rule books and enabling the electronic 
exchange of information among numerous trading partners through various protocols.

Trading Partner Analytics.  Our Analytics solution consists of data analytics applications that enable our 

customers to improve their visibility across, and analysis of, their supply chains.  When focused on point-of-sale 
data, for example, retailers and suppliers can ensure inventory is located where demand is highest.  Retailers 
improve their visibility into supplier performance and their understanding of product sell-through.

Trading Partner Assortment.  Today’s retail marketplace requires the management of tens and even hundreds 

of individual attributes associated with each item a retailer or supplier sells today.  This information can include 
digital images/video, customer facing descriptions and measurements and warehouse information.  Our Assortment 
product provides robust, extensible management of this information, enabling accurate orders and rapid fulfillment.

Trading Partner Sourcing.  Through Retail Universe, our social network for the retail industry, retailers can 

source providers of new items, suppliers can connect with new retailers and the broader retailing community can 
make connections to expand their business networks and grow.

Trading Partner Community Development.  Our Community Development solution provides communication 

programs based on our best practices.  These programs enable organizations, from large and small retailers and 
suppliers to emerging providers of value-added products and services, to establish trading partner relationships with 
new trading partners to expand their businesses.

32

Other Trading Partner Solutions.  We provide a number of peripheral solutions such as barcode labeling, 

planogram services and our scan and pack application, which helps trading partners process information to 
streamline the picking and packaging process.

Cost of Revenues and Operating Expenses

Cost of Revenues.  Cost of revenues consist primarily of personnel costs for our customer success and 
implementation teams, customer support personnel and application support personnel.  Cost of revenues also 
includes our cost of network services, which is primarily data center costs for the locations where we keep the 
equipment that serves our customers and connectivity costs that facilitate electronic data transmission between our 
customers and their trading partners.

Sales and Marketing Expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel costs for our 

sales, marketing and product management teams, commissions earned by our sales personnel and marketing costs. 
In order to expand our business, we will continue to add resources to our sales and marketing efforts over time.

Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel 

costs for development of new and maintenance of existing solutions, net of amounts capitalized as developed 
software.  Our research and development group is also responsible for enhancing existing solutions and applications 
as well as internal tools and developing new information maps that integrate our customers to their trading partners 
in compliance with those trading partners’ requirements.

General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel 
costs for finance, human resources and internal information technology support, as well as legal, accounting and 
other fees, such as credit card processing fees.

Overhead Allocation.  We allocate overhead expenses such as rent, certain employee benefit costs, office 

supplies and depreciation of general office assets to cost of revenues and operating expenses categories based on 
headcount.

Other Metrics

Recurring Revenue Customers.  As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 26,000 customers with 

contracts to pay us monthly fees, which we refer to as recurring revenue customers.  We report recurring revenue 
customers at the end of a period.  A small portion of our recurring revenue customers consist of separate units within 
a larger organization.  We treat each of these units, which may include divisions, departments, affiliates and 
franchises, as distinct customers.

Average Recurring Revenues Per Recurring Revenue Customer.  We calculate average recurring revenues per 

recurring revenue customer, which we also refer to as wallet share, by dividing the recurring revenues from 
recurring revenue customers for the period by the average of the beginning and ending number of recurring revenue 
customers for the period.  For interim periods, we annualize this number by multiplying the quotient calculated 
above by the quotient of 12 divided by the number of months in the period.  We anticipate that average recurring 
revenues per recurring revenue customer will continue to increase as we increase the number of solutions we offer 
and increase the penetration of those solutions across our customer base.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures.  To supplement our financial statements, we also provide investors with 
Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP income per share, both of which are non-GAAP financial measures.  We believe 
that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial 
and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations.  Our management uses these non-
GAAP measures to compare the company’s performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses and planning 
purposes.  Adjusted EBITDA is also used for purposes of determining executive and senior management incentive 
compensation.  These measures are also presented to our board of directors.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures 
calculated in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude significant expenses and 
income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the company’s financial statements and are subject to inherent 
limitations.  Investors should review the reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP 
financial measures that are included in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations.”

33

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, 

which are prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make 
estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and 
expenses and related disclosures.  On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions.  We base our 
estimates of the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities on historical experience and on various other 
assumptions that we believe to be reasonable.  Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different 
assumptions or conditions.

We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are described in the notes to our financial 
statements, the following accounting policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity and are material 
to our financial statement presentation.  A critical accounting policy is one that is both material to the presentation of 
our financial statements and requires us to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments for uncertain matters 
that could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Accordingly, these are the 
policies we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our financial condition and 
results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenues by providing three types of solutions to our customers; fulfillment, enablement and 
analytics.  Our cloud-based solutions allow our customers to meet their supply chain management requirements.

Revenues are recognized when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement 
exists, (2) delivery has occurred, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is probable.  If collection 
is not considered probable, revenues are recognized when the fees are collected.

Fees related to our fulfillment and analytics solutions consist of two revenue sources: set-up fees and recurring 

monthly fees.  Set-up fees are specific for each connection a customer has with a trading partner and most of our 
customers have connections with numerous trading partners.  Set-up fees are nonrefundable upfront fees that do not 
have standalone value to our customer and are not separable from the recurring monthly fees.  All set-up fees and 
related costs are deferred and recognized ratably over the average life of the connection between the customer and 
the trading partner, which is approximately two years.  We begin recognizing set-up fee revenue once the connection 
is established.  Set-up fees for which connections have not yet been established are classified as long-term.  We 
continue to evaluate the length of the amortization period as more experience is gained with cancellations and 
technology changes requested by our customers.  It is possible that, in the future, the period over which such 
subscription set-up fees and costs are amortized may be adjusted.  Any change in our estimate of the average 
connection life will affect our future results of operations.  The recurring monthly fees are comprised of both fixed 
and transaction-based fees that are recognized as earned.

See Note A to our consolidated financial statements, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, included in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K, for additional information regarding the impacts to revenue for adoption of ASU 
No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the liability method, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and 

liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements.  
Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial 
statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences 
are expected to reverse.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in our judgement, there is a 
less than a 50% likelihood that the deferred tax asset will be utilized.

We assess our ability to realize our deferred tax assets at the end of each reporting period.  Realization of our 

deferred tax assets is contingent upon future taxable earnings.  Accordingly, this assessment requires significant 
estimates and judgment.  If the estimates of future taxable income vary from actual results, our assessment regarding 
the realization of these deferred tax assets could change.  Future changes in the estimated amount of deferred taxes 
expected to be realized will be reflected in our consolidated financial statements in the period the estimate is 
changed, with a corresponding adjustment to our operating results.

34

We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax 
authority would “more likely than not” sustain the position following an audit.  For tax positions meeting the “more 
likely than not” threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater 
than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law.  The financial information included in the Form 10-
K reflects the estimated impact of the enactment of the Tax Act.  See Note J to our consolidated financial statements 
for additional information regarding the Tax Act.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

The following table presents our results of operations for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

2017

2016

Change

% of revenu
e
100.0%  $193,295   
   64,346   
33.4 
   128,949   
66.6 

% of revenu
e
100.0% $ 27,271    
33.3 
9,279    
   17,992    
66.7 

 $220,566    
   73,625    
   146,941    

    %  

Revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses

Sales and marketing
Research and development
General and administrative
Amortization of intangible assets
Total operating expenses
Income from operations

Other income (expense)
Interest income, net
Other income (expense), net
Total other income, net

Income before income taxes
Income tax expense

Net (loss) income

   73,295    
   23,183    
   37,461    
4,574    
   138,513    
8,428    

1,032    
(320)  
712    
9,140    
   11,580    
 $ (2,440)  

33.2 
10.5 
17.0 
2.1 
62.8 
3.8 

   65,886   
   21,981   
   28,827   
4,738   
   121,432   
7,517   

0.5 
(0.1)
0.3 
4.1 
5.3 
(1.1)% $

601   
732   
1,333   
8,850   
3,140   
5,710   

14.1%
14.4 
14.0 

11.2 
5.5 
30.0 
(3.5)
14.1 
12.1 

34.1 
11.4 
14.9 
2.5 
62.8 
3.9 

7,409    
1,202    
8,634    
(164)  
   17,081    
911    

431    

71.7 
(1,052)   (143.7)
(46.6)
3.3 
8,440     268.8 

0.3 
0.4 
0.7 
4.6 
1.6 
3.0% $ (8,150)   (142.7)%

(621)  
290    

Revenues.  Revenues for 2017 increased $27.3 million, or 14.1%, to $220.6 million from $193.3 million for 

2016.  The increase in revenues resulted from two primary factors: the increase in recurring revenue customers and 
the increase in average recurring revenues per recurring revenue customer, which we also refer to as wallet share.

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

The number of recurring revenue customers increased 3.8% to 25,751 at December 31, 2017 from 
24,805 at December 31, 2016.

Average recurring revenues per recurring revenue customer, or wallet share, increased 9.8% to $8,067 
2017 from $7,344 for 2016.  This increase in wallet share was primarily attributable to increased fees 
resulting from increased usage of our solutions by our recurring revenue customers.

Recurring revenues from recurring revenue customers increased 15.2% in 2017, as compared to 2016, and 
accounted for 92.5% of our total revenues for 2017 and 91.6% for 2016.  We anticipate that the number of recurring 
revenue customers and wallet share will continue to increase as we increase the number of solutions we offer and 
increase the penetration of those solutions across our customer base.

35

 
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
     
  
  
    
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
    
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Cost of Revenues.  Cost of revenues for 2017 increased $9.3 million, or 14.4%, to $73.6 million from $64.3 
million for 2016.  This increase was primarily due to higher personnel-related costs of approximately $7.3 million, 
driven by increased headcount. Compared to 2016, stock-based compensation expense increased $0.6 million and 
direct network costs decreased $0.2 million.  We also incurred higher expenses for software and cloud-based 
subscriptions of $0.9 million and depreciation expense of $0.7 million for continued investment in the infrastructure 
supporting our solutions in 2017 as compared to 2016.  As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues was 33.4% for 
2017 compared to 33.3% for 2016.  Going forward, we anticipate that cost of revenues will increase in absolute 
dollars as we continue to expand our business.

Sales and Marketing Expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses for 2017 increased $7.4 million, or 11.2%, to 
$73.3 million from $65.9 million for 2016.  This increase was primarily due to increased headcount in 2017, which 
resulted in higher personnel-related costs of $3.0 million and increased commissions of approximately $4.4 million 
earned by sales personnel and referral partners from generating new business.  We also incurred $0.4 million in 
higher expenses for promotional expenses and $0.2 million in software and cloud-based subscriptions, offset by $0.3 
million in lower expenses for depreciation and $0.2 million in stock-based compensation expense as compared to 
2016.  As a percentage of revenues, sales and marketing expenses were 33.2% for 2017 compared to 34.1% for 
2016.  As we expand our business, we will continue to add resources to our sales and marketing efforts over time, 
and we expect that these expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollars.

Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses for 2017 increased $1.2 million, 

or 5.5%, to $23.2 million from $22.0 million for 2016.  This increase was primarily due to higher expenses for 
software and cloud-based subscriptions of $0.7 million, higher personnel-related costs of $0.2 million and higher 
stock-based compensation of $0.3 million in 2017 as compared to 2016.  As a percentage of revenues, research and 
development expenses were 10.5% for 2017 compared to 11.4% for 2016.  As we enhance and expand our solutions 
and applications, we expect that research and development expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollars.

General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses for 2017 increased $8.6 million, 
or 30.0%, to $37.5 million from $28.8 million for 2016.  This increase was primarily due to a $4.0 million increase 
in stock-based compensation driven by the immediate expensing of $3.6 million of equity awards upon our Chief 
Executive Officer meeting certain age and years of service conditions.  Increased headcount in 2017 resulted in 
higher personnel-related costs of $3.3 million.  These increases were offset by lower charitable contributions and 
hardware not capitalized and hardware maintenance costs in 2017 as compared to 2016.  As a percentage of 
revenues, general and administrative expenses were 17.0% for 2017 and 14.9% for 2016.  Going forward, we expect 
that general and administrative expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollars as we expand our business.

Amortization of Intangible Assets.  Amortization of intangible assets for 2017 decreased $0.2 million, or 3.5%, 

from 2016. This decrease was due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized during 2017.

Other Income (Expense), net.  Other income (expense), net for 2016 included a $1.0 million adjustment to the 

fair value of the Toolbox Solutions share-based earn-out liability due to a change in our estimate of probability of 
attainment.  There was no similar charge during 2017 as the contingent consideration arrangement had been 
resolved.

Income Tax Expense.  Our provisions for income taxes for 2017 and 2016 were $11.6 million and 

$3.1 million, respectively, and included current federal, state and foreign income taxes as well as deferred federal, 
state and foreign income taxes.  The increase in income tax expense in 2017 was primarily due to the tax law 
changes related to the Tax Act.  The 2017 provision included $8.6 million in income tax expense primarily driven by 
the reduction in the corporate income tax rate to 21.0%, offset by $0.9 million of discrete tax benefits from the 
adoption of ASU 2016-09 relating to stock-based compensation.  See Note J to our consolidated financial 
statements, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for additional information regarding our income taxes.

36

Adjusted EBITDA.  Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure of financial performance, consists of 

net income (loss) adjusted for depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expense, 
stock-based compensation expense, the discrete impact from tax law change and other adjustments as necessary for 
a fair presentation.  Other adjustments included the impact of an earn-out adjustment related to the Toolbox 
Solutions acquisition in 2016.  The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted 
EBITDA (in thousands):

Net (loss) income
Depreciation and amortization
Interest income, net
Income tax expense
Discrete impact from tax law change
Stock-based compensation expense
Other

Adjusted EBITDA

Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017

  $

  $

(2,440)   $
11,782     
(1,032)    
2,967     
8,613     
12,727     
—     
32,617    $

5,710 
11,336 
(601)
3,140 
— 
8,023 
(1,106)
26,502  

Non-GAAP Income per Share.  Non-GAAP income per share, which is also a non-GAAP measure of financial 
performance, consists of net income (loss) plus stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense related to 
intangible assets, the discrete impact from tax law change and other adjustments as necessary for a fair presentation, 
divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period.  Other 
adjustments included the impact of the fair value adjustment for the Toolbox Solutions share-based earn-out liability 
in 2016.

Pursuant to a Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange 

Commission in May 2016, related to the use of non-GAAP financial measures, in 2017, we began including an 
adjustment to non-GAAP income to reflect the income tax effects of the adjustments to GAAP net income (loss).  
To quantify the tax effects, we recalculated income tax expense excluding the direct book and tax effects of the 
specific items constituting the non-GAAP adjustments.  The difference between this recalculated income tax 
expense and GAAP income tax expense is presented as the income tax effect of the non-GAAP adjustments.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to non-GAAP income per share (in 

thousands, except per share amounts):

Net (loss) income

Stock-based compensation expense
Amortization of intangible assets
Discrete impact from tax law change
Other

Non-GAAP income as historically reported

Income tax effects of adjustments
Non-GAAP income with tax adjustments
Shares used to compute non-GAAP income per share

Basic
Diluted

Non-GAAP income per share with tax adjustments

Basic
Diluted

Non-GAAP income per share as historically reported

Basic
Diluted

________________

N/A – not applicable

37

  $

  $

  $
  $

Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017

(2,440)   $
12,727     
4,574     
8,613     
—     
N/A    $
(6,774)    
16,700    $

17,183     
17,356     

0.97    $
0.96    $

N/A    $
N/A    $

5,710 
8,023 
4,738 
— 
(1,106)
17,365 
(4,925)
12,440 

16,947 
17,241 

0.73 
0.72 

1.02 
1.01  

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
      
  
   
   
   
      
  
   
      
  
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016  Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015

The following table presents our results of operations for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

Change

% of revenu
e
100.0% $158,518    
   50,043    
33.3 
   108,475    
66.7 

% of revenu
e
100.0% $ 34,777   
   14,303   
31.6 
   20,474   
68.4 

 $193,295   
   64,346   
   128,949   

    %  

Revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses

Sales and marketing
Research and development
General and administrative
Amortization of intangible assets
Total operating expenses
Income from operations

Other income (expense)
Interest income, net
Other income (expense)

Total other income, net

Income before income taxes
Income tax expense

Net income
________________

NM – not meaningful

   65,886   
   21,981   
   28,827   
4,738   
   121,432   
7,517   

601   
732   
1,333   
8,850   
3,140   
5,710   

 $

34.1 
11.4 
14.9 
2.5 
62.8 
3.9 

   55,374    
   17,954    
   24,817    
3,307    
   101,452    
7,023    

0.3 
0.4 
0.7 
4.6 
1.6 
3.0% $

197    
(145)  
52    
7,075    
2,436    
4,639    

21.9%
28.6 
18.9 

19.0 
22.4 
16.2 
43.3 
19.7 
7.0 

34.9 
11.3 
15.7 
2.1 
64.0 
4.4 

   10,512   
4,027   
4,010   
1,431   
   19,980   
494   

0.1 
(0.1)   
— 
4.5 
1.5 
2.9% $

404   
877   
1,281  
1,775   
704   
1,071   

205.1 
604.8 
NM 
25.1 
28.9 
23.1%

Revenues.  Revenues for 2016 increased $34.8 million, or 21.9%, to $193.3 million from $158.5 million for 

2015.  The increase in revenues resulted from two primary factors:  the increase in recurring revenue customers and 
the increase in average recurring revenues per recurring revenue customer, which we also refer to as wallet share.

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

The number of recurring revenue customers increased 6.0% to 24,805 at December 31, 2016 from 
23,410 at December 31, 2015.

Average recurring revenues per recurring revenue customer, or wallet share, increased 15.8% to $7,344 
for 2016 from $6,343 for 2015.  This increase in wallet share was primarily attributable to increased 
fees resulting from increased usage of our solutions by our recurring revenue customers.

Recurring revenues from recurring revenue customers increased 23.0% in 2016, as compared to 2015, and 
accounted for 91.6% of our total revenues for 2016 and 90.8% for 2015.  We anticipate that the number of recurring 
revenue customers and wallet share will continue to increase as we increase the number of solutions we offer and 
increase the penetration of those solutions across our customer base.

Cost of Revenues.  Cost of revenues for 2016 increased $14.3 million, or 28.6%, to $64.3 million from $50.0 

million for 2015.  This increase was primarily due to increased headcount in 2016 which resulted in higher 
personnel-related costs of approximately $10.0 million, occupancy costs of approximately $0.8 million and stock-
based compensation expense of $0.3.  We also incurred higher expenses for software and cloud-based subscriptions 
of $2.2 million and depreciation expense of $0.6 million for continued investment in the infrastructure supporting 
our solutions in 2016 as compared to 2015.  As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues was 33.3% for 2016 
compared to 31.6% for 2015.

Sales and Marketing Expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses for 2016 increased $10.5 million, or 19.0%, to 
$65.9 million from $55.4 million for 2015.  This increase was primarily due to increased headcount in 2016, which 
resulted in higher personnel-related costs of $8.1 million and stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million, and 
increased commissions of approximately $2.0 million earned by sales personnel and referral partners from 
generating new business.  As a percentage of revenues, sales and marketing expenses were 34.1% for 2016 
compared to 34.9% for 2015.

38

 
 
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
  
    
  
  
     
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
     
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses for 2016 increased $4.0 million, 
or 22.4%, to $22.0 million from $18.0 million for 2015.  This increase was primarily due to increased headcount in 
2016 which resulted in higher personnel-related costs of $3.5 million.  We also incurred higher expenses for 
software and cloud-based subscriptions of $0.4 million in 2016 as compared to 2015.  As a percentage of revenues, 
research and development expenses were 11.4% for 2016 and 11.3% for 2015.

General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses for 2016 increased $4.0 million, 
or 16.2%, to $28.8 million from $24.8 million for 2015.  This increase was primarily due to increased headcount in 
2016 which resulted in higher personnel-related costs of $1.4 million and stock-based compensation expense of 
$0.9 million.  We also incurred higher expenses for software subscription and maintenance of $1.0 million.  We also 
had increases in our provision for doubtful accounts, credit card fees and legal fees offset by lower charitable 
contributions in 2016 as compared to 2015.  As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses were 
14.9% for 2016 and 15.7% for 2015.

Amortization of Intangible Assets.  Amortization of intangible assets for 2016 increased $1.4 million from 

2015.  This increase was due to the impact of amortization from the intangible assets acquired in the Toolbox 
Solutions acquisition in January 2016.

Other Income (Expense), net.  Other income (expense), net for 2016 included a $1.0 million adjustment to the 

fair value of the Toolbox Solutions share-based earn-out liability due to a change in our estimate of probability of 
attainment.

Income Tax Expense.  Our provisions for income taxes for 2016 and 2015 were $3.1 million and $2.4 million, 

respectively, and included current federal, state and foreign income taxes as well as deferred federal and state 
income taxes.  The increase in income tax expense in 2016 was primarily due to the increase in pretax book income 
of $1.8 million.  See Note J to our consolidated financial statements, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, 
for additional information regarding our income taxes.

Adjusted EBITDA.  Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure of financial performance, consists of 
net income plus depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expense, stock-based 
compensation expense and other adjustments as necessary for a fair presentation.  Other adjustments included the 
impact of an earn-out adjustment related to the Toolbox acquisition in 2016, as well as the impact of use tax refunds 
in 2015 related to items previously expensed.  The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to 
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

Net income
Depreciation and amortization
Interest income, net
Income tax expense
Stock-based compensation expense
Other

Adjusted EBITDA

Year Ended December 31,
2015
2016

  $

  $

5,710    $
11,336     
(601)    
3,140     
8,023     
(1,106)    
26,502    $

4,639 
9,572 
(197)
2,436 
6,379 
(209)
22,620  

Non-GAAP Income per Share.  Non-GAAP income per share, which is also a non-GAAP measure of financial 

performance, consists of net income plus stock-based compensation expense and amortization expense related to 
intangible assets divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each 
period.

Pursuant to a Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation published by the SEC in May 2016, related to the use 

of non-GAAP financial measures, in 2017, we began including an adjustment to non-GAAP income to reflect the 
income tax effects of the adjustments to GAAP net income.  To quantify the tax effects, we recalculated income tax 
expense excluding the direct book and tax effects of the specific items constituting the non-GAAP adjustments.  The 
difference between this recalculated income tax expense and GAAP income tax expense is presented as the income 
tax effect of the non-GAAP adjustments.

39

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to non-GAAP income per share (in thousands, 

except per share amounts):

Net income

Stock-based compensation expense
Amortization of intangible assets
Other

Non-GAAP income as historically reported

Income tax effects of adjustments
Non-GAAP income with tax adjustments
Shares used to compute non-GAAP income per share

Basic
Diluted

Non-GAAP income per share with tax adjustments

Basic
Diluted

Non-GAAP income per share as historically reported

Basic
Diluted

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Year Ended December 31,
2015
2016

  $

  $

  $

  $
  $

  $
  $

5,710    $
8,023     
4,738     
(1,106)    
17,365    $
(4,925)    
12,440    $

16,947     
17,241     

0.73    $
0.72    $

1.02    $
1.01    $

4,639 
6,379 
3,307 
— 
14,325 
(3,566)
10,759 

16,565 
17,032 

0.65 
0.63 

0.86 
0.84  

At December 31, 2017, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents, certificates of 

deposit and marketable securities totaling $168.5 million and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful 
accounts of $24.9 million compared to cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaling $146.4 million 
and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $20.7 million at December 31, 2016.  Certificates 
of deposit and marketable securities are invested in accordance with our investment policy, with a goal of 
maintaining liquidity and capital preservation.  Our cash equivalents and marketable securities are held in highly 
liquid money market funds, commercial paper, federal agency securities and corporate debt securities.

Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $31.1 million for 2017 compared to $18.8 million for 2016.  

The increase in operating cash flows as compared to 2016 was driven by a $19.1 million increase in non-cash 
expenses and a $1.3 million increase in changes in assets and liabilities, primarily due to increases in deferred 
revenues and other current and non-current assets and accounts payable, partially offset by decreases in net income 
of $8.2 million, accounts receivable, deferred costs and deferred rent as compared to 2016.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $18.8 million for 2016 compared to $14.4 million for 2015.  
The increase in operating cash flows as compared to 2015 was driven by a $1.1 million increase in net income, a 
$0.8 million increase in non-cash expenses and a $2.5 million increase, primarily due to increases in deferred 
revenues, accrued expenses and accounts payable, partially offset by increases in deferred costs and deferred rent as 
compared to 2015.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $22.6 million for 2017 compared to $34.1 million for 2016.  The 

decrease in cash used in investing activities as compared to 2016 was primarily due to the prior year acquisition of 
Toolbox Solutions for $18.0 million and $18.0 million of increased maturities of investments, partially offset by 
$24.7 million increased purchases of investments.  For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had capital 
expenditures of $7.3 million and $8.0 million, respectively.  Our capital expenditures are for supporting our business 
growth and existing customer base, as well as for our internal use such as equipment for our employees.

40

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
  
   
   
   
      
  
   
      
  
Net cash used in investing activities was $34.1 million for 2016 compared to $31.3 million for 2015.  The 
increase in cash used in investing activities as compared to 2015 was driven by the $18.0 million acquisition of 
Toolbox Solutions, net of cash acquired, partially offset by $15.0 million in cash provided by maturities of 
marketable securities.  There was no significant change in the amount of cash used for purchases of marketable 
securities or capital expenditures in 2016 compared to 2015.

Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for 2017 was $2.5 million which consisted of $5.8 million of repurchases 

of our common stock, partially offset by $1.4 million and $1.9 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock 
options and the net proceeds from the employee stock purchase plan, respectively.  Net cash provided by financing 
activities was $10.1 million and $8.3 million for 2016 and 2015, respectively, all related to the exercise of stock 
options and proceeds from our employee stock purchase plan.

Effect of Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes

Our results of operations and cash flows were not materially affected by fluctuation in foreign currency 

exchange rates.  We maintained approximately 7.8% of our total cash and cash equivalents outside of the U.S. in 
foreign currencies, primarily in Australian and Canadian dollars.  We believe that a significant change in foreign 
currency exchange rates or an inability to access these funds would not affect our ability to meet our operational 
needs.

Adequacy of Capital Resources

Our future capital requirements may vary significantly from those now planned and will depend on many 

factors, including:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

costs to develop and implement new solutions and applications, if any;

sales and marketing resources needed to further penetrate our market and gain acceptance of new 
solutions and applications that we may develop;

expansion of our operations in the U.S. and internationally;

response of competitors to our solutions and applications; and

use of capital for acquisitions, if any.

Historically, we have experienced increases in our expenditures consistent with the growth in our operations 

and personnel, and we anticipate that our expenditures will continue to increase as we expand our business.

We believe our cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and cash flows from our operations will be 
sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months.

During the last three years, inflation and changing prices have not had a material effect on our business and 

we do not expect that inflation or changing prices will materially affect our business in the foreseeable future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, investments in special purpose entities or undisclosed 

borrowings or debt.  Additionally, we are not a party to any derivative contracts or synthetic leases.

41

Contractual and Commercial Commitment Summary

Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2017 are summarized below:

Payments Due By Period (in thousands)

Contractual Obligations
Operating lease obligations

Seasonality

    Less Than      
1 Year

Total

    1-3 Years     3-5 Years    

    More Than  
5 Years

  $ 24,492    $

3,833    $

6,969    $

6,894    $

6,796  

The size and breadth of our customer base mitigates the seasonality of any particular retailer.  As a result, our 

results of operations are not materially affected by seasonality.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 

2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). The new guidance 
requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when the awards vest or are 
settled and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.  In addition, cash flows 
related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as a financing activity apart from other income 
tax cash flows within operating activities.  The standard also allows entities to repurchase more of an employee’s 
shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and clarifies that all cash payments made 
on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be presented as a financing activity on the statements of cash 
flows.  The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after 
December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted.

We adopted ASU 2016-09 during the year ended December 31, 2017.  The impact to our consolidated balance 

sheet as of January 1, 2017 was a $16.3 million increase in deferred income tax assets and a corresponding 
$16.3 million decrease in accumulated deficit. This impact results from the cumulative-effect adjustment for 
previously unrecognized excess tax benefits using the modified retrospective method required by the new standard.  
We elected to adopt the changes in cash flow statement presentation prospectively to be consistent with the 
prospective transition for the treatment of excess tax benefits in the income statement.  Accordingly, we no longer 
classify excess tax benefits as a financing activity subsequent to January 1, 2017.

On December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff issued Staff Accounting 

Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of U.S. GAAP related to the enactment of the Tax Act.  
This guidance was adopted in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 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 in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to 
be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition 
guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective.  These new requirements are effective for annual reporting periods 
beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods.  The new revenue recognition 
standard will not materially impact our recognition of the primary fees received from customers for our cloud-based 
supply chain solutions.  The adoption of the new standard will impact our accounting for certain upfront set-up fees 
and the periods over which the related revenues are recognized, as well as the timing of cost recognition for some 
sales commissions.  When compared to previously reported amounts, revenue will decrease $0.5 million and 
$0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Commission expense, which is 
reported in sales and marketing expense, will decrease $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 
increase $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

42

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
 
 
   
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which will supersede existing lease guidance and 

will require all leases with a term greater than 12 months to be recognized in the statements of financial position and 
eliminate current real estate-specific lease guidance, while maintaining substantially similar classification criteria for 
distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases.  This standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim 
periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.  We believe the 
adoption of the new lease accounting standard will materially impact our consolidated financial statements by 
increasing our non-current assets and non-current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets in order to record the 
right of use assets and related lease liabilities for our existing operating leases.  We are in the process of determining 
the financial statement impact and are currently unable to estimate the impact on our consolidated financial 
statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), which 
simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test.  Under the 
new guidance, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount based on the excess of a reporting 
unit’s carrying amount over its fair value.  The impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill 
allocated to that reporting unit.  This guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in 
periods beginning after December 15, 2019 on a prospective basis, and earlier adoption is permitted for goodwill 
impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.  We believe the adoption of this standard will not 
have a material impact on our financial statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Sensitivity Risk.  The principal objectives of our investment activities are to preserve principal, 

provide liquidity and maximize income consistent with minimizing risk of material loss.  We are exposed to market 
risk related to changes in interest rates.  However, based on the nature and current level of our investments 
(primarily cash and cash equivalents, which approximate fair value due to their short maturities, certificates of 
deposit and marketable securities), we believe there is no material risk exposure.  We do not enter into investments 
for trading or speculative purposes.

We did not have any outstanding debt as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.  We therefore do not have any 

material risk to interest rate fluctuations.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk.  We have revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities that are denominated in 

currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Australian dollar and Canadian dollar.  As of December 31, 2017, 
we maintained approximately 7.8% of our total cash and cash equivalents outside of the U.S. in foreign currencies, 
primarily in Australian and Canadian dollars.  We believe that a significant change in foreign currency exchange 
rates or an inability to access these funds would not affect our ability to meet our operational needs.  As we expand 
internationally, our results of operations and cash flows may be impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange 
rates, and would be adversely impacted when the U.S. dollar appreciates relative to other foreign currencies.  We 
have not used any forward contracts or currency borrowings to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange 
risk, although we may do so in the future.

43

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

SPS Commerce, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

45
47
48
49
50
51

44

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
SPS Commerce, Inc.:

Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SPS Commerce, Inc. (and subsidiaries) (the 
Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, 
stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the 
related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the 
financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash 
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally 
accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control – 
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Basis for Opinion 

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, 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 consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered 
with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of 
material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting 
was maintained in all material respects. 

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements 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. 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 
audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe 
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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 

45

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.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013. 

/s/ KPMG LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 26, 2018

46

SPS COMMERCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except shares)

ASSETS

December 31,

2017

2016

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable, net
Deferred costs
Other current assets

Total current assets

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
GOODWILL
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
INVESTMENTS
OTHER ASSETS
Deferred costs
Deferred income tax asset
Other assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued expenses
Deferred revenue
Deferred rent

Total current liabilities

OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred revenue
Deferred rent
Deferred income tax liability

Total liabilities

COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  $

  $

  $

123,127    $
40,192   
24,897   
25,091   
6,149   
219,456   
16,856   
51,613   
16,529   
5,206   

6,770   
17,551   
1,539   
335,520    $

4,463    $
15,886   
4,712   
16,407   
1,679   
43,147   

10,602   
3,064   
1,887   
58,700   

115,877 
23,076 
20,746 
19,224 
7,010 
185,933 
15,314 
49,777 
19,788 
7,494 

6,086 
12,446 
1,527 
298,365 

2,302 
13,740 
3,508 
11,055 
1,556 
32,161 

10,847 
4,179 
1,911 
49,098 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and 
outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 55,000,000 shares authorized; 17,249,153 and 
17,081,145 shares issued; and 17,127,006 and 17,081,145 outstanding, 
respectively
Treasury stock, at cost; 122,147 and 0 shares, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Total stockholders’ equity

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $

—   

— 

17   
(5,815)  
301,863   
(19,902)  
657   
276,820   
335,520    $

17 
— 
286,315 
(33,739)
(3,326)
249,267 
298,365  

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

47

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SPS COMMERCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses

Sales and marketing
Research and development
General and administrative
Amortization of intangible assets
Total operating expenses

Income from operations
Other income (expense)
Interest income, net
Other income (expense), net
Total other income, net

Income before income taxes
Income tax expense

Net (loss) income
Net (loss) income per share

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average common shares used to compute net (loss) 
income per share

Basic
Diluted

Other comprehensive income

Foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized loss on investments, net of tax of $0, $5 and $31
Reclassification of unrealized loss on investments into 
earnings, net of tax of $24, $0 and $0

Comprehensive income

  $

  $
  $

  $

  $

Year Ended December 31,
2016
193,295    $
64,346     
128,949     

2017
220,566    $
73,625     
146,941     

73,295     
23,183     
37,461     
4,574     
138,513     
8,428     

1,032     
(320)    
712     
9,140     
11,580     
(2,440)   $

65,886     
21,981     
28,827     
4,738     
121,432     
7,517     

601     
732     
1,333     
8,850     
3,140     
5,710    $

(0.14)   $
(0.14)   $

0.34    $
0.33    $

2015
158,518 
50,043 
108,475 

55,374 
17,954 
24,817 
3,307 
101,452 
7,023 

197 
(145)
52 
7,075 
2,436 
4,639 

0.28 
0.27 

17,183     
17,183     

16,947     
17,241     

16,565 
17,032 

3,944     
-     

39     
1,543    $

336     
(9)    

-     
6,037    $

(2,119)
(59)

- 
2,461  

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

48

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
   
     
       
       
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
     
       
       
 
   
   
   
   
   
     
       
       
 
     
       
       
 
   
   
     
       
       
 
   
   
   
SPS COMMERCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
(In thousands, except shares)

Balances, January 1, 2015
Stock-based compensation
Exercise of stock options and issuance 
of restricted stock
Excess tax benefit of stock options 
exercised
Employee stock purchase plan
Net income
Foreign currency translation 
adjustments
Unrealized loss on investments
Balances, December 31, 2015
Stock-based compensation
Exercise of stock options and issuance 
of restricted stock
Excess tax benefit of stock options 
exercised
Employee stock purchase plan
Stock issued for acquisition
Net income
Foreign currency translation 
adjustments
Reclassification of losses on 
investments into earnings
Unrealized loss on investments
Balances, December 31, 2016
Stock-based compensation
Exercise of stock options and issuance 
of restricted stock
Cumulative-effect adjustment for 
previously unrecognized excess tax 
benefits
Employee stock purchase plan
Retirement of escrow shares
Repurchases of common stock
Net (loss)
Foreign currency translation 
adjustments
Reclassification of loss on investments 
into earnings
Balances, December 31, 2017

   Additional    

    Accumulated     
Other

Total

   Treasury Stock     Paid-in    Accumulated   Comprehensive   Stockholders' 

  Common Stock
  Shares
  16,348,747   $
—    

   Amount    Shares   Amount     Capital
—  $
—   

—   $ 250,633   $
—    
6,379    

16   
—   

    Deficit

Loss

Equity

(44,088) $
—    

(1,470) $
—    

205,091 
6,379 

346,885    

—    
28,362    
—    

—    
—    
  16,723,994    
—    

279,841    

—    
33,357    
43,953    
—    

—    

—    
—    
  17,081,145    
—    

135,906    

1   

—   
—   
—   

—   
—   
17   
—   

—   

—   
—   
—   
—   

—   

—   
—   
17   
—   

—   

—   

—   
—   
—   

—   
—   
—   
—   

—   

—   
—   
—   
—   

—   

—   
—   
—   
—   

—   

—    

4,439    

—    

—    
—    
—    

—    
—    
—    
—    

2,336    
1,478    
—    

—    
—    
265,265    
8,023    

—    
—    
4,639    

—    
—    
(39,449)  
—    

—    

4,303    

—    

4,070    
1,732    
2,922    
—    

—    
—    
—    
5,710    

—    

—    
—    
—    

4,440 

2,336 
1,478 
4,639 

(2,119)  
(59)  
(3,648)  
—    

(2,119)
(59)
222,185 
8,023 

—    

—    
—    
—    
—    

4,303 

4,070 
1,732 
2,922 
5,710 

—    

—    

336    

336 

—    
—    
286,315    
12,728    

—    
—    
(33,739)  
—    

18    
(32)  
(3,326)  
—    

18 
(32)
249,267 
12,728 

—    

1,410    

—    

—    

1,410 

—    
—    
—    
—    

—    

—    
—    
—    
—    

—    
40,968    
(8,866)  
(122,147)  
—    

—   
—   
—   
—   
—   
—   
—   122,147   
—   
—   

—    
—    
—    
(5,815)  
—    

—    
1,933    
(523)  
—    
—    

16,277    
—    
—    
—    
(2,440)  

—    
—    
—    
—    
—    

16,277 
1,933 
(523)
(5,815)
(2,440)

—    

—   

—   

—    

—    

—    

3,944    

3,944 

—    
  17,127,006   $

—   
—    
17   122,147  $ (5,815) $ 301,863   $

—    

—   

—    
(19,902) $

39    
657   $

39 
276,820  

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

49

 
  
 
    
 
   
 
   
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
SPS COMMERCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net (loss) income
Reconciliation of net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating
   activities

Deferred income taxes
Share-based earn-out liability
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
Amortization of intangible assets
Provision for doubtful accounts
Stock-based compensation
Other, net
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of
   acquisition

Accounts receivable
Deferred costs
Other current and non-current assets
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued expenses
Deferred revenue
Deferred rent

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of property and equipment
Purchases of investments
Maturities of investments
Acquisition of business and intangible assets, net of cash acquired

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchases of common stock
Net proceeds from exercise of options to purchase common
   stock
Excess tax benefit from exercise of options to purchase
   common stock
Net proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Cash paid for income taxes, net
Non-cash financing activities:

Net purchases of property and equipment on account
Common stock issued for business acquisitions

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

  $

(2,440)   $

5,710    $

4,639 

10,854     
—     
7,208     
4,574     
1,705     
12,728     
(15)    

(5,586)    
(6,548)    
393     
832     
2,073     
1,192     
5,107     
(1,027)    
31,050     

(7,271)    
(47,878)    
33,029     
(500)    
(22,620)    

(1,698)    
(1,103)    
6,598     
4,738     
1,375     
8,023     
—     

(3,735)    
(4,964)    
(1,911)    
(382)    
2,180     
990     
2,710     
234     
18,765     

(8,008)    
(23,135)    
15,018     
(18,032)    
(34,157)    

(38)
— 
6,265 
3,307 
1,271 
6,379 
— 

(3,517)
(3,023)
(2,037)
(1,569)
1,295 
(461)
587 
1,331 
14,429 

(8,757)
(22,527)
— 
— 
(31,284)

(5,815)    

—     

— 

1,410     

4,303     

4,440 

—     
1,933     
(2,472)    
1,292     
7,250     
115,877     
123,127    $

4,070     
1,732     
10,105     
(374)    
(5,661)    
121,538     
115,877    $

2,336 
1,478 
8,254 
(656)
(9,257)
130,795 
121,538 

1,068    $

722    $

114 

1,335    $
—    $

—    $
2,922    $

— 
—  

  $

  $

  $
  $

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

50

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
SPS COMMERCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A – General

Business Description

We are a leading provider of cloud-based supply chain management solutions, providing network-proven 
fulfillment, sourcing and item assortment management solutions, along with comprehensive retail performance 
analytics to thousands of customers worldwide.  We provide our solutions through the SPS Commerce Platform, a 
cloud-based product suite that improves the way retailers, suppliers, distributors and logistics firms orchestrate the 
sourcing, set up of new vendors and items, and fulfillment of the products that consumers buy.  We derive the 
majority of our revenues from thousands of monthly recurring subscriptions from businesses that utilize our 
solutions.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting 

principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of SPS 
Commerce, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the 
consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the 

exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with the resulting translation adjustments recorded as a separate 
component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Income and expense accounts are translated at the average 
exchange rates during the year.  Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, if any, are included in net income 
(loss).

Use of Estimates

Preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and 
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the 
reporting periods.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Business Combinations

We recognize separately from goodwill the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the 
acquisition date.  Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the 
net of the acquisition date amounts of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.  Assets acquired include 
tangible and intangible assets.  We use estimates and assumptions that we believe are reasonable as a part of 
determining the value and useful lives of purchased intangible assets and the purchase price allocation process.  
While we believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and subject to 
refinement.  As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we 
may record adjustments to the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.  Any such adjustments 
would be recorded as an offset to goodwill.  Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination 
of the fair values, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments would be recorded in our consolidated 
statements of comprehensive income.

Segment Information

We operate in and report on one segment, which is supply chain management solutions.

51

Risk and Uncertainties

We rely on hardware and software licensed from third parties to offer our on-demand solutions.  Our 

management believes alternate sources are available; however, disruption or termination of these relationships could 
adversely affect our operating results in the near term.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of 

temporary cash and cash equivalents in financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits and trade accounts 
receivable.  Temporary cash investments are held with financial institutions that we believe are subject to minimal 
risk.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than 

90 days.  Cash and cash equivalents are stated at fair value.

Investments

Management determines the appropriate classification of certificates of deposit and marketable securities at 

the time of purchase and reevaluates such determination at each balance sheet date.  Securities are classified as 
available for sale and are carried at fair value, with the change in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as 
a separate component on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.  Fair value is determined based on 
quoted market rates when observable or utilizing data points that are observable, such as quoted prices, interest rates 
and yield curves.  When a determination has been made that an other-than-temporary decline in fair value has 
occurred, the amount of the decline that is related to a credit loss is realized and is included in other income 
(expense), net in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of our financial instruments, which include cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, 

accounts payable and other accrued expenses, approximates fair value due to their short maturities.  Marketable 
securities are recorded at fair value as further described in Note C.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are initially recorded upon the sale of solutions to customers.  Credit is granted in the 

normal course of business without collateral.  Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful 
accounts, which represent estimated losses resulting from the inability of certain customers to make the required 
payments.  When determining the allowances for doubtful accounts, we take several factors into consideration 
including the overall composition of the accounts receivable aging, our prior history of accounts receivable write-
offs, the type of customers and our experience with specific customers.  We write-off accounts receivable when they 
are determined to be uncollectible.  Changes in the allowances for doubtful accounts are recorded as bad debt 
expense and are included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive 
income.

52

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, including assets acquired under capital lease obligations, are stated at cost, net of 
accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line 
method over the estimated useful lives when placed in service, which are:

Computer equipment and software: 2 to 3 years

Office equipment and furniture: 5 to 7 years

Leasehold improvements: the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease

Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives beyond one year are capitalized, while repairs and 

maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.  We also capitalize and amortize eligible costs to acquire or 
develop internal-use software that are incurred during the development stage.  The assets and related accumulated 
depreciation and amortization are adjusted for asset retirements and disposals with the resulting gain or loss included 
in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Research and Development

Research and development costs primarily include maintenance and data conversion activities related to our 

cloud-based supply chain management solutions and are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in 
business combinations.  We test goodwill for impairment annually at November 30, or more frequently if events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  The impairment test is conducted by comparing 
the fair value of the net assets with the carrying value of the reporting unit.  Fair value is determined using the direct 
market observation of market price and outstanding equity of the reporting unit at the testing date.  If the carrying 
value of the goodwill exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, goodwill may be impaired.  If this occurs, the fair 
value is then allocated to its assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation in order to 
determine the implied fair value of goodwill.  This implied fair value is then compared to the carrying amount of 
goodwill and, if it is less, we would recognize an impairment loss.

Intangible Assets

Assets acquired in business combinations may include identifiable intangible assets such as subscriber 
relationships and non-competition agreements.  We recognize separately from goodwill the fair value of the 
identifiable intangible assets acquired.  We have determined the fair value and useful lives of our purchased 
intangible assets using certain estimates and assumptions that we believe are reasonable.

The purchased intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, 
which are three to nine years for subscriber relationships, two to five years for non-competition agreements and one 
to four years for technology and other.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 

carrying amount may not be recoverable.  The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if the 
carrying amount of an asset group exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use 
and eventual disposition of the assets at the date it is tested for recoverability, whether in use or under development.  
An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair 
value.

53

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenues by providing three types of solutions to our customers; fulfillment, enablement and 
analytics.  Our cloud-based solutions allow our customers to meet their supply chain management requirements.

Revenues are recognized when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement 
exists, (2) delivery has occurred, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is probable.  If collection 
is not considered probable, revenues are recognized when the fees are collected.

Fees related to our fulfillment and analytics solutions consist of two revenue sources: set-up fees and recurring 

monthly fees.  Set-up fees are specific for each connection a customer has with a trading partner and most of our 
customers have connections with numerous trading partners.  Set-up fees are nonrefundable upfront fees that do not 
have standalone value to our customer and are not separable from the recurring monthly fees.  All set-up fees and 
related costs are deferred and recognized ratably over the average life of the connection between the customer and 
the trading partner, which is approximately two years.  We begin recognizing set-up fee revenue once the connection 
is established.  Set-up fees for which connections have not yet been established are classified as long-term.  We 
continue to evaluate the length of the amortization period as more experience is gained with cancellations and 
technology changes requested by our customers.  It is possible that, in the future, the period over which such 
subscription set-up fees and costs are amortized may be adjusted.  Any change in our estimate of the average 
connection life will affect our future results of operations.  The recurring monthly fees are comprised of both fixed 
and transaction-based fees that are recognized as earned.

Stock-Based Compensation

We recognize the cost of all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, 

in the financial statements based on the grant date fair value of those awards.  This cost is recognized over the period 
for which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

We estimate the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  In valuing share-

based awards, judgment is required in determining the expected volatility of common stock and the expected term 
individuals will hold their share-based awards prior to exercising.  The expected volatility of the options is based on 
the historical volatility of our common stock.  The expected term of the options is based on the simplified method 
which does not consider historical employee exercise behavior.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the liability method, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and 

liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements.  
Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial 
statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences 
are expected to reverse.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in our judgement, there is a 
less than a 50% likelihood that the deferred tax asset will be utilized.

We assess our ability to realize our deferred tax assets at the end of each reporting period.  Realization of our 

deferred tax assets is contingent upon future taxable earnings.  Accordingly, this assessment requires significant 
estimates and judgment.  If the estimates of future taxable income vary from actual results, our assessment regarding 
the realization of these deferred tax assets could change.  Future changes in the estimated amount of deferred taxes 
expected to be realized will be reflected in our consolidated financial statements in the period the estimate is 
changed, with a corresponding adjustment to our operating results.

We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax 
authority would “more likely than not” sustain the position following an audit.  For tax positions meeting the “more 
likely than not” threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater 
than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

54

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share has been computed using the weighted average number of shares of common 

stock outstanding during each period.  Diluted net income (loss) per share also includes the impact of our 
outstanding potential common shares, including options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards.  Potential 
common shares that are anti-dilutive are excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 

(“ASU”) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”).  The new 
guidance requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when the awards 
vest or are settled and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.  In addition, 
cash flows related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as a financing activity apart from 
other income tax cash flows within operating activities.  The standard also allows entities to repurchase more of an 
employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and clarifies that all cash 
payments made on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be presented as a financing activity on the 
statements of cash flows.  The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, 
beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted.

We adopted ASU 2016-09 during the year ended December 31, 2017.  The impact to our consolidated balance 

sheet as of January 1, 2017 was a $16.3 million increase in deferred income tax assets and a corresponding $16.3 
million decrease in accumulated deficit.  This impact results from the cumulative-effect adjustment for previously 
unrecognized excess tax benefits using the modified retrospective method required by the new standard.  We elected 
to adopt the changes in cash flow statement presentation prospectively to be consistent with the prospective 
transition for the treatment of excess tax benefits in the income statement.  Accordingly, we no longer classify 
excess tax benefits as a financing activity subsequent to January 1, 2017.

On December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff issued Staff Accounting 

Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of U.S. GAAP related to the enactment of the 
comprehensive tax legislation, commonly referred to as the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”).  This guidance was 
adopted in the fourth quarter of 2017.  Additional information regarding our adoption of this guidance is contained 
in Note J.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 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 in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to 
be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition 
guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective.  These new requirements are effective for annual reporting periods 
beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods.  The new revenue recognition 
standard will not materially impact our recognition of the primary fees received from customers for our cloud-based 
supply chain solutions.  The adoption of the new standard will impact our accounting for certain upfront set-up fees 
and the periods over which the related revenues are recognized, as well as the timing of cost recognition for some 
sales commissions.  When compared to previously reported amounts, revenue will decrease $0.5 million and 
$0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Commission expense, which is 
reported in sales and marketing expense, will decrease $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 
increase $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which will supersede existing lease guidance and 

will require all leases with a term greater than 12 months to be recognized in the statements of financial position and 
eliminate current real estate-specific lease guidance, while maintaining substantially similar classification criteria for 
distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases.  This standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim 
periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.  We believe the 
adoption of the new lease accounting standard will materially impact our consolidated financial statements by 
increasing our non-current assets and non-current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets in order to record the 
right of use assets and related lease liabilities for our existing operating leases.  We are in the process of determining 
the financial statement impact and are currently unable to estimate the impact on our consolidated financial 
statements.

55

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), which 
simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test.  Under the 
new guidance, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount based on the excess of a reporting 
unit’s carrying amount over its fair value.  The impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill 
allocated to that reporting unit.  This guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in 
periods beginning after December 15, 2019 on a prospective basis, and earlier adoption is permitted for goodwill 
impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.  We believe the adoption of this standard will not 
have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE B – Business Acquisitions

Toolbox Solutions, Inc.

On January 5, 2016, we completed our acquisition of all of the outstanding common shares of Toolbox 

Solutions, Inc. (“Toolbox Solutions”), a privately held company providing point-of-sale analytics and category 
management services to retailers and consumer packaged goods suppliers in North America.  This acquisition 
expanded our retail network and strengthened our analytics offerings.  Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, we 
paid $18.0 million in cash and issued $2.9 million in stock, or 43,953 shares of common stock, to the shareholders of 
Toolbox Solutions.  The purchase agreement also allowed the sellers to receive up to 16,222 additional shares of 
common stock, which would have become payable contingent upon the completion of certain revenue milestones, 
none of which were met, and therefore, no additional shares were issued.  During the year ended December 31, 
2016, we recognized other income of $1.1 million in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income due to 
the remeasurement of this contingent liability.

Purchase Price Allocation

We accounted for the acquisition as a business combination.  We allocated the purchase price to the tangible 

and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the 
acquisition date.  We engaged a third-party valuation firm to assist us in the determination of the value of the 
purchased intangible assets.  The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable 
intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.  Goodwill is attributed to a trained workforce and other buyer-
specific value resulting from expected synergies, including long-term cost savings, which are not included in the fair 
values of identifiable assets.

The purchase price consisted of the following (in thousands):

Cash
SPS Commerce, Inc. common stock
Fair value of share-based earn-out liability

  $

 $

18,032 
2,922 
1,043 
21,997  

The final purchase price was subject to a net working capital adjustment to be determined by the sellers and 

us, pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement.  The number of shares of our common stock issued for the 
acquisition was a net of 43,953 shares, which consisted of 48,668 shares issued at closing, as calculated according to 
the terms of the purchase agreement, less 4,715 shares that were returned to us from escrow in the fourth quarter of 
2016.

56

 
 
 
 
 
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired, net of cash acquired of $0.4 

million, and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date (in thousands):

Current assets
Property and equipment
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Current liabilities
Deferred revenue
Deferred income tax liability

Purchased Intangible Assets

  $

  $

1,253 
56 
15,389 
9,070 
(1,249)
(301)
(2,221)
21,997  

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the purchased intangible assets and their estimated 

useful lives:

Purchased Intangible Assets
Subscriber relationships
Developed technology
Trade names
Non-competition agreements

Total

Estimated
Fair Value
(in thousands)

Estimated
Life
(in years)

  $

  $

7,400     
1,200     
70     
400     
9,070     

8 
4 
1 
5 

The purchased intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.  

Amortization expense for the period from January 5, 2016 through December 31, 2016 was $1.4 million.

Acquisition-Related Costs and Post-Acquisition Operating Results

Acquisition-related costs were $0.1 million and are included in our consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The operating results of Toolbox Solutions have been included in 
our consolidated financial statements since January 5, 2016, the closing date of the acquisition.  For the period from 
January 5, 2016 through December 31, 2016, approximately $7.9 million of our revenues were derived from 
Toolbox Solutions’ products and services.  The amount of operating income or loss from Toolbox Solutions was not 
separately identifiable due to our integration.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma financial information in the table below presents the combined operating results of 

SPS Commerce and Toolbox Solutions as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2015.  The unaudited pro 
forma information includes the historical operating results of each company and pro forma adjustments for the 
approximately $1.4 million of annual amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets and the additional 
impact on the provision or benefit for income taxes, resulting from the combined income and intangible amortization 
expense, using our statutory blended income tax rate of 26.5%.

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
  
The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not 
necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have actually been reported had the acquisition 
occurred on January 1, 2015, nor is it necessarily indicative of our results of operations for any future periods.
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2016

$

193,525   $
5,976    

166,873 
2,400 

0.35    
0.35    

0.14 
0.14  

(in thousands, except per share data)
Pro forma total revenue
Pro forma net income
Pro forma net income per share

Basic
Diluted

NOTE C – Financial Instruments

We invest primarily in money market funds, certificates of deposit, highly liquid debt instruments of the U.S. 
government and U.S. corporate debt securities.  All highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less 
are classified as cash equivalents.  All investments with original maturities greater than 90 days and remaining 
maturities less than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term investments.  Investments with 
remaining maturities of more than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term investments.

Our short- and long-term marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale.  We intend to hold marketable 

securities until maturity; however, we may sell these securities at any time for use in current operations or for other 
purposes.  Consequently, we may or may not keep securities with stated holding periods to maturity.

Our marketable securities are carried at fair value and unrealized gains and losses on these investments, net of 

taxes, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets.  Realized gains or 
losses are included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.  When a 
determination has been made that an other-than-temporary decline in fair value has occurred, the amount of the 
decline that is related to a credit loss is realized and is included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated 
statements of comprehensive income.

Cash equivalents and short- and long-term investments consisted of the following (in thousands):

Cash equivalents:

Money market funds

Certificate of deposit
Marketable securities:
Corporate bonds
Commercial paper
U.S. treasury securities
U.S. agency obligations

Due within one year
Due within two years

Total

December 31,

2017

2016

  Amortized    Unrealized    

Fair

   Amortized    Unrealized    

Fair

  Cost

Gains (Losses
)

    Value

   Cost

Gains (Losses
)

    Value

 $104,544  $
7,814   

   17,758   
7,456   
   12,381   
—   
 $149,953  $

—   $104,544  $ 75,375  $
—   
—    

7,814   

—   $ 75,375 
— 
—    

(57)   17,701    15,681   
4,977   
20    
7,476   
7,489   
26     12,407   
—   
—    
2,497   
(11) $149,942  $106,019  $

    $144,736   
5,206   
    $149,942   

(96)   15,585 
4,987 
10    
7,499 
10    
2,500 
3    
(73) $105,946 
    $ 98,452 
7,494 
    $105,946  

We do not believe any of the unrealized losses represent an other-than-temporary impairment based on our 
assessment of available evidence as of December 31, 2017.  We expect to receive the full principal and interest on 
all of these cash equivalents and short- and long-term investments.

58

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
    
     
    
    
     
  
  
  
    
     
    
    
     
  
  
  
 
  
    
    
  
    
     
    
     
  
    
    
Fair Value Measurements

We measure certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis based on a fair value hierarchy that requires 

us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  
A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is 
significant to the fair value measurement.  The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as (a) quoted prices for similar assets or 
liabilities, (b) quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active 
markets), or (c) model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be 
derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the 
assets or liabilities.  We obtain the fair values of our level 2 available-for-sale securities from a 
professional pricing service.

Level 3 – unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of 
fair value of assets or liabilities.

The following table presents information about our financial assets that are measured at fair value on a 
recurring basis and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value 
(in thousands):

Assets at December 31, 2017:

Cash equivalents:

Money market funds

Certificate of deposit
Marketable securities:
Corporate bonds
Commerical paper
U.S. treasury securities

Assets at December 31, 2016:

Cash equivalents:

Money market funds

Marketable securities:
Corporate bonds
Commerical paper
U.S. treasury securities
U.S. agency obligations

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

  $

104,544    $
7,814     

—    $
—     

—    $
—     

104,544 
7,814 

—     
—     
—     
112,358    $

17,700     
7,477     
12,407     
37,584    $

  $

—     
—     
—     
—    $

17,700 
7,477 
12,407 
149,942 

  $

75,375    $

—    $

—    $

75,375 

—     
—     
—     
—     
75,375    $

15,585     
4,987     
7,499     
2,500     
30,571    $

  $

—     
—     
—     
—     
—    $

15,585 
4,987 
7,499 
2,500 
105,946  

NOTE D – Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts activity, included in accounts receivable, net, was as follows (in 

thousands):

Balances, January 1

Provision for doubtful accounts
Write-offs, net of recoveries

Balances, December 31

2017

2016

2015

  $

  $

515    $
1,705     
(1,457)    
763    $

446    $
1,375     
(1,306)    
515    $

279 
1,271 
(1,104)
446  

59

 
 
   
   
   
 
   
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
   
      
      
      
  
   
   
   
 
   
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
   
NOTE E – Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net included the following (in thousands):

Computer equipment and software
Office equipment and furniture
Leasehold improvements

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

December 31,

2017

2016

  $

  $

35,326    $
7,439     
8,042     
50,807     
(33,951)    
16,856    $

29,270 
7,087 
7,844 
44,201 
(28,887)
15,314  

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, property and equipment, net included approximately $2.2 million and 

$2.1 million, respectively, of assets held at subsidiary and office locations outside of the U.S.

NOTE F – Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net

The changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as 

follows (in thousands):

Balances, January 1

Additions from business acquisitions
Foreign currency translation

Balances, December 31

Intangible assets, net included the following (in thousands):

  $

  $

2017

2016

49,777    $
—     
1,836     
51,613    $

33,848 
15,389 
540 
49,777  

Subscriber relationships
Non-competition agreements
Technology and other

Subscriber relationships
Non-competition agreements
Technology and other

December 31, 2017

Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization  

Foreign
Currency
Translation  

34,350    $
2,499     
2,130     
38,979    $

(19,592)   $
(2,058)    
(1,518)    
(23,168)   $

614    $
45     
59     
718    $

December 31, 2016

Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization    

Foreign
Currency
Translation    

33,736    $
2,234     
2,089     
38,059    $

(15,708)   $
(1,818)    
(1,120)    
(18,646)   $

295    $
17     
63     
375    $

  $

  $

  $

  $

Net
15,372 
486 
671 
16,529  

Net
18,323 
433 
1,032 
19,788  

60

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
Amortization expense was $4.6 million, $4.7 million and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 

2016 and 2015, respectively.  At December 31, 2017, future amortization expense for intangible assets was as 
follows (in thousands):

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter

  $

  $

4,022 
3,730 
3,365 
2,520 
1,449 
1,443 
16,529  

NOTE G – Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

We are obligated under non-cancellable operating leases primarily for office space.  Rent expense for all 

operating leases, which includes minimum lease payments and other charges such as common area maintenance 
fees, charged to operations was $4.9 million, $5.0 million and $4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 
2016 and 2015, respectively.

On December 20, 2017, we executed the fourth amendment to our lease agreement for our current 
headquarters located in Minneapolis, Minnesota where we lease approximately 166,000 square feet under an 
agreement that expires on April 30, 2025.  We have agreed to expand our headquarters premises by approximately 
48,000 square feet during 2018 and 2020. Our lease agreement also includes a further expansion right and a right of 
first offer to lease certain additional space and two options to extend the term of the lease for five years at a market 
rate determined in accordance with the lease.  We received $3.2 million in incentives upon execution of the 
amendment which have been incorporated into our deferred rent calculation.

At December 31, 2017, our future minimum payments under operating leases were as follows (in thousands):

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter

Other Contingencies

  $

  $

3,833 
3,847 
3,122 
3,624 
3,270 
6,796 
24,492  

We may be involved in various claims and legal actions in the normal course of business.  Our management 

believes that the outcome of any such claims and legal actions will not have a material effect on our financial 
position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE H – Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock Issued 

In connection with the acquisition of Toolbox Solutions (see Note B), we issued a net of 43,953 shares which 

consisted of 48,668 shares issued at closing, as calculated according to the terms of the purchase agreement, less 
4,715 shares that were returned to us from escrow in the fourth quarter of 2016.  The fair value of the shares we 
issued, approximately $2.9 million, was determined using the closing price of our common stock on January 5, 
2016.

During the second quarter of 2017, 8,866 shares were returned from escrow pursuant to the agreement with 

Toolbox Solutions.

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Repurchase Program

On November 2, 2017, our board of directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $50.0 million of 
common stock.  Under the program, purchases may be made from time to time in the open market over the next two 
years.  The number of shares to be purchased and the timing of purchases will be based on the price of our common 
stock, general business and market conditions and other investment considerations and factors.

The program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended or 
discontinued at any time without prior notice.  We intend to finance the share repurchase program with cash on 
hand.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, we repurchased 122,147 shares at a cost of $5.8 million. As of 

December 31, 2017, $44.2 million of the $50.0 million share repurchases authorized was available for future share 
repurchases.

NOTE I – Stock-Based Compensation

Our equity compensation plans provide for the grant of incentive and nonqualified stock options, as well as 

other stock-based awards including restricted stock and restricted stock units, to employees, non-employee directors 
and other consultants who provide services to us.  Restricted stock awards result in the issuance of new shares when 
granted.  For other stock-based awards, new shares are issued when the award is exercised, vested or released 
according to the terms of the agreement.  In February 2017 and February 2016, 1,024,868 and 1,003,439 additional 
shares, respectively, were reserved for future issuance under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.  At December 31, 
2017, there were approximately 4.6 million shares available for grant under approved equity compensation plans.

We recorded stock-based compensation expense of $12.7 million, $8.0 million and $6.4 million for the years 

ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, stock-based 
compensation expense included a $3.6 million charge due to immediate expensing of equity awards upon our Chief 
Executive Officer meeting certain age and years of service conditions.  Stock-based compensation expense was 
allocated as follows (in thousands):

Cost of revenues
Operating expenses

Sales and marketing
Research and development
General and administrative

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

  $

1,887    $

1,309    $

989 

2,197     
949     
7,694     
12,727    $

2,412     
618     
3,684     
8,023    $

1,978 
640 
2,772 
6,379  

Total stock-based compensation expense

  $

As of December 31, 2017, there was approximately $11.6 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation 

expense under our equity compensation plans, which is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a 
weighted-average period of 2.5 years.

62

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
Stock Options

Stock options generally vest over four years and have a contractual term of seven to ten years from the date of 

grant.  Our stock option activity was as follows:

Outstanding at January 1, 2015

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at December 31, 2015

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at December 31, 2017

  Weighted Average  
  Exercise Price

Options
(#)
1,085,463    $
181,487     
(305,106)    
(18,741)    
943,103     
340,609     
(221,630)    
(46,070)    
1,016,012     
172,697     
(65,502)    
(25,876)    
1,097,331     

($/share)

26.53 
67.50 
14.55 
45.82 
37.91 
48.58 
19.42 
55.58 
44.72 
55.87 
21.53 
55.93 
47.60  

Of the total outstanding options at December 31, 2017, 743,471 were exercisable with a weighted average 

exercise price of $44.58 per share.  The total outstanding options had a weighted average remaining contractual life 
of 4.0 years.

The fair value of options that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was 

$4.2 million, $3.4 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

The intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was 

$2.8 million, $8.6 million and $16.8 million, respectively.  The intrinsic value of outstanding options at 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $7.3 million, $25.6 million and $30.5 million, respectively.

The weighted-average fair values per share of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017, 
2016 and 2015 were $18.85, $16.13 and $23.09, respectively.  The fair values of the options granted were estimated 
on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Volatility
Dividend yield
Life (in years)
Risk-free interest rate

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

38%   
— 
4.51 
1.85%   

38%   
— 
4.54 
1.19%   

39%
— 
4.52 
1.36%

The expected volatility of the options is based on the historical volatility of our common stock.  We have not 
issued dividends on our common stock and do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.  The expected term of 
the options is based on the simplified method which does not consider historical employee exercise behavior.  The 
risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal 
to the expected life at the grant date.

63

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Performance Share Units and Restricted Stock Units and Awards

In February 2017, our executive officers were granted performance share unit (“PSU”) awards with vesting 
contingent on successful attainment of predetermined revenue targets over the course of a three-year performance 
period.  No expense for PSU awards was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2017 as the probability of 
attainment of the revenue target decreased.

Restricted stock units (“RSU”) vest over four years and, upon vesting, the holder is entitled to receive shares 

of our common stock.  With restricted stock awards (“RSA”), shares of our common stock are issued when the 
award is granted and the restrictions lapse over one year.

Our PSU and RSU activity was as follows:

  Weighted Average  
  Grant Date Fair  
  Value ($/share)

Outstanding at January 1, 2015

Outstanding at December 31, 2015

Granted
Vested and common stock issued
Forfeited

45.25 
67.50 
40.91 
54.28 
56.88 
48.32 
48.19 
55.48 
54.14 
55.62 
53.64 
55.39 
55.16  
The number of PSUs and RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2017 included 44,177 units that have vested, but 

  PSUs and RSUs  
(#)
115,133    $
68,159     
(37,669)    
(5,058)    
140,565     
115,896     
(52,133)    
(15,286)    
189,042     
211,168     
(64,950)    
(13,348)    
321,912     

Granted
Vested and common stock issued
Forfeited

Granted
Vested and common stock issued
Forfeited

Outstanding at December 31, 2017

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

the shares of common stock have not yet been issued pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

Our RSA activity was as follows:

Outstanding at January 1, 2015

Restricted common stock issued
Restrictions lapsed

Outstanding at December 31, 2015
Restricted common stock issued
Restrictions lapsed

Outstanding at December 31, 2016
Restricted common stock issued
Restrictions lapsed

Outstanding at December 31, 2017

RSAs
(#)

    Weighted Average  
    Grant Date Fair  

Value ($/share)

1,338    $
4,110     
(4,416)    
1,032     
6,078     
(5,586)    
1,524     
5,454     
(5,610)    
1,368     

51.74 
67.37 
62.63 
67.39 
52.27 
55.06 
52.28 
58.29 
56.65 
58.29  

64

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Effective July 1, 2012, we adopted an employee stock purchase plan which allows participating employees to 

purchase shares of our common stock at a discount through payroll deductions.  The plan is available to all 
employees subject to certain eligibility requirements.  Participating employees may purchase common stock, on a 
voluntary after tax basis, at a price that is the lower of 85% of the fair market value of one share of common stock at 
the beginning or end of each stock purchase period.  The plan consists of two six-month offering periods, beginning 
on January 1 and July 1 of each calendar year.  A total of 1.0 million shares of common stock are remaining for 
issuance under the plan.

For the offering periods in 2017, 2016 and 2015, we withheld approximately $1.9 million, $1.7 million and 

$1.5 million, respectively, from employees participating in the plan and purchased 40,968 shares, 33,357 shares and 
28,362 shares, respectively, on their behalf.  For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded 
approximately $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense 
associated with the employee stock purchase plan.  The fair value was estimated based on the market price of our 
common stock at the beginning of each offering period and using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the 
following weighted-average assumptions:

Volatility
Dividend yield
Life (in years)
Risk-free interest rate

NOTE J – Income Taxes

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

32%   
— 
0.50 
0.90%   

37%   
— 
0.50 
0.42%   

30%
— 
0.50 
0.12%

Our provisions for income taxes included current federal, foreign and state income tax expense, as well as 

deferred tax expense as follows (in thousands):

Current

Federal
State
Foreign

Deferred

Federal
State
Foreign

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

  $

  $

(184)   $
258     
652     

11,551     
(342)    
(355)    
11,580    $

3,684    $
555     
599     

(988)    
(133)    
(577)    
3,140    $

2,066 
289 
119 

103 
(141)
— 
2,436  

The current federal provision in the table above includes a $0.4 million reclass of alternative minimum tax 

(“AMT”) credit carryforwards from the deferred federal provision. These unutilized AMT credit carryforwards 
become partially refundable in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and fully refundable in 2022.

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
 
A reconciliation of the expected federal income tax at the statutory rate to the provision for income taxes was 

as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

Expected federal income tax at statutory rate
State income taxes, net of federal tax effect
Tax impact of foreign activity
Permanent book/tax differences
Change in valuation allowance
Change in state deferred rate
Research and development credit
Tax impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Tax impact of stock activity
Other

Total provision for income taxes

  $

  $

3,107    $
366     
(105)    
460     
16     
(134)    
(227)    
8,613     
(925)    
409     
11,580    $

 $

3,011 
320 
(115)   
372 
(35)   
(67)   
(261)   
— 
— 
(85)   
 $

3,140 

2,404 
246 
39 
67 
(27)
(118)
(200)
— 
— 
25 
2,436  

The tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes tax benefits of $0.9 million for the excess 
tax deduction from stock activity.  It also includes tax expense of $8.6 million related to The Job Cuts and Tax Act 
(“Tax Act”), primarily due to the reduction in corporate tax rate to 21.0% resulting in a decrease in our U.S. net 
deferred tax assets.

Differences between our effective tax rate and statutory tax rates are primarily due to the impact of the Tax 
Act, as well as permanently non-deductible expenses partially offset by the federal research and development credit.  
Additionally, under ASU 2016-09, excess tax benefits generated upon settlement or exercise of stock awards are 
now recognized as a reduction to income tax expense as a discrete tax item in the period that the event occurs 
creating potentially significant fluctuation in tax expense by year. 

The significant components of our deferred tax assets (liabilities) were as follows (in thousands):

Deferred tax assets

Net operating loss and credit carryforwards
Deferred operations
Stock-based compensation expense
Accounts receivable allowances
Accrued expenses
Other

  $

Gross deferred tax asset

Less: valuation allowance

Total net deferred tax asset
Deferred tax liability

Deferred operations
Foreign operations
Depreciation and amortization
Other

Total deferred tax liability
Net deferred tax assets

2017

11,067     
—     
4,273     
307     
2,293     
182     

(602)    

(163)    
(133)    
(1,536)    
(24)    

December 31,

     $

18,122     

17,520     

2016

4,614     
799     
4,085     
363     
2,704     
297     

(649)    

—     
(350)    
(1,328)    
—     

12,862 

12,213 

(1,856)    
15,664     

     $

(1,678)
10,535  

     $

As of December 31, 2017, we had net operating loss carryforwards of $58.5 million for U.S. federal tax 
purposes.  We also had $10.6 million of various state net operating loss carryforwards.  The loss carryforwards for 
federal tax purposes will expire between 2020 and 2036 if not utilized.  The loss carryforwards for state tax purposes 
will expire between 2018 and 2036 if not utilized.

66

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
      
      
      
  
  
   
      
  
   
      
  
   
      
  
   
      
  
   
      
  
   
      
      
   
      
  
   
      
      
   
      
      
      
  
   
      
  
   
      
  
   
      
  
   
      
  
   
      
      
   
Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code generally imposes an annual limitation on the amount of net 

operating loss carryforwards that might be used to offset taxable income when a corporation has undergone 
significant changes in stock ownership.  We have performed a Section 382 analysis for the time period from our 
inception through December 8, 2010.  During this time period it was determined that we had six separate ownership 
changes under Section 382.  We have not updated the Section 382 analysis subsequent to December 8, 2010, 
however, we believe there have not been any events subsequent to that date that would materially impact the 
analysis.  We believe that approximately $17.6 million of federal losses will expire unused due to Section 382 
limitations.  The maximum annual limitation of federal net operating losses under Section 382 is approximately 
$1.0 million.  This limitation could be further restricted if any ownership changes occur in future years.  
Accordingly, our deferred tax assets are reported net of the excess tax deductions for stock compensation and 
Section 382 limitations.

As of December 31, 2017 we had federal research and development credit carryforwards, net of Section 383 

limitations, of $1.2 million, which, if not utilized, will begin to expire in 2030.  We had state research and 
development credit carryforwards of $0.6 million which, if not utilized, will begin to expire in 2025.

As of December 31, 2017, we had a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets of $0.6 million.  The 

valuation allowance is established for state net operating loss and credit carryforwards that we do not expect to 
utilize based on our current expectations of future state taxable income.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal, various state and international jurisdictions.  We are 
generally subject to U.S. federal and state tax examinations for all prior tax years due to our net operating loss 
carryforwards and the utilization of the carryforwards in years still open under statute. 

As of December 31, 2017, we do not have any unrecognized tax benefits.  It is our practice to recognize 
interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  We do not 
expect any material changes in our unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.

Tax Act

The Tax Act, which was enacted on December 22, 2017, includes broad and complex changes to the U.S tax 

code.  The Tax Act reduces the corporate federal income tax rate to 21.0% effective January 1, 2018 and establishes 
a mandatory tax on previously untaxed foreign earnings and profits (“E&P”).  The Tax Act expands the limitations 
for executive compensation under Section 162(m) and includes transition rules for previously awarded 
compensation.  

Accounting Standard Codification 740 requires a company to record the effects of a tax law change in the 

period of enactment, however, the SEC staff issued SAB 118, which allows a company to record a provisional 
amount when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to 
complete its accounting for the change in the tax law.  The measurement period ends when the company has 
obtained, prepared and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting, but cannot extend beyond one 
year.

We have finalized our accounting for the corporate rate reduction and have recorded a decrease to our net 

deferred tax assets of $8.6 million with a corresponding adjustment to deferred tax expense for the year ended 
December 31, 2017.  We have estimated that there is no tax on mandatory deemed repatriation due to a net foreign 
E&P deficit.  We are continuing to evaluate the impact of the Tax Act on the taxation of previously untaxed foreign 
E&P and the deferred tax liability for withholding taxes on dividends.  We are also continuing to evaluate the impact 
the expanded Section 162(m) limitations and related transition rules have on our deferred tax assets related to stock 
compensation.

67

NOTE K – Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The following table presents the components of the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per 

share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Numerator

Net (loss) income

Denominator

Year Ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

  $

(2,440)   $

5,710    $

4,639 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

Options to purchase common stock
Restricted stock units
Employee stock purchase plan

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

17,183     
—     
—     
—     
17,183     

16,947     
267     
27     
—     
17,241     

16,565 
437 
27 
3 
17,032 

Net (loss) income per share

Basic
Diluted

  $
  $

(0.14)   $
(0.14)   $

0.34    $
0.33    $

0.28 
0.27  

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the effect of approximately 283,000, 5,000 and 4,000 

outstanding potential common shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) 
per share as they were anti-dilutive.

NOTE L – Retirement Savings Plan

We sponsor a 401(k) retirement savings plan for our U.S. employees.  Employees can contribute up to 100% 

of their compensation, subject to the limits established by law.  We match 25% of the employee’s contribution up to 
the first 6% of pre-tax annual compensation.  Additionally, we make statutory contributions to retirement plans as 
required by local foreign government regulations.  Our contributions to the plans, which vest immediately, were 
$1.6 million, $1.4 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

NOTE M – Related Party Transactions

SPS Commerce Foundation (the “Foundation”) is a Minnesota non-profit organization exempt from federal 
taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Foundation was formed in 2015 to engage in, 
advance, support, promote and administer charitable activities.  The directors of the Foundation are also our officers.  
These officers receive no compensation from the Foundation for the management services performed for the 
Foundation.  The Foundation is not a subsidiary of ours and the financial results of the Foundation are not 
consolidated with our financial statements.  We made contributions of $0.2 million and $0.3 million to the 
Foundation for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  We have no current legal obligations for 
future commitments to the Foundation.

68

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
NOTE N – Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table presents our selected unaudited quarterly statements of comprehensive income data (in 

thousands, except per share amounts):

2017

Revenues
Gross profit
Income (loss) from operations
Net income (loss)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share

2016

Revenues
Gross profit
Income from operations
Net income
Diluted earnings per share

  Mar 31
  $

For the Three Months Ended

Jun 30

Sep 30

Dec 31

51,932    $
34,602     
3,376     
2,971     
0.17    $

54,284    $
36,093     
2,727     
1,825     
0.11    $

56,150    $
37,505     
2,846     
1,865     
0.11    $

58,200 
38,741 
(521)
(9,101)
(0.53)

  $

  Mar 31
  $

For the Three Months Ended

Jun 30

Sep 30

Dec 31

45,599    $
30,718     
1,314     
1,044     
0.06    $

47,351    $
31,379     
880     
352     
0.02    $

49,284    $
33,113     
2,670     
2,509     
0.14    $

51,061 
33,739 
2,653 
1,805 
0.10  

  $

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of 

December 31, 2017, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  This evaluation was done 
under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and 
Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).  Disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures that are 
designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or 
submit under Exchange Act, such as this Annual Report on Form 10-K, is recorded, processed, summarized and 
reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC.  Disclosure controls and procedures 
include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed such that information is accumulated and 
communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding 
required disclosure.  Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that as of December 31, 2017, our 
disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial 
reporting.  Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange 
Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officer and 
effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of our assets;

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use
or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our 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.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive and 
financial officers, we assessed our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on 
criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in the Internal Control — Integrated 
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

Based on this assessment, management concluded that we maintained effective internal control over financial 

reporting as of December 31, 2017 based on the specified criteria.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 has been audited by 

KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included under 
Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

70

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter 
ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal 
control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

71

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item with respect to executive officers is contained in Item 1 of this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Executive Officers” and with respect to other information relating to our 
directors and executive officers will be set forth in our 2018 Proxy Statement under the caption “Item 1 – Election of 
Directors,” which will be filed no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report 
on Form 10-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by this item under Item 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to 

the section titled “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of our 2018 Proxy Statement, which 
will be filed no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The information required by this item under Item 407(d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K is incorporated 

herein by reference to the section titled “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate 
Governance—Board Committees—Audit Committee” of our 2018 Proxy Statement, which will be filed no later 
than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We have adopted a code of business conduct applicable to our directors, officers (including our principal 
executive officer and principal financial officer) and employees.  The Code of Conduct is available on our website at 
www.spscommerce.com under the Investor Relations section.  We plan to post on our website at the address 
described above any future amendments or waivers of our Code of Conduct.

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections titled “Executive 
Compensation,” “Director Compensation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Compensation 
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” of our 2018 Proxy Statement, which will be filed no later than 120 
days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters

The information related to security ownership required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the 

section titled “Security Ownership” of our 2018 Proxy Statement, which will be filed no later than 120 days after the 
end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections titled “Certain 
Relationships and Related Transactions,” and “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate 
Governance—Director Independence” of our 2018 Proxy Statement, which will be filed no later than 120 days after 
the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section titled “Audit 
Committee Report and Payment of Fees to Our Independent Auditor” of our 2018 Proxy Statement, which will be 
filed no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

72

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

The following documents are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

PART IV

(a)  Financial Statements: The financial statements filed as a part of this report are listed in Part II, Item 8.

(b)  Financial Statement Schedules: The schedules are either not applicable or the required information is 
presented in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

(c)  Exhibits: The exhibits incorporated by reference or filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K 
are listed in the Exhibit Index prior to the signatures to this report.

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

None.

73

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

Form

Incorporated By Reference
Date of
First
Filing

File
Number

Exhibit 
Number

Filed 
Herewith

  3.1

  3.2

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

Amended and Restated Certificate of 
Incorporation

S-3

333-182097

06/13/2012

4.1

Amended and Restated Bylaws

2001 Stock Option Plan**

Form of Incentive Stock Option 
Agreement under 2001 Stock Option 
Plan**

Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option 
Agreement (Director) under 2001 
Stock Option Plan**

2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as 
amended effective October 29, 
2014**

Form of Incentive Stock Option 
Agreement under 2010 Equity 
Incentive Plan**

Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option 
Agreement (Employee) under 2010 
Equity Incentive Plan**

Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option 
Agreement (Director) under 2010 
Equity Incentive Plan**

Form of Restricted Stock Unit 
Award Agreement under 2010 
Equity Incentive Plan**

Form of Restricted Stock Award 
Agreement under 2010 Equity 
Incentive Plan**

Form of Performance Stock Unit 
Agreement under 2010 Equity 
Incentive Plan**

Non-Employee Director 
Compensation Policy**

Form of Indemnification Agreement 
for Independent Directors

Form of Indemnification Agreement 
for Archie C. Black**

Employment Agreement between the 
Company and Archie C. Black**

8-K

S-1/A

S-1/A

001-34702

10/17/2017

333-163476

01/11/2010

333-163476

01/11/2010

3.1

10.3

10.4

S-1/A

333-163476

01/11/2010

10.5

10-K

001-34702

02/20/2015

10.6

8-K

001-34702

02/17/2012

10.2

8-K

001-34702

02/17/2012

10.3

8-K

001-34702

02/17/2012

10.4

8-K

001-34702

02/15/2017

99.2

10-Q

001-34702

05/08/2012

10.6

8-K

001-34702

02/18/2018

10.1

X

S-1/A

333-163476

01/11/2010

10.18

S-1/A

333-163476

01/11/2010

10.19

S-1/A

333-163476

03/05/2010

10.20

74

Exhibit
Number

10.15

10.16

Exhibit Description

Form

Form of Executive Severance and 
Change in Control Agreement**

Standard Form Office Lease, dated 
as of February 14, 2012, by and 
between the registrant and CSDV-
MN Limited Partnership

Incorporated By Reference
Date of
First
Filing

File
Number

Exhibit 
Number

Filed 
Herewith

001-34702

02/03/2016

10.1

001-34702

02/17/2012

10.1

001-34702

02/03/2016

10.2

001-34702

11/17/2017

10.1

S-K

8-K

8-K

8-K

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

10.17

Management Incentive Plan**

10.18

Executive Severance and Change in 
Control Agreement

21.1

23.1

24.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

Subsidiaries of the registrant 

Consent of KPMG LLP 

Power of Attorney (included on 
signature page)

Certification of Principal Executive 
Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended

Certification of Principal Financial 
Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended

Certification of Chief Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as 
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of 
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101

Interactive Data Files Pursuant to 
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T

**

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

75

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.

Dated: February 26, 2018

SPS COMMERCE, INC.

By: /s/ ARCHIE C. BLACK

Archie C. Black
President and Chief Executive Officer

Each of the undersigned hereby appoints Archie C. Black and Kimberly K. Nelson, and each of them (with 
full power to act alone), as attorneys and agents for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, for and in the 
name, place and stead of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, any and all amendments and exhibits to this annual report on Form 10-K and any 
and all applications, instruments, and other documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
pertaining to this annual report on Form 10-K or any amendments thereto, with full power and authority to do and 
perform any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary or desirable.  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 indicated on February 26, 2018.

Name and Signature

/s/ ARCHIE C. BLACK
Archie C. Black

/s/ KIMBERLY K. NELSON
Kimberly K. Nelson

/s/ MARTIN J. LEESTMA
Martin J. Leestma

/s/ JAMES B. RAMSEY
James B. Ramsey

/s/ TAMI L. RELLER
Tami L. Reller

/s/ MICHAEL A. SMERKLO
Michael A. Smerklo

/s/ PHILIP E. SORAN
Philip E. Soran

/s/ SVEN A. WEHRWEIN
Sven A. Wehrwein

Title

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director 
(principal executive officer)

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
(principal financial and accounting officer)

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

76

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Archie Black, Chief Executive Officer and President
Kim Nelson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Jim Frome, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Archie Black
James Ramsey
Marty Leestma
Marty Réaume 
Mel Keating
Michael McConnell
Mike Smerklo
Phil Soran
Sven Wehrwein
Tami Reller

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
333 South Seventh Street, Suite 1000
Minneapolis, MN 55402 USA
Toll-free phone: 866-245-8100

MARKET LISTING
Nasdaq Global Market Symbol: SPSC

ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday, May 31, 2018

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
KPMG LLP
4200 Wells Fargo Center
90 South Seventh Street 
Minneapolis, MN 55402 USA

TRANSFER AGENT & REGISTRAR
EQ Shareowner Services 
1110 Centre Pointe Curve
Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120 USA 
1-800-468-9716 
shareowneronline.com

LEGAL COUNSEL
Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 South Seventh Street 
Minneapolis, MN 55402 USA

2017

ANNUAL REPORT

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
SPS Commerce
333 South Seventh Street, Suite 1000 
Minneapolis, MN 55402 USA
Toll-free: (866) 245-8100 
Main: (612) 435-9400

BEIJING: +86 10 5940 1616
HONG KONG: +852 5808 6596
LONDON: +0 808 234 3866
MELBOURNE: +61 3 9847 7000
TORONTO: 888-550-8665
SYDNEY: +61 2 9657 1366

spscommerce.com