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Tyler Technologies

tyl · NYSE Technology
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Ticker tyl
Exchange NYSE
Sector Technology
Industry Software - Application
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2010 Annual Report · Tyler Technologies
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cultivating

value

2010 Annual Report

At Tyler Technologies, we know from experience that skillful 
and consistent cultivation yields powerful results over time. That’s 

why we’re committed to a strategy of long-term growth and success 

that steadily builds upon our core strength—software solutions and 

services designed exclusively for the public sector.

Year after year, Tyler employees remain disciplined in the execution  

of four fundamental strategies that define our long-term growth plan: 

expanding our geographic reach, broadening our product offerings,  

winning large-scale contracts, and extending our relationships with  

existing clients. By staying focused on these strategies, Tyler is cultivating  

long-term value—and empowering people who serve the public.  

to
our

share
holders

The past two years have tested the strength 

and resolve of businesses in virtually every 

industry. As a technology solutions partner 

exclusively serving the public sector, Tyler 

Technologies has felt the impact of tightening 

budgets throughout our market. New 

business was off in 2010, as reflected by 

declines in software license and professional 

services revenues. Sales cycles are longer 

as public sector organizations delay 

decisions, and client buying processes are 

more involved than they have historically 

been, with less predictable timing.

gives us the flexibility to take advantage of 

opportunities as they arise, including stock 

repurchases and strategic acquisitions. 

A Strategic Acquisition 

Tyler Technologies completed one acquisition 

in 2010—purchasing the assets of Wiznet,  

an electronic filing engine for courts. 

Rebranded as Odyssey® File & Serve, this 

powerful solution benefits our court clients 

in a number of ways. It enables organizations 

to eliminate the cost of traditional filing, 

including storage and handling of paper 

documents. At the same time, it helps clients 

deliver a better experience to the public by 

providing instant electronic communication 

to all case parties, along with convenient 

In spite of these difficult conditions, we 

features such as online payment of fees.  

have continued to cultivate long-term value 

And for clients who choose our revenue-

for our clients, shareholders and employees. 

sharing model, Odyssey File & Serve can  

While market opportunities as a whole 

be implemented with little or no up-front 

were down in 2010, we improved win rates 

costs. In addition to these and other 

with our major products and continued to 

client benefits, this acquisition offers key 

expand our client base, with $35 million 

advantages to Tyler, including an attractive 

in new software license revenues. We 

recurring revenue stream under the model in 

were very successful in growing recurring 

which we share transaction fees. 

revenues, adding $17 million in subscription 

and maintenance revenues. Additionally, 

we enhanced shareholder value with the 

repurchase of 3,559,000 shares of our 

common stock over the course of 2010. 

Importantly, Odyssey File & Serve also allows 

us to capitalize on the growing demand  

for e-filing solutions. Today, e-filing solutions  

are requested by approximately 70 percent  

of prospects, compared to less than  

Tyler continues to maintain a strong balance 

five percent just five years ago. In fact, 

sheet with low debt. In August, Tyler 

Odyssey File & Serve was the cornerstone 

put into place a four-year, $150 million 

of Tyler’s first federal contract—a $2.1 

revolving credit facility. Our strong financial 

million agreement signed in November 

position enabled us to obtain very attractive 

with the United States Securities and 

terms on this long-term facility, which 

Exchange Commission (SEC). This solution 

2 0 1 0   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

1

will integrate with the SEC's existing case 

cross-training resources to better balance 

management system through Tyler's portal, 

with needs, while retaining experienced and 

allowing instant electronic access to all public, 

skilled professionals to be able to effectively 

non-secured SEC filings. The agreement 

serve clients as the market recovers. 

includes software licenses, as well as hosting 

and related professional services. This is just 

one example of how we continue to broaden our 

product offerings to win new business.

Operationally, we continue to focus on 

maximizing efficiencies and reducing 

redundancies across our organization. As 

a company that’s grown through strategic 

Managing Our Strengths 

acquisitions, we have historically had a number 

One of the most notable aspects of our 

of administrative and operational functions that 

performance in 2010 was the strong growth 

were decentralized across our product lines. 

of our subscription services. We continued 

In 2010, we launched an internal initiative 

to convert a number of our traditional clients 

to evaluate these functions and move toward 

to the software as a service (SaaS) delivery 

greater centralization of processes where it 

model, providing a solution to the challenges 

makes sense to do so. We’ve already made 

of staff turnover and equipment maintenance 

considerable progress in leveraging marketing, 

by eliminating the need to manage software 

finance and accounting, and IT resources 

systems in-house. Our SaaS solutions are 

across the organization. We look forward to 

also proving to be increasingly attractive 

achieving more efficiency through greater 

to new clients, giving them access to our 

integration in other areas, such as product 

industry-leading solutions without the up-front 

development and professional services.

investment and with fewer in-house resources. 

Growth in recurring revenues works in our 

favor to help moderate the impact of dynamic 

and unpredictable capital spending cycles.

Investing in Product Development 

Research and development are top priorities at 

Tyler Technologies, and our spending in these 

areas in 2010 was at its highest level ever as 

With slow new license sales in recent 

we continued to make what we believe are 

quarters, Tyler experienced a lower demand 

well-timed investments that will benefit Tyler 

for our professional services. This resulted 

and empower clients in the future. From 

in underutilization of our implementation 

partnering with Microsoft to develop multi-touch 

teams, increasing pressures on gross margins. 

technology for the courtroom to using Microsoft® 

Historical methods of projecting staffing 

Silverlight® technology to make valuable business 

needs were not effective in this uncertain 

intelligence easily accessible to our clients, we 

market. We are now staffing to projects that 

are in the best possible position to address the 

can be more tangibly identified, as well as 

changing technology needs of the public sector.

2

Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

In the year ahead, we’re looking forward to  

the release of the Microsoft Dynamics® AX 

solution for the public sector. We’ve been  

working closely with Microsoft on the 

development of this product since 2007, 

and we’re excited about the opportunity 

to combine Microsoft’s global reach in the 

software market with Tyler’s unmatched 

expertise in the public sector.

We’re confident that our clients will enjoy 

enhanced functionality from the Microsoft/  

Tyler synergy. And we’ll have the opportunity  

to access new markets both in the United States 

and internationally. It will take some time  

to realize revenues from this new product, and 

we don’t expect to see a meaningful impact 

in 2011, but we anticipate launching sales 

activities in the second half of the year.

John S. Marr, Jr. 
President and CEO

John M. Yeaman 
Chairman of the Board

Thanks to our company’s long-term approach 

to cultivating value, Tyler Technologies has 

succeeded in holding its ground financially 

while advancing our industry leadership 

even during economic downturns. To our 

shareholders, employees and clients, we 

thank you for your enduring commitment to 

Opportunities Ahead 

delivering excellence in the public sector.

We expect that Tyler will continue to win an 

increasing share of the market, even if the market 

is not currently expanding at the same rate it 

did in the last decade. With extended sales 

cycles, the timing of new business continues to 

be less predictable than it has been historically. 

Still, despite inconsistent bookings over the 

last few quarters, we finished the year with our 

backlog at the highest level in the company’s 

history at $281 million, up 21 percent from 

the end of 2009. And with an active pipeline 

of prospects and a competitive position that 

we believe is stronger than ever, Tyler is 

cautiously optimistic about opportunities for 

improved performance in the next fiscal year.

John S. Marr, Jr. 
President and Chief Executive Officer

2 0 1 0   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

3

tyler
at aglance

With more than 2,000 employees and more than 9,000  

local government and school clients across the United States,  

Tyler Technologies is the largest company in the nation  

with an exclusive focus on software and technology solutions  

for the public sector. 

Many of our subject matter experts began their careers in public 

service, giving Tyler an invaluable perspective on the unique demands 

that governments and schools face. We draw upon our employees’ 

firsthand knowledge and our clients’ direct input to continually 

enhance our offerings and deliver intuitive, targeted solutions.

Revenue Mix

Recurring Revenues
in millions

.

0
9
5
1
$

.

7
1
4
1
$

.

8
1
2
1
$

.

8
5
9
$

.

7
0
8
$

6
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

8
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

47% Maintenance

24% Software Services

12% Software Licenses

8% Subscriptions  

7% Appraisal Services

2% Hardware and Other

4

Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Appraisal & Tax 

As the nation’s leading provider of appraisal 

and tax software and services, Tyler combines 

sound appraisal practices with client-centric 

technologies. Offerings include computer-

assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) solutions, tax 

Courts & Justice 

Our courts and justice solutions help judges, 

billing and collections software, and turnkey or 

court clerks, prosecutors, law enforcement 

targeted reassessment and revaluation services. 

officers, and corrections and supervision 

staff streamline their day-to-day operations. 

From court case management to e-payments 

for traffic tickets, Tyler’s integrated solutions 

provide a broad range of innovative 

ERP | Financial 

functionality designed to increase efficiency.

Tyler’s financial enterprise resource planning 

(ERP) solutions focus on efficient management 

of core functions such as accounting and 

financial management, payroll, human capital 

management, citizen services, utilities and 

revenues. Our ERP products are fully scalable 

to accommodate growing populations, from 

small towns to the largest cities and counties.

Land & Vital Records 

Tyler’s land and vital records solutions  

are designed to meet the document 

management needs of the public sector, 

from land records, marriage licenses and 

birth certificates to social service documents 

and enterprise-wide content management. 

Like all Tyler solutions, these products are 

designed with input from people who’ve 

worked on the front lines in public service.

Schools 

Tyler has a true understanding of the K-12 school 

market, and what sets us apart from our competitors 

is our ability to deliver an authentic district wide 

solution—student information, boundary-district 

planning, student transportation, school information 

warehouse, and financial and human capital 

management. Tyler’s full suite of applications help 

educators and administrators put students first.

2 0 1 0   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

5

nurturing 

our future

Our commitment to research and 

development remains steadfast. With 

nearly 600 developers, engineers and 

others directly involved in product 

development, Tyler is continually 

investing in its technology and 

providing clients with innovative 

solutions that stand the test of time.

6

Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Q&A: fielding
questions

Despite the difficult economic 

fully utilize our professional services 

conditions we faced throughout 2010, 

resources, which put short-term 

Tyler Technologies made progress 

pressures on our margins and brought 

on a number of fronts. With this 

greater challenges related to managing 

question and answer format, we hope 

staffing levels. We believe that carefully 

to answer many of the questions our 

matching staffing levels to visible 

shareholders may have about both 

business while avoiding large-scale 

the successes and challenges the 

layoffs—common among many of our 

company faced during the year. We’ll 

competitors—has positioned us well 

also offer a glimpse of what’s to come.

for an eventual recovery in the market.

Can you provide some historical 

In light of the longer sales cycles 

context for the company’s 

you’ve discussed, can you elaborate 

financial performance in 2010?

on the new business pipeline?  

2010 revenues were virtually flat 

Our pipeline is extremely active, at or 

compared to the previous year, with 

near an historic high, but in today’s 

declines in both software license 

business environment the timing of 

and software services revenues, 

decisions isn’t as predictable as it 

offset by solid growth in recurring 

has been in the past. New requests 

revenues. Net income for 2010 

for proposal (RFP) activity in 2010 

declined approximately 7.2 percent, 

generally exceeded prior-year 

as a slight gross margin improvement 

levels, in terms of both the number 

was more than offset by a 25 percent 

of proposals and the total dollar 

increase in research and development 

value. In addition to the increased 

expense. Significantly, the fourth 

complexity of the buying process, 

quarter of 2010 marked our 39th 

we know that many prospects have 

consecutive quarter of profitability, 

chosen to defer buying decisions until 

a powerful testament to Tyler’s 

budget situations improve. However, 

ability to weather difficult market 

due to the mission-critical nature of 

conditions and perform consistently 

our products and the functions they 

well, even in a tough environment.

automate, we anticipate that most of 

What were Tyler’s greatest 

challenges in 2010, and how 

are you addressing them?

New sales were down for the year due 

these decisions will still move forward 

as the needs become more pressing.

How does the company 

view its balance sheet?

to increased budget pressures at the 

Over the last decade, Tyler has had  

local level, which led to longer and less 

very little or no debt on its balance 

predictable sales cycles in the public 

sheet. While we maintain a conservative 

sector market. We also saw delays in 

approach to managing our capital 

project implementation timetables 

structure, our cash flow is very reliable, 

with some clients. We were not able to 

with the majority of our revenues 

Free Cash Flow
in millions

.

3
2
4
$

.

0
0
4
$

.

7
1
3
$

.

3
0
3
$

.

5
2
2
$

6
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

)
a
(

8
0
0
2

)
a
(

9
0
0
2

)
a
(

0
1
0
2

(a)   excludes capital 
expenditures for 
office facilities of 
$1.3 million in 
2010, $9.4 million 
in 2009 and $16.0 
million in 2008

Backlog
in millions

.

4
1
8
2
$

.

1
0
5
2
$

.

8
9
4
2
$

.

1
3
3
2
$

.

9
5
0
2
$

6
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

8
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

2 0 1 0   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

7

derived from recurring sources. With 

Although these factors generally drive 

the current low cost of credit, we 

the need to acquire new software, a 

believe it is appropriate to have a 

new system from Tyler also helps our 

prudent amount of leverage. In 2010, 

public sector clients realize lasting 

we took advantage of Tyler’s strong 

value through enhanced efficiencies, 

financial position and more favorable 

enabling them to do more with 

credit markets and put into place a new 

fewer resources. In 2010, California 

$150 million revolving line of credit 

proved to be one of our strongest 

with a syndicate of seven banks. This 

markets for enterprise resource 

four-year facility, with very attractive 

planning (ERP) systems, even though 

rates, gives us a great deal of flexibility 

that state has been especially hard 

to take advantage of opportunities that 

hit by the economic downturn.

may require cash in excess of that 

generated from operations, including 

stock repurchases and acquisitions. 

With the economy still in flux, 

how does the public sector fund 

solutions from Tyler Technologies?

What are some examples of 

those enhanced efficiencies?

Our school transportation solution 

is a great example. It helps school 

districts save on fuel expenditures by 

optimizing school bus routes. It also 

In most cases, the acquisition of our 

helps clients better manage fleet costs 

software comes from the general fund 

by potentially reducing the capital, 

or a capital budget, which are furnished 

staffing and maintenance expenditures 

primarily from local revenues. Property 

associated with additional buses. 

taxes generally make up a major portion 

That’s a very specific example; in 

of these revenues. Despite volatility in 

more general terms, our solutions 

the real estate market, property taxes 

make information easy to access, 

tend to be a relatively stable source, as 

enabling clients to provide responsive 

tax rates are often increased if values 

customer service even with lean 

go down. Other local fees, such as 

staffing. And since many processes and 

utility billings and court fees, are also 

transactions can become paperless, 

often significant revenue sources.

clients can eliminate costs associated 

The solutions we provide support 

mission-critical functions such as 

administering jails, paying teachers, 

billing utilities and collecting taxes. 

We believe the majority of systems in 

with processing and storing paper 

documents. Every Tyler Technologies 

solution is specially designed to help 

the public sector act as responsible 

stewards of public funds.

use by local governments today are 

With Tyler’s goal of increasing 

either “home-grown” or came from a 

new business with large 

vendor who is no longer competitive 

government entities, how do 

in the market, and over time these 

you compete with prominent 

systems are becoming increasingly 

global software companies?

unreliable or unsupportable. The need 

to maintain uninterrupted access 

to vital information and processes 

ultimately drives replacement of these 

systems and eventually becomes 

a priority that generally outweighs 

short-term budgetary concerns.

Years ago, prospective clients in large  

cities, counties and school districts 

believed they had to make a choice 

between the deep public sector domain 

expertise of Tyler and the technology 

advances of a global or “Tier 1” vendor. 

ERP | FINANCIAL 

 As clients focus on ways 

to save time and money 

throughout their core 

functions, financial ERP 

solutions from Tyler provide 

a wealth of features and 

functionality. In 2010, Tyler 

secured new contracts with 

clients in 31 states and 

Guam—from the Contra 

Costa County Office of 

Education in California to 

the city of Rochester,  

New York—empowering 

these organizations to 

enhance services to citizens, 

manage their finances 

efficiently and make the 

most of their resources.

8

Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Many of Tyler’s professionals 
have worked in the public 
sector—so we know 
firsthand what challenges 
and concerns our clients 
face every day.

Our new Microsoft 
Silverlight enhancements 
are helping Tyler clients 
access data with ease  
and view their operations 
in a new light. 

How can school districts 
support and overcome 
operational challenges with 
limited resources? Our  
school solutions bring the 
answers into view.

2 0 1 0   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

9

APPRAISAL & TAX 

public sector. In contrast, while the 

global software companies have very 

robust products, the public sector is 

Tyler is the country’s largest  

just one of a wide range of vertical 

We believe that our current product 

those situations, and we can point 

offerings are extremely competitive 

to a number of multimillion-dollar 

when viewed objectively, specifically 

wins in 2010 where we competed 

in light of the significant investments 

with global ERP providers. These 

in product development we have 

include our contracts with the cities of 

continued to make over recent years. 

Madison, Wisconsin, and Rochester, 

Tyler offers a unique combination of 

New York, and with the Columbus 

leading technologies that scale to 

(Ohio) City School system. Public 

work in large, complex organizations 

sector solutions are all we do, and 

together with features and functionality 

as a result, we bring tremendous 

that address the specific needs of the 

value to the client relationship.

What kind of investment—financial  

and otherwise—are you making in  

product development?

In 2010, Tyler dedicated more 

resources and spent more on 

product development than at any 

time in the company’s history. 

Companywide, approximately 600 

professionals are directly involved 

in product development. We have 

an extremely talented team of 

developers working on new products, 

as well as on enhancements to 

existing products, and we’re very 

proud of their ongoing innovations.

Tyler Technologies already has a 

reputation as a leader and innovator 

in the public sector. Wouldn’t it be to 

your financial advantage to decrease 

your R&D budget for the short term?

markets they serve, and a great deal of 

the functionality in their products does 

not add value for public sector clients. 

Additionally, global providers often 

use third-party systems integrators 

to implement their software, and it 

frequently takes an army of consultants 

to adapt the software to a public sector 

client’s needs, including complex 

customizations for specific vertical 

applications that are not a part of the 

core product. Virtually all of Tyler’s 

implementations are performed with 

our own professional services teams, 

who work exclusively with public sector 

clients and therefore have tremendous 

expertise in our clients’ operations. 

As a result, the professional services 

component of our implementations is 

While many software companies, 

typically significantly lower, providing a 

including some of our competitors, cut 

lower total cost of ownership, enhanced 

back on R&D spending in response to 

by a solid reputation for completing 

the economic slowdown, we did not. 

projects on time and within budget. 

The pace of technology moves quickly, 

While the brand recognition of some  

of these prominent vendors is 

sometimes seen as justifying their 

higher cost, we believe that in this 

more difficult budget environment, 

Tyler is frequently getting a closer 

look because of our lower total cost 

as well as the availability of our SaaS 

offerings. We are confident that our 

value proposition is very attractive in 

and we believe that it is crucial to 

continue to invest aggressively in 

initiatives to improve our already strong 

competitive position. Recent R&D 

projects, such as delivering our Munis® 

solution using 100 percent Microsoft 

Silverlight technology, are elevating the 

user experience by giving clients more 

intuitive control over how they view 

their data. It all goes back to our focus 

on cultivating value over the long term.

mass appraisal company, 

and appraisal outsourcing 

solutions were a source of 

growth for us in 2010. This 

was led by an $8.2 million 

contract with Allegheny 

County (Pittsburgh), 

Pennsylvania; a $4.5 

million agreement with 

Cobb County, Georgia; and 

a $3.3 million contract 

with Gwinnett County, 

Georgia. We also expanded 

the reach of our appraisal 

and tax software solutions 

with a $2.3 million software 

contract with the state 

of Nebraska. Other wins 

included software contracts 

with counties in Indiana, 

Arizona, South Carolina, 

Minnesota, Nebraska  

and Ohio.

10 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

a
solid
base

Our singular focus on the public sector 

fortifies our solutions with unrivaled strength. 

Through both adverse and advantageous 

economic climates, our proven strategies 

consistently deliver powerful results.

2 0 1 0   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

11

Even in the best of times, 
the public sector faces 
tremendous pressure 
to save money. Tyler’s 
solutions help our clients 
do more with less.

Our solutions help clients 
serve the public more 
effectively and efficiently, 
resulting in solid, long-
term returns on their 
technology investments.

12 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

While many companies cut  
back on research and 
development, Tyler Technologies 
invested in innovation at  
our highest level ever to further 
enhance our product offerings.

What were some other highlights 

Our largest single project, however, 

of your product development 

remains our co-development effort with 

program for 2010?

Microsoft on Microsoft Dynamics AX  

In addition to using Microsoft 

Silverlight technology, our research 

for the public sector, which is 

scheduled for release in mid-2011. 

and development efforts are at  

What is the strategic opportunity for 

work in every Tyler solution area. 

the Microsoft Dynamics AX public 

In the courtroom, the dynamic 

sector product, and when do you 

Odyssey® SessionWorks Judge 

expect to begin to realize the benefits 

Edition puts case files and related 

from your investment in that product? 

document management literally at a 

judge’s fingertips using multi-touch 

technology developed in partnership 

with Microsoft. For appraisal 

jurisdictions and tax offices, we’ve 

made significant upgrades to our 

iasWorld product suite by adding 

advanced functionality such as a role-

based digital dashboard, as well as 

providing an enriched yet streamlined 

user interface. And Incode V.X, a true 

.Net application, provides a unique 

user experience—from role-based 

navigation and tailored workspaces 

to extensive business intelligence 

functionality for robust native reporting 

and managed services features for 

deployment and system management.

2010 Quarterly  
Earnings Per Share
in dollars

1
2
0
$

.

.

9
1
0
$

.

7
1
0
$

.

3
1
0
$

1
Q

2
Q

3
Q

4
Q

We established a partnership with 

Microsoft in 2007 to develop public 

sector functionality for a new version 

of its Dynamics AX product, which 

is being developed for the global 

ERP market. Since then, we have 

invested a significant amount of 

effort and money (all of which has 

been expensed) on that project. 

This Microsoft-branded product is 

expected to be released in mid-2011. 

COURTS & JUSTICE 

 A $10 million contract 

with Fulton County 

(Atlanta), Georgia, for our 

Odyssey integrated justice 

system was one of several 

agreements that reinforced 

our position as the leader 

in courts and justice 

solutions across the nation. 

As a reseller of Dynamics AX for 

Other significant contracts 

the public sector, we expect to 

included an $8.8 million 

win incremental business through 

contract for a statewide 

our direct sales of this product, 

case management system 

including large-scale opportunities 

for South Dakota, and a 

$6.8 million agreement with 

Pinellas County, Florida.  

In Texas, Tyler signed a  

$5.3 million integrated 

justice contract with existing 

client El Paso County,  

along with a municipal 

courts contract with the  

city of Amarillo and  

several contracts for our  

Odyssey Online solution.

2 0 1 0   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

13

Diluted Annual  
Earnings Per Share
in dollars

4
7
0
$

.

1
7
0
$

.

1
6
0
$

.

2
4
0
$

.

4
3
0
$

.

6
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

)
a
(

8
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

(a)   2008 EPS is non-GAAP and 
excludes non-cash legal 
settlement charge related to 
warrants of $0.23

taking
firm
root

With a client retention rate of approximately 

97 percent, Tyler is known for its scalable 

solutions that help clients grow and stay 

current with changing technologies.

14 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

where we believe the combination of 

us to broaden our offerings, or that 

Microsoft’s technology and branding 

have complementary products that 

and Tyler’s deep domain expertise 

allow us to quickly gain market share 

will be powerful. Those sales will 

and build recurring revenues. We 

likely also include ancillary Tyler 

evaluate candidates carefully, looking 

applications, as well as professional 

for a clearly defined strategic fit and 

services engagements for Tyler.

reasonable valuations. Our acquisition 

In addition, Dynamics AX for the 

public sector will also be sold through 

other Microsoft channel partners. 

Some of these partners will address 

markets where Tyler currently has little 

or no presence with ERP products, 

of Wiznet for approximately $10 million 

in January 2010 met these criteria, 

enabling us to add an e-filing solution 

that we knew well from our previous 

partnership, along with an attractive 

and growing recurring revenue stream.

including the federal government, 

How do your SaaS solutions 

state governments and international 

figure into your strategy?

governments. Tyler will share in 

license and maintenance revenues 

from any sale of Dynamics AX in the 

public sector worldwide. We believe 

that the majority of these revenues 

will be incremental to our current 

business, and that they will have 

relatively high incremental margins.

We believe it’s important to offer clients 

a choice, and SaaS is an attractive 

option for those who need the benefits 

that our best-of-breed solutions provide, 

but either don’t want to maintain the 

in-house technical resources to manage 

the system or prefer to pay for the 

solution over a subscription term rather 

We do not expect that there will 

than through traditional license fees.

SCHOOLS 

With notable contracts 

in Ohio, California and 

Pennsylvania, Tyler’s school 

solutions continued to 

mature in 2010, and seven 

school districts nationwide 

have opted to purchase 

Tyler’s ERP solutions in 

conjunction with our robust 

student information software. 

Our school offerings now 

include Tyler Telematic 

be any meaningful revenues from 

the Microsoft Dynamics AX product 

in 2011, given the length of sales 

cycles. The impact in 2012 may be 

relatively neutral as revenues ramp 

up to cover our ongoing fixed costs 

related to the product. Microsoft and 

Tyler are committed to ultimately 

capturing a significant share of the 

global public sector ERP market, 

and the release of this product 

is a key step toward that goal.

While we’ve offered our Munis ERP 

GPS, a new product that 

solution in a hosted model since 2001 

uses global positioning 

with a high level of client satisfaction, 

technology in concert 

we’ve added more products to the 

with our Versatrans school 

hosted model in recent years. Our SaaS 

transportation solution to 

offerings now include our Incode V.X, 

decrease fuel consumption, 

as well as our iasWorld appraisal and 

reduce maintenance costs 

tax solution and Odyssey Online, 

and analyze driver habits.

a hosted version of our industry-

leading courts and justice solution. In 

December 2010, we signed our largest 

SaaS deal to date—a $6 million, five-

In addition to your R&D initiatives, 

year contract with Columbus (Ohio) 

Tyler has a long history of expanding 

City Schools for our Munis solution. 

its capabilities through acquisitions. 

Tyler will implement the product 

Does the current economy change 

throughout the district (Ohio’s largest 

your acquisition strategy?

with more than 50,000 students), 

Not fundamentally—although in 

recent years we’ve become more 

selective in terms of considering 

potential acquisitions. We typically 

look at acquisitions that either add 

unique products or services, enabling 

maintain servers and software, conduct 

perpetual upgrades, and provide 

disaster recovery services. Not only 

is the hosted model a logistically 

seamless option for our clients—it is 

also a financially sound model for Tyler.

2 0 1 0   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

15

Sustainability is an increasingly 

As a result, we’ve seen measurable 

important consideration for 

gains in our online marketing efforts. 

many companies today. What 

From 2009 to 2010, traffic to  

are some of the ways Tyler 

supports green practices?

From a client perspective, products like 

our school bus routing software help 

school districts decrease their carbon 

footprint by identifying opportunities to 

increase efficiencies—in this example, 

using less fuel through more efficient 

routing. In addition, many of our 

www.tylertech.com increased more than 

200 percent. Additionally, the number 

of impressions and click-through rates 

of our online advertising campaigns 

tripled by year’s end. We’ve also begun 

implementing targeted marketing 

campaigns that allow us to identify and 

track prospect leads and, ultimately, 

help drive new and add-on sales.

technology solutions make it possible 

The preceding Q&A reflects the  

for governments and schools to go 

views of Tyler Technologies’ 

paperless, which not only saves trees 

management regarding company 

but also reduces waste related  

performance and market perspectives. 

to ink and toner cartridges. From  

To learn more, visit www.tylertech.com 

a corporate perspective, Tyler 

or contact our investor relations team  

Technologies supports a broad  

at info@tylertech.com.

spectrum of green initiatives 

throughout our operations. We’ve 

implemented recycling programs 

and energy-saving initiatives, and 

we’ve built and moved into a LEED-

certified building to accommodate 

growth in our Lubbock, Texas, office. 

In 2009, Tyler announced a 

major rebranding initiative to 

reinforce the company’s singular 

mission: Empowering people who 

serve the public. Do you believe 

attitudes or operations were 

affected as a result in 2010?

Absolutely. The majority of our software 

products originated through  

acquisitions, so in some cases the  

market knew us better by the original 

names—such as CLT, Munis,  

Odyssey, Incode, Eden and Eagle. 

By emphasizing Tyler Technologies’ 

current position as a unified company 

with multiple complementary 

product lines, we were able to 

leverage the historic equity of our 

founding products while successfully 

building on the Tyler brand.

LAND & VITAL RECORDS 

 While budget constraints at 

the local government level 

impacted new contracts for 

our land and vital records 

solutions in 2010, we 

continued to cultivate value 

by empowering clients to 

manage public records 

electronically, automate 

social services functions 

and provide public access 

to authorized records 

while protecting private 

information. From individual 

departments and recording 

offices to enterprise content 

management, Tyler offers a  

broad range of solutions  

to suit the document  

management needs of the 

public sector.

16 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es
16

Tyler Technologies

Stock Market Data

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TYL.” At December 31, 2010,  

we had approximately 2,037 stockholders of record. A number of our stockholders hold their shares in street name; 

therefore, there are substantially more than 2,037 beneficial owners of our common stock.

The following table shows, for the calendar periods indicated, the high and low sales price per share of our common 

stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

2009:  First Quarter 

  Second Quarter 

  Third Quarter 

  Fourth Quarter 

2010:  First Quarter 

  Second Quarter 

  Third Quarter 

  Fourth Quarter 

High 

Low

$ 14.79 

  17.76 

  17.62 

  21.09 

$ 21.52 

  19.83 

  20.46 

  22.19 

$ 11.35

  14.17

  14.51

  16.76

$ 17.13

  15.44

  15.00

  19.49

We did not pay any cash dividends in 2010 or 2009. Our bank credit agreement contains restrictions on the payment 

of cash dividends. We intend to retain earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business, and, therefore, 

we do not anticipate declaring a cash dividend in the foreseeable future.

During 2010, we purchased approximately 3.6 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of 

$65.8 million. The repurchase program, which was approved by our board of directors, was announced in October 2002, 

and was amended in April and July 2003, October 2004, October 2005, May 2007, May 2008, October 2008, 

May 2009, July 2010 and October 2010. Our board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional  

2.0 million shares on July 27, 2010 and an additional 2.0 million shares on October 26, 2010. As of December 31, 

2010, we had remaining authorization to repurchase up to 2.7 million additional shares of our common stock. 

There is no expiration date specified for the authorization and we intend to repurchase stock under the plan from 

time to time.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected Financial Data

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(In thousands, except per share data) 

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006

For the Years Ended December 31,

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:

Revenues   

Costs and expenses:

  Cost of revenues 

$ 288,628 

$ 290,286 

$ 265,101 

$ 219,796 

$ 195,303

  160,311 

  161,523 

  155,314 

  135,371 

  120,499

  Selling, general and administrative expenses 

  69,480 

  70,115 

  62,923 

  51,724 

  48,389

  Research and development expense 

  13,971 

  11,159 

  Amortization of customer and trade name intangibles  

3,225 

  Non-cash legal settlement related to warrants (1) 

— 

2,705 

— 

7,286 

2,438 

9,045 

4,443 

1,478 

— 

3,322

1,318

—

Operating income 

Other (expense) income, net 

  41,641 

  44,784 

  28,095 

  26,780 

  21,775

(1,742) 

(146) 

1,181 

1,800 

1,080

Income from operations before income taxes 

  39,899 

  44,638 

  29,276 

  28,580 

  22,855

Income tax provision 

Net income 

  14,845 

  17,628 

  14,414 

  11,079 

8,493

$  25,054 

$  27,010 

$  14,862 

$  17,501 

$  14,362

Net income per diluted share 

$ 

0.71 

$ 

0.74 

$ 

0.38 

$ 

0.42 

$ 

0.34

Weighted average diluted shares 

  35,528 

  36,624 

  39,184 

  41,352 

  41,868

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS DATA:

Cash flows provided by operating activities 

$  35,350 

$  42,941 

$  47,802 

$  34,111 

$  26,804

Cash flows used by investing activities 

(8,694) 

(13,658) 

(9,554) 

  (34,275) 

  (24,326)

Cash flows used by financing activities 

  (34,238) 

(21,349) 

  (46,128) 

(7,406) 

(5,999)

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Total assets 

Revolving line of credit 

Shareholders’ equity 

$ 264,032 

$ 270,670 

$ 251,761 

$ 241,508 

$ 220,276

  26,500 

— 

— 

— 

—

  106,972 

  134,358 

  114,262 

  137,211 

  125,875

(1)  On June 27, 2008, we settled outstanding litigation related to two Stock Purchase Warrants (the “Warrants”) owned by 

Bank of America, N. A. (“BANA”). The Warrants entitled BANA to acquire 1.6 million shares of Tyler common stock at an 
exercise price of $2.50 per share. Following court-ordered mediation, in July 2008, BANA paid us $2.0 million and we 
issued to BANA 801,883 restricted shares of Tyler common stock. Accordingly, we recorded a non-cash legal settlement 
related to warrants charge of $9.0 million, which was not tax deductible.

18 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this document contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking 

statements are made in reliance upon safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 

The forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to 

differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue 

reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s opinions only as of the date hereof. We 

undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. 

Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in the documents we file from time to time with the SEC.

When used in this Annual Report, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” “forecasts,” 

“estimates,” “plans,” “intends,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “projects,” “might,” “could” or the negative 

of such terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements  

that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements.

OVERVIEW

General

We provide integrated information management solutions and services for the public sector, with a focus on local 

governments. We develop and market a broad line of software products and services to address the information 

technology (“IT”) needs of cities, counties, schools and other local government entities. In addition, we provide 

professional IT services to our customers, including software and hardware installation, data conversion, training  

and for certain customers, product modifications, along with continuing maintenance and support for customers using 

our systems. We also provide subscription-based services such as hosted solutions as well as property appraisal 

outsourcing services for taxing jurisdictions.

Our products generally automate three major functional areas (1) financial management and education, (2) courts and 

justice and (3) property appraisal and tax and we report our results in two segments. The Enterprise Software 

Solutions (“ESS”) segment provides municipal and county governments and schools with software systems to meet 

their information technology and automation needs for mission-critical “back-office” functions such as financial 

management and courts and justice processes. The Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services (“ATSS”) 

segment provides systems and software that automate the appraisal and assessment of real and personal property as 

well as property appraisal outsourcing services for local governments and taxing authorities. Property appraisal 

outsourcing services include: the physical inspection of commercial and residential properties; data collection and 

processing; computer analysis for property valuation; preparation of tax rolls; community education; and arbitration 

between taxpayers and the assessing jurisdiction.

We monitor and analyze several key performance indicators in order to manage our business and evaluate our financial 

and operating performance. These indicators include the following:

–  Revenues – We derive our revenues from five primary sources: sale of software licenses; subscription-based 

services; software services; maintenance and support; and appraisal services. Because the majority of the software 

we sell is “off-the-shelf,” increased sales of software products generally result in incrementally higher gross 

margins. Thus, the most significant driver to our business is the number and size of software license sales. In 

addition, new software license sales generally generate implementation services revenues as well as future 

maintenance and support revenues, which are a recurring revenue source. We also monitor our customer base and 

churn since our maintenance and support revenue should increase due to our historically low customer turnover. 

During 2010, approximately 47% of our revenue was attributable to ongoing support and maintenance agreements 

and our customer turnover was approximately 3%.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

19

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

–  Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins – Our primary cost component is personnel expenses in connection with 

providing software implementation, subscription-based services, maintenance and support, and appraisal services 

to our customers. We can improve gross margins by controlling headcount and related costs and by expanding  

our revenue base, especially from those products and services that produce incremental revenue with minimal 

incremental cost, such as software licenses, subscription-based services, and maintenance and support. Our 

appraisal projects are seasonal in nature, and we often employ appraisal personnel on a short-term basis to 

coincide with the life of a project. As of December 31, 2010, our total employee count increased to 2,054 from 

2,018 at December 31, 2009. Most of these additions were to our appraisal staff which is cyclical and in part 

driven by statutory revaluation cycles in various states. Additions to our appraisal staff were offset somewhat by  

a smaller implementation and support staff as we manage costs and staff to ensure they are in line with demand  

in professional services.

–  Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses – The primary components of SG&A expenses are 

administrative and sales personnel salaries and commissions, marketing expense, share-based compensation 

expense, rent and professional fees. Sales commissions typically fluctuate with revenues and share-based 

compensation expense generally increases when the market price of our stock increases. Other administrative 

expenses tend to grow at a slower rate than revenues.

–  Liquidity and Cash Flows – The primary driver of our cash flows is net income. Uses of cash include acquisitions, 

capital investments in property and equipment and discretionary purchases of treasury stock. In 2010, we 

purchased 3.6 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $65.8 million. During 2010 

we used cash of $9.5 million to acquire one company and invested $4.9 million in property and equipment.  

Our investment in property and equipment included $1.3 million related to construction of an office building. 

We also borrowed $26.5 million on our revolving line of credit mainly to assist in funding discretionary purchases 

of treasury stock. Our working capital needs are fairly stable throughout the year with the significant components  

of cash outflows being payment of personnel expenses offset by cash inflows representing collection of accounts 

receivable and cash receipts from customers in advance of revenue being earned.

–  Balance Sheet – Cash, accounts receivable and days sales outstanding and deferred revenue balances are important 

indicators of our business.

Acquisitions

In January 2010 we acquired all the assets of Wiznet, Inc. (“Wiznet”) for a cash purchase price of $9.5 million. 

Wiznet provides electronic document filing solutions for courts and law offices throughout the United States and is 

integrated with our primary courts and justice solution.

In connection with this transaction we acquired total tangible assets of approximately $867,000. We recorded 

goodwill of approximately $2.6 million, all of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes, and other intangible 

assets of approximately $6.1 million. The $6.1 million of intangible assets is attributable to customer relationships  

and acquired software that will be amortized over a weighted average period of approximately nine years. Our balance 

sheet as of December 31, 2010 reflects the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired based on their 

estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

The operating results of this acquisition are included in our results of operations since the date of acquisition.

Outlook

Consistent with 2010, we expect to continue to invest aggressively in product development in 2011. We believe that 

our competitive position is strong and that we are well-positioned to take advantage of an eventual return to a  

stronger economic environment. However, until we see signs of sustained improvement, we are expecting that the 

new business environment in 2011 will continue to be both challenging and unpredictable, and that growth will 

again come primarily from recurring revenues.

20 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

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

which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). 

The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported 

amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues, cost of 

revenues and expenses during the reporting period, and related disclosure of contingencies. The Notes to the Financial 

Statements included as part of this Annual Report describe our significant accounting policies used in the preparation 

of the financial statements. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the application of  

the percentage-of-completion and proportionate performance methods of revenue recognition, the carrying amount and 

estimated useful lives of intangible assets, determination of share-based compensation expense and valuation 

allowance for receivables. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we 

believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about  

the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ 

from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies require significant judgments and estimates used in the 

preparation of our financial statements.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenues in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 

(“ ASC”) 605, Revenue Recognition and ASC 985-605, Software Revenue Recognition. Our revenues are derived from 

sales of software licenses, subscription-based services, appraisal services, maintenance and support, and services that 

typically range from installation, training and basic consulting to software modification and customization to meet 

specific customer needs. For multiple element software arrangements, which do not entail the performance of services 

that are considered essential to the functionality of the software, we generally record revenue when the delivered 

products or performed services result in a legally enforceable and non-refundable claim. We maintain allowances for 

doubtful accounts and sales adjustments, which are provided at the time the revenue is recognized. Because most of 

our customers are governmental entities, we rarely incur a loss resulting from the inability of a customer to make 

required payments. In a limited number of cases, we encounter a customer who is dissatisfied with some aspect of 

the software product or our service, and we may offer a “concession” to such customer. In those limited situations 

where we grant a concession, we rarely reduce the contract arrangement fee, but alternatively may perform additional 

services, such as additional training or creating additional custom reports. These amounts have historically been 

nominal. In connection with our customer contracts and the adequacy of related allowances and measures of progress 

towards contract completion, our project managers are charged with the responsibility to continually review the status 

of each customer on a specific contract basis. Also, we review, on at least a quarterly basis, significant past due 

accounts receivable and the adequacy of related reserves. Events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the 

carrying amount for the allowances for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments may require revision, include, but  

are not limited to, deterioration of a customer’s financial condition, failure to manage our customer’s expectations 

regarding the scope of the services to be delivered, and defects or errors in new versions or enhancements of our 

software products.

We use contract accounting, primarily the percentage-of-completion method, as discussed in ASC 605-35, 

Construction — Type and Certain Production — Type Contracts, for those software arrangements that involve significant 

production, modification or customization of the software, or where our software services are otherwise considered 

essential to the functionality of the software. We measure progress-to-completion primarily using labor hours incurred, 

or value added. In addition, we recognize revenue using the proportionate performance method of revenue recognition 

for our property appraisal projects, some of which can range up to five years. These methods rely on estimates of  

total expected contract revenue, billings and collections and expected contract costs, as well as measures of progress 

toward completion. We believe reasonably dependable estimates of revenue and costs and progress applicable to 

various stages of a contract can be made. At times, we perform additional and/or non-contractual services for little  

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

21

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

to no incremental fee to satisfy customer expectations. If changes occur in delivery, productivity or other factors  

used in developing our estimates of expected costs or revenues, we revise our cost and revenue estimates, and any 

revisions are charged to income in the period in which the facts that give rise to that revision first become known.  

In connection with these and certain other contracts, we may perform the work prior to when the services are billable 

and/or payable pursuant to the contract. The termination clauses in most of our contracts provide for the payment  

for the fair value of products delivered and services performed in the event of an early termination.

For application service provider (“ASP”) and other hosting arrangements, we evaluate whether the customer has the 

contractual right to take possession of our software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty 

and whether the customer can feasibly maintain the software on the customer’s hardware or enter into another 

arrangement with a third party to host the software. If we determine that the customer has the contractual right to 

take possession of our software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty and can feasibly 

maintain the software on the customer’s hardware or enter into another arrangement with a third party to host the 

software, we recognize the license, professional services and hosting services revenues pursuant to ASC 985-605, 

Software Revenue Recognition. For ASP and other hosting arrangements that do not meet the criteria for recognition 

under ASC 985-605, we account for the elements under ASC 605-25, Multiple Element Arrangements using all 

applicable facts and circumstances, including whether (i) the element has stand-alone value, (ii) there is a general 

right of return and (iii) the revenue is contingent on delivery of other elements. We allocate revenue to each element 

of the arrangement that qualifies for treatment as a separate element based on vendor-specific objective evidence  

of fair value (“VSOE”), and if VSOE is not available, third party evidence, and if third party evidence is unavailable, 

estimated selling price. For professional services associated with ASP and hosting arrangements that we determine  

do not have stand-alone value to the customer or are contingent on delivery of other elements, we recognize the 

services revenue ratably over the remaining contractual period once hosting has gone live and we may begin billing for 

the hosting services. We record amounts that have been invoiced in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue or 

revenues, depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met.

In connection with certain of our contracts, we have recorded retentions receivable or unbilled receivables consisting 

of costs and estimated profit in excess of billings as of the balance sheet date. Many of the contracts which give  

rise to unbilled receivables at a given balance sheet date are subject to billings in the subsequent accounting period. 

Management reviews unbilled receivables and related contract provisions to ensure we are justified in recognizing 

revenue prior to billing the customer and that we have objective evidence which allows us to recognize such revenue. 

In addition, we have a sizable amount of deferred revenue which represents billings in excess of revenue earned.  

The majority of this liability consists of maintenance billings for which payments are made in advance and the 

revenue is ratably earned over the maintenance period, generally one year. We also have deferred revenue for those 

contracts in which we receive a deposit and the conditions in which to record revenue for the service or product  

has not been met. On a periodic basis, we review by customer the detail components of our deferred revenue to 

ensure our accounting remains appropriate.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill. Our business acquisitions typically result in the creation of goodwill and other 

intangible asset balances, and these balances affect the amount and timing of future period amortization expense, 

as well as expense we could possibly incur as a result of an impairment charge. The cost of acquired companies  

is allocated to identifiable tangible and intangible assets based on estimated fair value, with the excess allocated to 

goodwill. Accordingly, we have a significant balance of acquisition date intangible assets, including software, 

customer related intangibles, trade name and goodwill. In addition, we capitalize software development costs incurred 

subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility. These intangible assets are amortized over their 

estimated useful lives. All intangible assets with definite and indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment annually or 

whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

22 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es
22 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

Recoverability of goodwill is generally measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to its fair value, 

generally determined by estimated future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. We evaluate goodwill 

for impairment annually as of April, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. An impairment loss is 

recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. The fair values calculated in our 

impairment tests are determined using discounted cash flow models involving several assumptions. These assumptions 

include, but are not limited to, anticipated operating income growth rates, our long-term anticipated operating income 

growth rate and the discount rate. Our cash flow forecasts are based on assumptions that are consistent with the 

plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. The assumptions that are used are based 

upon what we believe a hypothetical marketplace participant would use in estimating fair value. We have identified 

two reporting units for impairment testing. Our reporting units are the same as our reportable segments and consistent 

with the reporting units tested for impairment in prior years. Assets, liabilities and goodwill have been assigned to 

reporting units based on assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition. We evaluate the 

reasonableness of the fair value calculations of our reporting units by comparing the total of the fair value of all of  

our reporting units to our total market capitalization. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to 

be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain.

Recoverability of other intangible assets is generally measured by comparison of the carrying amount to estimated 

undiscounted future cash flows. The assessment of recoverability or of the estimated useful life for amortization 

purposes will be affected if the timing or the amount of estimated future operating cash flows is not achieved. Such 

indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant 

decline in stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business 

climate; unanticipated competition; and reductions in growth rates. In addition, products, capabilities, or technologies 

developed by others may render our software products obsolete or non-competitive. Any adverse change in these 

factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of goodwill or other intangible assets.

Our annual goodwill impairment analysis, which we performed during the second quarter of 2010, did not result  

in an impairment charge. During 2010 we did not identify any triggering events which would require an update to 

our annual impairment review. A hypothetical 10% decrease in the fair value of either of our reporting units as of 

December 31, 2010 would have had no impact on the carrying value of our goodwill.

Share-Based Compensation. We have a stock option plan that provides for the grant of stock options to key 

employees, directors and non-employee consultants. We estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of 

grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Share-based compensation expense includes the estimated 

effects of forfeitures, which will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent actual forfeitures differ, or 

are expected to differ from such estimates.  Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized in the period of change 

and will also impact the amount of expense to be recognized in future periods. Forfeiture rate assumptions are derived 

from historical data. We estimate stock price volatility at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of our 

common stock. Estimated option life is determined using the “simplified method” in accordance with ASC 718-10, 

Stock Compensation. Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of share-based 

awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, expected option 

life and forfeiture rates.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

23

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

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER

The following discussion compares the historical results of operations on a basis consistent with GAAP for the years 

ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Revenues:

 Software licenses 

 Subscriptions  

 Software services 

 Maintenance   

 Appraisal services 

 Hardware and other 

 Total revenues 

Operating Expenses:

 Cost of software licenses and acquired software 

 Cost of software services, maintenance and subscriptions 

 Cost of appraisal services 

 Cost of hardware and other 

 Selling, general and administrative expenses 

 Research and development expense 

 Amortization of customer base and trade name intangibles 

 Non-cash legal settlement related to warrants 

Operating income 

Other (expenses) income, net 

Income before income taxes 

Income tax provision 

Net income 

2010 Compared to 2009

Revenues
Software licenses.

% of Total Revenues

2010 

2009 

2008

12.1% 

14.5% 

15.7%

8.1 

23.7 

47.0 

7.1 

2.0 

5.9 

27.7 

42.9 

6.5 

2.5 

5.4

28.3

40.5

7.2

2.9

100.0 

100.0 

100.0

1.8 

47.8 

4.5 

1.5 

24.1 

4.8 

1.1 

— 

14.4 

(0.6) 

13.8 

5.1 

2.4 

47.3 

4.0 

2.0 

24.2 

3.8 

0.9 

— 

15.4 

0.0 

15.4 

6.1 

4.2

47.6

4.6

2.2

23.7

2.8

0.9

3.4

10.6

0.4

11.0

5.4

8.7% 

9.3% 

5.6%

The following table sets forth a comparison of our software license revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total software license revenues 

Change

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

$ 32,757 

  2,156 

$ 34,913 

$ 39,484 

  2,647 

$ 42,131 

$ (6,727) 

  (17)%

(491) 

  (19)

$ (7,218) 

  (17)%

In 2010 we signed 58 large new contracts with average software license fees of approximately $440,000, compared 

to 74 large new contracts signed in 2009 with average software license fees of approximately $307,000. We consider 

contracts with a license fee component of $100,000 or more to be large. Although a contract is signed in a particular 

year, the year in which the revenue is recognized may be different because we recognize revenue according to our 

revenue recognition policy as described in Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

In 2010, ESS software license revenues recognized declined substantially compared to the prior year period. The 

decrease in software license revenues is mainly attributable to longer sales cycles to negotiate and close contracts 

that have reached the request for proposal phase and postponement of customer purchasing decisions mainly due to 

24 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

budgetary constraints related to economic conditions. The software installation period for a substantial number of  

our ESS solutions is relatively short and delays in the timing of signing new contracts will impact our results in the 

short term. In addition, a portion of the decline was due to a number of customers choosing our subscription-based 

options, rather than purchasing the software under a traditional perpetual software license arrangement. Subscription-

based arrangements result in lower software license revenues in the initial year as compared to traditional perpetual 

software license arrangements but generate higher overall subscription-based services revenue over the term of the 

contract. We expect ESS software license revenues in 2011 to be flat compared to 2010.

ATSS software license revenue is substantially dependent on revaluation cycles which are cyclical and in part driven 

by statutory revaluation cycles in various states. In addition, local government taxing authorities generally do not 

purchase a new software license for each revaluation cycle.

Subscriptions.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our subscription revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

Enterprise Software Solutions 

$ 22,975 

$ 16,870 

$ 6,105 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

323 

311 

12 

 Total subscription revenues 

$ 23,298 

$ 17,181 

$ 6,117 

  36%

  4

  36%

Change

Subscription-based services revenue primarily consists of revenues derived from application service provider (“ASP”) 

arrangements and other hosted service offerings, software subscriptions and disaster recovery services. In January 

2010, we acquired Wiznet, which provides primarily subscription-based electronic document filing solutions for courts 

and law offices and is included in our ESS segment. Excluding the impact of this acquisition, ESS and total 

subscription revenues grew by 18% in 2010. ASP and other software subscription agreements are typically for periods 

of three to six years and automatically renew unless either party cancels the agreement. Disaster recovery and 

miscellaneous other hosted service agreements are typically renewable annually. Existing customers who converted to 

our ASP model as well as new customers for ASP and other hosted service offerings provided the majority of the 

subscription revenue increase with the remaining increase due to slightly higher rates for disaster recovery services.  

In 2010, 50 existing customers elected to transfer to our ASP model and we added 19 new customers.

Software services.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our software services revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total software services revenues 

Change

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

$ 58,371 

  9,969 

$ 68,340 

$ 70,041 

  10,364 

$ 80,405 

$ (11,670) 

  (17)%

(395) 

(4)

$ (12,065) 

  (15)%

Software services revenues primarily consists of professional services billed in connection with the installation of our 

software, conversion of customer data, training customer personnel and consulting. New customers who purchase  

our proprietary software licenses generally also contract with us to provide for the related software services as well. 

Existing customers also periodically purchase additional training, consulting and minor programming services.  

The decline in software services revenues in 2010 is principally due to lower new software license contract activity in 

recent quarters due to weak economic conditions. In addition, the increase in the mix of customers choosing our 

subscription-based solutions was a factor in lower software services revenues.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

25

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

Maintenance.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our maintenance revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total maintenance revenues 

Change

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

$ 120,764 

  14,891 

$ 135,655 

$ 110,404 

  14,108 

$ 124,512 

$ 10,360 

783 

$ 11,143 

  9%

  6

  9%

We provide maintenance and support services for our software products and third party software. Maintenance revenues 

increased 9% in 2010 compared to 2009. This increase was due to growth in our installed customer base and 

slightly higher maintenance rates on most of our product lines. Our annual maintenance and support growth rate has 

declined compared to previous year’s growth rate due to a number of customers converting to ASP arrangements  

as well as new customers choosing our subscription-based options, rather than purchasing the software under a 

traditional perpetual software license arrangement.

Appraisal services.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our appraisal service revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total appraisal services revenues 

Change

2010 

2009 

$ 

$ 

— 

  20,554 

$ 20,554 

$  — 

  18,740 

$ 18,740 

$  — 

  1,814 

$ 1,814 

%

 —%

  10

  10%

Appraisal services revenue increased 10% in 2010 compared to 2009. The appraisal services business is somewhat 

cyclical and driven in part by statutory revaluation cycles in various states. We substantially completed several large 

appraisal projects mid-2009. We began several new revaluation contracts in late 2009 which contributed to the revenue 

growth in 2010. We expect appraisal revenues for 2011 will be moderately higher than 2010.

Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins

The following table sets forth a comparison of the key components of our cost of revenues for the years ended 

December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Software licenses 

Acquired software 

Software services, maintenance and subscriptions 

Appraisal services 

Hardware and other 

 Total cost of revenues 

Change

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

$  3,456 

$  5,440 

$ (1,984) 

  (36)%

1,592 

  138,085 

  12,910 

4,268 

1,411 

  137,199 

  11,518 

181 

886 

  1,392 

  13

  1

  12

5,955 

  (1,687) 

  (28)

$ 160,311 

$ 161,523 

$ (1,212) 

(1)%

The following table sets forth a comparison of gross margin percentage by revenue type for the years ended December 31:

Gross margin percentage 

Software license and acquired software 

Software services, maintenance and subscriptions 

Appraisal services 

Hardware and other 

 Overall gross margin 

2010 

85.5% 

39.2 

37.2 

27.3 

2009 

Change

83.7% 

  1.8%

38.2 

38.5 

18.6 

  1.0

 (1.3)

  8.7

44.5% 

44.4% 

  0.1%

26 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

Software license and acquired software. Cost of software license and acquired software is comprised of third party 

software costs, amortization of acquired software and amortization expense for capitalized development costs on 

certain software products. Cost of third party software comprised approximately 60% of our cost of software license 

revenues in 2010 compared to approximately 69% of our cost of software license in 2009. Third party software sales 

declined due to lower proprietary software sales. New software license sales are a significant driver of third party 

license sales. Costs of acquired software comprises approximately 32% of our cost of software license revenues in 

2010 compared to approximately 21% of our cost of software license in 2009. Cost of acquired software includes 

amortization expense for software acquired through acquisitions. We completed several acquisitions in the period 

2007 through 2010 and these costs are being amortized over a weighted average period of approximately five years. 

The balance is made up of amortization of capitalized development costs on other software products. Amortization 

expense for capitalized development cost is determined on a product-by-product basis at an annual rate not less than 

straight-line basis over the product’s estimated life, which is generally five years. Development costs consist mainly  

of personnel costs, such as salary and benefits paid to our developers, and rent for related office space. We did not 

capitalize any internal software development costs in 2010 or 2009.

In 2010, our software license gross margin percentage increased compared to the prior year period because our product 

mix included less third party software. Third party software has a lower gross margin than proprietary software solutions.

Software services, maintenance and subscription-based services. Cost of software services, maintenance and 

subscriptions primarily consists of personnel costs related to installation of our software, conversion of customer data, 

training customer personnel and support activities and various other services such as ASP and disaster recovery. In 

2010, the software services, maintenance and subscriptions gross margin increased compared to the prior year partly 

because maintenance and various other services such as ASP and disaster recovery costs typically grow at a slower 

rate than related revenues due to leverage in the utilization of our support and maintenance staff and economies of 

scale, as well as annual rate increases on certain services. We are also managing costs and staff levels to ensure they 

are in line with demand for professional services. Our implementation and support staff has declined by 61 employees 

since December 31, 2009.

Appraisal services. Our appraisal services gross margin declined compared to 2009. Our appraisal services gross 

margin in 2009 included the positive impact of cost savings and operational efficiencies experienced on an unusually 

complex reappraisal project that ended in mid-2009. In addition, a high proportion of the costs of appraisal services 

revenue are variable, as we often hire temporary employees to assist in appraisal projects whose term of employment 

generally ends with the projects’ completion.

Our blended gross margin for 2010 increased compared to 2009 due to lower third party software expense which 

offset the impact of a revenue mix that included less software license revenues. The gross margin also benefited from 

leverage in the utilization of our support and maintenance staff and economies of scale and slightly higher rates on 

certain services.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, travel, share-

based compensation expense, commissions and related overhead costs for administrative and sales and marketing 

employees as well as, professional fees, trade show activities, advertising costs and other marketing related costs. 

The following table sets forth a comparison of our SG&A expenses for the following years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses 

$ 69,480 

$ 70,115 

$ (635) 

(1)%

Change

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

27

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

SG&A expenses declined in 2010 compared to 2009 due to lower commission costs and marketing expenses  

which were offset somewhat by higher share-based compensation expense. Marketing expenses in 2009 include 

costs associated with the launch of a new corporate branding initiative.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense consists primarily of salaries, employee benefits and related overhead costs 

associated with product development and enhancements and upgrades provided to existing customers under 

maintenance plans. The following table sets forth a comparison of our research and development expense for the 

following years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

Research and development expense 

$ 13,971 

$ 11,159 

$ 2,812 

  25%

Change

Research and development expense consists of costs associated with development of new products and new 

software platforms from which we do not currently generate revenue. These include the Microsoft Dynamics AX 

project, as well as other new product development efforts. In 2010 approximately two-thirds of the increase in 

gross research and development expense relates to investments in new product development other than Microsoft 

Dynamics AX. We have increased our research and development efforts as we continue to make investments in 

existing and new products that we believe will enhance our competitive position and drive long-term revenue 

growth. We have increased our development staff by 27 employees since December 31, 2009. In January 2007, 

we entered into a Software Development and License Agreement, which provides for a strategic alliance with 

Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) to jointly develop core public sector functionality for Microsoft Dynamics AX to 

address the accounting needs of public sector organizations worldwide. In September 2007, Tyler and Microsoft 

signed an amendment to the Software Development and License Agreement, which grants Microsoft intellectual 

property rights in and to certain portions of the software code provided and developed by Tyler into Microsoft 

Dynamics AX products to be marketed and sold outside of the public sector in exchange for reimbursement payments 

to partially offset the research and development costs.

In 2010 and 2009, we offset our research and development expense by $5.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively, 

which were the amounts earned under the terms of our agreement with Microsoft. In September 2008, Tyler and 

Microsoft signed a statement of work under the Amended Software Development and License Agreement for which we 

expected to recognize offsets to our research and development expense by approximately $850,000 each quarter 

through the end of 2010. In addition, in October 2009, the scope of the project was further expanded which will 

result in additional offsets to research and development expense, varying in amount from quarter to quarter through 

mid-2012 for a total of approximately $6.2 million. As of December 31, 2010, we have received $1.1 million and 

expect to receive the remaining $5.1 million through mid-2012. The actual amount and timing of future research 

and development costs and related reimbursements and whether they are capitalized or expensed may vary. We 

currently expect that for 2011, we will recognize less reimbursement from Microsoft than we did in 2010 due to 

changes in the timing of deployment of resources.

Amortization of Customer and Trade Name Intangibles

Acquisition intangibles are comprised of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible assets 

acquired that is allocated to acquired software and customer and trade name intangibles. The remaining excess 

purchase price is allocated to goodwill that is not subject to amortization. Amortization expense related to acquired 

software is included with cost of revenues, while amortization expense of customer and trade name intangibles is 

recorded as other operating expense. The estimated useful lives of both customer and trade name intangibles are five 

to 25 years. The following table sets forth a comparison of amortization of customer and trade name intangibles for 

the following years ended December 31:

28 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

($ in thousands) 

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

Amortization of customer and trade name intangibles 

$ 3,225 

$ 2,705 

$ 520 

  19%

Change

In January 2010 we completed one acquisition, which increased amortizable customer and trade name intangibles 

by approximately $5.5 million. This amount will be amortized over 10 years.

Estimated annual amortization expense relating to customer and trade name acquisition intangibles, excluding 

acquired software for which the amortization expense is recorded as cost of revenues, for the next five years is as 

follows (in thousands):

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

$ 3,186

  3,134

  2,975

  2,974

  2,974

Other

The following table sets forth a comparison of other expense, net for the following years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Other (expense) income, net 

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

$ (1,742) 

$ (146) 

$ (1,596) 

  NA

Change

In 2010, over half of other expense is comprised of interest expense, non-usage and other fees associated with a credit 

agreement entered into in August 2010. Other expense in 2009 is mainly comprised of interest expense, non-usage 

fees and other bank fees. Interest expense was higher in 2010 than 2009 due to higher debt levels associated with our 

stock repurchases. In addition the effective interest rate in 2010 was 3.4% compared to 1.8% in 2009.

Income Tax Provision

The following table sets forth a comparison of our income tax provision for the following years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Income tax provision 

Effective income tax rate 

Change

2010 

2009 

$ 

%

$ 14,845 

$ 17,628 

$ (2,783) 

  (16)%

37.2% 

39.5%

Our effective income tax rate declined compared to 2009 mainly due to a $579,000 research and development tax 

credit in 2010. In addition to the impact of the research and development tax credit in 2010, the effective income  

tax rate for both years were different from the statutory United States federal income tax rate of 35% due to state 

income taxes, non-deductible share-based compensation expense, the qualified manufacturing activities deduction, 

and non-deductible meals and entertainment costs.

Approximately 35% of our stock option expense is derived from incentive stock options (“ISOs”). As such, a tax 

benefit is not recorded at the time the compensation cost related to the options is recorded for book purposes due  

to the fact that an ISO does not ordinarily result in a tax benefit unless there is a disqualifying disposition. 

Non-qualified stock options result in the creation of a deferred tax asset, which is a temporary difference, until the 

time that the option is exercised. Due to the treatment of ISOs for tax purposes, our effective tax rate from year  

to year is subject to variability.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

29

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

2009 Compared to 2008

Revenues
Software licenses.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our software license revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total software license revenues 

Change

2009 

2008 

$ 

%

$ 39,484 

  2,647 

$ 42,131 

$ 39,215 

  2,275 

$ 41,490 

$ 269 

  372 

$ 641 

  1%

  16

  2%

We acquired several student information and financial management solutions for K-12 schools from January through 

August 2008. Excluding the impact of these acquisitions, ESS software license revenue would have declined 

approximately $900,000. In mid-2009 our sales cycle to negotiate and close contracts which have reached the 

request for proposal phase lengthened slightly mainly due to budgetary constraints related to declining economic 

conditions. As a result the purchasing processes for some of our customers were extended to include more approval 

and documentation requirements. In addition, a few contracts included requirements to construct interfaces to 

existing systems or other essential functionality which results in recognizing revenue over a longer period of time.

ATSS software license revenue is substantially dependent on revaluation cycles which are cyclical and in part driven 

by statutory revaluation cycles in various states. In addition, local government taxing authorities generally do not 

purchase a new software license for each revaluation cycle.

Subscriptions.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our subscription revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total subscription revenues 

Change

2009 

2008 

$ 

%

$ 16,870 

$ 14,352 

311 

22 

$ 17,181 

$ 14,374 

$ 2,518 

  289 

$ 2,807 

  18%

  NA

  20%

Excluding the impact of acquisitions, ESS subscription revenues grew 16% in 2009 compared to 2008. This increase 

was due to new customers for ASP and other hosted service offerings as well as existing customers converting to ASP 

arrangements and slightly higher rates for disaster recovery services.

Software services.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our software service revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total software services revenues 

Change

2009 

2008 

$ 

%

$ 70,041 

  10,364 

$ 80,405 

$ 63,508 

  11,489 

$ 74,997 

$  6,533 

  10%

  (1,125) 

  (10)

$  5,408 

  7%

Excluding the impact of acquisitions, ESS software services revenue increased 9% compared to 2008. This 

increase was mainly due to additions to our implementation and support staff as well as leverage in the utilization 

of our implementation and support staff and slightly higher rates on some arrangements.

30 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

Maintenance.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our maintenance revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total maintenance revenues 

Change

2009 

2008 

$ 

$ 110,404 

  14,108 

$ 124,512 

$  94,546 

  12,912 

$ 107,458 

$ 15,858 

  1,196 

$ 17,054 

%

  17%

  9

  16%

Excluding the impact of acquisitions, total maintenance revenues increased 14% in 2009 compared to 2008. 

Excluding the impact of acquisitions, ESS maintenance and support services grew 15% and ATSS maintenance and 

support services grew 8% in 2009 compared to 2008. This increase was due to growth in our installed customer 

base and slightly higher maintenance rates on most of our product lines.

Appraisal services.

The following table sets forth a comparison of our appraisal service revenues for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Enterprise Software Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services 

 Total appraisal services revenues 

2009 

2008 

$ 

— 

  18,740 

$ 18,740 

$  — 

  19,098 

$ 19,098 

Change

$ 

$  — 

  (358) 

$ (358) 

%

 —%

(2)

(2)%

Appraisal services revenue declined 2% in 2009 compared to 2008. The appraisal services business is somewhat 

cyclical and driven in part by statutory revaluation cycles in various states. We substantially completed several large 

appraisal projects mid-2009.

Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin

The following table sets forth a comparison of the key components of our cost of revenues for the years ended 

December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Software licenses 

Acquired software 

Appraisal services 

Hardware and other 

 Total cost of revenues 

Software services, maintenance and subscriptions 

  137,199 

  126,247 

  10,952 

2009 

2008 

$ 

%

$  5,440 

$  9,224 

$ (3,784) 

  (41)%

Change

1,411 

1,799 

(388) 

  11,518 

  12,251 

5,955 

5,793 

(733) 

162 

$ 161,523 

$ 155,314 

$  6,209 

  4%

  (22)

  9

(6)

  3

The following table sets forth a comparison of gross margin percentage by revenue type for the years ended December 31:

Gross margin percentage 

Software license and acquired software 

Software services, maintenance and subscriptions 

Appraisal services 

Hardware and other 

 Overall gross margin 

2009 

2008 

Change

83.7% 

73.4% 

 10.3%

38.2 

38.5 

18.6 

35.9 

35.9 

24.6 

  2.3

  2.6

 (6.0)

44.4% 

41.4% 

  3.0%

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

31

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

Software license and acquired software. Amortization expense for capitalized development costs on certain software 

products comprised approximately 15% of our cost of software license revenues in 2009 compared to approximately 

50% of our cost of software license in 2008. The remaining balance is made up of third party software costs.

Cost of acquired software includes amortization expense for software acquired through acquisitions. In late 2008 

software associated with one significant acquisition completed in December 2003 became fully amortized.

In 2009, our software license gross margin percentage rose significantly compared to the prior year period because 

several products became fully amortized in late 2008, as did software acquired related to a significant acquisition in 

December 2003.

Software services, maintenance and subscription-based services. In 2009, the software services, maintenance and 

subscriptions gross margin increased compared to the prior year partly because maintenance and various other 

services such as ASP and disaster recovery costs typically grow at a slower rate than related revenues due to leverage 

in the utilization of our support and maintenance staff and economies of scale. The software services, maintenance 

and subscription-based services gross margin also benefited from slightly higher rates for certain services.

Appraisal services. Our appraisal gross margin increased compared to 2008 as the result of cost savings and 

operational efficiencies experienced on an unusually complex project. A high proportion of the costs of appraisal services 

revenue are variable, as we often hire temporary employees to assist in appraisal projects whose term of employment 

generally ends with the projects’ completion.

Our blended gross margin for 2009 was higher than 2008 due to lower amortization expense of software 

development costs described above. The gross margin also benefited from leverage in the utilization of our support 

and maintenance staff and economies of scale and slightly higher rates on certain services.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The following table sets forth a comparison of our SG&A expenses for the following years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

2009 

2008 

$ 

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses 

$ 70,115 

$ 62,923 

$ 7,192 

  11%

Change

The increase in SG&A expenses included higher share-based compensation expense, commission costs and marketing 

expenses. Marketing expenses in 2009 include costs associated with the launch of a new corporate branding initiative.

Research and Development Expense

The following table sets forth a comparison of our research and development expense for the following years ended 

December 31:

($ in thousands) 

2009 

2008 

$ 

%

Change

Research and development expense 

$ 11,159 

$ 7,286 

$ 3,873 

  53%

Research and development expense consist of costs associated with the Microsoft Dynamics AX project, in addition to 

costs associated with other new product development efforts. In 2009 and 2008, we offset our research and 

development expense by $3.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, which were the amounts earned under the terms 

of our agreement with Microsoft.

32 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

Amortization of Customer and Trade Name Intangibles

The following table sets forth a comparison of amortization of customer and trade name intangibles for the following 

years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

2009 

2008 

$ 

%

Amortization of customer and trade name intangibles 

$ 2,705 

$ 2,438 

$ 267 

  11%

Change

In 2009 we completed several acquisitions and purchased certain software assets to complement our tax and appraisal 

solutions and our student information management solutions.

Non-Cash Legal Settlement Related to Warrants

On June 27, 2008, we settled outstanding litigation related to the Warrants owned by Bank of America, N. A. (“BANA”). 

As disclosed in prior SEC filings, the Warrants entitled BANA to acquire 1.6 million shares of Tyler common stock  

at an exercise price of $2.50 per share. Following court-ordered mediation, in July 2008, BANA paid us $2.0 million 

and we issued to BANA 801,883 restricted shares of Tyler common stock. Accordingly, we recorded a non-cash 

legal settlement related to warrants charge of $9.0 million, which was not tax deductible.

Other

Other (expense) income in 2009 and 2008 includes non-usage and other fees associated with a credit agreement 

entered into in October 2008. Other income in 2008 also included $1.1 million of interest income which declined  

due to significantly lower invested cash balances in 2009. Our invested cash balances declined due to purchases of 

treasury stock and investments in office facilities in late 2008 and 2009.

Income Tax Provision

The following table sets forth a comparison of our income tax provision for the following years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Income Tax Provision 

Effective income tax rate 

Change

2009 

2008 

$ 

%

$ 17,628 

$ 14,414 

$ 3,214 

  22%

39.5% 

49.2%

Our 2009 effective income tax rate declined compared to 2008 mainly due to a non-cash legal settlement related  

to warrants charge of $9.0 million in 2008, which was not deductible. In addition to the impact of the 

non-deductible non-cash legal settlement charge in 2008, the effective income tax rate for both years were different 

from the statutory United States federal income tax rate of 35% due to state income taxes, non-deductible  

share-based compensation expense, the qualified manufacturing activities deduction, and non-deductible meals and 

entertainment costs.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

As of December 31, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2.1 million and current and non-current investments 

of $2.2 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash equivalents) of $15.7 million  

and current and non-current investments of $2.0 million at December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2010, we had 

$26.5 million outstanding borrowings and outstanding letters of credit totaling $8.3 million to secure surety bonds 

required by some of our customer contracts. These letters of credit expire through mid-2011.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

33

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

The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows for the years ended December 31:

($ in thousands) 

Cash flows provided by (used by):

 Operating activities 

 Investing activities 

 Financing activities 

 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  

2010 

2009 

2008

$ 35,350 

$ 42,941 

$ 47,802

(8,694) 

  (13,658) 

(9,554)

  (34,238) 

  (21,349) 

  (46,128)

$  (7,582) 

$  7,934 

$  (7,880)

Net cash provided by operating activities continues to be our primary source of funds to finance operating needs and 

capital expenditures. Other capital resources include cash on hand, public and private issuances of debt and  

equity securities, and bank borrowings. It is possible that our ability to access the capital and credit markets in the 

future may be limited by economic conditions or other factors. We currently believe that cash provided by  

operating activities, cash on hand and available credit are sufficient to fund our working capital requirements, capital 

expenditures, income tax obligations, and share repurchases for the foreseeable future.

In 2010, operating activities provided net cash of $35.4 million, primarily generated from net income of $25.1 million, 

non-cash depreciation and amortization charges of $10.8 million, non-cash share-based compensation expense of 

$6.1 million offset by an increase in working capital of $4.8 million. The increase in working capital was due to lower 

accounts payable and accrued liabilities pertaining to the timing of payments on vendor invoices and income tax 

liabilities. In 2010 we adopted a new company-wide vacation policy and as a result paid approximately $1.8 million 

to reduce accrued vacation balances in 2010 in connection with changing the policy. In addition, accrued bonus 

liabilities are smaller in 2010 compared to 2009 as a result of financial performance. Our accounts receivable and 

deferred revenue balances were also higher than 2009 due to an increase in annual software maintenance billings  

as a result of growth in our installed customer base.

In general, changes in the balance of deferred revenue are cyclical and primarily driven by the timing of our 

maintenance renewal billings. Our renewal dates occur throughout the year but our heaviest renewal cycles occur in 

the second and fourth quarters.

Non-current investments available-for-sale consist of two auction rate municipal securities (“ARS”) which are 

collateralized debt obligations supported by municipal agencies and do not include mortgage-backed securities. 

Short-term investments available-for-sale consists of a portion of one of these ARS which was partially redeemed  

at par during the period January 1, 2011 through February 24, 2011. These ARS are debt instruments with stated 

maturities ranging from 21 to 32 years, for which the interest rate is designed to be reset through Dutch auctions 

approximately every 30 days. However, due to events in the credit markets, auctions for these securities have not 

occurred since February 2008. Both of our ARS have had very small partial redemptions at par in the period from 

July 2009 through February 2011. As of December 31, 2010 we have continued to earn and collect interest on  

both of our ARS. Because quoted prices in active markets are no longer available we determined the estimated fair 

values of these securities utilizing a discounted trinomial model. The model considers the probability of three 

potential occurrences for each auction event through the maturity date of each ARS. The three potential outcomes for 

each auction are (i) successful auction/early redemption, (ii) failed auction and (iii) issuer default. Inputs in 

determining the probabilities of the potential outcomes include but are not limited to, the securities’ collateral, credit 

rating, insurance, issuer’s financial standing, contractual restrictions on disposition and the liquidity in the market.  

The fair value of each ARS is determined by summing the present value of the probability-weighted future principal 

and interest payments determined by the model. Since there can be no assurances that auctions for these securities 

will be successful in the near future, we have classified our ARS as non-current investments.

34 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

In association with this estimate of fair value, we have recorded an after-tax temporary unrealized gain on our 

non-current ARS of $130,000, net of related tax effects of $70,000 in 2010, which is included in accumulated 

other comprehensive loss on our balance sheet.

We consider the impairment in our ARS as temporary because we do not have the intent to sell, nor is it more-likely-

than-not that we will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis. We believe that this 

temporary decline in fair value is due entirely to liquidity issues, because the underlying assets of these securities are 

supported by municipal agencies and do not include mortgage-backed securities, have redemption features which  

call for redemption at 100% of par value and have a current credit rating of A or AA. The ratings on the ARS take into 

account credit support through insurance policies guaranteeing each of the bonds’ payment of principal and accrued 

interest, if it becomes necessary. In addition, both ARS have had very small partial redemptions at par in the period 

July 2009 through February 2011. Based on our cash and cash equivalents balance of $2.1 million, expected 

operating cash flows and a $150.0 million revolving credit line, we do not believe a lack of liquidity associated with 

our ARS will adversely affect our ability to conduct business, and believe we have the ability to hold the securities 

throughout the currently estimated recovery period. We will continue to evaluate any changes in the fair value of our 

ARS and in the future, depending upon existing market conditions, we may be required to record an other-than-

temporary decline in market value.

At December 31, 2010, our days sales outstanding (“DSOs”) were 102 days compared to DSOs of 98 days at 

December 31, 2009. DSOs are calculated based on accounts receivable (excluding long-term receivables, but 

including unbilled receivables) divided by the quotient of annualized quarterly revenues divided by 360 days.

Investing activities used cash of $8.7 million in 2010 compared to $13.7 million in 2009. In January 2010, we 

completed the acquisition of the assets of Wiznet, Inc. for $9.5 million in cash. Also, in connection with plans to 

consolidate workforces and support planned long-term growth, we paid $1.3 million in 2010 compared to $9.4 million 

in 2009, for construction of an office building in Lubbock, Texas. The impact of these investing activities was 

offset somewhat by the release of $6.0 million of restricted cash. In August 2010, we elected to replace our cash-

collateralized letters of credit with ones issued under our revolving line of credit. Capital expenditures and 

acquisitions were funded from cash generated from operations.

In 2009, we liquidated $2.5 million of investments in ARS for cash at par. In 2009 we also completed the 

acquisition of all of the capital stock of Assessment Evaluation Services, Inc. for $1.1 million in cash, paid $700,000 

in cash for certain assets of KPL, Inc. d/b/a Parker-Lowe & Associates and acquired various software assets for 

$1.1 million in cash.

In 2008, we liquidated $36.4 million of ARS investments for cash at par, and we completed the acquisitions of 

School Information Systems, Inc., VersaTrans Solutions Inc. and certain assets of Olympia Computing Company, Inc. 

d/b/a Schoolmaster to expand our presence in the education market. The combined purchase price, excluding cash 

acquired and including transaction costs, was approximately $23.9 million in cash and approximately 196,000 

shares of Tyler common stock valued at $2.9 million. We paid $3.3 million, which included $2.1 million for land, 

for an office development. We also paid $12.7 million for an office building, land, and a related tenant lease in 

Yarmouth, Maine.

Cash used in financing activities was primarily comprised of purchases of treasury shares, net of proceeds from stock 

option exercises, borrowings and payments on our revolving credit line and contributions from our employee stock 

purchase plan. During 2010, we purchased 3.6 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price 

of $65.8 million. These purchases were funded by borrowings of $26.5 million under our revolving credit line and 

cash from operations.

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35

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

The repurchase program, which was approved by our board of directors, was announced in October 2002, and was 

amended in April and July 2003, October 2004, October 2005, May 2007, May 2008, October 2008, May 2009, 

July 2010 and October 2010. Our board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 2.0 million shares 

on July 27, 2010 and an additional 2.0 million shares on October 26 2010. As of December 31, 2010, we had 

remaining authorization to repurchase up to 2.7 million additional shares of our common stock. Our share repurchase 

program allows us to repurchase shares at our discretion and market conditions influence the timing of the buybacks 

and the number of shares repurchased. These share repurchases are funded using our existing cash balances as well 

as borrowings under our revolving credit agreement and may occur through open market purchases and transactions 

structured through investment banking institutions, privately negotiated transactions and/or other mechanisms. There 

is no expiration date specified for the authorization and we intend to repurchase stock under the plan from time to time.

During 2009, we purchased 1.2 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $17.0 million and 

during 2008, we purchased 4.3 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $59.0 million.

In 2010 we issued 615,000 shares of common stock and received $3.2 million in aggregate proceeds upon exercise  

of stock options. In 2009 we received $2.3 million from the exercise of options to purchase approximately 425,000 

shares of our common stock under our employee stock option plan and during 2008, we received $1.8 million  

from the exercise of options to purchase approximately 379,000 shares of our common stock under our employee 

stock option plan. In 2010, 2009 and 2008 we received $1.9 million, $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, 

from contributions to the Tyler Technologies, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Subsequent to December 31, 2010 and through February 22, 2011 we purchased approximately 335,000 shares of 

our common stock for an aggregate cash purchase price of $6.8 million.

On August 11, 2010, we terminated our revolving bank credit agreement and a related pledge and security agreement 

which had been scheduled to mature October 19, 2010 and entered into a new $150.0 million Credit Agreement 

(the “Credit Facility”) and a related pledge and security agreement with a group of seven financial institutions with  

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The Credit Facility provides for a revolving credit line of $150.0 million 

(which may be increased up to $200.0 million subject to our obtaining commitments for such increase), with a 

$25.0 million sublimit for letters of credit. The Credit Facility matures on August 11, 2014. Borrowings under the 

Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements, acquisitions  

and share repurchases. In 2010 we paid $2.0 million in related debt issuance costs, which are included with sundry 

assets on the accompanying balance sheet.

Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate of either (1) the Bank of America’s prime rate plus a 

margin of 1.50% to 2.75% or (2) the 30, 60, 90 or 180-day LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.50% to 3.75%, with 

the margin determined by our consolidated leverage ratio. In 2010 and 2009 our effective average interest rate for 

borrowings was 3.4% and 1.8%, respectively. As of December 31, 2010 our interest rate was 2.7%. The Credit 

Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets, excluding real property. The Credit Facility requires us to maintain 

certain financial ratios and other financial conditions and prohibits us from making certain investments, advances, 

cash dividends or loans, and limits incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens. As of December 31, 2010, we 

were in compliance with those covenants.

As of December 31, 2010, we had $26.5 million in outstanding borrowings and unused available borrowing capacity 

of $115.2 million under the Credit Facility. In addition, as of December 31, 2010, our bank had issued outstanding 

letters of credit totaling $8.3 million to secure surety bonds required by some of our customer contracts. These letters 

of credit have been collateralized by $8.3 million of our available borrowing capacity and expire through mid-2011.

36 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

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

We paid income taxes, net of refunds received, of $15.8 million in 2010, $18.1 million in 2009, and $15.7 million 

in 2008.

Excluding acquisitions and investments in land or office buildings, we anticipate that 2011 capital spending will  

be between $5.0 million and $5.5 million. We expect the majority of our capital spending in 2011 will consist of 

computer equipment and software for infrastructure replacements and expansion. We currently do not expect to 

capitalize significant amounts related to software development in 2011, but the actual amount and timing of those 

costs, and whether they are capitalized or expensed may result in additional capitalized software development. 

Capital spending in 2011 is expected to be funded from existing cash balances and cash flows from operations.

From time to time we engage in discussions with potential acquisition candidates. In order to pursue such 

opportunities, which could require significant commitments of capital, we may be required to incur debt or to issue 

additional potentially dilutive securities in the future. No assurance can be given as to our future acquisition 

opportunities and how such opportunities will be financed.

We lease office facilities, as well as transportation, computer and other equipment used in our operations under 

non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through 2018. Most leases contain renewal 

options and some contain purchase options. Following are the future obligations under non-cancelable leases at 

December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

Future rental payments under 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

Thereafter 

Total

  operating leases 

$ 5,643 

$ 4,659 

$ 2,997 

$ 2,323 

$ 605 

$ 1,204 

$ 17,431

As of December 31, 2010, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, guarantees to third parties or material 

purchase commitments, except for the operating lease commitments listed above.

CAPITALIZATION

At December 31, 2010, our capitalization consisted of $26.5 million in long-term obligations and $107.0 million of 

shareholders’ equity. Our total debt-to-capital ratio was 19.9% at December 31, 2010.

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37

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

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may affect us due to adverse changes in financial market prices and 

interest rates. Our investments available-for-sale consist of auction rate municipal securities (“ARS”) which are 

collateralized debt obligations supported by municipal agencies and do not include mortgage-backed securities.

As of December 31, 2010 we had $26.5 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. These 

borrowings bear interest at a rate of either (1) the Bank of America’s prime rate plus a margin of 1.50% to 2.75% or 

(2) the 30, 60, 90 or 180-day LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.50% to 3.75%, with the margin determined by our 

consolidated leverage ratio. In 2010 and 2009 our effective average interest rate for borrowings was 3.4% and 1.8%, 

respectively. As of December 31, 2010 our interest rate was 2.7%. Assuming borrowings of $26.5 million,  

a hypothetical 10% increase in our interest rate at December 31, 2010 for a one year period would result in 

approximately $72,000 of additional interest rate expense.

Non-current investments available-for-sale consist of two ARS with stated maturities ranging from 21 to 32 years, 

for which the interest rate is designed to be reset through Dutch auctions approximately every 30 days which would 

have qualified as Level 1 under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. However, due to events in the credit markets, 

auctions for these securities have not occurred since February 2008. Therefore, quoted prices in active markets  

are no longer available and we determined the estimated fair values of these securities as of December 31, 2010, 

utilizing a discounted trinomial model.

In association with this estimate of fair value, we have recorded an after-tax temporary unrealized gain on our 

non-current ARS of $130,000, net of related tax effects of $70,000 in 2010, which is included in accumulated 

other comprehensive loss on our balance sheet. We consider the impairment in our ARS as temporary because  

we do not have the intent to sell, nor is it more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell these securities before 

recovery of their cost basis. We believe that this temporary decline in fair value is due entirely to liquidity issues, 

because the underlying assets of these securities are supported by municipal agencies and do not include mortgage-

backed securities, have redemption features which call for redemption at 100% of par value and have a current credit 

rating of A or AA. The ratings on the ARS take into account credit support through insurance policies guaranteeing 

each of the bonds’ payment of principal and accrued interest, if it becomes necessary. In addition, both ARS have 

had very small partial redemptions at par in the period July 2009 through February 2011. Based on our cash and 

cash equivalents balance of $2.1 million, expected operating cash flows and a $150.0 million revolving credit line,  

we do not believe a lack of liquidity associated with our ARS will adversely affect our ability to conduct business, and 

believe we have the ability to hold the securities throughout the currently estimated recovery period. We will continue  

to evaluate any changes in the fair value of our ARS and in the future, depending upon existing market conditions, 

we may be required to record an other-than-temporary decline in market value.

38 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures — We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined  

in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act) designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information 

required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, 

summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. These include controls and 

procedures designed to ensure that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including 

our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required 

disclosures. Management, with the participation of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated 

the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2010. Based on this evaluation,  

the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were 

effective as of December 31, 2010.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — Tyler’s management is responsible for 

establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as defined in Securities Exchange Act 

Rule 13a-15(f). Tyler’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to Tyler’s 

management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 

Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to 

financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management assessed the effectiveness of Tyler’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. 

In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations  

of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we 

concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, Tyler’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on 

those criteria.

Tyler’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,  

the independent registered public accounting firm who also audited Tyler’s financial statements. Ernst & Young’s 

attestation report on Tyler’s internal control over financial reporting appears on page 40 hereof.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — During the quarter ended December 31, 2010, there were  

no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), that 

materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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39

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Tyler Technologies, Inc.

We have audited Tyler Technologies, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based 

on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 

Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Tyler Technologies, Inc.’s management is responsible 

for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of 

internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over 

Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial 

reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 

States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 

effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining 

an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing 

and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing 

such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a 

reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding 

the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance 

with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those 

policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly 

reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that 

transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally 

accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in 

accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance 

regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that 

could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect 

misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 

controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the 

policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Tyler Technologies, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 

reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board  

(United States), the balance sheets of Tyler Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related 

statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 

December 31, 2010 and our report dated February 24, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Dallas, Texas 

February 24, 2011

40 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es
40 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Tyler Technologies, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Tyler Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, 

and the related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period 

ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our 

responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 

(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 

whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, 

evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the 

accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial 

statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 

of Tyler Technologies, Inc. at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for 

each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted 

accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 

States), Tyler Technologies, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria 

established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations  

of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 24, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Dallas, Texas 

February 24, 2011

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41

2010 

2009 

2008

$  34,913 

$  42,131 

$  41,490

  23,298 

  17,181 

  14,374

  68,340 

  80,405 

  74,997

  135,655 

  124,512 

  107,458

  20,554 

  18,740 

  19,098

5,868 

7,317 

7,684

  288,628 

  290,286 

  265,101

3,456 

1,592 

5,440 

1,411 

9,224

1,799

  138,085 

  137,199 

  126,247

  12,910 

  11,518 

  12,251

4,268 

5,955 

5,793

  160,311 

  161,523 

  155,314

  128,317 

  128,763 

  109,787

  69,480 

  70,115 

  62,923

  13,971 

  11,159 

3,225 

— 

2,705 

— 

7,286

2,438

9,045

  41,641 

  44,784 

  28,095

(1,742) 

(146) 

1,181

  39,899 

  44,638 

  29,276

  14,845 

  17,628 

  14,414

$  25,054 

$  27,010 

$  14,862

$ 

$ 

0.74 

0.71 

$ 

$ 

0.77 

0.74 

$ 

$ 

0.39

0.38

  34,075 

  35,240 

  37,714

  35,528 

  36,624 

  39,184

Statements of Operations

STATEMENTS OF O PERATIONS

For the years ended December 31, 

In thousands, except per share amounts

Revenues:

  Software licenses 

  Subscriptions 

  Software services 

  Maintenance 

  Appraisal services 

  Hardware and other 

  Total revenues 

Cost of revenues:

  Software licenses 

  Acquired software 

  Software services, maintenance and subscriptions 

  Appraisal services 

  Hardware and other 

  Total cost of revenues 

  Gross profit 

Selling, general and administrative expenses 

Research and development expense 

Amortization of customer and trade name intangibles 

Non-cash legal settlement related to warrants 

  Operating income 

Other (expense) income, net 

Income before income taxes 

Income tax provision 

Net income 

Earnings per common share:

  Basic  

  Diluted   

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 

See accompanying notes.

42 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es
42 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 ASSETS

Current assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents 

  Restricted cash equivalents 

  Short-term investments available-for-sale 

Balance Sheets

2010 

2009

$  2,114 

$  9,696

— 

25 

6,000

50

  Accounts receivable (less allowance for losses of $1,603 in 2010 and $2,389 in 2009) 

  81,860 

  81,245

  Prepaid expenses 

  Other current assets 

  Deferred income taxes 

  Total current assets 

Accounts receivable, long-term portion 

Property and equipment, net 

Non-current investments available-for-sale 

Other assets:

  Goodwill 

  Other intangibles, net 

  Sundry   

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

  Accounts payable 

  Accrued liabilities 

  Deferred revenue 

Income taxes payable 

  Total current liabilities 

Revolving line of credit 

Deferred income taxes 

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders’ equity:

7,801 

3,543 

3,106 

7,921

1,437

3,338

  98,449 

  109,687

1,231 

1,018

  34,851 

  35,750

2,126 

1,976

  92,831 

  90,258

  32,307 

  31,771

2,237 

210

$ 264,032 

$ 270,670

$  2,626 

$  3,807

  19,433 

  26,110

  102,590 

  99,116

— 

220

  124,649 

  129,253

  26,500 

5,911 

—

7,059

  Preferred stock, $10.00 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued 

— 

—

  Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;

  48,147,969 shares issued in 2010 and 2009 

  Additional paid-in capital 

  Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax 

  Retained earnings 

481 

481

  153,576 

  153,734

(275) 

(405)

  102,558 

  77,504

  Treasury stock, at cost; 15,854,205 and 13,027,838 shares in 2010 and 2009, respectively 

 (149,368) 

  (96,956)

  Total shareholders’ equity 

See accompanying notes.

  106,972 

  134,358

$ 264,032 

$ 270,670

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43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

STATEMENTS OF S HAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

  Common Stock 

Shares 

 Amount 

Additional 

Accumulated
Other 
Paid-in  Comprehensive  Retained 
Income (Loss)  Earnings 
Capital 

Treasury Stock 

Total

  Shareholders’

Shares 

Amount 

Equity

In thousands

Balance at December 31, 2007 

48,148  $ 481  $ 149,568  $  —  $  35,632   

(9,528)  $  (48,470)  $ 137,211

  Comprehensive income:

  Net income  

  Unrealized loss on investment

— 

  — 

— 

  — 

  14,862   

  securities, net of tax 

— 

  — 

— 

  (387)   

—   

— 

— 

— 

  14,862

— 

(387)

  14,475

— 

— 

— 

  — 

  — 

  — 

(3,495) 

  — 

3,820 

  — 

—   

—   

379 

— 

5,310 

— 

1,815

3,820

— 

  — 

—   

(4,283) 

(58,984) 

  (58,984)

  Total comprehensive income 

Issuance of shares pursuant

to stock compensation plan 

Stock compensation 

Treasury stock purchases 

Issuance of shares pursuant to

  Employee Stock Purchase Plan 

— 

  — 

(186) 

  — 

—   

101 

1,376 

1,190

Federal income tax benefit related

to exercise of stock options 

— 

  — 

822 

  — 

—   

— 

— 

822

Issuance of shares in connection

  with legal settlement 

Issuance of shares for acquisitions 

— 

— 

  — 

  — 

455 

  — 

261 

  — 

—   

—   

802 

196 

10,595 

  11,050

2,602 

2,863

Balance at December 31, 2008 

48,148 

  481 

  151,245 

  (387)    50,494    (12,333) 

(87,571) 

  114,262

  Comprehensive income:

  Net income  

  Unrealized loss on investment

— 

  — 

— 

  — 

  27,010   

  securities, net of tax 

— 

  — 

— 

(18)   

—   

— 

— 

— 

  27,010

— 

(18)

  26,992

— 

— 

— 

  — 

  — 

  — 

(3,774) 

  — 

5,045 

  — 

—   

—   

425 

— 

6,069 

— 

2,295

5,045

— 

  — 

—   

(1,235) 

(17,000) 

  (17,000)

  Total comprehensive income 

Issuance of shares pursuant

to stock compensation plan 

Stock compensation 

Treasury stock purchases 

Issuance of shares pursuant to

  Employee Stock Purchase Plan 

— 

  — 

(118) 

  — 

—   

115 

1,546 

1,428

Federal income tax benefit related

to exercise of stock options 

— 

  — 

1,336 

  — 

—   

— 

— 

1,336

Balance at December 31, 2009 

48,148 

  481 

  153,734 

  (405)    77,504    (13,028) 

(96,956) 

  134,358

  Comprehensive income:

  Net income  

  Unrealized gain on investment

— 

  — 

— 

  — 

  25,054   

  securities, net of tax 

— 

  — 

— 

  130 

—   

— 

— 

— 

  25,054

— 

130

  25,184

— 

— 

— 

  — 

  — 

  — 

(8,157) 

  — 

6,132 

  — 

—   

—   

615 

— 

11,338 

— 

3,181

6,132

— 

  — 

—   

(3,559) 

(65,793) 

  (65,793)

  Total comprehensive income 

Issuance of shares pursuant

to stock compensation plan 

Stock compensation 

Treasury stock purchases 

Issuance of shares pursuant to

  Employee Stock Purchase Plan 

— 

  — 

(218) 

  — 

—   

118 

2,043 

1,825

Federal income tax benefit related

to exercise of stock options 

— 

  — 

2,085 

  — 

—   

— 

— 

2,085

Balance at December 31, 2010 

48,148  $ 481  $ 153,576  $ (275)  $ 102,558    (15,854)  $ (149,368)  $ 106,972

See accompanying notes.

44 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF C ASH FLOWS

For the years ended December 31, 

In thousands

Cash flows from operating activities:

  Net income 

  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

  Depreciation and amortization 

  Non-cash legal settlement related to warrants 

  Share-based compensation expense 

  Provision for losses – accounts receivable 

  Excess tax benefit from exercises of share-based arrangements 

  Deferred income tax benefit 

  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of effects of acquired companies:

  Accounts receivable 

Income tax payable 

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 

  Accounts payable 

  Accrued liabilities 

  Deferred revenue 

Statements of Cash Flows

2010 

2009 

2008

$ 25,054 

$  27,010 

$ 14,862

  10,788 

9,497 

  12,611

— 

6,132 

1,161 

(2,000) 

(959) 

— 

  9,045

5,045 

  3,820

1,538 

  1,764

(1,125) 

(1,730) 

(666)

(2,151)

(1,989) 

(6,277) 

  (11,853)

(34) 

104 

(1,181) 

(5,200) 

3,474 

1,391 

1,377 

1,190 

827

(338)

(870)

1,960 

  3,420

3,065 

  17,331

  Net cash provided by operating activities 

  35,350 

  42,941 

  47,802

Cash flows from investing activities:

  Proceeds from sales of investments 

  Purchases of investments 

  Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired 

  Additions to property and equipment 

  Acquired lease 

  Decrease (increase) in restricted investments 

(Increase) decrease in other 

  Net cash used by investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities:

75 

— 

2,500 

  45,065

— 

(8,625)

(9,661) 

(2,934) 

  (23,868)

(4,930) 

  (12,352) 

  (20,143)

— 

6,000 

(178) 

— 

(1,387)

(918) 

46 

(620)

24

(8,694) 

  (13,658) 

(9,554)

Increase (decrease) in net borrowings on revolving line of credit   

  26,500 

(8,000) 

  8,000

  Purchase of treasury shares 

  Contributions from employee stock purchase plan 

  Proceeds from exercise of stock options 

  Debt issuance costs 

  Excess tax benefit from exercise of share-based arrangements 

  Warrant exercise in connection with legal settlement   

  (65,793) 

  (18,263) 

  (59,847)

1,901 

3,181 

(2,027) 

2,000 

— 

1,494 

  1,233

2,295 

  1,815

— 

1,125 

—

666

— 

  2,005

  Net cash used by financing activities 

  (34,238) 

  (21,349) 

  (46,128)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

See accompanying notes.

(7,582) 

7,934 

(7,880)

9,696 

1,762 

  9,642

$  2,114 

$  9,696 

$  1,762

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t
2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

45
45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

(Tables in thousands, except per share data)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

We provide integrated software systems and related services for the public sector, with a focus on local governments. 

We develop and market a broad line of software solutions and services to address the information technology (“IT”) 

needs of cities, counties, schools and other local government entities. In addition, we provide professional IT 

services, including software and hardware installation, data conversion, training, and for certain customers, product 

modifications, along with continuing maintenance and support for customers using our systems. We also provide 

subscription-based services such as application service provider arrangements and other hosting services as well as 

property appraisal outsourcing services for taxing jurisdictions.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash in excess of that necessary for operating requirements is invested in short-term, highly liquid, income-producing 

investments. Investments with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents, 

which primarily consist of money market funds. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates 

market value. As of December 31, 2010, we had issued outstanding letters of credit totaling $8.3 million in connection 

with our surety bond program. These letters of credit are issued under our revolving line of credit and reduce our 

available borrowing capacity. We do not believe these letters of credit will be required to be drawn upon. These letters 

of credit expire through mid-2011.

INVESTMENTS

Investments consist of auction rate municipal securities. These investments are classified as available-for-sale 

securities and are stated at fair value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value 

Measurements and Disclosures. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, if any, are not 

reflected in earnings but are reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income until realized. The cost 

basis of securities sold is the specific cost of the auction rate municipal security. We account for the transactions as 

“proceeds from sales of investments” for the security relinquished, and a “purchases of investments” for the security 

purchased, in the accompanying Statements of Cash Flows.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Software Arrangements:

We earn revenue from software licenses, subscriptions, software services, post-contract customer support (“PCS” or 

“maintenance”), and hardware. PCS includes telephone support, bug fixes, and rights to upgrades on a when-and-if 

available basis. We provide services that range from installation, training, and basic consulting to software 

modification and customization to meet specific customer needs. In software arrangements that include rights to 

multiple software products, specified upgrades, PCS, and/or other services, we allocate the total arrangement fee 

among each deliverable based on the relative fair value of each.

We typically enter into multiple element arrangements, which include software licenses, software services, PCS and 

occasionally hardware. The majority of our software arrangements are multiple element arrangements, but for those 

arrangements that involve significant production, modification or customization of the software, or where software 

services are otherwise considered essential to the functionality of the software in the customer’s environment, we 

use contract accounting and apply the provisions of the Construction — Type and Production — Type Contracts  

as discussed in ASC 605-35.

46 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Notes to Financial Statements

If the arrangement does not require significant production, modification or customization or where the software 

services are not considered essential to the functionality of the software, revenue is recognized when all of the 

following conditions are met:

  i.  persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

 ii.  delivery has occurred;

 iii.  our fee is fixed or determinable; and

 iv.  collectability is probable.

For multiple element arrangements, each element of the arrangement is analyzed and we allocate a portion of the 

total arrangement fee to the elements based on the relative fair value of the element using vendor-specific objective 

evidence of fair value (“VSOE”), regardless of any separate prices stated within the contract for each element.  

Fair value is considered the price a customer would be required to pay if the element was sold separately based on 

our historical experience of stand-alone sales of these elements to third parties. For PCS, we use renewal rates for 

continued support arrangements to determine fair value. For software services, we use the fair value we charge our 

customers when those services are sold separately. We monitor our transactions to determine that we maintain  

and periodically revise VSOE to reflect fair value. In software arrangements in which we have the fair value of all 

undelivered elements but not of a delivered element, we apply the “residual method,” in compliance with ASC 

985-605, Software Revenue Recognition, in accounting for any element of a multiple element arrangement involving 

software that remains undelivered such that any discount inherent in a contract is allocated to the delivered 

element. Under the residual method, if the fair value of all undelivered elements is determinable, the fair value of 

the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the arrangement fee is allocated to the delivered 

element(s) and is recognized as revenue assuming the other revenue recognition criteria are met. In software 

arrangements in which we do not have VSOE for all undelivered elements, revenue is deferred until fair value is 

determined or all elements for which we do not have VSOE have been delivered. Alternatively, if sufficient VSOE does 

not exist and the only undelivered element is services that do not involve significant modification or customization  

of the software, the entire fee is recognized over the period during which the services are expected to be performed.

Software Licenses

We recognize the revenue allocable to software licenses and specified upgrades upon delivery of the software product 

or upgrade to the customer, unless the fee is not fixed or determinable or collectability is not probable. If the fee is  

not fixed or determinable, including new customers whose payment terms are three months or more from shipment, 

revenue is generally recognized as payments become due from the customer. If collectability is not considered 

probable, revenue is recognized when the fee is collected. Arrangements that include software services, such as 

training or installation, are evaluated to determine whether those services are essential to the product’s functionality.

A majority of our software arrangements involve “off-the-shelf” software. We consider software to be off-the-shelf 

software if it can be added to an arrangement with minor changes in the underlying code and it can be used by the 

customer for the customer’s purpose upon installation. For off-the-shelf software arrangements, we recognize the 

software license fee as revenue after delivery has occurred, customer acceptance is reasonably assured, that portion of 

the fee represents a non-refundable enforceable claim and is probable of collection, and the remaining services such 

as training are not considered essential to the product’s functionality.

For arrangements that involve significant production, modification or customization of the software, or where software 

services are otherwise considered essential, we recognize revenue using contract accounting. We generally use the 

percentage-of-completion method to recognize revenue from these arrangements. We measure progress-to-completion 

primarily using labor hours incurred, or value added. The percentage-of-completion method generally results in the 

recognition of reasonably consistent profit margins over the life of a contract because we have the ability to produce 

reasonably dependable estimates of contract billings and contract costs. We use the level of profit margin that is most 

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

47

Notes to Financial Statements

likely to occur on a contract. If the most likely profit margin cannot be precisely determined, the lowest probable level 

of profit in the range of estimates is used until the results can be estimated more precisely. These arrangements are 

often implemented over an extended time period and occasionally require us to revise total cost estimates. Amounts 

recognized in revenue are calculated using the progress-to-completion measurement after giving effect to any 

changes in our cost estimates. Changes to total estimated contract costs, if any, are recorded in the period they are 

determined. Estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recorded in the period in which we first determine  

that a loss is apparent. For arrangements that include new product releases for which it is difficult to estimate final 

profitability except to assume that no loss will ultimately be incurred, we recognize revenue under the completed 

contract method. Under the completed contract method, revenue is recognized only when a contract is completed or 

substantially complete. Historically these amounts have been immaterial.

Subscription-Based Services

Subscription-based services primarily consist of revenues derived from application service provider (“ASP”) 

arrangements and other hosted service offerings, software subscriptions and disaster recovery services.

We recognize revenue for ASP and other hosting services, software subscriptions, term license arrangements with 

renewal periods of twelve months or less and disaster recovery ratably over the period of the applicable agreement as 

services are provided. Disaster recovery agreements and other hosting services are typically renewable annually.  

ASP and software subscriptions are typically for periods of three to six years and automatically renew unless either 

party cancels the agreement. The majority of the ASP and other hosting services and software subscriptions also 

include professional services as well as maintenance and support. In certain ASP arrangements, the customer also 

acquires a license to the software.

For ASP and other hosting arrangements, we evaluate whether the customer has the contractual right to take 

possession of our software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty and whether the customer 

can feasibly maintain the software on the customer’s hardware or enter into another arrangement with a third party  

to host the software. If we determine that the customer has the contractual right to take possession of our software 

at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty and can feasibly maintain the software on the 

customer’s hardware or enter into another arrangement with a third party to host the software, we recognize the 

license, professional services and hosting services revenues pursuant to ASC 985-605, Software Revenue Recognition. 

For ASP and other hosting arrangements that do not meet the criteria for recognition under ASC 985-605, we account 

for the elements under ASC 605-25, Multiple Element Arrangements using all applicable facts and circumstances, 

including whether (i) the element has stand-alone value, (ii) there is a general right of return and (iii) the revenue is 

contingent on delivery of other elements. We allocate revenue to each element of the arrangement that qualifies for 

treatment as a separate element based on VSOE, and if VSOE is not available, third party evidence, and if third party 

evidence is unavailable, estimated selling price. For professional services associated with ASP and hosting 

arrangements that we determine do not have stand-alone value to the customer or are contingent on delivery of other 

elements, we recognize the services revenue ratably over the remaining contractual period once hosting has gone live 

and we may begin billing for the hosting services. We record amounts that have been invoiced in accounts receivable 

and in deferred revenue or revenues, depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Software Services

Some of our software arrangements include services considered essential for the customer to use the software for the 

customer’s purposes. For these software arrangements, both the software license revenue and the services revenue are 

recognized as the services are performed using the percentage-of-completion contract accounting method. When 

software services are not considered essential, the fee allocable to the service element is recognized as revenue as we 

perform the services.

48 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Notes to Financial Statements

Computer Hardware Equipment

Revenue allocable to computer hardware equipment is recognized when we deliver the equipment and collection  

is probable.

Postcontract Customer Support

Our customers generally enter into PCS agreements when they purchase our software licenses. Our PCS agreements 

are typically renewable annually. Revenue allocated to PCS is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period  

the PCS is provided. All significant costs and expenses associated with PCS are expensed as incurred. Fair value for 

the maintenance and support obligations for software licenses is based upon the specific sale renewals to customers.

Allocation of Revenue in Statement of Income

In our statements of income, we allocate revenue to software licenses, software services, maintenance and hardware 

and other based on the VSOE of fair value for elements in each revenue arrangement and the application of the 

residual method for arrangements in which we have established VSOE of fair value for all undelivered elements. In 

arrangements where we are not able to establish VSOE of fair value for all undelivered elements, revenue is first 

allocated to any undelivered elements for which VSOE of fair value has been established. We then allocate revenue  

to any undelivered elements for which VSOE of fair value has not been established based upon management’s  

best estimate of fair value of those undelivered elements and apply a residual method to determine the license fee. 

Management’s best estimate of fair value of undelivered elements for which VSOE of fair value has not been 

established is based upon the VSOE of similar offerings and other objective criteria.

Appraisal Services:

For our property appraisal projects, we recognize revenue using the proportionate performance method of revenue 

recognition since many of these projects are implemented over one to three year periods and consist of various unique 

activities. Under this method of revenue recognition, we identify each activity for the appraisal project, with a typical 

project generally calling for bonding, office set up, training, routing of map information, data entry, data collection, data 

verification, informal hearings, appeals and project management. Each activity or act is specifically identified and 

assigned an estimated cost. Costs which are considered to be associated with indirect activities, such as bonding costs 

and office set up, are expensed as incurred. These costs are typically billed as incurred and are recognized as revenue 

equal to cost. Direct contract fulfillment activities and related supervisory costs such as data collection, data entry and 

verification are expensed as incurred. The direct costs for these activities are determined and the total contract value is 

then allocated to each activity based on a consistent profit margin. Each activity is assigned a consistent unit of measure 

to determine progress towards completion and revenue is recognized for each activity based upon the percentage 

complete as applied to the estimated revenue for that activity. Progress for the fulfillment activities is typically based  

on labor hours or an output measure such as the number of parcel counts completed for that activity. Estimated losses 

on uncompleted contracts are recorded in the period in which we first determine that a loss is apparent.

Other:

The majority of deferred revenue consists of unearned support and maintenance revenue that has been billed based 

on contractual terms in the underlying arrangement with the remaining balance consisting of payments received in 

advance of revenue being earned under software licensing, subscription-based services, software and appraisal 

services and hardware installation. Unbilled revenue is not billable at the balance sheet date but is recoverable over 

the remaining life of the contract through billings made in accordance with contractual agreements. The termination 

clauses in our contracts generally provide for the payment for the fair value of products delivered and services 

performed in the event of an early termination.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets include direct and incremental costs, consisting primarily of commissions 

associated with arrangements for which revenue recognition has been deferred and third party subcontractor 

payments. Such costs are expensed at the time the related revenue is recognized.

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49

Notes to Financial Statements

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 

States (“GAAP”) requires us 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 period. Significant items subject to such estimates and 

assumptions include the application of the percentage-of-completion and proportionate performance methods of 

revenue recognition, the carrying amount and estimated useful lives of intangible assets, determination of share-based 

compensation expense and valuation allowance for receivables. Actual results could differ from estimates.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, equipment and purchased software are recorded at original cost and increased by the cost of any significant 

improvements after purchase. We expense maintenance and repairs when incurred. Depreciation and amortization is 

calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the term of the lease 

in the case of leasehold improvements. For income tax purposes, we use accelerated depreciation methods as 

allowed by tax laws.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

We expensed research and development costs of $14.0 million during 2010, $11.2 million during 2009 and  

$7.3 million during 2008. We reduced our research and development expense by approximately $5.1 million in 

2010, $3.5 million in 2009 and $1.8 million in 2008, which was the amount earned under the terms of our  

strategic alliance with a development partner.

INCOME TAXES

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes arise because of different 

treatment between financial statement accounting and tax accounting, known as “temporary differences.” We record 

the tax effect of these temporary differences as “deferred tax assets” (generally items that can be used as a tax 

deduction or credit in the future periods) and “deferred tax liabilities” (generally items that we received a tax 

deduction for, which have not yet been recorded in the income statement). The deferred tax assets and liabilities are 

measured using enacted tax rules and laws that are expected to be in effect when the temporary differences are 

expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance would be established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is 

likely that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We have a stock option plan that provides for the grant of stock options to key employees, directors and non-employee 

consultants. Stock options vest after four to six years of continuous service from the date of grant and have a 

contractual term of ten years. We account for share-based compensation utilizing the fair value recognition pursuant 

to ASC 718, Stock Compensation. See Note 10 — “Share-Based Compensation” for further information.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

We have used the acquisition method of accounting for all of our business combinations. Our business acquisitions 

result in the allocation of the purchase price to goodwill and other intangible assets. We first allocate the cost of 

acquired companies to identifiable assets based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the 

fair value of identifiable assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed, is recorded as goodwill.

50 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Notes to Financial Statements

We review goodwill impairment annually as of April or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances 

indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. We have identified two reporting units for impairment testing. Our 

reporting units are the same as our reportable segments and consistent with the reporting units tested for impairment 

in prior years. Assets, liabilities and goodwill have been assigned to reporting units based on assets acquired and 

liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition.

The provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other, require that we perform a two-step impairment test on 

goodwill. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the 

reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not considered impaired 

and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit 

exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we must perform the second step of the impairment test in order  

to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill 

exceeds the asset’s implied fair value, then we would record an impairment loss equal to the difference. The fair 

values calculated in our impairment tests are determined using discounted cash flow models involving several 

assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, anticipated operating income growth rates, our 

long-term anticipated operating income growth rate and the discount rate. Our cash flow forecasts are based on 

assumptions that are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. The 

assumptions that are used are based upon what we believe a hypothetical marketplace participant would use in 

estimating fair value. We evaluate the reasonableness of the fair value calculations of our reporting units by comparing 

the total of the fair value of all of our reporting units to our total market capitalization. We base our fair value 

estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. A 

significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred between testing 

dates. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, 

significant decline in stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the 

business climate; unanticipated competition; and reductions in growth rates. In addition, products, capabilities, or 

technologies developed by others may render our software products obsolete or non-competitive. Any adverse change 

in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of goodwill. Our annual goodwill impairment 

analysis, which we performed during the second quarter of 2010, did not result in an impairment charge.

Other Intangible Assets

We make judgments about the recoverability of purchased intangible assets other than goodwill whenever events or 

changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. Customer base constitutes approximately 85% of 

our purchased intangible assets other than goodwill. We review our customer turnover each year for indications  

of impairment. Our customer turnover has historically been very low. If indications of impairment are determined to 

exist, we measure the recoverability of assets by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated 

undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds 

their estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of 

the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. There have been no significant impairments of intangible assets in 

any of the periods presented.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

We periodically evaluate whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our property and 

equipment or other long-lived assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are 

determined to exist, we measure the recoverability of assets to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying 

amount of the asset or appropriate grouping of assets and the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to 

be generated by the assets. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their estimated future cash flows, an 

impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of 

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

51
51

Notes to Financial Statements

the assets. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of 

the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a 

disposed group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections 

of the balance sheet. There have been no significant impairments of long-lived assets in any of the periods presented.

COSTS OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE

We capitalize software development costs upon the establishment of technological feasibility and prior to the 

availability of the product for general release to customers. We did not capitalize any internal software development 

costs in 2010, 2009 or 2008. Software development costs primarily consist of personnel costs and rent for related 

office space. We begin to amortize capitalized costs when a product is available for general release to customers. 

Amortization expense is determined on a product-by-product basis at a rate not less than straight-line basis over the 

product’s remaining estimated economic life, but not to exceed five years. Amortization of software development  

costs was approximately $430,000 in 2010, $743,000 in 2009, and $4.7 million in 2008, and is included in cost 

of software license revenue in the accompanying statements of operations.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, accounts payables, short-term obligations and certain other assets 

at cost approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. Our investments available-for-sale  

are recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2010 based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used 

to measure their fair value. See Note 3 — “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND UNBILLED RECEIVABLES

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

and cash equivalents, investments in auction rate securities and accounts receivable from trade customers. Our  

cash and cash equivalents primarily consists of money market fund investments which are maintained at one major 

financial institution and the balances often exceed insurable amounts. As of December 31, 2010 we had cash and 

cash equivalents of $2.1 million. We perform periodic evaluations of the credit standing of this financial institution.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to the size and geographical diversity of  

our customer base. Historically, our credit losses have not been significant. As a result, we do not believe we have any 

significant concentrations of credit risk as of December 31, 2010.

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments, which are provided at the time the revenue is 

recognized. Since most of our customers are domestic governmental entities, we rarely incur a loss resulting from the 

inability of a customer to make required payments. Events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying 

amount for the allowances for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments may require revision, include, but are not 

limited to, deterioration of a customer’s financial condition, failure to manage our customer’s expectations regarding 

the scope of the services to be delivered, and defects or errors in new versions or enhancements of our software 

products. The following table summarizes the changes in the allowances for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments:

Years ended December 31, 

Balance at beginning of year 

Provisions for losses – accounts receivable 

Collection of accounts previously written off 

Deductions for accounts charged off or credits issued 

Balance at end of year 

2010 

2009 

2008

$ 2,389 

  1,161 

4 

$ 2,115 

  1,538 

— 

$ 1,851

  1,764

10

  (1,951) 

  (1,264) 

  (1,510)

$ 1,603 

$ 2,389 

$ 2,115

52 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

We occasionally make small adjustments to invoices. In order to process these adjustments we issue a credit memo 

for the entire amount and issue a new invoice with the adjustments. A substantial portion of credit memos issued 

during the year include these transactions. The termination clauses in most of our contracts provide for the 

payment for the fair value of products delivered or services performed in the event of early termination. Our 

property appraisal outsourcing service contracts can range up to three years and, in a few cases, as long as five 

years in duration. In connection with these contracts, as well as certain software service contracts, we may perform 

work prior to when the software and services are billable and/or payable pursuant to the contract. We have 

historically recorded such unbilled receivables (costs and estimated profit in excess of billings) in connection with 

(1) property appraisal services contracts accounted for using proportionate performance accounting in which the 

revenue is earned based upon activities performed in one accounting period but the billing normally occurs shortly 

thereafter and may span another accounting period; (2) software services contracts accounted for using the 

percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition using labor hours as a measure of progress towards 

completion in which the services are performed in one accounting period but the billing for the software element of 

the arrangement may be based upon the specific phase of the implementation; (3) software revenue for which we 

have objective evidence that the customer-specified objective criteria has been met but the billing has not yet been 

submitted to the customer; (4) some of our contracts provide for an amount to be withheld from a progress billing 

(generally a 10% retention) until final and satisfactory project completion is achieved; and (5) in a limited number 

of cases, we may grant extended payment terms generally to existing customers with whom we have a long-term 

relationship and favorable collection history.

In connection with this activity, we have recorded unbilled receivables of $11.7 million and $13.8 million at 

December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We also have recorded retention receivable of $2.4 million and  

$4.0 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively and these retentions become payable upon the completion 

of the contract or completion of our field work and formal hearings. Unbilled receivables and retention receivables 

expected to be collected in excess of one year have been included with accounts receivable, long-term portion in the 

accompanying balance sheets.

As of December 31, 2010 our accounts receivable balance includes $4.2 million associated with one customer that 

terminated its arrangement with us for convenience and, in addition, has disputed certain amounts we invoiced  

the customer prior to the termination of the arrangement. We believe the receivable is a valid and enforceable claim 

under the terms of the arrangement, and we intend to aggressively pursue collection.

INDEMNIFICATION

Most of our software license agreements indemnify our customers in the event that the software sold infringes upon  

the intellectual property rights of a third party. These agreements typically provide that in such event we will either 

modify or replace the software so that it becomes non-infringing or procure for the customer the right to use the 

software. We have recorded no liability associated with these indemnifications, as we are not aware of any pending or 

threatened infringement actions that are possible losses. We believe the estimated fair value of these intellectual 

property indemnification clauses is minimal.

We have also agreed to indemnify our officers and board members if they are named or threatened to be named  

as a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that they acted in such capacity. We maintain directors’ and 

officers’ insurance coverage to protect against any such losses. We have recorded no liability associated with these 

indemnifications. Because of our insurance coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification 

agreements is minimal.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

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53

Notes to Financial Statements

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Effective January 1, 2010, we adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2009-13, Multiple 

Element Arrangements. ASU 2009-13 updates the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance 

currently included in ASC 605-25, Multiple Element Arrangements. The revised guidance provides for two significant 

changes to the existing multiple-element revenue guidance for arrangements that are not accounted for under ASC 

985-605, Software Revenue Recognition. The first change relates to the determination of when the individual 

deliverables included in a multiple-element arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting. The second 

change modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identified 

deliverables. Together, these changes will result in earlier recognition of service revenue for certain of our ASP and 

hosting arrangements than under previous guidance. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on  

our financial condition or results of operations.

(2) ACQUISITIONS

2010

On January 1, 2010 we acquired all of the assets of Wiznet, Inc. (“Wiznet”) for a cash purchase price of $9.5 million. 

Wiznet provides electronic document filing solutions for courts and law offices throughout the United States and is 

integrated with our primary courts and justice solution.

In connection with this transaction we acquired total tangible assets of approximately $867,000. We recorded 

goodwill of approximately $2.6 million, all of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes, and other intangible 

assets of approximately $6.1 million. The $6.1 million of intangible assets is attributable to customer relationships 

and acquired software that will be amortized over a weighted average period of approximately nine years. Our balance 

sheet as of December 31, 2010 reflects the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired based on their 

estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

The operating results of this acquisition are included in our results of operations from the date of acquisition.

2009

On July 16, 2009, we completed the acquisition of certain assets of KPL, Inc. d/b/a Parker-Lowe & Associates 

(“Parker-Lowe”) for $700,000 in cash. Parker-Lowe provides scanning and retrieval software and related services 

for land record and social services offices in local governments primarily in the North Carolina area. This acquisition 

was accounted for as a purchase of a business.

On April 3, 2009, we completed the acquisition of all of the capital stock of Assessment Evaluation Services, Inc. 

(“AES”). AES develops integrated property appraisal solutions and specializes in applications that deal with the unique 

provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. The purchase price was approximately $1.1 million in cash.

In connection with these 2009 transactions we acquired total tangible assets of approximately $480,000 and 

assumed total liabilities of approximately $835,000, including $450,000 for contingent consideration for which we 

have paid $198,000 as of December 31, 2010. The remaining contingent consideration is expected to be paid 

through 2011. We recorded goodwill of approximately $1.3 million, all of which is expected to be deductible for tax 

purposes, and other intangible assets of approximately $820,000. The $820,000 of intangible assets is attributable 

to acquired software and customer relationships that will be amortized over a weighted average period of 

approximately nine years.

In 2009, we also paid approximately $1.1 million for certain software assets to complement our tax and appraisal 

solutions and our student information management solutions.

54 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

Notes to Financial Statements

2008

In August 2008, we completed the acquisition of all the capital stock of School Information Systems, Inc., which 

develops and sells a full suite of student information and financial management systems for K-12 schools. The 

purchase price, including transaction costs and excluding cash balances acquired, was approximately $9.9 million 

in cash and approximately 70,000 shares of Tyler common stock valued at $1.2 million.

In the first quarter of 2008, we completed the acquisitions of all of the capital stock of VersaTrans Solutions Inc. 

(“VersaTrans”) and certain assets of Olympia Computing Company, Inc. d/b/a Schoolmaster (“Schoolmaster”). 

VersaTrans is a provider of student transportation management software solutions for school districts and school 

transportation providers across North America, including solutions for school bus routing and planning, redistricting, 

GPS fleet tracking, fleet maintenance and field trip planning. Schoolmaster provides a full suite of student 

information systems, which manage such functions as grading, attendance, scheduling, guidance, health, admissions 

and fund raising. The combined purchase price for these transactions excluding cash acquired and including 

transaction costs was approximately $13.9 million in cash and approximately 126,000 shares of Tyler common 

stock valued at $1.7 million.

(3) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Assets recorded at fair value in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2010 are categorized based upon the level of 

judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels, defined by ASC 820,  

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, are directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs 

to fair valuation of these assets, are as follows:

 Level 1 –  Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the  

measurement date;

 Level 2 –  Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3 –  Unobservable inputs, for which little or no market data exist, therefore requiring an entity to develop its  

own assumptions.

As of December 31, 2010 we held certain items that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. 

The following tables summarize the fair value of these financial assets:

Cash and cash equivalents 

Short-term investments available-for-sale 

Non-current investments available-for-sale 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Short-term investments available-for-sale 

Non-current investments available-for-sale 

December 31, 2010

Quoted Prices in  Significant Other 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets 
(Level 1) 

Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2) 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Total 

$ 2,114 

$ 2,114 

$  — 

$  —

25 

  2,126 

$ 4,265 

25 

— 

— 

— 

$ 2,139 

$  — 

—

  2,126

$ 2,126

December 31, 2009

Quoted Prices in  Significant Other 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets 
(Level 1) 

Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2) 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Total 

$ 15,696 

$ 15,696 

$  — 

$  —

50 

  1,976 

$ 17,722 

50 

— 

— 

— 

$ 15,746 

$  — 

—

  1,976

$ 1,976

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

55
55

 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds with original maturity dates of three months or 

less, for which we determine fair value through quoted market prices. These money market funds did not experience 

any declines in fair value in 2010.

Non–current investments available-for-sale consist of two auction rate municipal securities (“ARS”) which are 

collateralized debt obligations supported by municipal agencies and do not include mortgage-backed securities. 

Short-term investments available-for-sale consists of a portion of one of these ARS which was partially redeemed at par 

during the period January 1, 2011 through February 24, 2011. These ARS are debt instruments with stated maturities 

ranging from 21 to 32 years, for which the interest rate is designed to be reset through Dutch auctions approximately 

every 30 days. However, due to events in the credit markets, auctions for these securities have not occurred since 

February 2008. Both of our ARS have had very small partial redemptions at par in the period from July 2009 through 

February 2011. As of December 31, 2010 we have continued to earn and collect interest on both of our ARS.

Because quoted prices in active markets are no longer available we determined the estimated fair values of these 

securities utilizing a discounted trinomial model. The model considers the probability of three potential occurrences 

for each auction event through the maturity date of each ARS. The three potential outcomes for each auction  

are (i) successful auction/early redemption, (ii) failed auction and (iii) issuer default. Inputs in determining the 

probabilities of the potential outcomes include but are not limited to, the securities’ collateral, credit rating, insurance, 

issuer’s financial standing, contractual restrictions on disposition and the liquidity in the market. The fair value  

of each ARS is determined by summing the present value of the probability-weighted future principal and interest 

payments determined by the model. Since there can be no assurances that auctions for these securities will be 

successful in the near future, we have classified our ARS as non-current investments.

The par and carrying values, and related cumulative unrealized loss for our non-current ARS as of December 31, 2010 

are as follows:

Non-current investments available-for-sale 

Par 
Value 

Temporary 
Impairment 

Carrying 
Value

$ 2,550 

$ 424 

$ 2,126

In association with this estimate of fair value, we have recorded an after-tax temporary unrealized gain on our 

non-current ARS of $130,000, net of related tax effects of $70,000 in 2010, which is included in accumulated other 

comprehensive loss on our balance sheet.

We consider the impairment in our ARS as temporary because we do not have the intent to sell, nor is it more-likely-

than-not that we will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis. We believe that this 

temporary decline in fair value is due entirely to liquidity issues, because the underlying assets of these securities are 

supported by municipal agencies and do not include mortgage-backed securities, have redemption features which 

call for redemption at 100% of par value and have a current credit rating of A or AA. The ratings on the ARS take into 

account credit support through insurance policies guaranteeing each of the bonds’ payment of principal and accrued 

interest, if it becomes necessary. In addition, both ARS have had very small partial redemptions at par in the period 

July 2009 through February 2011. Based on our cash and cash equivalents balance of $2.1 million, expected 

operating cash flows, and a $150.0 million credit line, we do not believe a lack of liquidity associated with our ARS 

will adversely affect our ability to conduct business, and believe we have the ability to hold the securities throughout 

the currently estimated recovery period. We will continue to evaluate any changes in the fair value of our ARS and in 

the future, depending upon existing market conditions, we may be required to record an other-than-temporary 

decline in market value.

56 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table reflects the activity for assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the years ended 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31:

Balance as of December 31, 2007 

Transfers into level 3 

Transfers out of level 3 

Unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss 

Balance as of December 31, 2008 

Transfers into level 3 

Transfers out of level 3 

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements 

Unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss 

Balance as of December 31, 2009 

Transfers into level 3 

Transfers out of level 3 

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements 

Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss  

Balance as of December 31, 2010 

(4) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consists of the following at December 31:

$  —

  5,150

(775)

(596)

  3,779

—

(75)

  (1,700)

(28)

  1,976

—

(25)

(25)

200

$  2,126

Land  

Building and leasehold improvements 

Computer equipment and purchased software 

Furniture and fixtures 

Transportation equipment 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization 

Property and equipment, net 

Useful Lives
 (Years) 

2010 

2009

— 

5-39 

3-5 

5 

5 

$  3,959 

  26,396 

  23,408 

7,601 

305 

$  3,349

  26,208

  21,394

6,467

329

  61,669 

  57,747

  (26,818) 

  (21,997)

$ 34,851 

$ 35,750

Depreciation expense was $5.1 million during 2010, $4.4 million during 2009, and $3.5 million during 2008.

We own an office building in Yarmouth, Maine, which is currently leased to third-party tenants, and a building in 

Lubbock, Texas, of which a small portion is leased to a third-party tenant. These leases expire between 2011 and 

2015 and are expected to provide rental income of approximately $1.2 million during 2011, $628,000 during 2012, 

$391,000 during 2013, $222,000 during 2014, $74,000 during 2015 and none thereafter. The lease agreements  

in Yarmouth, Maine, expire between 2011 and 2013, at which time we expect to begin occupying the facility. Rental 

income associated with third party tenants was $1.4 million in 2010, $1.3 million in 2009 and $662,000 in 2008, 

respectively and was included as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses.

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57
57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

(5) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other intangible assets and related accumulated amortization consists of the following at December 31:

Gross carrying amount of acquisition intangibles:

  Customer related intangibles 

  Software acquired 

  Trade name 

  Lease acquired 

Accumulated amortization 

  Acquisition intangibles, net 

Post acquisition software development costs 

Accumulated amortization 

  Post acquisition software costs, net 

Total other intangibles 

2010 

2009

$ 44,992 

  23,983 

1,971 

1,387 

$ 39,512

  23,403

1,971

1,387

  72,333 

  66,273

  (40,311) 

  (35,217)

$ 32,022 

$ 31,056

$ 36,701 

$ 36,701

  (36,416) 

  (35,986)

$ 

285 

$ 

715

$ 32,307 

$ 31,771

Total amortization expense, for acquisition related intangibles and post acquisition software development costs, was 

$5.5 million during 2010, $5.1 million during 2009, and $9.1 million during 2008.

The allocation of acquisition intangible assets is summarized in the following table:

December 31, 2010 

December 31, 2009 

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount 

Weighted 
Average 
Amortization 
Period 

Accumulated  
Amortization 

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount 

Weighted
Average

Amortization  Accumulated
Amortization

Period 

$ 92,831 

— 

$  — 

$ 90,258 

— 

$  —

Non-amortizable intangibles:

  Goodwill 

Amortizable intangibles:

  Customer related intangibles 

  44,992 

  17 years 

  Software acquired 

  Trade name 

  Lease acquired 

  23,983 

  5 years 

  1,971 

  19 years 

  1,387 

  5 years 

  17,163 

  21,492 

963 

693 

  39,512 

  18 years 

  23,403 

  5 years 

  1,971 

  19 years 

  1,387 

  5 years 

  14,022

  19,900

879

416

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the two years ended December 31, 2010 are as follows:

Balance as of December 31, 2008 

  Goodwill acquired during the year related to the purchase of AES 

  Goodwill acquired during the year related to the purchase of Parker-Lowe 

  Other  

Balance as of December 31, 2009 

  Goodwill acquired during the year related to the purchase of Wiznet 

Balance as of December 31, 2010 

Enterprise 
Software 
Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax
Software Solutions
and Services 

$ 84,080 

— 

430 

158 

  84,668 

  2,573 

$ 87,241 

$ 4,711 

  879 

— 

— 

  5,590 

— 

$ 5,590 

Total

$ 88,791

879

430

158

  90,258

  2,573

$ 92,831

58 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

Estimated annual amortization expense relating to acquisition intangibles, including acquired software for which the 

amortization expense is recorded as cost of revenues and acquired leases for which amortization expense is recorded 

as selling, general and administrative expenses, is as follows:

Years ending December 31,

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

(6) ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consist of the following at December 31:

Accrued wages, bonuses and commissions 

Other accrued liabilities 

Accrued health claims 

Accrued third party contract costs 

(7) REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT

$ 4,468

  4,202

  3,637

  3,162

  2,983

2010 

2009

$ 11,762 

  5,433 

  1,304 

934 

$ 19,433 

$ 15,945

  7,194

  1,551

  1,420

$ 26,110

On August 11, 2010, we terminated our revolving bank credit agreement and a related pledge and security agreement 

which had been scheduled to mature October 19, 2010 and entered into a new $150.0 million Credit Agreement  

(the “Credit Facility”) and a related pledge and security agreement with a group of seven financial institutions  

with Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The Credit Facility provides for a revolving credit line of 

$150.0 million (which may be increased up to $200.0 million subject to our obtaining commitments for such increase), 

with a $25.0 million sublimit for letters of credit. The Credit Facility matures on August 11, 2014. Borrowings  

under the Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements, acquisitions 

and share repurchases.

Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate of either (1) the Bank of America’s prime rate plus a 

margin of 1.50% to 2.75% or (2) the 30, 60, 90 or 180-day LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.50% to 3.75%, with the 

margin determined by our consolidated leverage ratio. In 2010 and 2009, our effective average interest rate for 

borrowings was 3.4% and 1.8%, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, our interest rate was 2.7%. The Credit 

Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets, excluding real property. The Credit Facility requires us to maintain 

certain financial ratios and other financial conditions and prohibits us from making certain investments, advances, 

cash dividends or loans, and limits incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens. As of December 31, 2010, we 

were in compliance with those covenants.

As of December 31, 2010, we had $26.5 million in outstanding borrowings and unused available borrowing capacity 

of $115.2 million under the Credit Facility. In addition, as of December 31, 2010, our bank had issued outstanding 

letters of credit totaling $8.3 million to secure surety bonds required by some of our customer contracts. These letters 

of credit reduce our available borrowing capacity and expire through mid-2011.

We paid interest of $689,000 in 2010 and $174,000 in 2009.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

(8) INCOME TAX

The income tax provision (benefit) on income from operations consists of the following:

Years ended December 31, 

2010 

2009 

2008

Current:

  Federal   

  State  

Deferred 

$ 13,552 

  2,252 

  15,804 

$ 16,822 

  2,536 

  19,358 

$ 14,320

  2,245

  16,565

(959) 

  (1,730) 

  (2,151)

$ 14,845 

$ 17,628 

$ 14,414

Reconciliation of the U.S. statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax expense rate for operations follows:

Years ended December 31, 

Income tax expense at statutory rate 

State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit 

Non-deductible business expenses 

Qualified manufacturing activities 

Research and development credit 

Other, net   

2010 

2009 

2008

$ 13,965 

  1,218 

$ 15,623 

  1,634 

976 

(728) 

(579) 

(7) 

965 

(586) 

— 

(8) 

$ 10,247

  1,089

  3,988

(700)

—

(210)

$ 14,845 

$ 17,628 

$ 14,414

In 2008, non-deductible business expenses included the impact of a non-cash legal settlement related to warrants 

charge of $9.0 million, which was not tax deductible. See Note 14 — “Commitments and Contingencies” for more 

information.

Approximately 35% of our stock option expense is derived from incentive stock options (“ISOs”). As such, a tax 

benefit is not recorded at the time the compensation cost related to the options is recorded for book purposes due to 

the fact that an ISO does not ordinarily result in a tax benefit unless there is a disqualifying disposition. Stock option 

grants of non-qualified options result in the creation of a deferred tax asset, which is a temporary difference, until the 

time that the option is exercised. Due to the treatment of ISOs for tax purposes, our effective tax rate from year to 

year is subject to variability.

The tax effects of the major items recorded as deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are:

2010 

2009

$  2,642 

  4,020 

160 

195 

$ 2,068

  3,628

230

230

  7,017 

  6,156

  (9,673) 

  (9,720)

(149) 

(157)

  (9,822) 

  (9,877)

$ (2,805) 

$ (3,721)

Deferred income tax assets:

  Operating expenses not currently deductible 

  Employee benefit plans 

  Capital loss carryforward 

  Property and equipment 

  Total deferred income tax assets 

Deferred income tax liabilities:

Intangible assets 

  Other  

  Total deferred income tax liabilities 

Net deferred income tax liabilities 

60 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

Although realization is not assured, we believe it is more likely than not that all the deferred tax assets at December 31, 

2010 and 2009 will be realized. Accordingly, we believe no valuation allowance is required for the deferred tax 

assets. However, the amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable could be adjusted in the future if estimates 

of reversing taxable temporary differences are revised.

No reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded pursuant to ASC 740-10, Income Taxes.

We are subject to U.S. federal tax as well as income tax of multiple state and local jurisdictions. We are no longer 

subject to United States federal income tax examinations for years before 2007. We are no longer subject to state and 

local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2006.

We paid income taxes, net of refunds received, of $15.8 million in 2010, $18.1 million in 2009, and $15.7 million 

in 2008.

(9) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The following table details activity in our common stock:

Years ended December 31, 

2010 

2009 

2008 

Shares 

Amount 

Shares 

Amount 

Shares 

Amount

Purchases of common stock 

  (3,559) 

$ (65,793) 

  (1,235) 

$ (17,000) 

  (4,283) 

$ (58,984)

Stock option exercises 

Employee stock plan purchases 

Shares issued for acquisitions 

Shares issued in connection with legal settlement 

615 

118 

— 

— 

  3,181 

  1,825 

— 

— 

425 

115 

— 

— 

2,295 

1,428 

— 

— 

379 

101 

196 

802 

1,815

1,190

2,863

  11,050

Subsequent to December 31, 2010 and through February 22, 2011, we repurchased 335,000 shares for an 

aggregate purchase price of $6.8 million. As of February 22, 2011 we had authorization from our board of directors 

to repurchase up to 2.4 million additional shares of our common stock.

In 2008, we settled outstanding litigation related to two Stock Purchase Warrants owned by Bank of America, N. A. 

(“BANA”). In July 2008, as a result of this settlement, BANA paid us $2.0 million and we issued to BANA 801,883 

restricted shares of Tyler common stock. See Note 14 — “Commitments and Contingencies” for further information.

(10) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Share-Based Compensation Plan

We have a stock option plan that provides for the grant of stock options to key employees, directors and non-employee 

consultants. Stock options vest after four to six years of continuous service from the date of grant and have a 

contractual term of ten years. Once options become exercisable, the employee can purchase shares of our common 

stock at the market price on the date we granted the option. We account for share-based compensation utilizing the 

fair value recognition pursuant to ASC 718, Stock Compensation.

As of December 31, 2010, there were 4.3 million shares available for future grants under the plan from the 16.0 million 

shares previously approved by the stockholders.

Determining Fair Value of Stock Compensation

Valuation and Amortization Method. We estimate the fair value of share-based awards granted using the Black-Scholes 

option valuation model. We amortize the fair value of all awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service 

periods, which are generally the vesting periods.

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

Expected Life. The expected life of awards granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be 

outstanding. As provided by ASC 718-10, Stock Compensation, we use the “simplified” method which is allowed for 

those companies that cannot reasonably estimate expected life of options based on its historical share option exercise 

experience. We use the “simplified” method to estimate expected life due to insufficient historical exercise data  

for the current optionee group. In 2005 we established a practice of granting options to a consistent optionee group. 

This optionee group has not been in place long enough to generate sufficient historical data to estimate the expected 

period of time an option award would be expected to be outstanding.

Expected Volatility. Using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, we estimate the volatility of our common stock 

at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of our common stock.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. We base the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model on  

the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to 

the expected life of the award.

Expected Dividend Yield. We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock in the last ten years and  

we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, we use an expected dividend 

yield of zero in the Black-Scholes option valuation model.

Expected Forfeitures. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures. We record share-based 

compensation only for those awards that are expected to vest.

The following weighted average assumptions were used for options granted:

Years ended December 31, 

Expected life (in years) 

Expected volatility 

Risk-free interest rate 

Expected forfeiture rate 

2010 

6.7 

2009 

6.5 

35.0% 

37.2% 

2.7% 

3% 

3.1% 

3% 

2008

6.5

40.9%

3.5%

3%

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense related to share-based awards which is recorded 

in the statement of operations:

Years ended December 31, 

Cost of software services, maintenance and subscriptions 

Selling, general and administrative expense 

  Total share-based compensation expense 

Tax benefit  

  Net decrease in net income 

2010 

2009 

2008

$  739 

  5,393 

  6,132 

$  540 

  4,505 

  5,045 

$  364

  3,456

  3,820

  (1,475) 

  (1,233) 

(846)

$ 4,657 

$ 3,812 

$ 2,974

62 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Option Activity

Options granted, exercised, forfeited and expired are summarized as follows:

Outstanding at December 31, 2007 

  Granted  

  Exercised   

  Forfeited 

Outstanding at December 31, 2008 

  Granted  

  Exercised   

  Forfeited 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009 

  Granted  

  Exercised   

  Forfeited 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010 

Exercisable at December 31, 2010 

Number of 
Shares 

  3,972 

  1,750 

(379) 

(34) 

  5,309 

  835 

(425) 

(15) 

  5,704 

  765 

(615) 

(18) 

  5,836 

  3,045 

Notes to Financial Statements

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price 

Weighted Average
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
(Years) 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$  7.16

  14.38

  4.79

  10.82

  9.69

  17.25

  5.40

  7.80

  11.12

  18.82

  5.17

  16.59

  12.74 

$  9.64 

  7 

  5 

$ 46,949

$ 33,846

As of December 31, 2010, we had unvested options to purchase 2.7 million shares with a weighted average grant 

date value of $16.04. As of December 31, 2010, we had $16.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost 

related to unvested options, net of expected forfeitures, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average 

amortization period of four years.

Other information pertaining to option activity was as follows during the twelve months ended December 31:

Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted 

Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

2010 

2009 

2008

$  7.70 

  8,119 

$  7.38 

  4,656 

$  6.73

  3,929

Under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) participants may contribute up to 15% of their annual 

compensation to purchase common shares of Tyler. The purchase price of the shares is equal to 85% of the closing 

price of Tyler shares on the last day of each quarterly offering period. As of December 31, 2010, there were 

222,000 shares available for future grants under the ESPP from the 1.0 million shares originally reserved for issuance.

(11) EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings and diluted earnings per share data were computed as follows:

Years Ended December 31, 

2010 

2009 

2008

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share

  Net income 

Denominator:

$ 25,054 

$ 27,010 

$ 14,862

Weighted-average basic common shares outstanding 

  34,075 

  35,240 

  37,714

  Assumed conversion of dilutive securities:

  Stock options 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share – Adjusted weighted-average shares 

Earnings per common share:

  Basic  

  Diluted   

  1,453 

  35,528 

  1,384 

  36,624 

  1,470

  39,184

$  0.74 

$  0.71 

$  0.77 

$  0.74 

$  0.39

$  0.38

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

Stock options representing the right to purchase common stock of 1.8 million shares in 2010, 2.6 million shares  

in 2009, and 1.6 million shares in 2008 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because 

their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

(12) LEASES

We lease office facilities for use in our operations, as well as transportation, computer and other equipment. We also 

have an office facility lease agreement with a shareholder. Most of our leases are non-cancelable operating lease 

agreements and they expire at various dates through 2018. In addition to rent, the leases generally require us to pay 

taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses.

Rent expense was approximately $5.4 million in 2010, $6.3 million in 2009, and $5.9 million in 2008, which 

included rent expense associated with related party lease agreements of $1.9 million in 2010, $2.0 million in 2009 

and $1.8 million in 2008.

Future minimum lease payments under all non-cancelable leases at December 31, 2010 are as follows:

Years ending December 31,

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

Thereafter   

$  5,643

  4,659

  2,997

  2,323

605

  1,204

$ 17,431

Included in future minimum lease payments are non-cancelable payments due to related parties of $1.8 million in 

2011, $1.7 million in 2012, $1.7 million in 2013, $1.7 million in 2014, and none thereafter.

(13) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

We provide a defined contribution plan for the majority of our employees meeting minimum service requirements. The 

employees can contribute up to 30% of their current compensation to the plan subject to certain statutory limitations. 

We contribute up to a maximum of 3% of an employee’s compensation to the plan. We made contributions to the 

plan and charged operations $2.8 million during 2010, $2.6 million during 2009, and $2.0 million during 2008.

(14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

On November 3, 2008, a putative collective action complaint was filed against us in the United States District Court 

for the Eastern District of Texas (the “Court”) on behalf of current and former telephone and remote customer support 

personnel (“Category 1”), computer hardware and software set up and maintenance personnel (“Category 2”), 

implementation personnel (“Category 3”), sales support personnel (“Category 4”), and quality assurance analysts 

(“Category 5”). The petition alleges that we misclassified these groups of employees as “exempt” rather than 

“non-exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act and that we therefore failed to properly pay overtime wages. The 

suit was initiated by six former employees working out of our Longview, Texas, office and seeks to recover damages in 

the form of lost overtime pay, liquidated damages equal to the amount of lost overtime pay, interest, costs, and 

attorneys’ fees. On June 23, 2009, the Court issued an Order granting plaintiffs’ motion for conditional certification 

for the purpose of providing notice to potential plaintiffs about the litigation. Accordingly, notice was sent to all 

current and former employees who worked in the foregoing job classifications during the applicable time periods. On 

October 26, 2009, the “opt in” period for plaintiffs and potential plaintiffs closed. Since that time, a number of 

plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew their petition. During a mediation which occurred during the second quarter of 2010, 

64 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements

we reached a conditional settlement in principle with all of the plaintiffs in Categories 1, 2, 4, and 5 (24 plaintiffs in 

the aggregate). The terms of the settlement agreement, which are immaterial and confidential, were approved by the 

Court during the fourth quarter of 2010. In addition, during a mediation that occurred in January 2011, we reached a 

conditional settlement in principle with the remaining plaintiffs in Category 3 (30 plaintiffs in the aggregate). The 

terms of the settlement agreement, which are immaterial and confidential, are subject to Court approval.

On June 27, 2008, we settled outstanding litigation related to two Stock Purchase Warrants (the “Warrants”) owned by 

Bank of America, N. A. (“BANA”). As disclosed in prior SEC filings, the Warrants entitled BANA to acquire 1.6 million 

shares of Tyler common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share. The Warrants expired on September 10, 2007. 

Prior to their expiration, BANA attempted to exercise the Warrants; however, the parties disputed whether or not 

BANA’s exercise was effective. We filed suit for declaratory judgment seeking a court’s determination on the matter, 

and BANA asserted numerous counterclaims against us, including breach of contract and misrepresentation. 

Following court-ordered mediation, in July 2008, BANA paid us $2.0 million and we issued to BANA 801,883 

restricted shares of Tyler common stock. Accordingly, as a result of the settlement, we recorded a non-cash legal 

settlement related to warrants charge of $9.0 million, which was not tax deductible.

Other than ordinary course, routine litigation incidental to our business and except as described in this Annual Report, 

there are no material legal proceedings pending to which we are party or to which any of our properties are subject.

(15) SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION

We are a major provider of integrated information management solutions and services for the public sector, with a 

focus on local governments.

We provide our software systems and services and appraisal services through four business units which focus on the 

following products:

–  financial management and education software solutions;

–  financial management and municipal courts software solutions;

–  courts and justice software solutions; and

–   appraisal and tax software solutions and property appraisal services.

In accordance with ASC 280-10, Segment Reporting, the financial management and education software solutions unit, 

financial management and municipal courts software solutions unit and the courts and justice software solutions unit 

meet the criteria for aggregation and are presented in one segment, Enterprise Software Solutions (“ESS”). The ESS 

segment provides municipal and county governments and schools with software systems to meet their information 

technology and automation needs for mission-critical “back-office” functions such as financial management and courts 

and justice processes. The Appraisal and Tax Software Solutions and Services (“ATSS”) segment provides systems and 

software that automate the appraisal and assessment of real and personal property as well as property appraisal outsourcing 

services for local governments and taxing authorities. Property appraisal outsourcing services include: the physical 

inspection of commercial and residential properties; data collection and processing; computer analysis for property 

valuation; preparation of tax rolls; community education; and arbitration between taxpayers and the assessing jurisdiction.

We evaluate performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is business segment 

operating income. We define segment operating income as income before noncash amortization of intangible assets 

associated with their acquisition, share-based compensation expense, interest expense and income taxes. Segment 

operating income includes intercompany transactions. The majority of intercompany transactions relate to contracts 

involving more than one unit and are valued based on the contractual arrangement. Segment operating income for 

corporate primarily consists of compensation costs for the executive management team and certain accounting and 

administrative staff and share-based compensation expense for the entire company. The accounting policies of  

the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

65

Notes to Financial Statements

Segment assets include net accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, net property and 

equipment and intangibles associated with their acquisition. Corporate assets consist of cash and investments, 

prepaid insurance, deferred income taxes and net property and equipment mainly related to unallocated information 

and technology assets.

ESS segment capital expenditures in 2009 and 2008 include $11.2 million and $16.0 million, respectively for the 

purchase of buildings in connection with plans to consolidate workforces and support long-term growth.

In 2009 and 2008 the ATSS segment had one appraisal services customer which accounted for 10.4% and 12.6%, 

respectively, of this segment’s total revenues. The ATSS segment did not have any customers in 2010 that accounted 

for 10% or more of their total revenues.

In 2010 we transferred a small tax and appraisal software solution from the ESS segment to the ATSS segment 

and reclassified segment revenues and segment operating profit in 2009 and 2008 to conform to current year 

presentation.

As of and year ended December 31, 2010 

Revenues 

  Software licenses 

  Subscriptions 

  Software services 

  Maintenance 

  Appraisal services 

  Hardware and other 

Intercompany 

Total revenues 

Enterprise 
Software 
Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax
Software Solutions
and Services 

Corporate 

Totals

$  32,757 

$  2,156 

$ 

  22,975 

  58,371 

  120,764 

— 

5,727 

1,978 

323 

  9,969 

  14,891 

  20,554 

6 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

135 

(1,978) 

$  34,913

  23,298

  68,340

  135,655

  20,554

5,868

—

$ 242,572 

$ 47,899 

$ 

(1,843) 

$ 288,628

Depreciation and amortization expense 

8,903 

683 

1,202 

  10,788

Segment operating income 

Capital expenditures 

Segment assets 

  51,942 

  8,883 

(14,367) 

  46,458

2,960 

350 

310 

3,620

  373,432 

  45,957 

  (155,357) 

  264,032

As of and year ended December 31, 2009 

Enterprise 
Software 
Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax
Software Solutions
and Services 

Corporate 

Totals

Revenues 

  Software licenses 

  Subscriptions 

  Software services 

  Maintenance 

  Appraisal services 

  Hardware and other 

Intercompany 

Total revenues 

$  39,484 

$  2,647 

$ 

  16,870 

  70,041 

  110,404 

— 

6,113 

1,618 

311 

  10,364 

  14,108 

  18,740 

135 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

  1,069 

(1,618) 

$  42,131

  17,181

  80,405

  124,512

  18,740

7,317

—

$ 244,530 

$ 46,305 

$ 

(549) 

$ 290,286

Depreciation and amortization expense 

8,031 

608 

858 

9,497

Segment operating income 

Capital expenditures 

Segment assets 

  54,825 

  7,763 

  (13,688) 

  48,900

  13,361 

192 

614 

  14,167

  220,135 

  25,597 

  24,938 

  270,670

66 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of and year ended December 31, 2008 

Enterprise 
Software 
Solutions 

Appraisal and Tax
Software Solutions
and Services 

Corporate 

Totals

Notes to Financial Statements

Revenues

  Software licenses 

  Subscriptions 

  Software services 

  Maintenance 

  Appraisal services 

  Hardware and other 

Intercompany 

Total revenues 

$  39,215 

$  2,275 

$ 

  14,352 

  63,508 

  94,546 

— 

6,354 

777 

22 

  11,489 

  12,912 

  19,098 

26 

181 

$ 218,752 

$ 46,003 

$ 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

  1,304 

(958) 

346 

505 

$  41,490

  14,374

  74,997

  107,458

  19,098

7,684

—

$ 265,101

  12,611

Depreciation and amortization expense 

  11,596 

510 

Segment operating income 

Capital expenditures 

Segment assets 

  49,298 

  3,847 

  (11,768) 

  41,377

  17,563 

420 

  208,868 

  24,409 

  2,160 

  18,484 

  20,143

  251,761

Reconciliation of reportable segment operating
income to the Company’s consolidated totals: 

Total segment operating income 

Amortization of acquired software 

Amortization of customer and trade name intangibles 

Non-cash legal settlement related to warrants 

Other (expense) income 

Income before income taxes 

2010 

2009 

2008

$ 46,458 

$ 48,900 

$ 41,377

(1,592) 

(3,225) 

— 

  (1,411) 

  (1,799)

  (2,705) 

  (2,438)

— 

  (9,045)

(1,742) 

(146) 

$ 39,899 

$ 44,638 

  1,181

$ 29,276

(16) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The following table contains selected financial information from unaudited statements of operations for each quarter 

of 2010 and 2009.

2010 

2009 

Quarters ended 

Dec. 31 

Sept. 30 

June 30  Mar. 31 

Dec. 31 

Sept. 30 

June 30 

Mar. 31

Revenues   

Gross profit 

$ 72,439 

$ 73,769 

$ 72,600  $ 69,820 

$ 74,217 

$ 74,332  $ 72,172 

$ 69,565

  32,616 

  33,207 

  32,475 

  30,019 

  33,239 

  33,235 

  31,997 

  30,292

Income before income taxes 

  10,159 

  11,263 

  10,383 

  8,094 

  10,922 

  12,421 

  11,334 

  9,961

Net income 

  7,210 

  6,723 

  6,249 

  4,872 

  6,656 

  7,475 

  6,873 

  6,006

Earnings per diluted share 

0.21 

0.19 

0.17 

0.13 

0.18 

0.20 

0.19 

0.16

Shares used in computing 

  diluted earnings per share 

  33,895 

  35,410 

  36,203 

  36,655 

  36,600 

  36,487 

  36,723 

  36,747

2 010   An n u a l   Re p o r t

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance Graph

The following table compares total Shareholder returns for Tyler over the last five years to the Standard and Poor’s 

500 Stock Index and the Standard and Poor’s 600 Information Technology Index assuming a $100 investment made 

on December 31, 2005. Each of the three measures of cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends. 

The stock performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

COMPARISON OF C UMULATIVE FIVE YEAR TOTAL RETURN

$250

$200 

$150

$100 

$50

$0

2005 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010   

100 

100 

100 

160.14 

115.79 

109.43 

146.81 

122.16 

119.61 

136.45 

76.96 

71.32 

226.77 

97.33 

105.67 

236.45

111.99

131.66 

Tyler Technologies, Inc.

S&P 500 Index

S&P 600 Information
Technology Index

68 Ty l e r   Te c h n o l o g i es

 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Officers
John M. Yeaman 
Chairman of the Board

John S. Marr, Jr. 
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dustin R. Womble 
Executive Vice President

Brian K. Miller 
Executive Vice President 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

H. Lynn Moore, Jr. 
Executive Vice President 
General Counsel and Secretary

Matthew B. Bieri 
Vice President 
Chief Information Officer

Samantha B. Crosby 
Vice President 
Marketing & Communications

Robert J. Sansone  
Vice President 
Human Resources

W. Michael Smith 
Vice President 
Chief Accounting Officer

Terri L. Alford 
Controller 

Board of Directors
John M. Yeaman1 
Chairman of the Board 
Tyler Technologies, Inc.

John S. Marr, Jr.1 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
Tyler Technologies, Inc.

Donald R. Brattain2,3 
President 
Brattain and Associates, LLC

J. Luther King, Jr.2,4 
Chief Executive Officer 
Luther King Capital Management

G. Stuart Reeves2,3,4 
Retired Executive Vice President 
Electronic Data Systems Corporation

Michael D. Richards3,4 
Executive Vice President 
Republic Title of Texas, Inc.

Dustin R. Womble1 
Executive Vice President 
Tyler Technologies, Inc.

1  Executive Committee
2  Audit Committee
3  Nominating and Governance Committee
4  Compensation Committee

Corporate Headquarters
5949 Sherry Lane 
Suite 1400 
Dallas, Texas 75225 
972.713.3700 
www.tylertech.com

Transfer Agent and Registrar
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company 
59 Maiden Lane 
Plaza Level 
New York, New York 10038 
800.937.5449 
718.236.2641 fax 
www.amstock.com

Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm
Ernst & Young LLP 
Dallas, Texas

Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Our Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday,  
May 10, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. Central Time at  
The Park City Club, 5956 Sherry Lane,  
Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas 75225.

Certifications
We submitted an unqualified Annual CEO Certification 
to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as required 
by the NYSE Listed Company rules. We also filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission the 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
certifications required under Section 302 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act as exhibits to our Annual Report 
on Form 10-K.

Investor Information
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K is available on  
the company’s website at www.tylertech.com.  
A copy of the Form 10-K or other information may  
also be obtained by contacting the Investor  
Relations Department at corporate headquarters.

Investor Relations
Tyler Technologies, Inc. 
972.713.3714 
info@tylertech.com

Common Stock
Listed on the New York Stock Exchange under  
the symbol “TYL”

Design by Eisenberg And Associates

5949 Sherry Lane | Suite 1400 | Dallas, Texas 75225
972.713.3700 | www.tylertech.com