Software & IT Services: Critical accounting estimates (MD&A)

If our accounting estimates and judgments turn out to be inaccurate, our future financial results could fall short of expectations, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that can affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates, judgments and assumptions on information available to us at the time that they are made, as discussed in “Critical Accounting Estimates” under Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in “Significant Accounting Policies” discussed in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. For example, we make certain judgments related to revenue recognition and remaining performance obligations. While we believe these judgments and assumptions are reasonable under the circumstances, they are subject to uncertainties and actual results may differ.

Risks Related to Our Common and Preferred Stock

Our stock price could become more volatile and your investment could lose value. All of the factors discussed within this Risk Factors section have affected and could in the future affect our stock price. The timing of announcements in the public market by us or by our competitors regarding new cloud services, AI advancements, products, product enhancements, technological advances, data center capacity, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances or major transactions could also affect our stock price. Changes in the amounts and frequency of stock repurchases or dividends could affect our stock price. Our stock price could also be affected by factors, some

This Annual Report and the documents incorporated by reference in this Annual Report contain statements that are not historical in nature, are predictive, or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or contain other forward-looking statements. Statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding artificial intelligence (“AI"), other technological and market advancements and their impacts on our business; the extent, timing and mix of future revenues and customer demand; the deployment of our products and services; the impact of the macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, including but not limited to, expanded trade controls, tariffs, conflicts around the world, volatility in foreign currency exchange rates, inflation and changes in interest rates; the impact of government actions; future costs, expenses, tax rates and uses of cash; pending legal, administrative and tax proceedings; restructuring actions and associated charges and benefits; pending acquisitions, accounting for acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; and other statements using words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” “targets,” “will” and “would,” and words of similar import and the negatives thereof, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are predictions based upon our current expectations about future events. Actual results could vary materially as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those expressed in these statements. Important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those identified in the “Proprietary Technology,” “Governmental Regulations,” “Competition,” “Risk Factors,” “Critical Accounting Estimates,” “Results of Operations,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections contained in this Annual Report and the risks discussed in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings.

We urge you to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to our company or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report are made only as of the date of this Annual Report. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.

Overview

• Executive Overview : High-level discussion of our operating results and some of the trends that affect our business. • Critical Accounting Estimates : Policies and estimates that we believe are important to understanding the assumptions and judgments underlying our financial statements. • Results of Operations : A more detailed discussion of our revenue and expenses. • Liquidity and Capital Resources : Discussion of key aspects of our consolidated statements of cash flows, changes in our consolidated balance sheets, and our financial commitments.

You should note that this MD&A contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” immediately preceding Part I of this Annual Report for important information to consider when evaluating such statements.

You should read this MD&A in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in Item 8 of this Annual Report.

In the Results of Operations sections of this MD&A, where we describe two or more factors that contributed to changes in revenue and operating income, we have, where possible, quantified the impact of those factors. Where a change is the result of multiple factors that are interrelated and cannot be separately quantified, we have identified the interrelated factors without quantifying them.