PEGASYSTEMS INC, 10-K filed on 17 Feb 21
 | XBRL Documents
v3.20.4
COVER PAGE - USD ($)
$ in Billions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Feb. 05, 2021
Jun. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2020    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 1-11859    
Entity Registrant Name PEGASYSTEMS INC.    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Entity Central Index Key 0001013857    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code MA    
Entity Tax Identification Number 04-2787865    
Entity Address, Address Line One One Rogers Street    
Entity Address, City or Town Cambridge    
Entity Address, State or Province MA    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 02142-1209    
City Area Code 617    
Local Phone Number 374-9600    
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, $.01 par value per share    
Trading Symbol PEGA    
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 4.0
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   80,900,637  
Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement related to its 2021 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed subsequently are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.    
v3.20.4
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 171,899 $ 68,363
Marketable securities 293,269 0
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities 465,168 68,363
Accounts receivable 215,827 199,720
Unbilled receivables 207,155 180,219
Other current assets 88,760 57,308
Total current assets 976,910 505,610
Unbilled receivables 113,278 121,736
Goodwill 79,231 79,039
Other long-term assets 434,843 278,427
Total assets 1,604,262 984,812
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable 24,028 17,475
Accrued expenses 59,261 48,001
Accrued compensation and related expenses 123,012 104,126
Deferred revenue 232,865 190,080
Other current liabilities 20,969 18,273
Total current liabilities 460,135 377,955
Convertible senior notes, net 518,203 0
Operating lease liabilities 59,053 52,610
Other long-term liabilities 24,699 15,237
Total liabilities 1,062,090 445,802
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued 0 0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized; 80,890 and 79,599 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively 809 796
Additional paid-in capital 204,432 140,523
Retained earnings 339,879 410,919
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)    
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax 46 0
Foreign currency translation adjustments (2,994) (13,228)
Total stockholders’ equity 542,172 539,010
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,604,262 $ 984,812
v3.20.4
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Preferred stock, par value (dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares) 1,000,000 1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares) 0 0
Common stock, par value (dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares) 200,000,000 200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares) 80,890,000 79,599,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares) 80,890,000 79,599,000
v3.20.4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue      
Total revenue $ 1,017,517 $ 911,383 $ 891,581
Cost of revenue      
Total cost of revenue 310,913 310,022 301,765
Gross profit 706,604 601,361 589,816
Operating expenses      
Selling and marketing 545,693 474,459 373,495
Research and development 236,986 205,210 181,710
General and administrative 67,452 56,570 51,643
Total operating expenses 850,131 736,239 606,848
(Loss) from operations (143,527) (134,878) (17,032)
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) 3,704 (2,335) 2,421
Interest income 1,223 2,020 2,715
Interest expense (19,356) (212) (10)
Gain on capped call transactions 31,697 0 0
Other income (loss), net 1,370 559 363
(Loss) before (benefit from) income taxes (124,889) (134,846) (11,543)
(Benefit from) income taxes (63,516) (44,413) (22,160)
Net (loss) income $ (61,373) $ (90,433) $ 10,617
(Loss) earnings per share      
Basic (dollars per share) $ (0.76) $ (1.14) $ 0.14
Diluted (dollars per share) $ (0.76) $ (1.14) $ 0.13
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding      
Basic (shares) 80,336 79,055 78,564
Diluted (shares) 80,336 79,055 83,064
Software license      
Revenue      
Total revenue $ 294,910 $ 279,448 $ 288,119
Cost of revenue      
Total cost of revenue 2,928 3,656 5,169
Maintenance      
Revenue      
Total revenue 296,709 280,580 263,875
Cost of revenue      
Total cost of revenue 22,311 25,656 24,565
Pega Cloud      
Revenue      
Total revenue 208,268 133,746 82,627
Cost of revenue      
Total cost of revenue 76,575 65,828 37,409
Consulting      
Revenue      
Total revenue 217,630 217,609 256,960
Cost of revenue      
Total cost of revenue $ 209,099 $ 214,882 $ 234,622
v3.20.4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]      
Net (loss) income $ (61,373) $ (90,433) $ 10,617
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax      
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities 46 249 (17)
Foreign currency translation adjustments 10,234 (155) (6,600)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 10,280 94 (6,617)
Comprehensive (loss) income $ (51,093) $ (90,339) $ 4,000
v3.20.4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
Total
Common Stock
Additional Paid-In Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017   78,081      
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017 $ 655,870 $ 781 $ 152,097 $ 509,697 $ (6,705)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)   (1,001)      
Repurchase of common stock (55,275) $ (10) (55,265)    
Issuance of common stock for stock compensation plans (in shares)   1,413      
Issuance of common stock for stock compensation plans (39,361) $ 14 (39,375)    
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)   33      
Issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan 1,767   1,767    
Stock-based compensation 63,981   63,981    
Cash dividends declared (9,451)     (9,451)  
Other comprehensive (loss) income (6,617)       (6,617)
Net (loss) income 10,617     10,617  
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018   78,526      
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2018 621,531 $ 785 123,205 510,863 (13,322)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)   (333)      
Repurchase of common stock (21,136) $ (3) (21,133)    
Issuance of common stock for stock compensation plans (in shares)   1,375      
Issuance of common stock for stock compensation plans (44,839) $ 14 (44,853)    
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)   31      
Issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan 2,202   2,202    
Stock-based compensation 81,102   81,102    
Cash dividends declared (9,511)     (9,511)  
Other comprehensive (loss) income 94       94
Net (loss) income $ (90,433)     (90,433)  
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019 79,599 79,599      
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2019 $ 539,010 $ 796 140,523 410,919 (13,228)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Equity component of convertible senior notes, net 61,604   61,604    
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)   (278)      
Repurchase of common stock (28,274) $ (3) (28,271)    
Issuance of common stock for stock compensation plans (in shares)   1,536      
Issuance of common stock for stock compensation plans (75,562) $ 16 (75,578)    
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)   33      
Issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan 3,039   3,039    
Stock-based compensation 103,115   103,115    
Cash dividends declared (9,667)     (9,667)  
Other comprehensive (loss) income 10,280       10,280
Net (loss) income $ (61,373)     (61,373)  
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020 80,890 80,890      
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2020 $ 542,172 $ 809 $ 204,432 $ 339,879 $ (2,948)
v3.20.4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]      
Dividends declared (dollars per share) $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.12
v3.20.4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Operating activities      
Net (loss) income $ (61,373) $ (90,433) $ 10,617
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities      
Stock-based compensation 103,068 80,909 63,862
(Gain) loss on capped call transactions (31,697) 0 0
Deferred income taxes (59,777) (49,317) (30,898)
Amortization of deferred commissions 33,302 29,152 17,271
Lease expense 16,248 14,497  
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs 14,813 0 0
Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation 21,348 21,396 25,295
Amortization of investments 1,073 800 1,596
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss (3,704) 2,335 (2,421)
Other non-cash (879) (521) (1,678)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, and contract assets (32,321) 1,088 25,779
Other current assets (12,959) (6,344) (6,068)
Accounts payable, accrued compensation, and accrued expenses 37,945 25,670 20,798
Deferred revenue 43,661 1,937 28,951
Deferred commissions (55,175) (49,746) (44,036)
Other long-term assets and liabilities (14,136) (23,588) (4,712)
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities (563) (42,165) 104,356
Investing activities      
Purchases of investments (326,549) (11,424) (69,494)
Proceeds from maturities and called investments 28,811 13,634 33,991
Sales of investments 1,424 89,406 0
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired 0 (10,934) (800)
Investment in property and equipment (25,369) (10,608) (11,893)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities (321,683) 70,074 (48,196)
Financing activities      
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes 600,000 0 0
Purchase of capped calls related to convertible senior notes (51,900) 0 0
Payment of debt issuance costs (14,527) 0 0
Dividend payments to stockholders (9,628) (9,486) (9,432)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility 0 45,000 0
Payments on revolving credit facility 0 (45,000) 0
Common stock repurchases for tax withholdings for net settlement of equity awards (72,523) (42,637) (37,594)
Common stock repurchases under stock repurchase program (27,974) (22,135) (54,434)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities 423,448 (74,258) (101,460)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 2,334 290 (2,557)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 103,536 (46,059) (47,857)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 68,363 114,422 162,279
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 171,899 68,363 114,422
Supplemental disclosures      
Interest paid on convertible notes 2,338 0 0
Income taxes paid 3,377 4,745 6,630
Non-cash investing and financing activity:      
Dividends payable $ 2,427 $ 2,388 $ 2,363
v3.20.4
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Business
The Company develops, markets, licenses, and supports customer engagement and digital process automation software applications in addition to the Pega Platform™ for clients that wish to build and extend their own applications. The Company provides consulting, training, support, and hosting services to facilitate the use of its software.
Management estimates and reporting
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.”) requires management to make estimates and judgments 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 periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Accounts with reported amounts based on significant estimates and judgments include, but are not limited to, revenue, unbilled receivables, deferred revenue, deferred income taxes, deferred commissions, income taxes payable, convertible senior notes, capped call transactions, intangible assets, and goodwill.
Principles of consolidation
The Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect Pegasystems Inc. and subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
v3.20.4
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Revenue
The Company’s revenue is primarily derived from:
•software license revenue from sales of the Company’s Pega Platform and software applications. Software licenses represent functional intellectual property and are delivered separately from maintenance and services.
•maintenance revenue from client support including software upgrades (on a when and if available basis), telephone support, and bug fixes or patches.
•Pega Cloud revenue, which is sales of the Company’s hosted Pega Platform and software applications.
•consulting revenue, which is primarily related to new software license implementations, training, and reimbursable costs.
Performance Obligations
The Company’s software license and Pega Cloud arrangements often contain multiple performance obligations. If a contract contains multiple performance obligations, the Company accounts for each distinct performance obligation separately. The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. Any discounts or expected potential future price concessions are considered when determining the total transaction price. The Company’s policy is to exclude sales and similar taxes collected from clients from the determination of transaction price.
The Company’s typical performance obligations are:
Performance ObligationHow Standalone Selling Price is Typically DeterminedWhen Performance Obligation is Typically SatisfiedWhen Payment is Typically Due
Perpetual licenseResidual approachUpon transfer of control to the client, defined when the client can use and benefit from the license (point in time)Effective date of the license
Term licenseResidual approachUpon transfer of control to the client, defined when the client can use and benefit from the license (point in time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the license
Maintenance
Consistent pricing relationship as a percentage of the related license and observable in stand-alone renewal transactions (1)
Ratably over the term of the maintenance (over time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the maintenance
Pega CloudResidual approachRatably over the term of the service (over time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the service
Consulting
- time and materials		Observable hourly rate for time and materials-based services in similar geographies for similar contract sizesBased on hours incurred to dateMonthly
Consulting
- fixed price		Observable hourly rate for time and materials-based services in similar geographies for similar contract sizes multiplied by estimated hours for the projectBased on hours incurred as a percentage of total estimated hoursAs contract milestones are achieved
(1) Technical support and software updates are considered distinct services but accounted for as a single performance obligation, as they have the same pattern of transfer to the client.
The Company utilizes the residual approach for performance obligations since the selling price is highly variable and stand-alone selling price is not discernible from past transactions or other observable evidence. Periodically, the Company reevaluates whether the residual approach remains appropriate. As required, the Company evaluates its residual approach estimate compared to all available observable data in order to conclude the estimate is representative of its stand-alone selling price.
If the contract grants the client the option to acquire additional products or services, the Company assesses whether the option represents a material right to the client that the client would not receive without entering into that contract. Discounts on options to purchase additional products and services greater than discounts available to similar clients are accounted for as an additional performance obligation.
During most of each client contract term, the amount invoiced is generally less than the amount of revenue recognized to date, primarily because we transfer control of the performance obligation related to the software license at the inception of the contract term. A significant portion of the total contract consideration is typically allocated to the license performance obligation. Therefore, our contracts often result in the recording of unbilled receivables and contract assets throughout most of the contract term. The Company records an unbilled receivable or contract asset when revenue recognized on a contract exceeds the billings. The Company recognizes an impairment on receivables and contract assets if, after contract inception, it becomes probable that payment is not collectible. The Company reviews receivables and contract assets on an individual basis for impairment.
Variable consideration
The Company’s arrangements can include variable fees, such as the option to purchase additional usage of a previously delivered software license. The Company may also provide pricing concessions to clients, a business practice that also gives rise to variable fees in contracts. For variable fees arising from the client’s acquisition of additional usage of a previously delivered software license, the Company applies the sales and usage-based royalties guidance related to a license of intellectual property and recognizes the revenue in the period the underlying sale or usage occurs. The Company includes variable fees in the determination of total transaction price if it is not probable that a future significant reversal of revenue will occur. The Company uses the expected value or most likely value amount, whichever is more appropriate for specific circumstances, to estimate variable consideration, and the estimates are based on the level of historical price concessions offered to clients. The variable consideration related to pricing concessions and other forms of variable consideration, including usage-based fees, have not been material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Significant financing components
The Company generally does not intend to provide financing to its clients, as financing arrangements are not contemplated as part of the negotiated terms of contracts between the Company and its clients. Although there may be instances with an intervening period between the delivery of the license and the payment, typically in term license arrangements, the purpose of that timing difference is to align the client’s payment with the timing of the use of the software license or service.
In certain circumstances, however, there are instances where revenue recognition timing differs from the timing of payment due to extended payment terms or fees that are non-proportional to the associated usage of software licenses. In these instances, the Company evaluates whether a significant financing component exists. This evaluation includes determining the difference between the consideration the client would have paid at the time the performance obligation was satisfied and the amount of consideration actually paid. Contracts that include a significant financing component are adjusted for the time value of money at the rate inherent in the contract, the client’s borrowing rate, or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, depending upon the recipient of the financing.
During 2020, 2019, and 2018, significant financing components were not material.
Contract modifications
The Company assesses contract modifications to determine:
•if the additional products and services are distinct from the products and services in the original arrangement; and
•if the amount of consideration expected for the added products and services reflects the stand-alone selling price of those products and services.
A contract modification meeting both criteria is accounted for as a separate contract. A contract modification not meeting both criteria is considered a change to the original contract and is accounted for on either:
•a prospective basis as a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract; or
•a cumulative catch-up basis.
Deferred commissions
The Company recognizes an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a client contract, primarily related to sales commissions. The Company expects to benefit from those costs for more than one year, as the Company primarily pays sales commissions on the initial contract. As a result, there are no commensurate commissions paid on contract renewals. Deferred commissions are allocated to each performance obligation within the contract and amortized according to the transfer of underlying goods and services within those contracts and expected renewals. The expected benefit period is determined based on the length of the client contracts, client attrition rates, the underlying technology life-cycle, and the competitive marketplace’s influence in which the products and services are sold. Deferred costs allocated to maintenance and deferred costs for Pega Cloud arrangements are amortized over an average expected benefit period of five years. Deferred costs allocated to software licenses, and any expected renewals of term software licenses within the five years expected benefit period, are amortized at the point in time control of the software license is transferred. Deferred costs allocated to consulting are amortized over a period consistent with the pattern of transfer of control for the related services.
Financial instruments
The principal financial instruments held by the Company consist of cash equivalents, marketable securities, receivables, capped call transactions, and accounts payable. The Company considers debt securities that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with maturities of three months or less from the purchase date to be cash equivalents. Interest is recorded when earned. All of the Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses considered temporary in nature are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related income taxes. The Company reviews all investments for reductions in fair value that are other-than-temporary. When such reductions occur, the investment cost is adjusted to fair value by recording a loss on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Gains and losses on investments are calculated based upon the specific investment.
See "Note 4. Receivables, Contract Assets, And Deferred Revenue", "Note 10. Debt", and "Note 12. Fair Value Measurements" for additional information.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are three years for computer equipment and five years for furniture and fixtures. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the lease’s term or the useful life of the asset. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Leases
All the Company’s leases are operating leases, primarily composed of office space leases. The Company accounts for a contract as a lease when it has the right to control the asset for a period of time while obtaining substantially all of the asset’s economic benefits. The Company determines the initial classification and measurement of its operating right of use assets and lease liabilities at the lease commencement date and thereafter if modified. Fixed lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Variable lease costs are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The Company combines lease and non-lease components in the determination of lease costs for its office space leases. The lease liability includes lease payments related to options to extend or renew the lease term if the Company is reasonably certain it will exercise those options. The Company’s leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.
Internal-use software
The Company capitalizes and amortizes certain direct costs associated with computer software developed or purchased for internal use incurred during the application development stage. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred. The Company amortizes capitalized software costs generally over three to five years, commencing on the date the software is placed into service.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the residual purchase price paid in a business combination after the fair value of all identified assets and liabilities have been recorded. Goodwill is not amortized. The Company has a single reporting unit. The Company performed a qualitative assessment as of November 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018, and concluded that there was no impairment since it was not more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit was less than its carrying value.
Intangible and long-lived assets
All of the Company’s intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life. The Company evaluates its long-lived tangible and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets’ carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment is assessed by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the long-lived tangible or intangible assets to their carrying value. If impairment exists, the Company calculates the impairment by comparing the carrying value to its fair value as determined by discounted expected cash flows.
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents include money market funds, time deposits and other investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Business combinations
The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign a fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances are initially established in connection with a business combination as of the acquisition date. The Company continues to collect information and reevaluates these estimates and assumptions quarterly and records any adjustments to the Company’s preliminary estimates to goodwill provided that the Company is within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Research and development and software development costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalization of computer software developed for resale begins upon the establishment of technological feasibility, generally demonstrated by a working model or an operative version of the computer software product. Such costs have not been material to date, as technological feasibility is established within a short time frame from the software’s general availability. As a result, no costs were capitalized in 2020, 2019, or 2018.
Stock-based compensation
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense associated with equity awards based on the award’s fair value at the grant date. Stock-based compensation is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the equity award and is adjusted each period for anticipated forfeitures. See "Note 14. Stock-Based Compensation" for discussion of the Company’s key assumptions included in determining the fair value of its equity awards at the grant date.
Foreign currency translation and remeasurement
The translation of assets and liabilities for the Company’s subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are made at period-end exchange rates. Revenue and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates during the period transactions occurred. The resulting translation adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized and unrealized exchange gains or losses from transactions and remeasurement adjustments are reflected in foreign currency transaction gain (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Accounting for income taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. Future realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets ultimately depends on sufficient taxable income within the available carryback or carryforward periods. Taxable income sources include taxable income in prior carryback years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and future taxable income. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to an amount it believes is more-likely-than-not to be realized. Changes in the valuation allowance impacts income tax expense in the period of adjustment. The Company’s deferred tax valuation allowance requires significant judgment and uncertainties, including assumptions about future taxable income that are based on historical and projected information. The Company recognizes excess tax benefits when they are realized, as a reduction of the provision for income taxes.
The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company records the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit is recognized in the financial statements. The Company classifies liabilities for uncertain tax positions as non-current liabilities unless the uncertainty is expected to be resolved within one year. The Company classifies interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.
As a global company, the Company uses significant judgment to calculate and provide for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are transactions and calculations undertaken whose ultimate tax outcome cannot be certain. Some of these uncertainties arise as a consequence of transfer pricing for transactions with the Company’s subsidiaries and nexus and tax credit estimates. In addition, the calculation of acquired tax attributes and the associated limitations are complex. See "Note 16. Income Taxes" for additional information.
Advertising expense
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $8.7 million, $6.7 million, and $6.9 million during 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
New Accounting Standards
Convertible debt
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-06, “Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (ASU 2020-06), which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The standard eliminates the liability and equity separation model for convertible instruments with a cash conversion feature. As a result, after adoption, entities will no longer separately present in equity an embedded conversion feature for such debt. Additionally, the embedded conversion feature will no longer be amortized into income as interest expense over the instrument’s life. Instead, entities will account for a convertible debt instrument wholly as debt unless (1) a convertible instrument contains features that require bifurcation as a derivative under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or (2) a convertible debt instrument was issued at a substantial premium. Additionally, the standard requires applying the if-converted method to calculate convertible instruments’ impact on diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. It can be adopted on either a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company expects to elect to early adopt the new standard in the first quarter of 2021.
v3.20.4
MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
MARKETABLE SECURITIES
3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)Amortized CostUnrealized GainsUnrealized LossesFair Value
Government debt$39,996 $— $(8)$39,988 
Corporate debt253,345 88 (152)253,281 
$293,341 $88 $(160)$293,269 
As of December 31, 2020, marketable securities maturities ranged from January 2021 to December 2023, with a weighted-average remaining maturity of 1.5 years.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company did not hold any marketable securities.
v3.20.4
RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]  
RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE
4. RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE
Receivables
(in thousands)
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable$215,827 $199,720 
Unbilled receivables207,155 180,219 
Long-term unbilled receivables113,278 121,736 
$536,260 $501,675 
Unbilled receivables are client committed amounts for which revenue recognition precedes billing, and billing is solely subject to the passage of time.
Unbilled receivables are expected to be billed in the future as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2020
1 year or less$207,155 65 %
1-2 years83,992 26 %
2-5 years29,286 9 %
$320,433 100 %
Unbilled receivables based upon contract effective date:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2020
2020$149,867 47 %
201987,941 27 %
201831,097 10 %
201731,668 10 %
2016 and prior19,860 6 %
$320,433 100 %
Major clients
No client represented 10% or more of the Company’s total accounts receivable and unbilled receivables as of December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
Contract assets and deferred revenue
(in thousands)
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Contract assets (1)
$15,296 $5,558 
Long-term contract assets (2)
7,777 5,420 
$23,073 $10,978 
Deferred revenue$232,865 $190,080 
Long-term deferred revenue (3)
8,991 5,407 
$241,856 $195,487 
(1) Included in other current assets. (2) Included in other long-term assets. (3) Included in other long-term liabilities.
Contract assets are client committed amounts for which revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the client where the right to payment is subject to conditions other than the passage of time, such as completing a related performance obligation. Deferred revenue consists of billings and payments received in advance of revenue recognition. Contract assets and deferred revenue are netted at the contract level for each reporting period.
The change in deferred revenue in the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to new billings in advance of revenue recognition and $187.6 million of revenue recognized during the period that was included in deferred revenue on December 31, 2019.
v3.20.4
DEFERRED COMMISSIONS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
DEFERRED COMMISSIONS
5. DEFERRED COMMISSIONS
December 31,
(in thousands)
20202019
Deferred commissions (1)
$108,624 $85,314 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.
(in thousands)202020192018
Amortization of deferred commissions (1)
$33,302 $29,152 $17,271 
(1) Included in selling and marketing expenses.
v3.20.4
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (1)
(in thousands)December 31,
20202019
Leasehold improvements
$52,335 $42,162 
Computer equipment
30,211 25,147 
Furniture and fixtures
10,572 8,524 
Computer software purchased
8,415 7,775 
Computer software developed for internal use
18,542 17,606 
Fixed assets in progress
2,077 4,044 
122,152 105,258 
Less: accumulated depreciation
(81,754)(70,975)
$40,398 $34,283 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.

(in thousands)202020192018
Depreciation expense$17,378 $14,771 $13,875 
v3.20.4
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
7. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
(in thousands)
20202019
January 1,$79,039 $72,858 
Acquisition— 6,179 
Currency translation adjustments192 2 
December 31,$79,231 $79,039 
Intangibles
Intangible assets are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)Useful LivesCostAccumulated Amortization
Net Book Value (1)
Client-related
4-10 years
$63,168 $(55,877)$7,291 
Technology
2-10 years
64,843 (56,386)8,457 
Other
1-5 years
5,361 (5,361)— 
$133,372 $(117,624)$15,748 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.
December 31, 2019
(in thousands)Useful LivesCostAccumulated Amortization
Net Book Value (1)
Client-related
4-10 years
$63,140 $(54,368)$8,772 
Technology
2-10 years
64,843 (53,898)10,945 
Other
1-5 years
5,361 (5,361)— 
$133,344 $(113,627)$19,717 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.
Amortization of intangible assets was:
(in thousands)
202020192018
Cost of revenue$2,487 $3,500 $5,027 
Selling and marketing1,483 3,125 6,416 

$3,970 $6,625 $11,443 
Future estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets:
(in thousands)
December 31, 2020
2021$3,657 
20223,557 
20233,289 
20242,520 
2025 and after2,725 
$15,748 
v3.20.4
SEGMENT INFORMATION
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
SEGMENT INFORMATION
8. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
The Company derives substantially all of its revenue from the sale and support of one group of similar products and services – software that provides case management, business process management, and real time decisioning solutions to improve customer engagement and operational excellence in the enterprise applications market. To assess performance, the Company’s CODM, the Chief Executive Officer, reviews financial information on a consolidated basis. Therefore, the Company determined it has one operating segment and one reporting unit.
Long-lived assets related to the Company’s U.S. and international operations were:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
20202019
U.S.$31,339 78 %$26,644 78 %
International9,059 22 %7,639 22 %
$40,398 100 %$34,283 100 %
v3.20.4
LEASES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]  
LEASES
9. LEASES
Expense
(in thousands)20202019
Fixed lease costs$20,235 $18,250 
Short-term lease costs1,669 1,291 
Variable lease costs4,470 5,554 
$26,374 $25,095 
Total rent expense under operating leases was $14.9 million for 2018.
Right of use assets and lease liabilities
(in thousands)December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Right of use assets (1)
$67,651 $58,273 
Lease liabilities (2)
$18,541 $15,885 
Long-term lease liabilities$59,053 $52,610 
(1) Represents the Company’s right to use the leased asset during the lease term. Included in other long-term assets. (2) Included in other current liabilities.
The weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company’s leases were:
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term4.7 years4.0 years
Weighted-average discount rate (1)
5.4 %5.8 %
(1) The rates implicit in most of the Company’s leases are not readily determinable. Therefore the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate when measuring operating lease liabilities. The incremental borrowing rate represents an estimate of the interest rate the Company would incur to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over the lease term in a similar economic environment.
Maturities of lease liabilities are:
(in thousands)December 31, 2020
1 year or less$22,164 
1-2 years21,747 
2-3 years21,599 
3-4 years7,683 
> 4 years14,431 
Total lease payments87,624 
Less: imputed interest (1)(10,030)
Total short and long-term lease liabilities$77,594 
(1) Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments using a discount rate determined at lease commencement, unless the discount rate is updated due to a lease reassessment event.
Cash flow information
(in thousands)20202019
Cash paid for leases$20,548 $19,727 
Right of use assets recognized for new leases and amendments (non-cash)$24,276 $31,155 
v3.20.4
DEBT
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
DEBT
10. DEBT
Convertible senior notes and capped calls
Convertible senior notes
In February 2020, the Company issued Convertible Senior Notes (the "Notes") with an aggregate principal amount of $600 million, due March 1, 2025, in a private placement. The proceeds from the Notes were used or are anticipated to be used for the Capped Call Transactions (described below), working capital, and other general corporate purposes. There are no required principal payments until the maturity of the Notes. The Notes accrue interest at an annual rate of 0.75%, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1, beginning on September 1, 2020.
Proceeds from the Notes and Capped Call Transactions:
(in thousands)Amount
Principal$600,000 
Less: issuance costs(14,527)
Less: Capped Call Transactions(51,900)
$533,573 
Conversion rights
The conversion rate is 7.4045 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes, representing an initial conversion price of $135.05 per share of common stock. The Company will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of its common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at the Company’s election, based on the applicable conversion rate. The conversion rate will be adjusted upon the occurrence of certain events, including spin-offs, tender offers, exchange offers, and certain stockholder distributions.
Beginning on September 1, 2024, noteholders may convert their Notes at any time at their election. Before September 1, 2024, noteholders may convert their Notes in the following circumstances:
•During any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2020 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds one hundred and thirty percent (130%) of the conversion price for each of at least twenty (20) trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter.
•During the five consecutive business days immediately after any five consecutive trading day period (the “Measurement Period”), if the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each trading day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day.
•Upon the occurrence of certain corporate events or distributions, or if the Company calls all or any Notes for redemption, then the noteholder of any Note may convert such Note at any time before the close of business on the business day immediately before the related redemption date (or if the Company fails to pay the redemption price due on such redemption date in full, at any time until the Company pays such redemption price in full).
As of December 31, 2020, no Notes were eligible for conversion at the noteholders’ election.
Repurchase rights
On or after March 1, 2023 and on or before the 40th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, the Company may redeem for cash all or part of the Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock exceeded 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides a redemption notice.
If certain corporate events that constitute a “Fundamental Change” (as described below) occur at any time, each noteholder will have the right, at such noteholder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such noteholder’s Notes, or any portion of the principal thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. A fundamental change relates to events such as mergers, changes in control of the Company, liquidation/dissolution of the Company, or the delisting of the Company’s common stock.
Impact of the Notes
In accounting for the transaction, the Notes have been separated into liability and equity components.
•The initial carrying amount of the liability component was calculated by measuring a similar debt instrument’s fair value that does not have an associated conversion feature. The excess of the Notes’ principal amount over the initial carrying amount of the liability component, the debt discount, is amortized as interest expense over the Notes’ contractual term.
•The equity component was recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital and is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification. The carrying amount of the equity component representing the conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the par value of the Convertible Senior Notes.
The Company incurred issuance costs of $14.5 million related to the Notes, allocated between the Notes’ liability and equity components proportionate to the initial carrying amount of the liability and equity components.
•Issuance costs attributable to the liability component are recorded as an offset to the Notes’ principal balance. They are amortized as interest expense using the effective interest method over the contractual term of the Notes.
•Issuance costs attributable to the equity component are recorded as an offset to the equity component in additional paid-in capital and are not amortized.
Net carrying amount of the liability component:
(in thousands)December 31, 2020
Principal$600,000 
Unamortized debt discount(71,222)
Unamortized issuance costs(10,575)
$518,203 
Net carrying amount of the equity component, included in additional paid-in capital:
(in thousands)December 31, 2020
Conversion options (1)
$61,604 
(1) Net of issuance costs and taxes.
Interest expense related to the Notes:
(in thousands)2020
Contractual interest expense (0.75% coupon)
$3,825 
Amortization of debt discount (1)
12,898 
Amortization of issuance costs (1)
1,915 
$18,638 
(1) Amortized based upon an effective interest rate of 4.31%.
Future payments of principal and contractual interest:
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)PrincipalInterestTotal
2021— 4,500 4,500 
2022— 4,500 4,500 
2023— 4,500 4,500 
2024— 4,500 4,500 
2025600,000 1,488 601,488 
$600,000 $19,488 $619,488 
Capped Call Transactions
In February 2020, the Company entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (“Capped Call Transactions”) with certain financial institutions. The Capped Call Transactions cover 4.4 million shares (representing the number of shares for which the Notes are initially convertible) of the Company’s common stock. They are generally expected to reduce potential dilution to the common stock upon any conversion of Notes and/or offset any potential cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. The cap price of the Capped Call Transactions is $196.44, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specified extraordinary events affecting the Company, including merger events and tender offers.
The Capped Call Transactions are accounted for as derivative instruments. The Capped Call Transactions do not qualify for the Company’s own equity scope exception in ASC 815 since, in some cases of early settlement, the settlement value of the Capped Call Transactions, calculated in accordance with the governing documents, may not represent a fair value measurement. The Capped Call Transactions are classified as “other long-term assets” and remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period, resulting in a non-operating gain or loss.
Change in value of Capped Call Transactions:
(in thousands)Year Ended
December 31, 2020
Value at issuance$51,900 
Fair value adjustment31,697 
Balance as of December 31,$83,597 
Credit facility
In November 2019, and as amended as of February 2020, July 2020, and September 2020, the Company entered into a five-year $100 million senior secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”). The Company may use borrowings to finance working capital needs and for general corporate purposes. Subject to specific conditions, the Credit Facility allows the Company to increase the aggregate commitment to $200 million. The commitments expire on November 4, 2024, and any outstanding loans will be payable on such date. The Credit Facility, as amended, contains customary covenants, including, but not limited to, those relating to additional indebtedness, liens, asset divestitures, and affiliate transactions.
The Company is also required to comply with financial covenants, including:
•Beginning with the fiscal quarter ended on September 30, 2020 and ending with the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021, at least $200 million in cash and investments held by Pegasystems Inc.
•Beginning with the quarter ended on March 31, 2022, a maximum net consolidated leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1.0 (with a step-up in the event of certain acquisitions) and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of 3.5 to 1.0.
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.
v3.20.4
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]  
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock
The Company has 1 million authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which none were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020. The Board of Directors has the authority to issue the shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish the number of shares to be included in each series, and to determine the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of each series and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock and may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or defeating a change in control of the Company. The Company had not issued any shares of preferred stock through December 31, 2020.
Common stock
The Company has 200 million authorized shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 80.9 million shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020.
Dividends declared
202020192018
Dividends declared (per share)$0.12 $0.12 $0.12 
Dividend payments to stockholders (in thousands)$9,628 $9,486 $9,432 
The Company’s paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share in 2020, 2019, and 2018, however, the Board of Directors may terminate or modify the dividend program at any time without prior notice.
Stock repurchases
(in thousands)202020192018
SharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmount
January 1,$45,484 $6,620 $34,892 
Authorizations (1)
$20,516 $60,000 $27,003 
Repurchases (2)
(278)$(28,274)(333)$(21,136)(1,001)$(55,275)
December 31,$37,726 $45,484 $6,620 
(1) On June 15, 2020, the Company announced that the Board of Directors extended the current stock repurchase program’s expiration date to June 30, 2021 and increased the remaining stock repurchase authority to $60 million.
(2) Purchases under this program have been made on the open market.
v3.20.4
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
The Company records its cash equivalents, marketable securities, Capped Call Transactions, and venture investments at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
As a basis for classifying the fair value measurements, a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the fair value measurements based on the inputs used in measuring fair value, was established as follows:
•Level 1 - observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•Level 2 - significant other inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
•Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs on which there is little or no market data, which require the Company to develop its own assumptions. This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and minimize unobservable inputs when determining fair value.
The fair value of the Capped Call Transactions at the end of each reporting period is determined using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The valuation models use various market-based inputs, including stock price, remaining contractual term, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, and expected dividend yield, as applicable. The Company applies judgment in its determination of expected volatility. The Company considers both historical and implied volatility levels of the underlying equity security and, to a lesser extent, historical peer group volatility levels. The Company’s venture investments are recorded at fair value based on valuation methods using the observable transaction price and other unobservable inputs, including the volatility, rights, and obligations of the securities the Company holds.
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
(in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Cash equivalents$42,339 $14,000 $— $56,339 $— $— $— $— 
Marketable securities $— $293,269 $— $293,269 $— $— $— $— 
Capped Call Transactions (1) (2)
$— $83,597 $— $83,597 $— $— $— $— 
Venture investments (1) (3)
$— $— $8,345 $8,345 $— $— $4,871 $4,871 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.
(2) See "Note 10. Debt" for additional information.
(3) Investments in privately-held companies.
Change in venture investments:
(in thousands)20202019
January 1,$4,871 $3,390 
New investments3,306 1,444 
Sales of investments(1,424)— 
Changes in foreign exchange rates118 37 
Fair value adjustment1,474 — 
December 31,$8,345 $4,871 

The carrying value of certain other financial instruments, including receivables and accounts payable, approximates fair value due to these items’ relatively short maturity.
Fair value of the Notes
The fair value of the Company’s Notes was recorded at $515.9 million upon issuance, which reflected the principal amount of the Notes less the fair value of the conversion feature. The fair value of the debt component was determined based on a discounted cash flow model. The discount rate used reflected both the time value of money and credit risk inherent in the Notes. The carrying value of the Notes will be accreted, over the remaining term to maturity, to their principal value of $600 million.
The Notes’ fair value (inclusive of the conversion feature embedded in the Notes) was $706.5 million as of December 31, 2020. The fair value was determined based on the Notes’ quoted price in an over-the-counter market on the last trading day of the reporting period and classified within Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. See "Note 10. Debt" for additional information.
Credit risk
In addition to receivables, the Company is potentially subject to concentrations of credit risk from the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are generally held with large, diverse financial institutions worldwide to reduce the Company’s credit risk exposure. Investment policies have been implemented that limit purchases of marketable debt securities to investment-grade securities.
v3.20.4
REVENUE
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
REVENUE
13. REVENUE
Geographic revenue
(Dollars in thousands)202020192018
U.S.$613,844 61 %$525,191 57 %$469,987 52 %
Other Americas49,441 5 %60,536 7 %53,239 6 %
United Kingdom (“U.K.”)91,517 9 %87,382 10 %95,628 11 %
Europe (excluding U.K.), Middle East, and Africa 156,056 15 %137,946 15 %147,248 17 %
Asia-Pacific106,659 10 %100,328 11 %125,479 14 %
$1,017,517 100 %$911,383 100 %$891,581 100 %
Revenue streams
(in thousands)202020192018
Perpetual license$28,558 $80,015 $109,863 
Term license266,352 199,433 178,256 
Revenue recognized at a point in time 294,910 279,448 288,119 
Maintenance296,709 280,580 263,875 
Pega Cloud208,268 133,746 82,627 
Consulting217,630 217,609 256,960 
Revenue recognized over time 722,607 631,935 603,462 
$1,017,517 $911,383 $891,581 

(in thousands)202020192018
Pega Cloud208,268 133,746 82,627 
Maintenance296,709 280,580 263,875 
Term license$266,352 $199,433 $178,256 
Subscription (1)
771,329 613,759 524,758 
Perpetual license28,558 80,015 109,863 
Consulting217,630 217,609 256,960 
Total revenue$1,017,517 $911,383 $891,581 
(1) Reflects client arrangements subject to renewal (Pega Cloud, maintenance, and term license).
Remaining performance obligations ("Backlog")
Expected future revenue on existing contracts:
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)Perpetual licenseTerm licenseMaintenancePega CloudConsultingTotal
1 year or less$11,514 $105,920 $227,803 $248,223 $19,226 $612,686 57 %
1-2 years395 7,962 54,509 193,064 346 256,276 24 %
2-3 years— 4,928 28,320 104,542 851 138,641 13 %
Greater than 3 years— 4 19,283 44,308 1,189 64,784 6 %
$11,909 $118,814 $329,915 $590,137 $21,612 $1,072,387 100 %

December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)Perpetual licenseTerm licenseMaintenancePega CloudConsultingTotal
1 year or less$2,305 $97,826 $206,882 $165,571 $20,798 $493,382 58 %
1-2 years2,179 12,014 30,291 128,109 1,439 174,032 21 %
2-3 years— 3,132 17,844 84,788 132 105,896 13 %
Greater than 3 years— 3,861 13,277 43,702 1,993 62,833 8 %
$4,484 $116,833 $268,294 $422,170 $24,362 $836,143 100 %
v3.20.4
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The following table presents the stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:
(in thousands)202020192018
Cost of revenue$20,796 $18,822 $16,862 
Selling and marketing46,283 32,665 23,237 
Research and development22,885 18,938 15,274 
General and administrative13,104 10,484 8,489 
$103,068 $80,909 $63,862 
Income tax benefit$(20,464)$(16,392)$(13,383)
The Company periodically grants stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) for a fixed number of shares upon vesting to employees and non-employee Directors. Beginning in 2019, the Company granted Directors awards in the form of common stock and stock options.
Most of the Company’s stock-based compensation arrangements vest over five years, with 20% vesting after one year and the remaining 80% vesting in equal quarterly installments over the remaining four years. The Company’s stock options have a term of ten years. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation using the accelerated attribution method, treating each vesting tranche as if it were an individual grant. The stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the value of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Ultimately, the Company recognizes the actual expense over the vesting period only for the shares that vest.
Employees may elect to receive 50% of the employee’s target incentive compensation under the Company’s Corporate Incentive Compensation Plan (the “CICP”) in the form of RSUs instead of cash. If elected by an employee, the equity amount is equal in value on the date of grant to 50% of the employee’s target incentive opportunity, based on the employee’s base salary. The number of RSUs granted is determined by dividing 50% of the employee’s target incentive opportunity by 85% of the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date, less the present value of expected dividends during the vesting period. If elected, the award vests 100% on the following year’s CICP payout date. Vesting is conditioned upon the performance conditions of the CICP and on continued employment; if threshold funding does not occur, the RSUs will not vest. The Company considers vesting to be probable on the grant date and recognizes the associated stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period beginning on the grant date and ending on the vesting date.
The Company grants awards that allow for the settlement of vested stock options and RSUs on a net share basis (“net settled awards”). With net settled awards, the employee does not surrender any cash or shares upon exercise. Instead, the Company withholds the number of shares to cover the exercise price (in the case of stock options) and the minimum statutory tax withholding obligations (in the case of stock options and RSUs) from the shares that would otherwise be issued upon exercise or settlement. The exercise of stock options and settlement of RSUs on a net share basis results in fewer shares issued by the Company.
Share-based compensation plans
2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated)
In 2004, the Company adopted the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “2004 Plan”) to provide employees, non-employee Directors, and consultants with opportunities to purchase stock through incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. Subsequent amendments to the plan increased the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan to 36 million, extended the term of the plan to 2030, and limited annual compensation to any non-employee Director to $0.5 million.
As of December 31, 2020, 9.9 million shares were subject to outstanding options and stock-based awards under the 2004 Plan.
2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In 2006, the Company adopted the 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2006 ESPP”) under which the Company’s employees are entitled to purchase up to an aggregate of one million shares of common stock, at a price equal to at least 85% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the lesser of the commencement date or completion date for offerings under the plan, or such higher price as the Company’s Board of Directors may establish from time to time. Until the Company’s Board of Directors determines otherwise, the Board has set the purchase price at 95% of the fair market value on the completion date of the offering period. As a result, the 2006 ESPP is non-compensatory and is tax-qualified. Therefore, as of December 31, 2020, no compensation expense related to the plan had been recognized. In October 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the term of the 2006 ESPP such that it will continue until there are no shares remaining under the plan or until the plan is terminated by the Board of Directors, whichever occurs first.
As of December 31, 2020, 0.5 million shares had been issued thereunder.
Shares issued and available for issuance
During 2020, the Company issued 1.6 million shares to its employees and directors under the Company’s share-based compensation plans.
As of December 31, 2020, there were 11.1 million shares available for issuance for future equity grants under the Company’s stock plans, consisting of 10.6 million shares under the 2004 Plan and 0.5 million shares under the 2006 ESPP.
Grant activity
Stock options
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Key inputs used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the exercise price of the award, expected term of the option, expected volatility of the Company’s common stock over the option’s expected term, risk-free interest rate over the option’s expected term, and the Company’s expected annual dividend yield. The exercise price for stock options is greater than or equal to the shares’ fair market value at the grant date.
The following table summarizes the Company’s fair value assumptions for stock options:
202020192018
Weighted-average grant-date fair value$24.16 $19.10 $18.03 
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
Expected annual volatility (1)
31 %32 %34 %
Expected term in years (2)
4.54.54.5
Risk-free interest rate (3)
0.7 %2.4 %2.6 %
Expected annual dividend yield (4)
0.2 %0.3 %0.4 %
(1) The expected annual volatility for each grant is determined based on the average of historic daily price changes of the Company’s common stock over a period, which approximates the expected option term.
(2) The expected option term for each grant is determined based on the historical exercise behavior of employees and post-vesting employment termination behavior.
(3) The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of U.S. Treasury securities with a commensurate maturity with the expected option term at the time of grant.
(4) The expected annual dividend yield is based on the weighted-average dividend yield assumptions used for options granted during the applicable period.
The following table summarizes the combined stock option activity under the Company’s stock option plans for 2020:
Shares
(in thousands)		Weighted-average Exercise PriceWeighted-average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Options outstanding as of January 1, 20207,436 $44.76 
Granted2,018 92.81 
Exercised(1,777)33.52 
Forfeited(286)62.86 
Options outstanding as of December 31, 20207,391 $59.88 
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 20206,225 $57.85 7.1$469,374 
Exercisable as of December 31, 20202,935 $38.73 5.6$277,450 
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised (i.e., the difference between the market price at exercise and the price paid by the employee at exercise) in 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $126.8 million, $63.3 million, and $56.8 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020 is based on the difference between the closing price of the Company’s stock of $133.26 and the exercise price of the applicable stock options.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the unvested portion of stock options of $35.9 million that is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.
RSUs
RSUs deliver to the recipient a right to receive a specified number of shares of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. The Company values its RSUs at the fair value of its common stock on the grant date, which is the closing price of its common stock on the grant date less the present value of expected dividends during the vesting period, as the recipient is not entitled to dividends during the requisite service period.
The weighted-average grant-date fair value for RSUs granted in 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $93.68, $66.21, and $58.52, respectively.
The following table summarizes the combined RSU activity for all grants, including the CICP, under the 2004 Plan for 2020:
Shares
(in thousands)		Weighted- Average Grant-Date
Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Nonvested as of January 1, 20202,565 $55.61 
Granted1,168 93.68 
Vested(1,059)51.11 
Forfeited(212)65.17 
Nonvested as of December 31, 20202,462 $74.78 $328,023 
Expected to vest as of December 31, 20201,841 $76.05 $245,339 
The fair value of RSUs vested in 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $108.4 million, $77.0 million, and $66.5 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs outstanding and expected to vest as of December 31, 2020 is based on the closing price of the Company’s stock of $133.26 on December 31, 2020.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $68.6 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to all unvested RSUs that is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
Common stock
In 2020, the Company granted 0.01 million shares of common stock to Directors with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $117.47 per share.
v3.20.4
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]  
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
15. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company sponsors defined contribution plans for qualifying employees, including a 401(k) plan in the United States to which the Company makes discretionary matching contributions.
The following expenses related to defined contribution plans were recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:
(in thousands)202020192018
U.S. 401(k) Plan$8,109 $6,676 $5,506 
International plans16,132 13,021 11,101 
$24,241 $19,697 $16,607 
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES
16. INCOME TAXES
The components of (loss) before (benefit from) income taxes are:
(in thousands)202020192018
Domestic$(59,281)$(51,396)$(27,494)
Foreign(65,608)(83,450)15,951 
$(124,889)$(134,846)$(11,543)
The components of (benefit from) income taxes are:
(in thousands)202020192018
Current:
Federal$(11,251)$1,050 $(1,862)
State399 405 287 
Foreign7,113 3,449 10,313 
Total current (benefit from) provision for(3,739)4,904 8,738 
Deferred:
Federal(34,573)(25,356)(18,939)
State(8,119)(5,143)(3,702)
Foreign(17,085)(18,818)(8,257)
Total deferred (benefit)(59,777)(49,317)(30,898)
$(63,516)$(44,413)$(22,160)
A reconciliation of the U.S federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate, is as follows:
(in thousands)202020192018
U.S. federal income taxes at statutory rates$(26,227)$(28,318)$(2,424)
Valuation allowance(5,881)727 510 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit and tax credits(6,994)(4,450)(3,329)
Permanent differences1,773 2,606 1,302 
GILTI, FDII, and BEAT (1)
— — 399 
Federal research and experimentation credits(5,716)(4,295)(6,991)
Tax effects of foreign activities3,050 3,056 (399)
Tax-exempt income— (91)(137)
Provision to return adjustments3,416 (5,460)253 
Non-deductible compensation1,806 1,716 1,025 
Expiration of statutes and changes in estimates55 2,420 (516)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation(25,797)(14,291)(13,541)
Cares Act(10,576)— — 
Impact of change in tax law7,489 1,908 1,636 
Other86 59 52 
$(63,516)$(44,413)$(22,160)
(1) Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”), Foreign-Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”), and Base Erosion and Anti-abuse Tax (“BEAT”)
Cares Act
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“Cares Act”) was enacted to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Among other things, the Cares Act allows a five-year carryback period for tax losses generated in 2019 through 2021.
The Company carried back net operating losses generated in 2019, resulting in an income tax benefit of $5.7 million. The $5.7 million income tax benefit represents the Federal rate differential between 35% and 21%. In addition, the Company applied the carryback provisions of the Cares Act to its net operating losses generated in 2020, which resulted in the reclassification of $4.8 million net operating losses from a deferred income tax asset to refundable income taxes. The Company does not expect the other income tax provisions of the Cares Act to have a material impact on its financial statements.
Deferred income taxes
Significant components of net deferred tax assets and liabilities are:
December 31,
(in thousands)20202019
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards$88,129 $70,960 
Accruals and reserves26,309 24,902 
Interest expense carryforward3,464 — 
Depreciation4,795 2,493 
Tax credit carryforwards31,556 15,307 
Other370 199 
Total deferred tax assets154,623 113,861 
Valuation allowances(23,409)(28,007)
Total net deferred tax assets131,214 85,854 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Capped call transactions(20,858)— 
Convertible senior notes(6,473)— 
Software revenue(11,477)(23,859)
Intangibles(4,338)(6,103)
Total deferred tax liabilities(43,146)(29,962)
$88,068 $55,892 
The Company regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. In making that assessment, the Company considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realizing the deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of available evidence, whether it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. This determination requires significant judgment, including assumptions about future taxable income based on historical and projected information. In 2020, the change in valuation allowances was primarily due to the expiration of $5.9 million in acquisition-related net operating losses. There were no material changes in valuation allowances in 2019.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s net operating losses and credit carryforwards are:
(in thousands)
FederalState
Net operating losses (1)
$124,115 $9,149 
Net operating losses due to acquisitions (1)
$76,826 $1,466 
Credit carryforwards (2)
$24,372 $1,895 
Credit carryforwards due to acquisitions$640 $60 
(1) Excludes federal and state net operating losses of $29.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, from prior acquisitions that the Company expects will expire unutilized.
(2) Excludes federal and state tax credits of $0.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively, that the Company expects will expire unutilized.
Carryforward losses and credits expire between 2021 and 2038, except for the 2020 federal net operating loss of $47.3 million and $1.2 million of state credits, which both have unlimited carryforward periods.
The Company’s India subsidiary is primarily located in Special Economic Zones (“SEZs”) and is entitled to a tax holiday in India. The tax holiday reduces or eliminates income tax in India. The tax holiday in the Hyderabad SEZ is scheduled to expire in 2024. The tax holiday in the Bangalore SEZ is scheduled to expire in 2022. For 2020, 2019, and 2018, the income tax holiday reduced the Company’s provision for income taxes by $1.7 million, $1.9 million, and $1.3 million, respectively.
Uncertain tax benefits
A rollforward of the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits is:
(in thousands)
202020192018
Balance as of January 1,
$23,271 $18,157 $19,150 
Additions for tax positions related to the current year653 510 978 
Additions for tax positions of prior years962 4,917 174 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years(1,085)(313)(2,145)
Balance as of December 31,
$23,801 $23,271 $18,157 
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $23.8 million of total unrecognized tax benefits, which would decrease the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s income tax receivable was $44.1 million and $25.9 million, respectively.
Tax examinations
The Company files federal and state income tax returns in the U.S. and in various foreign jurisdictions. In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are examined by various tax authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service in the U.S. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s U.S. federal tax returns for the years 2014 through 2017 were under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, certain foreign jurisdictions are auditing the Company’s income tax returns for periods ranging from 2010 through 2018. The Company does not expect the results of these audits to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. With few exceptions, the statute of limitations remains open in all jurisdictions for the tax years 2014 to the present.
v3.20.4
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
17. (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period, plus the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and RSUs, using the treasury stock method. In periods of loss, all stock options and RSUs are excluded from the weighted-average number of common shares, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
(in thousands, except per share amounts)202020192018
Net (loss) income$(61,373)$(90,433)$10,617 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding80,336 79,055 78,564 
(Loss) earnings per share, basic$(0.76)$(1.14)$0.14 
Net (loss) income$(61,373)$(90,433)$10,617 
Stock options— — 2,891 
RSUs— — 1,609 
Effect of dilutive securities— — 4,500 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution80,336 79,055 83,064 
(Loss) earnings per share, diluted$(0.76)$(1.14)$0.13 
Outstanding anti-dilutive stock options and RSUs (1)
6,278 5,911 188 
(1) Certain outstanding stock options and RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive in the period presented. These awards may be dilutive in the future.
v3.20.4
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
See "Note 9. Leases" for additional information.
Contingencies
The Company is a party in various contractual disputes, litigation, and potential claims arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.
v3.20.4
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Relocation of Corporate Headquarters
On February 12, 2021, the Company executed the Lease Termination Agreement with Charles Park Owner LLC to accelerate the lease termination date for the Company’s corporate headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts to October 1, 2021. Under the terms of the Lease Termination Agreement, the Company will receive a payment of $18 million. The Company is obligated to make rent payments outlined in the existing lease agreements until October 1, 2021, the new lease termination date.
Qurious.io acquisition
In January 2021, the Company acquired Qurious.io, Inc., a cloud-based real time speech analytics solution for customer service teams. The acquisition was immaterial.
v3.20.4
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Management estimates and reporting
Management estimates and reporting
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.”) requires management to make estimates and judgments 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 periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Accounts with reported amounts based on significant estimates and judgments include, but are not limited to, revenue, unbilled receivables, deferred revenue, deferred income taxes, deferred commissions, income taxes payable, convertible senior notes, capped call transactions, intangible assets, and goodwill.
Principles of consolidation Principles of consolidationThe Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect Pegasystems Inc. and subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest.
Revenue and deferred commissions
Revenue
The Company’s revenue is primarily derived from:
•software license revenue from sales of the Company’s Pega Platform and software applications. Software licenses represent functional intellectual property and are delivered separately from maintenance and services.
•maintenance revenue from client support including software upgrades (on a when and if available basis), telephone support, and bug fixes or patches.
•Pega Cloud revenue, which is sales of the Company’s hosted Pega Platform and software applications.
•consulting revenue, which is primarily related to new software license implementations, training, and reimbursable costs.
Performance Obligations
The Company’s software license and Pega Cloud arrangements often contain multiple performance obligations. If a contract contains multiple performance obligations, the Company accounts for each distinct performance obligation separately. The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. Any discounts or expected potential future price concessions are considered when determining the total transaction price. The Company’s policy is to exclude sales and similar taxes collected from clients from the determination of transaction price.
The Company’s typical performance obligations are:
Performance ObligationHow Standalone Selling Price is Typically DeterminedWhen Performance Obligation is Typically SatisfiedWhen Payment is Typically Due
Perpetual licenseResidual approachUpon transfer of control to the client, defined when the client can use and benefit from the license (point in time)Effective date of the license
Term licenseResidual approachUpon transfer of control to the client, defined when the client can use and benefit from the license (point in time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the license
Maintenance
Consistent pricing relationship as a percentage of the related license and observable in stand-alone renewal transactions (1)
Ratably over the term of the maintenance (over time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the maintenance
Pega CloudResidual approachRatably over the term of the service (over time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the service
Consulting
- time and materials		Observable hourly rate for time and materials-based services in similar geographies for similar contract sizesBased on hours incurred to dateMonthly
Consulting
- fixed price		Observable hourly rate for time and materials-based services in similar geographies for similar contract sizes multiplied by estimated hours for the projectBased on hours incurred as a percentage of total estimated hoursAs contract milestones are achieved
(1) Technical support and software updates are considered distinct services but accounted for as a single performance obligation, as they have the same pattern of transfer to the client.
The Company utilizes the residual approach for performance obligations since the selling price is highly variable and stand-alone selling price is not discernible from past transactions or other observable evidence. Periodically, the Company reevaluates whether the residual approach remains appropriate. As required, the Company evaluates its residual approach estimate compared to all available observable data in order to conclude the estimate is representative of its stand-alone selling price.
If the contract grants the client the option to acquire additional products or services, the Company assesses whether the option represents a material right to the client that the client would not receive without entering into that contract. Discounts on options to purchase additional products and services greater than discounts available to similar clients are accounted for as an additional performance obligation.
During most of each client contract term, the amount invoiced is generally less than the amount of revenue recognized to date, primarily because we transfer control of the performance obligation related to the software license at the inception of the contract term. A significant portion of the total contract consideration is typically allocated to the license performance obligation. Therefore, our contracts often result in the recording of unbilled receivables and contract assets throughout most of the contract term. The Company records an unbilled receivable or contract asset when revenue recognized on a contract exceeds the billings. The Company recognizes an impairment on receivables and contract assets if, after contract inception, it becomes probable that payment is not collectible. The Company reviews receivables and contract assets on an individual basis for impairment.
Variable consideration
The Company’s arrangements can include variable fees, such as the option to purchase additional usage of a previously delivered software license. The Company may also provide pricing concessions to clients, a business practice that also gives rise to variable fees in contracts. For variable fees arising from the client’s acquisition of additional usage of a previously delivered software license, the Company applies the sales and usage-based royalties guidance related to a license of intellectual property and recognizes the revenue in the period the underlying sale or usage occurs. The Company includes variable fees in the determination of total transaction price if it is not probable that a future significant reversal of revenue will occur. The Company uses the expected value or most likely value amount, whichever is more appropriate for specific circumstances, to estimate variable consideration, and the estimates are based on the level of historical price concessions offered to clients. The variable consideration related to pricing concessions and other forms of variable consideration, including usage-based fees, have not been material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Significant financing components
The Company generally does not intend to provide financing to its clients, as financing arrangements are not contemplated as part of the negotiated terms of contracts between the Company and its clients. Although there may be instances with an intervening period between the delivery of the license and the payment, typically in term license arrangements, the purpose of that timing difference is to align the client’s payment with the timing of the use of the software license or service.
In certain circumstances, however, there are instances where revenue recognition timing differs from the timing of payment due to extended payment terms or fees that are non-proportional to the associated usage of software licenses. In these instances, the Company evaluates whether a significant financing component exists. This evaluation includes determining the difference between the consideration the client would have paid at the time the performance obligation was satisfied and the amount of consideration actually paid. Contracts that include a significant financing component are adjusted for the time value of money at the rate inherent in the contract, the client’s borrowing rate, or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, depending upon the recipient of the financing.
During 2020, 2019, and 2018, significant financing components were not material.
Contract modifications
The Company assesses contract modifications to determine:
•if the additional products and services are distinct from the products and services in the original arrangement; and
•if the amount of consideration expected for the added products and services reflects the stand-alone selling price of those products and services.
A contract modification meeting both criteria is accounted for as a separate contract. A contract modification not meeting both criteria is considered a change to the original contract and is accounted for on either:
•a prospective basis as a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract; or
•a cumulative catch-up basis.
Deferred commissions
The Company recognizes an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a client contract, primarily related to sales commissions. The Company expects to benefit from those costs for more than one year, as the Company primarily pays sales commissions on the initial contract. As a result, there are no commensurate commissions paid on contract renewals. Deferred commissions are allocated to each performance obligation within the contract and amortized according to the transfer of underlying goods and services within those contracts and expected renewals. The expected benefit period is determined based on the length of the client contracts, client attrition rates, the underlying technology life-cycle, and the competitive marketplace’s influence in which the products and services are sold. Deferred costs allocated to maintenance and deferred costs for Pega Cloud arrangements are amortized over an average expected benefit period of five years. Deferred costs allocated to software licenses, and any expected renewals of term software licenses within the five years expected benefit period, are amortized at the point in time control of the software license is transferred. Deferred costs allocated to consulting are amortized over a period consistent with the pattern of transfer of control for the related services.
Financial instruments
Financial instruments
The principal financial instruments held by the Company consist of cash equivalents, marketable securities, receivables, capped call transactions, and accounts payable. The Company considers debt securities that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with maturities of three months or less from the purchase date to be cash equivalents. Interest is recorded when earned. All of the Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses considered temporary in nature are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related income taxes. The Company reviews all investments for reductions in fair value that are other-than-temporary. When such reductions occur, the investment cost is adjusted to fair value by recording a loss on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Gains and losses on investments are calculated based upon the specific investment.
See "Note 4. Receivables, Contract Assets, And Deferred Revenue", "Note 10. Debt", and "Note 12. Fair Value Measurements" for additional information.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are three years for computer equipment and five years for furniture and fixtures. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the lease’s term or the useful life of the asset. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Leases LeasesAll the Company’s leases are operating leases, primarily composed of office space leases. The Company accounts for a contract as a lease when it has the right to control the asset for a period of time while obtaining substantially all of the asset’s economic benefits. The Company determines the initial classification and measurement of its operating right of use assets and lease liabilities at the lease commencement date and thereafter if modified. Fixed lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Variable lease costs are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The Company combines lease and non-lease components in the determination of lease costs for its office space leases. The lease liability includes lease payments related to options to extend or renew the lease term if the Company is reasonably certain it will exercise those options. The Company’s leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.
Internal-use software Internal-use software The Company capitalizes and amortizes certain direct costs associated with computer software developed or purchased for internal use incurred during the application development stage. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred. The Company amortizes capitalized software costs generally over three to five years, commencing on the date the software is placed into service.
Goodwill GoodwillGoodwill represents the residual purchase price paid in a business combination after the fair value of all identified assets and liabilities have been recorded. Goodwill is not amortized. The Company has a single reporting unit. The Company performed a qualitative assessment as of November 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018, and concluded that there was no impairment since it was not more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit was less than its carrying value.
Intangible and long-lived assets
Intangible and long-lived assets
All of the Company’s intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life. The Company evaluates its long-lived tangible and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets’ carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment is assessed by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the long-lived tangible or intangible assets to their carrying value. If impairment exists, the Company calculates the impairment by comparing the carrying value to its fair value as determined by discounted expected cash flows.
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents include money market funds, time deposits and other investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Business combinations
Business combinations
The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign a fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances are initially established in connection with a business combination as of the acquisition date. The Company continues to collect information and reevaluates these estimates and assumptions quarterly and records any adjustments to the Company’s preliminary estimates to goodwill provided that the Company is within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Research and development and software development costs
Research and development and software development costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalization of computer software developed for resale begins upon the establishment of technological feasibility, generally demonstrated by a working model or an operative version of the computer software product. Such costs have not been material to date, as technological feasibility is established within a short time frame from the software’s general availability. As a result, no costs were capitalized in 2020, 2019, or 2018.
Stock-based compensation Stock-based compensationThe Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense associated with equity awards based on the award’s fair value at the grant date. Stock-based compensation is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the equity award and is adjusted each period for anticipated forfeitures. See "Note 14. Stock-Based Compensation" for discussion of the Company’s key assumptions included in determining the fair value of its equity awards at the grant date.
Foreign currency translation and remeasurement
Foreign currency translation and remeasurement
The translation of assets and liabilities for the Company’s subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are made at period-end exchange rates. Revenue and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates during the period transactions occurred. The resulting translation adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized and unrealized exchange gains or losses from transactions and remeasurement adjustments are reflected in foreign currency transaction gain (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Accounting for income taxes
Accounting for income taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. Future realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets ultimately depends on sufficient taxable income within the available carryback or carryforward periods. Taxable income sources include taxable income in prior carryback years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and future taxable income. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to an amount it believes is more-likely-than-not to be realized. Changes in the valuation allowance impacts income tax expense in the period of adjustment. The Company’s deferred tax valuation allowance requires significant judgment and uncertainties, including assumptions about future taxable income that are based on historical and projected information. The Company recognizes excess tax benefits when they are realized, as a reduction of the provision for income taxes.
The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company records the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit is recognized in the financial statements. The Company classifies liabilities for uncertain tax positions as non-current liabilities unless the uncertainty is expected to be resolved within one year. The Company classifies interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.
As a global company, the Company uses significant judgment to calculate and provide for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are transactions and calculations undertaken whose ultimate tax outcome cannot be certain. Some of these uncertainties arise as a consequence of transfer pricing for transactions with the Company’s subsidiaries and nexus and tax credit estimates. In addition, the calculation of acquired tax attributes and the associated limitations are complex. See "Note 16. Income Taxes" for additional information.
Advertising expense Advertising expenseAdvertising costs are expensed as incurred.
New Accounting Standards
New Accounting Standards
Convertible debt
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-06, “Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (ASU 2020-06), which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The standard eliminates the liability and equity separation model for convertible instruments with a cash conversion feature. As a result, after adoption, entities will no longer separately present in equity an embedded conversion feature for such debt. Additionally, the embedded conversion feature will no longer be amortized into income as interest expense over the instrument’s life. Instead, entities will account for a convertible debt instrument wholly as debt unless (1) a convertible instrument contains features that require bifurcation as a derivative under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or (2) a convertible debt instrument was issued at a substantial premium. Additionally, the standard requires applying the if-converted method to calculate convertible instruments’ impact on diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. It can be adopted on either a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company expects to elect to early adopt the new standard in the first quarter of 2021.
Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
The Company records its cash equivalents, marketable securities, Capped Call Transactions, and venture investments at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
As a basis for classifying the fair value measurements, a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the fair value measurements based on the inputs used in measuring fair value, was established as follows:
•Level 1 - observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•Level 2 - significant other inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
•Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs on which there is little or no market data, which require the Company to develop its own assumptions. This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and minimize unobservable inputs when determining fair value.
The fair value of the Capped Call Transactions at the end of each reporting period is determined using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The valuation models use various market-based inputs, including stock price, remaining contractual term, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, and expected dividend yield, as applicable. The Company applies judgment in its determination of expected volatility. The Company considers both historical and implied volatility levels of the underlying equity security and, to a lesser extent, historical peer group volatility levels. The Company’s venture investments are recorded at fair value based on valuation methods using the observable transaction price and other unobservable inputs, including the volatility, rights, and obligations of the securities the Company holds.
v3.20.4
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Schedule of Performance Obligations
The Company’s typical performance obligations are:
Performance ObligationHow Standalone Selling Price is Typically DeterminedWhen Performance Obligation is Typically SatisfiedWhen Payment is Typically Due
Perpetual licenseResidual approachUpon transfer of control to the client, defined when the client can use and benefit from the license (point in time)Effective date of the license
Term licenseResidual approachUpon transfer of control to the client, defined when the client can use and benefit from the license (point in time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the license
Maintenance
Consistent pricing relationship as a percentage of the related license and observable in stand-alone renewal transactions (1)
Ratably over the term of the maintenance (over time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the maintenance
Pega CloudResidual approachRatably over the term of the service (over time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the service
Consulting
- time and materials		Observable hourly rate for time and materials-based services in similar geographies for similar contract sizesBased on hours incurred to dateMonthly
Consulting
- fixed price		Observable hourly rate for time and materials-based services in similar geographies for similar contract sizes multiplied by estimated hours for the projectBased on hours incurred as a percentage of total estimated hoursAs contract milestones are achieved
(1) Technical support and software updates are considered distinct services but accounted for as a single performance obligation, as they have the same pattern of transfer to the client.
Expected future revenue on existing contracts:
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)Perpetual licenseTerm licenseMaintenancePega CloudConsultingTotal
1 year or less$11,514 $105,920 $227,803 $248,223 $19,226 $612,686 57 %
1-2 years395 7,962 54,509 193,064 346 256,276 24 %
2-3 years— 4,928 28,320 104,542 851 138,641 13 %
Greater than 3 years— 4 19,283 44,308 1,189 64,784 6 %
$11,909 $118,814 $329,915 $590,137 $21,612 $1,072,387 100 %

December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)Perpetual licenseTerm licenseMaintenancePega CloudConsultingTotal
1 year or less$2,305 $97,826 $206,882 $165,571 $20,798 $493,382 58 %
1-2 years2,179 12,014 30,291 128,109 1,439 174,032 21 %
2-3 years— 3,132 17,844 84,788 132 105,896 13 %
Greater than 3 years— 3,861 13,277 43,702 1,993 62,833 8 %
$4,484 $116,833 $268,294 $422,170 $24,362 $836,143 100 %
v3.20.4
MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Schedule of Marketable Securities
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)Amortized CostUnrealized GainsUnrealized LossesFair Value
Government debt$39,996 $— $(8)$39,988 
Corporate debt253,345 88 (152)253,281 
$293,341 $88 $(160)$293,269 
v3.20.4
RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]  
Summary of Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Receivable
Receivables
(in thousands)
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable$215,827 $199,720 
Unbilled receivables207,155 180,219 
Long-term unbilled receivables113,278 121,736 
$536,260 $501,675 
Summary of Unbilled Receivables
Unbilled receivables are expected to be billed in the future as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2020
1 year or less$207,155 65 %
1-2 years83,992 26 %
2-5 years29,286 9 %
$320,433 100 %
Summary of Unbilled Receivables Based Upon Contract Effective Date
Unbilled receivables based upon contract effective date:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2020
2020$149,867 47 %
201987,941 27 %
201831,097 10 %
201731,668 10 %
2016 and prior19,860 6 %
$320,433 100 %
Summary of Contract Assets and Deferred Revenue
Contract assets and deferred revenue
(in thousands)
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Contract assets (1)
$15,296 $5,558 
Long-term contract assets (2)
7,777 5,420 
$23,073 $10,978 
Deferred revenue$232,865 $190,080 
Long-term deferred revenue (3)
8,991 5,407 
$241,856 $195,487 
(1) Included in other current assets. (2) Included in other long-term assets. (3) Included in other long-term liabilities.
v3.20.4
DEFERRED COMMISSIONS (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Impairment of Deferred Contract Costs
December 31,
(in thousands)
20202019
Deferred commissions (1)
$108,624 $85,314 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.
Schedule of Amortization of Deferred Contract Costs
(in thousands)202020192018
Amortization of deferred commissions (1)
$33,302 $29,152 $17,271 
(1) Included in selling and marketing expenses.
v3.20.4
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property and Equipment
(in thousands)December 31,
20202019
Leasehold improvements
$52,335 $42,162 
Computer equipment
30,211 25,147 
Furniture and fixtures
10,572 8,524 
Computer software purchased
8,415 7,775 
Computer software developed for internal use
18,542 17,606 
Fixed assets in progress
2,077 4,044 
122,152 105,258 
Less: accumulated depreciation
(81,754)(70,975)
$40,398 $34,283 
Depreciation Expense
(in thousands)202020192018
Depreciation expense$17,378 $14,771 $13,875 
v3.20.4
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill
(in thousands)
20202019
January 1,$79,039 $72,858 
Acquisition— 6,179 
Currency translation adjustments192 2 
December 31,$79,231 $79,039 
Schedule of Amortizable Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)Useful LivesCostAccumulated Amortization
Net Book Value (1)
Client-related
4-10 years
$63,168 $(55,877)$7,291 
Technology
2-10 years
64,843 (56,386)8,457 
Other
1-5 years
5,361 (5,361)— 
$133,372 $(117,624)$15,748 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.
December 31, 2019
(in thousands)Useful LivesCostAccumulated Amortization
Net Book Value (1)
Client-related
4-10 years
$63,140 $(54,368)$8,772 
Technology
2-10 years
64,843 (53,898)10,945 
Other
1-5 years
5,361 (5,361)— 
$133,344 $(113,627)$19,717 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.
Amortization Expense of Acquired Intangibles
Amortization of intangible assets was:
(in thousands)
202020192018
Cost of revenue$2,487 $3,500 $5,027 
Selling and marketing1,483 3,125 6,416 

$3,970 $6,625 $11,443 
Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets
Future estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets:
(in thousands)
December 31, 2020
2021$3,657 
20223,557 
20233,289 
20242,520 
2025 and after2,725 
$15,748 
v3.20.4
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area
Long-lived assets related to the Company’s U.S. and international operations were:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
20202019
U.S.$31,339 78 %$26,644 78 %
International9,059 22 %7,639 22 %
$40,398 100 %$34,283 100 %
v3.20.4
LEASES (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]  
Schedule of Lease Expense
Expense
(in thousands)20202019
Fixed lease costs$20,235 $18,250 
Short-term lease costs1,669 1,291 
Variable lease costs4,470 5,554 
$26,374 $25,095 
Total rent expense under operating leases was $14.9 million for 2018.
Schedule of Right of Use Asset and Lease Liabilities
Right of use assets and lease liabilities
(in thousands)December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Right of use assets (1)
$67,651 $58,273 
Lease liabilities (2)
$18,541 $15,885 
Long-term lease liabilities$59,053 $52,610 
(1) Represents the Company’s right to use the leased asset during the lease term. Included in other long-term assets. (2) Included in other current liabilities.
Schedule of Weighted Average and Discount Rate
The weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company’s leases were:
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term4.7 years4.0 years
Weighted-average discount rate (1)
5.4 %5.8 %
(1) The rates implicit in most of the Company’s leases are not readily determinable. Therefore the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate when measuring operating lease liabilities. The incremental borrowing rate represents an estimate of the interest rate the Company would incur to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over the lease term in a similar economic environment.
Schedule of Lease Maturities after Adoption of 842
Maturities of lease liabilities are:
(in thousands)December 31, 2020
1 year or less$22,164 
1-2 years21,747 
2-3 years21,599 
3-4 years7,683 
> 4 years14,431 
Total lease payments87,624 
Less: imputed interest (1)(10,030)
Total short and long-term lease liabilities$77,594 
(1) Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments using a discount rate determined at lease commencement, unless the discount rate is updated due to a lease reassessment event.
Schedule Of Supplemental Cash Flow Lease Information
Cash flow information
(in thousands)20202019
Cash paid for leases$20,548 $19,727 
Right of use assets recognized for new leases and amendments (non-cash)$24,276 $31,155 
v3.20.4
DEBT (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Debt
Proceeds from the Notes and Capped Call Transactions:
(in thousands)Amount
Principal$600,000 
Less: issuance costs(14,527)
Less: Capped Call Transactions(51,900)
$533,573 
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule
Net carrying amount of the liability component:
(in thousands)December 31, 2020
Principal$600,000 
Unamortized debt discount(71,222)
Unamortized issuance costs(10,575)
$518,203 
Net carrying amount of the equity component, included in additional paid-in capital:
(in thousands)December 31, 2020
Conversion options (1)
$61,604 
(1) Net of issuance costs and taxes.
Interest expense related to the Notes:
(in thousands)2020
Contractual interest expense (0.75% coupon)
$3,825 
Amortization of debt discount (1)
12,898 
Amortization of issuance costs (1)
1,915 
$18,638 
(1) Amortized based upon an effective interest rate of 4.31%.
Future payments of principal and contractual interest:
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)PrincipalInterestTotal
2021— 4,500 4,500 
2022— 4,500 4,500 
2023— 4,500 4,500 
2024— 4,500 4,500 
2025600,000 1,488 601,488 
$600,000 $19,488 $619,488 
Schedule of Derivative Instruments
Change in value of Capped Call Transactions:
(in thousands)Year Ended
December 31, 2020
Value at issuance$51,900 
Fair value adjustment31,697 
Balance as of December 31,$83,597 
v3.20.4
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]  
Summary of Dividends Declared and Dividend Payments
Dividends declared
202020192018
Dividends declared (per share)$0.12 $0.12 $0.12 
Dividend payments to stockholders (in thousands)$9,628 $9,486 $9,432 
Schedule of Treasury Stock
Stock repurchases
(in thousands)202020192018
SharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmount
January 1,$45,484 $6,620 $34,892 
Authorizations (1)
$20,516 $60,000 $27,003 
Repurchases (2)
(278)$(28,274)(333)$(21,136)(1,001)$(55,275)
December 31,$37,726 $45,484 $6,620 
(1) On June 15, 2020, the Company announced that the Board of Directors extended the current stock repurchase program’s expiration date to June 30, 2021 and increased the remaining stock repurchase authority to $60 million.
(2) Purchases under this program have been made on the open market.
v3.20.4
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
(in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Cash equivalents$42,339 $14,000 $— $56,339 $— $— $— $— 
Marketable securities $— $293,269 $— $293,269 $— $— $— $— 
Capped Call Transactions (1) (2)
$— $83,597 $— $83,597 $— $— $— $— 
Venture investments (1) (3)
$— $— $8,345 $8,345 $— $— $4,871 $4,871 
(1) Included in other long-term assets.
(2) See "Note 10. Debt" for additional information.
(3) Investments in privately-held companies.
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Change in venture investments:
(in thousands)20202019
January 1,$4,871 $3,390 
New investments3,306 1,444 
Sales of investments(1,424)— 
Changes in foreign exchange rates118 37 
Fair value adjustment1,474 — 
December 31,$8,345 $4,871 
v3.20.4
REVENUE (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue by Geographic Area
Geographic revenue
(Dollars in thousands)202020192018
U.S.$613,844 61 %$525,191 57 %$469,987 52 %
Other Americas49,441 5 %60,536 7 %53,239 6 %
United Kingdom (“U.K.”)91,517 9 %87,382 10 %95,628 11 %
Europe (excluding U.K.), Middle East, and Africa 156,056 15 %137,946 15 %147,248 17 %
Asia-Pacific106,659 10 %100,328 11 %125,479 14 %
$1,017,517 100 %$911,383 100 %$891,581 100 %
Disaggregation of Revenue
(in thousands)202020192018
Perpetual license$28,558 $80,015 $109,863 
Term license266,352 199,433 178,256 
Revenue recognized at a point in time 294,910 279,448 288,119 
Maintenance296,709 280,580 263,875 
Pega Cloud208,268 133,746 82,627 
Consulting217,630 217,609 256,960 
Revenue recognized over time 722,607 631,935 603,462 
$1,017,517 $911,383 $891,581 

(in thousands)202020192018
Pega Cloud208,268 133,746 82,627 
Maintenance296,709 280,580 263,875 
Term license$266,352 $199,433 $178,256 
Subscription (1)
771,329 613,759 524,758 
Perpetual license28,558 80,015 109,863 
Consulting217,630 217,609 256,960 
Total revenue$1,017,517 $911,383 $891,581 
(1) Reflects client arrangements subject to renewal (Pega Cloud, maintenance, and term license).
Remaining Performance Obligations on Existing Contracts
The Company’s typical performance obligations are:
Performance ObligationHow Standalone Selling Price is Typically DeterminedWhen Performance Obligation is Typically SatisfiedWhen Payment is Typically Due
Perpetual licenseResidual approachUpon transfer of control to the client, defined when the client can use and benefit from the license (point in time)Effective date of the license
Term licenseResidual approachUpon transfer of control to the client, defined when the client can use and benefit from the license (point in time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the license
Maintenance
Consistent pricing relationship as a percentage of the related license and observable in stand-alone renewal transactions (1)
Ratably over the term of the maintenance (over time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the maintenance
Pega CloudResidual approachRatably over the term of the service (over time)Annually, or more frequently, over the term of the service
Consulting
- time and materials		Observable hourly rate for time and materials-based services in similar geographies for similar contract sizesBased on hours incurred to dateMonthly
Consulting
- fixed price		Observable hourly rate for time and materials-based services in similar geographies for similar contract sizes multiplied by estimated hours for the projectBased on hours incurred as a percentage of total estimated hoursAs contract milestones are achieved
(1) Technical support and software updates are considered distinct services but accounted for as a single performance obligation, as they have the same pattern of transfer to the client.
Expected future revenue on existing contracts:
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)Perpetual licenseTerm licenseMaintenancePega CloudConsultingTotal
1 year or less$11,514 $105,920 $227,803 $248,223 $19,226 $612,686 57 %
1-2 years395 7,962 54,509 193,064 346 256,276 24 %
2-3 years— 4,928 28,320 104,542 851 138,641 13 %
Greater than 3 years— 4 19,283 44,308 1,189 64,784 6 %
$11,909 $118,814 $329,915 $590,137 $21,612 $1,072,387 100 %

December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)Perpetual licenseTerm licenseMaintenancePega CloudConsultingTotal
1 year or less$2,305 $97,826 $206,882 $165,571 $20,798 $493,382 58 %
1-2 years2,179 12,014 30,291 128,109 1,439 174,032 21 %
2-3 years— 3,132 17,844 84,788 132 105,896 13 %
Greater than 3 years— 3,861 13,277 43,702 1,993 62,833 8 %
$4,484 $116,833 $268,294 $422,170 $24,362 $836,143 100 %
v3.20.4
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Included in Consolidated Statements of Operations
The following table presents the stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:
(in thousands)202020192018
Cost of revenue$20,796 $18,822 $16,862 
Selling and marketing46,283 32,665 23,237 
Research and development22,885 18,938 15,274 
General and administrative13,104 10,484 8,489 
$103,068 $80,909 $63,862 
Income tax benefit$(20,464)$(16,392)$(13,383)
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model
The following table summarizes the Company’s fair value assumptions for stock options:
202020192018
Weighted-average grant-date fair value$24.16 $19.10 $18.03 
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
Expected annual volatility (1)
31 %32 %34 %
Expected term in years (2)
4.54.54.5
Risk-free interest rate (3)
0.7 %2.4 %2.6 %
Expected annual dividend yield (4)
0.2 %0.3 %0.4 %
(1) The expected annual volatility for each grant is determined based on the average of historic daily price changes of the Company’s common stock over a period, which approximates the expected option term.
(2) The expected option term for each grant is determined based on the historical exercise behavior of employees and post-vesting employment termination behavior.
(3) The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of U.S. Treasury securities with a commensurate maturity with the expected option term at the time of grant.
(4) The expected annual dividend yield is based on the weighted-average dividend yield assumptions used for options granted during the applicable period.
Combined Stock Option Activity
The following table summarizes the combined stock option activity under the Company’s stock option plans for 2020:
Shares
(in thousands)		Weighted-average Exercise PriceWeighted-average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Options outstanding as of January 1, 20207,436 $44.76 
Granted2,018 92.81 
Exercised(1,777)33.52 
Forfeited(286)62.86 
Options outstanding as of December 31, 20207,391 $59.88 
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 20206,225 $57.85 7.1$469,374 
Exercisable as of December 31, 20202,935 $38.73 5.6$277,450 
Combined Restricted Stock Units Activity
The following table summarizes the combined RSU activity for all grants, including the CICP, under the 2004 Plan for 2020:
Shares
(in thousands)		Weighted- Average Grant-Date
Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Nonvested as of January 1, 20202,565 $55.61 
Granted1,168 93.68 
Vested(1,059)51.11 
Forfeited(212)65.17 
Nonvested as of December 31, 20202,462 $74.78 $328,023 
Expected to vest as of December 31, 20201,841 $76.05 $245,339 
v3.20.4
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]  
Summary of Defined Contribution Plans Expenses
The following expenses related to defined contribution plans were recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:
(in thousands)202020192018
U.S. 401(k) Plan$8,109 $6,676 $5,506 
International plans16,132 13,021 11,101 
$24,241 $19,697 $16,607 
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Components of (Loss) Income before (Benefit) Provision from Income Taxes
The components of (loss) before (benefit from) income taxes are:
(in thousands)202020192018
Domestic$(59,281)$(51,396)$(27,494)
Foreign(65,608)(83,450)15,951 
$(124,889)$(134,846)$(11,543)
Components of Provision for Income Taxes
The components of (benefit from) income taxes are:
(in thousands)202020192018
Current:
Federal$(11,251)$1,050 $(1,862)
State399 405 287 
Foreign7,113 3,449 10,313 
Total current (benefit from) provision for(3,739)4,904 8,738 
Deferred:
Federal(34,573)(25,356)(18,939)
State(8,119)(5,143)(3,702)
Foreign(17,085)(18,818)(8,257)
Total deferred (benefit)(59,777)(49,317)(30,898)
$(63,516)$(44,413)$(22,160)
Reconciliation of Effective Income Tax Rate from Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate
A reconciliation of the U.S federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate, is as follows:
(in thousands)202020192018
U.S. federal income taxes at statutory rates$(26,227)$(28,318)$(2,424)
Valuation allowance(5,881)727 510 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit and tax credits(6,994)(4,450)(3,329)
Permanent differences1,773 2,606 1,302 
GILTI, FDII, and BEAT (1)
— — 399 
Federal research and experimentation credits(5,716)(4,295)(6,991)
Tax effects of foreign activities3,050 3,056 (399)
Tax-exempt income— (91)(137)
Provision to return adjustments3,416 (5,460)253 
Non-deductible compensation1,806 1,716 1,025 
Expiration of statutes and changes in estimates55 2,420 (516)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation(25,797)(14,291)(13,541)
Cares Act(10,576)— — 
Impact of change in tax law7,489 1,908 1,636 
Other86 59 52 
$(63,516)$(44,413)$(22,160)
(1) Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”), Foreign-Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”), and Base Erosion and Anti-abuse Tax (“BEAT”)
Components of Net Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Significant components of net deferred tax assets and liabilities are:
December 31,
(in thousands)20202019
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards$88,129 $70,960 
Accruals and reserves26,309 24,902 
Interest expense carryforward3,464 — 
Depreciation4,795 2,493 
Tax credit carryforwards31,556 15,307 
Other370 199 
Total deferred tax assets154,623 113,861 
Valuation allowances(23,409)(28,007)
Total net deferred tax assets131,214 85,854 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Capped call transactions(20,858)— 
Convertible senior notes(6,473)— 
Software revenue(11,477)(23,859)
Intangibles(4,338)(6,103)
Total deferred tax liabilities(43,146)(29,962)
$88,068 $55,892 
Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards
As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s net operating losses and credit carryforwards are:
(in thousands)
FederalState
Net operating losses (1)
$124,115 $9,149 
Net operating losses due to acquisitions (1)
$76,826 $1,466 
Credit carryforwards (2)
$24,372 $1,895 
Credit carryforwards due to acquisitions$640 $60 
(1) Excludes federal and state net operating losses of $29.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, from prior acquisitions that the Company expects will expire unutilized.
(2) Excludes federal and state tax credits of $0.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively, that the Company expects will expire unutilized.
Summary of Credit Carryforwards
As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s net operating losses and credit carryforwards are:
(in thousands)
FederalState
Net operating losses (1)
$124,115 $9,149 
Net operating losses due to acquisitions (1)
$76,826 $1,466 
Credit carryforwards (2)
$24,372 $1,895 
Credit carryforwards due to acquisitions$640 $60 
(1) Excludes federal and state net operating losses of $29.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, from prior acquisitions that the Company expects will expire unutilized.
(2) Excludes federal and state tax credits of $0.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively, that the Company expects will expire unutilized.
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits
A rollforward of the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits is:
(in thousands)
202020192018
Balance as of January 1,
$23,271 $18,157 $19,150 
Additions for tax positions related to the current year653 510 978 
Additions for tax positions of prior years962 4,917 174 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years(1,085)(313)(2,145)
Balance as of December 31,
$23,801 $23,271 $18,157 
v3.20.4
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Summary of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
(in thousands, except per share amounts)202020192018
Net (loss) income$(61,373)$(90,433)$10,617 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding80,336 79,055 78,564 
(Loss) earnings per share, basic$(0.76)$(1.14)$0.14 
Net (loss) income$(61,373)$(90,433)$10,617 
Stock options— — 2,891 
RSUs— — 1,609 
Effect of dilutive securities— — 4,500 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution80,336 79,055 83,064 
(Loss) earnings per share, diluted$(0.76)$(1.14)$0.13 
Outstanding anti-dilutive stock options and RSUs (1)
6,278 5,911 188 
(1) Certain outstanding stock options and RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive in the period presented. These awards may be dilutive in the future.
v3.20.4
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2020
Nov. 30, 2019
Nov. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Amortization period for deferred contract costs       5 years    
Goodwill impairment $ 0 $ 0 $ 0      
More-likely-than-not benefit likelihood percentage being realized upon ultimate settlement with taxing authority resulting from sustainability of tax examination       50.00%    
Advertising costs       $ 8,700,000 $ 6,700,000 $ 6,900,000
Computer Equipment            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Property and equipment estimated useful lives       3 years    
Furniture and Fixtures            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Property and equipment estimated useful lives       5 years    
Minimum | Internal Use Software            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Useful life of capitalized software       3 years    
Maximum | Internal Use Software            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Useful life of capitalized software       5 years    
v3.20.4
MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost $ 293,341  
Unrealized Gains 88  
Unrealized Losses (160)  
Fair Value 293,269 $ 0
Government debt    
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 39,996  
Unrealized Gains 0  
Unrealized Losses (8)  
Fair Value 39,988  
Corporate debt    
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 253,345  
Unrealized Gains 88  
Unrealized Losses (152)  
Fair Value $ 253,281  
v3.20.4
MARKETABLE SECURITIES - Additional Information (Details)
Dec. 31, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Weighted-average remaining maturity 1 year 6 months
v3.20.4
RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE - Summary of Receivable (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]    
Accounts receivable $ 215,827 $ 199,720
Unbilled receivables 207,155 180,219
Long-term unbilled receivables 113,278 121,736
Total receivables $ 536,260 $ 501,675
v3.20.4
RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE - Summary of Unbilled Receivables (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]    
1 year or less $ 207,155 $ 180,219
1-2 years 83,992  
2-5 years 29,286  
Total $ 320,433  
Percentage of unbilled receivables, 1 Year or Less 65.00%  
Percentage of unbilled receivables, 1-2 Years 26.00%  
Percentage of unbilled receivables, 2-5 Years 9.00%  
Total percentage of unbilled receivables 100.00%  
v3.20.4
RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE- Contract Effective (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]  
2020 $ 149,867
2019 87,941
2018 31,097
2017 31,668
2016 and prior 19,860
Unbilled revenue total $ 320,433
2020 47.00%
2019 27.00%
2018 10.00%
2017 10.00%
2016 and prior 6.00%
Total percentage of unbilled revenue 100.00%
v3.20.4
RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE - Summary of Contract Assets and Deferred Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]    
Contract assets $ 15,296 $ 5,558
Long-term contract assets 7,777 5,420
Total contract assets 23,073 10,978
Deferred revenue 232,865 190,080
Long-term deferred revenue 8,991 5,407
Total deferred revenue $ 241,856 $ 195,487
v3.20.4
RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE RECEIVABLES, CONTRACT ASSETS, AND DEFERRED REVENUE - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]  
Revenue recognized during the period that was included in deferred revenue $ 187.6
v3.20.4
DEFERRED COMMISSIONS - Schedule of Impairment of Deferred Commissions (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]    
Deferred commissions $ 108,624 $ 85,314
v3.20.4
DEFERRED COMMISSIONS - Schedule of Amortization of Deferred Commissions (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]      
Amortization of deferred commissions $ 33,302 $ 29,152 $ 17,271
v3.20.4
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Components of Property and Equipment, net (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 122,152 $ 105,258
Less: accumulated depreciation (81,754) (70,975)
Property and equipment, net 40,398 34,283
Leasehold improvements    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 52,335 42,162
Computer equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 30,211 25,147
Furniture and fixtures    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 10,572 8,524
Computer software purchased    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 8,415 7,775
Computer software developed for internal use    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 18,542 17,606
Fixed assets in progress    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 2,077 $ 4,044
v3.20.4
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]      
Depreciation expense $ 17,378 $ 14,771 $ 13,875
v3.20.4
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Beginning balance $ 79,039 $ 72,858
Acquisition 0 6,179
Currency translation adjustments 192 2
Ending balance $ 79,231 $ 79,039
v3.20.4
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Schedule of Amortizable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Cost $ 133,372 $ 133,344
Accumulated Amortization (117,624) (113,627)
Net book value 15,748 19,717
Client-related    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Cost 63,168 63,140
Accumulated Amortization (55,877) (54,368)
Net book value 7,291 8,772
Technology    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Cost 64,843 64,843
Accumulated Amortization (56,386) (53,898)
Net book value 8,457 10,945
Other    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Cost 5,361 5,361
Accumulated Amortization (5,361) (5,361)
Net book value $ 0 $ 0
Minimum | Client-related    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Useful Lives 4 years 4 years
Minimum | Technology    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Useful Lives 2 years 2 years
Minimum | Other    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Useful Lives 1 year 1 year
Maximum | Client-related    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Useful Lives 10 years 10 years
Maximum | Technology    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Useful Lives 10 years 10 years
Maximum | Other    
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Useful Lives 5 years 5 years
v3.20.4
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortization Expense of Acquired Intangibles (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Amortization of intangible assets $ 3,970 $ 6,625 $ 11,443
Cost of revenue      
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Amortization of intangible assets 2,487 3,500 5,027
Selling and marketing      
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Amortization of intangible assets $ 1,483 $ 3,125 $ 6,416
v3.20.4
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]    
Future estimated amortization expense, 2021 $ 3,657  
Future estimated amortization expense, 2022 3,557  
Future estimated amortization expense, 2023 3,289  
Future estimated amortization expense, 2024 2,520  
Future estimated amortization expense, 2025 and after 2,725  
Net book value $ 15,748 $ 19,717
v3.20.4
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Additional Information (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
unit
segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Number of operating segments | segment 1
Number of reporting units | unit 1
v3.20.4
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Long Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]    
Long-lived assets $ 40,398 $ 34,283
Long-lived assets percentage 100.00% 100.00%
U.S.    
Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]    
Long-lived assets $ 31,339 $ 26,644
Long-lived assets percentage 78.00% 78.00%
International    
Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]    
Long-lived assets $ 9,059 $ 7,639
Long-lived assets percentage 22.00% 22.00%
v3.20.4
LEASES Operating Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]      
Fixed lease costs $ 20,235 $ 18,250  
Short-term lease costs 1,669 1,291  
Variable lease costs 4,470 5,554  
Lease, Cost $ 26,374 $ 25,095  
Operating lease rent expense     $ 14,900
v3.20.4
LEASES Right of Use Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]    
Right of use assets $ 67,651 $ 58,273
Lease liabilities 18,541 15,885
Long-term lease liabilities $ 59,053 $ 52,610
Operating lease, right-of-use asset, statement of financial position us-gaap:OtherAssetsNoncurrent us-gaap:OtherAssetsNoncurrent
Operating lease, liability, current, statement of financial position us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
v3.20.4
LEASES Remaining Lease Term (Details)
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]    
Weighted-average remaining lease term 4 years 8 months 12 days 4 years
Weighted-average discount rate 5.40% 5.80%
v3.20.4
LEASES Maturities after adoption of 842 (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]  
1 year or less $ 22,164
1-2 years 21,747
2-3 years 21,599
3-4 years 7,683
> 4 years 14,431
Total lease payments 87,624
Less: imputed interest (10,030)
Total short and long-term lease liabilities $ 77,594
v3.20.4
LEASES Cash Flow information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]    
Cash paid for leases $ 20,548 $ 19,727
Right of use assets recognized for new leases and amendments (non-cash) $ 24,276 $ 31,155
v3.20.4
DEBT - Convertible Senior Notes Narrative (Details)
 1 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2020
USD ($)
tradingDay
$ / shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Redemption percentage 100.00%
On or after March 1, 2023  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Redemption percentage 100.00%
Convertible debt  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Face amount | $ $ 600,000,000
Interest rate 0.75%
Initial conversion rate 7.4045
Debt conversion amount | $ $ 1,000
Initial conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 135.05
Debt issuance costs | $ $ (14,527,000)
Convertible debt | After the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2020  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Threshold percentage of stock price trigger 130.00%
Threshold trading days 20
Threshold consecutive trading days 30
Convertible debt | Measurement period  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Threshold percentage of stock price trigger 98.00%
Threshold consecutive trading days 5
Threshold consecutive business days 5
Convertible debt | On or after March 1, 2023  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Threshold percentage of stock price trigger 130.00%
Threshold trading days 20
Threshold consecutive trading days 30
v3.20.4
DEBT - Net Proceeds Amount (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 1 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Less: Capped Call Transactions   $ (83,597) $ 0
Convertible debt      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Principal $ 600,000 $ 600,000  
Less: issuance costs (14,527)    
Less: Capped Call Transactions (51,900)    
Net proceeds $ 533,573    
v3.20.4
DEBT - Net Carrying Amount (Details) - Convertible debt - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Feb. 29, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Principal $ 600,000 $ 600,000
Unamortized debt discount (71,222)  
Unamortized issuance costs (10,575)  
Principal, net 518,203  
Conversion options $ 61,604  
v3.20.4
DEBT - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Effective interest rate   4.31% 4.31%
Convertible debt      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest rate 0.75%    
Contractual interest expense (0.75% coupon)   $ 3,825  
Amortization of debt discount   12,898  
Amortization of issuance costs   1,915  
Interest expense   $ 18,638  
v3.20.4
DEBT - Future Payments of Principal and Contractual Interest (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Feb. 29, 2020
Interest    
Interest expense, total due $ 19,488  
Convertible debt    
Principal    
2021 0  
2022 0  
2023 0  
2024 0  
2025 600,000  
Principal, total due 600,000 $ 600,000
Interest    
2021 4,500  
2022 4,500  
2023 4,500  
2024 4,500  
2025 1,488  
Total    
2021 4,500  
2022 4,500  
2023 4,500  
2024 4,500  
2025 601,488  
Principal and interest, total due $ 619,488  
v3.20.4
DEBT - Capped Call Transactions (Details)
$ in Thousands, shares in Millions
 1 Months Ended 10 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2020
USD ($)
$ / derivative
shares
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]    
Number of shares issuable upon conversion | shares 4.4  
Cap price | $ / derivative 196.44  
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]    
Value at issuance   $ 51,900
Fair value adjustment   31,697
Ending balance $ 51,900 $ 83,597
v3.20.4
DEBT - Credit Facility (Details)
 1 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Remaining borrowing capacity   $ 0 $ 0
PNC Bank, National Association      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest coverage ratio, minimum 3.5    
Credit Agreement | PNC Bank, National Association      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Minimum required cash and investments held $ 200,000,000    
Consolidated leverage ratio, maximum 3.5    
Line of credit | PNC Bank, National Association | Revolving credit facility      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Debt instrument term 5 years    
Senior Notes $ 100,000,000    
Aggregate commitment $ 200,000,000    
v3.20.4
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]    
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares) 1,000,000 1,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares) 0 0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (shares) 0  
Common stock, shares authorized (shares) 200,000,000 200,000,000
Common stock, par value (dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued (shares) 80,890,000 79,599,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares) 80,890,000 79,599,000
Quarterly cash dividend intended to pay (dollars per share) $ 0.03  
v3.20.4
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of Dividends Declared and Paid (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]      
Dividends declared (dollars per share) $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.12
Dividend payments to stockholders $ 9,628 $ 9,486 $ 9,432
v3.20.4
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Stock Repurchases (Details) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Jun. 15, 2020
Equity [Abstract]        
Repurchases unsettled (in shares) (278) (333) (1,001)  
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount [Roll Forward]        
Authorization remaining, beginning of period $ 45,484,000 $ 6,620,000 $ 34,892,000  
Authorizations 20,516,000 60,000,000 27,003,000  
Repurchases (28,274,000) (21,136,000) (55,275,000)  
Authorization remaining, end of period $ 37,726,000 $ 45,484,000 $ 6,620,000  
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount       $ 60,000,000
v3.20.4
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Assets:    
Marketable securities $ 293,269 $ 0
Capped Call Transactions 83,597 0
Level 1    
Fair Value Assets:    
Marketable securities 0 0
Capped Call Transactions 0 0
Level 2    
Fair Value Assets:    
Marketable securities 293,269 0
Capped Call Transactions 83,597 0
Level 3    
Fair Value Assets:    
Marketable securities 0 0
Capped Call Transactions 0 0
Cash Equivalents    
Fair Value Assets:    
Cash equivalents 56,339 0
Cash Equivalents | Level 1    
Fair Value Assets:    
Cash equivalents 42,339 0
Cash Equivalents | Level 2    
Fair Value Assets:    
Cash equivalents 14,000 0
Cash Equivalents | Level 3    
Fair Value Assets:    
Cash equivalents 0 0
Venture investments    
Fair Value Assets:    
Venture investments 8,345 4,871
Venture investments | Level 1    
Fair Value Assets:    
Venture investments 0 0
Venture investments | Level 2    
Fair Value Assets:    
Venture investments 0 0
Venture investments | Level 3    
Fair Value Assets:    
Venture investments $ 8,345 $ 4,871
v3.20.4
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Change in Investment in Privately Held Companies (Details) - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Feb. 29, 2020
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]      
Convertible debt fair value $ 706,500,000   $ 515,900,000
Convertible debt      
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]      
Face amount     $ 600,000,000
Privately held investment      
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance 4,871,000 $ 3,390,000  
New investments 3,306,000 1,444,000  
Sales of investments (1,424,000) 0  
Changes in foreign exchange rates 118,000 37,000  
Fair value adjustment 1,474,000 0  
Ending balance $ 8,345,000 $ 4,871,000  
v3.20.4
REVENUE - Revenue by Geographic Areas (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Total revenue $ 1,017,517 $ 911,383 $ 891,581
Concentration risk percentage 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
U.S.      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Total revenue $ 613,844 $ 525,191 $ 469,987
Other Americas      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Total revenue 49,441 60,536 53,239
U.K.      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Total revenue 91,517 87,382 95,628
Other EMEA      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Total revenue 156,056 137,946 147,248
Asia-Pacific      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Total revenue $ 106,659 $ 100,328 $ 125,479
Sales Revenue, Net | U.S.      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Concentration risk percentage 61.00% 57.00% 52.00%
Sales Revenue, Net | Other Americas      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Concentration risk percentage 5.00% 7.00% 6.00%
Sales Revenue, Net | U.K.      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Concentration risk percentage 9.00% 10.00% 11.00%
Sales Revenue, Net | Other EMEA      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Concentration risk percentage 15.00% 15.00% 17.00%
Sales Revenue, Net | Asia-Pacific      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Concentration risk percentage 10.00% 11.00% 14.00%
v3.20.4
REVENUE - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue $ 1,017,517 $ 911,383 $ 891,581
Perpetual license      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 28,558 80,015 109,863
Term license      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 266,352 199,433 178,256
Maintenance      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 296,709 280,580 263,875
Subscription      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 771,329 613,759 524,758
Pega Cloud      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 208,268 133,746 82,627
Consulting      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 217,630 217,609 256,960
Revenue recognized at a point in time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 294,910 279,448 288,119
Revenue recognized at a point in time | Perpetual license      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 28,558 80,015 109,863
Revenue recognized at a point in time | Term license      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 266,352 199,433 178,256
Revenue recognized over time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 722,607 631,935 603,462
Revenue recognized over time | Maintenance      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 296,709 280,580 263,875
Revenue recognized over time | Pega Cloud      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue 208,268 133,746 82,627
Revenue recognized over time | Consulting      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenue $ 217,630 $ 217,609 $ 256,960
v3.20.4
REVENUE - Revenue for Remaining Performance Obligations Expected to be Recognized (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
1 year or less $ 612,686 $ 493,382
1 year or less, percentage 57.00% 58.00%
1-2 years $ 256,276 $ 174,032
1-2 years, percentage 24.00% 21.00%
2-3 years $ 138,641 $ 105,896
2-3 years, percentage 13.00% 13.00%
Greater than 3 years $ 64,784 $ 62,833
Greater than 3 years, percentage 6.00% 8.00%
Total $ 1,072,387 $ 836,143
Total percentage 100.00% 100.00%
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01    
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]    
Expected timing of satisfaction 1 year  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01    
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]    
Expected timing of satisfaction 2 years  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01    
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]    
Expected timing of satisfaction 3 years  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-01-01    
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]    
Expected timing of satisfaction  
Perpetual license    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
1 year or less $ 11,514 $ 2,305
1-2 years 395 2,179
2-3 years 0 0
Greater than 3 years 0 0
Total 11,909 4,484
Term license    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
1 year or less 105,920 97,826
1-2 years 7,962 12,014
2-3 years 4,928 3,132
Greater than 3 years 4 3,861
Total 118,814 116,833
Maintenance    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
1 year or less 227,803 206,882
1-2 years 54,509 30,291
2-3 years 28,320 17,844
Greater than 3 years 19,283 13,277
Total 329,915 268,294
Pega Cloud    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
1 year or less 248,223 165,571
1-2 years 193,064 128,109
2-3 years 104,542 84,788
Greater than 3 years 44,308 43,702
Total 590,137 422,170
Consulting    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
1 year or less 19,226 20,798
1-2 years 346 1,439
2-3 years 851 132
Greater than 3 years 1,189 1,993
Total $ 21,612 $ 24,362
v3.20.4
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Expense Included in Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation before tax $ 103,068 $ 80,909 $ 63,862
Income tax benefit (20,464) (16,392) (13,383)
Cost of revenue      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation before tax 20,796 18,822 16,862
Selling and marketing      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation before tax 46,283 32,665 23,237
Research and development      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation before tax 22,885 18,938 15,274
General and administrative      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation before tax $ 13,104 $ 10,484 $ 8,489
v3.20.4
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2006
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Award vesting period 5 years      
Shares available for issuance (shares) 11,100,000      
Closing price of company stock (dollars per share) $ 133.26      
Shares exercised (shares) 1,777,000      
Vesting one year from the grant date        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Award vesting period 1 year      
Vesting rights percentage 20.00%      
Vesting in quarterly installments over the remaining four years        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Award vesting period 4 years      
Vesting rights percentage 80.00%      
Common Stock        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Shares exercised (shares) 10,000.00      
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 117.47      
Stock options        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Award vesting period 10 years      
Grants issued (in shares) 1,600,000      
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ 126,800,000 $ 63,300,000 $ 56,800,000  
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, unvested stock options $ 35,900,000      
Weighted-average period of expense recognition 2 years 3 months 18 days      
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 24.16 $ 19.10 $ 18.03  
RSUs        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, unvested stock options $ 68,600,000      
Weighted-average period of expense recognition 2 years 1 month 6 days      
Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted (dollars per share) $ 93.68 $ 66.21 $ 58.52  
Fair value of shares vested $ 108,400,000 $ 77,000,000.0 $ 66,500,000  
Corporate Incentive Compensation Plan        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Vesting rights percentage 100.00%      
Percentage of closing price of common stock 85.00%      
Corporate Incentive Compensation Plan | RSUs        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Compensation percentage of target incentive compensation eligible to be elected and received by employees 50.00%      
2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Number of shares authorized (shares) 36,000,000      
Number of shares subject to outstanding options and awards (shares) 9,900,000      
Shares available for issuance (shares) 10,600,000      
2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan | RSUs | Non-employee directors        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Annual limited compensation $ 500,000      
2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Number of shares authorized (shares)       1,000,000,000,000
Percentage of fair market value of company stock       85.00%
Purchase price percentage of fair market value       95.00%
Compensation expense recognized $ 0      
Shares issued (shares) 500,000      
Shares available for issuance (shares) 500,000      
v3.20.4
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Weighted Average Assumptions used in Black Scholes Option Pricing Model (Details) - $ / shares
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Expected annual volatility 31.00% 32.00% 34.00%
Expected term in years 4 years 6 months 4 years 6 months 4 years 6 months
Risk-free interest rate 0.70% 2.40% 2.60%
Expected annual dividend yield 0.20% 0.30% 0.40%
Stock options      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 24.16 $ 19.10 $ 18.03
v3.20.4
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Combined Stock Option Activity (Details)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Shares  
Options outstanding, beginning of period (shares) | shares 7,436
Granted (shares) | shares 2,018
Exercised (shares) | shares (1,777)
Forfeited (shares) | shares (286)
Options outstanding, end of period (shares) | shares 7,391
Vested and expected to vest (shares) | shares 6,225
Exercisable (shares) | shares 2,935
Weighted-average Exercise Price  
Options outstanding, beginning of period (dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 44.76
Granted (dollars per share) | $ / shares 92.81
Exercised (dollars per share) | $ / shares 33.52
Forfeited (dollars per share) | $ / shares 62.86
Options outstanding, end of period (dollars per share) | $ / shares 59.88
Vested and expected to vest (dollars per share) | $ / shares 57.85
Exercisable (dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 38.73
Weighted-average remaining contractual term  
Vested and expected to vest 7 years 1 month 6 days
Exercisable 5 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate intrinsic value  
Vested and expected to vest | $ $ 469,374
Exercisable | $ $ 277,450
v3.20.4
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Combined Restricted Stock Units Activity (Details) - RSUs - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Shares      
Nonvested, beginning of period (shares) 2,565    
Granted (shares) 1,168    
Vested (shares) (1,059)    
Forfeited (shares) (212)    
Nonvested, end of period (shares) 2,462 2,565  
Expected to vest (shares) 1,841    
Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value      
Nonvested, beginning of period (dollars per share) $ 55.61    
Granted (dollars per share) 93.68 $ 66.21 $ 58.52
Vested (dollars per share) 51.11    
Forfeited (dollars per share) 65.17    
Nonvested, end of period (dollars per share) 74.78 $ 55.61  
Expected to vest (dollars per share) $ 76.05    
Aggregate Intrinsic Value      
Nonvested $ 328,023    
Expected to vest $ 245,339    
v3.20.4
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Defined contribution plan, expense $ 24,241 $ 19,697 $ 16,607
U.S. 401(k) Plan      
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Defined contribution plan, expense 8,109 6,676 5,506
International plans      
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Defined contribution plan, expense $ 16,132 $ 13,021 $ 11,101
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES - Components of (Loss) before (Benefit From) Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Domestic $ (59,281) $ (51,396) $ (27,494)
Foreign (65,608) (83,450) 15,951
(Loss) before (benefit from) income taxes $ (124,889) $ (134,846) $ (11,543)
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES - Components of the (Benefit From) Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Current:      
Federal $ (11,251) $ 1,050 $ (1,862)
State 399 405 287
Foreign 7,113 3,449 10,313
Total current (benefit from) provision for (3,739) 4,904 8,738
Deferred:      
Federal (34,573) (25,356) (18,939)
State (8,119) (5,143) (3,702)
Foreign (17,085) (18,818) (8,257)
Total deferred (benefit) (59,777) (49,317) (30,898)
Income tax expense (benefit), total $ (63,516) $ (44,413) $ (22,160)
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Effective Income Tax Rate from Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
U.S. federal income taxes at statutory rates $ (26,227) $ (28,318) $ (2,424)
Valuation allowance (5,881) 727 510
State income taxes, net of federal benefit and tax credits (6,994) (4,450) (3,329)
Permanent differences 1,773 2,606 1,302
GILTI, FDII, and BEAT (1) 0 0 399
Federal research and experimentation credits (5,716) (4,295) (6,991)
Tax effects of foreign activities 3,050 3,056 (399)
Tax-exempt income 0 (91) (137)
Provision to return adjustments 3,416 (5,460) 253
Non-deductible compensation 1,806 1,716 1,025
Expiration of statutes and changes in estimates 55 2,420 (516)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation (25,797) (14,291) (13,541)
Cares Act (10,576)    
Impact of change in tax law 7,489 1,908 1,636
Other 86 59 52
Income tax expense (benefit), total $ (63,516) $ (44,413) $ (22,160)
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES - Components of Net Deferred Tax Asset and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred tax assets:    
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 88,129 $ 70,960
Accruals and reserves 26,309 24,902
Interest expense carryforward 3,464 0
Depreciation 4,795 2,493
Tax credit carryforwards 31,556 15,307
Other 370 199
Total deferred tax assets 154,623 113,861
Valuation allowances (23,409) (28,007)
Total net deferred tax assets 131,214 85,854
Deferred tax liabilities:    
Capped call transactions (20,858) 0
Convertible senior notes (6,473) 0
Software revenue (11,477) (23,859)
Intangibles (4,338) (6,103)
Total deferred tax liabilities (43,146) (29,962)
Deferred tax assets, net $ 88,068 $ 55,892
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES - Net Operating Losses and Credit Carryforwards (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Reduction of income tax provision due to tax holidays $ 1,700 $ 1,900 $ 1,300
Federal      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Net operating losses 124,115    
Credit carryforwards 24,372    
Net operating losses expected to expire unused 29,500    
Tax credits expected to expire unused 100    
Carryforwards with unlimited carryforward period 47,300    
State      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Net operating losses 9,149    
Credit carryforwards 1,895    
Net operating losses expected to expire unused 800    
Tax credits expected to expire unused 9,000    
Carryforwards with unlimited carryforward period 1,200    
OpenSpan, Inc. | Federal      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Net operating losses 76,826    
Credit carryforwards 640    
OpenSpan, Inc. | State      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Net operating losses 1,466    
Credit carryforwards $ 60    
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]        
Income tax benefit from change in tax rate $ 5,700      
Change in valuation allowances   $ 0    
Reduction of income tax provision due to tax holidays 1,700 1,900 $ 1,300  
Unrecognized tax benefits 23,801 23,271 $ 18,157 $ 19,150
Income taxes receivable 44,100 $ 25,900    
Acquisition Related Net Operating Losses        
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]        
Change in valuation allowances 5,900      
CARES Act        
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]        
Net operating losses 4,800      
Federal        
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]        
Net operating losses 124,115      
Tax credits expected to expire unused 100      
State        
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]        
Net operating losses 9,149      
Tax credits expected to expire unused $ 9,000      
v3.20.4
INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]      
Balance at beginning of period $ 23,271 $ 18,157 $ 19,150
Additions for tax positions related to the current year 653 510 978
Additions for tax positions of prior years 962 4,917 174
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (1,085) (313) (2,145)
Balance at end of period $ 23,801 $ 23,271 $ 18,157
v3.20.4
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]      
Net (loss) income $ (61,373) $ (90,433) $ 10,617
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (shares) 80,336 79,055 78,564
(Loss) earnings per share, basic (dollars per share) $ (0.76) $ (1.14) $ 0.14
Effective of dilutive securities (shares) 0 0 4,500
Weighted - average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution (shares) 80,336 79,055 83,064
(Loss) earnings per share, diluted (dollars per share) $ (0.76) $ (1.14) $ 0.13
Outstanding anti-dilutive stock options and RSUs (shares) 6,278 5,911 188
Stock options      
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]      
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities (shares) 0 0 2,891
RSUs      
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]      
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities (shares) 0 0 1,609
v3.20.4
Subsequent Events (Details)
$ in Millions
Feb. 12, 2021
USD ($)
Subsequent Event  
Subsequent Event [Line Items]  
Lease termination fee $ 18