NCC Group plc Annual Report 2021

Notes to the Financial Statements continued for the year ended 31 May 2021

1 Accounting policies continued Assurance continued

Timing of satisfaction of performance obligations and significant payment terms The customer will benefit from the services over the period of the contract. However, the type of contract will depend on how the customer benefits from the software licence(s). Where a MSP model is selected by the customer, the Group recognises three performance obligations: • Set-up fees • Post-go-live fees • Combined monitoring cyber and licence service The MSP model is considered to be under a principal arrangement whereby the Group controls the service prior to transfer. Where a reseller model is selected by the customer, the Group recognises four performance obligations: • Sourced software licence(s) • Set-up fees • Post-go-live fees • Monitoring cyber service The reseller model is considered to be under an agency arrangement whereby the customer receives the benefit and control of the licence on delivery. Invoices are raised monthly or based on an agreed invoicing profile with the customer. Invoices are usually payable within 30 days.

Revenue recognition policies, including determination of transaction price and rationale The amount of revenue recognised in relation to software licence(s) depends on whether the Group acts as an agent or as a principal. The Group acts as principal when the Group controls the specified software licence or service prior to transfer (MSP model). When the Group acts as a principal the revenue recorded is the gross amount billed. The transaction price is determined by a contract price (cost plus mark-up). The transaction price for the overall service is outlined within the customer contract. In certain scenarios, the contract will outline the price for each performance obligation, which is considered to be the standalone selling price of the services/ goods, and the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on this basis. Where the contract does not stipulate the price per performance obligation, management determines the relative standalone selling price for each performance obligation based on a market assessment approach for the services provided in comparison to market prices, and the contract transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation in proportion to those standalone selling prices. Under a reseller model, the Group’s responsibility is to arrange for a third party to provide a specified software licence(s) to the customer. In these cases, the Group is acting as an agent and the Group does not control the relevant licence(s) before it is transferred to the customer. In particular, the Group does not have inventory risk, have access to its source code or hold the IP rights. When the Group is acting as an agent, the revenue is recorded at the net amount retained (commission) at a point in time as the customer receives immediate benefit from access to the licence and the Group does not have any further obligations in relation to the provision of the licence. The commission transaction value represents the mark-up on the licence provided. Set-up fees are recognised over time of the set-up. In particular, the level of administrative tasks involved in the set-up process is considered immaterial and therefore the work performed is considered a distinct promised service and incremental benefit of the installation to the customer. The fees are based on day rates incurred (defined by an in-house day rate sales pricing matrix). Accordingly, the charge out rates are recognised and allocated to these tasks when performed akin to technical professional day rate services. These rates are considered to be the standalone selling prices and are not discounted or reduced for other services.

Revenue stream

Nature

Global Managed Services (GMS)

These services provide operational cyber defence, incident response, scanning, simulation and managed security operations centres (SOCs). Services are typically for an extended delivery duration, with contract lengths varying up to a maximum of five years. The proposition will also provide the customer with software licence(s) to enable these services to occur. On this basis, the Group operates two types of contracts: • A Managed Service Provider (MSP) model whereby the customer is supplied with one complete integrated service including the software licence(s) • A reseller model whereby the Group sources the software licence(s) on behalf of the customer and provides the Managed Detection and Response services These services will also include set-up fees. Set-up fees represent workshops, design, and configuration to create a “connection” between systems. Following services going live, the Group will also provide a certain level of professional service consultancy days

based on a day rate (post-go-live fees).

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NCC Group plc — Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 May 2021

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