Revenue from Contracts with Customers
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue from Contracts with Customers REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Revenue is recognized according to ASC 606, Revenue - Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company generates all of its revenue from contracts with customers. Many of the Company’s contracts with customers contain multiple performance obligations. For these contracts, the Company accounts for individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. Standalone selling prices of software licenses are typically estimated using the residual approach. Standalone selling prices of services are typically estimated based on observable transactions when these services are sold on a standalone basis. The Company usually expects payment within 30 to 90 days from the invoice date (fulfillment of performance obligations or per contract terms). Differences between the amount of revenue recognized and the amount invoiced are recognized as deferred revenue. None of the Company’s contracts as of December 31, 2020 or 2019 contained significant financing components.
The following is a description of principal activities from which the Company generates revenue in each reportable segment. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to the Company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services.

Software & Services

Synacor’s software and services segment is comprised of our cloud-based identity management platform and our Zimbra email & collaboration platform. Subscription fees and other fees are received from customers for the use of the Company’s proprietary technology, including the use of, or access to, email, Cloud ID, security services, games and other premium services. Monthly subscriber levels typically form the basis for generating recurring and fee-based revenue. This revenue is typically determined by multiplying a per-subscriber per-month fee by the number of subscribers using the particular services being offered or consumed, except in the case of software licenses and support, which are based on a fixed fee. Revenue earned as subscription fees and maintenance and support fees is recognized from customers as its obligation to deliver the service is satisfied, which is when the service is delivered. Revenue is also recognized from the licensing and distribution of the Company’s Email/Collaboration products and services, including licenses of intellectual property. Software license revenue is recognized up front upon delivery of the licensed product and the utility that enables the customer to access authorization keys, provided that a signed contract has been received. The Company typically sells term-based software licenses that expire, which are referred to as subscription licenses, but also sells perpetual licenses for its Email products. The software is delivered before related services are provided and is functional without professional services, updates, and technical support. The Company enters into contracts that can include various combinations of software licenses, maintenance and services, which are distinct and are accounted for as separate performance obligations. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price of the contract to each distinct performance obligation, on a relative basis using its standalone selling price.

Portal & Advertising

The Company uses internet advertising to generate revenue from the traffic on its Managed Portals and Advertising solutions, categorized as search advertising and digital advertising. For search advertising, the Company has a revenue-sharing relationship with Google, pursuant to which the Company includes a Google-branded search tool on its Managed Portals. For revenue earned under this relationship the Company evaluates whether it is the principal (i.e., report revenues on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., report revenues on a net basis). When a Google consumer makes a search query using this tool, the Company delivers the query to Google and they return search results to consumers that include advertiser-sponsored links. If the consumer clicks on a sponsored link, Google receives payment from the sponsor of that link and shares a portion of that payment with the Company. The payment received from Google is recognized as revenue. Digital advertising includes video, image and text advertisements delivered on its Managed Portals. Advertising inventory is filled with advertisements sourced by the Company’s direct sales force and advertising network partners. Revenue is generated when an advertisement displays, otherwise known as an impression, or when consumers view or click an advertisement, otherwise known as an action. Digital advertising revenue is on a cost per impression or cost per action basis. Digital advertising also includes advertising fees received for the placement of syndicated digital advertisements with other digital advertising publishers, for which the Company acquires and pays for the space (inventory) on a cost per impression or cost per action basis. Revenue is recognized based on amounts received from advertising customers as the impressions are delivered or the actions occur, according to contractually-determined rates.
Disaggregation of revenue
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019 by the timing of revenue recognition, and includes a reconciliation of the disaggregated revenue by reportable segment (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
20202019
Software & Services
Products and services transferred over time$33,072 $34,029 
Products transferred at a point in time11,208 10,456 
Total Software & Services$44,280 $44,485 
Portal & Advertising
Products and services transferred over time$3,120 $5,168 
Products transferred at a point in time33,962 72,192 
Total Portal & Advertising$37,082 $77,360 
Total Revenue$81,362 $121,845 
Revenue disaggregated by geography, based on the billing address of our customer, consists of the following (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
20202019
Revenue
United States$56,879 $99,845 
International24,483 22,000 
Total revenue$81,362 $121,845 
Remaining Performance Obligations
Deferred revenue is recorded when cash payments are received or due in advance of revenue recognition from software licenses, professional services, and maintenance agreements. The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of billings to customers. The changes in deferred revenue, inclusive of both current and long-term, are as follows (in thousands):
Beginning Balance —January 1, 2020$8,875 
Recognition of deferred revenue(10,227)
Deferral of revenue9,623 
Effect of foreign currency translation169 
Ending balance-Ending Balance —December 31, 2020$8,440 
The majority of the deferred revenue balance above relates to the maintenance and support contracts for Email software licenses. These are recognized straight-line over the life of the contract, with the majority of the balance being recognized within the next twelve months.
Practical Expedients
The Company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.
The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount to which the Company has the right to invoice for services performed.