Methodology
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Software revenue definition
Software companies are ranked according to their revenues coming from 'prepackaged' software sales. Revenues from subscription and support activities (also called 'maintenance' contracts) are included. Revenues from service activities such as consultancy, training, custom software development and system integration are excluded. Revenues from hosted software solutions (Software as a Service) are included depending on the level of standardization of the offering: if no significant customization occurs, the revenue is fully recognized; if the offering involves customization services and/or substantial hosting services, the resulting revenues are recognized only partially as software revenues.

Sources
Data is gathered from SEC filings, annual reports and corporate websites. In some cases additional information is requested from investor relations departments, or obtained from market research agencies and internet media.

Comparability
To make company revenues comparable, calendar year revenues are used for the list. Corrections are made for financial years that do not match calendar years. Corrections are also made to eliminate currency differences: all revenues are presented in US dollars. The exchange rate at the end of the calendar year is applied in the conversion.

Uniformity
Although it is attempted to gather and present all data in a uniform way, differences in accounting policies are likely to provide minor distortions in revenue recognition.

Reproducibility
All revenue calculations and the data sources are published so that the information on the list can be verified independently.

Integrity
The Software Top 100 is made by independent researchers from the Top 100 Research Foundation. Companies do not (can not) pay to be on the list. The only qualification for a position on the list is: sufficient software revenues.

Timing
A fresh edition of the Software Top 100 is published annually, after the software industry has published the necessary annual reports. Typically, publication of the fresh edition takes place in the second half of July.
 

LISTS AND RESEARCH

  • list Global Software Top 100 - Edition 2011
    • The Global Software Top 100 is a list of the world's largest software companies, ranked by annual software revenues. The list is based upon revenue information of 10,000+ IT companies worldwide.
  • Software industry trends (2011)
    • This research article (accompanying the Global Software Top 100) describes changes in the software industry playing field. It analyses trends and key players and forecasts future developments.
  • Top hardware companies
    • A list of the world's largest hardware companies.
  • What happens in the hardware industry?
    • Trends and analysis of the hardware industry and its key players.
  • Top IT services companies
    • A list of the world's largest IT services companies, ranked by annual services revenues. This link will take you to www.servicestop100.org.
  • IT services companies: healthy growth
    • What is happening in the IT services industry? Read this research publication to find out about trends and key players in the IT services industry.
  • Top gaming companies (2010)
    • Entertainment is good business, and gaming software companies are growing faster than the rest of the software industry. This research article discusses trends and key players in the gaming business.
  • Top ERP companies
    • A research publication about the world's leading players in enterprise software.
  • Top security software companies
    • A research publication discussing the world's leading publishers of security software: antivirus-, spamfiltering-, intrusion detection- and firewall software.
  • The fastest growing software companies
    • This research publication reveals the fastest growing software companies in the world.
  • CRM companies: a short list
    • A short list of the leading software companies selling Customer Relationship Management software; aimed at IT managers looking to purchase CRM software.
  • Top software companies in the US (2010)
    • A list of the largest software companies in the United States, ranked by annual software revenues. 2010 Edition, posted 15 December 2010.
  • U.S. software industry trends (2010)
    • A research publication discussing the trends and the key players in the software industry in the United States. Posted 15 December 2010.
  • Top companies in the world (not just software)
    • A general list of the largest companies in the world, ranked by revenues. Not just software companies; in fact, there are no software companies in it...
  • Top IT companies
    • A list of the largest IT companies in the world, ranked by annual revenues. Includes hardware, software and services.
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