Cognos(R) Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results.

- Record license revenue of $130.5 million, 55 percent earnings growth in Q4 -

OTTAWA and BURLINGTON, Mass. -- Cognos Incorporated (Nasdaq: COGN; TSX: CSN - all figures in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP unless otherwise stated), the world leader in business intelligence (BI) and performance management solutions, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2007, ended February 28, 2007.

Revenue for the fourth quarter was $284.5 million, compared with $253.1 million for the same period of last fiscal year, an increase of 12 percent. License revenue was $130.5 million, compared with $117.9 million a year ago, an increase of 11 percent.

Net income on a U.S. GAAP basis in the quarter was $60.9 million, compared with $39.3 million for the same period last fiscal year, an increase of 55 percent. Net income on a non-GAAP basis (excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and stock-based compensation expense) for the quarter was $66.9 million, compared with $45.2 million for the same period last fiscal year, an increase of 48 percent. Earnings per diluted share (EPS) on a U.S. GAAP basis for the quarter was $0.67, compared with $0.43 for the same period last fiscal year. EPS on a non-GAAP basis (excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and stock-based compensation expense) for the quarter was $0.74, compared with $0.49 in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year.

Revenue for the full fiscal year 2007 was $979.3 million, compared with $877.5 million for the previous fiscal year, an increase of 12 percent. License revenue for the full fiscal year was $376.2 million, compared with $343.2 million one year ago, an increase of 10 percent. Net income on a U.S. GAAP basis for fiscal year 2007 was $115.7 million, compared with the prior year's net income of $108.6 million, an increase of 7 percent. Net income on a non-GAAP basis (excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense and restructuring charges) for fiscal year 2007 was $159.9 million, compared with net income of $129.6 million a year ago, an increase of 23 percent. EPS on a U.S. GAAP basis for the fiscal year 2007 was $1.28, compared with $1.17 last fiscal year. EPS on a non-GAAP basis (excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense and restructuring charges) for the fiscal year 2007 was $1.77, compared with $1.40 last fiscal year.

Fourth quarter non-GAAP results differ from results measured under U.S. GAAP as they exclude $1.8 million of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $6.6 million of stock-based compensation expense, before taxes. Compared to the GAAP results, this is an increase of $0.07 per share, in the aggregate, after the effect of taxes. Non-GAAP results for the full fiscal year 2007 differ from results measured under U.S. GAAP as they exclude $6.9 million of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, $24.6 million of stock-based compensation expense and $26.7 million of restructuring charges, before taxes. Compared to the GAAP results, this is an increase of $0.49 per share, in the aggregate, after the effect of taxes. A reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP results is included at the end of this press release.

"These results reflect the strength of our vision, and our execution against that vision, as the leading provider of Performance Management solutions for the enterprise," said Rob Ashe, Cognos president and chief executive officer. "Our double-digit license revenue growth for both the quarter and the year, as well as record earnings and a solid cash performance in the quarter are the result of sound execution in close partnership with our customers and partners.

"We continued to advance our leadership position this quarter with a very strong license revenue performance of $92 million from Cognos 8, core BI license revenue growth of 12 percent for both the quarter and the year, and solid execution on large contracts. Overall, I remain very confident about the strength of our business and the scope of our opportunity as we move into fiscal year 2008."

Fourth Quarter Highlights:

* 25 contracts greater than $1 million, compared with 18 last year; 59 contracts for the full fiscal year, compared with 40 last year

* 285 contracts greater than $200,000, an increase of 18 percent over last year

* Cognos 8 license revenue of $91.9 million; $238.1 million in its first full year of general availability

* U.S. GAAP operating margin of 23.8 percent; Non-GAAP operating margin of 26.7 percent

* Acquired Celequest, a leader in operational dashboard solutions

Cognos' balance sheet remains strong. Fourth quarter operating cash flow was $118.8 million. As a result, the company exited the quarter with $691.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. Days sales outstanding for accounts receivable was 70 days in the quarter, compared with 77 days for the same period last year.

Business Outlook

The company's outlook for the first quarter and full fiscal year 2008 assumes no significant changes in the economy, a U.S. GAAP tax rate of 22 percent and a Canadian dollar of $0.86 U.S. and a Euro of $1.32 U.S. for the year.

Management offers the following outlook for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 ending May 31, 2007:

* Revenue is expected to be in the range of $230 million to $240 million

* U.S. GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.19 to $0.24

* Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.28 to $0.33

Expected non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for the quarter ending May 31, 2007 exclude approximately $2.0 million of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and approximately $8.4 million of stock-based compensation expense, before taxes. This is an increase of approximately $0.09 per share, in the aggregate, after the effect of taxes.

Management offers the following outlook for the full fiscal year 2008 ending February 29, 2008:

* Revenue is expected to be in the range of $1.055 billion to $1.075 billion

* U.S. GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.66 to $1.73

* Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.98 to $2.05

Expected non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for fiscal year 2008 ending February 29, 2008, exclude approximately $8.2 million of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and approximately $31.6 million of stock-based compensation expense, before taxes. This is an increase of approximately $0.32 per share, in the aggregate, after the effect of taxes.

Cognos management will host a conference call to present results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2007 and business outlook at 5:15 p.m. Eastern Time, today, March 29, 2007.

Listeners can access the conference call at 416-640-1907 or via Webcast at http://www.cognos.com/company/investor/events/fy07q4. Presentation slides for the call can be accessed at the Investor Relations area of the Cognos Web site approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the call.

An archive of the Webcast can be accessed at http://www.cognos.com/company/investor/events/fy07q4 following the conference call.

A replay of the conference call will be available from March 29 at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time until April 12 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The replay can be accessed at 416-640-1917. The passcode for the replay is 21222270#.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements 

Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information (including those in the section entitled "Business Outlook") are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 138.4(9) of the Ontario Securities Act. Such forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the company's expectations with respect to revenue and earnings per share (on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis) for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 and the full fiscal year 2008; the strength of Cognos' business and the market opportunity; the assumptions set out in the "Business Outlook" including those relating to the economy, U.S. GAAP tax rate, the exchange rate for the Canadian dollar and Euro in U.S. currency; the amount and impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, stock-based compensation before taxes; and other matters. Certain assumptions were applied in making the forward-looking statements, such as the business outlook, and material assumptions are set out above in the section entitled "Business Outlook."

These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve risks, factors and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: a continuing increase in the number of larger customer transactions and the related lengthening of sales cycles and challenges in executing on these sales opportunities; Cognos' transition to Cognos 8 and customer acceptance and implementation of Cognos 8; the incursion of enterprise resource planning and other major software companies into the BI market; continued BI and software market consolidation and other competitive changes in the BI and software market; currency fluctuations; the company's ability to identify, hire, train, motivate, and retain highly qualified management/other key personnel (including sales personnel) and its ability to manage changes and transitions in management/other key personnel; the impact of the implementation of SFAS No. 123R; the company's ability to predict the impact of its margin improvement plan on expenses, employee retention and other matters; the company's ability to develop, introduce and implement new products as well as enhancements or improvements for existing products that respond to customer/product requirements and rapid technological change; the impact of global economic conditions on the company's business; the company's ability to maintain or accurately forecast revenue or to anticipate and accurately forecast a decline in revenue from any of its products or services; the company's ability to compete in an intensely competitive market; new product introductions and enhancements by competitors; the company's ability to select and implement appropriate business models, plans and strategies and to execute on them; fluctuations in the company's tax exposure; unauthorized use or misappropriation of the company's intellectual property; claims by third parties that the company's software infringes their intellectual property; the risks inherent in international operations, such as the impact of the laws, regulations, rules and pronouncements of foreign jurisdictions and their interpretation by foreign courts, tribunals, regulatory and similar bodies; the company's ability to identify, pursue, and complete acquisitions with desired business results; the existence of regulatory barriers to integration; the impact of the implementation of changes in the application of accounting pronouncements and interpretations; as well as the risk factors discussed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA"), as well as other periodic reports filed with the SEC and the CSA. Readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in its expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to our GAAP results, Cognos discloses adjusted operating margin percentage, net income and net income per share, referred to respectively as "non-GAAP operating margin percentage," "non-GAAP net income," and "non-GAAP net income per diluted share." These items, which are collectively referred to as "Non-GAAP Measures," exclude the impact of stock-based compensation and the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. The Non-GAAP measures also exclude the restructuring charges related to our margin improvement plan announced September 7, 2006, as these charges are considered non-recurring. From time to time, subject to the review and approval of the audit committee of the Board of Directors, management may make other adjustments for expenses and gains that it does not consider reflective of core operating performance in a particular period and may modify the Non-GAAP Measures by excluding these expenses and gains.

Management defines its core operating performance to be the revenues recorded in a particular period and the expenses incurred within that period which management has the capability of directly affecting in order to drive operating income. Non-cash stock-based compensation, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and restructuring charges are excluded from our core operating performance because the decisions, which gave rise to these expenses, were not made to drive revenue in a particular period, but rather were made for our long-term benefit over multiple periods. While strategic decisions, such as the decisions to issue stock-based compensation, to acquire a company or to restructure the organization, are made to further our long-term strategic objectives and do impact our income statement under GAAP, these items affect multiple periods and management is not able to change or affect these items within any particular period. Therefore, management excludes these impacts in its planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of our underlying revenue-generating operations for a particular period.

Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R on March 1, 2006, the beginning of our fiscal year 2007, management's practice was to exclude stock-based compensation internally to evaluate performance. With the adoption of FAS 123R, management concluded that the Non-GAAP Measures could provide relevant disclosure to investors as contemplated by Staff Accounting Bulletin 107. As of the beginning of our current fiscal year, management also began excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets when assessing appropriate adjustments for non-GAAP presentations. While both of these items are recurring and affect GAAP net income, management does not use them to assess the business' operational performance for any particular period because: each item affects multiple periods and is unrelated to business performance in a particular period; management is not able to change either item in any particular period; and neither item contributes to the operational performance of the business for any particular period.

In the case of stock-based compensation, as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2006 ("2006 Form 10-K"), our compensation strategy is to use stock-based compensation "as a key tool for ensuring that key employees and executives are engaged and motivated to remain at the Company for the long term." Whether the grant of stock options or Restricted Share Units are part of a Key Employee grant, are merit based or are granted based on meeting specific performance criteria in a measurement period, these grants vest over time and are aimed at long term employee retention, rather than to motivate or reward operational performance for any particular period. Thus, stock-based compensation expense varies for reasons that are generally unrelated to operational performance in any particular period. As further discussed in our 2006 Form 10-K, we use annual cash bonus payouts for executives and other employees to motivate and reward annual operational performance in the areas of revenue and operating margin achievement. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2007, operating margin achievement has been measured on a non-GAAP basis, excluding stock-based compensation and amortization of acquisition-related intangible asset expenses.

Management views amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, such as the amortization of an acquired company's research and development efforts, customer lists and customer relationships, as items arising during the time that preceded the acquisition. It is a cost determined at the time of the acquisition. While it is continually viewed for impairment, amortization of the cost is a static expense, one that is typically not affected by operations during any particular period, and does not contribute to operational performance in any particular period.

The margin improvement plan reflects a fundamental realignment of our business, including significant personnel reductions within higher levels of management. The restructuring charges are excluded in our Non-GAAP Measures because they are significantly different in magnitude and character from routine personnel adjustments that management makes when monitoring and conducting the Company's core operations during any particular period. The restructuring decision and related expenses are not related to operating performance for any particular period, and are not subject to change by management in any particular period. Instead, the restructuring is intended to align our business model and expense structure to our position in the market we are experiencing, and expect to experience, over the long term.

Management also uses these Non-GAAP Measures to operate the business because the excluded expenses are not under the control of, and, accordingly, not used in evaluating the performance of, operations personnel within their respective areas of responsibility. In the case of stock-based compensation expense, the award of stock options is governed by the human resources and compensation committee of the Board of Directors. With respect to acquisition-related intangible assets and charges associated with the margin improvement plan, these charges arise from acquisitions and a restructuring that are the result of strategic decisions which are not the responsibility of most levels of operational management. The restructuring charges, like our stock-based compensation charges and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, are excluded in management's internal evaluations of our operating results and are not considered for management compensation purposes.

Ultimately, stock-based compensation, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and restructuring expenses are incurred to further our long-term strategic objectives, rather than to achieve operational performance objectives for any particular period. As such, supplementing GAAP disclosure with non-GAAP disclosure using the Non-GAAP Measures provides management with an additional view of operational performance by excluding expenses that are not directly related to performance in any particular period. Further, management considers this supplemental information to be beneficial to shareholders because it shows our operating performance without the impact of charges that are largely unrelated to the performance of our underlying revenue-generating operations during the period in which the charges are recorded. Including such disclosure in our filings also provides investors with greater transparency on period-to-period performance and the manner in which management views, conducts and evaluates the business.

Because the Non-GAAP Measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they are used by management as a supplement to, and not an alternative to, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. There are a number of limitations on the Non-GAAP Measures, including the following:

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Because of these limitations, management recognizes that the Non-GAAP Measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to our results as reported under GAAP. Management compensates for these limitations by relying on the Non-GAAP Measures only as a supplement to our GAAP results.

About Cognos:

Cognos, the world leader in business intelligence and performance management solutions, provides world-class enterprise planning and BI software and services to help companies plan, understand and manage financial and operational performance.

Cognos brings together technology, analytical applications, best practices, and a broad network of partners to give customers a complete performance system. The Cognos performance system is an open and adaptive solution that leverages an organization's ERP, packaged applications, and database investments. It gives customers the ability to answer the questions - How are we doing? Why are we on or off track? What should we do about it? - and enables them to understand and monitor current performance while planning future business strategies.

Cognos serves more than 23,000 customers in more than 135 countries, and its top 100 enterprise customers consistently outperform market indexes. Cognos performance management solutions and services are also available from more than 3,000 worldwide partners and resellers. For more information, visit the Cognos Web site at http://www.cognos.com.

Cognos and the Cognos logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cognos Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Note to Editors: Copies of previous Cognos press releases and Corporate and product information are available on the Cognos Web site at www.cognos.com, and at Business Wire's site at www.businesswire.com

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