More firms are seeing the advantages of having a payroll practice

A roundup of reseller-related news from the previous month

Cloud accounting software provider Xero Inc. has raised $49 million from existing U.S. investors primarily to further fund their global expansion and growth towards 1 million customers.

Intuit has released design updates to QuickBooks Mobile for Android to help optimize the app for tablets and make it easier to navigate and use on any mobile device.

CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business, has released two new mobile tax information apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices -- CCH Applicable Federal Rates 2012 and CCH Tax Rates and Tables 2012 -- adding to its line of mobile applications.

I've never come out on one side or the other with cloud computing, but given my recent experience producing print and electronic content in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, I can say I'm a cloud fan.

New River Innovation has enhanced its Beyond415 Guidance product, a Web-based research center for resolving issues after tax filing, with key features including searchable guidance covering individual, business, and payroll areas of IRS practice and procedure.

Small business-focused cloud and iPad-centric accounting software developer Kashoo Inc. has upgraded to its iPad app with over 100 new features, ranging from streamlined reports and faster invoice generation to an emphasized reduction in the number of taps it takes customers to accomplish any accounting task.

Sage North America, Intacct, and SugarCRM partner Faye Business Systems Group became the latest addition to the national reseller marketing network ERPVAR.com, with the primary goal of promoting its various integration offerings for the publishers it represents.

The planned union between major Sage North America partners SWK Technologies and Information Systems Management(ISM) is temporarily on hold as both organizations work to solidify their respective year-end businesses and expect to resume merger conversations in the new year.

InOrder ERP software developer Morse Data Corp. has published a new white paper designed to give readers an in-depth overview of how to successfully manage a months- or year-long ERP software implementation.

Paychex Inc. has enhanced BuildMyBiz.com, an online resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners that includes a number of new features that provide updated resources to entrepreneurs and give them the ability to tap into a large pool of useful information.

Business productivity software developer Abukai Inc. has released Abukai Expenses 2.0, its upgraded mobile receipt scanning service.

Technology consultant and long-time Sage product reseller Wayne Schultz explains the best type of Web lead consultants should pursue, and the ones to be wary of.

Free online accounting software maker Wave Accounting has released the U.S. edition of Wave Payroll, its cloud-based payroll offering designed for small businesses.

Nonprofit accounting software maker Blackbaud has made several product roadmap updates, product enhancements, and key product integrations following its recent Convio acquisition.

Paychex Inc. launched the redesign of its Paychex Accountant Knowledge Center, a free online resource available through the Paychex website that was designed to provide information and time saving online tools to accounting professionals.

Sage North America and NetSuite partner SWK Technologies has joined the national reseller marketing network ERPVAR.com, with the goal of helping promote all of its products and services.

Business intelligence service provider iLumen has hired former American Express vice president of digital partnerships Rob Ganjon to be its new chief executive officer.

Payroll and 1099 tax software product maker PayrollMate.com has released a vendor and 1099 management module for Payroll Mate, its flagship payroll processing product.