SaaS-based sales tax automation service provider Avalara has formed a partnership with accounting and enterprise resource planning software developer Open Systems Inc., with the companies integrating their products.

Technology consultancy Arxis Technology Inc., a major Sage and SAP partner, has joined the Intacct channel, adding to the growing line of cloud-based business technologies the firm represents.

QuickBooks integrated inventory control software provider Fishbowl has announced the availability of Pipeline Contact Manager, the company’s first Web-based, entry-level customer relationship management software offering.

The technology world is moving aggressively and consistently to the cloud, leveraging the accessibility and scalability of the Web.

Cloud accounting and finance education and advocacy group The Cloud Accounting Institute has launched a benchmark survey on Software as a Service for the accounting profession.

A new study by BDO USA found that while 73 percent of chief financial officers at U.S. technology companies expect revenue to increase in 2012, they foresee overall revenue increases of just 2.6 percent, significantly lower than the forecasted growth of 10.4 percent in last year’s survey.

Cloud-based accounting software provider Xero has completed a $20 million round of financing through a placement to existing strategic investors, which will allow the company to expand its global reach, particularly in Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.

Over the past seven months, I've written two articles that should be combined in order to have a significant impact on firm profits. One was on the reliance on checklists and the other on pricing.

BLACKBAUD TO ADD MOBILE ACCESS TO RAISER'S EDGE

It used to be pretty easy to define "entry-level" accounting software. It was either available at retail, like QuickBooks and Peachtree, or direct from the vendor and under a certain price point, like MYOB.

And so firms of all sizes are engaging in some form of social media efforts, which can range anywhere from gaining basic knowledge of all the available tools and sites, to hiring specific personnel or even having everyone in the firm contribute to social media initiatives.

FRESHBOOKS UNVEILS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Sage North America on Tuesday released Sage Mobile Payments 2.0, the latest version of its Payment Card Industry compliant mobile payments product, which now boasts an updated user interface, signature capture capabilities, a tax and tip calculator, and a free Sage Mobile “app store” download.

Sage North America partner SWK Technologies Inc. has acquired the Sage accounts of Southern California-based Sage MAS 90, 200 and 500 reseller IncorTech, effectively adding nearly 150 clients and increasing its West Coast presence.

Thomson Reuters has released ONESOURCE Property Tax version 9.5, a Web-based offering that now supports Microsoft SQL Server, allowing tax professionals to leverage data from other systems for access to all property tax related information.

The Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters has entered into an agreement with automated document generation product developer HotDocs Corp. to develop applications for the Thomson Reuters Checkpoint online information system.

Financial information provider Sageworks Inc. has released its ProfitCents/Sageworks Industry Data & Analysis app for phones with an Android operating system, giving Sageworks subscribers access to financial ratios and industry averages, along with industry-specific key performance indicators and recommendations.

The Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters plans to offer a new audit and engagement management application that, starting later this year, will provide advanced trial balance and engagement management functionality for larger firms with sophisticated audit practices.

Online invoicing, time tracking and billing vendor FreshBooks is now offering a certification program, whereby accountants can earn CPE credits to learn more about FreshBooks and become proficient in the product for their clients.

Microsoft announced the release of Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail, its enterprise resource planning product designed to provide midsized and enterprise-level retailers with an offering that includes cross-channel capabilities, social and mobile commerce, point of sale, and enhancements for merchandising.