Enterprise resource planning software developer Syspro has enhanced its flagship ERP system by adding new functionality to its Fixed Assets module.

Fishbowl released the most advanced update of its Fishbowl Inventory software in a special 10-year anniversary edition on Wednesday with enterprise-level features.

SaaS-based sales tax automation service provider Avalara released AvaTax 1099, a cloud-based offering for 1099 reporting that leverages a new strategic partnership with SaaS-based tax information reporting company Convey.

Senior executives around the globe say their organizations have already moved at least some business activities to the cloud, with some companies planning to spend more than a fifth of their IT budget on cloud software and services in 2012, according to a report by KPMG International.

After two years of trying to establish a reseller network for Sage Simply Accounting, Sage North America discontinued support of the program effective Oct. 1, with support for existing solution providers extending until Sept. 30, 2012.

It's no secret that today mergers and acquisitions are an extremely active part of the accounting profession. These combinations are due to numerous reasons, with retirement, leadership and growth at the top of the list. As owners reach retirement age, they are looking for an exit strategy. At the same time, growing firms are looking for merger candidates to gain clients, to gain access to needed staff skills, or to establish a presence in a desired market location. With a marketplace like this of buyers and sellers, it's no wonder there is plenty of activity!

It's the bane of just about every profession: You spend years and years in school, and then spend the rest of your professional life playing keep-up as the profession changes.

KKR SUBSIDIARY VISMA INVESTS IN ACUMATICA

Taking the time to find inefficiencies around the office can be a daunting task for most firms, but more are finding that establishing better workflows for most essential tasks - particularly tax work - will save time and, ultimately, money.

SBS GROUP STRENGTHENS SOUTHEAST PRESENCE

SBS Group New England, the Boston-area division of major Microsoft Dynamics reseller SBS Group, has acquired Hudson, Mass.-based Dynamics VAR Grace Hunt, effectively expanding it’s presence in the region and adding to its Dynamics ERP line.

Online CPE provider CPE Link has partnered with Sage North America to offer selected Sage product training via webcast.

The usage of Corporate Performance Management (CPM) solutions is expected to increase up to 77 percent over the next two years, according to an independent study of 1,000 senior financial professionals by Merrill Research.

Over the next five years, revenue for the human resources and payroll software industry is expected to increase to $4.0 billion, according to a new study.

Petz Enterprises, providers of the CrossLink tax software products and services for high-volume retail tax offices, launched the CrossLink Android smartphone application.

Unit4 Business Software, the North American subsidiary of enterprise resource planning software developer Unit4, has partnered with V1 Document Management.

Accounts payable automation software provider Corcentric has launched an accounts payable automation ROI calculator on its Web site.

The Sage Group plc, parent of Sage North America, said Thursday that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell Sage Software Healthcare, its subsidiary that offers practice management and electronic health record solutions to U.S. physician practices.

SaaS-based sales tax automation service provider Avalara is continuing its growth path, appointing outgoing Sage North America channel sales executive Pascal Van Dooren to the newly created position of executive vice president of sales and marketing, while completing a $21 million round of financing.

Tax workpaper automation service SurePrep now offers SPbinder, an electronic binder application that integrates PDF, Excel, Word and emails into a single location.