Nitro PDF Software, makers of the free Nitro PDF Reader, has released some key improvements to its Nitro PDF Professional software focusing on functionality, performance enhancements and usability.

Intuit is offering a prize of up to $10,000 for innovative ideas from businesses, individuals and academics through a new Web site aimed at promoting collaborative brainstorming.

Armanino Consulting, the tech consultancy of Top 100 accounting firm Armanino McKenna, has become an Intacct reseller, in addition to representing competitor Microsoft Dynamics GP and AX, which it has done for 12 years.

BNA Software has updated its fixed assets software with the latest tax law and form changes from the recent tax cut extension.

Mid-market accounting software developer Open Systems Inc. has released the latest version of its Open Systems Accounting Software, OSAS 7.6, which boasts over 130 enhancements, including improvements to e-mail delivery, user interface, return merchandise authorizations, purchase order deposits and its database.

Cloud-based workflow software provider XCM Solutions has joined the CPA-focused strategic alliance formed in 2010 by Fujitsu and cloud-based sales tax automation service provider SpeedTax, with the goal of educating and gaining further access to firms who would be most interested in their services.

All taxpayers can now e-file a federal return for free with TaxACT, an online service from 2nd Story Software that files returns to the IRS allowing for refunds in as few as eight days with direct deposit.

The annual Consumer Electronics Show is something that has to be experienced to be truly understandable.

Cloud-based bill payment service Bill.com now has a receivables product, currently in beta, that makes it easier for Bill.com users to customize their invoices, make e-payments, and communicate with vendors regardless of whether or not the vendor uses Bill.com.

NetSuite has joined forces with Visa-owned payment management company CyperSource to enable companies using NetSuite to minimize fraud and streamline order processing through enhanced automated screening.

IMGCAP(1)]If you believe the words of salesmen peddling financial software for the last 25 years, it may come as a surprise that more than 70 percent of companies rely on spreadsheets to support their business-critical financial reporting, according to a 2009 study by Deloitte.

Nonprofit accounting software developer Blackbaud Inc. has released Blackbaud Giving Score, a new prospect research tool for its Raiser’s Edge product that helps nonprofits target and identify potential supporters, then engage and cultivate them into donors.

The Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters has released PPC’s SMART Practice Aids – Field Work, a new module in PPC’s SMART Audit Suite that will allow audit professionals to plan and execute the entire PPC audit process within the SMART Suite.

Government data and service software developer Legal Data Research LLC has released Track1099.com, a Web-based service for 1099-MISC e-file and recipient e-delivery.

The Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters has released an updated version of its tax software to reflect a recent hike in the United Kingdom’s value-added tax.

Web-based bookkeeping service Real Time Bookkeeping has changed its name to Cloud9 Real Time.

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With nearly every state having either passed laws governing the electronic transfer of personal data or awaiting the passage of pending legislation, CPAs are looking more to data security and storage tools, and even engaging outside experts on how both they and their clients can remain protected.

By most accounts, there have been three great evolutions in accounting software over the past three decades: the introduction of the personal computer, the emergence of software that served small-business accounting needs, and the likely move to Web-based/Software-as-a-Service/cloud-based accounting services that take accounting online. But when it comes to low-cost accounting systems, there are three equally important revolutions taking place.

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