While many view the terms leadership, management and administration as synonymous, significant differences exist among them.

Accounting firm Somerset CPAs has launched a blog to help its team members, clients, referral partners and community stay in touch.

Sage Software introduced a program to support users of its Peachtree by Sage software with extra support for Microsoft Excel.

Sage Software has extended its Business Partner Alliance program to encourage resellers and accountants to work together more closely.

On-demand software developer NetSuite reported 2007 revenue of $108.5 million, a 62 percent increase over 2006.

Intuit recently issued a press release announcing the winner of its “Just Start” program for small businesses that may have drawn stares in large sections of the country. Or at least a slight puzzlement. The release told the story of restaurant owners who will receive $40,000 in cash and $10,000 in products and services from Intuit as part of the “Just Start” contest.

As the marketplace for business planning software matures, it is being cleanly divided into two separate branches. The first addresses the needs of established companies that are looking to validate the performance of the company and gain insights into decisions for growth, acquisitions and business valuation. The second more directly meets the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses that are seeking initial or additional funding, or otherwise need presentation pieces to demonstrate business performance.The tools for mature companies are now termed "business intelligence" or "corporate performance management" software, and the tools for small business go by the historical name of "business planning software." Both categories utilize historical data to make forward projections that are charted graphically for quick comprehension (often through a management "dashboard"), though business planning software contains more descriptive text.

MACDONALD JOINS DELTEK

I am often asked what differentiates firms that are successful with technology from those that struggle. My standard response is that firms struggle with technology when they view it as overhead, but they invariably profit from it when they value it as a strategic asset.

The Microsoft reseller was quite candid—Sage Software’s MIP nonprofit package was better than what Microsoft offered for the same purpose, and less expensive. Similarly, even though the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 was substantially better than the previous package, it was still nowhere as good as Sage’s SalesLogix.

Intacct said it has achieved record growth in 2007, thanks to demand for its software-as-a-service applications.

Intuit has introduced an online resource for small business owners, “The Guide to Hiring and Paying Employees.”

Thomson Tax & Accounting has debuted OneSource Tax, a portal that helps corporate tax departments access tax tools, manage their workflow and keep track of information.

Sage Software has launched a new Act! by Sage Online Community to provide users with a place to share information through a variety of themed discussion forums and blogs covering best practices, product usage tips and feature requests.

Sage Software named MIS Group as its overall business partner of the year for 2007 for North America.

Attitude POSitive introduced a new version of its AccuPOS Retail Point of Sale software with new features for small and mid-market retailers for streamlining sales and back-office processes.

Imagine having the capability to run the same types of tests that auditors use during their routine check-ups and apply it to every transaction a company makes on a daily basis.

SAGE SOFTWARE TOPS $1B MARK

Practice management software is evolving from simple time and billing tools into a far broader database system. It now often includes workflow, scheduling, components of a customer/client relationship management program, and integration with popular calendaring programs such as Microsoft Outlook. What is driving this evolution, and is it important to your firm?

Universal Business Computing Co. said it has added an electronic bridge to allow data to be uploaded from its general ledger software into Drake Tax Software.