Ask most people about the developments in the software markets for fixed asset management, and the responses will fall into two areas - the move toward a Web-based application service provider model in fixed assets, and the opportunities for compliance in the areas of FIN 48 and Sarbanes-Oxley.But more interesting in the long run may be the impact of convergence. For too long, fixed asset management systems have focused on the accounting side, leaving to chance or to manual spreadsheets the tasks of locating, identifying, marking and recording the assets themselves. With advances in new hardware and asset inventory technologies over the past two decades, the race for dominance in this class of software may depend less on the mad dash to go online than on a race to see which software can best merge the elements of asset inventory, construction-in-process accounting and asset accounting into a cohesive and coherent application.

SAGE UPGRADES ABRA HR; CREATES ADVISORY BOARDSage Software has unveiled its latest versions (7.6 and 8.3) of Sage Abra HRMS, the company's human resource management system for small and midsized businesses and organizations in North America, featuring Employer Information Report EEO-1 and compatibility with the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

For the past two decades, I have watched accountants price services based upon the cost of labor plus a desired profit. This is the effort-based economy trap.About 15 years ago, we developed a pricing matrix for consulting services in an attempt to capture the perceived value of the services in the eyes of our clients. We coupled this with a strong engagement letter that clearly defined the scope of our services; in addition, we utilized change orders as engagements expanded.

Serenic has updated its Serenic Navigator software with new features for managing financial grants.

CCH has introduced CorpSystem, a new line of software for corporate professionals who do tax and accounting work.

Document management provider Cabinet NG has launched a new function that will allow users of any Windows-based business application to integrate with its flagship document management system, CNG-SAFE.

Microsoft has identified an odd bug in Excel 2007 that incorrectly displays 100,000 as the multiplication result in a cell when the answer should be 65,535 or 65,536.

WennSoft released Version 10.0 of its business management software in an effort to keep up with Microsoft's latest release of Dynamics GP, also at Version 10, with which it integrates.

Online cash management service CashView said it received $6.5 million in a second round of funding led by Emergence Capital, giving the company a lift as it launches its product with a free trial.

The Treasury Department is upgrading its Electronic Federal Tax Payment System while phasing out some of its older systems.

A majority of public companies are unable to finalize their revenue numbers on time, according to a new survey.

The iLumen Financial Information Network hopes to enlighten those who work in the private sector.Created by iLumen Inc., a seven-year-old Atlanta-based financial information technology company, the network connects private companies, their peers and advisors in a secure online environment to information, resources and people, according to Robert H. Woosley, iLumen's chief executive.

SAGE DRILLS DOWN MASTER BUILDERSage Software has released Sage Master Builder V. 13, adding the ability to drill down multiple levels from reports. The feature is designed to give construction companies better visibility into their financial and operational details. The software also offers estimation, production, project management and analysis features. The latest version includes more than 1,000 pre-built reports from which users can drill down to see further details. The software is also compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista Business.

The preliminary results of the 2006 Boomer Survey are in, and the survey shows that firms broke the $100-an-hour barrier for the second time in the past five years (2002-2006). Most of you are wondering what that statement means. You probably thought you broke the $100-an-hour barrier years ago.But did you?

Each year, we ask candidates for our Top 100 Most Influential list who they feel are the most influential figures in accounting, and this year's results reinforced some long-term trends.First off, the top vote-getters are the same, with American Institute of CPAs' chief executive Barry Melancon once again at the top. We also once again had a record number of responses (98) and a record number of nominations (102 individuals), reflecting the wider net we have to cast to take in all the people who impact the profession.

Intuit introduced QuickBooks 2008 with more features that allow accountants to work with their clients' businesses.

Sage Software updated its PFW ERP business management software with new interface updates, efficiency enhancements, and performance optimization features.

Quest Software said it would record $143 million in accounting adjustments related to stock option issues from 1999 through March 31, 2006.

Salesforce.com is integrating its online customer relationship management software with financial systems from Coda and Intacct.

Browser-based business management application provider NetSuite has released new features for its Version 2007.0 suite for their Wholesale/Distribution and Services Company edition verticals.Designed for wholesale/distribution companies in the midmarket, new features for the 2007.0 versions include graphical tools such as a transaction form assistant that allows users to customize quotes, orders and invoices delivered via e-mail or self-service to customers; a matrix item assistant for inventory management; vendor return authorizations that aim to track approval and item return statuses; an extended real-time FedEx integration with Canada for e-commerce shoppers; a multi-location inventory that can help specify which locations may carry available items; and the ability to tailor records such as serialized inventory, lot numbers, item labels and item receipts.