This is a tale of two retailers, a cautionary tale of good customer service--and the other kind.

LogicalApps, a compliance software provider, unveiled new embedded governance software for high-end enterprise resource planning systems called Active Governance.

Sage Software announced that Simply Accounting Basic for Microsoft Office Users is now available in the United States.

Oracle, a provider of business software based in Redwood Shores, Calif., has validated the integration between compliance software Taxware Enterprise Version 4.3 and Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise Version 8.9.

PAISLEY CONSULTING UNVEILS NEW RISK ASSESSMENT FUNCTION: Paisley Consulting, a business accountability software provider, has upgraded the risk assessment functionality in its J2EE-based Risk Navigator, a software application helping companies comply with Sarbanes-Oxley regulations and establish long-term governance.The upgraded Risk Navigator will offer enhanced SOX compliance and risk management functionality by allowing different business units to more effectively target and document specific controls and processes necessary to comply with SOX Sections 302 and 404.

Two distinct camps in the CPA community are feuding over payroll services, as adamant in their positions and loyalties as Shakespeare's rival Montagues and Capulets.And while the subject of payroll may appear inherently less passionate than Romeo and Juliet, the warring factions each express their position with equal fervor.

When beginning our client relationships, most of us take great care to understand the client's initial needs, choose the right products and services to meet their needs and place the right people on their engagements to ensure their success. We then work hard to deliver our promised solutions on time and on budget.Unfortunately, many of us still struggle to take these initial client engagements deeper or extend our reach into our clients' organizations. Why? There are many reasons, but the one I see most often, regardless of the size of CPA or IT firm, is this: Most of us don't take the time to really know our clients or be in a real relationship with them. This lack of intimacy and understanding leads to a breakdown in communication and can create an inability for our client to see us as able to address any issues beyond the first "issue" for which we were engaged.

It's no secret that mergers and acquisitions are an active part of the accounting profession today.As owners reach retirement age, they are looking for someone to buy them out and allow them to move on to a well-earned retirement. At the same time, growing firms are looking for merger candidates to gain clients, 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!

QuickBooks, an accounting software provider, unveiled QuickBooks Online Payroll. The online payroll service is designed for the 60,000 users of QuickBooks Online Edition, an online version of Intuit's popular accounting software application.

In an announcement at the International Builder's Show, Intuit Construction Business Solutions unveiled QuickBooks Easy Estimate, an entry-level application for contractors looking to create professional-looking estimates.

Sometimes it doesn't seem worth it. Greek, I mean--messing with a language that's not only different, but uses a different alphabet.

ADP Tax & Financial Services announced the availability of a new automated accounts payable management solution. The offering, delivered through an alliance with Harbor Payments, marks the company's entry into the accounts payable market.

In a move that Microsoft Corp. said is about drawing more attention to the product, and not about weak sales, the company announced a huge price cut on its Small Business Accounting software.

Walk into an audio store and try shopping when there's no sign of a sales person. The chances are that you won't make a purchase.

Sage Software and CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business, announced that they have entered into a new agreement to expand their strategic alliance.

NetSuite, an on-demand provider of business management software applications, has rolled out their first partner program with 30 business partners in 14 different industries.

It was just over 20 years ago when Wendy's used the tag line "Where's the beef?" to promote its hamburgers.

MYOB ANNOUNCES BUYOUT OF U.S. ARM: MYOB Ltd., a developer of small business accounting and management software and services, has sold its U.S. operations to Acclivity LLC, an entity owned by members of the MYOB U.S. Inc. management team. Effective last month, Acclivity now is the exclusive U.S. republisher for MYOB products and services. As part of a review of MYOB's options in relation to its U.S. business, the Australian headquarters decided that the U.S. operation had diverged strategically from the rest of the company and would be better acting on its own.The U.S. operation's expected revenue contribution to the parent company would have been around $5.6 million for the 2005 calendar year, a pre-tax loss. Following the release of new product upgrades in November, revenue for December was forecast to be just under $1 million.

In the last six years as director of accounting, Jeff Thompson has seen huge changes in the warehouse management technology at Woodland Scenics, a Linn Creek, Mo.-based model railroad scenery manufacturer and supplier.Thompson worked with a DOS-based system when he started at Woodland, and tried to mix and match spreadsheets with the database reports to manage the company's receivables and inventory.

Enterprise software provider Epicor has acquired privately held CRS Retail Systems of Newburgh, N.Y., in an all-cash transaction valued at roughly $121 million.The acquisition of CRS, a provider of merchandising and point-of-sale software to the retail industry, adds the retail sector to Epicor's market penetration of enterprise solutions.