Small and midsized business software provider Sage has launched version 6.5 of its Accpac HR series. The enhanced solution offers such features as real-time data updates, more employee self-service options, and additional reporting capabilities, along with an improved database.

Intuit, a business software provider, has unveiled major changes to their QuickBooks product line for 2006 in response to Microsoft's Small Business Accounting software.

You have to wonder if anybody took the San Diego Convention Center up on its price of $600 a week for connecting to its wireless network.

CCH Tax and Accounting, a provider of tax, audit and accounting information, software and services, announced that it is adopting a new brand identity that more closely aligns the business within the overall Wolters Kluwer organization. The group will now be known as CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business.

Nonprofit software publisher Blackbaud Inc. has named former Microsoft executive Marc Chardon as president and chief executive of the software concern, which is headquartered here.

* QUICKBOOKS LOWERS PRICING, READIES FOR SBA: As Intuit's QuickBooks girds for its largest competitive challenge to date - Microsoft's Small Business Accounting - it has lowered the prices for its QuickBooks Premier and QuickBooks Pro accounting software applications by $100.QuickBooks Premier will now be priced at $399.95 and QuickBooks Pro at $199.95. Simple Start will remain at $99.95.

Imagine if all your clothes and shoes were tailored to your size and shape - with everything fitting like a glove. Would your work clothes be as comfortable as your pajamas? How much less would your feet hurt at the end of the day?Achieving a similar comfort and fit is the draw for those contemplating buying open source code software.

Business software developer Sage Software has unveiled updated versions of its mid-market enterprise resource planning systems, Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200. The 4.1 versions offer features to streamline sales order entry and increase distribution workflow productivity, as well as to enhance business intelligence functionality and ease of use.The latest versions of the ERPs - directed at distribution and manufacturing companies - automate core accounting and e-commerce, and provide extended business intelligence tools along with reporting. The applications also include support for CRM, human resources and payroll.

Every time some industry pundit declares write-up dead, sales of this important application simply refuse to dry up. With more and more emphasis being placed on control and accountability, even some of your clients who have moved their accounting in-house have remained or become write-up clients.The reason for this is that there's a big difference between bookkeeping and accounting. Bookkeeping, especially with the sophisticated software now available, is pretty easy for your clients to perform. Unless your client is fairly large, however, they probably don't have an accountant on staff. Not many bookkeepers, even full-charge ones, are capable of calculating accruals, making the correct adjusting entries and redistributions, or computing depreciation and amortization. These tasks call for the judgment and experience that you, as the accountant, bring to the table.

No matter where you turn today, one of the top concerns facing firm leadership is attracting and retaining the best in human capital. One crucial aspect of attraction and retention that is a challenge for every firm is recruitment.How do you find the best? How do you entice them to come to your firm? What are the unique aspects of your firm that would be a "draw" for candidates? How do you communicate the benefits of working for your firm to the candidates that you come into contact with?

For the second time this year, business software supplier Oracle Corp. will have to replace a top accounting executive.

As an extension of its partnership programs with accountants, payroll and benefits services provider Paychex Inc. has launched Accountant Advisory Boards in three cities across the United States -- forums created to exchange ideas and strategies to meet the needs of CPAs and clients.

Intacct Corp., an on-demand enterprise resource planning software company, announced a new partnership with DataWeb Corp., a developer of customizing applications for Web-based products.

The small business accounting market has heated up with the Microsoft's launch of Small Business Accounting as Microsoft tries to compete with market-leader QuickBooks.

Citing double-digit increases in service and maintenance and subscriptions revenue, non-profit software publisher Blackbaud Inc. reported an 18-percent rise in third-quarter revenue, versus the year-ago quarter.

"Daddy, what's a blog?" the story might start--except it's not a child's question.

Financial management and compliance software provider Movaris has launched OneClose, a single close application that links financial controls and close tasks to financial statements during the final series of financial reporting processes.

Some familiar names are taking leave of us. They are names that many in the accounting software world have known for a long time. They helped define the era.

SERENIC ACQUIRES SOFTWARE FROM CLIFTON GUNDERSON: Serenic Corp., an international publisher of financial and operational software, has acquired the software product OneCare from regional accounting firm Clifton Gunderson LLP.Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

You're at work and hear what you think is your phone. You pick up the receiver, but all you hear is a dial tone. Puzzled, you pick up your cell phone, and the only things on the display screen are the date and time. Then you notice that a message has popped up on your computer screen saying "Mom."You quickly plug your headset into the computer and click on the incoming call.