Bob, not sure if this is newsworthy...but we are exhibiting at Sage Insights. Read more...

Blackbaud, which markets nonprofit accounting and fundraising software, showed improved results for the first quarter ended March 31, but company executives noted that the nonprofit business usually lags other markets in a recovery. That’s because it takes a while for donors to start giving money to small NFPs again as business gets better. Read more...

Sage North America doesn't actively sell Simply Accounting in the United States--its efforts here a few years ago weren't productive enough. But it is considering entering the market in this country with a Spanish/English version of the low-cost accounting package. A spokesman confirmed that discussion, and noted that although the product is listed at www.simplyacocunting.com, it is not being actively marketed in the U.S., yet. The Web page shows the Spanish/English of Simply Accounting 2010 as the only product in the line being sold  south of the Canadian border. Sage also offers a French/English version in Canada. Over the years, Simply has expanded its product offering in much the same way that Peachtree and QuickBooks have grown. There are 10-, 15-and 20-user packages available in the Enterprise version of Simply. Read more...

Although Microsoft succeeded in bringing attendance of Convergence back to 8,500 from 6,500 last year that was still short of the 10,000 for 2008. Still, it was a good achievement in this economy and reflected the most incessant marketing of a conference in this market in recent memory. But there were signs that money was spared. First, the hotel key card sponsor was Microsoft Dynamics. N Read more...