KeyedIn Solutions has signed Alternative Technology Solutions as a reseller of its KeyedIn Manufacturing Cloud ERP. In a prepared statement, ATS CEO Vivian Keena, said, "Our partnership with KeyedIn will allow us to provide Cloud-based, configurable ERP built specifically for many of the specialized manufacturing verticals we serve." Probably the most interesting thing, however, is not this deal but the relationships of the parties of the two companies.

Reseller Bennett Porter is transitioning out of its Syspro business. The Tigard Ore-based company has sold its Syspro practice to Systems Advisory Services effective October 1. It is still supporting four customers that use the manufacturing software application in conjunction with SAS, but only through December.

Xero has named Tony Stewart to the newly created position of chief data officer. The New Zealand-based cloud accounting software company says in this new role Stewart will be responsible for accelerating automation, business systems roll out and big data innovation. The hiring follows last month's phishing episode in which the company said  a small number of users tricked of customers were tricked into disclosing their Xero logons.