Sage went after Xero in an uncharacteristic attack ad recently. Sage, which is being challenged in its home in the United Kingdom by Xero, came out with this message: "Tired of Xero Support? We can help" and the main message is "We are not implying we are better than Xero. We are coming out and saying it."

I.B.I.S. and its India-based parent Sonata Software are launching an Omni-Channel Commerce platform for retail on Dynamics and the new Dynamics AX 7 services. The offering will be displayed next week at the Microsoft Envision conference in New Orleans, La. Sonata is featuring its Brick & Click Omni-Channel Commerce platform for large retailers.

For various reasons, I reneged on my plan not to attend Microsoft Envision, the conference that begins this weekend in New Orleans. For one, it is New Orleans. For another, with Andy Vabulas retiring from I.B.I.S. after the conference, I believe in showing people you appreciate them in person whenever possible. Beyond that, curiosity is a driving factor.