"There is a huge opportunity with Sage to partner," Kelly said. "We have had tons of interest." The reason for the interest is the more than $4-trillion-per year potential from Sage customers. Meanwhile, payments revenue "flat-lined" for the first half ended March 13 and that was the reason North American revenue growth trailed the rest of the world. By comparison, X-3 revenue in the United States was up 25 percent for the half; Sage 50 revenue also grew in double digits. Without the drag of payments, North American revenue would have been up 7 percent year-over-year. As it was, organic revenue rose only 4 percent. Kelly also indicated one of the problems with the Sage Payments is the model on this continent, which he described as "stand-alone merchant acquirer". Payments is headed by its COO Chris Brundage. It had been headed by its own CEO Paul Bridgewater, who joined the company in March 2015.