Looking at the double-digit compensation increases given Lawson Software execs I figured the reason couldn't have been the 8.2-percent decline in net income on a 2.8 percent drop in revenue for the year ended May 31. It had to reflect gross margins which rose to 56.4 percent for FY 2010 from 51.6 a year earlier and produced a nice rise in operating income. In any case, CEO Harry Debes received $4.89 million in compensation up 37.9 percent from $3.55 million in FY 2009. CFO Stefan Schulz pulled down $1.15 million, more than double his prior $530,219. Similarly, Colin Balmforth, EVP of general industries and global support, more than doubled his pay to $1.24 million from $558,213 while Dean Hager, EVP of S3 Industries, pulled in $1.28 million, 32.7 percent higher than last year's $961.479. Read more...

Exact, which markets the Macola, Globe and Synergy software lines, has established the Exact International Business network which it said fosters sharing of business developments among experts and executives of the EMEA and APAC regions. (EMEA is pretty well understood. But let's spell out Asia-Pacific for the other region). The first network event was held at Exact's headquarters in Delft, the Netherlands and was titled "Gateway to International Growth", focusing on growth next year and beyond. More events are planned this year in Paris, London, and Cologne with other locations to be added in its worldwide subsidiary experts. Speakers from the Exact customer base will be invited. I would like to suggest also inviting some outstanding members of the U.S. trade press who could share their observations of the industry and years of wisdom (both of them). I have a modest proposal.

POS specialist Radiant Systems is preparing a public offering of 4,683,848 shares with 3.5 million of those offered by the company. The vendor plans to use net proceeds to pay down the balance on the revolving part of its credit agreement, fund working capital requirements and for general corporate purchases, including possible acquisitions. The company's share price range from $9 per share to $19.32 per share in the 52-week period ended September 3 with the last sale at $19.19 per share that day. At $19.19 each, Radiant's shares would bring in about $63 million. There's no question why the stock is doing well. Read more...

In its ongoing Microsoft-Sage employee exchange program, Sage North America has named Jon Witty as VP and GM of its construction and real estate business. His job includes oversight of the Timberline and Master Builder products. The position had been vacant since January when John Geffel, a Timberline veteran and GM for that product, was shown the door (He asked if he could see it in another color). Or he found the door by himself. Read more...