SAP is putting millions into promoting its Hana in-memory database platform and in seeding startups to develop for that technology. The company intends to establish a $155 million venture fund for ISVs and to pump another $337 million incentive for customers to move to Hana.

Epicor has made its eMarketing and eSurvey tools available in SaaS form. EMarketing is designed for delivering newsletters, email marketing campaigns, and marketing automation. Epicor eSurveys, an enterprise survey platform, provides real-time, Web-based reporting and analysis. eSurveys creates a hyperlink for each survey, so that questions can be delivered via email, embedded in a Web site, and integrated into social media tools. Tools include crosstabs, charts, statistical reports and analytics of open-ended questions. The two products can operate as standalone tools or can integrate with other Epicor applications that utilize Epicor Service Connect, an integration platform.

Stan Kania, who owns Sage reseller Software Link, has expanded the hosting program that is being provided through another of his companies, MyownASP.com. The Alpharetta, Ga.-based operation has begun a partner program via which Sage resellers can receive recurring revenue on products hosted by Kania’s business.

Customers appear to have taken advantage of the "buy-before-prices-go-up" message from Sage's channel members last month. As explained by resellers, Sage boosted the cost of two pricing plans—one per module and the other user pricing—by 20 percent on April 1. The reason for the increase was to make the new subscription pricing more palatable was the explanation I got from one dealer.