When version two of SAP's Internet-based BusinessByDesign hits the market, it will be less expensive, simpler to use and provide more functionality, a top executive said earlier this month. Mark White, CFO of SAP North America, made the statement at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, but declined to provide more specifics since SAP plans to announce those at its May Sapphire conference. Read more...

K3, a U.K.-based Syspro reseller, has acquired DigiMIS, which provides cloud computing services and whose operations include data centers in London, Edinburgh and New York. DigiMIS, which had previously worked with K3, hosts Syspro and Dynamics for K3 customers. Based on results for the half ended December 31, DigiMis had an annual revenue run rate of $1.88 million. The purchase involved about $1.2 million in cash with earn-out arrangements that could raise the total to just under $2 million. K3, which specializes in the retail market, also acquired Pebblestone, a Dynamics reseller based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which serves fashion wholesalers and garment manufacturers. I think there are two good reasons for keeping an eye on the Dynamics resellers in Europe. The first is Microsoft's acquisition of VAR-developed packages last fall and the second is the expectation that the Microsoft emphasis on fewer, larger VARs may be having an impact overseas as well and it’s worthwhile to see it works. Read more...