A string of interviews I conducted about cloud computing in the last month produced major disagreement on one topic. And that was the virtue of best-of-breed when it comes to providing functions in the cloud. We all know best of breed, that is buying the best products from different companies and getting them to work together instead of buying one company’s integrated line. “Best of breed is where the market is going,” says Erik Asgeirsson, CEO of CPA.com (formerly known as CPA2Biz.com). Asgeirsson argues that the Apple iPad has been successful because of the wide range of apps available from parties not named Apple.

Blackbaud has signed an agreement to buy MicroEdge, which makes software for the philanthropic giving community. Charleston, S.C.-based Blackbaud said the deal will expand its capabilities by the addition of MicroEdge products for grantmaking, corporate social responsibility and foundation management. Blackbaud will acquire all interest in New York-based MicroEdge from Vista Equity Partners and Bregal Sagemount. The deal will be financed by a combination of cash and credit financing.

OneSoft Solutions was introduced last month as the former Serenic sold the packages that made it Serenic. So Serenic Navigator ended up under Bellamy Software, a division of Sylogist.  What was not spelled out clearly in that announced in August was that the renamed company, OneSoft, is selling OneNFP, which is based on Serenic Navigator; at least that product name wasn’t used. OneNFP, which incorporates the old Serenic Express and Essentials, has core accounting, budget control and audit.

Cloud software vendor Intacct has handed out awards to three top partners with accounting firm Armanino taking away the honor as VAR Partner of the Year for the second consecutive year. AcctTwo was selected as Business Partner of the Year for the third year in a row and Radius, formerly High Street Partners, was named the Accountants Program Partner of the Year for the second straight year. Intacct said in a prepared statement that Armanino was "recognized for its nationwide sales success, outstanding implementation efforts, and cloud evangelism."