New Zealand software vendor Xero says revenue for the first half of 2014 is expected to exceed about $25.2 million. The company published the estimates for the year ended September 30, noting the revenue would be up almost 84 percent over last year's first half. Sales in the United States are still a tiny part of the total as the category, United States/Rest of World, had annualized committed monthly revenue of about $5.2 million. Xero said the number of add-on applications rose to 300, up from 160 a year earlier. The number of paying customers hit 211,300 at the end of the half, compared to 111,800 in last year's corresponding period, an 89-percent increase. The still small number of paying customers in the U.S. was reflected in that U.S./ROW category which had 16,600 shelling out cash at the end of the half, an increase of 141 percent from 6,600 a year earlier. The company also grew staff to 584 from 278.

Blackbaud created a three-tier program of certification for Raiser's Edge users. The new offering from the Charleston, S.C.-based nonprofit software vendor is designed to create a professional development program for users of the fundraising package, who can qualify at the Associate, Professional, and Master levels. Called Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser's Edge, the program has an exam with more than 600 certification questions. Those certified can display the achievement through a certificate, certified seal certified icon and use of bCRE as a professional designation. The Associate and Professional exams are $199 each while the Master's exam fee is $299. The entry-level exam tests skills in navigation, data entry, record management (constituent, gift, and action), batch entry, optional modules. Those seeking Professional-level recognition are examined on in-depth knowledge of query, mail, reports, dashboards, exports, action tracks, events, memberships, volunteers, tributes, prospect research, alumni records, and The Giving Score. Master-level applicants are queried on expert knowledge of The Raiser's Edge, including: configuration, administration, SAP Crystal Reports, and development of policies and procedures to define data consistency practices. Registrations are being accepted for the first two tests while the Blackbaud website shows the Master test is coming soon.