Reseller and industry sources say that Microsoft Business Solutions, the group that markets the Dynamics software line, has had layoffs. These would have come just after Microsoft ended its fiscal year on June 30. There are reports that some partner account managers have been dropped, although no numbers were available and none of the sources could categorize any reduction in force as small or large. Read more...

Sage's low-cost accounting software lines will fall under the Sage 50 name, under the company's effort to replace its historical product names under the Sage brand. Both Peachtree and Simply Accounting will bear the Sage 50 label, according to Connie Certusi, EVP of Small Business Accounting Solutions. Sage 50 is a designation already in use in Europe. Certusi, speaking at a group interview at Sage's Summit conference, did not give a clear indication of how Sage will distinguish between Peachtree, which is sold in the United States, and Simply, which is sold primarily in the Canadian market.

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In a keynote that was filled with announcements about new direction, one word stood out unexplained in the speech delivered by Pascal Houillon, CEO of Sage North America. That was the word "direct" as Houillon said at Sage's Summit conference that his company needs to have more "direct involvement" with end users. So what does "direct" mean?

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Outside of the announcement of the plan to eventually stop promoting product brands, the biggest nugget in Pascal Houillon's keynote at the Sage Summit conference today involved the use of the word "direct." Houillon, asked about the role of Sage and it partners, said that "There will be more direct involvement with Sage and its customers than there has been in the past." There was no followup on what this means. The only elaboration was that Houillon said there would be "opportunity for both Sage and its partners."

 

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