The call for entries for Bob Scott's Top 100 VARs is open for the 2017 selection. This year has a much different feel from prior years. One reseller described market conditions as reflecting "channel turmoil". That includes Microsoft's heavy cloud push with Dynamics 365, Oracle's purchase of NetSuite and Sage's continuing efforts to remake itself while its cast of characters changes rapidly.

Xero is testing the use of machine learning in its cloud-based financial software. The New Zealand-based company says the capability with be generally available this year. Machine learning looks like a major buzz word for the year. H&R Block made it prominent with its advertising about the use of IBM's Watson computer in the preparation of tax returns.

QAD wants to engage third parties to do more of its implementations. The manufacturing software company also said it is putting more emphasis on use of smaller organizations for those services. The comments came as QAD released financial results for the year ended January 31.

The Dynamics AX User Group is being extended to incorporate users of Dynamics 365 for Operations. Similarly, the sister CRM User Group is being extended to include Dynamics 365 for Sales, Dynamics 365 for Marketing, Dynamics 365 for Customer Service, Dynamics 365 for Field Service and Dynamics 365 for Project Service.