The launch of Sage 100 ERP 2014 reminds us that there are many ways to the cloud. Sage uses the phrase cloud-connected with the latest launch and given the number of companies who seem to want about everything but their accounting in the cloud, it's a reasonable approach. So the product integrates with Sage Inventory Advisor, Billing and Payment, Mobile Sales, Mobile Service and CRM. This is also a bit of a "Would you like fries with that?" approach.

Australian company UXC did not reveal the price paid for Tectura North America last year. However, during the six months ended December 31, it paid about $45.6 million for three acquisitions, including Tectura, including cash, deferred and contingent payments. At another point, UXC said it expects Tectura, now part of UXC Eclipse, to add about $43.3 million annually to North American operations. Overall, it was a "satisfactory" half with profits dropping 32 percent from a year earlier to roughly $7.4 million.

The Eighteenth Microsoft Convergence features a phenomenon not seen in several years—the four major sales tax vendors had exhibits. Avalara and CCH have not missed a show with their booths, although the size and location of the CCH presence has fluctuated widely. This year, Vertex and Taxware were on the Convergence floor for the first time in a long time. CCH also had a bit of a change with its new booth which emphasizes the company as a unit of Wolters Kluwer.

A very active discussion has been under way about Sage's pricing for this year's Summit, its combo channel and reseller program. Fees for attendees have been sliced while exhibitors face a roughly 15 percent increase in the cost of being on the show floor. As discussed on the Sage Partners, Employees & Alumni Networking Group on LInkedIn, the question revolves around the quality of last year's show and the Sage's ability to attract more people.