Keeping Up with Redmond

Microsoft news crisscrosses the industry; plus Oracle redefines "SaaS," "SOA" translates to "downsizing," U.S. markets challenge offshoring stocks and more software news of the week.

It takes far more than a village to get a handle on Microsoft. In a typical week for the world's largest software company, headlines and analysis covered everything from new products to standards to legal maneuvers.

SANDHILL.COM BLOG POST OF THE WEEK:

Five Reasons to Adopt Integrated Payment Processing

Mark Goddard Today, almost every bill you have can be paid electronically; from credit card payments to utilities, even your mortgage. Plus, the array of payment options that can be processed electronically has broadened to include credit cards, debit cards and checks.

These changing consumer habits coupled with the growth of electronic processing have dramatically impacted software developers whose software product applications include a payment option or order entry component. Integrated electronic payments were once an issue solely for developers who built retail applications. Things have changed, and today software industries such accounting, CRM, billing, and a variety of others all need to respond.