Microsoft turned in a killer quarter as it ended its year on June 30. Dynamics revenue rose by 33 percent year-over-year, 26 percent in constant currency.

The software company said those results better than expected. Dynamics 365 revenue boomed, up 49 percent for the fourth quarter; 42 percent in constant currency. Microsoft said that involved “strong momentum in Power Apps and Power Automate” and noted Dynamics 365 now comprises more than 70 percent of Dynamics revenue. The company usually does not report revenue figures for Dynamics,which is part of Productivity and Business Processes which reported revenue of $14.7 billion for the most recently ended quarter, an increase of 25 percent, 21 percent in constant currency. Microsoft's fourth-quarter net income reached $16.5 billion, rising 47 percent from $11.2 billion in last year’s corresponding period. Revenue for the quarter was $46.15 billion, rising 21 percent from slightly more than $38 billion a year ago. For fiscal 2021, net income totaled $61.3 billion, which was up 38 percent from $44.28 billion last year. That total was a rise of 37 percent in constant currency. Revenue for the most recently ended year, $168.1 billion, rose 18 percent from slightly more than $143 billion for fiscal 2020.

 Software revenue for Sweden-based IFS rose to roughly $301 million for the high ended June 30, an increase of 20 percent year over year. The company said cloud revenue, which represented more than 39 percent of software income, grew by 79 percent.

But it did not report the actual amount of cloud revenue. IFS said recurring revenue increased 27 percent to about $232 million. The company did not report total revenue, nor earnings. IFS had a big quarter with the purchase Axiom Systems, which makes service management applications, and the launch of IFS Cloud, which the company said unified the elements of its software line.

 You know you are back in Las Vegas when you pay $4 for a Twinkie because the plane arrived late and all the restaurants are closed;

you are greeted by a recording of a Wayne Newton song as you head down the escalators to reach baggage claim; you realize most of the people at the conference will be too young to recognize a Wayne Newton song; you know that you will walk farther to reclaim your bag than you normally walk in a day; you are in a cab line at 10:30 p.m. and there are 50 people ahead of you; you realize nobody under 40 is taking a cab; you realize on the way between your hotel room and the convention center in the same facility you should have rented a car to get there. … The only unnerving thing was the sound of screaming when I was walking through the baggage claim area. I thought maybe someone had sent their hotel bill after the kids got into the mini-bar. But it was just an effect for one of the shows being advertised. … I think the Vegas Airport finally removed that advertisement for the Australian male show “Thunder Down Under”. It had been there so long the guys in the picture probably had very little thunder left down there. … Dog DNA tests are being marketed. It’s great as long as the dog doesn’t show up on your tree. “Grandma, is there something you didn’t tell us about your family.” But the good news is I should not be hard to collect saliva in a tube from Fido.

 Revenue from continuing operations for Prodware rose by 3.4 percent for the second quarter ended June 30, the company said this month. Reported revenue was down by 4.7 percent from last year’s corresponding period because of last year’s sale of the reseller’s Tunisian subsidiary and its software integration business in Israel.

France-based Prodware’s revenue for the first quarter reached about $43.6 million. First-half revenue rose by 2.2 percent on a proforma basis to approximately $96.3 million, down 4.1 percent from last year’s reported totals. SaaS revenues were roughly $25.9 million, an increase of 16 percent on a proforma basis. Software development increased by 2.6 percent on a pro forma basis to roughly $32.8 million. The company did not report revenue for its Integration/Services business activity, but said it dropped by 5.6-percent year-over-year for the first half as that segment was more impacted by the pandemic.

The waiter at the seafood restaurant asked if I wanted a lobster bib. “Aren’t they way too small for people?” I asked.

… A friend noted he had read that Apple co-founder, the late Steve Jobs, said that ll highly intelligent people share the same trait. “That’s easy,” I said. “They are all highly intelligent.” … My wife pulled an insect from my MacBook, after it had been squashed when the display was folded and was barely recognizable. “What kind of bug is this?” she asked. I responded, “Let me check my ‘Field Guide to Flattened Insects of North America’’. … With municipal fireworks in limited supply in northern New Jersey, residents tried to take up the slack by setting of explosions all night on July 4. I hoped they had the necessary accessories: fire suppression equipment, bands-aids, tongs for picking up bits of fingers. … I am waiting for the notification on LinkedIn that a connection has “Shared a post that probably is meaningless to you”… Recent compass readings have determined that the wicked witch of the west was actually the Wicked Witch of the West by Southwest. ... Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis, three of the four prime characters from the popular TV Series, “Sex and the City” are busy filing episodes of  the 10-part series “And Just Like That”, which is subtitled “Plastic Surgery and the City”, in which the ladies explore which parts have been moved around, tightened or covered up. Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, inexplicably begins referring to Chris Noth’s character as “Mr. Small”. 

There was a TV show last week about “Overcoming Apathy” but I decided I didn’t care enough to watch it. … There is a new part o the series that includes Chicago, P.D., Fire and Med.  Chicago Water and Sewer in viewers follow the exploits of the intrepid workers who struggle to break of blocks in sewer pipes.

… Apple’s decision to offer a. health care service it reminds me that we are lucky Apple doesn’t offer cars. You would probably void the warranty if you opened the hood. …. Pricing on Bit coin and other crypto currencies has been dropping recently. The homeless guy on the local streets is no longer displaying his sign “will accept Bitcoin”. ... AMC plans to adapt the popular “Interview with the Vampire” in an eight-episode series expected to debut next year. I was a bit disappointed by parts of the interview: “Well, Oprah, turn ons: Sucking blood, flying at night, sleeping in coffins. Turn off: stakes, mirrors, garlic—well except for small amounts on a Pizza.” In the updated version, Tom Cruise, who played the vampire, Lestat, threatens vicitms with a life of eternal damnation—recruiting them as members of the Church of Scientology and endless readings of the works of L. Ron Hubbard … You may have heard of the Paleo diet, which says people should eat the same kinds of foods supposedly available to hunter-gathers--lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. It’s less well known it also includes scavenging from rotting carcasses. … After I answered the phone to hear the calling party say, “It’s me” that I have been waiting for years to hear someone say, “It’s somebody else”. 

Scientists have uncovered evidence animals can breath through their rear ends in an emergency. We are waiting for a new phrase “butt breather” to take its place along with the time-honored “mouth breather”. I

t certainly sounds like a much worse insult." ... It has been predicted that cannabis sales will reach $280 million on Memorial Day Weekend. Apparently, this represents the population that does not need to remember and may not be capable of doing so. … Recently, bundles of cocaine began washing up on the Texas coast. The first indication was from local fisherman who reported their catches included sea creatures with runny noses and exhibiting signs of paranoia … The company that does business as Claxton Poultry Farms has been indicted for allegedly participating in a nationwide scheme to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products.  Norman W. Fries Inc. Claxton’s parent, pleaded that the higher prices were the result of increase wages obtained oy unionized chickens. ... Following the announcement of his planned divorce, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been accused of a variety of bad behavior towards women. It also turns out he was a frequent compatriot with the late Jeffrey Epstein. Looking forward to the founding of the new Gates Epstein Foundation for the Welfare of Girls. Well, the tech giant needs some hobbies outside of trying to save the world. … Some fans were repeatedly chiding Kim Kardashian for appearing in a black string bikini in a photo in which she is next to her grandmother. I don’t know. For Kim, a string bikini seems a bit overdressed.

 Some used my computer to look at a web page “Five buttermilk questions you were afraid to ask”. Just how threatening is buttermilk that someone would be afraid to ask a question. “Can I ask if you can drink it straight from the carton, oh, please no. no, no”. ...

I saw a local hotel that advertised, “We treat you like family.” I turned to a friend: “Yeah, they leave socks and underwear on the floor and argue with you during meals.”  … A recent frequently broadcast TV advertisement has me wondering--What does it take to get a roomful of people to listen to a presentation on house gutters?” … “Keeping Up with the Kardashian” has been canceled as the K sisters decided it was time to quit. I figure that’s because they sat down and tried to watch all the episodes from all 20 seasons in the last 14 years. Kourtney had to be put on suicide watch after getting through season 12. … Visitors to a recent track meet were surprised to see flies swarming around stop watches used for the races. As the winner broke the finish line tape, the insects would all land on the button used to stop the watch and give the winning results.  “I can’t believe it,” one said. “But are they always accurate in stopping the watch. I mean, doesn’t this end up with some results that can’t be trusted?” A race sponsor replied, “Yes but, you know, that’s just how flies time.” … Looks like thoroughbred horse trainer Bob Baffert may be leading the race for the doping hall of fame, after admitting he gave Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, a banned substance. He could join previous members in the hall, including racing champion Lance Armstrong and former baseball player Barry Bonds in winning a Golden Needle Award. Racing authorities are considering a new betting foursome—win, place, show and doped.

Just what kind of year has it been for the mid-market reselling community? It depends.

For some, it was very tough, but for others, it was the best year in their history as demand for cloud products drove business. If you were in segments such as hospitality and restaurants, it was very hard, if you were in ecommerce, things have never been better. Overall, it was a year of great change with the accelerated shift to the cloud from on-premise applications and the forced move to remote work which is producnglasting changes.

So click the button below to find out who made Bob Scott’s Top 100 VARs for 2021 and many of their thoughts about the last year and the future

It has been a year like no other for ERP mid-market software VARs. But one thing has stayed the same–it is time to ready your submission for Bob Scott’s Top 100 VARs for 2021--and this week is your last chance to do sol.

The IRS just gave you extra time to submit your individual tax returns, so use the opportunity to be considered. Each year, we rank the biggest financial software VARs in the mid-market and  use the occasion to learn more about how the market has worked in the last year and talk about directions it is likely to take in the near future. To be a player, please ask for a submission form  and return your information as soon as possibleto bob.scott@pmg360.com

 The year 2020 has been Dickensian—the worst of times and best of times. For most of the population, the coronavirus has made this year probably the most awful in memory. But for many mid-market software resellers, the move of companies to the cloud as their workforces went to remote operations, meant 2020 has been a good to great year. The results are not uniform. For VARs in markets such as entertainment and hospitality, it was not great. However, if clients were able to conduct business remote, resellers could service them remotely and despite the difficulties, 2020 was fine. Bob Scott’s VAR Stars for 2020 faced the pandemic and many not only survived, they prospered.

Submissions for the 2020 Bob Scott’s VAR Stars are still open. But you have to act fast. .

The door closes next Wednesday. The selection is based on quality—not revenue. Past honorees have ranged from one-person operations to the largest ERP dealers. Factors that are considered in the selection are growth, development of significant products and services and contributions to the industry. If you are interested in having  your firm considered, please email bob.scott@pmg360.com as soon as possible.