KeyedIn Solutions, which makes cloud-based project accounting software, ha issued a release of KeyedIn Projects that integrates with Atlassian's JIRA development software. KeyedIn says result is a single system of record for managing and viewing the progress of projects involving software development."  it's just another way to remove the complexity from complex projects," Lauri Klaus, KeyedIn CEO, said in a prepared statement.

Nonprofit software vendor Blackbaud has acquired Attentive.ly, a company that enables organizations to conduct social listening. Charleston, S.C.-based Blackbaud plans to more deeply integrate Attentive.ly's capabilities into the next generation version of Luminate Online, which is a marketing tool. Terms were not disclosed. Attentive.ly, based in Bethesda, Md., has been a strategic partner in Blackbaud's partner network.

Microsoft has begun the Microsoft Professional Degree program. The program offers employer-endorsed, university-caliber curriculum for professionals. The initial offering comes in data science with courseware available on edX.org, a nonprofit online learning destination founded by Harvard University and MIT.

Reseller Mibar.net has started the Mibar Accounting Alliance. Jory Weisman, VP of sales, says the impetus for the program is his firm's belief the small- and midsized accounting firms are getting increased competition from larger firms that can provide technology services to clients. "We have learned through experience a lot of firms do not have internal technology experts," Weisman says.