Aussie Google and Xero partners merge

Australian cloud integrator Clear Business Dynamics has merged with Xero Gold partner Accodex, in the latest example of the increasing ties between the IT and accounting channels.

The resulting hybrid firm will combine a full service accounting firm with Clear Business Dynamics implementation and support services, which covers products from Xero as well as Google Apps, Vend, Geooop and Zendesk, among others.

Both are Adelaide firms, with Accodex run by 27-year-old Chris Hooper and Clear Business Dynamics by 32-year-old Michael Macolino – an entrepreneur with a gym among his previous ventures.

Macolino said accounting firms needed IT expertise as deployments moved from a software replacement to deeper integration with CRM, job management, analytics and other products.

“[Accodex] were doing some Xero deployments, but as it becomes more advanced, it’s becoming more the realm of a cloud integrator to go and set this kind of technology up,” he told CRN.

“I think there has definitely been a lot of accounting firms wanting to have the entire value chain and do everything, and it’s not been that widely successful to be honest."

The continued battle between MYOB and Xero has seen Xero increasingly embrace IT integrators. While not allowing them to resell Xero, IT partners can join Xero’s cloud integration track or cloud seller track, for those working with Office 365, Google Apps and other third party applications.

“The success of Xero relies on the amount of data being brought into it from operation systems from Vend and what you can get out of it through business intelligence systems such as Crunchboards,” Macolino said.

Xero’s list of cloud integrator partners includes the likes of Paradyne, Rype and CompNow and HubOne.

The combined Accodex-Clear Business Dynamics business will have 24 staff, with four at Clear Business Dynamics and 20 at Accodex.