The conference is the second for Xero in this country. The first was held in the fall of 2013, but the New Zealand-based software vendor decided not to hold an event here in 2014.

The dashboard enables users to click on a graph to determine how metrics were calculated and the source of information.

Xero says the dashboard can also take advantage of big data and more tools will be forthcoming. "By digging deeper into the data in Xero, we will soon deliver additional tools like benchmarking, which will allow businesses to understand their environment and see how they are performing in their industry or region," CEO Rod Drury said in a prepared statement.

The company says its Apple iOS integration presents users with consistent access and ease of use from MacBooks, iPhones and Apple Watches.
Xero is also delivering enhanced integration with Gmail. It is working to integrate email and contact records (initially via Gmail) into the Xero platform. Xero users will be able to choose a filtered view of their inboxes in relation to specific business contacts. Users can also create new quotes or invoices from within email.

Other new features include Xero Me, an iOS app, designed to perform key functions via mobile devices, and Xero Billable Expenses 7.8, scheduled to go live in July.

Xero also introduced Practice Reports, which the company said can be utilized to create reports within minutes. The tool uses Xero's accounting information to create reports based on practicewide templates.