IBM and Baan announce global programme

NEWS IBM has launched a global programme to add value to Baan's enterprise resource planning (ERP) customers. IBM's Knowledge Factory will configure and deploy Baan Education software, which trains users in customer management, supply chain and finance. Knowledge Factory claims to lower the cost of ownership and simplify implementation. The programme will initially be rolled out to Baan customers in the aerospace, defence and US automotive sectors. The strategy was just one part of a broader alliance, announced this week in Atlanta. In addition, the companies opened an IBM implementation factory in Atlanta, where companies can get their Baan software customised. A second factory, in Copenhagen, is due to open shortly for European customers.