KPMG announces alliance with client/server software leader Baan international; KPMG becomes Baan's first worldwide consulting partner

Business Wire, Nov 2, 1994

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 1994--KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Wednesday announced a worldwide alliance with Baan International B.V. of The Netherlands, a leading provider of client/server enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

This KPMG alliance is Baan's first and only worldwide alliance for global distribution, training and co-development rights to Baan services software.

The alliance will provide companies with a combination of KPMG's worldwide services for systems integration and business process re-engineering, together with Baan's widely used TRITON software solutions.

Under the terms of the agreement, KPMG, through its Strategic Services Consulting unit in the United States, will work with Baan to offer clients its combined blend of expertise in information technology with products and consulting services for optimal business benefits.

KPMG's Strategic Services unit provides Fortune 1000 organizations with the strategic application of industry-focused operations management and enabling technologies to achieve measurable improvements in business performance.

Michael G. Mikurak, lead partner for the KPMG/Baan alliance, commented, "This is a key international and strategic alliance for KPMG, and we are happy to integrate our services with Baan's software solutions.

"We view the Baan's TRITON ERP solution as the catalyst for change that our two companies will utilize to help clients simplify their business process, enhance their use of technology and improve their performance."

"Baan's client implementation services are a critical part of successful enterprise implementations, and as Baan continues to expand its customer base in North America and worldwide, the global alliance with KPMG significantly strengthens Baan's services," said Amal Johnson, president, Baan USA, San Jose, Calif.

"With KPMG now combining its expertise with TRITON software, tools and organizational services, we'll jointly provide our customers with solutions to optimize their business processes."

Companies to Develop New Software

Building upon KPMG's global technology and operations management expertise, together with the functionally rich Baan TRITON products, the companies will also jointly develop and market new products and services.

The first such product, available now, is TRITON EIS new (Executive Information System), which allows users to graphically manage and measure business performance from all levels of the management and measure business performance from all levels of the management structure, from executive management to the shop floor.

Recognized internationally for its client/server enterprise resource planning software, Baan is rapidly expanding its customer base. The Boeing Co. recently selected Baan's TRITON software and services as the primary manufacturing system for its Commercial Airplane Group in a contract valued at $20 million.

Snap-on Inc. also selected Baan USA's TRITON software for its Enterprise Re-engineering Project.

Baan USA is a subsidiary of Baan International, a leading supplier of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solutions of multi-national, multi-location corporations in the discrete and process manufacturing, distribution and construction industries. Founded in 1978 in Ede, The Netherlands, Baan operates from dual corporate headquarters in Ede and Silicon Valley, Calif.

Baan has three international service centers in Grand Rapids, Mich; Barneveld, The Netherlands; and Bombay, India, that provide product training, implementation assistance, and systems and applications consulting.

The company has an installed base of more than 1,800 corporations in more than 35 countries worldwide. Customers include ABB, Boeing, Hitachi, Mercedes-Benz, Noranda, Northern Telecom and Philips.

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is the U.S. practice of KPMG, the global leader among professional service firms. Worldwide, KPMG has more than 6,000 partners as well as 67,000 professionals servicing clients through 1,100 offices in 837 cities in 134 countries.

In the United States, KPMG partners and professionals deliver a wide range of value-added assurance, tax, international and performance improvement services to clients doing business in the following markets: financial services; manufacturing, retailing and distribution; health care and life sciences; information, communications and entertainment; and public services.

CONTACT: KPMG Peat Marwick,

              Molly Scibel, 617/973-6863
               or
              Fleishman-Hillard, Los Angeles
              Dan Schlosky, 213/489-8246
               or
              Copithorne & Bellows
              Julie Redard, 617/252-0606