Baan & Infor LN Products
Let’s delve into the fascinating world of Baan and Infor LN—two significant players in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) landscape.
Origins and Early Days
- The Baan Corporation was founded in 1978 by Jan Baan in Barneveld, Netherlands. Initially, it provided financial and administrative consulting services.
- Jan Baan’s first software package marked the company’s entry into what would become the ERP industry.
- Baan’s focus shifted to developing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and it gained popularity during the early nineties.
Key Features and Rise to Prominence
- Dynamic Enterprise Modeler (DEM): Baan software was renowned for its DEM, a powerful tool for modeling business processes.
- Technical Architecture: Baan’s technical architecture and its 4GL language (Baan 4GL and Tools) were highly efficient for database application development.
- Boeing Deal: Baan’s victory in securing a large deal with Boeing in 1994 positioned it as a formidable competitor to market leader SAP.
- IPO and Acquisitions: Baan went public in 1995 and expanded its product portfolio through acquisitions, including companies like Antalys, Aurum, and Caps Logistics.
The Fall and Acquisition
- Revenue Manipulation: Unfortunately, Baan’s management inflated company revenue by booking “sales” of software licenses that were actually transferred to a related distributor. This revelation led to a sharp decline in Baan’s stock price in 1998.
- Invensys Acquisition: In June 2000, facing financial difficulties, lawsuits, and consecutive quarterly losses, Baan was sold to Invensys for US$700 million.
- SSA ERP LN: Invensys rebranded Baan ERP as SSA ERP LN and released version 6.1 in August 2005.
- Infor’s Acquisition: In May 2006, Infor Global Solutions acquired SSA Global Technologies, and the product was further renamed to Infor LN.
Infor LN: The Continuation
Overview
- Infor LN continues the legacy of Baan, offering ERP solutions to discrete manufacturers worldwide.
- It provides operational agility without requiring software customizations.
Key Features
- Discrete Manufacturing Focus: Infor LN caters specifically to discrete manufacturing operations.
- Visibility and Responsiveness: Manufacturers gain visibility to quickly respond to customer, supplier, and regulatory needs.
In summary, Baan’s journey—from consulting services to ERP development—and its subsequent evolution into Infor LN exemplify the dynamic landscape of enterprise software solutions. 🌐📊
ARC Gateway is pleased to provide a comprehensive range of support services – including consultancy, support, migrations, administration, customisation and development – for the following Baan and Infor LN products:
Why partner with ARC Gateway?
We are a unique team of Digital Transformation specialists that strives to make a difference both in terms of how we engage, the level of professional consultancy and our industry knowledge. All of which are strengthened by our ability to access and provide the right resources, on time and on budget.