IBM Espana SA, Iberduero SA, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya SA and Socintec SA have recently formed a joint venture company called Keon, specialising in technical software for digital document processing, as well as industrial applications based on expert systems. According to sources from the four companies, Keon will concentrate on digital document processing systems for the banking sector, insurance companies, public entities and large corporations. Digital image processing technology encompasses communications, optical disks and scanners and is aimed at improving management processes where information support is paper-based. The second strategic area for the new company will be services to industry in general. Keon will provide computer planning, diagnostic, security and control systems based on artificial intelligence and integral image processing and will start off with a share capital of $833,333 with BBV, Iberduero and IBM Espana each taking a 30% share and Socintec the remaining 10% but also contributing 21 advanced software development staff. The managing director of IBM Espana’s northern division, Victor Lascurain, is set to become the new company’s president.
