Despite becoming ever closer entwined with Microsoft Corp (see separate story), Baan Co NV is continuing its strong relationship with IBM Corp. The Dutch software firm has announced the availability of Baan business software across the IBM S/390 and AS/400 server ranges. The company has also announced a 64-bit version of its flagship software package, BaanERP to run on the IBM AS/400e. The two firms have also teamed up to open ‘Baan Implementation Factories’, one in the US in the first quarter 1999, one in the second quarter 1999 in Europe. The ‘factories’ will focus on providing business models and technical and support services.