IBM plans to extend Baan back-up plan

US warranty scheme set to make debut in UK next year.

[QQ]IBM is planning to extend a warranty that guarantees performance of Baan's software on IBM hardware to the UK, writes Lisa Kelly.[QQ] The deal, launched in the US last month, offers customers installing Baan's enterprise resource planning (ERP) software on IBM's RS/6000 servers performance protection for two years. If system performance does not meet agreed levels, IBM promises a free hardware upgrade.[QQ] Nick Davis, server strategist for IBM, said the scheme will hit the UK next year.[QQ] Matching a system to a company's ERP needs is notoriously difficult as the software can become greedy for resources, forcing hardware upgrades.[QQ] Steve Josselyn, IDC research director for commercial systems and servers, welcomed the scheme. 'Anything that can give users added comfort is a positive move. Customers want backing when they make a commitment to software.'[QQ] Baan user Alan Harrison, who is IT director at cable company BICC, negotiated a similar deal with HP.[QQ] 'We had leverage because of the extent of the deal,' he said. But he sounded a cautious note about general warranties.[QQ] 'The principal is very attractive as long as the service does not generate an over-sized configuration,' he said. 'But the cynics could see it as an opportunity to sell too much hardware.'