Tinsley Out As Baan CEO

Struggling enterprise resource planning vendor Baan Co.yesterday announced that Tom Tinsley will step down as CEOand be replaced by president Mary Coleman. This is thelatest in a series of management changes that have rockedthe company.

Tinsley was CEO for less than a year. He took over controlof the company from founder Jan Baan, who removed himselfafter it was revealed that the company was engaged incontroversial accounting practices. Tinsley presided overBaan's aggressive acquisition spree in 1998, when it quicklygobbled up a number of third-party software companies.Analysts say it was an inability to integrate much of thatnewly acquired technology into the core Baan ERP productthat resulted in the company's undoing. Baan lost more than$150 million last year.

Coleman, who has also been nominated as chairman, willbecome CEO effective June 1. Tinsley will pursue newbusiness opportunities outside Baan, but will continue toprovide counsel and assistance during a two-month transitionperiod, Baan officials say. Coleman's appointment as CEOdoes not come as a huge surprise. As president, shespearheaded Baan's more aggressive--and successful--initiatives, such as its front-office software program andits recent move into E-business applications.