Process Manufacturers Demand Features Beyond Core ERP

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - December 9, 2008) - Aberdeen's latest ERP benchmark report, "ERP Plus in Process Industries," found that Best-in-Class process manufacturers have implemented features beyond core ERP to better respond to process variability and regulatory requirements, including recalls. For example, Aberdeen, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), reports that Best-in-Class companies are 96% more likely to have forward and backwards lot traceability and are 1.7 times as likely to be able to respond to recalls in the time required by regulatory bodies. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=5382.

"In many of the process industries, the ability to respond to a potential recall is essential," states Cindy Jutras, VP and Group Director, Aberdeen. "Aberdeen's research shows that Best-in-Class process manufacturers have improved in this critical capability by a 20% margin year over year. Sixty-five percent (65%) are now able to respond to a mock or real recall in the time required by regulatory bodies (up from 54% last year), and 25% are able to do so in a matter of minutes (up from 19% last year), indicating more automated processes and better control. In contrast, we saw a reverse trend in the 80% of respondents which are not Best-in-Class, whose ability to respond dipped by 20%. As regulatory requirements stiffen, business velocity quickens, and the rate of change accelerates, the majority of process manufacturers are not keeping pace."

The report makes specific recommendations to improve performance, including the following:

--  Use industry-specific features of ERP to automate the process of
    complying with regulatory requirements, including mock and real recalls
--  Use continuous improvement teams to build out ERP capabilities
--  Reduce dependence on spreadsheets and manual processes
--  Make integration of enterprise applications a priority
    

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: Fullscope and Tectura. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=5382.

For additional access to complimentary ERP Research, please visit http://research.aberdeen.com/index.php/-erp-and-finance.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having benchmarked more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is uniquely positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen™ for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen http://www.aberdeen.com or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748 or go to http://www.harte-hanks.com.

© 2008 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1928
Telephone: (617) 854-5200
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www.aberdeen.com

Contact Information: Media Contact: Cindy Jutras Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5247 cindy.jutras@aberdeen.com