The Answer to Profitable System Design

Leading Companies Take Three Times More Cost Out of Mechatronic Products and Reduce Development Time by 13%


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - November 12, 2009) - Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), has revealed the top strategies for system design that lead to greater profitability while reducing the risk of excess cost in a new research study, "System Engineering: Top Four Design Tips to Increase Profit Margins for Mechatronics and Smart Products."

"Our research shows that many companies are looking to combine mechanical components with software and electronics as a way to take cost out of products as well as to competitively differentiate them," observes Michelle Boucher, research analyst in Aberdeen's Product Innovation and Engineering practice. "However, this requires bringing together different engineering disciplines which is inherently difficult. Companies who have implemented these top system engineering practices earn profit margins that are 2.3 times higher than average performers in the market. Those who have not actually see their product costs rise."

The research finds that what is making the difference for successful companies is how they capture what their customers want, manage those requirements, and take advantage of system engineering practices.

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: IBM and Jama Software. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=6044.

Visit Research.Aberdeen.com for additional access to complimentary Product Innovation and Engineering Research.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having queried more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is 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 or call (617) 854-5200, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

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Contact Information: Media Contact: Michelle Boucher Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5345 michelle.boucher@aberdeen.com