New Aberdeen Research Shows the Value of Manufacturing Operations Management Software in the Context of the Global Economic Recovery

Companies Best Navigating the Current Recovery Are 50% More Likely to Use Manufacturing Operations Management Software


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - April 6, 2010) -  The latest research report from Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), "Manufacturing Operations Management: Capitalizing on the Economic Recovery," has correlated specific business capabilities and technology enablers to top performance in the current economic recovery. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6334&camp2

For the purposes of this study, Aberdeen has evaluated and classified manufacturers based on four important performance indicators: On-Time and Complete Shipments, OEE, Successful New Product Introductions, and Operating Margins. Manufacturers in the top 20% of performers averaged the following performance:

*98% On-Time and Complete Shipments

*89% Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

*86% Successful New Product Introductions

*+5% Operating Margins for Corporate Margins

Putting these findings in context, Matthew Littlefield, a Senior Research Analyst with the Aberdeen Group's Global Manufacturing Practice, states "Manufacturers are continually faced with the pressure to create a competitive advantage through manufacturing operations. However, in today's economic climate they must deal with reduced headcounts, increasing raw material prices, and increasing lead times. The most successful firms are responding to these pressures in several distinct ways. First, they are taking a collaborative approach to Manufacturing Operations and are also considerably more likely to connect Manufacturing Operations to product development and the rest of the supply chain."

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: Plex and SAP.

For additional access to complimentary Manufacturing Research, please visit
http://research.aberdeen.com/index.php/-manufacturing.

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 Group 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) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

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