A Platform Approach to Manufacturing Operations Management

Best-in-Class Manufacturers Are Over 2.5 Times More Likely Than Other Manufacturers to Deploy a MOM Platform Across the Entire Global Manufacturing Network


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - April 7, 2009) - The latest research report from Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), "A Platform Approach to Manufacturing Operations Management," has correlated specific business capabilities and technology enablers to Best-in-Class operational performance. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=5646.

For the purposes of this study, Aberdeen has evaluated and classified manufacturers based on three important performance indicators: On-Time and Complete Shipments, OEE, and Production Compliance. Best-in-Class manufacturers are defined as the top 20% of performers in a weighted average across the aforementioned three KPIs and results show that Best-in-Class performance is:

*97% On-Time and Complete Shipments

*92% Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

*99% Production Compliance

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 and the Best-in-Class are successfully responding to this pressure in several distinct ways. First, the Best-in-Class are taking a collaborative approach to deploying a Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) Platform. Second the MOM Platforms being deployed by the Best-in-Class are considerably more likely to span the entire manufacturing network. Finally, the Best-in-Class are delivering more value at a lower cost to the organization than their competition."

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

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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Contact Information: Media Contact: Matthew Littlefield Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5204 Matthew.littlefield@aberdeen.com