Integrated Transportation Management

Improve Responsiveness With Real-Time Control of Execution


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - November 10, 2009) - Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), announced the release of its latest transportation study, "Integrated Transportation Management: Improve Responsiveness with Real-Time Control of Execution." This report examines what processes and technologies high-performing companies are using to achieve exemplary results.

The focus of this report is on the advanced optimization and supply chain visibility capabilities that differentiate superior performance in transportation. Improving transportation management to achieve corporate goals requires a combination of strategic actions, organizational capabilities, performance management, and enabling technologies. For Best-in-Class (77%) and Industry Average (66%) organizations, the "increasing cost and service impact of transportation" represents the top pressure driving action for transportation executives.

How do organizations, currently achieving superior results across transportation, combat this pressure without compromising service levels? "To answer this question both cost and service metrics were balanced and then compared to rank top performers from their peers. There is no secret formula for achieving superior performance in transportation," says Bob Heaney, senior research analyst, Aberdeen Group. "However, those companies achieving top performance shared several common characteristics, including on-the-fly decision-making and near real-time visibility with optimization of execution within their processes. For instance Best-in-Class companies are 2.3 times as likely to measure external group (suppliers / carriers / 3PL) performance weekly and they are 29% more likely to use dynamic shipment optimization software."

The study suggests that there are three key recommendations common to all companies. They should: (1) acquire supply chain visibility to the item / inventory and landed cost level, (2) employ near real-time dynamic optimization to enhance cost / service, and (3) enhance collaboration with internal groups and external customers and trading partners.

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: CTSI, LeanLogistics, Manhattan Associates, and MercuryGate. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=6016.

Visit Research.Aberdeen.com for additional access to complimentary Supply Chain Management 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.

© 2009 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
451 D Street, Suite 710
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1928
Telephone: (617) 854-5200
Fax: (617) 723-7897
www.aberdeen.com

Contact Information: Media Contact: Bob Heaney Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5360 bob.heaney@aberdeen.com