Automating Scheduling: The Future of Workforce Management

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Apr 13, 2011) - Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), recently announced the publication of a new workforce management research report exploring best practices in scheduling employees. The report, Workforce Scheduling 2011: Automation Drives Accuracy, Efficiency and Business Outcomes, found that top-performing companies are 57% more likely to have automated scheduling processes. More importantly, however, these leaders were able to improve scheduling accuracy to 90%, increase customer satisfaction by 11%, and minimize unnecessary overtime costs to 4%. These results were significantly better than those observed among 80% of companies surveyed.

"In a sample of more than 200 companies, we found that scheduling automation remains relatively low in terms of adoption," said Jayson Saba, Research Analyst for the Aberdeen Group's Human Capital Management practice. "But analysis showed that taking advantage of automated schedule optimization tools reduces unplanned overtime by 21%, increases compliance two-fold, including adherence to collective bargaining agreements, and improves operational manager productivity as a result of reducing the tactical burden of the scheduling process by 63%." The study also found that top-performing companies are more likely to allow employees self-service access to sign up for open or available shifts.

To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, made available due in part by underwriting support from ADP, Ceridian, and Infor, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6924&camp=2.

Visit Aberdeen.com for additional access to complimentary Human Capital 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.com or call (617) 854-5200, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

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