Aberdeen Publishes Retail, Manufacturing, Financial Management, ERP Research Reports

Research Examines Mobile Commerce, Retail Personalization, Manufacturing Project Management, VAT Compliance, ERP and Lean Integration


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Mar 8, 2012) - Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), today announced the publication of new research reports from its Retail and Consumer Markets, Manufacturing, Financial Management & GRC, and Enterprise Resource Planning research practices.

"Elevating Mobile Commerce as an Enterprise-Wide Strategy," prepared by Sahir Anand, Vice President and Group Director for the Aberdeen Group Retail and Consumer Markets practice, indicates that access to mobile commerce not only ensures fulfillment of the omni-channel customer experience, but also facilitates a more complete customer, data, marketing, merchandising, and order fulfillment strategy. The three most significant challenges for mobile commerce within and outside the store is attaining a 'critical mass' of customers, retail localization, and adequate usage scenarios throughout the retail enterprise for gradual optimization. Only then does mobile become all-pervasive: truly customer- and employee-centric at each and every critical customer touch point in a retail enterprise. To obtain a complimentary copy of this report visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=7481&camp=2.

"Hyper-Connected Online Retail Personalization: Driving Results with a Customized Experience," prepared by Chris Cunnane, Research Analyst for the Aberdeen Retail and Consumer Markets research practice, shows that companies must have an online personalization strategy encompassing more than just outbound marketing campaigns with product recommendations based on prior purchase behavior. With advanced analytics in place, retailers are making a strong push towards their personalization strategies to include the 360-degree customer experience as part of the bigger picture retail strategy. Product information must be tailored to the individual. Different customer segments may require different product information, whether that requires highlighting differentiating attributes or low price. However, these attributes will not be the same for every consumer. Depending on age, gender, or ethnicity, the differentiating attributes of one product compared to another may be more important than the lowest price. To obtain a complimentary copy of this report visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=7591&camp=2.

"Project Management: Putting the Pieces Together" authored by Nuris Ismail, Research Analyst for the Aberdeen Manufacturing research practice, reveals that today's volatile economy and global competition leave project-based firms with little room for error in managing projects for profitability. The key to project profitability is delivering projects and milestones on time and under budget. This report explores the extent to which the added visibility and control afforded by technology solutions, such as enterprise level project management tools, can directly impact the profitability of projects and the businesses that rely on their success. Particular attention is paid to the impact that organizational structure and business capabilities have on the delivery of projects on-time and under budget. To obtain a complimentary copy of this report, please visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=7458&camp=2

"Ensuring VAT Compliance in the Global Marketplace: Reducing Audit Risks and Improving Supplier Relationships," prepared by William Jan, Senior Research Analyst for the Aberdeen Financial Management & GRC research practice, reveals that 43% of the surveyed companies were looking to improve their value-added tax (VAT) management initiatives, in light of their plans for international expansion. Most of these companies were based in the United States (US), looking to grow internationally, with the study seeking to assist US companies in understanding how VAT differs from Sales and Use Tax (SUT), and to provide guidelines on how to transact and manage under a global indirect tax system. To obtain a complimentary copy of this report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=7457&camp=2.

"ERP and Lean" prepared by Kevin Prouty, VP and Group Director, Enterprise Resource Planning research practice, examines how manufacturers use of ERP and Lean to complement each other. Over 200 manufacturers responded to Aberdeen's ERP survey conducted between May 2011 and February 2012, and all those companies using ERP in conjunction with Lean outpace non-Lean companies in all performance categories. The study also found that Lean companies are almost 30% more likely than non-Lean companies to have a strategy that drives greater visibility into its business processes.

To obtain a complimentary copy of this report visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=7386&camp=2.

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.

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