Aberdeen Group Research Presents State of Retail Supply Chain Collaboration, Visibility and Integration 2011

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Apr 13, 2011) - Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), recently released a new research study titled State of Retail Supply Chain Collaboration, Visibility and Integration 2011: Design-to-Deliver Alignment. Aberdeen surveyed 100 enterprises during February and March of 2011 to determine the current state and projected improvements in the design-to-deliver collaboration, visibility, and integration processes in the retail supply chain. Report data indicates that only 36% of retailers have attained some level of multi-enterprise and multi-site visibility with suppliers and web-based automation of procure-to-pay processes both internally and externally with trading partners.

"It is evident that retailer-supplier collaboration, visibility, and integration cannot be addressed in a piecemeal fashion. Improved design-to-deliver process maturity is needed across all stages in the retail supply chain continuum," explained Sahir Anand, vice president and principal analyst for Aberdeen Group's Retail, Hospitality, and Banking research practices. "True retail supply chain visibility and collaboration is developed through a series of sustained steps across the product lifecycle, starting at the development stage, through the store and channel, and finally into the hands of the customer."

"Ultimately, successful supply chain collaboration comes down to effective supplier/trading partner communication. Communication with your entire supply chain, including non-critical elements, can insulate your supply chain from disruptions related to natural disasters or other catastrophic events," concluded Nari Viswanthan, vice president and principal analyst for Aberdeen Group's Supply Chain Management practice. "In a time of need, you often have to lean on your second or third tier suppliers to meet market demand."

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: ecVision, Psion, Zebra Technologies Corporation. To obtain a copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6960&camp=2.

Visit Aberdeen.com for additional access to complimentary Retail and Banking 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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