Aberdeen Publishes Communications, IT Security, and Enterprise Resource Planning Research

Topics Include Telecom Lifecycle Management, Stronger User Authentication, Shifts in End-User Authentication Trends, and Selecting and Implementing ERP


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Aug 11, 2011) - Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), today announced the publication of new research reports from its Collaboration and Integrated Communications, IT Security, and Enterprise Applications research practices.

Aberdeen's latest enterprise communications report, "Mid-Market Demands for Telecom Lifecycle Management," analyzes the Telecom Lifecycle Management (TLM) practices of 75 organizations between $50 million and $500 million in annual revenue. By comparing these organizations to Best-in-Class organizations that have cut telecom and network spend by nearly 20%, this research provides practical guidance that could potentially lead to savings of over $340,000 per year. According to Hyoun Park, Research Analyst, and the report author, for Aberdeen's "Collaboration and Integrated Communications" practice, "Mid-market organizations are increasingly pressured to acquire advanced networking and telecom services to support cloud computing, telepresence and unified communications. To meet these demands in a cost-effective manner, these organizations must manage their telecom lifecycle in accordance with the realities of their operational budgets and personnel." To obtain a complimentary copy of this research visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=7310&camp=2

Events in the first half of 2011 have combined to lead many enterprises to re-evaluate their strategies for authenticating end-users, in particular with methods that are stronger than traditional passwords. Aberdeen's latest research on "The Case Against Passwords: Re-evaluating Stronger User Authentication," authored by Derek Brink, Vice President and Research Fellow for Aberdeen's IT Security practice, confirms that this is a good idea. Based on its study of "Managing Identities and Access" (March 2011), Aberdeen analyzed responses from 32 organizations relying exclusively on traditional passwords and 69 organizations using one or more forms of stronger user authentication to see what insights could be gained with respect to security, convenience and total cost. The results: the Stronger Authentication group experienced 5% fewer incidents, 25% greater convenience, and a total cost advantage of between $5 and $6 per enterprise end-user per year. To obtain a complimentary copy of this report visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6994&camp=2.

"The Case for Smart Cards," also authored by Derek Brink, describes the findings from two independent Aberdeen research studies with similar demographics, gathered six months apart, in which there was a noticeable shift in market trends in the area of end-user authentication. For one-time passwords, responses for planned use in the next 12 months and current evaluations decreased by a factor of 2.5- to 3-times; for smart cards, they increased by a factor of 1.5- to 2-times. The security breach affecting RSA SecurID is the most logical explanation for the sudden chill towards OTP, and the corresponding increase in interest for smart cards. However, the silver lining is that for companies committed to strong end-user authentication but looking for time-tested alternatives to OTP, a fresh evaluation of card-based identities and the multi-purpose nature of smart cards can open the door to a wide range of benefits. To obtain a complimentary copy of this report visit http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=7070&camp=2

"ERP Selection: Starting Out on the Right Foot," prepared by Kevin Prouty, Research Director, Enterprise Applications, explores not only how Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) impacts a company's overall performance, but also how those companies selected and implemented ERP. Some of the key elements to consider in the selection process include: how much prior experience your company has with ERP; if your organization is prepared for selection and implementation; does your organization have the ability to measure benefits and accountability; and are there any critical features that your company must have to run properly. To these ends, Best-in-Class companies are seeing a 20% reduction in operating costs, among many other benefits, resulting from their ERP implementation. To obtain a complimentary copy of this report visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=7271&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.

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.

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