New Aberdeen Research Gives Seven Tips to Dramatically Reduce Supplier Defects

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - March 18, 2010) -  Increasing pressure to ensure product quality and customer loyalty are driving manufacturers to re-evaluate how they manage the quality performance of suppliers. In "Supplier Quality Management: Seven Tips to Reducing Non Conformances in the Value Chain," a landmark study by Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), it was shown the key to reducing non conformances of suppliers is to have visibility and control into quality processes. While this sounds simple enough, when companies have to manage 100s or 1000s of suppliers, this becomes overwhelming without the necessary tools.

The research uncovered that the top performers are differentiating themselves by establishing an executive vision for supplier quality, implementing processes to improve supplier collaboration, and are investing in technology to enable visibility and control. However, execution of this vision often requires transitioning from a disconnected set of supplier quality processes to an automated and uniform set of integrated workflows. Mehul Shah, Research Analyst with Aberdeen Group's Global Manufacturing Practice, states, "By creating an executive vision, leading organizations are able to realize a 1% supplier defect rate and deliver their shipments on time and complete 98% of the time. This report enables readers to take advantage of the lessons learned from these companies while avoiding the pain points and obstacles encountered by their peers."

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: Amadeus International, Plex Systems, and TIP Technologies Inc. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6022&camp2

For additional access to complimentary Manufacturing Research, please visit
http://research.aberdeen.com/index.php/-manufacturing.

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 Group 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) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

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