Effective eProcurement in the New Economic Normal

Latest Aberdeen Group Study Explores Strategies for Managing Procurement Technologies to Improve Performance


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - December 14, 2010) - Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), announced the publication of its latest supply management study, Effective eProcurement: Assessing Options for the New "Economic Normal". Drawing on the responses of over 150 procurement professionals, this report explores the strategies companies are using when evaluating procurement technologies, and the choices they are making when it comes to improving procurement performance.

"Successful technology management provides an opportunity for procurement departments to meet or even exceed established business targets by increasing spend and capturing savings generated through the innovation it provides," according to Constantine Limberakis, lead author of the study. "To attain procurement goals through technology in 2010, companies may look to expand, update, or even replace their current platforms. Yet to garner executive support for these investments, eProcurement initiatives will need to demonstrate continued measurable benefits."

"Whether it is capturing and managing spend in a traditional product area such as office supplies, or more complex spend category such as contingent labor or marketing, it is evident that organizations in 2010 still need better ways to solve a fundamental dilemma of purchasing -- how do buyers connect with suppliers?" said Limberakis. To reflect this collaborative requirement, Aberdeen used three key performance criteria to distinguish top-performers from the rest, namely: days to on-board a new supplier of goods, days to on-board a new supplier for services and percentage of purchase orders compliant with existing contracts. With this as a base, the report examines what the most successful organizations are doing differently from their peers, with an eye toward helping those with lower performance to improve their operations.

To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6395&camp=2

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

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