Top Electronic Hardware Design Performers Hit Printed Circuit Board Development Costs 82% More Frequently Than Average Companies

BOSTON, MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- May 3, 2007 -- Companies that are best-in-class at hardware design are hitting their PCB design schedules 100% of the time, according to research by Aberdeen, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS). This is 52% more frequently than average companies.

Findings from a new Aberdeen Group benchmark report, "Printed Circuit Board Design Integrity," also reveal that Best-in-Class companies average 66% fewer re-spins per board design than laggard companies.

"Electronics companies compete on the basis of time to market, but in the face of increasing product complexity, electronics manufacturers must meet ever-increasing requirements for PCB performance. However, companies that rush products with unresolved problems to market face potential freefalls in customer satisfaction and profits. Despite these realities, Best-in-Class performers hit their business goals on an 87% or better average," says Ric Stanley, Research Analyst in Aberdeen's Product Innovation and Engineering practice and report author. "The ability of companies that are Best-in-Class at PCB design to reduce re-spins and hit their deadlines more frequently than other companies give them a significant competitive advantage over the rest of the industry. They are setting themselves apart by implementing constraint driven design data, utilizing design analysis and fabrication solutions along with incorporating collaboration software to involve the entire design team in the process."

Some of the report findings show that best-in-class companies are:

--  62% more likely than average companies to use rules driven design
    automation.
--  70% more likely to be using signal integrity analysis tools than other
    companies, allowing them to hit their PCB performance targets at an 86%
    average.
--  Averaging only one re-spin per design as compared to 3 re-spins for
    laggards, Best in Class are spending $13,000 per re-spin compared to
    $36,000 per re-spin for Laggard companies. Multiply this amount by the
    number of designs a company delivers in a year and the cost difference is
    even more dramatic.
    

This study is made available complimentary to the public through the underwriting of: Cimmetry Systems, Infinite Graphics and Valor Computerized Systems.

To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=3973

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having benchmarked more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is uniquely 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 http://www.aberdeen.com or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748 or go to http://www.harte-hanks.com.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Ric Stanley Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5203 Ric.Stanley@aberdeen.com