Warehouse Management Software - Five Key Capabilities for Every Distribution Center

Best-in-Class Companies Are 64% More Likely Than Their Peers to Have Automated Their Warehouse Processes


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - January 14, 2008) - Companies that have reduced warehouse labor costs and improved perfect order percentage to 99% or above are far more likely than their lower performing peers to use warehouse management software (WMS) in their distribution centers, according to a newly published report by Aberdeen, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS). The report, "Warehouse Management Software - Five Key Capabilities for Every Distribution Center," details a specific set of capabilities that can have a positive impact on nearly any warehouse, regardless of the type of goods being handled, or the volume and makeup of outbound orders.

"There is a tremendous performance gap between companies with automated warehouses versus those with manual processes," says Ian Hobkirk, Senior Analyst for Aberdeen's Supply Chain Execution practice. "Warehouse management software allows a company to move past the day-to-day battle of just getting orders out the door on time, and to turn their attention to operational efficiency. The results can be seen in improved warehouse labor utilization, and reduced or eliminated administrative labor."

Some key findings of the report include:

--  Best-in-Class companies are 59% more likely than their peers to
    practice bin-level location management.
--  Best-in-Class firms are 92% more likely than their peers to practice
    paperless receiving.
--  Best-in-Class companies are 73% more likely than their peers to
    practice real-time put-away in the warehouse.
--  Best-in-Class companies are 50% more likely than their peers to
    practice order picking with mobile devices.
--  Best-in-Class firms are 49% more likely than their peers to practice
    cycle counting over physical inventories.
    

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: Infor, SmartTurn, and Cadre Technologies. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=4183.

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.

© 2008 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
260 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-3112
Telephone: (617) 723-7890
Fax: (617) 723-7897
www.aberdeen.com

Contact Information: Media Contact: Ian Hobkirk Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5228 ian.hobkirk@aberdeen.com