The Keys to Successful Mechatronic Product Development

Best-in-Class Performers Bring Their Products to Market up to 2.9 Times Faster Than Their Competitors and Under Budget Twice as Often

 | Source: Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - February 7, 2008) - Market demand is driving manufacturers to develop more products that blend mechanical, electro-mechanics, digital control systems and electronic design elements, but this compounds the inherent complexity of product development. Coordinating the disparate engineering disciplines on a single design presents a set of demanding challenges. However, simply ensuring all these systems work together adds new layers of difficulty. In a new study by Aberdeen, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), "System Design: New Product Development for Mechatronics," it was revealed that leading companies are bringing these products to market both on time and under budget. The difference lies in how they approach mechatronic product development.

"Many companies are attempting to go outside the enterprise to find these resources to access partners with discipline expertise as a strategic action," notes Michelle Boucher, research analyst for Aberdeen Group's Product Innovation and Engineering practice, "However, when it comes to coordinating mechatronic product development, the Best-in-Class have a greater focus on how they adapt existing resources and technology to alter the way product development takes place."

This report analyzed the experiences of over one hundred and seventy companies to uncover what these industry leaders are doing differently. The report details how they: 

--  Improve communication and collaboration between engineering
    disciplines, supporting their ability to hit development cost targets up to
    2.2 times as often as their competitors
--  Plan and validate design requirements at a system level, a
    contributing factor to meeting product cost targets up to 2.1 times as
    often as their competitors
--  Identify system level problems earlier in the product development
    process, helping them meet product launch dates up to 2.9 times as often as
    their competitors

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: IHS, National Instruments, Siemens PLM Software, and Dassault Systemes. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=4576.

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: Michelle Boucher Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5345 michelle.boucher@aberdeen.com

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