BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - August 11, 2009) - With current economic conditions forcing
enterprises to focus on cost containment, top-performing organizations are
driving efficiencies within the final phase of the accounts payable process
to unveil a wealth of cost and time benefits, according to a new research
study published by Aberdeen Group, a
Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS).
The E-Payables: Electronic Payments
research report, which examined the strategies, intentions, and performance
of over 140 enterprises, found that nearly 70% of enterprises place a
critical / high-priority level on improving overall payment processes and
procedures, a figure that reinforces the notion that overall financial
success within the enterprise rests on the operational shoulders of the
accounts payable department.
"Top-performing enterprises realize the value in automating the final phase
of the A/P process," said Christopher Dwyer, research analyst and author of
the study, Aberdeen. "By leveraging electronic payment methods, such as
ACH, commercial cards and wire transfer, they have significantly cut
payment-processing costs in addition to reducing the risk of payment
fraud."
In addition to driving payment-processing costs that are nearly 14.6-times
lower than all other organizations, leading enterprises utilized a core set
of A/P capabilities and technologies to achieve superior performance. These
organizations are:
-- 53% more likely to have electronic payments requirements established
as a standard means of conducting business with key suppliers
-- 43% more likely to integrate payment solutions with existing A/P
systems
-- 42% more likely to have standardized payment processes
A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the
following underwriters: SunGard, SunTrust, and Visa. To obtain a
complimentary copy of the report, visit:
http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=5984.
For additional access to complimentary Global Supply Management Research, please visit
http://research.aberdeen.com/index.php/-global-supply-management
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.
© 2009 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
451 D Street, Suite 710
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1928
Telephone: (617) 854-5200
Fax: (617) 723-7897
www.aberdeen.com
Contact Information: Media Contacts:
Christopher Dwyer
Aberdeen Harte-Hanks
(617) 854-5280
chris.dwyer@aberdeen.com