Research Confirms Value of Global Manufacturing Operations Management for "Best-in-Class" Performance

Business Wire, Feb 26, 2008

Aberdeen Group research highlights ability of MOM solutions to reduce manufacturing costs, improve production capacity and reduce inventory buffers through synchronization and monitoring of global operations

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Apriso, a provider of adaptive software solutions for global manufacturing operations management, today confirmed the need for an integrated Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) platform to achieve Best-in-Class performance, as demonstrated by research recently released by Aberdeen, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE:HHS). With MOM solutions, "Best-in-Class" manufacturers are realizing an average of 97% On Time Delivery (OTD), 89% Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and 97% raw material yield.

The research highlighted four critical guidelines where industry leaders outperform the competition:

1. Standardized processes - consistent business processes, throughout the enterprise

2. Knowledge management - automated data collection, used for actionable intelligence

3. Technology - software leveraged for operational excellence

4. Performance management - operations performance linked to financial metrics

Manufacturers can achieve Best-in-Class performance with an Apriso FlexNet([R]) solution, which delivers each of the above benefits within a single, unified solution. Representing much more than just a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Apriso FlexNet comprises several applications that enable standardized business processes to be established and globally managed across production, quality, maintenance, labor and supply chain visibility processes.

"To efficiently manage manufacturing operations, it is critical to standardize business processes across the enterprise," writes Matthew Littlefield, Manufacturing Research Analyst, Aberdeen Group. "One area that clearly differentiates Best-in-Class performance is when key performance indicator measurement is standardized, letting senior executives equitably compare performance across the enterprise."

Consistent with the benefits of implementing an Apriso FlexNet MOM solution, the research confirmed that collaboration across multiple functions such as production, quality, maintenance and engineering is a major theme underlying Best-in-Class performance. FlexNet makes it is easier to collect, analyze and display operations performance KPIs from across global operations in real-time, allowing for immediate corrective action.

"Automated data collection is not enough to realize higher manufacturing performance - it is also necessary to act on that data and use it to drive efficiency across manufacturing operations," continues Littlefield. "Best-in-Class are three-times more likely than Laggards to optimize production in real-time, perhaps also contributing to how the Best-in-Class are able to realize 97% raw material yield."

"Aberdeen's research clearly validates the value proposition our customers can achieve when implementing an Apriso FlexNet solution for manufacturing operations excellence," commented Jim Henderson, CEO and president, Apriso. "Adopting a technology platform capable of connecting all aspects of manufacturing operations enables our customers to attain improved performance from collaboration across their enterprise."

To listen to a podcast summarizing the results from this research or access a complimentary copy of Aberdeen Group's "Manufacturing Operations Management: The Next Generation of Manufacturing Systems", please either click here, or go to www.apriso.com.

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[TM] for insights that drive decisions. For more information, please go to www.aberdeen.com.

About Apriso

Apriso Corporation is a software company dedicated to providing competitive advantage for its customers. It does so by enabling organizations to adapt quickly and easily to market changes and unexpected events. Apriso's FlexNet platform provides visibility, adaptability and real-time control of manufacturing operations across the enterprise and supply chain network. This is accomplished by integrating planning, execution and control, increasing operational efficiency and eliminating errors in the production process. Apriso serves more than 160 customers in 40 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia, powering more than 600 installations worldwide. Its customers include General Motors, Lear, Honeywell, Microsoft, L'Oreal, Trixell, Lockheed Martin, Becton Dickinson, Saint-Gobain, Novelis and Essilor. For more information, please go to www.apriso.com.

Apriso and FlexNet are registered trademarks of Apriso Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.