Independent research by Aberdeen Group show clear benefit of Valor DfM

Shows that PCB Design companies using Valor DFM solutions have less than 1/2 the design re-spins of companies not using Valor

Valor Computerized Systems [Prime Standard: VCR] announces the results of an independent fact based research project by the AberdeenGroup.

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 achieve revenue targets 65% more often than laggard companies. "The findings reveal a very strong correlation between companies who achieve Best-in-Class results with companies who invest and deploy DFM solutions." says Ric Stanley, Senior Research Analyst in Aberdeen's Product Innovation and Engineering practice and the 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 gives 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."

The research, covering a random cross section of more than 200 PCB design companies worldwide, shows that companies using Valor DFM solutions are achieving dramatically higher success than companies who do not use Valor.

-- Valor users are averaging only one re-spin per design, as compared to 3 re-spins for others.The Best in Class are spending on average $13,000 per re-spin. Laggard companies, on the other hand, who average nearly 3 re-spins per design, are spending 3 times that amount or nearly $36,000. (This amount does not include labor and time lost) Multiply this amount by the number of designs a company delivers in a year and the cost difference is even more dramatic.
-- Valor users have a notable competitive advantage by experiencing far fewer major product issues during design fabrication and assembly. Designs checked and verified with Valor have on the average, 70% fewer issues than the rest of the industry.

The findings from this research conclude that there are large scale differentiations in the business targets achieved by the Best-in-Class PCB design companies over their competition, and that this competitive advantage is largely due to the benefits obtained from the use of rules based DFM solutions from Valor.

Ric Stanley's complete formal report can be downloaded from the Media Section on the Valor corporate website: www.valor.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 AberdeenTM 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.