ANSR Hackett Grp., Inc.(The) (MM)

Companies with the most effective and efficient IT organizations spend about 7% more on IT than median-performing companies, according to a new report from The Hackett Group. Hackett's conclusions are based on analysis of performance metrics and benchmarking data from about 200 global companies Hackett studied this year. Hackett defines "world class" based on a value grid that analyzes IT organizational efficiencies�including costs, number of full-time IT employees, and complexity�and effectiveness�including service level agreements, alignment with the business, and standards. Top IT organizations spend $9,024 per end user versus $8,485 at median firms. And while top IT organizations are spending more, the additional spending is on the technology itself, rather than labor. When it comes to "technology-enabled" solutions, top tier IT organizations typically spend 17% more than median companies. Click Here to Link to Full Text of Article or visit the following URL: http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID= 196600355 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field.��Remove the extra space if one exists.) For more information on the Hackett research described in this press coverage, visit: http://www.thehackettgroup.com/news For more press coverage of Hackett�s research and insights in leading business and trade publications, visit: http://www.thehackettgroup.com/press/ About The Hackett Group The Hackett Group (www.TheHackettGroup.com), a strategic advisory firm and an Answerthink company (NASDAQ: ANSR), is a global leader in best practice research, benchmarking and business transformation services that enable world-class performance across selling, general & administrative (SG&A) and supply chain activities. Hackett provides strategic insight, best practice advice and implementation services grounded in performance metrics obtained through 14 years and 3,500 benchmark studies. Through the acquisition of REL Consultancy Group, the world�s largest firm dedicated to generating cash improvement from working capital and operations, The Hackett Group has deepened its advisory capabilities in the area of working capital optimization. For more than 30 years, Hackett-REL Total Working Capital advisors have helped clients in over 60 countries liberate billions of dollars in working capital ($25 billion in the last ten years alone), creating the financial freedom to fund their strategic objectives including acquisitions, product development, debt reduction and share buy-back programs. Executives use Hackett�s unique, empirically-based approach to prioritize initiatives, execute faster, reduce risk and deliver sustainable results. Our clients comprise 97 percent of the Dow Jones Industrials, 77 percent of the Fortune 100 and 50 percent of the FTSE 100.