Aberdeen (News - Alert) Group, a Harte-Hanks Company and analysis firm for the telecommunications industry, has released its study titled, "Partnering for Success: Best Practices in Product Development for Telecommunications Companies."

This study, sponsored by Aricent (News - Alert), outlines the benefits telecommunications equipment manufacturers and service providers receive through early and consistent engagement with strategic development partners, according to Aberdeen officials.

Specifically, company officials say, Aberdeen's survey of telecom companies found that “the highest performers consistently engaged with development partners early in their process,” and as a result benefited from double digit percentage increases in time-to-market, reduced costs, and increased product quality and usability.

"Our latest research clearly shows the product development benefits companies experience when engaging development partners early and consistently across each phase of the product lifecycle," said Russ Klein, Vice President, Technology Research Group Director at the Aberdeen Group. "Aricent's unique combination of consulting, design innovation, and engineering services should position the company well for the growing trend of third-party collaboration in product innovation."

Earlier this year, TMCnet reported that VoIP Supply, a division of Sayers Technology Holdings and a vendor of Voice over IP equipment and systems, announced the release of its VoIP Phone (News - Alert) Buyers Guide, the second guide to be released from its "Learn More" series of educational guides to VoIP equipment.

"As VoIP technology hits the mainstream prosumer there is a great need for educational resources that help demystify and explain the various components that comprise a complete VoIP solution so that solid purchase decisions can be made," stated Garrett Smith (News - Alert), Director of Marketing and Business Development at VoIP Supply, adding "The VoIP Phone Buyers Guide is that type of resource."

Written in what VoIP Supply officials say is "a vendor neutral and straight forward style," the VoIP Phone Buyers Guide is a free download.

Aberdeen Group's July 2010 Contemporary Product Development study looked at how the top 20 percent of performers “engage their development partners to drive a relationship of early and consistent collaboration across all phases of the product lifecycle, from business planning to design to product development and commercialization.”