IDC Manufacturing Insights to Unveil Groundbreaking Warranty Management Capability Maturity Model at Annual Warranty Chain Management Conference

First industry framework designed to assess organizational capabilities and drive continuous improvement

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IDC Manufacturing Insights has announced that the Warranty Management Capability Maturity Model - a proposed industry framework that helps companies assess the capabilities of their warranty organization, develop a continuous improvement roadmap, and accelerate business transformation - will be unveiled at the Warranty Chain Management Conference in San Diego on March 17th.

“It is our goal to increase awareness of warranty trends and help the industry make significant gains”

IDC Manufacturing Insights has been working with the Institute of Warranty Chain Management (iWCM) - a non-profit professional organization - and key industry representatives, to develop the model. The framework, which provides manufacturers with standard language, metrics, maturity stages, best practices and technologies, was vetted using an industry-wide field study, conducted with WarrantyWeek.com.

Warranty claims represent a $23 billion dollar opportunity in the United States alone, and companies with lower maturity wrestle with how best to manage this 'necessary evil' that impacts almost every part of their operation. At the other end of the spectrum, 'warranty warrior' organizations are proactively utilizing warranty data to make better products, lower costs, and bolster customer loyalty.

"It is our goal to increase awareness of warranty trends and help the industry make significant gains," said Sheila Brennan, program manager, Product Lifecycle Strategies at IDC Manufacturing Insights. "The Warranty Management Capability Maturity Model will allow companies to benchmark their capabilities and achieve more consistent improvement throughout the warranty process lifecycle."

According to Brennan, IDC Manufacturing Insights will hand over the ownership of the model the iWCM and its members for future development and maintenance.

IDC Manufacturing Insights will hold a complementary Web conference on May 5 to discuss the industry framework and study findings. Please visit IDC Manufacturing Insights' event page for details.

For additional information contact Sarah Murray at 781-794-3214 or [e-mail]. IDC Manufacturing Insights reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact [e-mail]; reporters should email [e-mail].

About IDC Manufacturing Insights

IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing asset intensive, brand oriented, technology oriented, and engineering oriented manufacturing industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-mi.com, email [e-mail], or call 508-988-7900. Visit the IDC Manufacturing Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/manufacturing.