A multi-country research study focuses on how small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have adapted to a changing environment, and how they expect their IT usage and priorities to change in the future. The study reveals businesses in many major economies, particularly those in the United States are optimistic about the future.
Conducted by specialist technology consulting firm Analysys Mason, the study analyzed the responses of more than 1,100 SMBs in Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States, providing insights for technology vendors on business conditions and future priorities, technology usage and planned investments, and the services and support that SMBs need the most.
Key findings of the research revealed that levels of business confidence were highest in the United States across all categories of the research:
- 81 percent of SMBs in Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom believe they are operating at full capacity, with the United States. leading on 83 percent
- 72 percent of SMBs in Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom plan to hire new staff in 2022, with the United States leading on 77 percent
- 35 percent of SMBs in Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom plan to add sites in 2022, with the United States leading on 40 percent
- 58 percent of SMBs in Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom reported revenue increases during 2020, with the United States leading on 61 percent
- 72 percent of SMBs in Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom plan to increase IT budgets in 2022, with the United States leading on 73 percent
- 87 percent of SMBs in Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom are optimistic about their prospects in 2022, with the United States leading on 93 percent
Commenting on the research, Bob Takacs, research director and SMB IT practice leader at Analysys Mason, said, “This study revealed a very optimistic business outlook among SMBs in all four of the major countries surveyed, with the U.S. recording the highest levels of confidence as we emerge from the pandemic. In the past year, 61 percent of the U.S. SMBs surveyed reported revenue growth, contrasted with a figure of 32 percent in similar research conducted last year. This is translating into growth plans, with 77 percent of U.S. SMBs surveyed aiming to expand and hire new staff in the year ahead. SMBs are in fact, getting back to business.”
Key findings of the SMB technology demand study include:
A return to business growth – with some caveats
- Business activity is returning to pre-pandemic levels, but some macroeconomic headwinds are expected to continue into 2023.
Remote working will continue
- Remote working will continue to be commonplace; SMBs anticipate that approximately 41 percent of their employees will work remotely, at least some of the time.
- SMBs will continue to focus on supporting remote workers as a key part of addressing labor shortages.
- SMBs will remain focused on recruiting and retaining staff and increasing their share of customers’ IT spending.
Remote work and strategic growth initiatives will continue to drive technology investment priorities
- SMBs’ main technology priorities for 2022 are supporting remote working.
- SMBs plan to invest in a variety of operational, sales- and innovation-related applications to support their strategic business goals.
- SMBs are prioritizing improving connectivity for remote employees, and many expect to increase their spending on both fixed and mobile services.
- SMBs expect to increase their spending on both cloud-based and on-premises infrastructure solutions to support business expansion and remote working.
- SMBs are most interested in investing in remotely managed IT services that are related to storage, backup, recovery, security and devices.
- SMBs will be looking to channel partners that can provide strategic advice.
To download the reports, visit: SMB technology survey insights: getting back to business
