Small businesses fail to fully utilise their IT systems

UK small businesses keen to embrace new technology, yet lack IT vision, survey reveals

Small businesses in the UK have made fundamental shifts in the way they use computers, yet many are still missing out on the full potential of IT, a survey commissioned by the British Chambers of Commerce and Microsoft has revealed.

Eighty-five per cent of respondents cited communication with customers and suppliers as one of the main activities they carried out on their computers, while 82 per cent used them for the internet and creating a web presence.

However, many are having to spend too much time on tasks that are not considered a priority. Instead of devoting time to client management and customer service, they are getting bogged down by looking for files and records; dealing with government red tape; and fixing IT problems associated with IT security and data storage, revealed the survey.

IT security failures are costing two-thirds of the businesses surveyed an estimated £1,259 per annum, yet two-fifths of respondents had not even installed a basic firewall onto PCs and over half didn't automatically patch or update all the PCs in the business.

David Frost, director general, British Chambers of Commerce, said: “This research shows how far small businesses have come in recent years and how much they all rely on their computers. It is particularly striking how email communication is so widespread. But too much time is still being taken up fixing problems that could have been avoided. This is time they can ill afford to waste because it takes them away from those activities that really impact their success, like dealing with customers."

"Regularly performing some simple tasks like data back-up or scanning for viruses can make all the difference and now this couldn’t be easier to do," he added.