Survey shows SME needs

Research finds SMEs in need of cost savings, competitive advantage and better communication

Cost savings, competitive advantage and better communication are the key returns SMEs want from IT investments.

This is according to the latest research from Technology Means Business (TMB), the independent, government-backed SME advice organisation.

The research was released to coincide with National Small Business Week, starting today.

Neil Southern, director of TMB, said the organisation is working with the small business community to "improve the competitiveness of UK SMEs through the provision of effective business-related IT advice".

The survey found that SMEs are interested in broadband, web services and e-commerce. It also highlighted the fact that SMEs want the same IT advisor for 12 to 18 months, and that they value day-to-day support.

Steve Wood, managing director of Parity, said that small businesses need specialist attention.

"It is not just a scaled down version of the corporate market. SMEs have very individual needs. Vendors can't target this market alone and need to support their VARs to help them become the single point of contact for their SME customers," he said.

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