microsoft smb it & hosted it index 2010€¦ · is only a comparative score and even for those...

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Microsoft SMB IT & Hosted IT Index, January 2010

Technology as an Enabler for Growth:

How Small and Medium Businesses Use Hosted

Services to Improve Business Performance

Microsoft SMB IT & Hosted IT Index

Summary of Results

11th

February 2010

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Project Background and Methodology

In January 2010, Microsoft undertook research of small and medium businesses attitudes and

awareness to IT. The research also showed how the economic downturn had affected their business

performance and gauged their awareness of hosted services in light of the business advantages that

they can deliver.

Data was gathered across a total of 15 countries. The focus was on small and medium sized

businesses from 10 to 500 employees. A cross section of private sector industries was represented.

3,193 business or IT decision makers (in small businesses usually the same person) were surveyed.

The countries included were:

• EMEA (UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Spain) • Asia (Australia, China, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea) • USA

The methodology used was online research inviting opted-in, appropriately qualified individuals (the

IT decision maker) from relevant organisations. In addition, there were screening questions used to

ensure this selection process was applied. These included ensuring sole traders and people from

organisations with more than 500 employees were not invited, as well as a function question so if a

respondent was just a user of IT rather than a decision maker, they were also discounted.

Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 2

Gauging the importance of IT in running a small and medium business ........................................... 3

Small and Medium Business revenue performance during the global economic recession .............. 4

Does IT deliver a business advantage? ............................................................................................... 6

IT use amongst small and medium businesses ................................................................................... 6

How do small and medium businesses source and support IT? ......................................................... 7

The outlook for SMB use of future technologies .............................................................................. 13

Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Introduction Microsoft’s motivation for conducting extensive research into the attitudes and awareness of small

and medium businesses worldwide was to gauge what their priorities are, how they have been

affected by the global economic downturn and what they need to be able to capitalise on an upturn

in business fortune. The research reported some expected and some unexpected results, such as a

surprisingly high revenue increase among SMBs over the last 12 months, though a large number of

businesses have seen revenues decrease dramatically. Even here though, there is ambition to

compete more effectively with big businesses and our findings show how SMBs are tackling that,

with many recognising that IT is an enabler for better business productivity and effectiveness.

This research report looks at the results and findings of the importance of IT to SMBs, revenue

performance during the recession and how this may correlate to IT, what IT tools and services SMBs

use, what they host or have on premise, and how progressive they are in terms of using the latest

technologies.

Additional analysis and graphs throughout this report are courtesy of Freeform Dynamics.

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Microsoft SMB

Gauging the importance of The organisations

interviewed for the survey

across the world exhibit a

very high reliance on IT to

help the day to day running

of their business with 86%

saying that technology is

either very important or

critical to their business.

There is clear evidence from

the research that for these

organisations at least,

technology is extremely

important to the Small and

Medium Business

community.

Norway and Japan have the lowest percentage

UK and China have the highest at 97% and 96% respectively.

that IT is critical to the day to day running of business, and this proportion is 20% greater in UK and

China. The nations most likely to report that IT complements business but is not essential, are the

Netherlands, Norway and Poland. However, the proportion of respondents in these nations to

this assertion is still less than 10%.

services are most likely to report that IT is critical to their business.

How Important is IT to the day to day running of your business?(regional responses) Critical (4)

Very important (3)

Moderately important (2)

Not important (1)

Average

How Important is IT to the day to day running of your business?(regional responses)

To

tal

Fin

an

cial

serv

ices

Critical (4) 55.5 %

65.2

%

Very important (3) 30.4 %

25.6

%

Moderately important (2)

10.7

%

8.0

%

Not important (1) 3.4 %

1.3

%

Average 3.4 3.5


Gauging the importance of IT in running a small and medium business

Norway and Japan have the lowest percentage of heavily IT-reliant organisations

UK and China have the highest at 97% and 96% respectively. More than half of respondents reported


The nations most likely to report that IT complements business but is not essential, are the

Netherlands, Norway and Poland. However, the proportion of respondents in these nations to

is still less than 10%. Respondents in computer services or telecoms

services are most likely to report that IT is critical to their business.

How Important is IT to the day to day running of your business?(regional

Total EMEA Asia

55.5 % 56.1 % 55.1 %30.4 % 29.5 % 31.4 %10.7 % 10.8 % 11.0 %3.4 % 3.7 % 2.5 %

3.4 3.4 3.4

Fin

an

cial

Ma

n. o

r en

g.

RD

T

Bu

s. & p

rof.

serv

ices

Co

mp

ute

r

serv

ices o

r

tele

com

s

Tra

ve

l, leisu

re,

en

terta

inm

en

t

Pro

p.

con

structio

n

or m

inin

g

65.2

%

55.5

%

46.0

%

57.4

%

74.1

%

48.0

% 46.8 %

25.6

%

30.8

%

37.2

%

32.8

%

20.2

%

31.0

% 34.3 %

8.0

%

11.6

%

11.8

%

7.7

% 4.9 %

15.7

% 12.5 %

1.3

%

2.1

%

5.0

%

2.1

% 0.8 %

5.2

% 6.4 %

3.5 3.4 3.2 3.5 3.7 3.2 3.2

small and medium business

reliant organisations at 71% while the

More than half of respondents reported


The nations most likely to report that IT complements business but is not essential, are the

Netherlands, Norway and Poland. However, the proportion of respondents in these nations to make

r services or telecoms or in financial

Asia USA

55.1 % 52.8 %

31.4 % 33.6 %

11.0 % 8.8 %

2.5 % 4.8 %

3.4 3.3

Co

nsu

me

r

serv

ices

Ch

em

ical o

r

ph

arm

ace

utica

l Othe

r

Co

mm

ercia

l

42.9

%

55.8

%

38.6

%

41.0

%

29.5

%

26.9

%

12.8

%

11.6

%

23.4

%

3.2 % 3.2

%

11.1

%

3.2 3.4 2.9

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Microsoft SMB

Small and Medium Business revenue performance during the global

economic recession SMBs have reason to feel optimistic: t

increases for SMBs around the world, though some were obviously affected negatively and

dramatically. 2010 will give SMB

look carefully at what will enable them to be more productive and to compete more effectively.

over half of the IT-reliant organisations

around one in seven suggesting their revenues had decreased. Great

country, region, size and sector is given below.

region are most likely to report an increased revenue (even

revenues). USA however is the region where the largest proportion of decreased revenues was

reported.

The largest proportions of respondents to report an increased revenue work in the chemical or

pharmaceutical sector, and in financial services.

property, construction or mining sector reported a decreased revenue.

respondents to report an increased revenue were in the largest of the organisations

the lowest proportion to do so, and the highest to report a decreased revenue were in the smallest

of organisations.

Over 90% of the respondents to report an increased revenue, reported it to be by less than 50%.

This is consistent across all the countries, the three regions, the various sizes and all the sectors

apart from chemical and pharmaceutical

might have anticipated, the average increase is not huge for these organisations but

suggest that for an appreciable percentage of small and medium companies, the last 12 months

have not been a total disaster. Given the high proportion of IT

will be interesting to examine the role IT has pla

If we look at the two indicators together

performance), we see there is a correlation between them, though we have to be careful about



s have reason to feel optimistic: the worldwide view shows that 2009 did deliver some revenue


SMBs more opportunity but to capitalise on an upturn

at what will enable them to be more productive and to compete more effectively.

reliant organisations researched saw their revenues increase in the last year with

around one in seven suggesting their revenues had decreased. Greater examination of variance by

country, region, size and sector is given below.

The countries where

organisations are most

likely to have increased

revenues in the last year

are China, India and

Germany. Meanwhile,

Japan is the country

where the smallest

proportion of

organisations reported an

increased revenue and

almost half reported

decreased revenues,

followed by the UK where

over a quarter reported

decreased revenues.

Respondents in the

region are most likely to report an increased revenue (even with Japan's incidence of decreased

USA however is the region where the largest proportion of decreased revenues was


and in financial services. In contrast, almost a fifth of respondents in the

property, construction or mining sector reported a decreased revenue. The highest proportion of

respondents to report an increased revenue were in the largest of the organisations



s all the countries, the three regions, the various sizes and all the sectors

pharmaceutical where the proportion is 86%.This suggests that, as we

might have anticipated, the average increase is not huge for these organisations but


have not been a total disaster. Given the high proportion of IT-reliant companies in the sample, it

will be interesting to examine the role IT has played in giving us such an optimistic picture.

If we look at the two indicators together (the role of IT within the business and the

, we see there is a correlation between them, though we have to be careful about


he worldwide view shows that 2009 did deliver some revenue


s more opportunity but to capitalise on an upturn SMBs need to

at what will enable them to be more productive and to compete more effectively. Just

saw their revenues increase in the last year with

er examination of variance by

The countries where

organisations are most

likely to have increased

revenues in the last year

are China, India and

Germany. Meanwhile,

Japan is the country

where the smallest

proportion of

organisations reported an

increased revenue and

almost half reported

decreased revenues,

followed by the UK where

over a quarter reported

decreased revenues.

Respondents in the Asia

with Japan's incidence of decreased

USA however is the region where the largest proportion of decreased revenues was


In contrast, almost a fifth of respondents in the

The highest proportion of

respondents to report an increased revenue were in the largest of the organisations. Alternatively,



s all the countries, the three regions, the various sizes and all the sectors

where the proportion is 86%.This suggests that, as we

might have anticipated, the average increase is not huge for these organisations but does perhaps


reliant companies in the sample, it

yed in giving us such an optimistic picture.

the revenue

, we see there is a correlation between them, though we have to be careful about

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Microsoft SMB

cause and effect here, as two factors are likely to be underpinning this picture. Firstly, fast growing

organisations have a greater need for IT (and possibly more money to spend on it). Secondly, IT in

itself encourages more growth as a result of the enhanced efficiency and ef

Either way, it is an important observation that technology use and business performance are related,

which could be a call to action for those not taking IT that seriously.

Chart source: Freeform Dynamics

Could it be that IT is not as relevant to some types of company though


The argument that ‘IT is not that relevant to us’ seem

attitudes and levels of use within each industry

between IT use and growth is seen within individual industries themselves


as two factors are likely to be underpinning this picture. Firstly, fast growing


itself encourages more growth as a result of the enhanced efficiency and effectiveness it enables.


which could be a call to action for those not taking IT that seriously.

s not as relevant to some types of company though?

The argument that ‘IT is not that relevant to us’ seems to be invalid. There are examples of all

attitudes and levels of use within each industry and within each size sector of SMB.

between IT use and growth is seen within individual industries themselves. In terms of size of

as two factors are likely to be underpinning this picture. Firstly, fast growing


fectiveness it enables.


to be invalid. There are examples of all

r of SMB. The correlation

. In terms of size of

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Microsoft SMB

company, an increased focus on IT correlates with good performance to one degree or another in all

of the size categories included, tho

500 employee) segment. Taken overall, however, this corroborates the notion that IT can provide

tangible business advantage, even for smaller companies. The bottom line is that the link betwee

and performance is observed for all types of company.

Does IT deliver a business advantage?Overall, at least 9 in 10 respondents reported that larger companies had an advantage over smaller

competitors because of their dedicated and sophisticated IT

sector alone (up to 50 employees) where one may not consider IT to be as vital, this figure has still

grown from 79%, when similar research was conducted in 2008, to 85% of businesses in 2010. This

shows that the importance of IT is growing each year. It also gives us the obvious viewpoint that if

dedicated IT resources were available to the smallest organisations, then this differentiator would be

eroded.

Overall, around four-fifths of respondents thought the

more IT available regardless of cost. However, the economic downturn stopped IT investment

among one in three SMBs worldwide. This leaves

more productive and effective but cannot afford to risk high investments.

that if they cannot afford to own various IT tools then they cannot afford to have them at all. Just as

in any other walk of life, renting could be the best course of action. This repor

discuss the specific attitudes and awareness to hosted services.

IT use amongst small and medium businessesOverall, some 83.4% of respondents said that professional looking communications were either

‘critical’ or ‘very important’. For

at 61%. Spain and China are especially keen to promote a professional front

important or critical. From looking at the importance averages, three nations believe pro

tools to be slightly less than very important, being the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea. But this

is only a comparative score and even for those three countries, taking each score in isolation

suggests a very high understanding of the rol

of the organisation.

In terms of the IT used by the respondents, email

followed by back-up tools (92.4%).


n increased focus on IT correlates with good performance to one degree or another in all

of the size categories included, though the relationship is most marked in the medium sized (200 to


tangible business advantage, even for smaller companies. The bottom line is that the link betwee

and performance is observed for all types of company.

Does IT deliver a business advantage? Overall, at least 9 in 10 respondents reported that larger companies had an advantage over smaller

competitors because of their dedicated and sophisticated IT resources. In fact, in the small business



importance of IT is growing each year. It also gives us the obvious viewpoint that if


fifths of respondents thought their business would be better off it they had


s worldwide. This leaves SMBs in a position where they know they could be

tive but cannot afford to risk high investments. Most SMB


in any other walk of life, renting could be the best course of action. This report will come on to

discuss the specific attitudes and awareness to hosted services.

use amongst small and medium businesses of respondents said that professional looking communications were either

‘critical’ or ‘very important’. For the small businesses surveyed in 2008, this figure was much lower

. Spain and China are especially keen to promote a professional front, over 94%

From looking at the importance averages, three nations believe pro



suggests a very high understanding of the role professional IT tools can play in the successful running

In terms of the IT used by the respondents, email is the most pervasive IT tool worldwide (95.6%),

up tools (92.4%). However, this does not mean that these tools are used by every

n increased focus on IT correlates with good performance to one degree or another in all

ugh the relationship is most marked in the medium sized (200 to


tangible business advantage, even for smaller companies. The bottom line is that the link between IT

Overall, at least 9 in 10 respondents reported that larger companies had an advantage over smaller

resources. In fact, in the small business



importance of IT is growing each year. It also gives us the obvious viewpoint that if


ir business would be better off it they had


s in a position where they know they could be

SMBs may believe


t will come on to

of respondents said that professional looking communications were either

the small businesses surveyed in 2008, this figure was much lower

over 94% say it is very

From looking at the importance averages, three nations believe professional IT



e professional IT tools can play in the successful running

worldwide (95.6%),

tools are used by every

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Microsoft SMB

company worldwide and indeed the research shows that

7% of financial services companies worldwide do not have any back

companies are the least likely to have website

companies in the UK are the most likely to have a website, just 3.5% do not have one.

The below chart shows which technologies people have (hosted or on premise), giving a gauge of the

sophistication of IT worldwide.

How do small and medium businessesOverall, around four in ten respondents reported they have the necessary skills to handle their IT

systems, but over half of the respondents in the USA and even more so in UK believed

capable. In contrast, the lowest proportion of respondents to report this were in Poland, South

Africa and South Korea where only around a third believed they were capable.

respondent function at this stage. Within the smalle

senior decision maker whereas in the other organisations, we would be aiming for the IT decision

maker. If IT is important to the smallest company, then it is likely that our respondent will have an IT

familiarity at the least. Of course, when researching the IT decision

companies, the vast majority will be IT professionals.

The most common source of IT software is a local IT provider, reported by almost three in ten

respondents. Over a fifth of respondents in China reported they use an IT hosting provider, making

them the most likely to do so.


company worldwide and indeed the research shows that even in a heavily regulated industry, over

7% of financial services companies worldwide do not have any back-up tools. South African

companies are the least likely to have websites (28.8% compared to a global average of 11.8%),



How do small and medium businesses source and support ITOverall, around four in ten respondents reported they have the necessary skills to handle their IT

systems, but over half of the respondents in the USA and even more so in UK believed

In contrast, the lowest proportion of respondents to report this were in Poland, South

Africa and South Korea where only around a third believed they were capable. We must consider the

respondent function at this stage. Within the smallest company, this would be an owner/manager or



rity at the least. Of course, when researching the IT decision-maker in the non

companies, the vast majority will be IT professionals.


er a fifth of respondents in China reported they use an IT hosting provider, making

even in a heavily regulated industry, over

up tools. South African

s (28.8% compared to a global average of 11.8%),



IT? Overall, around four in ten respondents reported they have the necessary skills to handle their IT

systems, but over half of the respondents in the USA and even more so in UK believed they were

In contrast, the lowest proportion of respondents to report this were in Poland, South

We must consider the

st company, this would be an owner/manager or



maker in the non-smallest


er a fifth of respondents in China reported they use an IT hosting provider, making

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Where do you get IT support for your business?

Total

I have the necessary skills to maintain the system and deal with problems

42.7 %

I use an IT services/support company when required

32.4 %

I have a contract with an IT services/support company that maintains our systems

24.4 %

The PC retailer provides IT support when required

19.3 %

I employ an IT professional(s) 19.0 %

A friend helps when I have a problem

15.0 %

Someone within my business has the IT skills required, but it’s not their main job

14.2 %

I use an IT Hosting provider 7.7 %

Where do you primarily buy IT software?

Total

From a local IT provider 28.7 %

From a national retailer 24.1 %

Specialist online computer stores 13.7 %

I have a consultant that takes care of all of my IT needs

10.7 %

From a network service provider/telecoms operator

9.5 %

Through a friend 4.2 % Big-brand online retailers (Amazon)

4.2 %

From my IT hosting provider 4.9 %

The local or national retailer is very important in this context as is the online merchant, but it’s much

less important than it appeared in

2008: 66.5% of SMBs buy from

one of these in 2010 compared to

around 89% in 2008.

Buying primarily from an IT

hosting supplier is still fairly low

but SMBs are becoming

increasingly aware of this option.

Awareness of hosted services is

increasing with 65 percent of

SMBs using hosted software to some extent, while 73 percent of the remainder have considered it,

compared with only 44 percent in the 2008 Index.

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Microsoft SMB

Of those respondents that are not

below shows those that are using hosted software.

Of those respondents using

hosted services, it is the

business advantage that

attracted them: almost 36%

wanted to find ways to

improve business productivity;

31% didn’t have the resources

to manage their IT; cost was

much lower at 25%.

Companies in China show their

ambition because 54% use

hosted services because

thought it would help them

compete with bigger

companies who have better IT.

Of those respondents that have considered hosting, but are not using it, the economic downturn

stopping investment (33.9%) and a lack of aware

being able to undertake it.


Of those respondents that are not using hosted software, 72.5% have considered hosting.

below shows those that are using hosted software.


stopping investment (33.9%) and a lack of awareness (25.2%) were the two top reasons for not

software, 72.5% have considered hosting. Chart


ness (25.2%) were the two top reasons for not

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Microsoft SMB

In terms of opportunities for

hosting providers, three in

four (75.7%) of respondents

have considered using

hosting to IT tools that they

do not currently have.

Respondents in China are the

most likely to have

considered using hosted

services for four different IT

tools: backup,

filesharing/collaboration, e-

commerce and CRM. The

chart shown is in response to

the question: Have you considered using hosted IT services for any of th

When the research results for hosting drivers are correlated against how SMBs feel about the

importance of IT, the results are

emphasised as a driver for hosted servic

heavily to support their business)

competitiveness. At the other end of the spectrum, however, the least progressive organisations

tend to be more focused on reducing cost and the IT burden, with less emphasis on value.


the question: Have you considered using hosted IT services for any of the following IT tools?


importance of IT, the results are very revealing in that access to new or advanced functionality is

emphasised as a driver for hosted services among progressive organisations (ie those that use IT

heavily to support their business) who clearly care a lot about business value, productivity and


o be more focused on reducing cost and the IT burden, with less emphasis on value.

e following IT tools?


very revealing in that access to new or advanced functionality is

(ie those that use IT

who clearly care a lot about business value, productivity and


o be more focused on reducing cost and the IT burden, with less emphasis on value.

11 | P a g e

Microsoft SMB



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Microsoft SMB

Looking more closely at the IT tools used by the SMBs surveyed,

pervasive worldwide (95.6%), followed

regulated industry, over 7% of financial services companies worldwide do not have any back

tools. South African companies are the least likely to have websites (28.8% compared to a global

average of 11.8%), companies in the UK are the most likely to have a website, just 3.5% do not have

one. The below chart shows which technologies people have (hosted or on premise), giving a gauge

of the sophistication of IT worldwide.

The following charts break out the different services that are either hosted or on premise.



Looking more closely at the IT tools used by the SMBs surveyed, IT tools such as

pervasive worldwide (95.6%), followed by back-up tools (92.4%). Although even in a heavily

regulated industry, over 7% of financial services companies worldwide do not have any back


1.8%), companies in the UK are the most likely to have a website, just 3.5% do not have

The below chart shows which technologies people have (hosted or on premise), giving a gauge

of the sophistication of IT worldwide.

t the different services that are either hosted or on premise.

such as email are almost

up tools (92.4%). Although even in a heavily

regulated industry, over 7% of financial services companies worldwide do not have any back-up


1.8%), companies in the UK are the most likely to have a website, just 3.5% do not have

The below chart shows which technologies people have (hosted or on premise), giving a gauge

t the different services that are either hosted or on premise.

13 | P a g e

Microsoft SMB

The services we see here are far more concerned with business differentiation from an effectiveness

point of view, i.e. they provide enhanced end user capab

within the business to work. The relationship between the emphasis on IT and such capability,

whether delivered hosted or on-

these areas being tangible enablers of business value, and as hosted solutions lower the barrier to

entry, it’s here that we see some of the greatest opportunities for business improvement.


The outlook for SMB use of future technologiesIt is clear from the research that use of hosting goes hand in hand with a general emphasis on IT.

Those with more of a focus on IT are obviously seeing some advantages in going down the hosting

route. The research also indicates how many of the

the latest technologies and in some cases using them.

they would benefit from a way to unify all communication channels, such as email, mobile email,

Instant Messenger, fixed phone, mobile phone (Unified Communications). The country where this

idea was greeted most warmly was China, where over 99% said "yes".

One of the other

predicted hot

technologies of 2010

is cloud computing,

according to the

research two thirds

of the respondents

know about cloud

computing and a fifth

of the total

respondents say they

are using the

technology. Of those




point of view, i.e. they provide enhanced end user capability and allow ‘smarter’ ways for those


-premise, is very clear indeed. This is consistent with functionality in

tangible enablers of business value, and as hosted solutions lower the barrier to


The outlook for SMB use of future technologies that use of hosting goes hand in hand with a general emphasis on IT.


also indicates how many of these companies surveyed are already familiar with

the latest technologies and in some cases using them. Almost four in every five respondents said


one, mobile phone (Unified Communications). The country where this

idea was greeted most warmly was China, where over 99% said "yes".



ility and allow ‘smarter’ ways for those


premise, is very clear indeed. This is consistent with functionality in

tangible enablers of business value, and as hosted solutions lower the barrier to


that use of hosting goes hand in hand with a general emphasis on IT.


surveyed are already familiar with

Almost four in every five respondents said


one, mobile phone (Unified Communications). The country where this

14 | P a g e

Microsoft SMB

that aren’t using cloud technology so far (but are familiar with the term), the respondents are split

as to whether they would get busines

industry still has work to do in terms of educating businesses about the benefits that they would

draw from using the latest technologies, as well as

terms themselves mean. The chart above looks at the use of both hosting and cloud and shows that

those with more of a focus on IT are obviously seeing some advantages in going down the hosting

route.

It won’t come as any

surprise that use of

hosting also goes hand in

hand with good financial

performance too. Taking

a step back, there are

two primary reasons for

this. Firstly, better

performing companies

tend to outsource more

non-core activity, and IT

hosting is consistent with

this. Secondly, more progressive/growing companies are also more likely to see IT as an important

enabler, and the hosted route means they can take advantage of more advanced functionality

they can put enterprise class facilities in place that would be difficult or i

premise because of cost, resource and/or expertise constraints.

Conclusions 2010 may provide opportunities for an upturn for

success. As explored throughout the research,

enhanced efficiency and effectiveness it enables

for IT, hence hosted solutions can be the best choice for an

Hosted services are the most cost efficient way of getting high quality and professional

communications services without large investments.

such services on a subscription

access to tools that would normally be out of their reach



as to whether they would get business benefit from it (46% agree they would). This shows that the IT


draw from using the latest technologies, as well as cutting through the IT jargon to explain

The chart above looks at the use of both hosting and cloud and shows that


re progressive/growing companies are also more likely to see IT as an important

enabler, and the hosted route means they can take advantage of more advanced functionality

they can put enterprise class facilities in place that would be difficult or impractical to implement on

premise because of cost, resource and/or expertise constraints.

2010 may provide opportunities for an upturn for SMBs and IT will be a critical factor in their

success. As explored throughout the research, IT in itself encourages more growth as a result of the

enhanced efficiency and effectiveness it enables and fast growing organisations have a greater need

, hence hosted solutions can be the best choice for an SMB in enabling and supporting growth.

ices are the most cost efficient way of getting high quality and professional

communications services without large investments. As small and medium businesses can pay for

subscription basis, per user, they can greatly minimise the cost,

access to tools that would normally be out of their reach.

-ENDS-


s benefit from it (46% agree they would). This shows that the IT


cutting through the IT jargon to explain what the

The chart above looks at the use of both hosting and cloud and shows that


re progressive/growing companies are also more likely to see IT as an important

enabler, and the hosted route means they can take advantage of more advanced functionality – e.g.

mpractical to implement on

s and IT will be a critical factor in their

lf encourages more growth as a result of the

fast growing organisations have a greater need

in enabling and supporting growth.

ices are the most cost efficient way of getting high quality and professional

businesses can pay for

basis, per user, they can greatly minimise the cost, while getting

15 | P a g e


Contact Information

For marketing information, please contact:

Serge Khayat, Senior Marketing Manager - Hosting / Software + Services, Microsoft Communications

Sector at: [email protected]

For press information, please contact:

[email protected]

For additional information on Microsoft and Hosting, visit: www.microsoft.com/hosting

microsoft smb it & hosted it index 2010€¦ · is only a comparative score and even for those...

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