TEMPE, Ariz., June 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Technology influencers at small businesses are less than satisfied with the current state of IT at their companies. The most recent findings from Insight Enterprises’ Intelligent Technology Index show that 47 percent of respondents at small businesses give their current IT infrastructure a grade of C+ on average, and say their current technology is a hindrance to incorporating or adopting new technologies.
Despite the “average” current state, IT solutions are becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, creating more opportunity for growing businesses to revamp their infrastructure and consider how new technologies can be integrated.
In fact, 42 percent of small business respondents plan to see an increase of 27 percent over their 2015 budgets, outpacing the expected budget increases for mid- to large-sized companies by approximately 10 percentage points.
Where do respondents from small businesses plan to allocate their money? Forty percent will invest in maintenance of existing equipment and infrastructure, followed by innovation, including the adoption and development of new technologies (35 percent).
According to Insight’s new survey-based whitepaper, Ever-Evolving Tech and Your Growing Business, “It’s impossible for growing businesses to ignore how Intelligent Technology can impact work, a reality causing them to recognize that rather than a financial burden, technology should be optimized and considered an important part of their strategic plan.”
Seventy-two percent of respondents at small businesses plan to adopt new cloud services, while 47 percent will invest in Software as a Service and 40 percent will invest in Security as a Service.
Additionally, small businesses see value in technologies that have the power to help them run faster and smarter, especially in relation to data intelligence. Sixty-nine percent are budgeting for new technologies, including:
- Dashboard and data visualization applications (40 percent)
- Data virtualization (39 percent)
- Wearable devices (20 percent)
- 3D printers (13 percent)
“Small businesses, just like enterprise organizations, should think about technology not just as an operating expense or capital investment, but as a strategic enabler to drive scalability, competitiveness and growth,” said Steve Dodenhoff, president, Insight U.S. “Maximizing technology investments is now within reach as technologies once only available to very large organizations are becoming more accessible to small and mid-market businesses alike.”
Survey Methodology
The Insight Enterprises Intelligent Technology Index research was conducted online among a random sample of 403 IT professionals with decision-making responsibilities and 197 respondents from small businesses. Fieldwork was conducted by independent research firm, Market Intel Group, between November 30, 2015 and December 8, 2015. The margin of error associated with this level of reporting is +/- 4.9% at a 95% confidence level. For this research, small companies are defined as having less than 100 employees; medium companies having 100 to 999 employees; and large companies having 1,000 or more employees.
For more information on Insight, visit http://www.insight.com/ or call 1.800.INSIGHT.
About Insight
From business and government organizations to healthcare and educational institutions, Insight empowers clients with Intelligent Technology™ solutions to realize their goals. As a Fortune 500-ranked global provider of hardware, software, cloud and service solutions, our 5,700 teammates provide clients the guidance and expertise needed to select, implement and manage complex technology solutions to drive business outcomes. Through our world-class people, partnerships, services and delivery solutions, we help businesses run smarter. Discover more at insight.com. NSIT-M
About Market Intel Group
Market Intel Group, based in suburban Philadelphia, PA, is a global market intelligence firm providing information relevant to a company's markets, gathered and analyzed specifically for the purpose of accurate and confident decision making in determining strategy for brand positioning, improved communications, thought leadership, management of customer and stakeholder relationships, and strengthening image and reputation. To learn more about the company, visit www.mktintelgroup.com.