The findings in International Data Corporation`s (IDC) latest report challenge the traditional expectation that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe are close-minded and diffident to IT.
Survey results show that those SMEs that are already automated employ a vast set of IT devices and allocate a substantial portion of their overhead budget to IT expenditure.
"When you consider that in 1997, European SMEs had an average IS budget of around $150 000, this results in a $7.5 billion market in 1997 for these companies," comments Edoardo Riboldazzi, research analyst with IDC`s European IT Vertical Markets programme. "It is expected that this will exceed $8 billion by 1998."
The study sample, consisting of 4 500 automated European SMEs, has been segmented through enhanced statistical methods into four non-overlapping and exhaustive clusters. Companies included in three of these four groups, together representing more than 70% of all currently automated European SMEs, employ a vast set of IT devices and allocate a relevant amount of resources to IT expenditure.
"Customer satisfaction indexes indicate that European SMEs are generally satisfied by their major IT suppliers` performance," states Riboldazzi. "Moreover, SMEs are happier on those issues where they are most demanding, ie in quality of product and support."
IDC`s research shows, however, that these companies are less satisfied with software houses than hardware vendors which suggests the lack of a software offer tailored to the needs of this important market.
IDC`s report "European Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises` IT Opportunities" provides detailed analysis on European SME`s patterns of IT expenditure, attitudes towards IT and IT vendors` perception, highlighting business opportunities for IT vendors looking for opportunity in the Europe SME market. IDC`s report is priced at $10 000 and is available from your local IDC office.
About IDC
International Data Corporation is the information technology industry`s most comprehensive resource on worldwide IT markets, trends, products, vendors and geographies. IDC provides data, analysis and advisory services to the world`s leading IT suppliers as well as IS professionals in finance, insurance, entertainment, advertising, consumer goods and publishing. IDC`s research and opinions are based on the results of more than 300 000 end-user surveys, in-depth competitive analysis, broad technology coverage, and strategic analysis. IDC is committed to providing global research with local content through its 500 analysts in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Additional information on IDC can be found on its Web site at http://www.idc.com.
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