IT vendors, solution providers and market research specialists agree that the small and medium enterprise (SME) market plays a major role in the economy. But are SMEs aware of their importance? And what do they expect IT to do for their business?
Netsurit, a networking consultancy for the SME sector, has partnered with four IT players - Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Intekom and ITWeb - to find out more about SME`s IT needs and how they can be better served.
Each of the survey sponsors are significant players in the SME IT market, and each have different perspectives when it comes to understanding SMEs and responding to their needs. Here`s what they said.
Orrin Klopper, netsurit MD: "netsurit has positioned itself as the solution provider of choice for SMEs. We believe we are the only IT player whose sole focus is the SME market and who can offer this sector an affordable, totally outsourced networking solution. This survey was an obvious step to find out more about the market we serve."
Kevin Mileham, Microsoft SA: "Microsoft has always regarded the SME segment as critical to the economic development of South Africa. Unfortunately, there is a severe lack of IT data regarding this segment and this survey should help us gain important knowledge."
Phindi Maseku, Hewlett-Packard SA: "HP sees the SME market segment as key for future growth in South Africa and the foundation for a strong economy. We have developed a special focus dedicated to SMEs to provide all products necessary for a complete one-stop SME solution."
Robert Mace, ITWeb: "As an IT news and information service to the South African IT community, we have recognised the very specific needs of the SME sector. ITWeb`s SME news section aims to be the definitive source of IT knowledge to SMEs."
Who can enter the survey?
The SME IT Survey targets all businesses with between five and 50 PCs.
How, where and when to take part?
Any small business with between five and 50 PCs can take part in the survey by visiting ITWeb`s Web site at http://www.itweb.co.za/smesurvey and filling in an online questionnaire. The survey will run for five weeks, starting today.
What do you get in return?
By simply answering a series of questions about your business` IT profile, you stand a chance of winning a number of outstanding prizes, all pertinent for small businesses. You choose which prize you want to compete for. By taking part, you also qualify your business for a series of complimentary analyses: a network analysis, a virus analysis, or an IT training analysis (why not check how IT literate your staff really are?).
At the end of five weeks, the data captured in the survey will be analysed by BMI-TechKnowledge, an IT market research specialist, and published on ITWeb`s Web site. The IT industry will have a far better understanding of SMEs and how best to serve them, while SMEs will understand how their businesses fit into the picture.
To take part in the survey and the competition, go to http://www.itweb.co.za/smesurvey.
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