Small to medium enterprises want to conduct business in an easier manner, and grow their IT infrastructure cost-effectively, according to the ITWeb 2008 business challenges survey results.
SMEs want integrated, collaborative systems that will meet the needs of a growing business and implement solutions that work first time, according to the findings.
The survey was conducted online during August and September, in preparation for ITWeb's planned Technology Roadmaps 2007 conference, which will take place on 31 October.
The cost and management of ICT infrastructure and outsource partners, alongside skills shortages, data quality/integrity and reducing the cost of doing business were listed by respondents as their main business challenges in 2008.
When asked how ICT and vendors can help them meet their challenges in 2008, respondents listed centralisation of services, integration and collaboration as the most important contributions from ICT in the year ahead. This related specifically to programme, portfolio and project management, from the executive level down to execution level.
Closely linked to this was the ability to implement cost-effective and efficient business processes to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce cost to business. System integration was seen as crucial, in that SMEs want to have one platform from to run all activities of the company, be it VOIP or enterprise solutions. They also want the ability to link various business applications to increase efficiency and visibility, according to survey respondents.
Collaboration also extended to the ability to provide collaboration platforms between business associates/partners and suppliers/providers and tools for geographically dispersed work groups, according to the survey.
The bottom line, the survey found, is a need to put together all the vital components of a successfully run IT business on a dynamic and interactive platform for optimal sales and customer service, as well as the administration of activities without adding extra input points at all steps.
With management of data and data quality/integrity being a top concern, respondents indicated they lack cost-effective technology solutions to unify input from disparate business sources.
On the emerging technologies front, embracing Web 2.0 technology as a collaboration tool in the business and on-demand service/pay-as-you-go models for storage, applications and networks were noted as possible ICT solutions.
ICT vendors will be invited to participate in the ITWeb Technology Roadmaps Conference, on 31 October, in Bryanston, to share their respective technology roadmaps and demonstrate to business how their solutions will assist SMEs in meeting their challenges head-on in 2008.
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