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Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) face many of the same challenges as large enterprises when it comes to IT management. They have increasingly complex systems that they rely on to drive their businesses and gain competitive advantage. Operating and maintaining a complex IT infrastructure requires the necessary skills and investment but getting the right staff at an affordable price can be a problem. So, IT management can then become a bottleneck diverting attention from core business activities. Finding ways around this can give SMBs a competitive edge leaving them free to focus on new business opportunities.
SMBs operate complex IT environments
More than half of SMB workers are PC users and over three quarters of SMBs operate more than one server. The majority of SMBs also operate from multiple locations meaning their IT infrastructure is distributed geographically, presenting further issues for IT management.
Many SMBs share their IT resources externally
Almost two thirds of SMBs open their IT resources to external partners, such as customers and suppliers. This collaboration with third parties, whilst offering business efficiency also exposes SMBs to IT security risks.
SMBs have embraced laptops, but are suspicious of mobile devices
A high level of laptop ownership further complicates IT management, with loss and theft exacerbating the lack of asset control and the security risk. SMBs are still in the early days of exploiting ultra-mobile technologies in part because they feel they lack the management tools. This needs to be overcome if they are to realise the potential advantages.
SMB productivity is impacted by a lack of IT management skills
Many SMBs are using semi-skilled in-house resources to deal with IT issues who see IT management as peripheral to their main job function. Hiring a dedicated IT expert does not solve the problem, because what ever the individual's skill set, it will not be broad enough to cover all the IT issues faced by the typical SMB.
Despite their extensive IT use, many SMBs are not satisfied with the reactive way in which their IT systems are usually managed
SMBs are not investing in the skills and tools to proactively manage IT. This is not only impacting the performance of their IT infrastructure, but ultimately the performance of the business.
Some SMBs are turning to external partners that have experts in all areas and take proactive approach to IT management
SMBs are seeking advice from external partners, and some go as far as to outsource IT management. Those businesses that outsource are more satisfied with IT systems performance than SMBs who do not outsource.
Conclusions: SMBs do not have the IT management rigour that is generally found in larger organisations. This lack of capability is harming SMB productivity, and has a direct impact on cost. With the choice between in-house or outsourced IT management, those choosing outsourced solutions are the most satisfied.
Introduction
The pressure of managing ever increasing IT complexity, created by the proliferation of desktops, laptops, servers and mobile devices, at an acceptable cost is the same for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprises alike. However, SMBs often lack the resources and time to effectively manage their IT infrastructure, which can lead to operational inefficiencies and reduced productivity. Quocirca conducted research in late 2006 to look at the extent of the IT management challenge for SMBs in Europe and the US. This report shows the degree to which SMBs are reliant on their IT systems, the limitations they have when it comes to managing them and the consequences of not addressing those management issues. The report is aimed at those responsible for managing IT in small businesses, provides peer review and advises on how better IT management practices can be introduced.
The technology reliant SMB
Technology underpins the operations of most SMBs, enabling them to compete in today's globalised and 24x7 business environment. SMBs are increasingly decentralising their operations, sharing their resources with external partners and managing an increasingly mobile workforce. This already multifaceted and distributed IT environment is further complicated by the need to make it secure and safe, whilst ensuring that end-user resources are available and that employee productivity is not compromised. Whilst IT is a key business enabler for SMBs, this is also a risk without good IT management practices.
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