SMB's keen on managed services, SaaS: AMI

NEW YORK, US: SMBs globally are showing a  very strong interest in managed services and software-as-a-service (SaaS), stated a study conducted by AMI-Partners, a provider in IT business analysis and consulting.

A recent eleven-country study by AMI-Partners highlighted significant changes in SMBs’ IT needs and interests, said a press release.

Other key aspects identified by the study included dramatic increases in SMBs’ plans to outsource specific IT needs such as storage, security and telecommunications.

“What we are seeing in the SMB space right now is anything but ‘business as usual,” said Chad Thompson, AMI’s vice president of Marketing.

He added, “SMBs are re-evaluating the way their businesses run on a number of fronts, including where and how they spend money, how they drive revenues and how IT supports these goals.”

The study found that most SMBs feel the economy is starting to stabilize, however businesses are still seeking ways to significantly reduce costs and increase revenues.

This includes exploring IT products and services that can directly and immediately help ease exaggerated pain points like restricted cash flow and limited access to credit.

“Solutions like SaaS and managed services offer flexible payment options and usage-based models that are very attractive to SMBs right now, as they struggle to overcome the credit crunch and very tight IT budgets,” said Thompson.

According to the study the changing dynamics in the way SMBs are making IT purchases. The purchase process has become more formalized and decision making cycles have been significantly extended compared to just three months ago, said the release.

In addition, key decision makers involved in IT purchasing are exuding even greater influence of why, when and where IT purchases are made.

Over the last 12 months the influence of business decision makers (BDM) or owners and presidents) has increased drastically.

“Today BDMs are the reason an IT purchase is made. They are solely focused on cutting costs and increasing revenues. If an IT purchase doesn’t speak directly to one of those core needs the purchase will simply not happen,” added Thompson.

Other changes in SMBs’ IT perceptions and behaviors include their likelihood to purchase specific IT categories like desktops, notebooks, servers, printers and software.

The study highlights the small percent of SMBs that are “very likely” to make a specific IT purchase in the next three months compared to those “somewhat likely.”

“What we are seeing quarter-over-quarter is that SMBs that say they are ‘very likely’ to make a purchase in the next three months tend to make that purchase; however those that say they are ‘somewhat likely’ will require a clear and compelling reason to make the purchase," added Thompson

AMI’s quarterly SMB tracking study, Q Pulse was conducted in eleven countries: U.S., Canada, India,  Mexico, Brazil, France, UK, Germany, China, Korea, and Australia.

The study's focus was to analyze how the economy is impacting SMBs’ perceptions, usage and purchasing behaviors related to IT, said the release.