SMBs look set to increase security spending next year
UK firms optimistic about IT spend
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11 Nov 2008, Phil Muncaster , V3
Over half of small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) believe that IT spending will increase next year despite the gloomy economic outlook, according to a new survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
The survey also found that the average SMB expects to employ eight new members of staff over the next 12 months, while 40 per cent will open between one and five new locations.
Matthew Poyiadgi, European vice president at CompTIA, said that most of the increase would be around IT security investment. He added that this could lead to significant cost savings in the long term.
"In previous tough economic times, technology spending would have been one of the first things to be cut from an IT budget," he said. "UK companies recognise that today's situation is different because they rely on technology for an increasing amount of their core business operations."
The research also found that UK firms have the highest brand loyalty. Some 58 per cent said that they buy IT products and services only from top manufacturers and brands currently in use.
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Do you agree?
Ian Bushby, Head of Startups, BT Business
It is refreshing to see these statistics from CompTIA that SMEs are fighting the downturn. Our own recent research shows that 45 per cent of start-ups believe the risk element is not an obstacle when starting a business and nearly two-thirds (60 per cent) feel confident that they have the knowledge to go it alone.
Indeed the world of British business is changing, with hundreds of thousands of new small businesses starting every year. Even in the current economic situation lots of people are relishing the challenge of starting their own enterprise. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy and it's important these businesses continue to receive ongoing support and advice to ensure they continue to compete and thrive into 2009 and beyond.
Posted by Ian Bushby, Head of Startups, BT Business, 12 Nov 2008