As part of ongoing research on the small and medium-sized business market (SMB) for advanced technology, IDC prepares twice annual assessments of SMB attitudes regarding key technology areas. This "SMB Temperature Taking" compares IDC evaluations across major regions to help technology suppliers identify were interest is heating up and where interest is cool. In the first Web conference examining IDC's mid-year assessment published last month, key IDC SMB analysts from different regions will examine the SMB temperatures with regard to five critical IT areas:

1. The worldwide and regional economy - What impact if any is the economy having on expected technology acquisition?

2. "Green Technology" - The potential appeal of energy-saving and environmentally sensitive initiatives supported by technology providers.

3. Software-as-a-Service - The new "cloud computing" approaches being introduced from a variety of technology firms that allow SMBs access to hosted solutions that provide access to resources that are not on premises.

4. Virtualization - The advanced approach that allows multiple applications and even operating systems to be run on a single server, helping to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

5. Use of the Internet as a Key Business Resource - Whether through online promotion or actual ecommerce, the Internet, especially fueled by growing broadband penetration, has the potential to transform business operations and drive sales growth. But do SMBs agree?

Join us for a lively discussion of the regional differences that IDC analysts find among SMBs. While the economy will be the starting point for the conversation, the changing opportunities and variations both within and between regions will be at the heart of this Web conference.