IDC's Small and Medium Business Markets service identifies opportunities for providers of advanced technology products and services that address the needs of firms with fewer than 1,000 employees. Forecasts are provided for technology products and services such as desktop and notebook personal computers, local area networks (LANs), and online activities. IT spending for hardware, software, and services is examined, and the service also provides detailed analysis on information sources, channel preferences, and technology objectives.

This service covers the following segments of the U.S. small and medium business (SMB) market:

• Notebook and desktop PCs and key applications
• LANs, servers, and network operating systems
• Printers, MFPs, and supplies
• Local, long distance, mobile, and high-speed Internet services
• Telephone and networking equipment
• Security, storage, and backup products and services
• Online outsourcing of different services, including Web hosting
• Home-page development, online promotion, and ecommerce

Throughout the year, this service will address the following topics:

• SMB segments that will be the most active consumers of new technology
• Vertical markets and their use of technology
• Critical concerns and basic business demographics of SMBs
• Purchase process, including channel preferences and information sources

Our research addresses the following issues that are critical to your success:

1. How do "SMB 2.0" firms provide a foreshadowing of advanced technology use by all SMBs in the coming years?
2. How do small firms compare with midsize firms in the use of PCs, LANs, and advanced business applications?
3. What communications products and services are gaining the greatest traction among SMBs? What SMB segments are most interested in VoIP, wireless, and different communication solution bundles?
4. How do SMBs vary by industry in their use of advanced technology and their loyalty to different solution providers?
5. How will security and other concerns influence SMB network use? How do server environments, including Linux use and plans, vary by company size?
6. What capabilities are small and midsize firms most interested in sourcing online? Which internal and customer/supplier solutions are generating the most excitement?
7. How will annual shipments and penetration levels of key technology products change throughout the forecast period?
8. How are SMB attitudes toward technology associated with the use of different channels and information sources?
9. How do the major regions worldwide compare in percentage of total SMBs and percentage of SMB IT spending?

• Servers and network equipment
• PC brand preferences and influences
• Telephone products (two-line phones, key systems, IP PBX, etc.)
• Carrier preferences for local and long distance phone services
• Network software and applications, including instant messaging
• Networked and direct-attached storage
• Advanced business resources: enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), sales force automation (SFA)
• Critical current and planned Internet applications
• IT spending (hardware, software, services, security, and storage)

Throughout the year, this service will offer insight into the latest trends impacting the market. Potential studies include:

This study provides a forecast of annual shipments and the installed base of technology products across SMB segments.

This study examines SMBs by industry, covering basic demographics and attitudes, technology acquisition and use, and spending levels.

This study examines SMB spending on home-page development and the use of different tools to establish and manage Web sites. "Do it for me" versus "do it myself" preferences are described, along with Web-hosting approaches.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of SMB firms' ownership and plans to purchase desktop and notebook PCs. Brand and channel loyalty is examined, with information on sources used in the past and sources planned for future purchases.

This study analyzes LAN and server use in SMBs. It examines server and OS preferences, key applications, and channel preferences in detail.

IDC offers a complete market intelligence solution customized to meet your business requirements. The array of products and services available to you includes:

• The opportunity to have your specific questions answered through personal interaction with industry experts who cover the topics and markets in your service
• Around-the-clock access to our market intelligence on idc.com, IDC's personalized Web experience
• A view of the market's future with 12 months of continuous intelligence about its direction and the reasons behind it, along with actionable advice for taking advantage of existing and emerging opportunities
• Special client discount pricing on purchases of research from other services
• Complimentary admission to IDC's annual Directions conference, where you'll hear our latest forecasts and network with IDC analysts and other industry professionals
• Complimentary invitations to monthly executive telebriefings, interactive forums designed to provide you with insights about research and strategies directly from IDC analysts

To find out how our flexible packaging options can meet your specific business needs, please contact your IDC sales executive.

As a privately held company, IDC believes that our customers are our primary constituency. A large percentage of every revenue dollar is reinvested back into our products, including more analysts, more geographic coverage, and extensive primary research.

Our steady growth over the past 10 years reflects our commitment to investing in our customers.