Microsoft has released a report predicting that a majority of small businesses will maintain or increase their IT spending in 2009.
To develop this forecast, Microsoft surveyed their business partners that focus on small business. Designated by Microsoft as Small Business Specialists, these partners supply small and mid-sized businesses with IT services.
Key findings of the study include:
1. Small businesses will continue to see IT as a strategic asset and a way to cut costs and improve productivity.
2. Tighter budgets will lead to increased streamlining of IT services and a focus on cost cutting and doing more with less.
3. Smaller companies will increasingly move to cloud computing.
4. SMBs will increasingly rely on VARs and other partners to help with IT.
Since Microsoft surveyed its small business partners instead of small businesses the report provides a different - and useful - perspective on small business IT.