An intelligent approach to technology drives successful
businesses, according to a
Cisco commissioned survey of 600 small and mid-size UK
companies by
Dynamic Markets.
The survey report concluded that faster growth is associated
with businesses that embrace new technology, allow flexible
working, and have support from management for investing
strategically in IT.
This was based on finding that high-growth companies with
increases in turnover of more than 15% in the past year, typically
viewed their IT network as a strategic asset. They were also twice
as likely to have
flexible working capabilities, nearly seven times as likely to
offer Wi-Fi networking, and had more robust information security
and retrieval capabilities.
Nick Watson, vice president for enterprise business for Cisco UK
& Ireland, said it was clear from the research that strategic
technology investments alone could not drive positive business
outcomes.
“The IT network can provide the platform for new and productive
working experiences, but the bottom-line growth is only really
guaranteed when executives show leadership and support for IT in
their organisation,” he said.
The study revealed that while IT investment drives success,
almost 18% of business managers believed their organisation was
being held back because it did not know where to invest in IT to
get the best return.
Business managers’ top concern was finding and retaining the
most talented staff, yet 47% said their company did not allow
remote or teleworking, and 38% said they allow staff to work
remotely or from home only under certain circumstances.
The research report said the apparent unease with remote and
home working among business managers was reflected in IT investment
plans, with home working ranking as the lowest influencing factor
on IT managers’ technology investment priorities in the next 12 to
18 months.
The study also showed that smaller businesses still lag behind
their larger counterparts in technology adoption and outlook. SMBs
employing up to 250 people reported a lower wireless network
adoption and remote/home working technology capabilities.
Newham's intelligent approach to data >>
Comment on this article:
computer.weekly@rbi.co.uk