Mobile computing is increasingly being adopted by small
to medium sized businesses (SMBs) in the US in response to the ever
more vital need to become more flexible and adaptable
businesses.
Research from Access Markets International (AMI) has revealed
nearly half of small businesses and nearly nine-tenths of
medium-sized businesses now employ workers who travel at least four
or five days per month for business.
Even though, as one would expect, SMBs are deferring upgrades
and stretching their PC utilisation beyond the typical three- to
four-year time period, many are increasingly
replacing older desktop PCs with mobile computing platforms in
order that workers are more productive in more places.
AMI expects the US
SMB mobility market to grow from $1.8 billion to $2.6 billion
over the next 5 years, a CAGR of 7.6%. 2009 and 2010 will, not
surprisingly, likely be the slowest growth periods with growth
rates of 6% and 7%, respectively.AMI sees mobile SMBs continuing to
spend on products and services deemed critical even in current
economic times. These include portable PCs, conferencing services
and smart phones-solutions.
The survey also showed that not only has
the number of SMBs deploying mobile computing solutions
increased over the last two years but domestic travel has
nearly doubled whilst international travel has increased
significantly, especially among the smaller firms.
“Mobile data access will enable agility and quicker response
times - critical factors in today's environment," explained AMI
analyst Chad Henry. "Our research shows while layoffs are on the
rise, SMBs will hold on to their rainmakers and will continue to
provide them with tools that help them deliver business. Even
though travel has increased in the past couple of years, firms will
begin to reign in unnecessary travel in this economy and look to
technology solutions, like conferencing, to pick up the slack."