CompTIA: SMBs see growth opps; IT spend more cautious

A new survey released today by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) says SMBs are hopeful that business will grow over the next 12 months, but they're a little more cautious when it comes to spending dollars on IT and communications resources.

The survey, covering 777 SMBs in the U.S., Canada, and the UK, found that 85 percent plan to hire new employees over the next 12 months, 54 percent anticipate revenue growth of 10 percent of more and 40 percent plan to add new business locations.

However, only 51 percent of the SMBs surveyed said they plan to increase their tech spending over the next 12 months with 49 percent expecting their tech spending to remain flat or decline.  This is different from the 62 percent who said they were planning to boost spending in last year's study and 38 percent saying flat or decline.

CompTIA says the 2008 survey is actually a good indicator for the tech industry; in earlier times, IT would have been among the first items trimmed back.  Today, SMBs are "savvier" because they need technology for more of their core business operations.

New technology investments (computers, phones) also support the new head counts expected to be added; on average, SMBs say they will add 8 new employees over the next 12 months while 40 percent plan to add between one and five new locations.

For more:
- CompTIA talks of bullish SMBs. Press release

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