Top 10 SMB Technology Trends for 2014!

1

Progressive SMBs Use Technology As A Game

Changer

Progressive SMBs –

Invest more in solutions based on

Technology

Use Technology as a business enabler

Generate revenue more than other

SMBs.

What’s next?

Adoption of mobile, cloud,

social and analytics

Use of technology-fueled services—

such as Elance and oDesk

Use of IT infrastructure

services

2Cloud Adoption Accelerates,

But SMBs Steer Clear Of Dark Clouds

Use of infrastructure applications and cloud business to grow from 33% to 44% in 2014

2013

2014

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

However, some cloud vendors—threatened by high churn

Rates and Wall Street—have backtracked on their easier, faster, cheaper cloud pledge.

As SMBs go further into the cloud, they will prefer vendors that remain true to the

original cloud offer, and steer clear of dark clouds.

3Mobile Management

Becomes a Priority As SMB Mobile App Use Soars

Mobile Solutions

Mobile Apps Deployed

Using Mobile Apps

Mobile Friendly Websites

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Adoption % in 2014

However, concerns about manageability, security, cost and provisioning will make mobile management a top priority for SMBs.

4Social Media Marketing Stalls As SMBs Re-focus

Marketing Practices

Small Businesses

Uses Social MediaNot Uses Social Me-dia

Medium Businesses

Uses Social MediaNot Use Social Media

Many SMBs now “get” that they require a social media Existence. In 2014, SMBs will focus more on the networks and content relevant to their business where they can target audiences, and how to convert

these social connections into customers.

5SMBs View Payment Systems

in a New Light

Credit Cards and checks are still the top forms of payment that SMBs accept.

Gift Cards, Mobile Wallet, PayPal and also Dwolla—a payment network

What’s Next?

6SMBs Prepare for the

Insight Economy

Only 18% of small, and 57% of

medium businesses utilize analytics and

business intelligence

solutions

In 2014, SMB-focused vendors

will focus more on how their solutions

empower and enable better

decision-making and Insights.

A better analytics is the key to success.

7SMBs Integrate to Gain Higher Solution Value

In 2013, integration of cloud-to-cloud solutions as

well as cloud-to-on-premises solutions moved up from the #4 to the #1

challenge for medium businesses.

In 2014, we predict that integration will be the

higher concern even among small and medium

businesses

8The Affordable Care Act Puts Workforce Management in

the SMB Spotlight

Many SMBs continue to hobble along with a patchwork of manual tracking and disconnected

solutions to manage activities e.g. time and attendance, scheduling, payroll, HR which leads

to uncertainty, costs and regulatory risks .

That situation is about to change. Really?With Affordable Care Act (take effect on January 1, 2015) for

businesses having more than 50 full-time equivalent employees.

9It is Easy for SMBs to

Go Green and Save Green

The adoption for greener IT solutions is not new, but in 2014, we will move into a

perfect green storm.

Harris Poll - over 74% of American adults believe in the

global warming theory

And more than 73% of U.S. citizens demanding countries to limit greenhouse gas and carbon

monoxide emissions. SMB IT vendors are able to make the most of this opportunity with new, economical and energy

saving products.

10Make Way For An

SMB Influencer Shake-Up

69% of presidents/owners help assess potential

solutions, and 81% create the final decision.

In medium businesses, line-of-business and

departmental executives are the most likely staff to recognize the demand for

new alternatives.

Change of influencer landscape.

So who will the new influencers be?

Accountants and some other professional advisors (for industry or line-of-business) that

SMBs have an proven relationship with will become more stronger influencers.

About Ace Cloud HostingAce Cloud Hosting powered by Real Time Cloud Services (RTCS), is Intuit Authorized commercial QuickBooks hosting provider to CPAs, SMBs, Bookkeepers and ranks amongst the leading QuickBooks hosting providers.

RTCS has been in the application hosting business for more than a decade delivering significant value to its clients.

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Research Source : SMB Group Top 10 SMB Technology Trends For 2014!