When it comes to SMB practices and trends, there are certain business blueprints that might emerge in the times to come. In one of the reports quoted by the AMI, a few imperative practices have been quoted as such :

1. Emerging Markets to witness double digit growth Given the strong growth rates expected of regional economies in 2008, bullish demand for IT products and services is continuing to be voiced by emerging markets. Emerging market IT investments are forecast to grow at an annual rate of nearly 12%, outpacing the forecasted investment growth in mature markets of about 6%. Demand in newly industrialized markets such as Singapore and South Korea is also expected to rise nearly 9%.

2. SMBs Become ‘Value-Buyers’ vs. ‘Price-Shoppers’ The total cost of operations (TCO) of technology procurement already has heavier impact than price itself across SMBs globally. This could mean additional ripple effects in the way technology is valued and applied in the marketplace.

3.Remote Managed Services Become a ‘Must-Have’ Channel Partner Offering Managed IT services would dominate the scenario largely. The growing supply-side trend to offer remote services decreases channel partner risk cost while increasing their ability to serve more clients in IT services, where margins are the highest.

4. Telcos, Cable Companies and ISPs Look to Leverage Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) to Escape Low Margin ‘Profitless Prosperity’ The SMBs lack the IT resources and expertise of large enterprises but are facing similar global competitive challenges. SaaS enabled business and infrastructure solutions present an opportunity to these companies that have: tremendous brand awareness, existing SMB reach, long-standing customer relationships.

5. Savvy Vendors Zero in on 137M Global Home-Based Businesses as a New Growth Engine Though often overlooked, home-based businesses (who already have a quarter the technology purchasing power of all SMBs combined) are becoming an important revenue stream, providing much needed buying lift during weaker business purchasing seasons. And with recession forecasts looming over the US economy, which has many direct effects globally, it is the home-based businesses that look to gain the most in per-firm, and IT spending market share as businesses unload the cost burden of employees who then make great candidates for new home business starts.

6.Evolution of Mobile Devices to Open Platforms in ‘08 Puts Unified Communications into Overdrive SMBs are increasingly reliant on mobile devices, which are already integrating comprehensive computing capabilities, including local housing of business applications and rich web content browsing. Mobile computing for business will be fuelled by the increasing presence of open mobile development platforms and wireless public internet connectivity.

Multi-platform interoperability will allow for faster development cycles and the emergence of new mobility-based business models.

7. ‘Consumerization’ Makeover Sparks New Adoption of Business Solutions in the Small Business Market Consumer-oriented vendors from Amazon.com to Zoho are putting a user-friendly experience first as they extend from consumer to business markets. Even vendors that hail from the large enterprise space—such as SAP, with its on-demand Business ByDesign suite--are launching solutions designed for companies with no IT people.

Deepa B Sayal/ITvoir Network