SMBs: Marketplace for Connectivity and IoT

Description

This research provides insight on technology adoption and needs among SMB owners, with a specific focus on connectivity, IoT devices, and services. It examines the changes taking place because of reduced budgets and broad-scale shifts to work from home.

SAMPLE VIEW

Small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) have a new and heightened need for access control, energy management, and tools to monitor their staff, inventory, and buildings.

New security applications and services stemming from cloud-based and video verification solutions give SMBs insight into the metrics and real-time analytics of their operations.

The market pressures SMBs have faced this year place new priorities on energy management and savings and technologies that can streamline operations and combine risk-management with potential insurance savings. The changing work environment means that managing and securing their networks, and their ever-growing portfolio of end-user devices, are top priorities. SMBs are increasingly turning to ISPs for Wi-Fi management, network security, and other value-added services (VAS).

Key questions:

How is the current business environment impacting SMB spending on communication, security, entertainment, IT, and energy services?

What new business services are SMBs most interested in acquiring?

What is adoption of IoT solutions, and what is driving adoption?

Who are SMBs' preferred providers of business services and IoT solutions?

How do remote work and return-to-office trends impact SMB demand for business services, including IT and cyber security solutions?

Survey Methodology

Executive Summary

SMB Business Concerns
SMB Spending on IoT Equipment Over the Last 12 Months
Top Drivers of SMB Interest in IoT Devices
Expected Spending Increase on IoT Equipment by Number of Business Locations
Inhibitors to Using Connected Security Devices
SMB Spending on Business Services
% of SMBs Without Service Likely to Subscribe in Next 12 Months
Providers Considered for Connected Solutions

Respondent/SMB Profile

Current Role at the Company
Role in Company IT Decisions
Company Size (# of Employees)
Annual Revenues in 2022
Type of Customers Served
Annual Revenues by Type of Customers Served
Type of Location Where Employees Work
Number of Locations Where Business Operates

Remote Work: Challenges and Outlook

Frequency of Employees Working from Home
Challenges of Employees Working from Home
Challenges of Employees Working from Home by Frequency of Employees Working from Home
Anticipated Future Needs: Remote Work & Business Properties
Anticipated Future Need for Remote Work by Frequency of Employees Working from Home
Anticipated Future Need for Work at Customer's Locations by Working at Customer's Location

Business Services: Communication, Entertainment, Support

Number of IT Professionals
Number of IT Personnel by Company Size
Business Service Subscriptions
Internet Service Providers
Internet Service Payment
Service Providers
Average Monthly Spending on Service Subscriptions Among All SMBs
Average Monthly Spending on Service Subscriptions Among SMBs with Specified Service
Average Monthly Spending on Service Subscriptions by Company Size
Satisfaction with Business Service
Average Spending on Entertainment Services by Number of Locations
Average Spending on Mobile Phone Service by Type of Customers Served
Change in Spending on Business Service Over the Last 12 Months
Anticipated Change in Spending on Business Services
Anticipated Change in Spending on Business Services by Company Size
Likelihood of Subscribing to Additional Business Services

Deep Dive: Communication Services

Appeal of Communication Service Features
Appeal of Communication Service Features by Number of IT Personnel
Anticipated Cost per Person for Advanced Video Conferencing Services
Anticipated Cost per Person for Advanced Video Conferencing Services by Number of Business Locations
Preferred Provider for Video Conferencing Services
Preferred Provider for Video Conferencing Services by Number of Business Locations
Reasons for Preferring Video Conferencing Device Provider

IoT Device Adoption and Use

Type of Network Used in Business Location
IoT Equipment Adoption
Connected Security & Energy Management Device Integration
Connected Safety & Connected AV Device Integration
Top 10 Equipment Products/Systems Provided by Property Owners/Management Company
Equipment Products/Systems Provided by Property Owners/Management Company, Cont'd
The Degree to which Equipment Meets Needs
Energy Management & Connected Safety Devices User Experience by Number of Business Locations
Spending on IoT Equipment Over the Last 12 Months
Expected Expenditure on IoT Equipment
Expected Spending Increase on IoT Equipment by Number of Business Locations
Business Concerns by Expected Spending Increase on IoT Equipment
Anticipated Use of Connected Security & Energy Management Devices
Anticipated Use of Connected Safety & Connected AV Devices
Anticipated Use of Security & Energy Management Devices by Number of IT Personnel
Anticipated Use of Security & Energy Management Devices by Number of Business Locations
Anticipated Use of Safety & Connected AV Devices by Number of Business Locations

Deep Dive: Connected Security

Adoption of Security System & Professional Monitoring Service
Age of Security System
Security System Adoption by Number of Business Locations
Number of False Alarms Experienced Last Year
IoT Security Device Adoption
Security/Monitoring Camera Adoption by Use of Office Building
Reasons for Using Connected Security Solutions
Reasons for Using Connected Security Devices by Number of Business Locations
Inhibitors to Using Connected Security Devices
Inhibitors to Using of Connected Security Devices by Number of Business Locations
Appeal of Connected Security Features
Appeal of Connected Security Features by Number of IT Personnel
Top Purchase Consideration for Connected Security Devices
Providers Considered for Connected Security Devices
Provider Considered for Connected Security Devices by Number of Business Locations
Reasons for Preferring Connected Security Device Provider
Reasons for Preferring Connected Security Device Provider by Number of Employees

Deep Dive: Energy Management

Smart Energy Device Adoption
Smart Energy Device Adoption, by Security System Use
Reasons for Using Energy Management Devices
Inhibitors to Using Energy Management Devices
Appeal of Energy Management Features
Top Purchase Consideration for Energy Management Devices
Preferred Provider for Energy Management Devices
Reason for Preferring Provider of Smart Energy Equipment

Deep Dive: Connected Safety

Smart Safety Device Adoption
Smart Safety Device Adoption, by Security System Use
Reasons for Using Connected Safety Devices
Reasons for Using Connected Safety Device by Company Size
Inhibitors to Using Connected Safety Devices
Appeal of Connected Safety Features
Top Purchase Consideration for Connected Safety Devices
Preferred Providers for Connected Safety Devices
Reasons for Preferring Connected Safety Device Provider
Reason for Preferring ISP and Retailer for Smart Safety Equipment
Reason for Preferring Provider of Smart Energy Equipment

Deep Dive: Support & Cybersecurity

Connectivity & IoT Technical Problems Experienced in the Last 12 Months
Connectivity & IoT Technical Problems by Number of Business Locations
Party Solving Technical Problems
Party Solving Technical Problems by Number of IT Personnel
Method of Receiving Outside Technical Support
Cybersecurity Concerns About Connected Systems and Vendors
High Cybersecurity Concerns, by Number of Business Locations
Type of Cyber Attacks Experienced Last Year
Steps Taken to Reduce Threat of Cyber Attacks
Steps Taken to Reduce Threat of Cyber Attacks by Employees Working at Home
Steps Taken to Reduce Threat of Cyber Attacks by Working at Customers' Locations
Cybersecurity Services Used
Cybersecurity Services Used by Employees Working at Home
Appeal of Technical Support Services
Appeal of Technical Support Services by Number of IT Personnel
Expected Cost of Cybersecurity and Support Service per Employee
Expected Cost of Cybersecurity and Support Service per Employee by Number of Business Locations
Insurance Carried by Company
Insurance Carried by Company by Company Revenue

Real Estate and Business Profile

Number of Business Locations by Type of Customers Served
Ownership of Building by Type of Location Where Employees Work
Business Location Size (Sq. Ft.)
Average Number of Entrance/Exits
Type of Entrance/Exits
Average Daily Number of Non-Employees Visiting Business Location
Type of Assets Stored by Type of Location Where Employees Work
Payment Model For Utilities
SMB Industry
Region of Primary Company Location