SMEs plan to increase their IT spend in 2011

Results from an Orange survey reveal priorities for small and medium enterprises

More than half of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) plan to spend more on IT in 2011 than they did in 2010, according to a recent survey conducted by Orange.

In the survey, of over 2,000 of its SME customers, almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of SMEs plan to, or are considering, introducing flexible working options in 2011, citing staff efficiency as the main driver.

This focus on providing flexible working tools for staff saw more than 52 per cent of respondents say they would spend more on IT over the next year, with communications equipment identified as the technology to best support their business.

In addition, over a quarter of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) plan to hire more staff next year than they did in 2010.

When asked what technologies SMEs wanted to see more of in 2011, social media, business applications and mobile WiFi were listed as those most needed to further their business.

"We're planning on hiring more staff and doubling our headcount," said Dr Andrea D'Ercole, managing director of one of Orange's SME customers ItalyAbroad.com.

"We're also seeing many businesses now collaborating through social media, and plan to invest more in this area in order to reach out to new and existing customers," he added.