Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are important contributors to South Africa’s economic development, with some researchers estimating the total economic output of SMEs at 50% of GDP.
However, SMEs face several hurdles in South Africa’s business environment, among them is the challenge of appropriate technology. With this in mind, the SME market presents one of the biggest opportunities for channel partners this year.
In order for the channel to successfully sell into this almost untapped market, it is important to know what they are looking for and make it easier for them to tap into new, disruptive technologies. For SMEs, security, bring your own device (BYOD), cloud computing and big data are topping the IT wish lists in 2013.
Although they may be interested in revamping their IT solutions with the newest technology offerings available to the market, budget constraints will dictate what they are able to incorporate. Therefore, it is necessary that the channel help these SMEs prioritise their IT needs to deliver the best value for their business.
To achieve this, VARS should focus on the following hot technology offerings for SMEs:
* Managed services – small businesses are unable to make major capital investments, but they still want to use IT to work faster and more efficiently. This presents an opportunity to offer services and solutions that provide cost predictability and the flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the SME workforce. One such service that can add particular value to the SME is managed print services (MPS).
In today’s tough economic climate, all businesses, including SMEs, are looking for new ways to cut costs and boost efficiency. Since the majority of these businesses have printers, much of their costs is being spent on printing. This presents an opportunity for VARs to introduce a cost effective way of printing. By offering this service to customers right now, users are adding value to their business as a trusted advisor since the unmanaged print environment has a negative impact on their bottom line.
* Security – all businesses are continually concerned about the security of their IT systems and SMEs are no different. The latest technology offerings, such as tablets, are bringing these concerns to the surface as companies aim to protect their systems. Solution providers can help SMEs keep their security simple by recommending embedded and remote management solutions tailored according to their business needs.
* BYOD – cloud and mobile technologies offer SMEs a lot of promise, but many of these companies need help on getting started. The channel has an opportunity to help customers provision services without middleware or formal set up.
With all the latest technology developments attracting much attention from companies large and small, now is the time to go in and add value to the customer’s bottom line by offering the best solutions to meet their business needs.
In order for the channel to successfully sell into this almost untapped market, it is important to know what they are looking for and make it easier for them to tap into new, disruptive technologies. For SMEs, security, bring your own device (BYOD), cloud computing and big data are topping the IT wish lists in 2013.
Although they may be interested in revamping their IT solutions with the newest technology offerings available to the market, budget constraints will dictate what they are able to incorporate. Therefore, it is necessary that the channel help these SMEs prioritise their IT needs to deliver the best value for their business.
To achieve this, VARS should focus on the following hot technology offerings for SMEs:
* Managed services – small businesses are unable to make major capital investments, but they still want to use IT to work faster and more efficiently. This presents an opportunity to offer services and solutions that provide cost predictability and the flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the SME workforce. One such service that can add particular value to the SME is managed print services (MPS).
In today’s tough economic climate, all businesses, including SMEs, are looking for new ways to cut costs and boost efficiency. Since the majority of these businesses have printers, much of their costs is being spent on printing. This presents an opportunity for VARs to introduce a cost effective way of printing. By offering this service to customers right now, users are adding value to their business as a trusted advisor since the unmanaged print environment has a negative impact on their bottom line.
* Security – all businesses are continually concerned about the security of their IT systems and SMEs are no different. The latest technology offerings, such as tablets, are bringing these concerns to the surface as companies aim to protect their systems. Solution providers can help SMEs keep their security simple by recommending embedded and remote management solutions tailored according to their business needs.
* BYOD – cloud and mobile technologies offer SMEs a lot of promise, but many of these companies need help on getting started. The channel has an opportunity to help customers provision services without middleware or formal set up.
With all the latest technology developments attracting much attention from companies large and small, now is the time to go in and add value to the customer’s bottom line by offering the best solutions to meet their business needs.