Abstract
This IDC study (which is a translation of the Japanese
report IDC #J8300110) analyzes the results of the Japan SMB
User Survey we have conducted in February 2008 on the
use of managed network services among Japan small and medium-sized
businesses (SMBs). The implementation rates of managed services tend to
increase with the company size. More than 50% of large
companies with 1,000 or more employees have implemented managed services.
Meanwhile, only 20% of small companies with 1–99 employees and
35%–40% of medium–small companies with 100–499 employees have done so.
Even for functions that are necessary regardless of the industry
or size of the user company, such as "network security"
or "email", the implementation rates of managed services differ widely
between the various company size segments. There is a huge
room for vendors to cultivate customers outside the large-enterprise segment.
"Amid
the economic slowdown that is affecting business performance, SMBs are
now placing even stronger emphasis on cost cutting. Despite this,
IDC believes that needs for managed services will increase among
SMBs due to the shortage of IT manpower and demands
for business clients to strengthen compliance systems. Whether service providers
can develop sales channels that are able to reach this
segment is a key determinant of their business success. It
is necessary for service providers to pay attention to the
procurement habits of SMBs, and collaborate with advisory professionals outside
the IT sphere such as tax accountants/accountants," says Akiko Kawakami,
senior market analyst, Communications, IDC Japan.
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