SMB Tech Roll-Up: IBM Predicts Spending on Cloud and Analytics, Social Media for SMBs

By David Roe (@druadh20) Jan 27, 2011

This week, we look at research from IBM that indicates SMBs will be spending on their cloud and business analytics this year, EMC adds fuel to the data storage market, Intermedia offers SMBs encrypted email while MediaFeedia is looking for some SMB attention with a new social media management tool for Facebook.

IBM Predicts Spending on Cloud, Analytics

According to an IBM (news, site) global study of more than 2,000 midsized companies across 20 countries, more than half of mid-sized companies are planning to increase their information technology (IT) budgets over the next 12 to 18 months.

The research identified analytics, cloud computing, collaboration, mobility and customer relationship solutions as the areas in which these companies will be pumping their money.

Inside the Midmarket: A 2011 Perspective — commissioned by and conducted independently by KS&R — found that 70% of midsized companies are actively pursuing analytics technology to better understand their customers, make better decisions and become more efficient.

The study also shows growing adoption of cloud computing among mid-size firms with two-thirds either planning or currently deploying cloud-based technologies to improve IT systems management while lowering costs.

Even better again for the IT market — 53% of respondents expect their IT budgets to increase over the next 12 to 18 months, 31% expect they will remain unchanged and 16% think they will decrease or are unsure. If you’re dealing in the mid-market this is worth downloading.

EMC Launches SMB Data Storage Products

This week, EMC (news, site) has made further inroads into the SMB market, with the release of a new set of products that includes an economical data storage system that comes in at prices below US$ 10,000.

EMC introduced multiple new storage systems and software features with more than 40 new technologies and products, including new arrays for SMBs, unified systems for the mid-sized enterprises, as well as disk-based backup and recovery and archiving systems.

It has also launched a new Authorized Reseller program for partners of any size — providing training and resources focused on the new systems labeled VNXe. EMC says that by using its QuickStart training, partners will gain the skills necessary for basic implementation and support services for the VNXe within three hours.

And to prove how simple the systems are to service, EMC brought out a fourth-grader with an iPad to perform maintenance on one of the systems. Nice touch — maybe — but are SMBs going to go for it?

RSA Launches Authentication Manager

Meanwhile, RSA (news, site), the security division of EMC, has also been busy with the launch of its announced Authentication Manager Express (AME), its newest authentication solution designed to meet the cost and convenience requirements of SMBs.

RSA has taken the technology used to protect online transactions and adapted it to suit businesses of all sizes including SMBs, who we know from previous reports, can be a little lax when it comes to security.

AME is a risk-based and on-demand authentication system for companies with up to 2,500 employees who want to secure their data and applications and enable access to those systems using SSL Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and online portals.