SMBs: Marketplace for Connectivity and IoT

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.

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).

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

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