Factoring and SMEs

Govt small business program to provide IT skills training for young entrepreneurs

The federal government has unveiled a new program and funding to provide young entrepreneurs with much needed skills in IT, succession planning and mentoring to ensure small businesses aren’t left behind in the IT boom.

SME Broadband and mobile technology use taking off

Broadband internet connections and purchases of mobile technology by SMEs are soaring according to the latest Sensis e-Business Report. Of the 1,800 SMEs interviewed, 80% indicated they had upgraded to broadband, with the primary reason being speed. This figure is well up on the 63% recorded for the previous year to May and on the 17% penetration of broadband services in 2002.

The report also found that 90% of SMEs have an internet connection, up from 88% last year.

Most of the growth in the wireless segment was accounted for by notebooks and laptops, although mobile Email devices for example the Blackberry are also on the rise, with 7% of respondents indicating they owned such a device. Half of the respondents owned a laptop or notebook computer it was found.

“It appears SMEs are keen to adopt technology that allows them to work on the run, in transit and away from the office” said report author, Christena Singh.

Such technology will allow SMEs to compete more effectively with bigger businesses, Ms Singh said.