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Media Kit: AT&T Small Business Technology Poll 2011

AT&T Small Business Technology Poll

AT&T recently conducted an online survey of over 2,000 small business owners nationwide to gain a better understanding of the importance of technology to their daily operations. This year, more than 70% of small businesses use mobile apps for their operations, with nearly four in 10 surveyed saying they could not survive – or it would be a major challenge to survive – without mobile apps. Four in ten (40%) small businesses report that all their employees use wireless devices or technologies to work away from the office. This is up from an estimated 24% in 2008 and is expected to grow to 50% by 2012.

Survey Highlights
Local Survey Results
Survey Materials
Previous Study Results
News

Survey Highlights

Almost all small businesses (96%) use wireless technologies in their operations
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of small businesses surveyed said they could not survive – or it would be a major challenge to survive – without wireless technology
- Three years ago, 42% of small businesses surveyed said they would have difficulty surviving without wireless technologies
More than 70% of small businesses are turning to mobile apps to save time, increase productivity, and reduce costs.
- GPS/Navigation and mapping mobile apps are most popular, with nearly half (49%) reporting they use them for their small business
Over 40% of small businesses surveyed have a Facebook page for their business, representing a 52% jump from last year

Local Survey Results

While nearly all small businesses use wireless technologies small businesses in various locations across the country have deviating opinions on the adoption and importance of mobility and wireless technology. Based on responses to these factors – perceived importance of wireless, use of wireless technology, use of mobile apps, and percentage of employees using wireless to work away from the office– a Wireless Quotient, or "WiQ," was calculated for each of 12 markets surveyed. Each component was weighted in the rankings. For example, use of wireless technology was viewed as more important than the perceived importance of that technology.

Miami
Atlanta
San Diego
Dallas
San Francisco
Oklahoma
Washington, D.C.
Chicago
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Boston
Cleveland

Survey Materials

The results of the "AT&T Small Business Technology Poll" are based on an online survey of 2,246 small business owners and/or employees responsible for Information Technology (IT). Specifically, 1,012 surveys were completed by small businesses located throughout the United States (National data) and 1,234 surveys were completed with small businesses located in 12 markets – 100 in each market (Market data). Small businesses were defined as having between 2 and 50 employees, both part-time and full-time. Eleven of the 12 metropolitan areas are based on DMAs (Designated Market Areas). The other market is the state of Oklahoma. The online survey was fielded in December 2010.

Infographics

Previous Study Results

In the 2010 edition of the AT&T Small Business Technology Poll:

Approximately two-thirds (65%) of survey respondents planned on spending more or about the same on technology in 2010 as they did in 2009.
Small business owners were eight times more likely to agree than disagree (65% vs. 8%, respectively) that wireless technology is critical to keeping their business competitive.
More than 80 percent of survey respondents used smartphones, such as a Blackberry, to maintain business operations, including:
- Checking e-mail (78%)
- Viewing data (53%)
- Surfing the Web (43%)
- Updating social networking sites (18%)
Almost eighty percent of small businesses surveyed had not cut back on their use of wireless technologies and expect to rely more on wireless tools over the next two years.
Nearly eight in ten (79%) of respondents use WiFi hotspots to conduct business-related activities.

Background and Highlights

Regional WiQs

Not surprisingly, depending on where they're located, small businesses have varying opinions on the importance and use of wireless technology. Based on responses to three components — perceived importance of wireless, use of wireless technology and attitude on the impact of wireless technology — a Wireless Quotient, or "WiQ," was calculated for each of 10 markets surveyed. Each component was weighted in the rankings. For example, use of wireless technology was viewed as more important than the perceived importance of that technology. Rankings for the 10 markets follow: