Contact IDC Help Shopping Cart Edit Your Profile
Search
 
IDC Home IDC Research IDC Products & Services IDC Events IDC Analysts IDC Online Store About IDC My IDC
 
Featured Research | New Research | By Subscription | IDC Store

Market segmentation/customer targeting:

Cisco and Network Solutions have both looked at SMB customers in innovative ways and designed programs to meet specific needs of key SMB groups.

Innovative alliances:

Two EMC companies, Decho and Iomega are working together to provide SMB storage capabilities in a flexible fashion. Also, Intuit and IBM have established a relationship that provides advanced access to Intuit QuickBooksPro through IBM SmartCube technology.

Software as a service (SaaS) and cloud computing:

A number of firms have introduced appealing SMB solutions that leverage resources not based on premise: NetSuite, Doyenz, LogMeIn, and Telstra.

Streamlining/enhancing customer engagement:

Oracle, SAP, and Rogers Communications are using new technologies and approaches to simplify the technology acquisition process and better meet the needs of prospects looking for advanced solutions.

New application approaches:

SMBs have always been more interested in the benefits of technology than in technology itself, and HP through its MarketSplash program and IBM through its Express Advantage program are approaching the market with effective customer-centric programs.

Technology deployment:

Innovative delivery and support of advanced technology have been introduced by AT&T, Dell, and Verizon.

What Are the IDC SMB Excellence Awards?

IDC's SMB Excellence Award is granted to technology product and service providers who in IDC's view are serving the SMB market in innovative ways, providing advanced technology capabilities to firms with fewer than 1000 employees.


IDC's SMB Excellence Awards are designed to identify and promote excellence in SMB product development, marketing innovation, and technology implementation. Excellence is not necessarily related to market position, company size, geographic location, or technology uniqueness. Rather, it is associated with an approach that IDC believes is especially appropriate to meeting the needs of small and medium-sized businesses in increasingly competitive times.


How Were Recipients Identified?

Recipients were identified using a two-stage process. The first stage involved collecting preliminary nominations from IDC technology and SMB analysts worldwide, with representation of all regions and technology practice areas encouraged. Feedback and guidance were then provided to those making nominations and formal descriptions of activities were then prepared, submitted, and evaluated, after which the final winners were identified.


What Were the Selection Criteria?

Firms receiving SMB Excellence Awards demonstrated value in three different areas:

  • They recognized the unique needs of SMB customers and developed products or programs there were specifically targeted to address those market requirements. Products or programs needed to be available (not beta products).

  • The products or programs needed to have important implications for the nominated firm, opening up new market areas, expanding portfolio appeal, or addressing customers in ways that had the potential to increase the company's market relevance.

  • The nominated firms activities needed to have competitive implications. In effect, other technology firms could learn from the approach to refine their own efforts to meet customer needs.

My firm did not receive an IDC SMB Excellence Award, but we have some outstanding products/programs. How can I be nominated next time?

Although companies cannot nominate themselves for IDC SMB Excellence Awards, they can and should work closely with IDC technology analysts in their areas, IDC SMB analysts in their regions, and IDC Executive Advisory Group analysts to make sure that IDC is aware of noteworthy SMB initiatives. This will be an important step towards an IDC Excellence Award nomination in 2010. Additional questions may be directed to Jon Guloyan at (508) 935-4296 or jguloyan@idc.com.