Techaisle Analyst Insights

They are here - Techaisle's annual SMB and Midmarket Top 10 IT Priorities, IT Challenges and Business Issues infographics. This is the 7th year of Techaisle tracking at a WW level and is much sought after by IT vendors, channels and media. There is an ongoing trend – in both the buy-side and supplier communities – towards positioning IT initiatives and expenditures in a business context.

To help readers connect positioning with core market drivers, Techaisle research provides insight into the most pressing business issues, IT priorities and IT challenges faced by small (1-99 employees) and midmarket (100-999 employees) businesses in 2018.

For 2018, Techaisle investigated 21 different technology areas, each with several sub-technology categories, 24 different IT challenges and 24 different business issues. At the request of our clients, this year, not only are we releasing data & infographics (shown below) as usual for SMBs (1-999 employee segment), Midmarket (100-999 employee segment) but also for Small businesses (1-99 employee segment).

In 2018, the new and upcoming IT Priorities within SMBs are Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR) and Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI). Within midmarket firms, Artificial Intelligence (AI) appears for the first time for 2018. Workplace transformation is one of the new top IT challenges for SMBs – number 1 on the list for midmarket firms and overall at number six across all SMBs. This obviously points to a need for unified workspace experience. In addition, Cloud orchestration and integration are among the top five key IT challenges for both SMBs and midmarket firms.

On March 12th, Dell unveiled its updated commercial lineup featuring AI-powered PCs. The lineup includes the Latitude 5000 (5340, 5450, 5550), 7000 (7350, 7450, 7650), and 9000 (9450) series, along with the introduction of the new Latitude 7350 Detachable, set to be available in Q2. Inspired by Concept Luna, the Latitude 7350 Detachable is likely the most serviceable commercial detachable. Dell is also enhancing its headset lineup with the Dell Premier Wireless ANC Headset (WL7024). This headset features AI-powered noise-canceling microphones that intelligently differentiate human speech from background noise and dynamically adjust the noise cancellation level based on the user’s surroundings.

Beyond the Hype: A Look Inside Dell's AI-Powered PCs

The computing landscape is rapidly evolving, and artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this transformation. Dell, a leading technology company, is at the forefront of this movement, offering a range of AI-powered PCs designed to empower users and businesses to achieve more. In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Dell Technologies has once again pushed the boundaries with its latest innovation: a new line-up of commercial AI Latitude laptops. These cutting-edge devices are designed to enhance productivity, security, and collaboration for business professionals in the hybrid work era. Predictions about the “AI PC” have been enigmatic, but Dell is already showing how these computers can be genuinely helpful. Windows operating systems may soon incorporate AI-driven features, making everyday tasks more proactive and efficient. Imagine a PC that anticipates your needs, adapts to work patterns, and enhances the overall experience.

Dell AI PCs are not a distinct product category; they represent a designation for Dell laptops and workstations equipped with features and hardware optimized for AI tasks. Essentially, a Dell AI PC is an accelerated computer. Dell has been integrating purpose-built accelerators into its PCs for over two decades. Initially, this involved using GPUs in Precision workstations, which acted as accelerators, enabling local execution of AI workloads. There’s a new option: the NPU (Neural Processing Unit). While the NPU is gaining attention, Dell defines an AI PC simply as a computer capable of efficiently handling AI workloads or AI-optimized applications through a GPU or an NPU. This definition applies to desktops, laptops, and workstations alike.

Dell Latitude AI PCs feature robust Intel Core Ultra processors with Intel vPro at their core. These processors are built on Intel 4 process technology (7nm). The system harnesses various compute engines, including P-cores, E-cores, Intel Arc GPU, and Intel AI Boost, to accelerate AI inferencing at the edge. This collaborative approach reduces reliance on separate accelerators, ultimately streamlining system complexity and cost.

Dell has not only enhanced system configuration with AI but also offers AI-optimized software to elevate the computing experience. Dell Optimizer utilizes AI to enhance system performance, prolong battery life, and enhance overall user satisfaction. Furthermore, My Dell, another AI-powered tool, provides personalized recommendations and support for consumers and small business users.

Beyond Awareness: SMBs Show Strong Purchase Intent for AI PCs

The PC market is poised for a refresh, and AI-powered PCs will significantly impact the industry in the next 3-5 years. According to Techaisle data, SMBs and midmarket companies are not only embracing this trend but may even lead it. A recent survey by Techaisle, covering over 4500 SMBs and midmarket firms, reveals that awareness of AI PCs is remarkably high: 70% among small businesses, 82% in core midmarket firms, and 86% in upper midmarket firms. While smaller SMBs show healthy interest, with 24% planning to purchase AI PC units, core midmarket businesses are even more enthusiastic, with 38% intending to invest. The upper midmarket segment demonstrates the highest intent, with 64% planning to explore AI PCs.

Focused on growth and committed to new solutions that expand business horizons – the SMB market is on the brink of a multi-year growth trajectory.

They are here - Techaisle's annual SMB, Core Midmarket and Upper Midmarket Top 10 IT Priorities, IT Challenges, and Business Issues infographics, 13th year of Techaisle tracking at a WW level, and is sought after by IT vendors, channel partners, and media. Techaisle surveyed nearly 5000 SMBs and Midmarket firms, quota sampled to ensure adequate coverage of four small businesses (1-9, 10-19, 20-49, and 50-99 employees), three core midmarket (100-249, 250-499, and 500-999 employees) and two upper midmarket (1000-2499, 2500-4999) segments. As a result, the data represents a robust and reliable sampling of the market segment for IT products and services.

Techaisle surveys thousands of small and midsized businesses (SMBs) to understand technology imperatives and directions. The annual survey establishes context by asking respondents to identify their top business goals, technology priorities, and IT challenges for the upcoming year.

Redefining the art of the possible

The SMB market is a study in contrasts: the tension between boundless aspiration and a constrained reality. However, data shows that a market that has mastered the cloud and is excited by AI will dedicate itself to growth in 2024.

In 2021, we predicted that AI would permeate small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and midmarket firms, not as an independent solution but as an integral feature within other products. As SMBs fully comprehend the inherent nature of AI, they will increasingly seek AI-powered solutions to prescribe actions that mitigate risks and enhance decision-making, business agility, and innovation proactively.

We also predicted that AI technology would evolve so rapidly that by the time SMBs become comfortable with data-driven decision-making, AI would be executing decisions that might be beyond the comprehension of business executives. The challenge with AI would shift from trusting data over intuition to trusting AI when insights into its decision-making process are not readily available in the cloud applications used by SMBs and midmarket firms. We expect this trend to continue into 2024.

After surveying over 3000 SMBs and midmarket firms, Techaisle has announced its top 10 SMB and midmarket predictions for 2024. There is intense market pressure on SMB and midmarket executives to deliver tangible progress towards – and benefits from – application innovation and digital business. At least some of this results from a worldwide fascination with Generative AI and its anticipated potential to transform nearly any function it might apply to. Gen-AI offers significant potential for SMBs and midmarket firms to enhance their operations and drive innovation. By leveraging this technology effectively, these businesses can improve efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

In 2024, SMBs and Midmarket business and technology leaders will maintain a practical perspective as they move into the digital future powered by AI. SMBs will invest in AI-infused, AI-embedded, tailor-made technology solutions to streamline operations and expand their customer base. To improve manageability, reduce complexity, and limit sprawl, pragmatism will overtake progressiveness. Technology choice and deployment complexity will create purchase inertia, empowering SMBs to seek suppliers capable of supporting a roadmap from the current state to a future-ready organization. SMBs will look for proof points in AI solutions that deliver tangible benefits within their environment. SMBs will adjust their own pricing strategies and implement cost-control measures. Labor shortages will prompt them to invest in employee training and retention initiatives to ensure smooth operations and efficiency. Additionally, SMBs will opt for proactive supply chain management and diversification strategies to minimize disruptions and exploit growth opportunities.

Here are Techaisle’s top 10 SMB and Midmarket predictions for 2024.