Singapore, May 24, 2010 – Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) in Asia-Pacific are markedly optimistic towards Windows 7, and nearly three-quarters of SMBs are planning to upgrade to the new operating system, according to a new study by Springboard Research. Springboard’s latest study, which was conducted with the Spiceworks Voice of IT™ market research program, finds that upgrade plans are more robust compared with both XP and Vista following their launches, as Windows 7 penetration in the Asian SMB market has grown on average 33% a month since its October 2009 release.
The difference in adoption by region and company size is quite significant. Whereas on average 62% of SMBs in Europe/Middle East/Africa, 64% in Latin American/South America plan to upgrade to Windows 7, 73% in North America, and in Asia-Pacific 72% of SMBs have plans in place. Globally, of the early adopters who upgraded within the first 90 days post-launch, businesses with fewer than 20 employees upgraded the fastest – double the rate of other company size classes.
“Microsoft and hardware manufacturers are likely to see strong Windows 7 growth over the next six to twelve months,” said Michael Barnes, VP of Software & Asia Pacific Research, Springboard Research. “Large enterprises are following their usual trend of a more measured adoption cycle, but SMBs in Asia are transitioning to Windows 7 at a quick pace,” added Mr. Barnes.
The Need for Speed
Among the SMBs planning to upgrade to Windows 7, speed/performance ranks as the primary driver, followed by security, user interface improvements, and manageability. In fact, of those planning to upgrade, speed/performance is cited as the chief impetus for upgrading 62% of the time.
Businesses with fewer than 20 employees cited security (58%) almost as often as speed (64%) as a reason to upgrade to Windows 7. For larger businesses with 250 or more employees, manageability (64%) overtakes speed (61%) as the number one reason to upgrade.
To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade
Among businesses with no plans to upgrade, the primary reason cited is more often a cost/benefit factor (48%) than a concern over hardware or software compatibility (32%). Businesses with 20 to 99 employees are most likely to express cost/benefit concerns (52%) versus compatibility concerns (33%). The gap is smaller among businesses with more than 100 employees (50% versus 42%) and small businesses (44% versus 30%).
Upgrade, Replace, or Both
New hardware purchases are likely to accelerate as Windows 7 becomes more ubiquitous. Nearly half of all Window 7 upgrades (45%) will occur on new computers, whereas 55% of installs will occur on existing computers. Systems nearing the end of their useful life will be replaced, decommissioned, or left ‘as is’ (no upgrade).
“To say the least, many IT professionals were underwhelmed with the Vista operating system. It is no surprise then that computers currently running Vista are nearly twice as likely to be migrated to Windows 7 than older Microsoft operating systems,” said Jonathan Silber, Senior Research Manager, Springboard Research. “Given that Windows XP still represents the majority of Microsoft operating systems for SMBs in Asia, it should be noted though that 48% of SMBs have plans to upgrade computers running XP,” added Mr. Silber.
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About this Study The Springboard Research study was conducted in collaboration with the Spiceworks Voice of IT™ Market Research Program, which publishes data collected from a panel of IT technology professionals that are among the 950,000 users of the free Spiceworks IT Desktop. To measure Windows 7 adoption plans, two online surveys were administered to the Spiceworks Voice of IT™ panel members. The first survey, administered during the first two weeks of October 2009, measured testing and adoption intent leading up to Windows 7 launch. The second survey, administered the last two weeks of November 2009, measured adoption intent post Windows 7 launch. More than 1,500 IT professionals participated. Responses were collected from more than 85 countries across the globe. Forty-four percent of respondents are from NA, while 30% are from EMEA. AP countries represent 21% of the respondents, with LA/SA making up the remaining five percent. Eighty percent of respondents to the Windows 7 surveys are from companies with fewer than 100 employees. The remaining 20% represented companies greater than 100 employees.
About Spiceworks Founded in 2006, Spiceworks ™ develops the first free social business application that combines network management and help desk software with an online community of IT professionals to help over 950,000 IT pros and 85,000 managed service providers (MSPs) simplify everything IT. Spiceworks makes it easy for businesses to manage their networks, collaborate to solve technology problems, and find the best practices, products and services they need day-to-day. Through its Voice of IT™ market research program, the company enables direct conversations with IT professionals, conducts surveys and provides insight on important technology usage, staffing and purchasing trends by small and medium businesses worldwide. Spiceworks is a privately held company headquartered in Austin, Texas with funding from Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), Austin Ventures and Shasta Ventures. For more information visit http://www.spiceworks.com.
About Springboard Research With visionaries others pursue, methods others neglect and ideas others don’t consider, Springboard Research not only seeks to lead an industry – we seek to transform it. Leveraging our pioneering research model and industry thought leaders, Springboard provides greater insight, analysis, and innovation specific to global emerging markets. Working with leading technology vendors, IT professionals, and local channels, Springboard helps our clients lead, rather than follow, market trends.
Springboard has a global presence with research centers in Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, the UAE, and the US. We have been acknowledged as an emerging leader and for the last three years been named a “Rising Star” in the global IT market research industry by Outsell, the leading research and advisory firm for the information industry. For more information and access to Springboard’s research, please visit www.springboardresearch.com
Media Contacts Jeanne Chai, Marketing Manager Springboard Research 65-6325-9863 [email protected]