Small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are increasingly planning to adopt business intelligence and analytics software, with notable interest across various regions, including 54% in Latin America and 52% in South Africa. Key benefits identified include improved decision-making and enhanced coordination through shared information. As competitive pressures rise, 41% of businesses are prioritizing technology adoption to support transformation and growth.

1. 26%
North America
32%
Europe
37%
Asia/Pacific
33%
South Africa
43%
Latin America
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These are the SMBs that plan to acquire
business intelligence/ business analytics
software for the first time in the next 12 months:
For more on how small and midsize businesses can benefit from
advanced data & analytics as part of digital transformation,
download the IDC paper, Analytics for SMBs: Sharpen Operations,
Capitalize on Business Opportunities, sponsored by SAP.
An IDC infographic sponsored by SAP
SMBs recognize the benefits analytics
can play in improving business
decisions and performance, including:
And many showed their agreement
with the statement: “Coordinating
information has helped
measurement/and planning.”
More successful SMBs were even more
likely to agree with that statement.
And business analytics software is
becoming more of a priority.
35%
North America
37%
Europe
41%
Asia/Pacific
52%
South Africa
54%
Latin America
10%+ annual
revenue growth
56%
1-9% annual
revenue growth
42% Flat or negative annual
revenue growth
25%
New insights on business operations, delivered in a timely way, can
help a growing firm continue to maintain agility and flexibility.
Data & Analytics: The
Competitive Edge for
Small and Midsize
Businesses (SMBs)
Streamline business
processes/practices
50%
Bridge organizational silos/depts
to improve coordination—one set
of information used by all
39%
Support data driven
decision making
49%
Gain new insights on
external operations
(customers, supply chain)
36%
Gain new insights on
internal operations
42%
Use real time reporting
for instant updates of
current activity
41%
are paying more attention to the adoption of technology to
transform their businesses in response to competitive pressure.
50% OF SMALL FIRMS
& 66% OF MIDSIZE FIRMS