An independent study by Quocirca Ltd.
www.quocirca.com
Quocirca SMB Report
Contacts:
Bob Tarzey
Quocirca Ltd
Tel +44 1753 855794
bob.tarzey@quocirca.com
Clive Longbottom
Quocirca Ltd
Tel +44 118 9483360
clive.longbottom@quocirca.com
Europe behind USA in IT best practice
Is the EU in a position to achieve its i2010 goals?
A recent report1 by the European Commission noted that “Europe is not investing in productivity
enhancing ICT as much as the USA”. The report also claimed that the situation is worse for SMBs than
for enterprises. Comparing the data from two recent Quocirca studies2&3 underlines the problem and
shows the price European SMBs are paying for this.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
There are significant differences between the IT management practices of US SMBs and those
in continental Europe’s largest economies; Germany and France
This is reflected at a number of levels, but one notable difference is that whilst all SMBs make
extensive use of Microsoft operating system on both their PCs and servers, European SMBs are far
more likely to be using older and, therefore, less secure versions.
French SMBs in particular, are less likely to have an expert managing IT
Even when they do they devote less time to it. Whilst the German SMBs are closer to the USA in
this respect they do not achieve a return in better practice as a result of it.
French and German SMBs alike are more likely to leave their IT infrastructure insecure than
their US peers
Around 60% of German and French SMBs have anti-virus installed as standard on their PCs
compared with 80% in the US. They are also less diligent about monitoring their network security.
US SMBs are far more likely to have formal backup routines for PCs
Only about 40% of French and German SMBs have formal back up routines for their PCs – the
figure is over 80% for US SMBs. Only a small percentage of the European’s PCs get backed up on
a daily basis, while over half do in the USA.
French and German SMBs pay a price for this
Their ability to function is more likely to be compromised, th