Drawn to new technology, small businesses rapidly increase spending

With budgets growing amid widespread economic recovery, small businesses are looking to incorporate new computers at a faster rate than previously expected, according to a recent study.

Conducted by market research firm IDC, the study concluded that, despite economic obstacles that may prevent some small business owners from obtaining credit for new investments, recent technological advances have been too much for them to resist. Attracted by new breakthroughs in technology that could improve productivity for a small business, such as the new features available on today’s laptop, netbook and tablet computers, small businesses in the United States will spend a combined $125 billion this year, IDC said.

The increase from 2010, when the estimated 8 billion small businesses in the country combined to spend $120 billion on technology, marks the second consecutive year in which small- and medium-sized businesses increased IT spending.

In fact, separate research suggests that widespread tablet adoption is supporting this growth. Market research firm Gartner, in its worldwide IT spending forecast, predicted tablet expenses among businesses will reach $29.4 billion this year, up from just $9.6 billion in 2010.