A recent research study conducted by Sharp, a major provider of business technology products and services, revealed a significant lack of IT knowledge among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. The study surveyed 5,770 professionals in SMEs responsible for purchasing IT, and highlighted a concerning IT knowledge gap and challenges faced by these businesses. The survey found that almost one third of firms believe that the lack of technology integration and complexity of systems hinders them from making the most of their investment in IT.

Furthermore, just over 20% of businesses rely solely on internal IT resources, indicating a potential lack of independent and expert advice when it comes to IT investments. Nearly half of the businesses expressed dissatisfaction with the IT advice they received from the beginning, signaling a need for better guidance and support in their IT investments. Additionally, the survey revealed that many professionals in SMEs feel less knowledgeable in critical areas such as cloud technologies, IT security, network limitations, IT hardware specifications, software licenses, and Office 365 opportunities.

The research also identified that businesses face barriers in making the most of their IT investments, including a lack of integration with other systems, complex software and systems, and a shortage of knowledgeable managers. According to Colin Blumenthal, the Vice President of IT Services at Sharp Europe, in the face of continuously evolving and complex technology, seeking expert advice is essential to ensure that the right decisions are made, particularly due to specific needs across different industries. The study indicated that UK businesses are facing challenges in obtaining expert advice on IT investments, with 42% believing they received poor advice from the beginning and lacked ongoing support.

Additionally, a shortage of employee understanding and internal responsibility for IT was highlighted as holding businesses back. The research also provided insights into the priorities of SMEs, finding that making the most of investments in IT is equally important to finding new talent for European SMEs. In the UK, however, the challenges were more focused on the rising costs of doing business.

Sharp UK, committed to making technology easy, emphasized the importance of understanding customer needs and creating seamless solutions. As part of Sharp Corporation and with the backing of Foxconn, the company aims to lead the industry in new areas of technology that have the potential to change the world.