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ICT markets

Results of the survey of 800 small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland

The replacement cycle of hardware in Polish medium sized companies has extended over the past five years. In the case of computers it now stands at 4.5 years. One third of SMEs use no IT services at all, while only approx. 4% of them declare to use EU funding for IT projects. These are the conclusions from one of the latest reports of PMR.

PCs replaced every 4.5 years

There are currently 1.4m computers (desktop and portable) in the sector of small and medium businesses in Poland. On average, small and medium enterprises in Poland have 15 computers, of which 73% (roughly one million units) are desktops. The number of units depends not only on the number of employees in a company, but also on its income, the degree of the influence of a foreign investor, and the number of departments in a company. In terms of size, there are 42 computers on average in medium sized businesses, and just nine in small firms. The statistics are based on the survey of 800 SMEs carried out by PMR, a market research company.

Between 2005 and 2010, the average number of computers for every company employing 50 to 249 staff grew by ten units, that is by 31%.

Currently, there are no large differences or dissimilarities among small and medium sized enterprises in Poland in terms of replacement cycle, which is about four and a half years on average. The frequency with which computers are replaced is proportional to income. In firms with earnings no higher than PLN 2m, computers are replaced less frequently (by a year) than in those with revenues of more than PLN 50m, where new computers are purchased every 4 years. Also, companies with many departments tend to replace their equipment somewhat more often than businesses with just one department. On the other hand, the fact that a company is local or foreign does not influence the length of replacement cycle.

It is worth noting that medium sized businesses currently replace their computer hardware or software somewhat less frequently than half a decade ago, although the change is not large. The replacement cycle has extended over the past 5 years by around half a year. This may be due to the higher quality equipment available to the companies. “Moreover, firms do not usually feel the need to upgrade to new operating systems released by Microsoft (Vista/Windows 7). Many more enterprises have previously decided to migrate to Windows XP system, which prompted a wave of equipment replacement. In 2009, the economic slowdown also had its impact on the spending – either reducing, or completely suspending outlays on IT equipment in some enterprises” – comments Pawel Olszynka, PMR IT market analyst and one of the report authors.

One third of SMEs do not use IT services

The PMR survey also reveals that close to a third of SMEs in Poland do not use any IT services, with the exception of those provided by their IT staff. This is especially true in the case of small enterprises (31%, compared with 18% of medium sized firms). The frequency of using IT services is also correlated with the scale of revenues. In the highest earning group (over PLN 50m), nearly 100% of firms used IT services in 2009, but only about two thirds of companies with income of up to PLN 2m declared having used such services. Foreign businesses are also more likely to use IT services. However, the number of departments does not have any impact on the results.

4% of SMEs use EU funding

Despite gradual changes for the better, a low percentage of small and medium firms in Poland still use EU funding to improve their competitiveness and innovation. According to PMR, the percentage of small firms where IT projects are subsidised by the European Union in Poland is minimal, and reaches just 2%. Medium enterprises have harnessed EU funds somewhat more frequently (one in eleven, or 9%, companies).

Harnessing EU funds increases proportionally to income: as many as 14% of companies from the highest earning group (over PLN 50m) used subsidies in 2009. SMEs with many departments have used subsidising much more frequently than companies with just one department. Fifteen per cent of small, and 21% of medium sized businesses declare plans to use funding from the European Union to finance their IT ventures.

Methodology remarks about the survey

In the survey PMR used a random, stratified sample of firms with 10 or more employees from the seven industries listed above. The sample has been sourced from REGON (National Business Registry Number) records, kept by GUS (Central Statistical Office of Poland). Moreover, the research did not include business entities operating within public administration, education, uniformed services, health care and associations.

In total, 798 full-value interviews have been carried out. Our respondents in the surveyed companies were employees most competent in the subject of IT. Very frequently, they were not hired as IT specialists, as in many – especially small – businesses such positions do not exist. A large portion of interviewees occupied highest posts in a firm (financial directors, directors, deputies).

The results of our research are representative of the population of Polish enterprises employing between 10 and 249 staff, and operating in one of the following industries:

• retail and wholesale trade or commerce

• mass production (production of foods, beverages, chemical raw materials etc.), also referred to as process manufacturing in the report

• discrete manufacturing (production of machines, equipment, fabricated metal products, furniture etc)

• transport

• HoReCa – hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés

• utilities (CHPs, wastewater treatment, water supply etc.)

• finance services

• other services (including construction, real estate, as well as IT and telecommunications).
  

Results of the survey are also representative of small (10-49 staff) and medium enterprises (50-249 staff). • 31-8-10

This press release is based on information contained in the PMR report entitled “Software applications, ICT services and infrastructure for small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland 2010”.

Security

Fast and Secure Access Managed by SKIDATA in South Africa

As a leader in access management, SKIDATA provides full-service solutions for arenas, trade shows and amusement parks. At the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa, the company's years of experience and expertise in people access and parking management will be on display. SKIDATA has equipped six of ten World Cup arenas with intelligent access technology that will be supported by SKIDATA professionals throughout the tournament. 

SKIDATA has years of experience as a system partner for large-scale events such as UEFA, FIFA or Red Bull Air Race. And SKIDATA will be part of the party at the kick-off of World Cup 2010.  

Handshake – For Secure Games

As a champion among access management providers, SKIDATA was commissioned to equip six World Cup arenas with a total of 326,000 seats: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth), Moses Mabhida Stadium (Durban), Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit), Ellis Park Stadium (Johannesburg), Royal Bafokeng Stadium (Rustenburg) and Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Pretoria). State-of-the-art technology from Austria will provide up to two million people at some 2/3 of the matches with fast and secure access to the action. To do so, the company had to successfully meet the demands and requirements of promoters, fans and operators.

The basis for SKIDATA's access management solution in South Africa is SKIDATA handshake technology. The software solution is used with SKIDATA access scanners as well as third-party turnstiles such as full-length gates. This combination will provide ticket holders with convenient and secure access, and will provide important user data at the push of a button while supporting flexible access management.

Ticket holders will be directed at the turnstiles in the arena to the best entry for them. Urs Grimm, SKIDATA executive board member, states: "SKIDATA handshake provides valuable services before and after the matches. On each match day, the full access management system will be tested via handshake long before the starting whistle blows. During match play, handshake enables operators to control issues. For example, the direction of rotation of a gate can be changed or access for certain blocks can be shifted to other entrances. After the match, valuable access data is available immediately."  

SKIDATA also provides clients with infrastructure in the form of databases and secure servers for scheduling and presales as well as billing, after sales marketing and reporting.

SKIDATA - Live On-Site

The SKIDATA team has already collected valuable experience from its arena projects in Angola. For World Cup 2010, the company's experts are well prepared and have taken into account the country, climate and culture to make sure it all runs smoothly. Because without turnstiles that work perfectly, the access system and match are not a sure thing. • 14-6-10

SKIDATA Group is a global leader in access solutions and their efficient management. With more than 6,000 installations worldwide, SKIDATA provides ski resorts, shopping centers, major airports, municipalities, sports stadiums, trade shows and amusement parks with secure and reliable access solutions for people and vehicles. SKIDATA places great value in offering solutions that are intuitive, easy to operate and secure. The integrated concepts of SKIDATA solutions help clients optimize performance and maximize profits. SKIDATA Group is a member of the publicly traded Swiss Kudelski Group, a market leader in digital security solutions.