Apple's iPad: Fastest Growing Technology Among Small Business Owners, According to The Business Journals

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On the eve of Apple's launch of the iPad 3, The Business Journals' new national study among small and mid-sized business (SMB) owners reveals how critical the iPad and other mobile devices have become to this hardworking business segment.  According to the findings, iPad usage has nearly quadrupled among the SMB market over the past year, growing from nine percent in 2010 to 34 percent in 2011, indicating that the iPad is the fastest growing technology among the SMB market.

In addition, since the iPad's launch in April 2010, familiarity with the product has reached incredibly high levels in its less than two year life span with 75 percent of SMB owners report now being "very or somewhat familiar" with the device.

Godfrey Phillips, Vice President of Research at The Business Journals, hypothesizes that the growth of the iPad is part of a new phenomenon overtaking the SMB market.  "Our research has shown that for SMB owners, productivity and efficiency, which used to be the central benefits of technology, are now declining in importance compared to accessibility.  Now, it's crucial that business owners have access to their business information and data, anytime and anywhere.  The iPad, as well as smartphones and cloud computing, are all part of this new trend and are experiencing significant growth as a result of that need."

The study also identified that iPad users in the SMB community – 34 percent – are tech-savvy and financially successful.  In addition to being highly educated with 72 percent having a college education, this segment's annual household incomes (HHI) averages $176,000.  Their companies are also well-established, having existed for an average of 28 years and averaging $9.2M in annual sales. 

The study, which will be available March 31st, was undertaken by The Business Journals, surveying a nationally representative sample of over 1,400 business owners, CEOs and presidents of companies with 5-499 employees. It provides numerous insights into the SMB market and identifies leading business brands, segmented opportunities, and details annual expenditures, economic viewpoints, technology and social marketing trends. 

For more information regarding The Business Journals' proprietary study, please contact Godfrey Phillips, Vice President-Research, at [email protected] or (800) 433-4565.

About The Business Journals
The Business Journals is the premier media solutions platform for companies strategically targeting business decision makers.  We deliver a total business audience of more than 10 million people via our 42 websites, 64 publications and more than 700 annual industry leading events.

Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, The Business Journals has sales offices in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.  It is a subsidiary of American City Business Journals, a unit of Advance Publishing, Inc., whose properties include Conde Nast Publications and the Fairchild and Golf Digest Companies.

Media Contacts:
Sharon Oh / Jo Tu
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(212) 986-6667
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SOURCE The Business Journals