This IDC study explores adoption of mobile applications by small and medium-sized businesses, as well as vendor opportunities. IDC's 2008 SMB Mobility IT Decision-Maker Survey sought insight from respondents in the United States, Western Europe (represented by Germany and the United Kingdom), and Asia (represented by India and China) on their company's device, software, operator, and channel preferences.

"Continued growth in shipments of converged mobile devices offers a platform on which SMBs are launching increasingly more advanced mobile applications," says Timothy Doherty, associate research analyst, Small and Medium Business Markets: Mobility. "Uncertain economic conditions will open SMBs to the idea of mobile applications that offer cost and efficiency savings, but proper vendor messaging is key."