| This report provides the results of an Internet-specific study conducted at the end of last year. The end-user data shows the primary types of Internet access used in 2001 by location, as well as the percentage of Internet-accessing employees by location. The survey results also provide information on both employee and corporate-wide or strategic uses of the Internet.
Small business decision-makers are focused on provisioning a greater number of employees with Internet access, with broadband access being provisioned more often. The shift toward broadband from dial-up access continues to be a force in this market. DSL access appears to be the type of Internet access preferred by small business decision-makers, particularly in main, branch, and home office locations.
Use of the Internet by employees and by small businesses on a company-wide level continues to increase. Nearly all small business employees use the Internet for e-mail and research. More interesting, though, is the significant number of employees using the Internet for more sophisticated communications functions, such as online collaboration, instant messaging, and Web conferencing. At the firm level, substantial numbers of small businesses used the Internet for procurement and customer service in 2001. Increased use of the Internet for strategic functions is expected moving forward, with small businesses showing particular interest in use for voice-over IP.
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