LONDON: More than a quarter of UK SME managers have admitted to not being able to explain what broadband is, according to a study by IT firm Daisy Group.
It also found that from the 1,141 business owners asked, 29 per cent couldn’t explain what the cloud was, and 92 per cent were baffled by datacentres.
Daisy conducted the research to measure how savvy Brits are when it comes to the technology used in connectivity today.
The research found that almost half (43 per cent) did not know what the cloud was, 44 per cent confessed to being unsure about fibre broadband and 20 per cent didn’t even know what WiFi was.
Kate O’Brien, managing director at Daisy Group, said: “Our research highlighted that there is a gap in understanding the technologies that have been designed for business.
In particular, we were shocked to find that 75 per cent of people didn’t know what VoIP is, especially considering it is a billion-pound industry which has been rocketing in popularity over the last five years, due to its ability to dramatically cut businesses’ phone bills.”
The company suggests that the apparent lack of tech knowledge might explain the government’s decision to change the name of a programme which offers businesses funding to upgrade their broadband from Super Connected Cities to Superfast Britain.
O’Brien concluded: “Those working in the fast-paced arena of IT and digital have a duty to cut through the jargon and educate UK businesses on what technology can mean for them.
Otherwise businesses will continue to waste money and miss out on growth opportunities simply through ignorance about what is available,” she said.
