SMB VoIP Survey Results

Writers like to play on words as part of their craft. With the winter cold and flu season upon us, I have received numerous meeting cancellations on my schedule because colleagues have “lost their voice.” And that got me thinking. If their voice isn’t working, is their VoIP working in the economic winter storm? That is, how is the VoIP segment of the technology sector holding up in the Great Recession?

So I created a VoIP survey with a twist. Over 260 readers answered a dozen questions about VoIP in the SMB area. Most folks provided contact details in order to be entered into the prize drawing for an Apple iPod giveaway. The winner of the iPod was Bob Pogue, who is now happily listening to his playlist. And what is the twist on this survey? Simply this. In new and emerging technologies, often the most qualified individuals-known as subject matter experts-work in the private sector at ISVs, vendor companies, and the like. So I teamed up with New Global Telcom’s Julie Buchanan and Matt Wilson, and we designed a valuable VoIP survey.

I will now present the results and offer analysis.

1. What services are you currently providing?

• Networking infrastructure (91.1%)
• Mobility sales, services, support (52.7%)
• VoIP-specific sales, services, support (44.2%)
• Telephony sales, services, and support (35.3%)
• Line of business applications (35.7%)
• Database development/programming/development (32.6%)
• Web hosting (27.5%)
• Host e-mail (26.7%)

Analysis: The above question allowed multiple response because SMB consultants wear multiple hats. The results also show that we are a bunch of computer guys and gals still deeply committed to the local area network/wide area network world. Fair enough-that’s an honorable past, present, and future.

1. Are there additional services you plan to add to your portfolio to grow your services in the coming year?

• Yes (66.7%)
• No (33.3%)

Mother of invention time. The interesting thing about challenging times is that it forces you to re-create yourself real quick! So folks are eager to learn about new opportunities and then deliver those opportunities.

1. If “yes” to Question 2 (above), what new services are you considering offering in 2009?

• VoIP sales, service, support (56.2%)
• Security (36.6%)
• Telephony sales, services, and support (28.1%)
• Web hosting, hosted services (25.5%)

Talk about VoIP velocity! Earlier I asked how the future for VoIP looks. In Question 3, I believe you have your answer. A solid majority view VoIP as a near-term opportunity.

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A few us of well remember the “tech wreck” in the early part of the century when the technology sector lead the way down. As the attached chart shows, the under-performing sectors in this dip are housing, manufacturing, business services (read banking) and retail. The technology sector, denoted as information, has a minor dip of under 85,000 jobs lost.

So what’s hot and what’s not? I have a new speech I am traveling with called “SMB Saints and Sinners” where I outline my top ten list of hot sectors in cold times. On the saints-side, I have education and medical on my top ten list. On the sinners-side, I have segments like casinos and liquor (see this article in today’s Seattle PI about increased drinking. As you can see in the above chart, reprinted from the Wall Street Journal, education and health care are two segments that are very strong!

The strength of the education and health care segments are further validated in the SMB VoIP survey. The figure below shows a direct correlation with the medical industries first and the education segment second. My advice? Solicit clients in health care and education to grow your SMB technology consulting practice.

BEST PRACTICE: Attitude matters. Late last week I attended the Microsoft Local Engagement Team (LET) Partner Advisory Committee meeting for the Seattle area. This meeting was led by Microsofties Paul Jensen and Jessica Smith. At that committee meeting, shown in the photo below, Joe Kennedy, the publisher of the Eastside Business Journal commented that he no longer reads press release that talk down the economy. He’s gone positive and it’s making a difference.

Joe Kennedy is the long hair dude in the center. Paul Jensen from Microsoft is in the blue shirt to the left.

We are delighted to report we are generating significant traffic to our Telephonation site that supports the SMB VoIP community. Big fun at www.telephonation.com awaits you. Here is a counter from yesterday showing some big traffic numbers!