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Small/Medium Businesses Introduction Since the early 1980s, Evans Research Corporation (ERC) has provided authoritative market research on a multitude of information technology products, services and technologies. The Canadian Small and Medium Business Market: 2004 continues the ERC tradition of providing an annual benchmark study of Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) in Canada. Study Objectives The Canadian Small and Medium Business Market: 2004 is a syndicated study which is designed to provide vendors serving the Canadian IT market with detailed information on IT Purchasing Practices, Hardware Installations and Acquisitions, and Services and Support. New to the study in 2004 will be a section on Software, which explores software-purchasing practices, types of software purchased, and software spending. In earlier studies (up to and including 2002), companies with more than 500 employees were excluded. Last year, a decision was made to expand the definition of SMB to include companies with over 500 employees, and this new segment will remain this year. The 2004 study therefore includes all SMBs in Canada with 10 employees or more. The study will provide overall data for the SMB market in Canada, as well as breakdowns by company size and region. In addition, detailed year-to-year trending information will be given, which is invaluable in showing how the IT landscape in Canada has evolved over time. Methodology Study Design The study is a quantitative survey administered via Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI). The population to be surveyed is defined as SMBs with ten or more employees in the ten provinces. From this population, a sample of 625 companies will be randomly selected. All respondents will be individuals who decide on the scope of Information Technology requirements at their firm, and will include a mix of IT and non-IT personnel. Company size breaks will be based on five groups, as follows: Company size groups: 10 – 49 employees 50 – 99 employees 100 – 249 employees 250 – 499 employees 500+ employees Regional breaks will be as follows: Regions: Atlantic Quebec Ontario West Data Analysis The results of the study are considered accurate (in terms of describing the entire SMB population) to within plus or minus four percentage points, 19 times out of 20. In addition to providing overall findings for the total sample, the analysis will break down responses to each question by company size, region, and year. Differences among these subgroups will be tested for statistical significance at the 95% confidence level. Deliverables ERC will provide the following: Pre-study consultation Questionnaire development Purchase of appropriate sample from a list service provider Subcontracting of fieldwork to a field house Pre-test of questionnaire prior to fielding study Weekly updates on survey progress SPSS analysis Full written report including overall results and breakdowns by the region, company size, and year Incentive fulfillment Follow-up support ERC also offers the option of a custom PowerPoint presentation of findings tailored to your specific requirements. For more information, contact Steve Parker, Evans Research Corporation 1 Eva Road Suite 309 Toronto, Ontario M9C 4Z5 (416) 621-8814 Latest Industry Snapshot of the Small/Medium Business Market in Canada.