Small and home offices almost as techie as each other

Small offices and home offices (SOHOs) are starting to convergence technologically as consumers deploy the sorts of enterprise technology typically used by larger SMEs.

According to IDC, both small and home offices are looking to roll out easy-to-use technology to help them win new business. The research firm believes there will be more than 23 million SOHOs before the end of the decade.

Among the equipment now standard to SOHOs are the ubiquitous mobile phone, PC and printer. Small offices are keener on laser printer use, albeit black and white, according to IDC but, as prices drop, both are likely to plunder their budgets for colour laser printers.

LAN use is also more common in small offices compared to home offices but both are thought to be planning to invest in the technology in the next few years.

IDC earlier predicted the SME segment would account for around half of all IT spending in 2005.