IDC's team of global small and medium-sized business (SMB) analysts have deliberated the key trends and industry developments likely to impact the SMB technology market over the next 12 to 18 months.

According to their research, a variety of evolutionary and even revolutionary changes will drive opportunities on a worldwide and regional basis.

IDC analysts have predicted that the pace of technology expansion in India will spur SMB spending growth in 2007 to record levels. According to the research, the Chinese market is also set to experience a similar boom along with India.

"The opportunity to provide SMBs with advanced technology will continue to grow significantly throughout the world in 2007," said Ray Boggs, vice president for Small/Medium Business and Home Office research at IDC. "Global and regional macroeconomic forces will be the key, but even more so will be the appeal of productivity gains made possible by the application of newly affordable technology delivered by a growing number of market participants."