SMEs are under pressure from rising digital risk and operational demands. In 2026, SMEs will focus on AI-first operations, security-led spending, and multi-layered connectivity to address these concerns.
Omdia is part of Informa TechTarget
This website is owned and operated by Informa TechTarget, part of a global network that informs, influences and connects the world’s technology buyers and sellers. All copyright resides with them. Informa PLC’s registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. TechTarget, Inc.’s registered office is 275 Grove St. Newton, MA 02466.
If you’re interested in becoming an Omdia client and gaining access to world-class technology research, or just want more information on our products, share your details below and our team will be in touch.
All set! This article has been sent to my@email.address.
All fields are required. For multiple recipients, separate email addresses with a semicolon.
Please Note: Only individuals with an active subscription will be able to access the full article. All other readers will be directed to the abstract and would need to subscribe.
SMEs are under pressure from rising digital risk and operational demands. In 2026, SMEs will focus on AI-first operations, security-led spending, and multi-layered connectivity to address these concerns.
These are Omdia driven recommendations based on content that is both similar, and has been frequently visited by other users in combination with the content you are currently viewing.
Survey / 17 Jan 2026 / Hwee-Xian Tan
The survey reveals SMEs are shifting to digital-first buying but still value human support. Telcos face rising competition from cloud marketplaces, with service quality and trust now the strongest drivers of SME loyalty.
Survey / 17 Jan 2026 / Hwee-Xian Tan
This survey report highlights how SMEs prioritize AI and security to drive growth and resilience. AI adoption fuels 1.6× higher cybersecurity spending, showing that intelligence and protection now advance together in SME digitalization.
Survey / 19 Nov 2025 / Hwee-Xian Tan
Omdia's 2025–26 survey reveals 60% of SMEs plan to change digital providers within 18 months. Telcos face rising competition from cloud and security providers. Cybersecurity leads SME budgets, with AI now essential infrastructure. Only one in three SMEs trust their telco as a partner. Telcos must improve reliability and deliver secure, AI-ready solutions to remain relevant in SME digital transformation.
Survey / 18 Nov 2025 / Josh Builta
Discover the growth plans and breakdown of IT budget allocation by area, including drill-down on applications, infrastructure, communications, and IT management.
Report / 15 Sep 2025 / Hwee-Xian Tan
Nine in ten SMEs plan to use AI, yet telcos mostly resell generic tools. Success lies in vertical templates, local compliance, and advisory services—turning AI into a loyalty driver and revenue differentiator.
Report / 16 Jan 2025 / Hwee-Xian Tan
Yearly report highlighting three industry trends among small businesses that Omdia considers noteworthy to monitor in 2025.
Senior Analyst
Hwee-Xian is a senior analyst with Omdia’s service provider enterprise and wholesale service team. He focuses on the SoHo and SME intelligence services, providing analysis and data to help service providers benefit from market opportunities, and general trend analysis in the Asian ICT services market.
Before joining Omdia (formerly Ovum), Hwee-Xian was a senior analyst for IDC’s Asia/Pacific telecoms group, where he led telecoms services, managed services, unified communications, and collaboration trackers for a broad portfolio of customers across the region. His responsibilities included delivering innovative customized research, project management, and presales product marketing on telecoms operators and infrastructure vendors. Hwee-Xian holds a bachelor’s degree in human ecology and a master’s degree in business administration. He is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
More Content By Hwee-Xian TanFind out more about our full suite of products and solutions.
Become A ClientThese are Omdia driven recommendations based on content that is both similar, and has been frequently visited by other users in combination with the content you are currently viewing.
Our expert analysts will review your question and the Ask an Analyst team will get back to you. We aim to respond within 24 hours, but we’re often quicker.
Our team of experts are here to answer your questions. From advice on market trends to a query on research point, and everything in between, we want to hear from you.
Ask an analyst is available as part of a subscription. If you'd like access, contact us today.