A worrying percentage of small businesses in the UK are jeopardising new business leads and opportunities by not looking after critical sales information and important data, according to new research published by Buffalo Technology.

With UK businesses doing all they can to combat the current economic climate, people in 31% of small companies are spending more time out on the road than a year ago with the laptop acting as the office. However, an alarming 34% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) admitted to having lost a company laptop.

With more of the work force on the road, this number could be set to increase. Even without a physical loss, almost 30 per cent of SMEs stated that they have important business data saved on a laptop, but not backed up in the office.

Businesses are working harder than ever and when on the road their files, records and customer information are amongst their most valuable assets. With the loss of important data productivity grinds to a halt, a sale could be lost and customer confidence and reputation becomes heavily dented.

Buffalo Technology is a global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of storage and wireless networking product and commissioned the research to look at technology issues small firms in the UK are facing in the current economy.

Over half of SMEs admitted to not being worried about the security of data on company laptops and 14% had never even really thought about it

The increase in a laptop led work force has created a new type of business, the Small office and Mobile office, or SoMo, with technology enabling anytime, anywhere working. Given this, a surprising number of businesses still do not seem to take data backup seriously enough. In fact, over half (52%) of SMEs admitted to not being worried about the security of data on company laptops and 14% had never even really thought about it.

The research also revealed that:

  • 34% of businesses that have important data saved on laptops, but nowhere else, do not backup all their data because they do not have the time
  • 68% of businesses that have important data saved on laptops, but nowhere else, would backup all their data if the process was automated, easier and quicker

Taking the appropriate steps to backup and secure data, whether on company laptops or desktop PCs, has never been easier and quicker. And in taking this simple and important step, businesses can safeguard their valuable information, as well as their customers'.

Hi-Jinks, an incentive travel agency that specialises in extreme and adventure based corporate team building events, is currently using a network attached storage (NAS) device to store and maintain all its business critical data.

Jeremy Prout, owner of Hi-Jinks, commented: "My business relies on a NAS device to maintain all important customer information and transaction records, as well as event photography. With limited technical knowledge it has been extremely easy to schedule automated backups and protect data that is essential to my business, without the need for a specialist IT manager. Knowing that my business files are being regularly and safely backed up completely eliminates the worry of data loss."

For more information please visit www.buffalo-technology.com/home