AS many as 90,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East of England – many of them in Cambridgeshire – have missed out on a business opportunity because of inadequate information and communications technology. This is one of the key finding

AS many as 90,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East of England - many of them in Cambridgeshire - have missed out on a business opportunity because of inadequate information and communications technology.

This is one of the key findings of research of the region's SMEs commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council. It also reveals that, although SMEs recognise the benefits of ICT, many do not have the right knowledge and support to use it in the most beneficial way.

One in five respondents said they had missed out on a business opportunity because they did not have the right ICT. If applied across the East of England's 430,000 SMEs, about 90,000 businesses are losing out.

In addition, nearly half (46 per cent) agree that small businesses do not have the access to ICT knowledge and support available to larger businesses, and this can hinder business development.

Four in 10 respondents felt that a lack of suitable ICT prevented flexible working and just a third knew what the latest technology - advanced broadband - was and how it could benefit business.

There are about 30,000 SMEs in Cambridgeshire.