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New research has highlighted the role that efficient data management will play in the long-term recovery plans of global SMBs . Alessandra de Paula , Director of Channel Marketing EMEA at Seagate Technology , talks us through some of the key infrastructure challenges SMBs experienced during the shift to remote working and offers advice on how they can ensure robust data management infrastructure as they plan for the future .

EAGATE TECHNOLOGY HAS

Many SMBs ’ existing IT infrastructure shows resilience

Despite the rapid and unexpected shift to remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic , existing SMB IT infrastructure proved resilient , according to the research . More than half ( 54 %) of SMB decisionmakers reported no difficulty in accessing files or company data remotely and 61 % reported similar productivity levels to when their employees are in the office . A total of

45 % of SMB decision-makers reported their company ’ s existing data infrastructure was more resilient than expected during the pandemic . All SMBs included in the study have fewer than 250 employees and the majority have fewer than 50 .

During a time of acute crisis for many SMBs , many are taking the importance of robust IT infrastructure more seriously in their long-term planning . A total of 50 % of decision-makers surveyed said that they planned to invest in data backup and recovery services in the future , while 51 % said that data technology could play a role in long-term business growth .

SMBs to adopt data-driven COVID-19 recovery strategies

As SMBs look to the future , decision-makers are developing their recovery strategy . With 36 % of SMB decision-makers expecting their staff to work from home more often after COVID-19 ,