• by Steve Smith  @popeyesm, March 6, 2012

That big kids’ “toy” of just a couple years back has not only infiltrated the enterprise, but is now commonplace even in small to medium-sized businesses. According to a new survey by The Business Journal, 34% of SMBs are using iPads in some capacity -- up from only 9% in 2010.

Business Journal says this near-quadrupling of tablets among business owners makes the iPad the fastest-growing technology in the SMB market. And three-quarters of SMB owners say they are at least somewhat familiar with how to use the large touchscreen device.

This rapid uptick in iPad adoption and familiarity reveals a new trend in technology among SMBs of putting priority on accessibility. According to Godfrey Phillips, VP of research, The Business Journal, “productivity and efficiency, which used to be the central benefits of technology, are now declining in importance compared to accessibility.” Ubiquitous access to business information is now a top priority. The trend is driving interest in tablets, smartphones and cloud computing among SMBs, Phillips adds.

Not surprisingly, iPad owners among SMBs represent an attractive target -- 72% have a college education and an average annual household income of $176,000. These SMBs are also among the more established firms in the segment, with an average of 28 years in business and $9.2 million in annual sales.  

The Business Journal study of over 1,400 small and medium business owners and upper-level executives will be published in full on March 31.