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IT outsourcing is a growing issue of concern for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a new survey suggests.

The research, conducted by Canvasse Opinion, found that more than half (53 per cent) of SMEs rated IT outsourcing as a prominent concern in their organisation.

The most important factors in setting up outsourced IT services were 'proven expertise' and 'cost-effectiveness', cited by more than 85 per cent of respondents.

Network management and security management were also found to be the most popular IT areas for outsourcing, while desktop management was reported as the least-outsourced area at present.

"What is clear is that there are varying degrees of contracting services, with all respondents using some form of external suppliers of services," said Nick Dean, the managing director of Damovo UK, who commissioned the research.

"ICT managers are facing tough decisions on how best to use these suppliers to provide full or part-sourcing services that will deliver true business and operational impact."