Compared to their larger cousins, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are more efficient with the upkeep of their IT systems, a new survey suggests.

Large companies were found in research from the Bathwick Group to spend an average of 78 per cent of their IT budget simply on maintenance - far higher than the 56 per cent it takes up at smaller firms.

This suggests that SMEs are better able to keep their networks running and can allocate a larger portion of their cash towards investment in innovative IT ideas.

According to the Bathwick Group, taking on innovation is being fuelled by the closer connections between the IT side of the company and those who the business decisions in SMEs.

In contrast, larger firms may struggle to work on the same page over the suggestion of an innovative new IT system, the research group suggested