Small businesses in IT which embrace the use of mobile customer relationship management (CRM) on smartphones are a step ahead of the game, it has been stated.

John Stokdyk, the technology editor at online communities' publisher Sift Media, said that it allows individuals on the move to manage client interaction more efficiently as they are able to update their records as such transactions are made.

He explained that smartphones are becoming an increasingly important part of day-to-day business which empowers the user to do things without being anchored to the office, in effect allowing them to be a lot more effective as a salesperson.

Mr Stokdyk added: "Even better, it can help capture data at the source, as new contacts are made or orders are placed. That filters through to more accurate management information."

IDC revealed earlier last month that CRM would see a major increase in spending, despite widespread cuts to IT budgets.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent).