The research, conducted by global management consulting firm BCG for the Microsoft report, revealed that about 90 per cent of small and medium enterprises in India have no access to the Internet.
"The report -- Ahead of the Curve: Lessons on Technology and Growth from Small Business Leaders -- found that if more SMEs in India adopt latest IT tools there is potential for SME revenue to grow by $56 billion and create 1.1 million new jobs," Microsoft India Managing Director Karan Bajwa said.
According to the government data, micro, small and medium enterprises employ about 59.7 million people spread over 26.1 million enterprises.
In value terms, MSMEs accounts for about 45 per cent of the manufacturing output and around 40 per cent of the total export of the country.
For customers, it means providing product training and helping SMEs understand the full range of available devices and services, but it also means community and industry investments such as skills training, Bajwa said.
"Microsoft and its broad ecosystem of partners in India have helped SMEs grow, compete and become more profitable through the effective use of office productivity tools, cloud-based services and mobile technology," Microsoft India General Manager (Small and Mid-Market Solutions and Partners organisation)
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