Traditionally, enterprise applications have been out of the reach of small and medium businesses, but software developers have strategies to bring special versions to the increasingly important mid-market.

Giant software development companies and vendors have traditionally focused on the enterprise market comprising government institutions and big companies. But many bigger players are getting to grips with the importance of the mid-market.

As far back as September 2001, Meta Group identified a trend of IT vendors targeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for new market growth because of a technology glut and a softening economy. A recent Meta report shows the trend is gaining momentum and concludes that the SME market is drawing attention from Global 2000 companies and IT vendors alike.