Newtek Business Services, The Small Business Authority, with a portfolio of over 100,000 business accounts, announced today the findings of its SB Authority Market Sentiment Survey, a monthly window into the concerns of independent business owners. Based on a poll of over 1,100 respondents, one of the key findings from the March survey is 55% of business owners see themselves using a tablet or other device in the future. Additionally, 28% of business owners are currently using tablets for their business applications, making tablets the item of choice as only 19% of business owners use laptops and only 17% use desktops for their business applications. Looking forward, 45% of business owners say that their next technology purchase will be a tablet, with laptops in a close second at 41%.

The full March 2012 results showed the following:

Barry Sloane, Chairman, President and CEO of The Small Business Authority commented, "We are surprised but closely focused on the growth of the tablet as a tool for independent business owners.  Our client base in excess of 100,000 business accounts when surveyed indicated that over 50% are utilizing the tablet as one of their several devices for business applications.  We are well positioned to serve our clients as the marketplace for tablets and mobile business applications expand."