Every business these days is inundated with tech “solutions” that will boost their operations, marketing and customer relations. But strip away all the hype, and what do businesses really want? The answer is simple:

Small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) want a fast return on their investment.

That’s according to a new study just released by CompTIA, a trade outfit for the IT industry.

Their second annual SMB Technology Adoption Trends study found that 80% of SMBs want technology that delivers “immediate payback,” with minimal disruption and seamless integration with existing systems.

Oh yes, and they’ll take a pony with that.

The study, which included 400 execs from a broad range of industries, also found that 71% of respondents would be willing to pay a premium for technologies with a proven return on investment.

It’s no surprise that SMBs’ wish list of technologies includes things that will return cash to the corporate coffers quickly and create no bumps in the road.

Many SMBs that are existing on tiny margins and grappling with tight bank credit in these post-recession days can’t really afford to take many risks.

“The underlying take-away is that SMBs want IT that works right the first time and will look to solutions that do,” said Tim Herbert, vice president, research, CompTIA.

Top of the IT list at SMBs:

• Virtualization — 37% plan adoption in the next year
• Unified communications — 25% are looking at moving to VOIP in 2010
• Open source software — About 20% will adopt some form this year, and
• Mobility upgrades — 45% plan to increase workers’ ability to telecommute.

The study found that top IT priorities at SMBs include:

• Keeping up with storage demands — 55%
• Managing ever-increasing numbers of devices and networks to accommodate mobile and telecommuting workers — 54% (72% of SMBs have telecommuting workers, 87% have mobile employees), and
• Offering more Web services — 53%.

To get the full report, visit CompTIA.

Tags: CompTIA, mid-size business, priorities, research, small