PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Managed service provider Air IT Group has launched a new brand identity and strategic direction aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) turn technology into a competitive advantage. The refresh introduces a unified service platform underpinned by automation, AI and cyber security, designed to simplify IT and accelerate growth for UK businesses.
The rebrand follows a period of rapid expansion for Air IT Group, which has integrated its capabilities across cyber security, cloud, connectivity, business intelligence and IT support into a single, customer-centric offering. According to CEO Barney Taylor, the move reflects a broader shift in how the company supports its clients: “We’ve made significant investments in building true in-house expertise across automation, AI and cyber security. Our new brand reflects our evolution as an organisation: building a single intelligent technology stack that gives SMEs the platform they need to grow.”
With more than 5.6 million SMEs in the UK accounting for over 99% of businesses and around half of private sector turnover, the sector plays a pivotal role in the national economy. Yet despite widespread recognition of technology’s potential, fewer than half of SMEs actively use it as a core part of their operations, according to government data. Research from Google suggests AI-powered tools could unlock £198 billion in productivity gains across the sector, but adoption remains low, with only one in four SMEs currently using AI, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.
Air IT Group’s new strategy aims to close that gap by making advanced technologies more accessible and impactful. The company has invested in an omnichannel contact centre and expanded its use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), now executing over 161 million automated actions per month—more than 60 per second. This automation backbone supports a self-service IT desk already used by over 200 organisations, including England Hockey, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Virgin Management.
“Technology should simplify, not complicate, the way businesses work,” said Lee Johnson, Chief Technology Officer at Air IT Group. “That’s why we are focused on improving service delivery and ensuring that our clients remain at the heart of everything we do. The SME sector’s ability to adopt and integrate new technology, including AI and automation, is critical to future productivity and competitiveness in the UK.”
Looking ahead, Taylor sees 2026 as a critical year for SME technology adoption. “As economic headwinds persist, productivity in the UK will hinge on how fast smaller and medium-sized businesses can modernise. The upside is enormous – when SMEs get the right technology and support, they gain the agility and insight to compete with much larger players in the market.”
