Is traditional desktop software a thing of the past? According to a recent survey conducted by online payroll service SurePayroll, it is--at least for small business. Instead, many small businesses are choosing to use web-based software that better allows them to compete with big businesses. In fact, three out of four entrepreneurs surveyed said they rely on online software, which enables them to work in an online environment in place of purchasing or licensing software.

SurePayroll's survey cited benefits to online software such as convenient access, the fact that they don't need internal support for the software, and fast and easy implementation. 

When looking to the future, 75 percent of survey respondents predicted that in 10 years, desktop software will be eliminated, and all applications will exist on servers that can be accessed remotely.

Kristin Chessman