Following a report on the latest IT spending data from technology research company Computer Economics that found 42 percent of surveyed companies were reducing IT staff, eWEEK interviewed Computer Economics analyst John Longwell.

In an e-mail exchange June 24, Longwell explained some of the nuances of the company's latest report, "IT Spending and Staffing Benchmarks 2010/2011," which found budgets in 2010 to be a whole closer to 2009 numbers than expected. Last year, 46 percent of 200 companies surveyed in the United States and Canada reduced IT headcount. This year, just under 30 percent of companies surveyed said they have the budget to increase staff, but numbers on capital spending are slightly up.

"It seems the mood has shifted from cautious optimism to hopeful pessimism," said Computer Economics President Frank Scavo.

The following is the question and answer exchange between Longwell and eWEEK.

To read the original eWeek article, click here: Deflating IT Budgets: Behind the Numbers

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