Windows administration remains the most in-demand skill for IT departments, with 74 percent of respondents citing the need. It's down only slightly from the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of last year.

Network administration, database management and firewall administration took the next three spots, consistent with a year earlier.

Business intelligence will experience the biggest drop off; 30 percent cited it for the coming quarter, down 7 percent from the same period a year ago. Unix administration tapered off 5 percent from a year earlier.

Percent of Companies Seeking Specified IT Skills

Position Time Period 1Q08 4Q07 1Q07 Windows Administration 74 73 77 Network Administration 70 70 71 Database Management 59 60 63 Firewall Administration 54 55 54 Wireless Network Management 53 52 53 Business Intelligence 30 34 37 .NET Development 27 22 23 ERP Implementation 18 22 19 Linux Administration 17 18 22 XML Development 17 18 15 CRM Implementation 17 18 19 Java Development 17 18 19 Unix Administration 15 16 20

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