(Ann Bednarz, NetworkWorld) Caution still pervades the economic forecasts, but it's not deterring IT executives from aggressively expanding their virtualization efforts, extending mobility initiatives, and tackling newer priorities such as cloud computing and enterprise social media adoption.

"If it's out there and if it can help us, we're looking at it," says Ron Smith, director of IT at logistics provider Transplace, which plans to upgrade to 10G Ethernet, overhaul its intrusion-prevention systems, and invest in cutting-edge storage gear, among other 2011 IT projects. "We're thrifty in the way we spend our money, but we go after the best."

While the budget-slashing of 2008 and 2009 has given way to more stable IT spending - projected to rise 7.4% in 2011, according to Forrester - buyers are still behaving prudently given the global economic environment. "We are in a recovery, but it's a very weak recovery. It's going to be a slow slog," Bartels says. But IDC is slightly less bullish on the 2011 outlook, predicting worldwide IT spending will grow 5.7% to reach $1.6 trillion. "Overall growth is still lagging behind pre-recession levels, but the recovery of 2010 will broadly continue and the industry will ultimately outpace the rest of the economy," IDC concludes.