According to a new survey by the AFCOM Data Center Institute, about half of data centers are responding to the economic crisis by cutting their budgets an average of 15% for 2009.

While the overall cuts were "surprisingly low" in the view of Jill Eckhaus, the CEO of the Association for Computer Operations Management (AFCOM), she said she doesn't want to minimize the impact those cuts will have on the 49% of affected data centers.

Eckhaus said the low number of data centers making cuts indicated their importance to the businesses. And while half are cutting, the budgets for the remainder are staying the same or increasing. That's important, because it wasn't long ago when data centers "used to be known as the money pit," she said.

For those data center managers that are cutting budgets next year, a large percentage of those cuts are aimed at big ticket items, including: IT equipment, 21%; IT support equipment (such as cooling systems), 16.5%; and staff, 14%.

This survey was initially conducted in May with 300 responses from managers of large data centers, which make up much of the association's membership. But in response to the economic downturn, a follow-up survey was conducted in late November. It prompted 133 responses.

The survey also found that 86% of the data center managers will expand their use of virtualization to either cut back or reduce the need for new physical servers.

About 13% of the managers said they had planned to increase or add software-as-a-service (SaaS) as an alternative to internally hosted applications.

With travel budgets being slashed, nearly 70% of the respondents said they plan to increase their use of video conferencing next year to reduce travel cost.

Of the survey respondents, 23% said they planned to use cloud computing. And of those without plans to adopt cloud computing, 49% said it wasn't applicable to their data center strategy, while 16% raised concerns about security, 11% raised issue with the reliability of providers and an equal percentage cited cost issues. About 13% said they weren't confident with cloud service providers.

Cloud Computing Technology Contributors of 2009
10Gen, 3Leaf Systems, 6fusion International, Absolute Performance, Ajaxo, Alentus, Appirio, Appistry, Aptaria, Arena Maxtronic, Arista Networks, Asankya Networks, BitRock, BlueLock, Boomi , Box.net, Canaan Partners, Casdex, Chris Richardson Consulting, CITTIO, Cloud Architects, Cloud9 Analytics, CloudRamp, CloudScale Networks, Cloudscape.ws, CloudWorks, CNI Systems, CohesiveFT, CollabNet, Concentric, Cordys, Cronus Partners, CSRware, CuperTek, Cycle Computing, Dataline, Dell, DNAmail, eBay, Elastra, Engine Yard, Enki Consulting, Enomaly, Excelian, Flexiscale, Forrester, Fortress ITX, G.ho.st, Gear6, GigaSpaces, GoGrid, GraphLogic, GridGain, IBRIX, InfoQ, IntelePeer, IronKey, Iterative Designs, ITO America, Jamcracker, Joyent, JumpBox, Just Skill, Kaavo, Linxter, Mohr Davidow Ventures, MessageLabs, Mimecast, Model Metrics, Moderro Technologies, Moka5 (MokaFive), Mosso, Netmagic, NewServers, Ocarina Networks, Panorama Software, Parabon Computation, Parallels, ParaScale, Patni Computer Systems, Peer1 Networks, Platform Computing, PLX Technology, ProjectLocker, Promise Technology, Qlayer, QlikTech, Rackspace, RampRate, Red Hat, Reliance Globalcom, RightScale, Robson Taylor, Rogue Wave, rPath, Salesforce.com, Sapotek, Saugatuck Technology, ScanSafe, ServePath, ServiceCloud, SIMtone, SkillSoft, Skytap, SmugMug, SOASTA, Solace Systems, Spiceworks, SpiderOak, Symphony Services, Tap In Systems, Teneros, Terremark, Transitive, Trend Micro, Union Square Advisors, Unisys, Univa UD, uTest, Vertica, Weber Shandwick, Widen Enterprises, XCalibre, Zabovo.com, Zeus Technology, and Zuora.

Virtualization Technology Contributors of 2009
123Together.com, 361 Degrees, 3PAR, 8e6 Technologies, A10 Networks, Aastra, Accario, Accellion, AccessFlow, AceNet, ACMA, Acronis, Actional, activePDF, Acxiom, Adaptec, ADC, Adder, Adexis, Adtran, Agilysys, Agito Networks, AirMagnet, Akorri, ALADDIN Knowledge Systems, Alcatel-Lucent, Alert Logic, AlterPoint, Altor Networks, AMAX, AMCC, Amyuni, Apani, APC, APCON, APM Experts, Appistry, Applied Innovations, Apptio, Aquantia, Arastra, Aravo, Arbor Solutions, ArcSight, Areohive Networks, Array Networks, Arrow ECS, ARTEC – Computer, Aruba Networks, Asigra, Asoka USA, Aspera, Astaro Internet Security, Atempo, ATEN Technology, Attune Systems, AutoVirt, Avanade, Avaquest, Avaya, Aventiv-NomaDesk, Avocent, AVTECH, AXIOMTEK, BakBone, BBN Technologies, BDNA, BEA Systems, Bedsole, Benchmark Capital, Berkeley Varitronics, BigFix, Bivio Networks, Blade Network, Blue Lane, BlueArc, BluePoint, BlueStripe, Bobcares, Bosanova, Brigh Technologies, Brocade, CA, CalAmp, Capitial Trust Ventures, Cassatt, Catbird, Cayenne, CDG, Ceedo, Certeon, Champion Solutions, Check Point Software, Chip PC, CiRBA, Citihub, Citrix Systems, ClearCube, CommVault, Compass America, Compellent, Compugen, Computer Lab International, Concentsus, Configuresoft, Continuity Software, Coraid, Courion, Coyote Point Systems, cPanel, Credit Suisse, Crosswalk, CrystalTech Web Hosting, CSC, Data Domain, Databarracks, DataCore, DataDirect, Datagardens, DataPipe, DataSynapse, DC3 Solutions, Dell, EqualLogic, Desktone, Devon IT, Digipede, Doctrino Systems, DocuSign, DoubleTake Software, Dynamic Network Factory, DynamicOps, Ecora Software, eG Innovations, Egenera, Electric Cloud, Electrorack, Embotics, Emulex, Endeavors Technology, Enigmatic, Enomaly, Entuity, EqualLogic, Ericom, EVault, Evolving Solutions, Exinda, eXludus, Extentrix Systems, F5Networks, FalconStor, Faronics, FastScale, FastSoft, FOCUS Consulting, Fortinet, Fortisphere, Fugitive LLC, Fujitsu Systems, Fusepoint, FusionStorm, Gateworks, Getronics, Gibraltar Solutions, GlassHouse Technologies, GlobalFluency, GlobalSCAPE, GlobalSign, Green Hills Software, Grid Dynamics, GRIDtoday, groupSPARK, Hiperware, Hitachi Data Systems, Hubspan, Hurricane Electric, Hyper9, HyPerformix, Hyperic, I2 Technology, IGEL Technology, Ignite Consulting, Illumita, IMEX Research, Incipient, Insight Venture Partners, InstallFree, INSYSTEK,Integrien, Ipswitch, Isilon Systems, iTrinegy, KACE, Kaseya, KI Lipton, Kidaro, Kingston Technology, KnownHost, Lanamark, LeftHand Networks, Lenovo, Leostream, Liquid Computing, Lucid8, LynuxWorks, Magirus, Mailtrust, Mainline, ManageIQ, ManageSoft, Marathon Technologies, Marketo, Markitects, McAfee, Meridian IT, Metron, Microsemi, Microserv, Mid-Atlantic Computers, MIMOS, Mimosa Systems, Mindbridge Software, Miva Merchant, MonoSphere, Morph Labs, Mxi Technologies. mySoftIT, Nagarro, Namescape, Ncomputing, NEC, Nemertes, NeoPath, Neoware, Net Magic, NetApp, Neterion, NetEx, NetIQ, Netuitive, Network Appliance, Neverfail, New Age Technologies, New Idea Engineering, NewTek, Nexenta, NextIO. Nimsoft, Niyuta, NoMachine, Nortel, Novell, Novo Innovations, Old Road Computing, Omnitron, On The Avenue, ONStor, Opalis Software, Open Kernel Labs, OpenHosting, OpenSpan, Optaros, Opus Capital, PacketTrap, Palm, Inc., Panda Security, Pano Logic, Pattern Insight, Peak IP Solutions, PHD Technologies, Phoenix Technologies, Phurnace Software, Pillar Data Systems, Pinnacle Cart, Pivot3, Platespin, Proofpoint, ProServeIT, ProSync, Provision Networks, , Q1 Labs, QG Software, Qualys, Quest Software, R1Soft, Racemi, RACKWISE, Radiant Logic, Raritan, Raxco Software, Red Hat, Reflex Security, Regan Technologies, Resolution Enterprises, RF Code, Riverbed, RSA Security, Ruckus Wireless, Sagent Solutions, SanDisk, SAVVIS, ScaleMP, Scalent Systems, ScienceLogic, ScriptLogic, Seanodes, Secure Command, Secure Computing, Sentillion, ServInt, Shavlik, Silpion, SIMtone, Singularity Technologies, Sitemasher, SmarterTools, Socialcast, SoftLayer, SolarWinds, SolutionSet, Sonasoft, SSH Communications Security, StackSafe, Starfire, SteelEye Technology, StillSecure, StoneFly, Stonesoft, Stoneware, StorageCraft, StorageNetworking.org, StorMagic, Stratus, Sun Microsystems , Oren Tech, SunGard, SunView, Supermicro,, Surgient, SWsoft, Sycros, Symantec, Systar, Telecompute, The 451 Group, The Israeli Association of Grid Technologies, TheInfoPro, ThinkEquity Partners, ThinPrint, Third Brigade, Tideway, Tigerpaw, TOA Solutions, ToutVirtual, Train Signal, TRANGO Virtual Processors, Tresys Technology, Trigence, Tripwire, Twisted Pair Solutions, UK-2 Limited, Ulteo, UniPrint, United Devices, V.i. Labs, VaST Systems, VDIworks, VeeAm Software, Veodia, Verio, VeriSign, Vicom, Vigilar, VirtenSys, Virtera, Virtual Computer, Virtual Iron, VirtualizationChat.com, VirtualLogix, Virtugo, Virtutech, Visionapp, VisionCore, VKernel, VM People, VM6, VMLogix, vmSight, vThere, Vyatta, Wyse Technology, XDS, XenoCode, Xiotech, xkoto, Xsigo.

AJAX & RIA Technology Contributors of 2009
3Tera, Abaque, Accenture, AccuRev, AccuSoft, Active Endpoints, Active Inquiry, ActiveState, Actuate, Adaptive Blue, Adaptive Path, Adobe Systems, Afrous Dashboard, Agitar Software, AGOSYS, AJAX 13, Akamai, Alfresco, Allurent, Alpha Software, Altova, Amazon.com, Appcelerator, Appeon, Apple Computer, Applibase, , AppTrigger, Apress, Aptana, Aragon Consulting, Art & Logic, Ask Pivot, Asperon, Astreya, Atlassian, Aztecsoft, Azul Systems,, BackBase, Barracuda Networks, Baynote, BEA Systems, Bizwhazee, Black Duck, Blogtronix, BlueFolder, BlueTie, BondDesk, Borland, BOSSdev, Bottomline, BScaler, Bungee Labs, Burton Group, CambrianHouse, Canoo Engineering, Cassatt, Cast Iron, Catalyst Resources, Cenzic, Chordiant, CIGNEX, Cisco Systems, Cision, Citrix Systems, Claria, Clearspring, CodeFlare, Codign, Coghead, Cognizant, ComponentArt, ComponentOne, Conference Guru, Coradiant, Corent Technology, CoreSpeed, Corizon, Crescendo Networks, CSS Group, cStar Technologies, CSW Group, Curl, Cybage, Cynergy Systems, Dapper, Dassault Systèmes, DataDirect, Day Software, dCongo, deCarta, Dell, Denim Group, Denodo, Design Universe, DeviceAnywhere, Dialcom, Dice.com, DiscountASP.NET, DotNetNuke, Drangonfly, DreamFace Interactive, Dynamic Toolbar, DynaTrace, EffectiveUI, Egnyte, Ektron, Elastic Path, Elementool, EMC, Encanvas, ENOVIA Matrix One, EnterpriseDB, Ephox, esnips, ESRI, Etelos Systems, etouch, Evans Data, Exadel, ezAJAX, F5 Networks, FeedbackFX, Fig Leaf Software, Finetooth, Fiorano Software, firstRain, FiveRuns, Foldera, Force10 Networks, Fortify, Forum Systems, Fotango, Freewebs, froglogic, Funambol, FundingPost, Furtherahead.com, Fusion Technologies, Gaggle.Net, GemStone, genius.com, Genuitec, Gizmox, Glassbox, GoGrid, Gomez, Inc., GreenHat, GreenPoint, GridApp Systems, Groupware Technology, Helmi Technologies, Hitachi America, Hosting.com, HostMySite.com, HP Software, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, Ibiza Software, IBM, ICEsoft, ILOG, Impetus, iNetOffice, Infinilogic, Infragistics, Ingres, Inimit, Innominds, Innoopract, inpowr, InsideView, Instancy, Instantiations, Integration New Media, Intel, IntelliObjects, Intelliun, Interactive Networks, InterSystems, Isomorphic, IT Mill, ITtoolbox, JackBE, JadeLiquid, JasperSoft, Javeline, JBoss, JellyCloud, JetBrains, Jive Software, K2, Kaazing, Kapow, Keynote Systems, KonoLive, Krugle, Laszlo Systems, Lightstreamer, M/Gateway, Magic Software, Mainsoft, Manning Publications, Marathon Technologies, Mashery, Mashmatrix, MaxiScale, MB Technologies, Metia Software, Microsoft, Midnight Coders, Molecular, MomentumSI, Morfik, Neocleus, Neotys, Netfective, Netmite, NetSuite, Nexaweb, Nextapp, NextAxiom, NextDB.net, Nirvanix, Nitobi, Northwoods Software, Novell, Novulo, OASIS, ObjectWave, OpenLink, OpenLogic, OpenSpot, OpenWave, OPNET, OpSource, Oracle, OrangeHRM, OSS Nokalva, Parasoft, Passport Corporation, Pentaho, Perforce, Pervasive Software, Primavera Systems, PushToTest, QLogic, Quasar Technologies, Quest Software, Rackable Systems, Radialpoint, RadView Software, Rearden Commerce, Recursion Software, Red Hat, Roaring Penguin, Salesforce.com, SAP, Saven Technologies, Scalix, Servoy, SkillBuilders, Skyway, SL Corporation, SlickEdit, SnapLogic, SOA Software, Software AG, Software FX, Sonic Software, SoonR, Splunk, SugarCRM, Sun Microsystems, Sybase, iAnywhere Solutions, Symphoniq, TeaLeaf Technology, Tele Atlas, telerik, ThinkFree, TIBCO Software, TriveraTechnologies, Valtech, Visual Mining, VMware, Vocus, WatchFire, WaveMaker, Web Spiders, WebAppCabaret, Webtide, Wipro, WSO2, XAware, Xenos, Xythos Software, Yahoo!, Zapatec, ZCubes, Zimbra, ZOHO, and Zoovy.

SOA / WOATechnology Contributors of 2009
/n Software, Aberdeen Group, Abovo Group, AccelTree, activePDF, ActiveServers, Actuate, AdventNet, AgentWare, Agilent Technologies, AgilePath, Altova, AmberPoint, AMD, Amentra, American Coders, Amyuni, AppSense, Apptricity, Aprimo, Arbortext, Attachmate, Autodesk, Azul Systems, BEA Systems, B-hive, Black Hat, BlackDuck Software, BlueNote Networks, BMC Software, Borland, BroadVision, Business Objects, CA, CalAmp, CapGemini, Catalyst Systems, CheckFree, ClearApp, Codagen, COGNOS, ComponentSource, Composite Software, CSC, Compuware, Covalent, DevelopMentor, DigitalAssets, Eclipse.org, Embarcadero Technologies, EnterpriseDB, Fair Isaac, Farata Systems, Fiorano, Forum Systems, Fuego, Fujitsu, Gartner Group, Gizmox Systems, Global Knowledge, Gluecode Software, GT Software, Gutenberg Communications, HP, HiT Software, Hitachi, HP Bluestone, Information Builders, Interwoven, Ipedo, iTKO, J9 Technologies, Jacada, JustSystems, Layer 7 Technologies, LogicLibrary, LogiXML, MacroVision, Maestro CMS, Magoo Software, McAfee.com, Mellanox, Micro Focus, Mindreef, MKS / Mortice Kern Systems, NASTEL Technologies, NEON Systems, NetIQ, OMG, Object Management Group, ObjectBuilders, ObjectFocus, Objective Solutions, Open Text, OpenLogic, OpenMake, OpenSpan, OpTier, Optika, Oracle, PaperThin, PerfectXML, Perficient, Inc, preEmptive Solutions, Progress Software, Prolifics, Rackspace, Red Hat / JBoss, Rogue Wave, RSA Security, SAP, Sapiens, Seagull Software, Seapine Software, ServerLogic, SOALogix, SOAMatrix, Sonic Software, SpikeSource, StrikeIron, Sybase, Telelogic, Teradata, Thinstall, Thoughtworks, TIBCO Software, Tidal Software, VeriSign, Versant, Versata, Vertigo Software, Visual Numerics, Vitria, Vordel, Wakesoft, Web Age Solutions, WebLayers, Webmetrics, Websense, Wily Technology, WinMill Software, WSO2, XMethods, XMLCities, ZapThink, and Zend Technologies.