Signs business is getting better

It's still a very tough year, but it's looking like cost-cutting measures have finally hit the bottom and are leveling off. There's still plenty of bad news out there, according to CIO.com. But the website's new survey shows that only 14 percent of the 171 IT leaders polled expect budget cuts in the near future. That's down from 20 percent in January and 63 percent in March 2008.

It's still not time to cheer but there are some indications that the worst may be over. Another good sign is that 28 percent of CIOs are planning to increase spending for software applications--up from 23 percent.

As the saying goes: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

For more on the economics of the IT world:
- check out this CIO.com article