We're in the midst of collecting information on your outlook for 2009, and what we've found out so far is not surprising. And even though it's not always a good idea to leak some of the information from an in-progress survey, we found the results so far to be sufficiently striking that we feel a need both to share them and to invite you to chime in.

Less than 24 hours into the data collection phase of our "2009 Telecommunications Trends" survey, some of the early results are so firmly established that we’re comfortable giving you some early estimates.

For instance, when asked about changes in the importance of IT functions in the coming year, roughly half of the respondents indicated either “some increase” or a “significant increase.” In fact, fewer than 15% saw a decrease of any form. At the same time, it’s not clear how this increased importance will be funded. Strikingly, fewer than 25% of the respondents saw any increase in funding for these IT functions.

We also asked about the deployment of new capabilities. At this point, roughly 45% of the respondents are noting either “some” or a “significant” increase. But again, only slightly more than half that percentage (roughly 25%) are foreseeing a commensurate funding increase. In fact, roughly 40% are looking at decreased funding.

So the crystal-clear message is that IP staffs are going to be asked once again to perform miracles and increase their service output without significant increases in financial support.

We’ll be sharing more information over the coming weeks and months, but it’s inappropriate at this juncture to go further into the details. Instead, we’ll encourage you to go to the survey, sponsored by our Webtorials Editorial/Analyst Division, and share your thoughts. In addition to asking about economic conditions, you’ll have a chance in the short survey to weigh in (as appropriate) on topics including LAN switching, managed services, and integrated multifunction equipment. And if you answer the survey you’ll receive a preliminary summary that’s reserved for respondents-only.

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. Jim Metzler is vice president of Ashton, Metzler & Associates.