The economic crisis that hit financial markets in October 2008 has taken its toll on the technology industry. IT customers — many of whom were in a state of confusion in late 2008 — have now implemented their recessionary plans and reduced or eliminated nonessential technology spending. The rapidly changing market conditions create a challenge for technology vendor strategists, who must balance their near-term recession objectives with their need to invest in long-term, strategic initiatives. Forrester has identified five strategic priorities that we know are important to technology vendors — and examined how the economic conditions in 2009 might change or shape these objectives.