By the end of 2006, distribution companies almost across the board anticipate IT spending to surpass 2005 levels. Much of that will be spent on hardware, business intelligence tools, wireless e-mail, and encrypted customer records. Topping new project plans are this year's ubiquitous BI and global supply chains. The charts below outline the business, technology, and budgeting strategies of the distribution companies selected in the InformationWeek 500.