Tech spending on the block, too

President Obama is serious about cutting back federal spending. He's asked his cabinet secretaries to come up with more than $100 million in savings from their budgets. While that's hardly a drop in the bucket, it's clear that the president is serious about tightening the government's belt.

On Monday, the White House provided a few examples of cost-saving measures, that include tech cuts, and some ways that technology can help save money.

> At the Education Department, the number of computers per employee is being cut back, and it will impact staffers with both desktops and laptops. The new rules require staffers to have just one computer--a laptop--and the savings are estimated at $2 million. The Education Department is also increasing the number of people using the same printer, and that will save an additional $6.7 million.

> The Department of Homeland Security estimates it can save $47 million per year if its agencies buy software licenses as one entity, rather than independently. That's a whopping savings, and one wonders why it's taken so long for DHS to figure this one out.

> Agencies are moving to the 'paperless office.' The U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals Offices' Asset Forfeiture program and the State Department's National Visa Center will move certain functions online. The Agriculture Department's Rural Development office plans to use Internet training instead of in-person training.

That's just a few of the savings proposals that are coming down the pike. It's hardly enough to make a difference. Why just $100 million across government? Why not $100 million per agency? And why not more technology to keep costs down?

For more on IT budget cuts in this equation:
- check out this White House press release