Cloud computing, big data, the mobile workforce and social networking have all been a part of a watershed of recent technology developments that have been the drivers of unprecedented and far reaching socio-economic change. In this report, Jonathan Crane, Chief Commercial officer at IP Soft, discusses what is forecast to be the next big wave of technology innovation - "automation." Automation holds the promise to further improve product quality, lower production costs and speed market delivery. Through automation we'll have an opportunity to further advance business and industry and to boost global prosperity. Track: On the horizon executive briefings that identify emerging technologies and their impact on business. Learning objectives: Explain how and why global enterprises and industries are increasing their reliance on technology driven automated processes. Understand the "sense of urgency" for organizations to implement technology solutions that improve products. Lower production cost and speed delivery. Identify how organizations and individuals alike can best prepare for this next wave of IT innovation.