The manufacturing sector is inextricably linked with technological advancement. Manufacturers depend on it for their own expansion, and early adopters of successful technologies can see immediate benefits to their operations and financial results. Now, a major software company has predicted that the year 2016 will be a tipping point for the industry as emerging trends become commonplace.

Citrix Systems has published its yearly Technology Landscape report, where it makes forecasts for the next five years. For manufacturing, Citrix sees significant advancements in automation, widespread adoption of data analysis solutions and an increasing presence of 3D printing technology.

Citrix's experts believe that 3D printing, which has grabbed plenty of headlines but has yet to make a significant mark on the manufacturing industry, has great potential as a customization tool. It is easier to make minor modifications to a design if the product is being made on a 3D printer than through traditional means. The main obstacle for now is affordability, but the report says that will change by 2016.

The same applies to robotics in general, which will also become financially feasible. Citrix points out that this doesn't necessarily mean that manufacturing jobs will disappear, although there could be a shift in focus. In short, more people will be needed to maintain and optimize robots.

Finally, more companies will rely on data as more of it becomes available through the growth of the Internet of Things. Demand will increase for business management software solutions that can simplify the gathering and analysis of data. In just a few short years, some of the most hyped technologies will be paying real dividends for manufacturers.