The ACT Strategic/Future Issues Work Group has endeavored to identify the most significant technology and consumer trends that will change how our distribution system does business in the next five to 10 years. We have focused primarily on “Hard” trends, using the terminology provided to us by Daniel Burrus. “Hard” trends are those that we believe are permanent and are likely to change the reality with which we must deal. We also include a few “Soft trends (1),” which are present today and may continue into the future.