Innovation is essential in accelerating companies’ growth in today’s competitive environment. Frost & Sullivan Growth, Innovation & Leadership (GIL) Congress takes place across eighteen cities annually and is a platform to discuss key trends, creating new possibilities, business models and opportunities. GIL Asia Pacific 2014 was held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

As Singapore transitions into a smart nation, several zones and areas have been identified as test sites for innovative ideas and concepts such as intelligent parking systems and pneumatic waste conveyance systems. Hence, the ‘connected living’ is likely to become reality in the near future.

The theme ‘Connected Living’ was discussed in detail throughout the congress. This will be an extension of Frost & Sullivan’s recent focus on the integration of smart technology across various industries and countries. According to Frost & Sullivan, the converging industries and smart cities is expected to present market opportunities worth $1.5 trillion by 2020.

‘Connected Living’ is defined as a world in which consumers use many different devices to experience compelling new services that integrate video, voice, and data services to provide access and ubiquitous connectivity anytime and anywhere.

According to Manoj Menon, Senior Partner & Managing Director for Asia Pacific Frost & Sullivan, connectivity and convergence will change the world as we know it.

“In the foreseeable future, smart and connected ubiquitous objects will be able to monitor the environment, report statuses, receive instructions, and take action based on the information received from smartphones, tablets and other hand held devices acting as a controller.”