Nothing in the 401(k) plan market changes overnight and some caution that while robos may have a valuable role to play in helping prepare employees for retirement, employers need to do their due diligence.

The firm could resurrect its U.S. brokerage business online, analysts say. However, Deutsche executives have said they were unsure about their U.S. plans for automated advice.

Ambition and training helped one veteran advisor learn to adopt financial planning tools, account aggregation software, video conferencing apps and tablets in his effort to create "a new client experience."

With automated advice platforms now a standard offering, the easy assumption is that technology is being universally adopted by advisors. Key insights from our annual Tech Survey, though, challenge that notion.

Technology can help firms stay in good stead with regulators.

They may be reluctant to have their financial information transmitted electronically.

Create a performance management process to get the most from staff members.

Advisors should assess critical assets of the service agreement beforehand.

Disruptive entrepreneurs could set their sights on the financial advisory worlds.

A strong identity these days must include a robust and engaging digital presence.

Advisors should focus on those areas where they can gain the most efficiency by using technology.

Watch this next year: Digital startups like Blooom may make interesting inroads into the DC space.

Software and apps can engage clients and make an advisor’s job easier.

Advisors are applying this familiar approach using new technology and strategies to deliver for their clients.

Tech dinosaurs will ultimately lose out to fleet-footed advisors who quickly embrace the latest innovations.

How a deeper understanding of your clients and what's important to them can lead to increased client retention and referrals.

Jittery markets this year proved the value of goals-based planning for advisors using new technologies and strategies to provide the service their clients want, say executives at wealth management firms.

What can RIAs do to prevent relatively minor technology hiccups from seriously disrupting their operations?

Robos can give ETF providers brand new channels to distribute products and access new investors, says Dodd Kittsley, head of ETF strategy and national accounts at Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management.