Sounds like exciting times Paul. Fred was one of the first to crow on the benefits of mega-data here that I came across. I think all imagers can gain from some well thought out and tested software automation. Those of us without observatories setting up in the backyard, or stringing a few nights together in a dark sky site rely on getting as much good data as we can without staying awake beside the scope all night long, and a little automation can go a long way there as well of reducing time setting up an imaging run.
Probably the important thing you've emphasised is the need to build the house of cards one step at a time. No use trying to do it all at once - you have to have the basics in place re tracking and guide star reacquisition or the rest is pointless
