There is a wide scope of areas where Smart Objects such as
sensors for light, pressure, temperature, vibration,
actuators, and other similar objects allow for a vast range of
new applications: "smart cities", "smart grid", home and
building automation, industrial applications, asset tracking,
utility metering, etc.
Companies and consumers are ready for the level of automation that Smart Objects can bring.
Current technical approaches based on proprietary protocols
are unlikely to be successful especially as the scale grows
and tens of thousands of devices need to be networked. Indeed,
this lack of interoperability created by the proprietary
systems is known to be a show stopper and will limit
innovation. Such approaches require complex "gateways" that
are inherently highly inefficient and complex to deploy,
manage and operate.
There is a networking solution based on open standards that
has been demonstrated and deployed and is eminently scalable -
the Internet Protocol (IP).
Customers need more information on the various solutions to
the management of Smart Objects and need such information from
other sources than the current proprietary solution providers
and would prefer such information from an unbiased source.
There is a need for the establishment of an open, informal and
thought-leading association of like-minded organizations and
individuals to promote the value of using the Internet
Protocol for the networking of Smart Objects.
The current standards bodies, such as the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF) which is in charge of specifying IP
protocols, are doing good work developing standards, but do
not provide any marketing support so that potential users of
IP for Smart Objects can understand the value of that approach
and obtain information on it.
Without such an association, those parties promoting
proprietary solutions will be able to create uncertainty about
the value of the IP for Smart Objects approach and delay
adoption.
In order to maximize the impact of this association, it needs
to be started today and boot-strapped initially with the
expectation that it will evolve into a more formal and larger
organization over time.
This charter sets forth the basic elements of the Alliance for
the promotion and establishment of the Internet Protocol as
the network of choice for Smart Objects.
Mission
The Alliance is a global non-profit organization serving the
various communities seeking to establish the Internet Protocol
as the network for the connection of Smart Objects by
providing coordinated marketing efforts available to the
general public. Our purpose is to provide a foundation for
industry growth through building stronger relationships,
fostering awareness, providing education, promoting the
industry, generating research, and creating a better
understanding of IP and its role in connecting Smart Objects.
Goals
Promote IP as the premier solution for access and
communication for Smart Objects.
Promote the use of IP in Smart Objects by developing and
publishing white papers and case studies and providing
updates on standards progress from associations like IETF
among others and through other supporting marketing
activities.
Understand the industries and markets where Smart
Objects can have an effective role in growth when connected
using the Internet Protocol.
Organize interoperability tests that will allow members
and interested parties to show that products and services
using IP for Smart Objects can work together and meet
industry standards for communication.
Support IETF and other standards development
organizations in the development of standards for IP for
Smart Objects.
It should be noted that the objective of the Alliance is not
to define technologies, but to document the use of IP-based
technologies defined at the standard organizations such as
IETF with focus on support by the Alliance of various use
cases.
In establishing the Alliance one of the subsidiary goals will
be to be as efficient as possible in environmental matters and
our preference will always be to make appropriate
substitutions such as virtual meetings for in-person meetings.
