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.
Membership
There shall be two classes of membership, Promoter and
Contributor. Promoters are eligible for voting in the Alliance
to elect the Board of Directors and to serve as Chairpersons
of Committees. The rights and privileges of each class of
membership shall be as specified in the bylaws and other
founding documents of the Alliance and may be modified by
action of two-thirds of the Promoters. No party shall hold
more than one membership in the Alliance and no party shall
have more than one member on the Board of Directors.
Contributor Member Benefits
Right to use Alliance technical guidelines and use cases. This
includes access to pre-publication drafts of the design
guidelines and internal documents through the Committees as
well as the opportunity to review and comment on new
guidelines prior to their adoption.
Right to participate (non-voting) in Committees to help
create and influence the use cases, technical guidelines,
marketing materials, lobbying efforts, and all other Alliance
work products
Invitation to attend and participate in Alliance
member-only meetings as well as teleconferences for the
various Committees.
Right to use the Alliance Interoperability Program to
qualify products and services.
Right to participate in Alliance Plugfests free of
charge for cross vendor interoperability testing.
Option to allow Alliance to place company executives in
industry speaking events.
Right to demo certified products at Alliance meetings,
tradeshow booths, other Alliance events and Alliance's public
newsletter.
Right to use Alliance marketing material internally and
externally.
Free Alliance marketing kits: signs, brochures, etc.
Promoter Member Benefits
All Contributor Member benefits.
Voting rights in all Promoter meetings.
Ability to hold leadership positions within the Committees.
Right to be elected to the Board of Directors.
Opportunity to participate in Alliance sponsored trade show exhibit kiosks and demonstrations.
Eligibility and Application Process
Any firm, partnership, corporation, unincorporated
association, or government body (hereinafter "Person"), with a
demonstrated interest in promoting the mission of the
Alliance, may apply for membership. The Alliance does not
restrict membership on the basis of race, color, sex,
religion, or national origin.
Any person possessing the requisite qualifications to secure
admission to membership in the Alliance can submit a
membership application. Upon submission of the Membership
Agreement and review by the Alliance, the applicant will be
notified of the Alliance's decision consistent with the
Alliance bylaws.
Dues and Renewal Dues
The annual membership dues will be disclosed in the Alliance
Membership Agreement and may be changed from time to time by
the Board of Directors and are expected to be $5000 for
Promoters and $2500 for Contributors for the first year. The
dues for the first year of membership must be paid at the time
of application. No new membership will be activated prior to
receipt of payment in full.
Each member shall pay annual dues to the Treasurer according
to their annual membership schedule. Each member will be
issued an invoice thirty (30) days prior to the renewal
date. All invoices are payable upon receipt.
If any payment of dues or any assessment is not made as and
when required, the Alliance will send a notice to the member
whose payment is delinquent. Sixty (60) days of default in
payment of any assessment or installment of any dues shall
entitle the Alliance, without notice to the member in default,
to suspend all rights and privileges of membership until the
default in payment of dues or installments is cured. If such a
suspension is imposed, membership shall be reinstated upon
payment in full of the unpaid dues or assessment.
