Overview
Mission
Committees
Alliance Members
Board of Directors
Technical Advisory Board
IPSO Alliance Charter

IP for Smart Objects (IPSO) Alliance Charter

Introduction

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.