Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/1175312
Wireless World 9 Tuesday, October 22, 2019 The Zigbee Alliance and Thread Group Address IoT Industry Fragmentation The Zigbee Alliance and Thread Group announced the availability of the Dotdot specification over Thread's IP network. This is the first time developers can con- fidently use an established, open and interoperable IoT language over a low- power wireless IP network, which will help unify the fragmented connected device industry and unlock new markets. "We're at an exciting point in the Smart Home where the broader con- sumer market is embracing mainstream connected products; 26 percent of con- sumers own a smart home device accord- ing to our new research," said Tom Kerber, Director of IoT Strategy at Parks Associates. "To be competitive in a mar- ket where consumers will rely on these devices for years to come, companies must take a long-term view, aligning with technologies that will enable innovation and interoperability, and continue to deliver on the promise of the IoT for every stakeholder." Dotdot is the Zigbee Alliance's uni- versal language for the IoT, making it pos- sible for smart objects to work together on any network. Thread is the Thread Group's open, IPv6-based, low-power, secure and future-proof mesh networking technology for IoT products. These two leading organizations have come together to deliver a mature, scalable solution for IoT interoperability that isn't confined to single-vendor ecosystems or technologies. Delivering on the Promise of the IoT The early internet faced the same chal- lenges as today's IoT. Currently, connect- ed devices can struggle to deliver a seam- less experience because they speak dif- ferent languages (or in technical terms, use different "application layers"). For the internet, the industry solved this problem with open, universal protocols over IP – a combination that unlocked and accelerated innovation. Dotdot's common device language over Thread's IP network extends this same proven approach to the Internet of Things. With Dotdot over Thread, product and plat- form vendors can ensure the high-quality, interoperable user experiences needed to drive growth, while IP allows vendors to maintain a direct connection to their device – and their customers. Simplified Product Development with Mature Technologies and Diverse Supply Chains It's important to note that Dotdot over Thread is not another new standard. Dotdot enables the open, mature and already widely adopted application layer at the heart of Zigbee to work across Thread's IP network – the same network technology fundamental to the internet. For product managers, new standards represent risk. Dotdot and Thread are backed by global, industry-leading com- panies and represent two of the most robust, widely deployed and well-sup- ported connectivity and interoperability technologies, driving billions of products and networks already in homes and offices. "Zigbee and Dotdot are the product of 15 years of innovation by our mem- bers, and the experience that comes from over a decade of building successful products," said Tobin Richardson, Zigbee Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer. "This maturity is why major tech- nology leaders have chosen Zigbee, and Dotdot over Thread now brings that value to new markets. This marks the first of many partnerships to come as we extend our application layer across additional networks to accelerate time to market and unify the IoT for all stakeholders." "The Thread Group's vision is to extend IP – the powerful foundation of the internet – to low-power IoT devices," said Grant Erickson, President of the Thread Group. "Just like the internet, this vision also requires the industry to put forth open, common protocols so devices from any vendor can work together. Dotdot gives Thread adopters an impor- tant option for that open, end-to-end con- nectivity and interoperability." How to Start Working with Dotdot over Thread The Dotdot specification is available today to Zigbee Alliance members. Additional resources, including the Dotdot Commissioning Application, will be available in Summer 2018, along with the opening of the Dotdot Certification program from the Zigbee Alliance. Thread launched its 1.1 specification and opened its certification program in February 2017. The Zigbee Alliance and Thread Group now share a number of common authorized test service providers, and are working with them to ensure an efficient, seamless certification process for Dotdot over Thread adopters. About the Zigbee Alliance The Zigbee Alliance is the foundation and future of the IoT. Established in 2002, its wide-ranging global member- ship collaborates to create and evolve universal open standards for the products transforming the way we live, work and play. With members' deep and diverse expertise, robust certification programs and a full suite of open IoT solutions, it is leading the movement toward a more intuitive, imaginative and useful world. The Zigbee Alliance is supported by board members from Comcast, Huawei, Itron, The Kroger Co., Landis+Gyr, LEEDARSON, Legrand Group, Midea, NXP ® Semiconductors, Philips Lighting, Schneider Electric, Silicon Labs, SmartThings, Somfy Group, Texas Instruments and Wulian. About the Thread Group The non-profit Thread Group is focused on making Thread the founda- tion for the internet of things in the home and beyond by educating product developers, builders and consumers on the unique features and benefits of Thread and ensuring a positive experi- ence through rigorous, meaningful product certification. Thread is backed by industry-leading companies includ- ing Arm, Johnson Controls, Nest Labs, NXP ® Semiconductors, OSRAM, Qualcomm, Schneider Electric, Silicon Labs, Somfy, and Yale Security. Since opening its membership in October 2014, companies from around the world and across all aspects of the expansive and connected technology sector have joined the Thread Group to create the very best way to connect and control devices. What's Going On with the Water at Your Facility? Managing a Precious Resource Have words like pH adjustment, equal- ization, clarifiers, settlers, discharge monitoring and dissolved air flotation become part of your vocabulary lately – whether you wanted them to or not? Perhaps the issue of water in your facility has become a front-burner topic of con- versation. Don't worry. You're speaking Complete Water Services' language. Complete Water Services (CWS) pro- vides the experience and resources that produce innovative solutions to water and wastewater treatment. It has a proven track record assisting the baking industry in meeting their unique challenges involved in managing our planet's most vital resource. 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