The OIC hopes to create a common communications framework based on industry standard technologies to connect and manage the flow of information among personal computing and emerging Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
All the aforementioned member companies are set to contribute software and engineering resources to the development of a protocol specification. These specifications will encompass a range of connectivity solutions, utilising existing and emerging wireless standards and will be designed to be compatible with a variety of operating systems. The first OIC open source code will target the specific requirements of smart home and office solutions. For example, possible consumer solutions include the ability to remotely control household systems to save money and conserve energy. In the enterprise, employees and visiting suppliers might securely collaborate while interacting with screens and other devices in a meeting room. Specifications for additional IoT opportunities including automotive, healthcare and industrial are expected to follow. “The explosion of the Internet of Things is a transformation that will have a major impact on our power to do more through technology,” said Glen Robson, vice president and CTO for Client Solutions at Dell. “Having a connectivity framework that is open, secure and manageable is critical to delivering the foundational elements of that transformation. Consumers and businesses alike will need a strong base upon which to build the vast array of solutions enabled by a global Internet of Things.” Jong-deok Choi, executive vice president and deputy head of Software R&D Center at Samsung Electronics, echoes the sentiment: “In the Internet of Things era, everything – from PCs, smartphones and tablets to home and industrial appliances and new wearable form factors – should effortlessly connect and communicate with each other, regardless of who makes the device. “We invite other industry leaders, whatever their background and vertical specialism, to join us in defining and embracing a common communications framework for the Internet of Things.” By Shané SchutteShare this story