ENTERPRISE IOT
Friendly Technologies | November 25, 2022
Friendly Technologies, the IoT and Device Management company, enters the realm of smart utilities with multiple new Internet of Things projects spanning the globe.
Alongside the recent upgrade to Friendly IoT version 6.3.0 for telcos and IoT enterprises worldwide, Friendly Technologies will now manage tens of millions of IoT-enabled smart meters for water, gas, and heating utilities.
Friendly IoT version 6.3.0 helps Friendly Technologies'' customers introduce new projects and verticals with ease. Friendly's new Application Enablement Platform combined with the Friendly One-IoT device management software allows organizations to manage devices, collect and analyze data, implement automated workflows, integrations, multi-tenancies, access control, create unique dashboards, and more - all in one user-friendly interface.
The E2E device management platform from Friendly Technologies also stands out with its scalability - able to scale en masse without skipping a beat, as well as the capability to be deployed on-cloud or on-premise.
Friendly Technologies began its journey in 1997 and currently has over 250 active customers worldwide. Some of the most significant communication service providers, including Tier-1 telecommunication and IoT-enabled businesses, use the Friendly IoT Device Management platform to provision, manage, and monitor their devices. It is an active member of the Broadband Forum and the Open Mobile Alliance, always staying future-ready. In addition to provisioning, management, and monitoring of devices, the Friendly IoT Management platform comes with robust security features and integrations with third-party tools, such as Microsoft Azure IoT and others.
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ENTERPRISE IOT
Connectivity Standards Alliance | November 07, 2022
Today members showcased their Matter products at a launch event in Amsterdam with a wide array of categories including motion blinds, occupancy sensors, weather devices, smart plugs, door locks, lighting, gateways, platform components, and Matter-based software applications. Since the release, 190 products have received certification or are in queue for testing and certification.
The transition from standards development to standards adoption is clearly accelerating, with 4,400 downloads of the new Matter specification since its release and 2,500 downloads of the Matter software development kit (SDK) from GitHub. With the launch of the Matter certification program for both hardware and software products, there are now eight authorized test labs in 16 locations across nine countries, making it easy to bring Matter products to life.
"This is a major inflection point for the IoT. As we become more connected and break down the walls between the digital and physical world, we need to work together to make those connections meaningful. Matter and our membership are tackling this challenge head-on, With collaboration, inclusiveness, and a deep sense of responsibility to the market and consumers, Matter has the power to create a more connected, safe, and useful Smart Home."
Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance
CCS Insight, a leading European-based analyst firm, notes that purchase intent for smart devices is on the rise, with 35 percent of households in key European markets intending to purchase smart home products in the next 12 months. Additionally, in recent research by Parks Associates, a US-based firm, interoperability is top-of-mind with consumers, where 73 percent of US households that own or are planning to buy a smart home device say interoperability amongst products is important when choosing which smart home device to buy.*
As part of the Matter launch event in Amsterdam, over 100 media and analysts representing 15 countries learned about the latest certified Matter devices, and heard from member leaders on key topics including energy management, security, and empowering Matter developers. Those attending in person were able to see live Matter product demonstrations from 20 companies**. A similar event will be held in China.
Members including Silicon Labs, Schneider Electric, Tuya Smart, and Amazon spoke individually about their perspectives on Matter as they relate to their position in the IoT ecosystem.
"The promise of Matter is the accelerated proliferation of connected things by bringing simplicity and interoperability to consumers who can now mix and match products from different ecosystems with greater ease and reliability. And the foundation of Matter's interoperability begins at the silicon level," said Matt Johnson, CEO of Silicon Labs. "Silicon Labs is proud to have contributed our breadth of protocol support, depth of wireless expertise, and focus on the IoT to Matter's development."
"As a global specialist in energy management and automation, we believe open standards, technology and interoperability of connected products are essential in bringing energy to all, making our homes more sustainable, and energy efficient," said YiFu Qi, Executive Vice President, Home & Distribution Division, Schneider Electric. "We are innovating to bring Matter-ready technology to help homeowners globally achieve net zero homes, by making it easier to utilize the full power of sustainable home energy management systems."
"Tuya Smart is committed to breaking down barriers between different smart product brands and categories and creating a more open and neutral IoT ecosystem for the global intelligence market," said Alex Yang, Co-Founder and COO of Tuya Smart. "As a Board member of the Alliance, Tuya participated in Matter's early development, application, and promotion. We also believe that with our extensive and growing partnerships in the IoT industry, the era of connecting everything in a smart way will come soon."
"As services like Alexa continue driving rapid smart home adoption, Matter presents a new opportunity to further simplify development for device makers and add to the customer experience of smart home devices from a range of different companies and brands," said Marja Koopmans, Director of Smart Home & Health at Amazon. "As an Alliance board member, founding company and long-time contributor to Matter, we look forward to introducing this open standard to over 100 million Echo and eero devices to make it easier for customers to set up and control their Matter-certified smart home devices."
With the initial launch of Matter, a variety of popular smart home product categories are supported including lighting and electrical, HVAC controls, window coverings and shades, safety and security sensors, door locks, video players, protocol bridges, and controllers embedded in many different kinds of products.
Looking beyond the initial release, work has begun and is ongoing for new device categories. In addition to teams working on cameras, home appliances, and more advanced energy management use cases, at the event the Alliance announced the formation of new teams to work on closures (such as doors and gates), environmental quality sensors and controls, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and ambient motion and presence sensing. The Alliance called on all interested companies looking to develop connected solutions in these areas to join the Alliance and build what's next in Matter.
Since the release of the specification, twenty companies have joined the Alliance. To learn more about Matter and to be a part of the next generation of the IoT, become a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance here.
The Alliance conducted nine test events and a final Specification Validation Event (SVE) prior to the launch of Matter. Companies that successfully participated in the SVE and can proceed with certification applications include: Amazon, Apple, Assa Abloy, CAME S.p.A., Espressif Systems, Eve Systems, GE Lighting a Savant Company, Google, Grundfos Holding A/S, Infineon Technologies, innovation matters iot GmbH, Latch, LEEDARSON, Legrand, LG Electronics, Longan.Link, Lumi United Technology Co., Ltd., mui Lab, Nanoleaf, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors, OPPO, PanKore, Qorvo, Resideo Technologies Inc., Samsung Electronics, Schlage, Schneider Electric, Sengled, Shenzhen CoolKit Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen ORVIBO Technology Co., Ltd., Signify (Philips Hue and WiZ), Silicon Labs, Somfy, TCL, Texas Instruments, Tridonic, Tuya, ubisys, and Universal Electronics.
About the Connectivity Standards Alliance
The Connectivity Standards Alliance is the foundation and future of the Internet of Things (IoT). Established in 2002, its wide-ranging global membership collaborates to create and evolve universal open standards for the products transforming the way we live, work and play. With its Members' deep and diverse expertise, robust certification programs, and a full suite of open IoT solutions the Alliance is leading the movement toward a more intuitive, imaginative, and useful world.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance Board of Directors is comprised of executives from Amazon, Apple, ASSA ABLOY, Comcast, Google, Haier, Huawei, IKEA, Infineon Technologies AG, The Kroger Co., Latch Systems, LEEDARSON, Legrand, LG Electronics, Lutron Electronics, Midea, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors, OPPO, Resideo Technologies, Samsung Electronics, Schneider Electric, Signify (Philips Hue and WiZ), Silicon Labs, Somfy, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, Tuya, and Wulian.
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SECURITY
Finite State | November 09, 2022
Finite State, the product security leader for connected devices, today announced it has hired Larry Pesce as its Product Security Research and Analysis Director. Pesce will serve as a senior consultant, providing expert guidance and services to product security teams worldwide, including product security program design and development, product red-teaming and penetration testing, software supply chain risk management, and vulnerability management.
Recent research from the Ponemon Institute indicates that six of every ten organizations find it increasingly difficult to quickly respond to new vulnerability disclosures that may impact their devices, a reality that becomes especially painful when zero-day vulnerabilities such as last month's OpenSSL vulnerability surface.
“Sixty percent of IT and IT security practitioners report that their organizations lack the in-house expertise to stand up a strong security posture and 62% cite a lack of resources, I'm confident that, with Larry's leadership and expertise, he will work closely with our customers to understand their needs, identify their product security gaps, and guide them toward solutions. As our Product Security Research and Analysis Director, Larry will act as an internal voice of our customers to help our product, engineering, R&D, and sales teams develop and deliver the solutions that our customers need right now."
Matt Wyckhouse, founder and CEO of Finite State
Pesce has held senior security and research positions at leading cybersecurity and IT services and consulting firms including InGuardians, Inc., and NWN Corporation. Earlier in his career, Pesce oversaw IS security at Care New England, a Rhode Island-based healthcare provider. An established cybersecurity thought leader, Pesce serves as a principal instructor and course author at the SANS Institute and has co-hosted the popular Paul's Security Weekly podcast for more than 15 years.
“Embedded device security has been a passion of mine since the early 2000s. So long ago that it was well before the dawn of what we now refer to as IoT,” said Pesce. “I’m excited to bring my expertise to Finite State to help our customers utilize effective SBOMs, provide actionable results to issues [vulnerabilities], and affect the security of the IoT software supply chain in a positive manner.”
Pesce holds several GIAC certifications, including the Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP), the GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), and the GIAC Assessing and Auditing Wireless Networks (GAWN) credentials. Pesce earned his B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Roger Williams University.
About Finite State
Finite State empowers organizations to gain control of product security for their connected devices and supply chains. Across the software supply chain lifecycle, Finite State is the single pane of glass for customers that provides continuous visibility into product supply chain risk.
Backed by a team of seasoned experts, our automated product security platform arms our customers with the actionable insights, critical vulnerability data, and remediation guidance necessary to mitigate product risk and protect the connected attack surface.
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ENTERPRISE IOT
Renesas | November 17, 2022
Renesas Electronics Corporation a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, is expanding its low-power WAN product line as part of its strategy to deliver connectivity devices used for smart cities, smart homes, medical devices and industrial applications. The new RYZ024A supports Cat-M1 and NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) internet connectivity without the need for a gateway and consumes just 1µA (microamp) while in power savings mode, significantly less than competing products. The RYZ024A supports extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) and has an extended voltage range from 2.2V to 5.5V which makes it ideal for battery-powered applications. Renesas announced the details of the new product at electronica, Munich, Germany, November 15-18, 2022.
Similar to its predecessor, the RYZ014A module, the RYZ024A offers seamless Cat-M1 wireless connection capability, but the new module adds the option to integrate NB-IoT. While Cat-M1 and NB-IoT are both Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, NB-IoT uses only a portion of the available spectrum, making it more power efficient and therefore extending the operational life of battery-powered systems. NB-IoT also offers excellent coverage depth, including underground and in enclosed spaces. The module provides two power amplifier output levels: 20dBm (decibel-milliwatts) and 23dBm, ensuring coverage at the cellular network’s edge as well as deep indoor environments.
The RYZ024A is being developed in collaboration with Sequans, a leader in cellular IoT technology, and will be fully tested and certified to work with all major radio frequency regulatory specifications defined by organizations such as the Global Certification Forum (GFC) and the PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB). The certification ensures compliance with complex RF regulatory and carrier-specific requirements so that engineers can immediately start building IoT systems for leading carriers in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe.
“Cellular LTE-M and NB-IoT categories are now the de-facto wireless standards for connecting low-power IoT devices with global network coverage, Renesas’ second-generation wireless module based on our Monarch 2 platform offers a certified hardware and software combination with all of the advanced features needed to accelerate the implementation of wireless IoT systems around the world.”
Georges Karam, CEO of Sequans
Renesas will provide all the tools and software that engineers need to design IoT-ready, power sensitive systems based on the RYZ024A, including an evaluation kit, a software stack and RF certifications. Compared to conventional chipset-based designs, designing in the RYZ024A module will reduce the PCB size by 60 percent and cut development time by up to 90 percent, since the product offers full hardware and software support to integrate the RA or RX family of MCUs.
“Renesas has been aggressively expanding its connectivity portfolio with strategic partnerships and acquisitions for the past five years,” said Roger Wendelken, Senior Vice President in Renesas’ IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit. “The RYZ024A is a great example of our expansive connectivity solution offerings that complement our broad range of embedded microcontrollers and microprocessors to deliver performance, scalability and exceptional reliability.”
RYZ024A Winning Combinations
Renesas has developed the "Solar Powered Location Tracker" solution, which is a modular asset tracking solution with flexible wireless options that efficiently transmit data. The solution is controlled by a central MCU (RA2L1) that balances low-power requirements, interfaces, performance, and flexibility. Along with complimentary Renesas products such as power ICs and communication modules for Wi-Fi (DA16600MOD), and Cat-M1 and NB-IoT module (RYZ024A), this solution provides connectivity options and an optimized power supply system that has been tested to accelerate development of tracker platforms. This solution is part of Renesas’ Winning Combinations, which optimally combine mutually compatible Renesas devices that work together seamlessly to reduce user design risk and shorten time to market. Renesas offers more than 300 other Winning Combinations with a wide range of products from its portfolio.
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