The Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) is a not-for-profit organization founded to coordinate and promote the development of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The consortium was established to help drive the adoption of IIoT by addressing architecture, security, interoperability, and other related concerns.
Foundation and Objectives
Founded in March 2014 by AT&T, Cisco Systems, General Electric, Intel Corporation, and IBM, the IIC's primary goal is to accelerate the development and deployment of interconnected machines and devices, intelligent analytics, and people at work. Here are some of the key objectives:
- Establish architectural frameworks for IIoT systems.
- Develop best practices, guidelines, and standards.
- Facilitate interoperability between different systems and technologies.
- Enhance security and privacy in IIoT environments.
- Provide thought leadership and education on IIoT technologies.
- Support the creation of use cases and testbeds for real-world applications.
Membership and Structure
The IIC boasts a diverse membership base, which includes technology companies, industrial manufacturers, service providers, government agencies, and academic institutions. Members collaborate through various working groups and testbeds to:
- Develop and refine reference architectures.
- Conduct research and development in IIoT technologies.
- Share knowledge and foster innovation.
Key Activities and Contributions
- Reference Architecture: The IIC has developed the Industrial Internet Reference Architecture (IIRA), which provides a common framework for describing and understanding the structure of IIoT systems.
- Testbeds: IIC supports numerous testbeds where members can test and validate IIoT solutions in real-world settings. These testbeds span various industries like manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and transportation.
- Publications: The consortium regularly publishes white papers, guides, and reports on topics ranging from security to business strategy in IIoT.
- Events and Workshops: IIC organizes events to share insights, showcase advancements, and foster collaboration among its members.
Impact and Influence
The IIC has significantly influenced the IIoT landscape by:
- Helping to standardize IIoT terminology and concepts.
- Providing a platform for industry leaders to collaborate on complex IIoT issues.
- Influencing policy and regulatory frameworks for IIoT.
- Facilitating the creation of interoperable IIoT ecosystems.
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