Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, announced today it is joining the Thread Group Board of Directors, to help drive Thread as the core networking fabric of IoT in the home. Schneider Electric is a leader in smart homes and buildings around the world. Under its WiserTM program, Schneider Electric is developing a connectivity enrichment strategy fully aligned with Thread Group across most products in its industry leading portfolio, including power protection products, lighting controls, temperature controls, home safety, solar energy, energy management, energy storage and other smart home offers.
Thread will enable Schneider and Thread Group member companies to move much faster as they accelerate deployment of these important technologies to increase safety, comfort and energy efficiency. Thread is the only IPv6 networking protocol built on open standards for low-power 802.15.4 mesh networks that can easily and securely connect hundreds of devices to each other and directly to mobile devices and the cloud. The non-profit Thread Group is committed to making Thread a massively supported foundation for the Internet of Things in the home, contributing software, specifications, educating product developers and consumers on the unique features and benefits of Thread and ensuring a great user experience through rigorous, product certification. Since opening its membership in October 2014, the Thread Group, based in the Silicon Valley in San Ramon, California, now has more than 230 member companies and 12 board members, making it the fastest growing alliance focused on IP-enabled Internet of Things in the home.
“Schneider Electric is a world leader in energy management technologies and we are thrilled to have them join our board of directors,” said Grant Erickson, president of the Thread Group. “Their active role is validation of Thread’s potential and combining their deep understanding of customer needs in the home and many other industries will be a huge benefit to the Thread Group as we continue to build and expand our scope and adoption.”
“Because it is IP-based, Thread is gaining terrific momentum globally and we believe it will be one of the foundational protocols of the Internet of Things,” said Barry Coflan, Chief Technology Officer, ecoBuilding Business, Schneider Electric. “We are extremely pleased to join the Thread Group at this important time in the evolution of home automation, IoT and increasing customer needs for safety, comfort and energy efficiency. We look forward to leading, building and accelerating their efforts and we see unlimited opportunities for growth with ecosystems in smart homes today and commercial and industrial applications in the near future.”
Schneider Electric was introduced as a board member at The Thread Group’s March member meeting. As a sponsor member, Schneider Electric plans to work with other members to initiate and lead working groups, and will work diligently with the members and customers to drive this important backbone IoT protocol.
For more information on the Thread Group, please visit http://www.threadgroup.org.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of €27 billion in FY2015, our 160,000 employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and processes in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies will reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this Life Is On.
www.schneider-electric.com
Designed for consumers and devices in and around the home, Thread easily and securely connects hundreds of devices to each other and directly to the cloud using real Internet Protocols in a low- power, wireless mesh network. The non-profit Thread Group is focused on making Thread the foundation for the Internet of Things in the home, educating product developers and consumers on the unique features and benefits of Thread and ensuring a great user experience through rigorous, meaningful product certification. Thread is backed by industry-leading companies including ARM, Big Ass Fans, Freescale Semiconductor, Nest Labs, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Labs and Yale Security. For more information, please visit