IIC, OpenFog groups to collaborate

The Industrial Internet Consortium and the OpenFog Consortium are merging to bring research and best practices promulgation around cloud and fog computing, 5G cellular communications, and artificial intelligence (AI) under one organization. The two groups announced Dec. 18 they would combine their organizations under the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) name and would collaborate on a more holistic approach to furthering the use of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

“The Industrial Internet Consortium, now incorporating OpenFog, will be the single largest organization focused on IIoT, AI, fog and edge computing in the world. Between both of our organizations we have a remarkable global presence with members in more than 30 countries,” said IIC president Bill Hoffman. “This agreement will help accelerate the adoption of the IIoT, fog and edge computing.”

Cloud computing transmits and stores information through data centers to provide greater computing capacity. Fog computing, also known as edge computing, allows for such calculations to be done at servers on a plant’s premises.

“We’re excited by the growth and advancement of fog technologies–from a technology, standards and general awareness standpoint—since our launch nearly three years ago,” said Matt Vasey, OpenFog chairman and president, and director, AI and IoT business development, Microsoft. “During that time, it has increasingly become apparent that we share so much synergy with the efforts of the IIC that it just made sense to bring the two consortia together.  The resulting combination of memberships, resources and shared knowledge will only further the growth of the technologies, including fog, that will support IIoT ecosystems.”

In a press release announcing the merger, IIC officials quoted Christian Renaud, research vice president for Internet of Things (IoT) at 451 Research as saying, “Both organizations have been advancing the IIoT, fog and edge computing, and their members represent the best and the brightest in their fields.  It makes sense to merge their expertise and work streams to continue providing the IIoT, fog and edge guidance that the industry needs.”

The IIC’s overall goal is to help deliver a secure and connected infrastructure for manufacturers using the cloud computing technology to improve operations.

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