IoT Standards Emerge Slowly

Energy companies have been deploying Internet of Things (IoT) devices to increase visibility into their field equipment and operations. The process typically involved integrating each product into their infrastructure, a task that is cumbersome, inefficient, and costly. Work has begun on standards to simplify the task, but progress there to data has been slow.

Vendors created IoT solutions in an ad hoc fashion, largely relying on proprietary software. Consequently, customers deal with a different Application Programming Interface each time that they add an IoT solution, such as a machine sensor, to their network to enhance field maintenance.

A Clear Need for Standards

Common standards would simplify the work.  The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA and formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance) has been trying to fill that void. Its Matter specification is a unified, open-source connectivity standard designed to make it easier for IoT devices to work together, regardless of the manufacturer. With it, IoT devices, such as device sensors and remote monitoring tools, communicate with each other more easily.

Security is a concern for energy companies. Matter was created from the ground up with security in mind. Consequently, it features end-to-end encryption and secure device onboarding.

Matter is also an open-source project. As a result, the specifications and code are publicly available to anyone who wants to use it. Such openness is designed to encourage broad industry adoption.

Matter works across multiple communication protocols, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Thread. Consequently, it can be found in various IoT devices and helps energy companies communicate with devices in different remote locations.

A Few Caveats

But Matter has limitations. Matter is a set of interfaces, does not have its own app, or it isn’t a platform; it’s just the language the devices speak to each other. The standard relies on a central platform to collect and manage information flow.

The standard has also been slow to take root. Originally, it was expected to be finished and compliant products delivered in 2022. The group fell behind, supplier support has been tepid, and only now have a few compliant products been shipped. Consequently, how much support the standard will gain is an open question.

Energy companies have been using IoT devices to improve visibility into their remote equipment. The CSA’s Matter specification has the potential to streamline development and deployment of such products. The standard has potential but has been slow to germinate, so its long term impact is currently unclear.