The Z-Wave Alliance, the standards development organization dedicated to advancing the smart home and Z-Wave^® technology, today announces full support of the latest cybersecurity labeling programs for IoT and connected devices. In conjunction with the Z-Wave Alliance Summit & Unplug Fest 2024, the Alliance today announces that the Z-Wave protocol security framework meets, and in some cases exceeds, the regulations and requirements set forth by the recently announced U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.

“Robust device security has long stood as a cornerstone of the Z-Wave protocol,” said Avi Rosenthal, Chairman of the Board for the Z-Wave Alliance. “The Z-Wave Alliance commends all the hard work done by our industry cohorts at the Connectivity Standards Alliance in raising much-needed awareness surrounding the complexities of enhanced cybersecurity for connected devices.”

Certification is paramount when it comes to the future of connected IoT devices. All Z-Wave devices are subject to a rigorous certification process to ensure device security, compatibility, and interoperability. As Cybersecurity labeling becomes more prevalent, the Alliance remains committed to its best-in-class certification process while embracing evolving programs. The Z-Wave Alliance certification program does not compete with the CSA Product Security Verified Mark nor the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark but instead signals support and compliance for the developing regulations and specifications.

For More Information: www.zwavealliance.org

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The Z-Wave Alliance, the standards development organization dedicated to advancing the smart home and Z-Wave^® technology, today announces that the specification for ZWLR for the European market has been completed, and will be made available to member companies in an upcoming release.

“From the moment we announced ZWLR for the North American market, the Alliance has been hard at work to make the spec available to our valued members in Europe,” said Avi Rosenthal, Chairman of the Board, Z-Wave Alliance. “With the specification complete, the Alliance will soon announce ZWLR certification program details and once released, ZWLR will be available to European Z-Wave Alliance members for product development.”    

ZWLR ushers in a new era of Z-Wave connectivity, bringing expanding options for the smart home, multi-dwelling units, hospitality, and more. Coming soon to the European market, ZWLR has been meticulously designed as a communication protocol for applications where high performance, increased scale, low power, increased device security, range, and device interoperability are all vital. With the specification now complete, Z-Wave Alliance members operating within Europe will soon be able to capitalize on the features and benefits of ZWLR.

Network Topology

While the network topologies are different, Z-Wave supports both a mesh network and a star network operating within the same frequency range. Existing Z-Wave mesh and new ZWLR nodes can co-exist on the same network, enabling a wide variety and combination of Z-Wave devices capable of achieving the highest performance feature set of any wireless protocol combination.

ZWLR devices operate on a star network topology which features the gateway/hub at a central point and then establishes a direct, point-to-point connection to end devices. The direct communication path established by the star network topology provides a substantial decrease in latency between the gateway/hub and end point devices which is particularly beneficial in noisy or crowded installation environments with high volumes of wireless communications.

Z-Wave mesh and ZWLR have been designed to co-exist and complement each other. By operating on a star network, ZWLR enables direct gateway-hub-to-device connection across increased distances. In contrast, mesh traditionally permits a signal to hop from node to node until the intended destination is met. With ZWLR, simplified routing enables commands to go through faster and potential failures within the network are highlighted quickly as well. With Z-Wave, manufacturers have access to the “self-healing” properties of mesh networks and the direct communication benefits of a star network

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The Z-Wave Alliance, the standards development organization dedicated to advancing the smart home and Z-Wave^® technology, announced a burst of updates including an exciting new member, availability of in-demand educational resources, and support for dozens of Z-Wave Alliance member companies at CES 2024. On the heels of announcing the newly elected Board of Directors, the bevy of announcements from the Z-Wave Alliance marks an explosive start to 2024.   

OliverIQ Joins the Z-Wave Alliance

Officially launched at CES 2024, OliverIQ (Venetian Expo Booth #51932) is on a mission to put smart home automation in reach for everyone with their Smart Home as a Service (SHaaS) solution. With OliverIQ, a single user-friendly app unites third-party connected devices within the home, backed by unlimited always-on support. OliverIQ has joined the Z-Wave Alliance at the manufacturer level and has meticulously engineered their Smart Home as a Service solution to seamlessly integrate users’ most desired smart home devices – many of which are Z-Wave-certified – into a single streamlined experience. This new solution provides users with a consolidated app and access to control over third-party devices, optional live security monitoring, remote monitoring, and management, as well as comprehensive technical service and support.

New Z-Wave Long Range Resources

Z-Wave Long Range (Z-Wave LR) has been engineered to provide significantly extended wireless range, support robust networks, and extend Z-Wave connectivity beyond the interior boundaries of the home to improve wireless transmission range of peripheral Z-Wave devices. The technology responsible for ushering in a new era of Z-Wave connectivity and bringing expanded options for the smart home, multi-dwelling units, and hospitality use cases is the chosen topic for the latest round of published educational content produced by the Z-Wave Alliance. Today, the Z-Wave Alliance announces availability of the Z-Wave Long Range eBook and Alarm.com Water Dragon and Z-Wave Long Range case study.

Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) is the latest addition to the “WHY Z-WAVE” educational eBook series created by the Z-Wave Alliance and is now available via the Alliance website. Produced for industry partners, members, and the market at large, the WHY Z-WAVE eBook series serves as the definitive guide to Z-Wave technology and how the Z-Wave protocol addresses existing and emerging markets. As the latest published volume, the Z-Wave LR eBook covers network topology, showcases how the technology increases range, coverage, scalability, dynamic power management, and discusses benefits of Z-Wave LR for everyone including manufacturers, developers, installers, and consumers.

To showcase Z-Wave LR applications and benefits in the market today, the Z-Wave Alliance announces availability of the Water Dragon case study, published in partnership with Alarm.com and Silicon Labs. Available for download now, this informative case study examines the challenges faced by Alarm.com during the product development process and highlights how the Z-Wave 700 Series module from Silicon Labs with support for Z-Wave LR presented a clear solution to those challenges. As one of the premier brands in smart security and technology, the case study explores why Alarm.com chose to implement Z-Wave LR within the Water Dragon solution to achieve increased range capabilities and dynamic power control offered by the technology. The unique combination of these two features is critical in supporting future-proof Z-Wave installations since one of the most compelling use-cases for sensors, especially those needing increased battery life, is the ability to deploy them in hard-to-reach places such as attics, basements, or behind walls.

CES 2024 Presence and Support

With over 30 member companies exhibiting at CES 2024, Z-Wave technology will be broadly displayed at the event. The full list of exhibiting Z-Wave Alliance membership companies will be available within the Z-Wave Alliance suite located at Tech West, Venetian and Palazzo Hospitality Suite #32-139.

The Z-Wave Alliance is hosting a series of informative fireside chat sessions designed to excite and educate attendees about the state of Z-Wave technology and explore opportunity-rich verticals. Each of the three sessions will feature a unique presentation topic followed by a cocktail and networking event.

For More Information http://z-wavealliance.org

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The Z-Wave Alliance, the standards development organization dedicated to advancing the smart home and Z-Wave^® technology, today announces the newly elected Z-Wave Alliance Board of Directors, shares updates on the organization’s upcoming core initiatives and announces upcoming 2024 events.

Z-Wave Alliance Elected Board of Directors 2024

Effective today, the updated roster of roles and representatives spanning the connected home and IoT industry is as follows:

Chairman of the Board – Avi Rosenthal, bluesalve partners

Vice Chairman of the Board – Gustaf Lonaeus, Alarm.com

Treasurer – Kevin Kraus, Fortune Brands Innovation

Secretary – Bill Scheffler, Trident IoT

Chair Emeritus – Jonathan Adams, Amazon

Director – Jake Alamat, Silicon Labs

Director – Lisa Corte, ASSA ABLOY

Director – Geoff Cummings, Johnson Controls Inc.

Director – Scott Laing, Vivint

Director – John Osborne, Lexi Devices

Director – Andrew Weir, ADT

In addition to the updated roster of Z-Wave Alliance Board of Directors for 2024, the Z-Wave Alliance would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank and recognize Mitch Klein for all of his service and devotion during his tenure of Executive Director for the Z-Wave Alliance. In light of all of his contributions and dedication, the newly elected Board of Directors unanimously agreed there is no replacement for the role Mitch Klein provided and has decided to retire the optional board position in his honor. The Z-Wave Alliance would like to wish Mitch Klein all the best in his future endeavors.

“To say that the past year for Z-Wave and the Alliance has been transformative would be an understatement,” said Avi Rosenthal, Chairman of the Board for the Z-Wave Alliance. “In 2023 alone, the Z-Wave Alliance has taken swift action to fully ratify Z-Wave as an open-source technology by announcing silicon availability via an additional resource. Z-Wave Alliance membership, which remains paramount, benefitted through the expansion of available certification laboratories and the creation of new membership levels to broaden the organization’s reach, foster innovation, and add new opportunities for Z-Wave involvement. Even with all of that, the Z-Wave Alliance is just getting started.”

Z-Wave Open Source and Certification Updates

At the end of 2022, the Z-Wave Alliance announced the release of the Z-Wave Source Code project which was published and made available to Z-Wave Alliance members on GitHub. Under the direct supervision of the Open-Source Work Group (OSWG), 2023 has been an explosive year for Open Z-Wave with some incredible milestones achieved. As of December 2023, the GitHub for open-source Z-Wave reached 100 users across over 30 membership companies and over 130,000 lines of code have been added/modified. A testament to collaboration, the significant progress in the past twelve months solidifies the rich development environment that has been created to provide those with an interest in playing a direct role in the advancement of Z-Wave and has provided members an arena to come together and work to develop new command classes.

On the certification front, 2023 was an equally impressive year for the Z-Wave Certification program. Across the year, a total of 160 new Z-Wave devices including 50 Z-Wave Long Range devices passed certification. These advancements bring the total number of Z-Wave devices that have been certified for interoperability regardless of manufacturer or silicon generation to over 4,400 devices.

2024 Z-Wave Alliance Summit and Unplug Fest

The Z-Wave Alliance will hold two sanctioned events in 2024 as a chance to meet face-to-face with the diverse membership including the companies and representatives responsible for developing Z-Wave technology and bringing certified solutions to the market.

“The most recent Z-Wave Alliance Summit and Unplug Fest was a resounding success, showcasing the most pressing Z-Wave advancements and the ever-evolving landscape of our industry,” said Gustaf Lonaeus, Vice Chairman of the Board for the Z-Wave Alliance. “The hands-on workshops and in-depth discussions on both the marketing and technical front are invaluable as a Z-Wave Alliance member and help provide practical, implementable strategies that chart the course for the future of Z-Wave. Our slated events for 2024 promise to be even more impactful, filled with new insights, strategies, and unparalleled networking opportunities. For those interested in not just keeping pace with change, but driving it, these Z-Wave events are for you.”

In 2024, the Z-Wave Alliance will open up limited sessions within the agenda to existing and prospective members. The two sanctioned events in 2024 are as follows:

April 30 – May 2, 2024 – Z-Wave Alliance Summit and Unplug Fest – Austin, TX

October 21-23, 2024 – Z-Wave Alliance Summit – Seoul Korea

For more Information visit : https://z-wavealliance.org/

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Avi Rosenthal, Chairman of the Board at the Z-Wave Alliance, discusses pivotal achievements, and the robust Z-Wave Certification program, and anticipates a milestone of 4,400 certified devices from numerous brands by the close of 2023. Positioned as the most extensive interoperable sub-GHz collection of smart home devices, the Z-Wave ecosystem reflects a new era, poised to lead two decades of progress and innovation in smart homes and the connected IoT segment. 

How has Z-Wave Alliance evolved over the years, and what key technological advancements have shaped its trajectory? 

The Z-Wave Alliance has stood as the steward for Z-Wave technology for over two decades and recently, has undergone extensive changes that will be critical to the continued success of the protocol. Here, it is important to distinguish the difference between Z-Wave as the technology, and the Alliance as the organization dedicated to its advancement. Key milestones for the Z-Wave Alliance include the release of the interoperability layer of the Z-Wave standard to the public domain in 2016. The Z-Wave Public Spec provides cloud service developers, gateway makers, technology enthusiasts, and others free and easy access to the Z-Wave interoperability layer for the development of smart home IoT applications. Shortly thereafter, with security and interoperability as pillars of the Z-Wave technology, the Z-Wave Alliance mandated in April of 2017 that any product receiving Z-Wave Certification must include the most up-to-date security framework to ensure greater protection from cyber intrusion for both Z-Wave products and the global smart home ecosystem. 

Most recently, three updates come to mind that have most dramatically shaped the trajectory of Z-Wave and the Alliance itself. The first is the completed ratification of the Z-Wave Alliance as an independently run, member-driven standards development organization. From there, the Z-Wave Alliance was able to announce the open Z-Wave initiative by way of the Source Code Project which has provided an environment for members to directly contribute to and help shape the future of the Z-Wave technology. In fact, to date, over 130,000 lines of code have been collectively added/changed with more work expected to be completed in 2024 and beyond. Lastly, in 2023, the Z-Wave Alliance announced the availability of an additional silicon resource and certification house for members. This important update provides membership of the Alliance with a new, direct source of Z-Wave silicon chips and modules. 

Each of the advancements outlined above has accumulated over time to completely reshape the structure of the Z-Wave Alliance and empower the organization to be in its strongest position ever to work with members toward the continued domination of Z-Wave technology. 

Z-Wave Alliance is known for its interoperability. How does the technology ensure compatibility among various smart home devices? 

Interoperability amongst Z-Wave devices, regardless of manufacturer or silicon generation, is a pillar of the Z-Wave technology. As an organization, the method through which the Alliance works to guarantee this is the Z-Wave certification program mandate. This process mandates and ensures rigorous compatibility standards for all Z-Wave devices. Within the Z-Wave Alliance, certification is regulated on multiple levels – technical and marketing certification – and is not a one-and-done process. The Z-Wave Alliance continuously works to update and modify integral aspects of certification and launch new programs as needed. For example, with the advent of Z-Wave Long Range, new certification levels have been made available to ensure interoperability with existing Z-Wave devices and the ongoing Z-Wave Certification Plus program will continue to introduce new standards that address key features such as increased range, extended battery life, and improved bandwidth. 

How has Z-Wave Alliance influenced the landscape of home automation, and what role does it play in the broader IoT ecosystem?  

As a technology, Z-Wave, and by extension Alliance membership, have played a vital role in the home automation landscape by providing a reliable, secure, and interoperable platform for smart home devices. Z-Wave plays a vital role in the broader IoT ecosystem by existing as one of the largest collections of smart home solutions certified for interoperability. By the end of 2024, the Z-Wave ecosystem is on track to include over 4,400 devices that have been certified to work across manufacturers, product categories, silicon generation, and more. 

Z-Wave is known worldwide as a leading technology operating within the sub-GHz bandwidth with superior mesh-networking capabilities whereby each node within a deployed network helps to strengthen and repeat the signal. That said, Z-Wave continues to push the envelope and drive the industry through the introduction of new advancements, such as Z-Wave Long Range, which pushes network boundaries beyond the four walls of the home to the edge of the property and beyond.  

Can you share insights into the global adoption of Z-Wave technology? How has the market responded to its solutions? 

With over 100 million Z-Wave devices deployed worldwide and a certified ecosystem on track to include over 4,400 devices across hundreds of manufacturers, it’s safe to say the response to Z-Wave solutions has been tremendous. Globally, Z-Wave technology is available in over 100 countries with different established standards and frequencies in each to ensure the same level of performance around the world. 

Z-Wave, in terms of both the technology and the Alliance, is not resting on our laurels here either. Having been ratified completely as an open-source standards development organization, Z-Wave has entered into a new era and is well-equipped and positioned to usher in another 20 years of advancement and innovation for the smart home and connected IoT space. 

What can we expect in terms of future innovations or advancements in Z-Wave technology? 

The development of Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) is a significant advancement, offering increased range and coverage, scalability, and optimized battery life. ZWLR extends Z-Wave connectivity beyond the boundaries of the home and accelerates the adoption of Z-Wave in other verticals, such as light commercial, hospitality, and multi-dwelling units (MDU). Z-Wave Long Range increases the number of end nodes, reduces system cost and complexity with the elimination of repeaters, and improves reliability by combining Z-Wave devices across both a mesh and star network. Z-Wave Long Range offers a maximum wireless range of 1.5 miles when operating in long-range mode at full power. ZWLR also offers increased scalability, optimized battery life including coin cell, and interoperability. 

With the rise of technologies like AI and 5G, how does Z-Wave Alliance plan to integrate or leverage these advancements for enhanced smart home experiences? 

We plan to continue working closely with our members on integrating AI for smarter device management and using 5G as the catalyst for improved connectivity and speed. Both technologies offer numerous opportunities for advancement. AI-enabled smart home devices can learn when homeowners turn off lights or adjust their thermostats, so it happens without a voice command. 5G’s higher bandwidth can help devices run more smoothly without clogging up the home network. Both can be used in concert to beef up homeowner security, with AI able to detect unusual patterns while 5G ensures you get alerts from your security cameras in real-time. 

What challenges does Z-Wave Alliance foresee in the ever-evolving landscape of smart home integration, and how does the technology address them? 

Across the broader smart home space, the Z-Wave Alliance foresees interoperability maintenance amongst the constantly growing number of devices as well as security and new technology advancement adoption to be an ongoing hurdle to mainstream adoption. Fortunately, Z-Wave technology already addresses these challenges through its robust certification program and continuous technological advancements. The certification programs in place for Z-Wave technology are only going to continue to expand and improve as new features and technologies become available, ensuring Z-Wave remains a top choice for homeowners, professional installers, and everyone in between. 

With the recent advancements in AI and the inevitability of new technologies such as 5G, the industry is on the cusp of contextually aware environments and the dawn of the true “smart home”. Technologies and organizations will be forced to continue to keep their ear to the ground and remain nimble as we enter an era of rapid development and advancements. Even established protocols and standards, such as Z-Wave, will need to remain inventive and vigilant to keep pace.   

Security is paramount in the IoT space. How does Z-Wave Alliance ensure the security and privacy of user data and connected devices? 

The Z-Wave protocol ensures the security and privacy of user data and connected devices through the Z-Wave Security 2 (S2) framework.  This framework mandates industry-standard AES128 encryption and secure key exchange, providing robust security against potential attacks. Z-Wave Alliance member companies are also keeping a close eye on new advancements to keep homeowners’ data more secure and regularly suggest and promote that end-users deploy best practices within their home network to ward themselves against nefarious actors. 

The Z-Wave certification program remains as one of the most powerful tools for ensuring both Z-Wave interoperability and security. As of April 2017, every single Z-Wave device submitted for certification is required to implement S2 Security and that security framework is constantly monitored and updated to include and provide updates that continue to secure deployed devices. 

Moving into 2024 and beyond, the Z-Wave Alliance looks forward to announcing updates and advancements made to the security frameworks working to secure hundreds of millions of Z-Wave devices moving forward. 

Z-Wave Alliance has been a key player in partnerships. Can you highlight some significant collaborations that have shaped Z-Wave’s journey? 

The Z-Wave Alliance has been instrumental in forming significant collaborations to continue to be a leader in wireless smart home control, especially within the sub-GHz space.  Most recently, the partnership worth highlighting is the one with Trident IoT, a new technology and engineering company focused on simplifying RF development and decreasing time-to-market for connected device manufacturers. 

For Z-Wave Alliance members, Trident IoT is a new direct supplier of Z-Wave silicon chips and modules and a resource for product design and development services. In conjunction with the creation of Trident IoT, a new U.S.-based Z-Wave Certification laboratory, Solutions for IoT, was also founded to serve Z-Wave Alliance members. The provided services benefit Z-Wave Alliance members – who are the companies responsible for the ecosystem soon to consist of over 4,400 certified devices – in several different, yet critical ways. First, a new U.S.-based certification house makes it even easier for North American manufacturers to communicate and work through the certification process, resolving issues that arise quickly and ultimately, helping get products to market faster. The expertise housed within the new company can help Z-Wave Alliance members continue to innovate and successfully implement new features such as the Z-Wave Long Range. 

Can you elaborate on the success and key features of the Z-Wave 800 Series, particularly its backward compatibility, extended range, and impressive 10-year battery life? 

The Z-Wave 800 Series stands out as a significant advancement in smart home technology, primarily due to its backward compatibility, extended range, and remarkable 10-year battery life. The following features collectively contribute to its success in the market: 

Backward Compatibility: Just as with all versions of Z-Wave that came before it, Z-Wave 800 Series is compatible with existing Z-Wave networks. This empowers users to integrate new 800 Series devices into their current smart home setups without the need to replace older Z-Wave devices. This compatibility ensures a seamless transition for users upgrading their systems and preserves their investment in existing devices.

Extended Range: The Z-Wave 800 Series boasts a significant enhancement in wireless range, especially with the integration of Z-Wave Long Range (LR) capability. This feature allows for a wireless range extending beyond 1.5 miles, a considerable improvement over previous generations. This extended range is particularly beneficial in larger homes or for outdoor devices, ensuring reliable connectivity across greater distances.

Impressive 10-Year Battery Life: The 800 Series dramatically improves battery life, offering up to 10 years on a coin cell battery. This is a 50% increase compared to the Z-Wave 700 Series. This extended battery life is achieved through low sleep and active currents for both the microcontroller unit (MCU) and the radio. This improvement is not only convenient for users by reducing the frequency of battery replacements but also contributes to more sustainable, eco-friendly technology usage.

Enhanced Processing Power: The series features the ARM Cortex-M33 processor, delivering approximately 20% more processing power than the Cortex-M4 found in the 700 series. This increased processing capability enables faster and more efficient handling of complex tasks, enhancing the overall performance of smart home devices.

Network Topology: With Z-Wave 800 Series, Z-Wave mesh and Z-Wave Long Range capabilities are combined into a single SoC. Working in tandem with each other, the Z-Wave mesh topology provides unparalleled reliability while the star network topology leveraged by Z-Wave Long Range produces never-before-seen range performance. 

Advanced Security and Machine Learning Capabilities: The 800 Series is equipped with advanced security features like S2 and Secure Vault, providing top-notch security for IoT applications. Additionally, the inclusion of an AI/ML Hardware Accelerator supports machine learning applications, paving the way for smarter, more adaptive smart home devices.

Can you share details on the first certified Z-Wave Long Range Devices?   

Certainly. The accolade for the first certified Z-Wave Long Range device belongs to Alliance member Universal Electronics for the Ecolink 700 Series Garage Door Controller. This certified device is a perfect example of the type of device that Z-Wave Long Range was designed to enhance given the typical deployment in the garage which can be located quite a distance away from a central point within the home. While Universal Electronics was the very first to complete Z-Wave Long Range (Z-Wave LR) certification in 2022, in the past year a total of 50 Z-Wave Long Range devices have all completed certification.    

How does the Z-Wave to Matter Bridge contribute to future-proofing solutions, and what benefits does it bring to the Z-Wave ecosystem? 

Z-Wave Alliance is deeply committed to the global smart home market, and with Z-Wave certification designed for interoperability, in addition to full backward and forward compatibility among all generations of Z-Wave devices, Z-Wave will prove to be the key to unlocking the promise of Matter. With a large existing install base of Z-Wave and other wireless IoT protocols, Matter + Z-Wave bridges will play a key role in connecting Matter devices to both legacy and new Z-Wave devices.

For the Matter promise of industry-wide interoperability to happen, the hundreds of millions of existing devices, installations, and large ecosystems already in the market must work with emerging ecosystems. True interoperability can only happen with the inclusion of the hundreds of millions of existing Z-Wave and other devices already in the market. With 4,400 certified devices from hundreds of brands expected by the end of 2023, the Z-Wave ecosystem is the largest interoperable sub-GHz catalogue of smart home devices in the market.

Could you share insights into the collaboration with Trident IoT as an additional Z-Wave silicon and module provider?  

Absolutely. As mentioned above, the Z-Wave Alliance celebrated the launch of Trident IoT this past summer. The launch of Trident IoT was beneficial to Z-Wave Alliance members in two major ways. First, it means Trident IoT can serve as a direct supplier of silicon chips and modules. Their ability to do so simply provides Z-Wave Alliance members with a choice and an additional location to source the silicon solutions they need for developing Z-Wave devices. Second, Trident IoT launched to offer product design and development services and empower member companies to leverage the expertise housed within Trident IoT. This launch was a major milestone in helping Z-Wave Alliance members deftly navigate the product development landscape and reduce overall time to market for said devices.  

If someone is interested in becoming a member, how can they reach out? Are there specific contact points or a structured process for inquiries? 

The Z-Wave Alliance welcomes new members and has a wide range of membership levels available to help companies of any size, as well as individuals, join the organization. Those interested in learning more about Z-Wave Alliance membership can visit https://z-wavealliance.org/join-z-wave-alliance-now/. To skip directly to filling out a membership application, interested parties may visit https://z-wavealliance.org/application-process/. For questions about Z-Wave Alliance membership including benefits, feel free to reach out to membership@z-wavealliance.org. 

Click here to read full December issue- https://www.smarthomeworld.in/magazine-december2023/

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The Z-Wave Alliance, the standards development organization dedicated to advancing the smart home and Z-Wave Technology, celebrated the launch of Trident IoT, a new technology and engineering company focused on simplifying RF development and decreasing time-to-market for connected device manufacturers. For Z-Wave Alliance members, Trident IoT will directly supply Z-Wave silicon chips and modules, offer product design and development services, and is now officially open for business as a U.S.-based Z-Wave device certification laboratory.

“Trident IoT further fosters the development of new features, enhancements, and custom applications on Z-Wave Technology by offering connected device manufacturers a new direct source for Z-Wave chips and modules, along with personalized product engineering support and U.S.-based Z-Wave certification,” said Mitch Klein, Executive Director of the Z-Wave Alliance.  He further adds, “I’ve had the privilege to work with many of the founders and engineers at Trident IoT over the past decade, both at the Alliance and at Silicon Labs. This industry will benefit tremendously from having an RF-specialized semiconductor partner.”

With an operational Z-Wave certification lab located in New Jersey, Trident IoT is fully equipped and available for compliance testing of end products based on Z-Wave Plus and Z-Wave Plus v2 standards and specifications. Several Z-Wave Alliance manufacturer members have already begun to take advantage of the new certification house, and Trident IoT is standing by to accept and add new devices to the queue.

“By offering U.S.-based Z-Wave device certification, we can make it easier for North American manufacturers to communicate throughout the certification process, resolving issues that arise quickly and ultimately getting products to market faster,” said Mariusz Malkowski, Chief Technology Officer and Founder, Trident IoT. “Our goal is to help Z-Wave device members continue to innovate, making it easier and more efficient for them to successfully implement new features, such as Z-Wave Long Range, which unlocks new use cases with incredible capabilities.”

“These announcements are monumental not only for Z-Wave but for the industry as a whole,” continued Klein. “The mission of the Z-Wave Alliance has always been to foster innovation and broaden the ecosystem of Z-Wave devices. A milestone accomplishment for that mission was completing the Open-Source Z-Wave initiative in 2022. This allows developers and manufacturers to access and collectively contribute to the Z-Wave Technology stack – all to encourage innovation and development. Another milestone has been achieved today, as Z-Wave developers now have access to an additional silicon resource that will help them get their Z-Wave devices to market even faster.”

For More Information: www.tridentiot.com

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The Z-Wave Alliance, the Standards Development Organization (SDO) dedicated to advancing smart home and Z-Wave technology, has announced the newly elected Z-Wave Alliance Board of Directors. Effective immediately, the updated roster of roles and representatives from across the connected home and IoT industry is as follows:

• Chairman of the Board – Jonathan Adams, Amazon
• Vice Chairman of the Board – John E Osborne II, LEXI Devices
• Treasurer – Kevin Kraus, ASSA ABLOY
• Secretary – Avi Rosenthal, Bluesalve Partners
• Executive Director – Mitch Klein, Silicon Labs
• Director – Jennifer Doctor, Johnson Controls Inc.
• Director – Stephen Haynes, Vivint
• Director – Andrew Weir, ADT
• Director – Gustaf Lonaeus, Alarm.com
• Director – James Wang, LEEDARSON
• Chair Emeritus – Jacob Alamat, Silicon Labs

According to the organization, the past two years has driven high levels of growth in the smart home industry. Data is showing that 55% of U.S. adults or 110 million people now own one or more smart home devices. Z-Wave boasts that it has experienced this first-hand with milestones such as the availability of the Z-Wave Long Range (LR) certification, achieving 4100 certified Z-Wave devices, and witnessing 90 million new devices enter the market since 2020.

Conversations concerning standards and protocols are at an all-time high. Amongst talk of one of the most anticipated new developments in the IoT, the Z-Wave Alliance points out that Jonathan Adams, an emerging technology leader at Amazon is seated at the head of the organization. Furthermore, the Alliance continues to benefit from the knowledge and expertise from the collective board, which includes leaders who are founding participants of Project CHIP and who currently hold chaired positions within both the Thread Group and the Connectivity Standards Alliance.  

“Recently, the universally sourced, industry-ralling battle-cry has been that of interoperability,” says Mitch Klein, executive director of the Z-Wave Alliance.

“No other organization has as much experience at the helm as the Z-Wave Alliance, which has operated with interoperability as a core value for the past two decades. If the freshly elected Z-Wave Board of Directors proves anything, it is that industry leaders and trend setters echo our sentiment and see the future of Z-Wave as bright and opportunistic.”

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A pioneer in secure, intelligent wireless technology, Silicon Labs has recently added a multi-Alliance panel with IoT giants like Bluetooth SIG, Connectivity Standards Alliance, Wi-SUN Alliance and Z-Wave Alliance to Works With 2021, for a better-connected world. Moderated by industry analyst Stuart Sikes, senior vice president at the global consumer insights firm, “Interpret”, the panel, “Are We There Yet? Driving the Future of IoT” will delve into the perks of wireless alliances. With the landscape evolving at an accelerated pace, the crucial task of driving technology standards within the market is well accomplished by them. The panel is scheduled to take place on 14th September 2021, from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM CDT.

Leaders of each Alliance will confer on their roles in standard creation, depending on market trends, along with the significance of the developer’s part in driving industry requirements. Perspectives on the industry’s future and ways to drive innovation will also be shared by them.

List of Panellists:

• Ken Kolderup, Vice President, Marketing, Bluetooth SIG (a global community of over 36,000 companies serving to unify, harmonize and drive innovation in the vast range of connected devices).
• Michelle Mindala-Freeman, Marketing Head, Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly the Zigbee Alliance; creates, maintains and delivers open global standards for IoT).
• Phil Beecher, President, Wi-SUN Alliance (brings Smart Ubiquitous Networks to service providers by enabling interoperable, multi-service and secure wireless mesh networks).
• Mitchell Klein, Executive Director, Z-Wave Alliance (dedicated to developing and advancing Z-Wave technology as an open and internationally recognized ITU standard [G.9959] for smart home and IoT solutions).
• Stuart Sikes, Senior Vice President, Interpret, (a global consumer insights firm), will serve as the moderator.

 “We serve in leadership roles and work closely with each of these Alliances, which gives us first-hand knowledge to help our customers develop with the latest standards to bring new products to market,” stated Matt Johnson, President, Silicon Labs. “As the only company aligned with key wireless connectivity protocols and standards behind the smart home, smart city and IIoT solutions, our collaboration with these organizations position us as a well-rounded, impartial partner”, added Johnson. 

About Works With

A single connection to all things IoT, “Works With” features an annual conference where the biggest names in the industry, including IoT decision-makers and device developers, gather to share and receive practical training and educational sessions. Participants gain fruitful insights to build, deploy and interconnect the latest smart home, smart city and industrial IoT (IIoT) technologies to stimulate market launch. Works With 2021 will be held virtually, free of cost. Register Now

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