Industrial IoT leaders work towards interoperability and open source collaboration

• Software divisions of GE and Bosch work together on common standards to help machines and devices understand each other
• Organizations to cooperate closely on open source IoT platform development
• GE Digital and Bosch Software Innovations executives present together at Bosch ConnectedWorld event in Chicago

09/26/2016 -

GE (NYSE: GE) and Bosch are working together to shape the connected world through a collaboration between the software divisions of both organizations, GE Digital and Bosch Software Innovations. The organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding where GE Digital and Bosch Software Innovations will further facilitate openness and growth of the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT).

The agreement focuses on technology interoperability and platform integration through GE’s Predix operating system and the Bosch IoT Suite. GE Digital and Bosch Software Innovations intend to make complementary software services available on the other company’s cloud platforms to enhance the overall value of each cloud offering and provide solutions to a wider customer base.

Device connectivity at the heart of IoT applications

Both companies intend to establish an open source-based technical IoT core and jointly grow a larger ecosystem around this technology stack, which IoT platforms can be built upon. Key engagement is within the Eclipse Foundation, one of the major global open source software communities, where both companies are members.

The focus projects Eclipse hono, Eclipse Vorto, Eclipse Leshan, GE-enhanced UAA (User Account and Authentication) and Eclipse ACS (Access Control Service) are specifically tailored around device connectivity. In any IoT application, things need to be connected to a backend where data and functionality of the devices are leveraged to provide higher-level business value. Within the Eclipse Community, through the contribution of many IoT developers, tools and standards are openly created, which many companies can benefit from for their IoT applications.

Openness is key driver of IoT growth

In order to tap the full potential of the Industrial Internet, global organizations need more than ever to cooperate closer and within open standards. Customer benefit in IoT emerges when organizations focus on their core strengths and jointly foster market penetration of IoT technology and applications.

“Our organizations both have a rich history of manufacturing products, big and small, so we share a common understanding and vision regarding the opportunities in connectivity,” said Rainer Kallenbach, CEO of Bosch Software Innovations. “No company can realize the IoT on its own. It is very important for Bosch to engage in business ecosystems and open source communities. The collaboration with GE Digital is another important milestone for Bosch’s connectivity strategy.”

"It's industrial companies working together that will make a difference in the Industrial Internet of Things," said Bill Ruh, CEO of GE Digital. "We're incredibly excited to be partnering with Bosch Software Innovations to advance our IoT platform development."