IOT/M2M “Buscopf-Scope Table” (BST): a conceptual framework for industry and regulators.

The Internet of Things (IOT – also referred to as Machine to Machine communication, or M2M) is well on its way to reality, with a wide range of market penetration predictions and potential verticals for the savvy and aggressive providers who aim to tame it.  Intel projects 2015 uptake to be 3.8 billion devices globally; whilst 2020 projections are 30 billion devices from ABI Research, and 50 billion devices with “$14.4 “trillion in bottom-line potential”, from Cisco Systems.[1]  There were some very early movers, such as the European Union, for example, which established an Internet of Things (IOT) Working Group on August 10, 2010.[2]  Three years later, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has already initiated an enforcement action against an IOT service provider due to flawed security and false claims and misrepresentations in advertising.[3]  Now, following last year’s 4^th EU, IOT Conference,[4] regulators and industry everywhere, are swiftly strategizing and paving the way forwards:

(1) In South America, IoT World meets in Brazil, was held in São Paulo, from May 21-24, 2013;[5]

(2) In the Middle East, The M2M Middle East Forum, was held in Dubai, UAE, on September 22-23, 2013;[6]

(3) In North America, The 2013 M2M and Internet of Things (IOT) Global Summit, was held in Washington, D.C. from October 1-2, 2013;[7]

(4) In Africa, The 1st Workshop On The Internet Of Things (IOT 2013), is now scheduled for October 7, in East London, South Africa;[8]

(5) In Europe, The Internet of Things World Forum, is now scheduled for November 12-13, 2013, in London, UK;[9]

(6) In Asia, The Internet of Things Asia 2014 Exhibition and Conference, is now scheduled for April 21-22, 2014, in Singapore;[10]

The fact remains, however, that myriad options exist for vertical and horizontal exploitation of this space, and the same number of options – apparently subject to multiplication by itself – exists in the form of coordination, regulation, optimization, protocols, and security.  As a result, and due to the need to develop common understandings and definitions across these 6 (“six”) centers of gravity, we have devised and provided the within Table of 7 elements (on the X-axis), times 30 elements (on the Y-axis), as a conceptual framework for industry and regulators within and between these 6 centers of gravity, to utilize on internal deliberations and joint consultations.  Just select a coordinate where X and Y meet, conceptualize the kind(s) of IOT/M2M offering that would fit there, and strategize on the most appropriate or most preferable “iPages” for it or them (see note 2, below).  We hope it helps!

X-Axis (BUSCOPF):

BIODIVERSITY;

UTILITIES;

SECURITY;

CULTURE;

OFFICE;

PROJECTS/POLICIES;

FINANCE.

Y-Axis (SCOPE):

SERVICES (6):

-General/Government

-Regulated

-Integrated

-Personal/Apparel

-eBusiness

-Shared/Social

CONTROLS (5):

-Structure

-Product

-Infrastructure

-Emergency

-System

OPERATIONS (7):

-Supply/Logistics

-Communications

-Humanitarian

-Entry/Egress

-Municipal/Medical

-Economic/Exchange

-Scientific

PRODUCTS (7):

-Personal/Apparel

-Regulated

-Infotainment

-Networked

-Consumer

-eBusiness

-Shared/Social

EVALUATIONS (5):

-Efficiencies

-Insurance Risk

-Gathered Data

-Health & Safety

-Threats & Alerts

 

^©2013. S’imprime-ça (Ottawa, Canada). http://www.simprime-ca.com.  Free “BST” use, duplication, and distribution is permitted if including this attribution block verbatim.

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Author:

Ekundayo George is a sociologist and a lawyer.  He has also taken courses in organizational and micro-organizational behavior, and has significant experienced in business law and counseling (incorporations, business plans, contracts and non-disclosure agreements, teaming and joint venture agreements), diverse litigation, and regulatory practice.  He is licensed to practice law in Ontario, Canada, as well as in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., in the United States of America (U.S. business advising, outsourcing and cross-border trade, technology contracts, and U.S. financing).  See, for example: http://www.ogalaws.com.  A writer, blogger, and avid reader, Mr. George has sector experience in Technology (Telecommunications, eCommerce, Outsourcing, Cloud), Financial Services, Healthcare, Entertainment, Real Estate and Zoning, International/cross-border trade, other Services, and Environmental Law and Policy.  He is a published author on the National Security aspects of Environmental Law.

Mr. George is also an experienced strategic consultant; sourcing, managing, and delivering on large, strategic projects (investigations, procurements, and consulting engagements) with multiple stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams.  See, for example: http://www.simprime-ca.com.

Hyperlinks to external sites are provided to readers of this blog as a courtesy and convenience, only, and no warranty is made or responsibility assumed by either or both of George Law Offices and Strategic IMPRIME Consulting & Advisory, Inc. (“S’imprime-ça”) including employees, agents, directors, officers, successors & assigns, in whole or in part for their content, accuracy, or availability.

This article creates no lawyer-client relationship, and is not intended or deemed legal advice, business advice, the rendering any professional service, or attorney advertising where restricted or barred.  The author and affiliated entities specifically disclaim and reject any and all loss claimed, no matter howsoever resulting as alleged, due to any action or inaction done in reliance on the contents herein.

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[1] Alyssa Oursler, InvestorPlace Assistant Editor.  Morgan Stanley Gushes on the Internet of Things.  Analysts take a deep dive into the trend with 29-page note.  Published on investorplace.com, September 30, 2013.  Web: http://investorplace.com/2013/09/csco-morgan-stanley-internet-of-things/

[2] Euroalert.  Expert Group on the Internet of Things set up.  Published on euroalert.net, August 11, 2010.  Web: http://euroalert.net/en/news.aspx?idn=10271 This Expert Group now has 6 (“six”) sub groups, being one for each of identification, privacy, architectures, governance, ethics, and standards (I would call this “iPages“).  A Summary of their 10^th Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, in November 2012, is available here: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=1747

[3] See e.g. Paul.  With Settlement, FTC Issues Warning On IP-Enabled Cameras.  Published on securityledger.com, September 4, 2013.  Web: https://securityledger.com/2013/09/with-settlement-ftc-issues-warning-on-ip-enabled-cameras/

[4] Forum Europe.  Post-Conference Report from The 4th Annual Internet of Things Europe.  Shaping Europe’s Future Internet Policy – The road to Horizon 2020.  The Conference was held in Brussels, Belgium, on November 12-13, 2012.  Published on eu.ems.com.  Web: http://www.eu-ems.com/event_images/Downloads/IoT%20post%20conference%20report%20-%202012.pdf

[5] IoT World meets in Brazil, was held in São Paulo, Brazil, from May 21-24, 2013. Published on theinternetofthings.eu.  Web: http://www.theinternetofthings.eu/iot-world-meets-brazil-s%C3%A3o-paulo-21st-24th-may-2013

[6] The M2M Middle East Forum, was recently held in Dubai, UAE, on September 22-23, 2013.  Published on dmgeventsme.com.  Web: http://dmgeventsme.com/m2mforumme/

[7] The 2013 M2M and Internet of Things (IOT) Global Summit, was recently held in Washington, D.C. on October 1-2, 2013.  Published on eu-ems.com.  Web: http://www.eu-ems.com/summary.asp?event_id=173&page_id=1432

[8] The 1st Workshop On The Internet Of Things (IOT 2013), is scheduled for October 7, in East London, South Africa.  Published on isat.cs.uct.ac.za.  Web: http://isat.cs.uct.ac.za/IoT2013_Workshop/isat_web_iot/index.html

[9] The Internet of Things World Forum, is scheduled for November 12-13, 2013, in London, UK.  Published on internetofthingsconference.com.  Web: http://iotinternetofthingsconference.com/

[10] The Internet of Things Asia 2014 Exhibition and Conference, is scheduled for April 21-22, 2014, in Singapore. Published on internetofthingsasia.com.  Web: http://www.internetofthingsasia.com/