The IP500 Alliance started its activities as an interest group with well-known global manufacturers after the IEEE standard 802.15.4 (2006) was ratified in 2007. The goal was to define from the system perspective of the user, regulations and applications for the most robust IoT system for commercial buildings based on the IEEE and IPv6 standards, and to develop and establish them with partners.
In May 2010, the IP500 Alliance formed in the historic VDI house in Berlin as a registered association (e.V.) and started its work.
The previous work was essentially characterized by three phases:
Today, the IP500 standard has leading manufacturers as members with voting status. Only they are authorized, with one voice per manufacturer, to select the appropriate technologies (wireless, network and infrastructure) which has brought the IP500 standard to fruition.
The IP500 Alliance is represented worldwide in Japan, India, the USA and Colombia by representatives with local technical support. The headquarters of the IP500 Alliance is in Berlin.
Selected partners and global service companies (service providers) have been accepted as »None Voting Members« and form the technical backbone, as well as providing technical support to manufacturers and providing the delivery of IP500 wireless modules worldwide.
The IP500 Alliance has additionally established a certification process in order to guarantee interoperability of the various IP500 networked OEM products.