Whirlpool wanted to add connectivity to appliances and transform the company's relationship with customers. Traditionally, Whirlpool interaction with customers was limited to purchases made once every ten years. Connected washer and dryers provide exciting new features like remote management of start times and inter-machine communication.

In Europe, most homes are heated via hot water radiators, not HVAC systems as is popular in the United States. Current European heating systems suffer from two shortcomings; wiring the thermostat to the water source, and limited Wi-Fi range in older homes.

When severe weather hits, the potential damage to a home could be disastrous. Insurance claims for flooding damage exceed $3 billion per year in the United States, and most homeowners are not even covered for even basic water damage to carpet, drywall, electrical, furniture and personal items. Sump pumps are one of the best defenses against flood damage, but when storms knock out electricity, traditional sump pumps are rendered useless. As a seller of water management and equipment protection, Pentair sought a communication platform that will support a wide range of Pentair Internet-connected products.

THE INTERNET OF THINGS CONSORTIUMThe Internet of Things Consortium (IoTC) is the premier business development association for the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. It is comprised of leading founders, executives and global companies in IoT. The IoTC’s mission is to ignite the growth of the IoT marketplace by leading the industry’s efforts through strategic partnerships. The organization focuses on five key verticals: connected homes, autos, cities, retail and wearables.OUR CORE ACTIVITIESGenerate opportunities to meet and collaborate with other leading companies, thinkers, doers, and movers in the IoT worldForm industry committees to identify and address areas of common concernsExercise thought leadership voice in driving forward the most important conversations on IoT at industry events and in the pressJumpstart business development opportunities (including partners and customers), suppliers, talent, and potential investorsLead efforts to raise IoT education among consumers, sales channels, and investors

IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation that manufactures and markets computer hardware, middleware and software, and offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology. IBM is intent on leading the development of a global data field. Year founded: 1911 Revenue: $92.7 billion (2014) NYSE: IBM

Texas Instruments (TI) offers more than 100,000 products. Its largest segment is analog semiconductors, which change real-world signals (such as sound and images) into the digital Data Streams. Analog product are used to manage power in all electronic devices; TI sells these products to customers in the consumer electronics and industrial markets, among others. The company also makes embedded processors, which can process data from analog chips and handle specific tasks in electronic devices. TI's other products include digital light processing (DLP) chips used in high-definition projectors, custom semiconductors, and calculators. It generates most of its sales from the Asia/Pacific region.

NXP is a global semiconductor company enabling the Internet of Tomorrow. They develop solutions to provide secure, efficient connections, safer and greener automobiles, and add intelligence to everyday items. As a leader in processing and sensing solutions, they are driving a more innovative and connected world for the future. Freescale was acquired by NXP Semiconductors in December 2015.

Cypress (NASDAQ: CY) delivers high-performance, high-quality solutions at the heart of today’s most advanced embedded systems, from automotive, industrial and networking platforms to highly interactive consumer and mobile devices. With a broad, differentiated product portfolio that includes NOR Flash memories, F-RAM™ and SRAM, Traveo™ microcontrollers, the industry’s only PSoC® programmable system-on-chip solutions, analog and PMIC Power Management ICs, CapSense® capacitive touch-sensing Controllers, and Wireless BLE Bluetooth® Low-Energy and USB connectivity solutions, Cypress is committed to providing its customers worldwide with consistent innovation, best-in-class support and exceptional system value.