Sure Universal Software Certified for Interoperability Testing for OCF Standard

Sure Universal’s client software was certified by Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) and licensed for interoperability testing of hardware and software products seeking OCF certification, it said Monday. Some appliance manufacturers are expected to announce OCF support in products later this year, said Sure, which is working with appliance makers on implementation of the OCF protocol, and some 100 more are due to announce support in 2018. Sure's technology includes universal remote control, cloud server for data and communications, IoT gateway software and smart appliance software, it said. The latest version of Sure’s universal remote app for Android includes Amazon Alexa integration, and future versions also will support Google Voice and Apple Siri, the company said. The open-source OCF standard is designed to ensure IoT products work together seamlessly regardless of brand. Sure’s app, in combination with the OCF standard, supports any wireless protocol in common use, it said, including Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and with an infrared blaster, it can control more than a million IR appliances, it said. Kimberly Lewis, OCF marketing work group chair, gave a use case example built around Sure’s Universal software solution for a business traveler arriving at her hotel. She checks in via a smartphone app, unlocks the door and controls the room environment from the app, including turning on lights, closing shades, turning on the TV and setting the alarm. Even if different manufacturers made all the devices, Sure Universal software with OCF support can control those devices from one location on a smartphone, Lewis said.