Samsung has beefed up its IoT monopoly with a series of new products and partnership announcements at CES 2016.
The South Korean firm has announced that its 30-year-old collaboration with Microsoft, which has mostly focused on its laptops and tablets, will now be expanded to the wider IoT ecosystem.
WP Hong, president of Samsung SDS‘s business solutions unit, said the company is aiming to strengthen its IoT offerings by becoming a chip maker, device maker and service provider under its IoTivity strategy.
He also said that the three key factors for IoT success are a strong platform, devices and security.
Samsung’s choice to partner with Microsoft will allow the company to use Windows 10 IoT functionalities and deploy the system on a range of smart devices spanning from fridges to TVs and mobile gadgets.
The devices will also be integrated with other companies developing hardware and services on Microsoft’s OS.
Terry Myers, EVP for Windows at Microsoft said the two companies "share a vision of millions of devices communicating with open protocols and open standards for developers and manufacturers".
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Myers said: "Platform is integral for an IoT strategy and Windows 10 is a platform for all devices including the IoT."
Samsung has also revealed partnerships with Devices Group, Goldman Sachs, BMW, serviced residence owner and operator Ascott Limited, and materials science firm Corning.
Hong said that with a broad range of devices, platforms and services, from Smart Mobility and Samsung Pay to healthcare solutions using the Bio-Processor, that "Samsung is ready to inject smarts in all aspects of our world".
He said: "Unlocking the value of the IoT is an amazing opportunity for all of us: as consumers, as businesses and as society.
"When we all work together, IoT can be in sync with real life."
With Microsoft Windows 10 OS now running on over 200 million devices worldwide, Samsung is part of the movement and has also launched a new tablet dubbed Galaxy TabPro S, and the TabPro S laptop, both running on Windows 10.
Myers said: "With Windows 10, both companies wanted to do something great together, and we showcased the new Samsung Galaxy TabPro S, along with our shared vision for future innovation together across the entire Internet of Things.
"Along with Samsung, we share a common vision for millions and millions of devices and Things all communicating together using open protocols and standards within inclusive ecosystems, inspiring the creativity of software developers, device manufacturers, and rising star Makers around the world."
With Hong’s reinforcement on security, Samsung hopes that 2016 will see its IoT related sales rise and make it lead in this market.
Speaking to CBR, Adrian Crawley, director Northern Europe for Radware, took on some smart home products. He said he has never expected that there would be a time when he could have a digital relationship with his fridge, "but five years from now it will be the norm".
Crawley said: "As an IT and security industry, we have to make sure that it is the excitement people experience, and that dangerous hype on the security risks does not become a truth.
"The news stories last year of the Samsung Smart TV listening to conversations is a great example of how the power of connectivity can be misconstrued, how fear can be galvanised and trust can be lost."
He continued to say that responsible CIOs are being pragmatic about the threats and extending established security best practice as they develop IoT products. He said: "Security cannot be an overlay. Development of connected objects needs to be done with scenario planning in mind so that the security mitigation is built-in."
Samsung has today announced its earnings guidance for Q4 2015 with sales increasing to 53 trillion won, compared to 52.7 trillion won over the same quarter the previous year.
As for operating profits, the company has reported an increase from 5.3 trillion won in Q4 2014 to 6.1 trillion won in Q4 2015.
