All companies that use or specify the SMI interface, or have an interest in the technology, are collected together under the holding of the SMI Group. The rights and responsibilities of the companies are regulated by means of agreements.

SMI Consortium
The SMI Consortium (SMI-Arbeitskreis) currently comprising 7 companies (the SMI Members) owns the SMI brand and all rights to the development results that have been jointly achieved under the SMI project. Together the companies create a simple enterprise to achieve a common objective with common energies and means. The cooperation between the companies in the SMI Consortium is regulated by the agreement of October 24th 2001 and later supplementary agreements.

Companies in the SMI Consortium have financed the development and profit from the cost-free use of all intellectual property rights. They pay an annual fee to cover general expenses.

SMI Members can put forward products with the necessary documentation for certification. After the fulfilment of the requirements, and the certification and registration of the products, the SMI Members obtain the right to use the SMI logo on the corresponding products.

Other companies can join the SMI Consortium after they have completed a full year as SMI Partners. The entry is dependent on a positive decision of the SMI Working Group and the payment of an application fee. The level of the application fee is defined by the SMI Working Group.

SMI Office
The management of the SMI Office has been allocated by the SMI Consortium to the company Stillhard Management Services, Steckborn, Switzerland. Amongst other duties the SMI Office concludes the agreements with the partner companies, and certifies and registers products in accordance with the guidelines for certification and registration.

SMI Partners (licence holders)
Manufacturers of drives and control units can acquire the rights to use the SMI interface in their products and the right to use the SMI logo. Thanks to the SMI interface they can profit from the compatibility between products and can thus enter into a market for high quality products in the field of roller shutter and sun protection systems.

SMI Partners conclude an agreement with the SMI Working Group and pay a one-time application fee as well as an annual payment and fees for services. These subscriptions and fees are dependent on the turnover volume that the SMI Partner achieves in the fields of roller shutters, sun protection systems, building equipment or building automation. When the agreement has been concluded the SMI Partner receives all the technical documentation for the construction of an SMI interface as well as development aids such as a test box and a monitor program.

The SMI Partner has the basic possibility of joining an SMI Working Group and receives information concerning the future development of the interface. The respective Working Group decides whether to accept the new member.

SMI Partners can announce their SMI partnership in their marketing documentation by using the note “Partner of the SMI Group”. SMI Partners are listed on the Internet at the address www.smi-group.com.

Drive manufacturers receive an assigned manufacturer code when a licence agreement has been signed.

An SMI Partner can put forward products with the necessary documentation for certification and thus obtain the rights for the use of the SMI logo on the corresponding product. After successful certification and payment of a fee the product is registered and is published on the Internet in a product index. There the features of the product can be described and commended by means of an additional image. A fee is charged for the certification and registration of a product, and there is also an annual fee for the registration in the product index.

Application form for SMI Partners

SMI Supporters
Interested companies (manufacturers of roller shutters and sun protection systems, associations, electrical planning engineers, also future SMI Partners etc.) and individuals can be SMI Supporters of the SMI Group. They pay an annual fee and obtain information concerning the interface, the activities of the SMI Group, the SMI Partners, the registered products etc. SMI Supporters are invited to take part in the SMI Group User Meeting.

SMI Supporters can announce this relationship in their marketing documentation by using the note “Supporter of the SMI Group”. SMI Supporters are listed on the Internet at the address www.smi-group.com.

Application form for SMI Supporters

SMI Working Groups
SMI Working Groups (for technology, marketing etc.) work on detailed issues, ensure the future development of the interface and work for a further propagation of the brand. SMI Members and SMI Partners can delegate specialists into the Working Groups. The SMI Working Group decides on the acceptance of any new Working Group member. The resources required for the cooperation in SMI Working Groups are borne by the companies.

SMI Group User Meeting
At least once a year an SMI Group User Meeting is organized. This occasion serves to provide an opportunity for the exchange of experiences, training seminars and the fostering of contacts.

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