The beginnings: building automation in transition in the 1990s

In the 1990s, building automation developed rapidly. Standardised bus systems brought together previously independently controlled trades within one system. Sun shading automation was also increasingly integrated. Various manufacturers developed proprietary solutions for digitally connecting drives to the bus systems. However, it quickly became clear that, due to the existence of different bus systems, the number of drive variants threatened to proliferate. Manufacturer-specific solutions that supported the various bus systems, on the other hand, were not accepted by the market, as building owners wanted a standard supported by many manufacturers.

Establishment of the SMI working group on October 24, 2001

This insight led drive manufacturers in the early 2000s to hold initial discussions about a standardised connection of sun shading drives to building automation. As a result of these discussions, seven companies founded the “Standardisation Working Group” on October 24, 2001, which was later renamed the “SMI Working Group”.

Operational management of the working group was entrusted to Otmar Stillhard, who would significantly influence the development of SMI in the years that followed. Working groups for technology and marketing began their activities. Initial results were not long in coming. The working group presented itself under the SMI logo registered as a word and figurative mark, with the slogan “Sun shading made simple. Intelligent. Precise!” at R+T 2003 at the exhibition stands of the member companies.

The first product to be certified was a venetian blind drive from J. Stehle + Söhne in February 2004.

SMI on the world stage: trade fair appearance at Light+Building 2004

With its own exhibition stand, the SMI working group took part in Light+Building, the world’s largest trade fair for lighting and building automation, in Frankfurt for the first time in 2004. Every two years since then, visitors have been able to learn about the constantly growing variety of SMI products. The years that followed were characterised by a large number of initially smaller projects in which SMI technology was able to demonstrate its functionality and performance.

To support decision-makers, planners and installers, the first edition of the SMI Planning Manual was published in 2011, which has served the target group well on many projects.

Association founded in 2014: SMI on a legally future-proof basis

With the founding of SMI Standard Motor Interface e.V. , an association under German law, on February 20, 2014, SMI was placed on a forward-looking legal foundation. Fourteen companies joined the association. That this was the right decision is demonstrated by the development in membership numbers, which has more than doubled since the association was founded.

SMI 3.0: ready for digital building automation

SMI technology was also made fit for the future with the adoption of the SMI 3.0 standard in 2019. With this standard, SMI is equipped for the requirements of digital, internet-based building automation. To make the technology even more reliable, SMI 3.0BF will be mandatory for all new SMI-compatible devices from 2025-01-01.