Some technology standards are driven by the market.   Think VHS vs. Beta.  Some technology standards are driven by the preferences of early adopters. Think  TCP/IP.  Some technology standards are driven by a dedicated, global effort to build consensus and take collective action.  Think personal health data interoperability.Welcome to Steps to Value, the people, process and technology podcast from HIMSS. In this episode, we explore the complex work of creating technology standards with Horst Merkle, Director, Diabetes Management Platforms & Solutions at Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc., and Paul Coebergh van den Braak is Intellectual Property & Standards Manager Healthcare, Senior Director at Philips.  Horst and Paul discuss their insights on the state of personal health device data interoperability, their experiences helping to shape the Continua Design Guidelines, and the potential unintended consequences when industries don’t come together around a common standard.   This Episode’s Guests:Horst MerkleDirector, Diabetes Management Platforms & SolutionsRoche DiagnosticsConnect with Horst Paul Coebergh van den BraakIntellectual Property & Standards Manager, HealthcareSenior DirectorPhilipsConnect with Paul Continua Design GuidelinesThe Continua Design Guidelines are only open implementation framework for authentic, end-to-end interoperability of personal connected health devices and systems.  The guidelines are based on common international standards and are built on four key principles: Unity, Benevolent, Inclusive, Holistic.  Learn more about the Continua Design Guidelines here. Personal Connected Health AllianceThe Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHAlliance) aims to make health and wellness an effortless part of daily life. The PCHAlliance, a non-profit organization formed by HIMSS, believes that health is personal and extends beyond healthcare. The Alliance mobilizes a coalition of stakeholders to realize the full potential of personal connected health. PCHAlliance members are a vibrant ecosystem of technology and life sciences industry icons and innovative, early-stage companies along with governments, academic institutions, and associations from around the world.  Learn more about the PCHAlliance here.