Joining Forces
- By Ralph Jensen
- Aug 01, 2009
Are you ready for some interoperability? The Open Network Video Interface Forum has released a test tool and conformance process, which would lead one to believe that the organization has strengthened its position as the leading standardization measure for network video products.
In the meantime, the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance released its 1.0 Spec in March and seems well on its way to establishing industry standards. ONVIF is taking a direct look at video -- more importantly, the IP standards of video surveillance objectives -- while PSIA seems to be more physically oriented with access control and intrusion standards.
During a May business trip to the Silicon Valley, I sat down with John Monti, one of the founding executives at Pixim, and talked to him about the two groups. “Many companies have an interest in joining with both groups,” he said. “Everyone agrees that the industry needs compatibility.
“Pixim believes strongly that IP standards are critical. It’s important that we all marshal our resources and work together.”
Earlier this year, while at IFSEC, the chatter was that the two groups planned to hash out any differences, thereby working together on this very important matter.
“I know that ONVIF has started discussions with several standardization organizations, including PSIA, to evaluate mutual opportunities,” said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager for Axis Communications. “ONVIF is quickly making a lot of progress releasing version 1.0 of the core specification. This shows focus on interoperability.”
If ever there was a need for interoperability, it would be in today’s technological marketplace, in which security has carved out such a well-defined niche.
“Web services is a modern technology with several capabilities that make it ideal for implementation in network-based products,” said Dr. Hans Busch at Bosch Security Systems, chairman of ONVIF’s technical committee. “The technology allows for quick and easy integration thanks to source code generation through standardized Web services description language. Data type conformance comes automatically with the generated code, relieving developers of making their own interpretation of the interface. This approach eliminates the risk of misinterpretations and ensures conformance to the interface specification.”
IQinVision is part of the PSIA movement and has already integrated the 1.0 PSIA interface in its 4 Series cameras. Company officials say the deployment saves software manufacturers significant time and money, also eliminating the need to write individual drivers.
“IQinVision is leading the pack to drive integration,” said Ian Johnston, vice president of engineering at CTO for IQinVision. “We’re also developing partnerships with a host of VMS companies to continue the progression of the PSIA spec.”
So far, the two groups haven’t met in open discussions. But David Bunzel, executive director of PSIA, invites ONVIF to collaborate. He said there seems to be a sense of urgency within the ranks of both groups, and the two organizations are targeting key objectives in the security space.
Either way you slice it, the bottom line of interoperability is shared goals and unified technologies.
This article originally appeared in the August 2009 issue of Network-Centric Security.
About the Author
Ralph C. Jensen is editor-in-chief of Security Products magazine.