ONVIF, the standardization initiative for network video products, announced that it will extend its scope to also include physical access control systems. The goal of the scope extension is to create a global network interface standard for access control devices as well as to ensure interoperability between network video products and access control systems.

Many companies, including several ONVIF members, see a great need for such a standard as it would bring benefits to system integrators, device manufacturers and end users alike:

• - System integrators benefit from increased flexibility, enabling them to design integrated solutions based on best-of-breed products from different vendors
• - Manufacturers benefit from better market penetration by providing future-proof devices with standard network interfaces
• - End users benefit from reduced integration costs and lower cost of ownership

“Since its foundation in 2008, ONVIF has taken major steps towards its goal to achieve global interoperability for network video devices,” said Jonas Andersson, Axis Communications, Chairman of ONVIF Steering Committee.

“By extending the ONVIF scope to include access control systems, we now take a step further to facilitate the integration of IP-based security and safety devices using a global open standard.” ONVIF’s rules of membership have been changed to reflect the changes of the organization’s scope. They also open up for further extensions moving forward. It is possible for each ONVIF member to select the membership scope depending on the technical area(s) they would like to participate in. In other words, an ONVIF member can today choose to remain a network video member, or to extend its membership to include access control systems.