International. ONVIF announced the add-on concept, which extends ONVIF's compliance process to individual product features that can solve a specific use case or end-user need.
This new concept enhances ONVIF's ability to respond more quickly to market needs with greater interoperability and flexibility of choice for end users and system integrators.
"The demand for more standardized solutions that can solve a wide variety of use cases continues to grow," said Leo Levit, Chair of the ONVIF Steering Committee. "As profile development can be a lengthy process, add-ons will allow ONVIF to more quickly deliver additional capabilities and functionalities that bring the weight of ONVIF compliance to market. We look forward to seeing member development proposals not only for profiles, but also for add-ons."
An ONVIF add-on is one or more features that solve a particular use case; for example, the need to standardize file formats when exporting video. To conform to an add-on, a product must also conform to an ONVIF profile. The add-on concept enhances the ONVIF profile model by allowing declarations of conformity to additional features and capabilities that are not included in ONVIF profiles.
An ONVIF profile implies a fixed and complete set of features that allow a functional product to be developed only in the profile specification. While the features included in the profiles cannot be changed, the add-ons easily adapt to evolving specification/technology requirements. Because an add-on supports version handling, it can be quickly updated to accommodate new additions or technology updates.
Expanding ONVIF compliance testing to include optional add-ons ensures that an ONVIF-compliant device, such as an IP camera, and an ONVIF client, such as a video management system, that comply with an add-on will work together regardless of manufacturer.
Founded in 2008, ONVIF is a leader and recognized industry forum driving interoperability for IP-based physical security products. The organization has a global member base of established cameras, video management systems and access control companies, and more than 20,000 profile-compliant products. ONVIF offers Profile S for video streaming; Profile G for recording and storage; Profile C for physical access control; Profile A for wider access control settings and Profile T for advanced streaming. ONVIF continues to work with its members to expand the number of interoperable IP solutions that ONVIF-compliant products can provide.
More information on ONVIF-compliant products, including member companies and their compliance models, is available on the ONVIF website: www.onvif.org.
