International. ONVIF announced the availability of the Release Candidate for Profile C, enabling interoperability between customers and devices of physical access control systems (PACS) and network-based video systems.
This new Profile, which is available for review on the ONVIF website, extends the functionality of the ONVIF Global Interface Specification in physical access control.
With Profile C, system integrators, specifiers and consultants will be able to more easily deploy an integrated IP-based video and access control solution from a variety of video and access control providers. Compatibility between edge devices and customers helps simplify installation and user training by reducing the need for multiple proprietary control systems to handle the different PACS devices.
"The integration between IP-based physical access control systems and video surveillance is no longer considered a luxury in today's market, and is becoming a necessary component for many different types of users," said Bladvin Gislason Bern, Chair of ONVIF's Profile C Working Group. "With Profile C, users and specifiers will be able to integrate the Profile C products of their choice without relying on existing integrations between manufacturers."
As part of a physical access control system, supported Profile C devices will have the ability to provide information in the system about doors and access points. Compatible Profile C clients will allow door monitoring, access control decisions and alarms such as when a door is open or when it has been accessed, as well as other similar functions. Compatible Profile C customers will also provide basic door control functions such as providing access and door locking/unlocking.
When combined with other profiles, such as Profile S for video and audio streaming, users can also combine access control and video devices using a configurable detection range. Profiles C and S also share the same device management features, such as network settings and system settings.
ONVIF introduced the concept of profiling so that end users could more easily identify the functions supported by a profile without determining compatibility between versions of ONVIF specifications. Profile S serves as a standard interface for streaming video and audio between supported devices and clients, and Profile G will include video storage, search, retrieval, and playback.
ONVIF circulates the new profiles first as a 'Release Candidate' for six months, allowing members and stakeholders a final review of the implementation. When this process is complete, the Final Profile will be published and technology providers will be able to test their products for compliance with the final version of Profile C. This process is designed to allow members to more quickly introduce supported products when the final Profile C is released in early 2014.
As part of the inclusion of ONVIF's physical scope access control, the ONVIF Network Interface Specification Set version 2.3 has also been released. This update introduces new services for physical access control clients and devices; it also includes a number of minor clarifications for better interoperability between ONVIF's compatible clients and devices. ONVIF's set of test specifications has also been updated with the Access Control Test Specifications and The Door Control Test Specifications for the new physical access control services.
There are currently more than 1,700 Products that conform to Profile S in the market of approximately 465 ONVIF member companies.
You can learn more about ONVIF-compatible products on the ONVIF website, including compatible vendors and models: www.onvif.org
