International. ONVIF, the global leader in the initiative for the standardization of IP-based physical security products, announced the definitive release of Profile A for a broader access control configuration that establishes a standardized interface for access control customers and expands the configuration options of ONVIF-compliant access control systems.
This release is the first open specification to mix and match access control devices and customers in the same system, facilitating interoperability for projects involving multiple vendors.
ONVIF Profile A covers the day-to-day access control functions for granting and revoking employee credentials, creating and updating work schedules, and making changes to access control rights within the system. Profile A deepens interoperability within the access control market by increasing the functionality and management functions of the system at the client level, enabling the configuration of credential granting, schedule scheduling, and access rights through the client interface, supported by Profile A.
"Profile A is an important development for the market because it offers an avenue to integrate access control panels and hardware with management software from different manufacturers," said Per Björkdahl, Chairman of the ONVIF Steering Committee. "This pathway to integration also provides future fixes to an access control system, as it allows third-party access control management software to be installed in the future, eliminating the need for a take-out-and-replace situation.
This interoperability established by Profile A allows users and system integrators to make software and hardware decisions based on functionality and performance. It will also bridge the gap between old and new software if both are compatible with Profile A. The new profile will also enable integration between access control and IP video management systems when combined with ONVIF's Profile C for basic access control, and with Profile S for video streaming.
Profile A has been available in the candidate version, so that the industry can study it and provide feedback before the final release. ONVIF delivers a new profile first as a "Candidate Version" for at least 6 months, allowing members and other stakeholders a final implementation review. When the process is complete, the final profile will be published and members will be able to test their products to see if they are compatible with the final version of an ONVIF Profile. The goal of this process is to enable members to more quickly introduce compatible products when the final version of a Profile is released to the market.
Founded in 2008, ONVIF is a leading and widely recognized industry forum that drives interoperability of IP-based physical security products. The organization has a global membership base comprised of established camera companies, video management and access control systems, and nearly 8,000 products compatible with their profiles. With Profile S for video streaming, Profile G for logging and storage, Profile C for physical access control, Profile Q for enhanced, out-of-the-box functionality, and the profile T candidate for advanced streaming, ONVIF continues to work with its members to expand the number of IP interoperability solutions that SUPPORTED ONVIF products can provide.
For more information on ONVIF supported products, including supported vendors and models, please visit the ONVIF website: www.onvif.org
