ONVIF, a global standardization initiative for IP-based physical-security products, announced the add-on concept, which extends the ONVIF conformance process to individual product features that can solve a specific use or end-user demand. This new concept enhances the capability of ONVIF to respond more quickly to market demands through increased interoperability and flexibility of choice for end users and systems integrators.
“The demand for more standardized solutions that can solve a wide variety of use cases is only continuing to grow,” says Leo Levit, chairman of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “As profile development can be a lengthy process, add-ons will allow ONVIF to more quickly offer additional capabilities and functionalities that carry the weight of ONVIF conformance to the market. We look forward to seeing development proposals from members for not only profiles, but also add-ons.”
An ONVIF add-on is one or more features that solve a particular use case; for instance, standardizing file formats when exporting video. To conform to an add-on, a product also must conform to an ONVIF profile. The add-on concept enhances the ONVIF profile model by enabling conformance claims to additional features and capabilities that aren’t already included in ONVIF profiles.
An ONVIF profile involves a fixed and comprehensive set of features that enable a functional product to be developed solely on the profile specification. Although the features included in profiles can’t be changed, add-ons are easily adaptable to evolving technology or specification requirements. Because an add-on supports version-handling, it can be updated quickly to adjust for new technology additions or updates.
Extending ONVIF conformance tests to include optional add-ons ensures that an ONVIF-conformant device, such as an IP camera, and an ONVIF client, such as a video management system, that conform to an add-on will work together regardless of the manufacturer.
Founded in 2008, ONVIF is a leading and well-recognized industry forum driving interoperability for IP-based physical-security products. The organization has a global member base of established camera, video management system and access control companies and more than 20,000 profile conformant products.
More info: www.onvif.org
