ONVIF, a standardization initiative for network video products, says 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.
ONVIF says that many companies, including several ONVIF members, see a great need for such a standard as it would bring benefits to end users, system integrators and device manufacturers.
 
“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) in which they would like to participate. In other words, an ONVIF member can choose to remain a network video member, or to extend membership to include access control systems.