Roundtable: The benefits of standards from a solutions provider's perspective
Oftentimes the value of technology standards in the security industry is evaluated from the point-of-view of installers and end users as they are the ones who usually see the greatest benefit from being able to integrate products from different manufacturers. Despite the fact that manufacturers have been at the forefront of moving standards forward in the industry, some people remain skeptical about their level of commitment when they consider the level of integration between many hardware and software products has not met expectations.
Oddly enough, there has also seemed to be a shift on the part of many integrators and end users from implementing “best-of-breed” security solutions back to deploying “all-in-one” systems from a single vendor. On the surface, it seems as though the goal of standards – the ability to mix and match security products without having to worry about interoperability challenges – has failed to be realized. However, many manufacturers say that while customers are being increasingly driven to adopt these all-in-one solutions, standardized protocols still play a vital role in helping to streamline and simplify the installation process.
SecurityInfoWatch.com (SIW) recently sat down with several members of ONVIF to get their thoughts on how standards have impacted their companies and what the future holds for the future of standards initiatives in the security industry.
SIW: How has the evolution of standards in the security industry impacted you?
Ottavio Campana, product manager, Videotec: Standards and their evolution have a positive influence not only on our products but also on the whole company. Thanks to the adoption of standards, efforts to guarantee interoperability are reduced and we can use the time that we save from this easier interoperability to develop new and unique features. The benefits coming from the adoption of standards are reflected in sales and support, because R&D, sales, support and customers finally share a common language. When we all talk about the same topics with the same terms, it is easier to transfer the product value to the customers and to provide satisfying answers to our users when they have doubts or uncertainty regarding interoperability.
Tim Shen, marketing director, Dahua Technology: Standards are useful for the whole industry, and I believe ONVIF’s standards have aided the growth of the IP product market. When manufacturers use ONVIF’s specifications, they can spend more time and resources on development, rather than expend human resources on ensuring their products are compatible with other manufacturers’ products.
Bob Dolan, director of technology, security solutions, Anixter: Customers are increasingly demanding that products and systems meet various performance levels, provide true open architectures and interoperate with their existing systems. A standard allows customers to know what minimum performance level they can expect from a device or system. As IT departments become more involved in the decision process for security systems, their reliance on standards-based systems allows them freedom of choice, ease of maintenance and improved performance for their companies. Anixter can guide clients toward these standards-based systems in order to meet their performance expectations. As manufacturers, ONVIF members can also contribute to the development of new standards based on what is happening in the market, which also motivates the entire industry to perhaps be more innovative in developing new technologies and products.
Lucas Lee, director of global marketing, Hanwha Techwin: As the security industry changes, global standards are also continuously evolving. ONVIF is the most important standardization tool in the security sector and is developing global open standards to ensure compatibility between different products from different manufacturers. As ONVIF is increasingly adopted and adds new profiles, we are better able to integrate our systems with related technologies, which enables us to keep pace with the latest trends. Our efforts to develop an interface conformant with ONVIF’s profiles has not only allowed us to integrate with third-party products but has also given us the opportunity to expand our markets and customer base.
SIW: What does it mean to you to be a member of ONVIF and what kinds of benefits have you seen as a result?
Campana: Being a contributing member of ONVIF is crucial for us. Videotec products are designed to be used in uncommon scenarios, for example, in hazardous locations or extreme environments. In these applications, we have specialized requirements that are not always used by other manufacturers. By joining ONVIF, we have been able to introduce these new functions to the standard, and after five years of participation in ONVIF, we see that there are clients that now support our advanced functions, so as a company, we do not need to establish a dedicated partnership program. Furthermore, ONVIF is a good vehicle to make new connections and for networking, both with other manufacturers and with clients.
Shen: As a member of ONVIF, we benefit from receiving new protocol delivery specs from ONVIF and also receive indirect market promotion. At the same time, Dahua promotes ONVIF, educating the market on ONVIF and how its standards are positively impacting manufacturers, end users and the industry at large. ONVIF is engaging with Chinese engineers and manufacturers more and more in the development of new profiles. This is a positive step, as the Chinese market can contribute innovative features and ideas that can strengthen ONVIF’s profiles even more.
Dolan: As part of ONVIF, Anixter is able to act as the voice of the client with the engineers at industry manufacturing companies when it comes to the potential requirements that are needed in a standards-based system. This includes installation applications for integrators and their clients, as well as system performance. ONVIF also allows Anixter to work more closely with manufacturers' engineers to understand new products and features that customers request or that manufacturers want to offer.
Lee: As a member of ONVIF, Hanwha Techwin has the opportunity to participate in the development of interface standards for network products. Companies that establish market standards are generally those who pioneer and lead the market and Hanwha Techwin’s participation in the establishment of such market standards has led to its sustainable growth. In addition, using ONVIF has increased our brand exposure and recognition, enabling more people to learn about our products. As our products have been improved to be ONVIF-compatible with video management systems and cameras from third-party manufacturers, we have had more opportunities to provide outstanding solutions to a greater variety of projects.
SIW: With the increased interest we’ve seen recently from both systems integrators and end users in deploying all-in-one solutions from a single vendor, do you believe that negatively impacts all of the work that has gone into creating and complying with industry standards as a manufacturer?
Campana: I don’t think so. In the markets in which Videotec is most active, it is almost impossible to have an all-in-one solution from a single vendor. Special environments require special devices and dedicated software, and interoperability is essential in this scenario. But also, in small systems standards can provide vital help to customers. Here’s how: buying a complete solution from a single vendor is not a problem by itself, but end users should try to have a system based on standards, in order not to be bound to a single manufacturer. A single manufacturer exposes the user to two main threats: the cost of proprietary hardware in the future, which can be much higher than the price of standard-compliant hardware, and, even more dangerous, the risk that the manufacturer may not stay on the market forever, which can limit the end user’s ability to extend their systems in the future, even if they accept the risk of paying more for the equipment.
Shen: Yes, many customers are asking for all-in-one solutions because they can reduce the costs of purchasing multiple devices and/or services and can also reduce the cost and time spent buying from different suppliers. That’s why these solutions are so popular. But even all-in-one solutions need the support of standardized protocols, which is in part why ONVIF’s profiles have been created to be simple, but also flexible. A guiding rule of thumb is this: simplicity means 80 percent of the features are easy to use and stable, flexibility means 20 percent of the profile’s features are innovative and should anticipate the needs of both manufacturers and end user in the near future.
Dolan: Although some customers have chosen single manufacturer solutions, they are still looking for the assurance that their systems meet minimum performance levels. In addition, industry standards are critical for customers that become dissatisfied with the performance of a particular component in their solution. By embracing manufacturers that adhere to industry standards, they can change direction to a different manufacturer without impact to their overall application. That level of confidence in their decision is more of a safety net and allows them to be in control of their solution.
Lee: Some businesses and end users do prefer an integrated solution developed by a single vendor. But I think this will change over time as manufacturers work to improve their own features and launch more diverse products. A lack of effort to establish standards ultimately will narrow the customers' right to choose what satisfies their needs using a wide range of products made by different manufacturers.
SIW: While video and access control have been the primary focus of standards development so far, do you believe there are other product segments that ONVIF should focus on moving forward?
Campana: I expect support for thermal imaging soon and for applications exploiting geo-information. After that, I think that a natural extension of the protocol could be for building automation: we have perimeter security and CCTV and we have access control, both interfacing with HVAC and lighting systems, so building automation seems to be the next natural step. With this extension, even small offices and homes could benefit from advanced functions that now are only available in PSIM systems. I would be happy to install in my house a small system based on ONVIF that can leverage access control with HVAC systems to achieve home automation.
Shen: There are a few product segments that I think ONVIF could focus on with future profiles. First, matrix and decoder products could be addressed, as they are very popular in central monitoring centers and stations. Support for intelligence functions is another one; especially since currently each manufacturer defines intelligence functions differently. Thermal products and thermal features should be supported as well.
Dolan: ONVIF is addressing several disciplines already, through profiles for video and access control. IT departments have more influence over how security components and systems communicate and integrate with each other, and other building subsystems and their management of these systems will advance. ONVIF should look at other building subsystems that are being pulled into network-based communication methods and offer a channel for manufacturers to collaborate efforts to on standardization. This shift to network-based communication across all building subsystems is fueling the Internet of Things. As a result, and with the assistance of ONVIF, video surveillance and access control devices have become standards-based sensors on the network.
Lee: Although there is more and more demand for integrated control in video surveillance, access control, intruder alarm and fire solution sectors, it is not easy to integrate all of these systems together precisely because their related protocols are not standardized. As the most widely used international standard in the global security market, ONVIF should expand its coverage to include more security sectors beyond CCTV and access control so it can develop an integrated solution that can be used across all security platforms. If ONVIF expands its coverage to include intruder alarm or fire, not only manufacturers but also end users and even businesses will benefit. The question of what direction ONVIF will take must be answered collectively, and is something that all of us have to be involved in.
SIW: Where do you believe the industry currently stands as it relates to the adoption of standards and where do you see the market headed in the future?
Campana: I see that system integrators who are working in highly specialized applications of CCTV already know ONVIF well and use it every day. In more general scenarios, the adoption of ONVIF isn’t as prevalent and I think it is because this market is more driven by price than by the features and warranties that only standard-compliant devices can offer. I expect that if customers are hit by problems induced by a proprietary solution that they will start to ask more actively for standard-based products.
Shen: In my personal opinion, ONVIF is most impactful in the IP video sector. I expect it will continue to help the IP video surveillance grow, perhaps at an even faster pace than it is currently.
Dolan: The video surveillance market has moved fully into the concept of leveraging open APIs to create open architecture systems. ONVIF is leading the charge to true open architectures, and its continued evolution of its profiles will lead to that level of interoperability. The access control market is just starting to get into the open API concept, but it is still many years away from true open architecture. The demand for standards in all of security will help end users and integrators plan more effectively for how and what they implement.
Lee: The importance of the hybrid environment is going to grow and become more widespread in physical security. For this reason, it is necessary to promote the use of such standards as ONVIF in order to enable easier system integration that does not require each manufacturer to develop special protocols to make their products compatible with other manufacturers’ products. In order to meet the demand for hybrid security systems, a wide range of perspectives and views must be embraced, where not only manufacturers but also system integrators are engaged in designing interoperable systems. This collaboration will also be required in meeting the demands of today’s customers.
