Axis Communications and Nedap Security Management believe that separating the hardware and software will bring significant benefits to the end users and transform the industry to be innovative and proactive.
Axis Communications and
Nedap Security Management believe that separating the hardware and software will bring significant benefits to the end users and transform the industry to be innovative and proactive.
In a joint statement, the two companies discussed the advantages of open standards and flexible IP solutions, indicating a strong emphasis on the strategic cooperation between them.
“The adoption of open standards will, ultimately, result in a different type of competition,” said Daryn Flynn, Business Development Manager UK at Nedap Security Management. “Openness will make products more transparent and create fair competition focused on added value, unique features, product usability, design, and innovative ideas, instead of hardware prices.”
"Openness to additional features and integration with other parts of a security system is essential for the end-user. Because their needs will change over the years, a flexible and open system is able to adapt to those changes."
- Daryn Flynn, Business Development Manager, UK, Nedap Security Management
However, the current market scenario is far from ideal, according to them. Daren Lang, Regional Manager Business Development Northern Europe at Axis Communications explained that many analog, hybrid or IP solutions available today have the problem of being proprietary systems, offering limited flexibility. Integrating third-party products are impossible, limiting the user to rely on a single vendor.
“Upgrading or expanding security systems, whether it be cameras, audio or card readers is often complex, expensive, and time-consuming, because cables have to be laid and connected to a main unit or a central server,” Lang said.
However, he added that the situation is changing with the proliferation of IP-based solutions that can meet user’s expectations for remote access, higher image quality, event management, simple integration, and better scalability. IP systems are easy, fast, and inexpensive to install, enabling easy networking with other IP-based areas.
Flynn added that physical security industry doesn’t seem to have accepted the concept that the systems should be able to meet changes in the future. With almost any current physical security solution, proprietary software and hardware combine to provide specific functionality. A change in functionality requires both hardware and software to be developed.
He stressed the point of openness further. “Openness to additional features and integration with other parts of a security system is essential for the end-user. Because their needs will change over the years, a flexible and open system is able to adapt to those changes.”
Technical advantages
Conventional access control systems usually depend on fixed cabling of each element – card reader, door opener, etc. – to a central unit or server. With proprietary systems end users are tied to a single vendor for hardware and software. Their installation and configuration is much more complex than an open system, requiring personnel with specific training for each system.
“IP systems, however, use existing network infrastructures. ‘Power over Ethernet’ (PoE) powers electric door openers, readers and other components,” Lang continued. “This means that the data connection and the power supply run through a single cable, which greatly simplifies cable installation.”
“Additionally, the use of open standards will further improve the freedom to integrate different solutions from different manufacturers,” Flynn said. “This will prevent vendor lock-in, and enable users to deal with legacy systems. Introducing open standards allows clients to mix and match not only the cameras they need or the card readers that best fit their budget, it also allows them to select the specific functionality that suits their security policy.”