ONVIF is a global and open industry forum that is committed to standardize communication between network devices and ensure interoperability between network products for the security market. In March 2010, ONVIF decided to extend the scope to include physical access control systems. The goal of the extension is to standardize communication between access control devices as well as to ensure interoperability between network video products and access control systems. Many companies, including several ONVIF members, see a great need for such a standard as it would bring benefits to system integrators, manufacturers, and end users alike:

• Increased flexibility for system integrators: integrated solutions can be built using products from different vendors
• Better market penetration for manufacturers by providing devices with standard IP interfaces
• Reduced integration costs and cost of ownership for end users