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The Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA (News - Alert)) has released a new IP media device application programming interface (API) specification for enhancing interoperability of physical security products.

 

According to industry sources this is a first such standard recommendation from the PSIA.

 

The IP Media Device API specification was created by the alliance's IP Video Expert Group, which includes physical security and IT system manufacturers and integrators.

 

The PSIA is an open-membership organization created to promote the interoperability of IP-enabled security devices.

 

"The IP Media Device API specification addresses important issues, such as device discovery, configuration, and command and control, and it represents one of the first steps toward true interoperability and industry-wide convergence," said Pete Jankowski, PSIA Video Expert Group chairman and chief technology officer of Cisco's (News - Alert) Physical Security business unit.

 

Jankowski continued: "The specification describes a uniform set of methods for communicating with standard IP networks and offers manufacturers, system integrators, and application developers an opportunity to improve interoperability and add substantial customer value."

 

The Alliance said this specification was required to remove external customization of physical security products made from different manufacturers to interact with each other. API specification is centered on IP-enabled video surveillance devices, such as IP cameras, encoders, and digital video recorders. The new pattern will enable devices to recognize changes and cope with them.

 

According to PSIA, companies such as Adesta LLC, ADT Security Services, Cisco, CSC, DVTel, GE Security, Honeywell (News - Alert), IBM, IQinVision, Johnson Controls, March Networks, ObjectVideo, Orsus, Panasonic, Pelco, Santa Clara Consulting Group, Texas Instruments, Verint and Vidyo (News - Alert) have recognized the new specification.

 

The officials have also revealed that just like physical security products electronic access control, intrusion detection and other multi-vendor physical security systems and devices that exchange information with the network will too be brought under such an interoperability specification soon.

 

Analysts believe that this new plan would help companies to quickly deploy, integrate and manage best-of-breed physical security applications, devices and systems from multiple vendors over a converged IP network. They also see this as a way for companies to have a watch on their existing investments over the influence of technical advancements.