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During the last year, industries across the globe pivoted to conducting business in new ways and implemented new strategies for innovating and collaborating with partners. 2021 will likely be a continuation of this, as the security industry focuses on technologies used to mitigate risks associated with COVID-19.
Technologies such as occupancy management, automated visitor management, and touchless access control applications are increasing in demand. This is in turn accelerating the need for interoperability as organisations seek to deploy best-of-breed solutions. To power these technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud storage and the Internet of Things (IoT) are driving new functionalities and new uses from existing technologies to deliver customised applications to deal with pandemic related health, safety and security issues.
Increased demand in smart application sectors
In light of the increasing number of connected devices and new opportunities in video analytics for pandemic related uses and beyond, the demand for interoperable systems has only increased. COVID-19 worked effectively to highlight this need for interoperability, as end users seek to integrate many of the technologies required to continue business as usual. Such technologies include video analytics meant to assist in occupancy management, enforcing social distancing and ensuring the wearing of proper facial protection.
To assist in ensuring interoperability of IP cameras, or analytics applications with video management systems, ‘Release Candidate for Profile M’ from ONVIF will be a valuable contribution and component for organisations seeking flexible, cost-effective solutions for their smart applications.
The Profile M Release Candidate aims to standardise the communication of metadata and event handling of analytics for smart applications. It would allow users to more easily mix and match analytics and camera hardware and software from different providers. And it would provide the possibility of an integration path into IoT systems, with a way to link devices such as IP cameras into building management or other business intelligence platforms.
To meet rising demands for smart applications driven by security, business intelligence and IoT devices, devices and clients conformant with Profile M would encourage further growth in the number and types of applications – resulting in even greater choice for end users. Interoperability and the possibilities with Profile M could bring market potential for smaller, innovative companies in the analytics space, and for end users, freedom of choice.
Renewed focus on cloud, AI and IoT technologies
As IoT connected devices rise and the demand for the integration of smart applications accelerates, these technologies, once novel to the security industry, are becoming more mainstream. This increased focus is leading to more investment in analytics, as people search for solutions to help them adapt to the new way of life, while reopening economies and rebooting infrastructure.
Though cloud is by no means a new introduction to electronic security, the growth in video storage in the cloud is being propelled by both security and non-security uses. With cost-effective price points and the offer of ongoing flexibility, cloud solutions provide a variety of opportunities for organisations of all sizes; opportunities that have only been heightened or accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic as many are re-evaluating traditional usage of their existing technologies or seeking other methods to assist with day-to-day operations. These cloud capabilities can assist businesses in remote monitoring of their vacant spaces or providing additional coverage where less staff on site is required.
The continuation of these trends in 2021 – cloud technology, IoT and AI – will garner even more attention than in previous years. This is due to the fact that they all blend together, each becoming more efficient with the assistance of the other. Cloud technology is becoming more vital and can boost IoT performance. Conversely, AI can also benefit from IoT to work more efficiently. Much of this has enabled cloud technology and the rise of IoT to lay the foundation for AI and video analytics.
Find out more about Profile M at www.onvif.org/profiles/profile-m/
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