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GE leads the way in integration

Brett Birch, managing director of GE Infrastructure's Security division in South Africa, is a firm believer that integration is the way forward in the security industry.

Brett Birch, GE Security

Birch's thinking is backed by GE worldwide, as the company takes the lead in promoting open technologies and architectures for the security industry.

"A comprehensive security system is typically made up of a number of components and even solutions sourced from several manufacturers, which can result in integration problems," he explains.

Traditionally, the various aspects of security - namely CCTV, access control, alarm systems etcetera - have been separate entities of security as a whole. This has had numerous implications, for example the cost of installing all the different solutions, maintenance of separate systems and, not least of all, incompatibility, which could lead to downtime as well as increased risk of security breaches.

"End-users are realising the need for integration between the disciplines," Birch continues. "Now the manufacturers need to come to the party, but they have proprietary protocols which they are not sharing. It is time for that mindset to change - there is a desperate need for open technology that everyone can buy into."

The term 'integration' in security has been used very broadly in the past to refer to different systems using one PC as a common user interface, with no sharing of information. "This situation then progressed to the point where there was partial sharing of information," Birch continues. "Now systems can share a common database, for example when an individual uses the access control system to gain access to an area his stored photograph can be displayed on the operator's monitor along with a live video image from a camera overlooking the entrance."

Birch says that GE's aim is a seamless integration of all aspects of security. "We see this as, firstly, a single common user interface customised to the user's specific purposes and, secondly, this interface integrates with all the security systems and building management functions independent of equipment manufacturer."

As part of its drive towards integration, GE Infrastructure's Security has undertaken two initiatives.

The first, Facility Commander, (Hi-Tech Security Solutions May 2004, page 36) is a standards-based command and control integration platform that lets organisations integrate all aspects of their security and facility management within a single screen. Third-party security software developers and security device manufacturers can join a comprehensive developer programme that allows them to capitalise on new market opportunities, by leveraging an integrated standards-based solution that meets their customers' requirements. With the Facility Commander system developer's kit (SDK), programme participants can develop a plug-and-play driver to interface their security equipment and software using provided application programming interfaces (APIs). Once the driver is written, it can easily be plugged into Facility Commander and appear as a pull-down option when the installer is configuring their system.

In May, GE launched open protocol exchange network (OPEN), also with the aim of promoting standards-based security solutions, stating: "The security industry's current reliance on proprietary technologies and platforms inhibits innovation, integration and the assimilation of emerging technologies. The open protocol exchange network (OPEN) will bring together technology companies to collaboratively establish and make available standards-based solutions for key encryption and management, migration to new security technologies and integration of physical and logical access control platforms.

"OPEN is the first step in unlocking the future for both security systems integrators and end-users," says Birch. "In a world that demands higher security, from retail to banking to military installations, too many systems are plagued by issues arising from proprietary technologies. This is self-defeating for the security industry, creates major problems for security dealers and integrators and hinders end users from having flexible, scalable security platforms that protect their people and assets. OPEN should go a long way in eliminating these problems."

GE has set the scene for integration and, according to Birch, some CCTV manufacturers are interested but buy-in is still needed from the other players, who are still operating in isolation. He believes, however, that the drive from end-users is making integration a target to aim for.

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