Axis and HID enter partnership deal

Network Video specialist Axis Communications and access control card and reader manufacturer HID have teamed up to provide an IP-based system integrating network video and access control.

It will enable application developers, system integrators, and OEMs to expand their system offering and answers a growing market requirement for converged security solutions, says Axis. The platform will be developed and delivered as an open application programming interface (API).

Dominic Bruning, MD of Axis Communications (UK), said the company has always promoted an open standards approach for the integration of its products.

“Our relationship with HID emphasises our desire to develop network-based products that help to resolve security and IT convergence issues to stimulate the market shift from analogue to digital video.

“As the IT, security and access control markets converge, this new platform will link previously disparate systems by enabling network video and access control systems to interoperate.”

The company’s Application Development Partners will be able to integrate access control into their current video applications, while HID’s solution partners will be able to integrate video into their access control systems.

Denis Hébert, HID president, said: “In response to the convergence of physical access control and IT, HID’s product development strategy will continue to focus on customer requirements for interoperability. HID clearly recognises the role of IP-based devices for security and is partnering with Axis to ensure future product platforms will meet the open interconnectivity needs of the market.”

The companies expect to announce the availability of the interface later this year.

• Leading high street travel retailer Thomas Cook is pioneering the latest in a range of high-tech security solutions from Romec Electronic Security.

Around 600 Thomas Cook outlets across the UK will introduce Romec’s NetSec IP system, which provides an alternative to traditional monitoring systems. Romec says it offers “increased levels of security, greater flexibility and significant cost savings”.

“This is one of the largest roll-outs of its kind in the UK,” said Romec national security director Tony Cahill. “A key feature of our partnership with Thomas Cook is our ability to provide leading edge technology that not only helps improve security for Thomas Cook and its employees but also reduces its operating costs.

The introduction of NetSec IP is part of a wider, three year, contract between Romec and Thomas Cook for the provision of security maintenance and monitoring.