Axis Communications, the global leader in the network video market, announced at ASIS International 2009 its first network video camera with Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) support through Firmware version 5.10 for the AXIS P3301 Fixed Dome Network Camera.

The announcement demonstrates Axis’ commitment to open standards and is the first step in the company’s strategy to provide support for ONVIF, the global interface specification for network video products.

“This demonstrates our commitment to supporting the ONVIF specification in our products,” said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager Axis Communications, North America. “At the same time, this is only the first step in an ongoing process. Moving forward, we will implement ONVIF support in the majority of our network video products, either directly at launch or in firmware updates.”

ONVIF was founded in 2008 with the goal to develop a global standard for the interface of network video products. The forum has already attracted more than 90 member companies and according to a recent analysis by IMS Research, ONVIF members command nearly 60% of the market revenues for network video surveillance equipment.

Axis’ engagement in ONVIF is one of the company’s initiatives to create openness in the market for network video.

“We fully believe that end users and integrators benefit the most from interoperability and having the possibility to choose best-of-breed solutions when designing their surveillance systems,” said Nilsson. “Our own interface, VAPIX, has always been open for third-party development and Axis network video products are today supported by the market’s broadest range of video management software. In parallel with introducing ONVIF, our product portfolio will continue to support VAPIX, thus making the best of two worlds available to the market and our partners.”