Making More Things Possible

Feb 1, 2003 12:00 PM, by JAMES GOMPERS

Many end-users are seeing major improvements in multi-system collaboration enabled by enhancements in communications and compatability. But these only scratch the surface of the variety of integrated solutions now available. The next stage of integration will stem from an expanded implementation of “middleware,” which will enable a higher level of synergy in terms of multiple system unification and control.

Middleware, and something I call “controlware” solutions, represent where integration is today, where it is heading and what integration can do to better meet business and security needs.

Enter Middleware

The term middleware is fairly new and remains unfamiliar to many in the security industry. Software products performing a middleware function were introduced in the late 1990s and were called by a variety of names. Some middleware products were touted excitedly as total integrated solutions. But even with great press, security market end-users have been reluctant to implement these advancements, primarily due to a real lack of knowledge.

What is middleware? Just as people speaking different languages need a translator, applications running different types of software or operating on different systems also need help in communicating. Middleware plays the role of translator. In short, middleware enables applications and systems to interact in a heterogeneous systems environment. It functions largely behind the scenes, so that applications, information and functionality can be accessed easily and smoothly across different system architectures, communication protocols and networks.

Middleware Taking Security into the Future

Now that we better understand middleware — why we need it and what it does — where is it taking us? In a practical sense, middleware enables us to leverage our investment in existing security, access control, CCTV and other solutions by providing the benefits of integration while using legacy systems. We can move into the world of advanced integrated solutions without having to replace hardware already in place. Middleware also makes multiple interoperable system solutions possible and makes them easier to use and administer. Benefits to the end-user include reductions in time needed for situation response, human intervention and overall administration.

There are several schools of thought when it comes to designing and implementing middleware — there are no real standards or practices. Without standardization there is little understanding, and businesses are reluctant to move toward middleware solutions. In addition, middleware development can take a considerable amount of time and effort to finalize a total solution, thus raising the cost and lengthening return on investment (ROI). However, proper analysis of security needs, risk and existing expenditures, plus a thorough investigation into different middleware offerings, can lead to informed decisions on what solutions are right for a given set of business rules and needs. Choosing the appropriate middleware solution allows us to leverage the benefits of high-end, cost-effective solutions that can increase safety and, best of all, lower security's negative impact on budgets.

Case Study: Middleware Powers Innovation

Middleware makes many solutions possible for business, as the following example illustrates. A technology manufacturing facility has several operational procedures for its intrusion detection system: Office areas operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; manufacturing runs two shifts, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight; and shipping and receiving operate from 5 a.m. to midnight, with overlapping shifts. Thus, the facility needs several area partitions, time zones and a multitude of user levels. Life safety systems like fire alarm and ventilation contamination systems must be added because toxic and volatile chemicals are used in the manufacturing process. The next item is an access control system with a complex set of schedules to limit access to the facility and controlled areas. Finally, the facility has video surveillance and a public address system.

Taken just as a manufacturing facility, it's clear that administration alone could be both time consuming and difficult because of the multiple manufacturers and applications in place. Integrating features and functionalities to make these systems perform more advanced integrated solutions becomes even more administratively intense. The surveillance system, for example, offers points of further integration: video motion to initiate intrusion alarms, video smoke detection to trigger fire alarms in critical areas, or access control validation through pop-up screen verification in the security control center. Another prime area for integration could be tying the intrusion, access control, ventilation and fire alarm systems to the public address system for voice annunciation and emergency evacuation.

These are just a few examples of the integrated solutions that could be implemented within the facility for improved response, higher levels of personnel safety, and asset protection. A problem lies with administration and efficient use of all these systems, which would require several different application computers and workstations. That's too cumbersome and/or costly for most end-users. How do we make this system function easier and more effectively? The answer to overcoming this challenge is middleware.

When implemented properly, middleware unifies system applications into a browser-based interface for ease of use, administration and automation of many of the integrated processes, while also creating a single reporting database for management evaluation and decision-making assistance. The benefits from middleware-powered integration are extensive, but it is only the beginning of the benefits middleware can provide for this facility. Plant operational data can be automated into the control systems of the facility, which would allow asset tracking, assembly and inspection verification, video monitoring of assembly line congestion and monitoring of critical valve and chemical levels to be incorporated.

Middleware's integration potential is limited only by the understanding of end-user needs and the creativity exercised to meet them. Middleware can automate business operations, tying together a company's back-end, front-end and security systems. This level of integration can effectively eliminate the need for many human processes. It lets companies utilize innovative technologies, system flexibility and the latest developments that drive new ROI solutions.

Middleware Now. But it's a Controlware Future

Today, middleware refers to products sitting between systems and applications. Controlware, as I call it, will have all the advanced features of middleware with one major improvement: It will replace much of a system's application software by assimilating them onto a single open platform application. We are already there in terms of technology — seemingly incompatible systems working as one, with one administration point and one user interface. All that's left is implementation and improvement.

Now imagine the manufacturing plant and multiply it to several separate locations — all with different brands of intrusion, access control, surveillance and fire alarm equipment, and with security administrators and personnel for each facility. Using controlware, all these existing systems could be administrated from one corporate location through a single interface, without needing to know each manufacturer's application. The same thing can be done for the security operation, pooling all facilities into one corporate security operation center, resulting in staffing reductions at remote sites and a higher level of control and efficiency.

Now that's powerful.

You and Middleware: The Clock is Ticking

Middleware (and later controlware), which sits on the network, is fast emerging as a critical layer for the enterprise-level security solution. The need for middleware stems from several developments: the increasing growth in the number of systems and applications, the customization of those systems and applications and their increasing variety. These and other factors now require that applications be developed to increase multi-system integration abilities to assist security management, help users deal with complexity and provide overall operating efficiencies. Furthermore, by centrally providing functions or services, security is increased dramatically, while also reducing long-term cost of ownership by leveraging investments in existing security equipment and reducing operational costs.

When looking into any technology project or solution, we owe it to ourselves to evaluate and consider what part integration can play in increasing productivity and safety and reducing overall liabilities. Every sector of business can benefit by integrating and automating processes and reap the rewards of innovation. Middleware (and soon controlware) offers integration potential at the next level. The clock is ticking, and the sooner this technology is implemented, the sooner you'll be on your way to greater security and business success.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Gompers is founder of Gompers Technologies Design Group Inc. and Gompers Technologies Testing and Research Group Inc. He has more than 20 years of expertise in the security industry as a consultant from the end-user perspective. E-mail him at jgompers@gtdrp.com. This is another in a series of columns he is writing for Access Control & Security Systems

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