A master station is a booth where calls and display video of visitors are displayed on a monitor—sited within the building, where communication needs to be received, either— at a receptionists desk or a guards station. Cloud-based apps offer similar functions to master stations and can be used offsite.
Video intercom systems
VIDEO INTERCOM SYSTEMS
Experience an intuitive user experience with video intercom systems. With it, you’re open to an endless possibility of remote unlocking your doors with just a tap of a finger, and this includes mobile app verification
How Do Video Intercom Systems Works?
Know who is at the entryway through security camera footages of visitors. This footage can be seen from an interior monitor, letting admins see and speak to guests before they can gain access. Door intercom systems with door release enable users to press just a button to unlock the door for visitors remotely. The most reliant systems offer cloud-based mobile apps which you can leverage on from anywhere, as long as you have access to the internet.
VIDEO INTERCOM SYSTEMS COMPONENTS
The most common video intercom system comprises of the following components: Master stations, entrance stations, tenant stations, built-in cameras for monitoring entryways, and software such as mobile apps. For larger or complex systems, multiple master stations may be linked to numerous entrance stations, cameras, and apps. These are usually integrated with access control, allowing admins to unlock doors for guests remotely.
Entrance stations are best placed at the door or gate where visitors gain access. It includes built-in surveillance cameras. These are typically pinhole cameras inside the entrance station. A button can be pressed on the station panel to an interior station or phone app, and speak into the speaker. Other added features include access control – card readers, fingerprint readers, keypads, and Bluetooth.
Tenant stations give occupants of apartment units or suites the flexibility of allowing them to receive video calls and unlock the door from a hardwired panel in their home.
Video mobile apps are crafted to enable residents, staff, and property managers have a real-time conversation with visitors at the entrance station from their smartphone. Prior this time, mobile apps had required users to be onsite to use the app, as they needed to connect to the building wi-fi signal. Following rapid changes in tech, our systems solve this problem by using cloud-based apps, which enable video communication and door release from any location, as long as the device can connect to the internet.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH VIDEO INTERCOM SYSTEM
Keep Out Intruders
Maintain sanity at your business place. Door intercom system makes it possible for any building or campus that needs to boost safety by remotely verifying and letting in visitors. Intercom systems for businesses with valuable data prevent theft by warding off criminals from gaining entry in the first place. A small investment in intercom security can pay off significantly in safeguarding properties, assets, and employees.
See People Before Letting Them In
This is a whole new possibility with the accrued advantage of video capabilities. Video intercoms save employees and tenants from the stress and suspense of ascertaining if the person you’re speaking with is a delivery person and is not carrying a gun or presenting a visual threat. Cameras let’s security staff see real-time events, enabling them to respond fast.
Streamline Communication
With intercoms, communicating between rooms and buildings got more comfortable and faster as office communication has been united into one secure system. An employee can instantly relay quick messages, broadcast office-wide announcements, and start video meetings. This becomes even simpler and homely when used with a mobile video app. Intercom systems are useful for schools, office buildings, campuses, hospitals, and any other facility in need of streamlined communication.
Employee Video Communication
Intercoms with video provide a platform for employees to pass information across, while instantly connecting them without having to go through an app or the cloud. Admins can also watch and speak to employees through video intercoms — in a specific industry where managers must communicate with workers to affirm or reject specific actions..
Experience a decline in criminal activity
Integrating an intercom and access control systems that offer video, or pairing your system with preexisting surveillance cameras, automatically increases the safety of your facility.The presence of cameras has been shown to deter criminals, as they would fear to target your facility or environs if they are aware that they are being monitored.
Get notified when the mailman brought a mail.
Video intercoms at front doors or gates make it possible for users to see when packages or mail have been delivered.
Time-stamped footage
keep a track record of pictures and video footage of guests, so business owners and managers can see who entered a facility, and at what interval. This can be used as recorded proof in case of criminal incidents that go to court.
Authenticate in noisy environments
Video intercoms break the barrier of noise disturbance commonly associated with industrial areas, for instance, buildings on a busy street where it isn’t easy to rely on audio.
WHO NEEDS VIDEO INTERCOM SYSTEM
Multi-tenant intercom systems
Multi-tenant structures such as apartment complexes and condos essentially require video intercoms with access control. An apartment intercom system with door release and video will allow residents to rest assured they are granting dangerous or wrong people access into their home. Also, Gated communities can place video intercoms at vehicle gates to verify every car that comes in. Cloud-based apps are popularly adopted with multi-tenant facilities, as users never have to miss a visitor or delivery. They can get alerts on their phone and see who is at their door no matter where they are.
Commercial intercom systems
Intercom system installed within commercial buildings, retail houses, offices are a great way to ensure only employees and authorized people can access merchandise and sensitive information. On the same vein, video intercom systems are an effective appendage to concierge desks, reception areas, guard stations, or entryways that need securing against invasion.
Mixed-use building intercom systems
Mixed-use buildings come with unique challenges, the good news is, there are video intercom systems that offer solutions for mixed-use commercial and residential spaces. Intercom systems may feature elevator control, traffic control, parking structure access, and a range of other options for mixed-use buildings.
Industrial facility intercom systems
Using the intercom system on Industrial facilities such as manufacturing and warehouses can use video intercom systems to enforce safety protocols, prevent theft and vandalism, and provide a safer workplace for employees. Video intercoms open users to a realm where they can remotely view workers and direct their actions, which is helpful in settings where employees are performing physical work and operating heavy equipment.
School intercom systems
School administrators can utilize this video intercom system to easily spot out out suspicious students who are bullies or engaged in illegal acts. School employees and faculty can always communicate and broadcast announcements between stations using mobile apps.
Parking lot intercom systems
Parking lot entrances are strategic spots for intercoms, as staff can use them to authorize all vehicles entering the parking lot. Installation of surveillance cameras in these areas can also deter criminals who target unwatched parking lots to perpetrate crimes.
What Should come to my mind first, When Choosing a Camera Intercom System?
Building Type
The nature of your building/structure would greatly determine which door intercom system is best for you.
Mixed-use buildings
Mixed-use buildings embrace a wide range of capabilities and other yes, it settles for custom-made, which is peculiar to the needs of different users.
Office Buildings
Office buildings could require systems with key card access or fingerprint for restricted employee entry
Apartment Complex
Condo and apartment intercom systems should have a user-friendly interface to navigate while providing door control to numerous tenants efficiently.
Industrial Facility
Industrial facilities can effectively rely on intercoms that allow remote viewing and continuous directing of workers. These sort of intercom system are expected to last the test of time so, they may look sturdy. The aesthetic of the intercoms design may not be as important for these facilities.
High-rise Builings
High-rise building managers may opt for Apps to avoid extensive wiring. Elevator control may also be necessary.
Gated Community
Gated communities or estates can rely on systems that support many residents, which also offer gate stations with secure gate access control.
Campuses
Campuses with extensive or extended coverage may need intercom systems that can scale to several buildings while making advances to groom communication across the whole campus.Systems with security guard outposts tend to provide extra security to campuses.
Retail
Retail establishments should provide security cameras for theft prevention. Also, employees should have a fingerprint or other means of employee access
HOA Community
Homeowners Association communities will want a high-quality intercom system that includes gate or entrance access control and can be used by multiple residents. A beautifully stationed hardware is necessary to provide an excellent welcome to the community.
WHO IS USING IT?
Tenants
When multiple tenants or users can gain access to the intercom, there may need to activate various interior tenant stations with door entry control.
Receptionist
An intercom with exclusive access by a receptionist at a desk to grant entry into one building requires a simple system.Staffs whose role require regular access to buildings will demand credentials, through crucial cards, fingerprint, codes, or smartphone app capabilities.
Property Mnanagers
Optimising the intercom for property managers will infer that administrative features such as property management dashboards would be added.
Remote Users
For admins or tenants who need to have a full control/access when they are offsite and desire to let in maintenance workers or delivery people, a system with a smartphone app embedded with remote door unlocking is a more straightforward choice to make.
Indoor Or Outdoor Intercom Systems
It should be ensured that Intercom hardware mounted outside in areas where the weather is harsh or where the high crime rate is witnessed should be adequately equipped to withstand battering and tampering. Hence, choosing a durable, weather-proofed system is the best for you. It would help if you also put into consideration, the need for a plan with dimensions that will properly fit into your space, and that can be mounted on the surfaces of your facility.
IP Intercom Systems
IP intercom systems can connect seamlessly with an existing IP infrastructure to transmit data. Traditionally, IP intercoms are PoE (powered over Ethernet). They use ethernet cables to connect devices to a LAN, even lines from door strikes or locks to a lock power supply if the system has door access control — but IP intercoms eliminate the amount of cabling needed. IP intercoms support wireless connection to smartphones. By that, tenants do not need to install in-unit tenant panels by letting people use an app instead.
Wired VS Wireless Intercom Systems
Besides traditional Intercoms being too expensive to run, it could be time-consuming, especially for larger systems which require running cables to more stations. They use low voltage wires to run between all master stations, entrance stations, and tenant stations. Wireless intercoms were made to effectively reduce the cost and time involved in the running process, but these are vulnerable to interception, tampering, and battery failure. Wired intercom systems offer better security, more reliable power, and a more useful range than wireless intercoms.Becomes even more convenient and flexible when used with a mobile video app.Stems offer better security, more reliable power, and a more useful range than wireless intercoms.
Integrating With Existing Systems
It is crucial to bring into proper perspective, prior existing systems already in your building before you plan what to add to it exemption of the fact that you’re starting from the scratch. Structures, including gates, door hardware, elevators, cameras, alarms, concierge stations, and critical card systems should be integrated with intercom and door release systems. For properties that already have a lot of equipment, intercom systems that offer a flexible range of integrations are ideal.
Intercom Mobile Apps
With video intercoms integrated to work smartly with smartphone apps, you can eliminate the need for tenant stations and even master stations for a more mobile solution at cost advantage rates. The ability to access a building with a smartphone also eliminates the need for key fobs and cards, which is great for residents and staff who could forget their keys. Facility managers who want the latest and most convenient video intercom technology should adopt systems offering mobile apps.
Did you know if you are an occupant or manager of a building with phone lines, you can integrate intercom capabilities into it? Although a more up-to-date option is to connect intercoms to an internet network. These network-based intercom systems can pair with mobile apps.
How much would it cost to install Hardware? Monthly fees am I expected to pay? How long a system takes to install are all perspectives of property owners, and managers need to consider. Installation and mounting prices have been noted to be the most variable up-front costs for intercom systems, especially wiring and mounting of panels. Intercom buyers are expected to pay a monthly fee whether they use telephone lines or a cloud service. The other good thing is, some intercom apps offer annual and lifetime subscriptions. Data plan fees for IP intercoms are smaller than telephone lines fees, especially when more intercom users are involved. With your IP intercoms can connect to your already-existing networks to avoid the installation and maintenance costs involved in running phone lines.
In the choice of a suitable intercom system, choosing a system with a friendly user interface is essential as users-tenants, employees and visitors interact with it every day. Systems with comprehensive technology and features like smartphone apps, hands-free use, and easy navigation offer the best user experience. Remote elevator control is another advantage, and it saves tenants stress in buildings with key fobbed elevators from having to come down to the lobby to open up for visitors manually.
Intercoms come with a range of offers, which you can leverage to meet your distinguished needs. These can include elevator control, private messaging, audit trails, customizable designs, property manager and tenant training, paging and broadcasting, access codes and PINs, remote programming, and a lot more.
VISUAL DESIGN
Beautiful hardware gives a welcoming outlook to your building and impresses clients and customers alike. If the aesthetic design is an important aspect of your facility, you should likely choose intercom equipment that appeals visually.
Surface or Flush mounting
Intercom system hardware may be surface mounted or flush-mounted. What does this mean?Surface-mounted panels are attached to the surface of the wall. On the other hand, flush-mounted panels are recessed into the wall.The disadvantage with surface mounted is that they stick out and probably change the look of your space while Flush-mounting panel surface is even with the wall surface.
Video intercom systems with door release
Intercom systems embedded with door release feature let admins remotely unlock the door for visitors after verifying them via a smart mobile app. Without a door release button, tenants, receptionists, or guards will have to go to the door to open it, which is inconvenient and can distract if you were working on some other task. Property owners and managers should ensure their door or gate is fitted with door release installation. Some intercoms come with REX (Request to Exit) technology, which uses pushbuttons or motion sensing to allow people inside buildings to exit quickly.
Integrating Video Intercom Systems, Access Control and Security Cameras
Check out how we made other Customer’shappy. We installed a video intercom system, along with access control and security cameras, to protect this brand new multi-tenant building in Burlingame, California:You can take advantage of our Free Installation Consultation From Our friendly Security Experts One-on-one consultation with one of our video intercom system experts will help you decide the best products that will work for your specific project.
You might be interested in learning more about intercom systems by checking out the Wikipedia article on Intercom. Additionally, if you want to delve deeper into the world of video surveillance, you can explore the Wikipedia page on Video Surveillance. Both articles provide valuable insights into the technology and applications related to video intercom systems.