For decades, telephone entry systems have been the go-to door entry system for apartment buildings, gated communities, condos, student housing, and other multi-tenant properties. While these devices allowed residents to buzz in their visitors, they fell short in security features, creating pain points for multi-tenant buildings.
Fortunately, a modern solution has emerged over the last decade that addresses many of the issues that traditional telephone entry systems present and even enhances its basic functionalities: the video intercom. Before we explore this new, improved door entry solution, let’s dive into traditional telephone entry systems.
What is a telephone entry system?
A telephone entry system is a type of door access control system that enables residents to communicate with guests at the main entryways before letting them inside. These devices typically utilize in-unit hardware for residents to speak through, but they could also be notified via a resident’s cell phone. Meanwhile, guests use the telephone entry system located at the front door or gate to speak with the resident.
The system contains a directory of the apartment, condo, or office building, which guests use to notify the resident of their presence. Then, the system calls the in-unit hardware or the individual’s cell phone. From their phone, the tenant can speak with the guests before pressing ‘9’ on their phone, prompting the door or gate to open.
As you can see, these systems are easy to use but lack crucial security measures for commercial and multifamily properties.
Limitations of Telephone Entry Systems
Telephone entry systems have provided decades of benefits for multi-tenant buildings, but their flaws have become increasingly apparent. Here are the most blatant security issues with traditional telephone door entry systems.
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- Lack of visual verification: Speaking with guests before granting them access is great, but it’s much safer if you could see them too. After all, the quality of audio coming from the telephone entry system could be poor and cause tenants to grant access to the wrong guests, creating a serious security risk for everyone.
- Use of in-unit hardware: Many telephone entry systems utilize in-unit hardware for tenants to speak with guests. However, installing and maintaining such devices in each unit is cumbersome and expensive. For that reason, many have ditched these devices, opting for a system that notifies residents via their smartphones.
- No record of entries: A serious drawback of telephone entry systems is their lack of recording door entries in any way. These systems cannot log an entry digitally, take time- or date-stamped photos, or record video. So, if your building has a security breach, narrowing down the culprit is more difficult without a detailed entry log.
- Reliance on cellular signals and lines: You’ll need to maintain an entirely separate cellular line for each telephone entry system on your property, which can be expensive. Additionally, residents and tenants cannot speak with guests or grant them access if they don’t have a cell phone signal, leading to a bad user experience.
- No tenant access methods: In most cases, telephone door entry systems do not support a way for tenants to enter the building. Instead, you’ll need entirely different hardware for them to enter, which adds costs and requires you to juggle multiple systems.
The Rise of Video Intercoms
The modern telephone entry system is the video intercom. This device has emerged as a better solution by addressing the many shortcomings of its predecessor. In fact, the video intercom is the most preferred entry system for apartments, condos, student housing, gated communities, office buildings, and other multi-tenant properties.
Unlike telephone entry systems, video intercoms support video calling, enabling tenants to see and speak with guests. This feature ensures tenants know who they’re letting into the building. Moreover, video intercoms are cloud-based, meaning they use the internet to send and receive signals.
With a cloud-based infrastructure, video intercoms can easily integrate with other software or hardware your property already uses. Video intercoms can also scale easily along with tenant growth, allowing you to add as many tenants as you want to the directory without running out of space. Above all, property owners and operators can manage the system remotely by using the mobile app or online dashboard, providing greater flexibility in their duties.
Where Video Intercoms Outshine Telephone Entry Systems
Video intercom systems consistently outperform telephone entry systems due to their enhanced functionality and feature-rich design. So, here is why video intercoms are consistently chosen over their outdated counterparts.
- Supports multiple credentials: Video intercoms can be used by tenants and employees to access the property rather than simply being used by guests. In addition, authorized users can choose from a variety of supported credentials, such as a mobile app, PIN code, key card, or fob, for the greatest convenience.
- Third-party integrations: With a cloud-based video intercom, you can easily integrate your property management software and other security hardware. As a result, you’ll have a unified and centralized security solution that’s more effective.
- Easier installation and maintenance: The video intercom is easier to install and maintain because it does not require in-unit hardware. Cloud-based door entry systems only require a few wired connections (power, internet, and door strike) and take advantage of tenants’ smartphones.
- Remote management: You can manage access permissions, review entry logs, and integrate your system remotely. That way, you can manage multiple properties without having to step foot on them, streamlining the management process.
- Guest and delivery driver management: Video intercoms make it easier to manage not only guests but also delivery drivers, such as DoorDash, FedEx, and Amazon. Your tenants and employees can grant them temporary visitor passes that expire after a certain time or single-use, simplifying access to the property while maintaining security.
- Detailed audit log: Thanks to their built-in cameras, video intercoms provide detailed audit logs with time- and date-stamped photos. This way, you can better investigate potential security breaches in your property.
Considerations for Making the Switch
If you’re looking for a new door or gate entry system for your main entryway, a video intercom is the most ideal solution. Of course, making the switch can feel daunting and bring up a lot of questions.
Well, here is what you should consider when switching to a video intercom system.
Costs
While video intercoms may be more expensive upfront, their long-term benefits outweigh their initial investment. Cloud-based video intercoms require less maintenance than telephone entry systems and can even receive updates remotely, giving you access to new features. Additionally, their improved functionality reduces security risks, further reducing costs.
Tenant Experience
Telephone entry systems cannot provide a robust or memorable experience. Instead, video intercoms have a greater impact on the tenant experience, as they allow tenants to easily and safely grant guests access without having to worry about letting the wrong person in. Plus, unlike in-unit hardware, these systems use mobile apps that can grant access from anywhere.
Overall, the convenience of using a smartphone as a credential and being able to grant access to guests or delivery drivers remotely creates a more memorable and attractive experience for tenants. As a result, your current residents will be happier, and you can market the system as a unique amenity for prospects.
Future-Proofing
Finally, you must consider the future of your property. Telephone entry systems cannot scale with a growing property or business easily. As such, you’ll run into serious roadblocks when looking to add tenants or residents to the directory.
Fortunately, video intercoms scale seamlessly with your property, allowing you to add as many residents as you’d like. The system uses smartphones, so you won’t have to run wiring throughout your property when expanding.
Most importantly, video intercoms work effortlessly with your existing hardware and software. These third-party integrations help you operate more efficiently and enable a safer and more secure property.