Article by Carlo Tanzola – Area Security Sales Manager and Dale Grant – Marketing Coordinator
While the 1990s is often hailed as a Golden Era of American sitcoms, it can be argued that no two programs dominated the nation’s zeitgeist quite like Friends and Seinfeld. For a largely suburban dwelling demographic, these two New York based television shows gave millions of single-family home dwelling Americans a brief glimpse into the Apartment living experience (with some suspension of reality involving cost). A staple of these fictional apartments was a very real device, the dwelling’s intercom system which allowed the iconic characters to grant front door access to their building at the push of the button. Since the mid-twentieth century, these intercom-based access control systems have been the standard for high-rise and multi-family housing units that share a common door. Despite improvements in technology, these systems still require hardwiring between each individual dwelling and a master control unit at the building’s front door.
These types of legacy systems present a significant challenge to new construction projects. The investment in equipment for each unit as well as the manpower required to wire each individual satellite device to the master control unit can quickly drive up the cost of installation. When it comes to retrofit projects, replacing a building’s existing system not only requires the increased cost of equipment and labor but also requires a much greater interruption to a building’s tenants as each panel will need to be replaced.
Luckily, as technology has advanced, so have options for access control.
image courtesy of mydoorview.com
MyDoorView has developed a revolutionary Streaming Video Entry System Platform. With their system, legacy master control panels are replaced with either a new state-of-the-art touch screen panel or customized QR code placards. When the touch screen is activated, or the QR Code is scanned by a smartphone, guests will be granted access to a mobile directory. The guest will select the desired tenant which will open an installed application on any of their internet connected devices, granting the tenant real time video of the front door. Should the tenant wish, the QR code can be programmed to contact a landline phone which would provide audio only access. Once contacted, the tenant will then be able to communicate with that person and grant or deny them access to the building.
The best part of this technology is that it is all wireless, which means that each unit is no longer required to be tethered to the master control. It can also integrate with popular existing legacy surveillance and access control equipment from industry leaders like Brivo or Eagle Eye Networks. In addition, the system also has remote capabilities, allowing tenants to grant access to service staff, delivery people and guests whether they are home or not. The system even allows for access to remote gates using the QR code and cellular controlled relays.
Due to the minimal equipment required and ease of installation, this system is a very cost-effective approach for apartment complexes, office buildings housing multiple tenants, and educational facilities. These systems are also significantly easier for technicians customize, maintain and service, often allowing technical problems to be diagnosed and resolved quickly.
Embracing the innovative solutions offered by MyDoorView’s Streaming Video Entry System Platform means overcoming the significant challenges posed by traditional intercom-based access control systems. The transformation from cumbersome, hardwired setups to wireless technology not only streamlines installation and reduces costs but also enhances convenience and security for both tenants and building managers by integrating seamlessly with existing infrastructure and offering remote access capabilities, MyDoorView ensures that the future of access control is not only efficient and adaptable but also incredibly user-friendly, creating a better experience for tenants and their guests.