TPM
A video intercom lets you see who’s at the door and let them in, from your phone, an indoor screen or a front desk. The right choice depends on the building, how people want to answer, and what else the intercom needs to work with.
Three kinds of intercom
| Type | Typical use | How visitors reach you |
|---|---|---|
| Video doorbell | Houses and townhouses | Rings your phone or a chime |
| Multi-tenant intercom | Strata and apartment buildings | Visitors find a resident in a directory and call their phone or app |
| Commercial entry station | Offices, gates, loading docks | Calls reception, security or a group of staff |
Questions to ask before you choose
How will people answer?
Phone apps are convenient, but some residents prefer a regular phone call or an indoor screen. Good multi-tenant systems support more than one option.
Does it need to unlock doors?
Most intercoms can release a door, but the lock and power supply must be designed for it. If you have, or plan to have, access control, choose an intercom that works with it, so door events, schedules and video all live in one place.
What about elevators and gates?
In buildings with elevator floor control or a parkade gate, the intercom may need to grant a visitor access to a specific floor or open the gate. Plan this with your access control contractor and the elevator company.
Cloud or on-site?
Cloud-managed intercoms make it easy to update the resident directory from anywhere, but usually come with a monthly fee. On-site systems avoid the fee but need someone to manage them locally.
Will it survive the location?
Entry stations face weather, vandalism and constant use. Look for weather-rated, vandal-resistant units, mounted at a height that’s comfortable and accessible for everyone, with lighting so faces are visible at night.
Privacy
An intercom camera records visitors, so treat it like any other camera: aim it at the entrance, not the street, and set a sensible retention period.