Key Takeaways
- A cloud-based video intercom is an intercom that operates and stores data in the cloud.
- The cost of a cloud-based video intercom system can range from $1,000 to $7,000, depending on the system you install.
- Benefits include added convenience, improved building security, no wiring, and remote management.
If you’re in real estate, you may have recently come across cloud-based video intercom technology, which is a video intercom system connected to “the cloud.” But how exactly does a video intercom operate in the cloud, and what benefits does that offer your staff, residents, and visitors? We’re here to help clarify things.
Below, we explain the best cloud-based video intercom and how it works. We’ll also walk you through the many benefits of cloud-based access control systems for your multi-tenant building.
In this post, discover:
- What is a cloud-based video intercom?
- Components of a cloud-based video intercom system
- What are the benefits of a cloud-based video intercom system?
- Choosing a cloud-based video intercom
- Cloud-based video intercom FAQs
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What is a cloud-based video intercom?
A cloud-based video intercom operates and stores data in the cloud. Rather than uploading data directly into the intercom, you conveniently store it in the cloud.
Furthermore, your multi-tenant intercom provider gives you access to a cloud-based portal to update your tenant directory, manage property access permissions, review entry logs, and more.
Tenants, property managers, and building owners often feel frustrated when they need to provide property access to visitors or deliver a product remotely. Fortunately, now that most people have a smartphone in their pocket, remote access doesn’t have to be difficult.
Components of a cloud-based video intercom system
A cloud-based video intercom system combines the power of video communication, remote access control, and cloud storage to create a seamless, modern entry experience for residential and commercial properties.
Below are the core components that make up a fully functional cloud-based video intercom system:
Hardware
- Intercom panel. Installed at entry points, this weatherproof panel includes a camera, microphone, speaker, and call button. It allows visitors to contact the tenant and enables residents or staff to see and speak to them.
- Camera. Captures clear video footage of visitors, even in low-light conditions, often with wide-angle or night vision capabilities.
- Microphone and speaker. Facilitates two-way audio communication between visitors and tenants or staff.
Server and storage
- Data hosting. All video footage and access logs are stored securely in the cloud, eliminating the need for on-site servers or local storage devices.
- Backups. Cloud servers ensure video and data are safely backed up and protected from loss due to power outages, fires, or hardware failure.
- Scalability. Cloud infrastructure makes it easy to scale storage and performance as your property grows or needs change.
Interface
- Mobile app. Tenants and staff can receive video calls, grant access, review video footage, and manage settings from their smartphones or tablets.
- Dashboard. A centralized management portal to monitor multiple properties, update directories, manage permissions, and view access logs from anywhere.
Remote monitoring
- Access logs. Tracks every entry attempt with time-stamped photos or video clips for full audit trails.
- Alerts. Sends real-time alerts when someone calls or enters the building or if unusual activity is detected.
- Usage reports. Generates data insights on visitor patterns, peak entry times, and system performance.
What are the benefits of a cloud-based video intercom system?
Cloud-based video intercoms offer time-saving and cost-cutting features to improve your building access experience for visitors, residents, and property staff.
The top four benefits of cloud-based intercoms include:
1. Convenient building access
The cloud brings unmatched convenience to your building for residents and property staff by empowering tenants to video call guests and grant them remote entry into the building. That means they can open the door for themselves or their visitors anywhere in the world using a smartphone.
Moreover, you can say goodbye to missing a package because the delivery driver couldn’t access the building.
2. Strengthen building security
Cloud-based access control systems also allow residents to set up PIN codes. Tenants can use their PIN to open the door, creating a unique lock where each entrant’s information is documented and stored.
Perhaps the greatest safety feature of a cloud-based intercom is the digital audit trail. Cloud-based video intercoms with a camera take a photo every time someone accesses the building. Moreover, residents and staff can review these time- and date-stamped photos in their cloud-based dashboard anytime.
With a cloud-based door entry system, you never have to worry about making duplicate building keys and tracking them down. With Visitor Passes, you can grant access to a visitor for a specified time, strengthening security and giving you more control over your multi-unit building. This is a great way to offer self-guided tours to prospective tenants.
3. Eliminate wiring
With an app-based intercom system, you don’t need hardware in every unit, so you don’t need to run expensive wiring throughout the apartment building. Cloud-based wireless intercom systems save you money on the initial installation and ongoing maintenance. Some systems even run on Power over Ethernet or PoE, so you don’t need to provide a separate power source to your PoE video intercom.
4. Remote management
Cloud-based intercoms offer remote management capabilities so that you can manage and update the system from anywhere. There’s no need to purchase hard copies or download software. Instead, you can sign in to your cloud-based property admin dashboard from your home, office, or any other location.
Traditional intercom systems require building staff to go on-site to change the tenant directory or make other updates. Even if the system offers software for remote management, it comes with the caveat of downloading that software to a single device — which makes it difficult for multiple admins to use it from anywhere.
Choosing a cloud-based video intercom
With ButterflyMX’s cloud-based video intercom system, property managers and tenants can enjoy seamless and convenient access. By centralizing entry management in the cloud, ButterflyMX eliminates the need for on-site servers or complicated wiring, making it easier to install, scale, and maintain across one or multiple properties.
Here are some of the top features of the ButterflyMX video intercom system:
- Perfect for multiple properties. The system is designed for different buildings, including condo communities, salon suites, and commercial office spaces.
- Remote management. The ButterflyMX OS allows you to control access and manage the system remotely from anywhere easily. You can issue or revoke access permissions, view entry logs, or respond to intercom calls without needing to be on-site, which is ideal for managing distributed portfolios.
- Wireless connectivity. ButterflyMX’s wireless video intercom system offers seamless connectivity and eliminates the need for complex installations. The Intercom communicates over the internet, reducing installation time and minimizing disruption to existing infrastructure.
- Mobile app. Users can also manage the intercom system through the top-rated, user-friendly mobile app, which empowers them to access the system remotely using smart devices like smartphones. Tenants can see who’s at the door, grant access with a tap, or review video footage at their convenience.
- Visitor Passes. With Visitor Passes, everyone from package delivery professionals to guests can access the building at approved times. Residents and staff only need to create time-restricted Visitor Passes for visitors at the intercom.
- Touchless Entry. The video intercom door release function allows residents to grant guests access without physical contact easily.
- Scalable. Whether you manage a single building or a bigger network of properties, ButterflyMX’s cloud-based platform scales with your needs. You can add or remove properties, update resident directories, and standardize entry procedures across all locations from one dashboard.
Cloud-based video intercom FAQs
How much does a video intercom system cost?
A cloud-based video intercom system can range from $1,000 to $7,000, depending on the type of system you install.
However, other pricing considerations include:
- Installation. Installation costs can vary depending on the company you hire to complete the work.
- Software. A SaaS model generally powers cloud-based video intercom systems. You’ll need to pay a certain fee to continue using the product.
- Maintenance. Whether the screen gets cracked or there’s a technical problem, maintenance costs will eventually arise. These can vary depending on the size of the problem.
What is cloud-based video surveillance?
When a cloud-based surveillance camera captures footage, it automatically uploads the video to a secure cloud server. From there, property managers, security teams, or business owners can view the footage in real time, receive alerts about suspicious activity, and manage camera settings remotely. As such, cloud-based video systems eliminate the need for bulky hardware, reduce the risk of footage loss due to damage or theft, and simplify system updates and maintenance.
