Key Takeaways
- The most advanced cloud-based video intercom is ButterflyMX.
- 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 anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000, depending on the type of 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 that is 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 what the best cloud-based video intercom is 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 the best cloud-based video intercom?
- What is a cloud-based video intercom?
- What are the benefits of a cloud-based video intercom system?
What is the best cloud-based video intercom?
The most advanced cloud-based video intercom is ButterflyMX. With ButterflyMX’s cloud-based video intercom system, property managers and tenants can enjoy seamless and convenient access.
Here are some of the top features of the ButterflyMX video intercom system:
- Perfect for multiple properties. The system is designed for different types of buildings, including condo communities, salon suites, and commercial office spaces.
- Remote management. With the ButterflyMX OS, you can easily control access and manage the system remotely from anywhere.
- Wireless connectivity. ButterflyMX’s wireless video intercom system offers seamless connectivity and eliminates the need for complex installations.
- Mobile app. Also, users can manage the intercom system through the top-rated, user-friendly mobile app. This empowers users to remotely access using smart devices like smartphones.
- Virtual keys. With virtual keys, everyone from package delivery professionals to guests can access the building at approved times. Residents and staff only need to create time-restricted virtual keys for visitors to use at the intercom.
- Touchless Entry. With the door release function, residents can easily grant access to guests without physical contact.
How ButterflyMX works:
What is a cloud-based video intercom?
A cloud-based video intercom is an intercom that operates and stores data in the cloud. Rather than uploading data directly into the intercom, you store it all conveniently in the cloud.
Furthermore, your multi-tenant intercom provider gives you access to a cloud-based portal where you can update your tenant directory, manage property access permissions, review entry logs, and more.
Tenants, property managers, and building owners alike all deal with the frustration of needing to provide property access to a visitor or delivery remotely. Moreover, now that most people have a smartphone in their pocket, remote access doesn’t have to be difficult.
How much does a video intercom system cost?
The cost of a cloud-based video intercom system can range anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000, depending on the type of system you install.
However, other considerations for pricing include:
- Installation. Installation costs can vary depending on the company you hire to complete the work.
- Software. Cloud-based video intercom systems are generally powered by a SaaS model. This means you’ll need to pay a certain amount in fees to continue using the product.
- Maintenance. Whether the screen gets cracked, or there’s a technical problem, maintenance costs will come up at some point. These can vary depending on how big the problem is.
What are the benefits of a cloud-based video intercom system?
Cloud-based video intercoms offer time-saving and cost-cutting features that will improve your building access experience for visitors, residents, and even 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 from anywhere in the world using just 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 for themselves — like 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 at any time.
With a cloud-based door entry system, you never have to worry about making duplicate building keys and having to track them down. With virtual keys, you can grant access to a visitor for a specified time, strengthening security and giving you more control over your multi-unit building. As such, 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 — which means you don’t need to run expensive wiring throughout the apartment building. Cloud-based wireless intercom systems save you money on the initial installation as well as ongoing maintenance. Some systems even run on Power over Ethernet or PoE, which means 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, which means 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, your 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.
