Key takeaways
- A multi-tenant intercom system allows building tenants to communicate with visitors and grant them property access.
- Wire, wireless, telephone, and video intercoms are common multi-tenant intercoms.
- Multi-tenant entry intercom systems can benefit apartment buildings, commercial offices, condos, student housing, gated properties, and industrial facilities.
Multi-tenant intercom systems, or apartment intercom systems, are building entry solutions that grant access to guests, provide seamless entry for tenants, and help property staff maintain security. Since every building has visitors, tenants, and staff, every building needs a multi-tenant intercom system.
Read on to discover these systems, how they work, and the types of systems available. You’ll also find the cost of these devices, how they benefit various properties, and what features to look for when choosing a system. Finally, discover the best multi-tenant intercom on the market.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- What is a multi-tenant intercom system?
- Types of multi-tenant intercom systems
- Multi-unit intercom system use cases
- What are the components of a multi-tenant intercom system?
- Considerations for a multi-tenant video intercom system
- Choosing a robust multi-tenant intercom system
- Multi-tenant intercom system FAQs
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What is a multi-tenant intercom system?
A multi-tenant intercom system is electronic hardware that allows building tenants to communicate with visitors and grant them property access. Installed at a building’s entrance, this system includes a microphone, speaker, and often a camera. All properties, including apartments, commercial office buildings, and industrial properties, can use a multi-unit intercom.
Though multi-tenant intercom systems were invented more than 100 years ago, they remain one of the best tools for granting building entry to visitors. They’re so effective at managing property access that many additions have been made to these intercoms. So, today’s multi-tenant entry systems are more powerful than ever.
Today’s multi-unit intercom systems:
- Connect to the internet
- Provide live video
- Offer a smartphone app
- Integrate with access control and property management systems
Why apartment intercom systems are important
A multi-tenant intercom system plays a vital role in enhancing apartment security by controlling who can access the building. Modern multi-tenant intercom systems provide residents with the ability to see and communicate with visitors before granting entry.
Beyond resident convenience, an apartment intercom system also benefits you by providing detailed access logs and entry records. These logs can be invaluable in investigating security incidents or identifying suspicious behavior. Furthermore, when integrated with access control systems, the intercom can provide a comprehensive security solution that limits entry to authorized personnel only.
Types of multi-tenant intercom systems
While multi-tenant intercom systems are designed for the same purpose, they don’t all use the same technology.
The types of intercom systems include:
- Wired multi-tenant intercom. As the most traditional option, wired intercom systems use physical wiring to connect individual unit hardware to the main intercom device at the entryway. Unfortunately, because of all the wiring, these systems cost more, take longer to install, and require significant maintenance.
- Wireless multi-tenant intercom. A wireless intercom system uses a type of wireless signal — such as WiFi or a cellular network — to connect units with the central control panel. These systems are much simpler to install, reducing costs and time. Maintenance is easy with a wireless system since it has little to no wiring and can be updated remotely.
- Telephone multi-tenant intercom. With a telephone intercom system, existing telephone lines carry the signal between the in-unit hardware and the main control panel. From the in-unit hardware, tenants can press a button on the phone to grant access. The major drawbacks of telephone intercoms are their lack of video capabilities and the expenses associated with operating a telephone line.
- Multi-tenant video intercom. Lastly, video intercom systems are the most advanced option. They provide tenants with a video feed of guests requesting access from the entry hardware. These systems are most commonly wireless to cut installation costs. Many video intercoms are cloud-based, storing data in the cloud instead of requiring on-site servers.
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Multi-unit intercom system use cases
- Apartment buildings
- Commercial/Office
- Condos/Co-ops
- Student housing
- Gated properties
- Industrial facilities
Apartment buildings
With 21.9 million apartment units in the U.S., apartment intercom systems are the most common type of multi-tenant intercom.
Apartment intercom systems allow residents to communicate with visitors and grant them property access. They also enable property owners and managers to grant or deny access from a smartphone or computer easily.
In recent years, many of these apartment intercom systems have become wireless. Wireless systems for apartment buildings reduce the need for additional installation, hardware, and maintenance — often the most expensive components of getting a new apartment building intercom.
Commercial/Office
Commercial properties are often overlooked when considering a multi-tenant entry system. However, commercial office buildings also have tenants, staff, and visitors.
Most commercial buildings rely on a simple access control system—like a key fob system—to manage entry into their property. However, access control systems aren’t designed to provide visitor access because they lack a way for visitors to call individual tenants within the building.
In addition, modern commercial office buildings are seeing more visitor traffic than ever before, thanks to the flood of on-demand services created by the gig economy. Today’s offices now have food deliveries, office supplies, and cleaning people at all day hours.
Condos/Co-ops
The difference between apartments and condos or co-ops is ownership. While apartments are rented, condos and co-ops are owned. This small but significant difference means that condo residents, owners, and managers have distinct needs regarding intercom systems for their condominium buildings.
For example, tenant turnover isn’t a major concern for condo buildings since owners don’t buy or sell their residences often. However, ensuring simple visitor entry and package delivery is extremely important because this is not just where they live — it’s their home. Having a multi-tenant IP intercom ensures that residents never miss a delivery or visitor because they can remotely open and manage doors from their smartphones.
Student housing
With nearly 5,300 colleges in the U.S., housing all of these students is a big business. Like apartments and commercial buildings, student residents also receive guests and deliveries. And they also need a way to manage property access for these visitors.
However, unlike other buildings, student housing has nearly 100% turnover year-over-year since student-residents graduate and move on with their lives. Also, there are often significant security concerns (these are young adults, after all).
The right multi-tenant entry system can solve these challenges by offering integrations with property management software for automatic tenant directory updates. Furthermore, multi-tenant video intercom systems provide student housing residents and staff with the security of knowing who they’re letting into the property.
Gated properties
When it comes to gated communities, choosing a wireless intercom system is key.
Gated properties usually have driveways, which creates an installation challenge for the intercom system. Ripping up asphalt, running wiring, and repaving the street are expensive. A better option is to choose a wireless apartment intercom system that relies on a cellular connection (4/5G) or WiFi.
Modern wireless multi-tenant IP intercoms still offer the same functionality as a traditional wired intercom system without running additional wiring. In addition, the right gate intercom system can reduce the need for a full-time gate attendant to vet visitors and grant them access to your gated community.
Industrial facilities
Warehouses, self-storage, and manufacturing are all examples of facilities that fall under the industrial umbrella.
These types of properties house valuable products, belongings, and raw materials. They must also provide convenient and verified access to various parties, such as truckers, customers, and employees.
Industrial buildings rely on a patchwork of people and processes to review a person’s credentials and provide access to all or some of the facilities. However, using the right multi-tenant intercom can help streamline this process by allowing visitors to authenticate access while recording their entry into the property. With QR codes, delivery PINs, and live video, facility managers can rest assured that only the right people are accessing their building.
What are the components of a multi-tenant intercom system?
A multi-tenant intercom system is composed of several key components that work together to provide secure and efficient communication between residents, visitors, and property staff.
These components include:
- Entry panel. The entry panel is installed at the building’s main entrance and serves as the visitor’s point of contact. What’s more, modern entry panels often feature a touchscreen interface, camera for video calling, and a directory for selecting residents.
- Control panel. In cloud-based systems, the server is hosted online, allowing property managers to manage access remotely. On-premises systems rely on hardware servers located on-site, which may require more maintenance.
- Mobile app. Many modern multi-tenant intercom systems offer a dedicated smartphone app that enables residents to answer calls, view video feeds, and unlock doors from anywhere.
- Access control integration. Integrated access control allows residents and staff to unlock doors or gates using key fobs, PIN codes, or mobile credentials. This integration ensures that visitor management and building security are streamlined in one platform.
- Camera system. A built-in camera in the entry panel provides visual confirmation of visitors, adding an extra layer of security.
- Internet connection. Internet connectivity is crucial for cloud-based systems, enabling remote management, real-time notifications, and system updates. Reliable internet access ensures seamless communication between the entry panel, resident devices, and property management systems.
- Power supply. Multi-tenant intercom systems require a stable power source. Some systems include Power over Ethernet (PoE) for simplified wiring, reducing installation complexity.
Considerations for a multi-tenant video intercom system
Whether you manage an apartment building, own an office complex, or serve as president of your HOA board, one crucial part of your job is managing access into and within your building.
Managing access is crucial for maintaining building security, providing seamless guest access, ensuring package deliveries, and delivering an exceptional tenant experience. Installing a multi-tenant intercom system is one simple step to drastically improve how people live or work in your building.
So, to get the most out of your multi-tenant video intercom, you must know what features to consider.
What to look for in a multi-unit video intercom system:
- Mobile app. To reduce installation costs from in-unit hardware, ensure your multi-tenant intercom system utilizes a mobile app instead. Your tenants can see and speak with those requesting property access. Then, if they want to let them inside, they can easily grant them access from their phone.
- Integrations. Integrate your intercom system with your existing property management software to avoid disrupted workflows. This will automate your tasks of adding and removing tenants.
- Audit log. An audit log keeps track of who enters your property at all times of the day. Your multi-tenant video intercom will take a time- and photo-stamped picture of the entry alongside other stored information.
- Multiple credentials. Many multi-tenant intercoms only support one door opening method, which is flawed. For added convenience, you should consider a system that supports multiple credentials.
- Visitor Passes. Your tenants can set up Visitor Passes whenever they want to provide autonomous access to their visitors. Visitor Passes can be customized for one-time use or specific times of the day and week. This feature is especially useful if tenants won’t be on the property when it’s used. For instance, a resident may provide their dog walker or housekeeper a Visitor Pass to access the property while away.
- Delivery PINs. Finally, create unique delivery PINs to make it easy for major couriers to deliver packages to the property. Drivers can easily access the property, preventing missed or delayed deliveries.
ButterflyMX Video Intercom vs. other apartment intercoms
Choosing a robust multi-tenant intercom system
Of all the multi-tenant intercoms available, the ButterflyMX video intercom system is the most beneficial because of its modern features.
Benefits of the ButterflyMX multi-tenant video intercom include:
- Top-rated mobile app. With over 40,000 5-star reviews, the ButterflyMX mobile app is convenient and easy for tenants. Additionally, property staff can remotely manage users from a web-based dashboard.
- Two-way video calling. Traditional buzzer intercoms don’t safely manage visitors. With ButterflyMX, your tenants can easily see who’s requesting access before letting them in. Moreover, it takes a time—and date-stamped photo of each entry event that staff and residents can review at any time.
- Visitor management. Digital keys can grant secure remote access to guests, service providers, and delivery couriers. These temporary keys can be single-use or set to expire after an allotted period.
- Integrations with smart locks. ButterflyMX integrates with over 80 smart locks, enabling you to manage access to shared amenity spaces and enable self-guided tours.
- Package management. The ButterflyMX video intercom lets delivery drivers independently access the building and package room. That way, tenants can avoid missed or stolen packages when they’re not home. Package management solutions are crucial as online shopping has grown exponentially.
- Scalability. A multi-tenant video intercom can accommodate any size building — allowing you to add tenants or floors whenever necessary without upgrading the system or changing the existing infrastructure.
- Wide-angle camera. The wide-angle, 156º view of the ButterflyMX video intercom camera records most of the surroundings for ideal security.
- Multiple connections. The intercom can receive RFID and WiFi-based credentials — increasing versatility and convenience.
- Robust hardware. The intercom is both vandal-resistant and weatherproof.
Multi-tenant intercom system FAQs
- How much do multi-tenant intercoms cost?
- How do I get my intercom repaired?
- How does a multi-tenant video intercom system enhance security in residential complexes?
How much do multi-tenant intercoms cost?
Multi-tenant intercoms typically cost between $1,000 to $7,000, depending on the type of system.
Typically, wireless intercoms cost between $1,200 and $3,000, while video intercom systems range between $1,400 and $7,000.
How do I get my intercom repaired?
Installing and repairing a multi-tenant intercom system is a complex task that requires technical expertise. The specific steps vary depending on the brand and model of the intercom system you’re working with.
Here are a few considerations to consider when choosing an installer:
- Choose a system that fits your property’s needs. Select a multi-tenant intercom system that meets the needs of the tenants and your buildings’ layout. Then, identify a suitable location for the intercom panels, indoor units, and any necessary wiring.
- Preparation. Opt for an installer knowledgeable about the system by choosing a technician specializing in installing your specific intercom model. Additionally, determine the number of units (apartments or offices) connected to the intercom system.
- Wiring. If you have a wired system, your installer may need to run wiring from the intercom panel to each unit. Alternatively, wireless intercoms don’t require extensive wiring.
- Testing. Test your access control system by making calls from the intercom panel to the indoor units. Then, check the audio and video quality and the functionality of any additional features, like door release mechanisms.
Pro tip: To avoid constant repairs, a certified technician must install your multi-tenant apartment building’s intercom system. Further, having your intercom installed by a certified installer ensures you don’t void the warranty.
How does a multi-tenant video intercom system enhance security in residential complexes?
A multi-tenant video intercom system enhances security in residential complexes by providing improved access control, real-time monitoring, and better visitor management. By enabling residents to visually confirm a visitor’s identity before granting access, these systems prevent unauthorized entry and reduce the risk of security breaches.
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