Every business firm today takes its safety and security seriously. Hence, they invest in technology like video intercom systems, secure biometric devices, etc.
However, they are often at a loss because they aren’t aware of the best firms that provide such systems.
These firms provide services that are:
● Cost-effective and
● Made to cater to all kinds of business firms effectively and efficiently.
Let’s explore more about video intercoms & what makes them one of the best access control systems in the business below.
What Are Video Intercom Systems?
They are audio intercom systems that have an in-built camera.
The camera may be part of the hardware or provided as an accessory with the device. These systems ensure a strong audio and video connection between two or more places.
Additionally, video intercom systems offer the following features:
● High-speed data and the latest tech
● Top-class two-way HD video calls along
● Remote entry and exit monitor, door lock and unlock
● Remote access control along with face ID amongst other features.
Now, how do these systems work?
They:
● Consist of a microphone and software, which helps them capture audio and video, respectively
● Convert the audio-visual data into digital signals
● Send these digital signals over the air, internet, phone lines, and Ethernet cables.
● The indoor stations, which have big screens and door release buttons, receive all these signals and convert them into audio and video for the viewer.
Benefits of Video Intercom Systems
Some of the top benefits of video intercom systems are:
● Pre-entry viewing: people can view who’s at the door before they come inside
● Pre-entry communication: the intercom present in these systems allows people to communicate with their visitors before they enter
● Peace of mind: business owners can monitor their premises and greet everyone without having to be physically present
● Reduced thefts: business owners can see people entering or leaving their premises. Hence, they can prevent unauthorized personnel from entering illegally. For example, a person trying to gain entry by stating that they are courier personnel.
Let us now explore the various types of video-enabled intercom systems below.
The 8 Types of Video Intercom Systems for Top-Notch Security
You can find the list of 8 of the best video intercom systems below:
● Domestic Doorbell Intercom Systems
This is the most common video-enabled intercom system. It is generally used in small-sized buildings and complexes.
The domestic doorbell intercom system has the following components:
- Doorbell unit
- Small indoor display unit along with a clear outdoor camera.
How do they work?
When visitors press the button on the intercom, the telephones inside the premises ring with a distinctive ringtone.
People can receive the calls, and speak to the visitors before letting them enter.
● Commercial Video Intercom Systems
Commercial video intercoms are made for businesses.
These systems consist of the following components:
- A base station, which is a device installed at the base of buildings for visitors to call tenants or residents
- Substations, which tenants or residents use to answer calls and open the gate or door
- Wires that transmit power
- Internet cables
- A magnetic or electronic lock
These robust devices also have an option to request an exit (REX), and a door release button.
People consider such systems the best access control systems since they can remotely control visitors’ access.
● IP Video Intercom Systems
As their name suggests, IP Video Intercoms utilize IP networks to facilitate easy communication and audio-visual data transfer.
These devices:
- Can either be connected to the LAN or a computer server
- Depend upon digital tech, which lets them transmit videos
- Connect to a building’s locks to control access to their properties
- Have in-built sensors
- Rely on cloud computation
IP Video Intercom Systems have the following components:
- Video intercom module
- Built-in microphone and speaker
- Embedded Linux Operation System
- Indoor Video Intercom
- Smart Device Compatibility
- Alarm Integration, etc.
● Smartphone Video Intercom Systems
This video intercom system can be paired with a smartphone, with the help of a mobile app. It is also a type of IP-based device.
A smartphone video-enabled intercom system has the following components:
- An indoor station
- An outdoor station
- Smartphone app
It has the following features:
- Mobile door release
- Full security management and monitoring, etc.
● Video Intercom Systems with Door Release
These video intercom systems share most of the components and features of video intercom systems.
However, what makes them stand out is their door release feature which means that
● The person getting the call can unlock the door using a button on the indoor station or mobile app
● People can visitor’s visual identity before allowing them entry
● Room to Room Video Intercom Systems
Room-to-room video intercoms are made for use in big apartments and office spaces. They share the same components and have the same features as typical video intercom systems.
They:
- Are useful in controlling access between rooms in a building complex.
- Serve the dual purpose of internal interactions and control access.
● Multi-Tenant Video Intercom Systems
Multi-tenant video intercom systems are used in apartments or other multi-tenant commercial areas.
Like other video intercom systems, they have features such as:
- Door release
- Constant video record
- Mobile calling along with many calling buttons, etc.
● Cloud-Based Video Intercom Systems
These are also IP-based intercom systems.
They:
- Use many cloud data and apps to run on-site hardware
- Help manage cloud-video intercoms from a remote place with the help of mobile apps and web browsers
Some of their distinguishing features are:
- Cloud-based access control
- Remote lock and unlock
- Mobile calling and face ID
Key Takeaways
So, as you can see, using video intercom systems is useful for security and prevention of theft.However, you should be careful of whom you approach to install these systems. That is because not all providers offer the best access control systems in the business.This is why you should carefully do your research and choose the appropriate system.