We’re fortunate to be able to talk daily with installation integrators across North America. One common theme we hear again and again is how important video intercoms have become to an integrated security system.   

“In the past 12-18 months, virtually every one of our new projects had a video intercom specified in the plans,” said a Northern California integrator. “When we present an access control solution, we nearly always include a video intercom in the proposal. They’re reasonably priced and add another camera that provides a view of the entry and people in the immediate area.”  

That same integrator told us our intercoms have helped open new markets to his company. One example was a project for a water district with remote, unmanned pump stations. Before networked IX Series video intercoms were installed, a district employee would have to drive to a site to open a vehicle gate for contractors. Now, an officer in the security operations center can see and speak with a vendor, before remotely unlocking the gate. That saves the district time and money. 

According to an Arizona integrator, the video intercoms his firm installed to protect K-12 school entries are doing double duty by providing emergency communications. “We added amplifiers and speakers in the hallways, so the system can be used to provide information throughout the building in case of a man made or natural emergency,” he said.  

Video intercoms are helping with the care of senior citizens in assisted living care facilities. An Ohio integrator said his firm installed video intercom sub stations in each apartment that integrate a wireless call system with a central nurse call station. When the intercom button is pushed, nurses can immediately see a photo of the resident, the room number, and background health information.   

We frequently hear from locksmiths who are increasingly installing low-voltage video intercoms at exterior door entries. “Integrators leverage us as a resource,” said a Boston-based locksmith. “They need someone from a craftsman’s standpoint to install these systems while securing doors with electric strikes or mag locks. This has turned out to be a mutually beneficial partnership.” 

A New York City integrator said many multi-family apartment building managers are questioning the need for part- or full-time doormen to screen visitors when Aiphone’s GT Series intercoms can let tenants make their own decisions about who gets in. “Depending on the size of the building and cost of a doorman, a video intercom system can pay for itself in less than a year – especially if there is usable wiring already in place,” he said.  

Integrators installing entry controls on multi-tenant and mixed-use buildings are excited about a new video intercom that provides reliable network communications and entry security along with the convenience of a tenant mobile app. The IP-based IXG Series from Aiphone includes a cloud-based mobile app that enables tenants to screen visitors and unlock entries using their smartphones from virtually anywhere. The app may be used with or without an individual interior station.  

The IXG Series further enhances security with an available elevator control adaptor to ensure visitors only access the floor on which the tenant works or resides. Large projects aren’t a problem, as the system has the capacity to handle 9,999 stations.  

“The tenant app is a big selling point,” said the New York integrator. “And from our point of view, we can configure the system to meet the needs for a single facility or an entire portfolio of properties.”  

Those are only a few of the ways we've heard our system being utilized. The ways our systems are being used seem to be limited only by the experience – and imaginations – of our integrator partners. 

Visit our website for more information on the IXG Series, IX Series and GT Series video intercoms and our many other systems that can enhance your next security project.