Keep Calm and Plan Ahead

Posted on March 18, 2020April 8, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Despite the challenges caused by COVID-19, Kintronics continues to respond to all the needs of our customers. Most of our staff are working remotely to ensure that we continue to provide the best information, advice, and IP security products. In light of this situation, we offer some suggestions that may make this all a bit easier.

Take a Deep Breath

The tension caused by challenging times can cause many health problems. I know that my lower back has been hurting for the last few weeks. Tension! According to some people, anxiety is more dangerous than a virus. I don’t know if this is true or not, but we certainly need to relax. Let’s take a deep breath. Focus on your breathing. As you slowly breathe in and out, try to relax those tense muscles. Things will get better. It just takes time.

In a message from Nathan O. Hatch from Wake Forest University, “We at Wake Forest all have seen our day-to-day reality turned topsy-turvy. The normal patterns of life have been rudely upended as we face the reality of COVID-19 and its implications for our own health and that of our families and communities.”

Apartment Intercoms

Posted on March 13, 2020October 27, 2021 by Bob Mesnik

The Latest Network-Attached Multi-Tenant Building Intercoms

What is an Apartment Intercom?

An apartment intercom is a communication device used in the lobby or at the front entrance of a multi-tenant building or apartment house. It provides a connection to the tenants.

The new wireless intercom allows you to contact the resident’s smartphone or standard phone to request entry into the building. The lobby intercom display provides a list of all the tenants in the building.

The old apartment intercom systems were all analog-type intercoms and required wires from the lobby to all the apartments. Each apartment contained an answering intercom module. This intercom allowed the person in the apartment to talk to the visitor in the lobby. The tenant could then press the button to open the front door. These new IP intercoms replace the old analog intercoms.

The new IP apartment intercoms do the same thing and much more. This article provides information about the new IP apartment intercom systems.

Technical Jokes and Cartoons – 61

Posted on February 21, 2020April 17, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

A farmer and a king died at the same time.

They found themselves standing at the Pearly Gates.

“Both of you were very good men,” says St. Peter, “but heaven is getting crowded and I can only allow one of you in. What can you do?”

The farmer planted a pear tree, and it grew huge delicious fruits.

“Wonderful,” said St. Peter. “What can you do, your majesty?”

The king immediately went to the nearest toilet and flushed it.

Ultimately, St. Peter decided to allow the king into heaven.

And the moral of the story is,

Cartoon Repair Anything-Bob — Repair Anything?

Best Single-Door Access Control

Posted on February 20, 2020April 17, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Single-Door Access Control Systems

The new IP access control systems connect to the network and provide the flexibility that allows you to install a single door at a time.

These new IP access control systems include the door reader and controller that is all located at the door. The electric lock is connected to the controller.

The older access control systems used a large central controller that was located in a closet. The labor to run wires from the controller to the reader, and the electric lock was high.

Today there are several ways to control a single door. There are single-door systems that use a keypad and IP door reader-controller systems that use card credentials or your smartphone for access.

This article compares the single-door access control systems that attach to the network.

Access-Control-Single-Door — Single Door Access Control

Technical Jokes and Cartoons – 60

Posted on January 21, 2020March 18, 2021 by Bob Mesnik

A young driver became lost in a snowstorm. The teenager didn’t panic, however, because he remembered what his dad had once told him. “If you ever get stuck in a snowstorm, just wait for a snowplow to come by and follow it.”

Sure enough, pretty soon, a snowplow came by, and he started to follow it. He followed the plow for about forty-five minutes.

Finally, the driver of the truck got out and asked the teen what he was doing. And he explained that his dad had told him if he ever got stuck in a snowstorm, to follow a plow. The driver nodded and said, “Well, I’m done with the Wal-Mart parking lot, do you want to follow me over to Best Buy now?”

Comparison of Apartment Intercom Systems

Posted on January 17, 2020February 5, 2021 by Bob Mesnik

What is the Best Intercom?

Intercom History

The first intercoms were developed in the late 1800s. They used speaking tubes to talk to other people in the building.

Business organizations were the first to use these intercoms. The office manager could reach his secretary or other people in various departments in the building.

The invention of the telephone in the early 1900s made it easier to connect everyone. By the 1950s, the telephone connected people all over the world. The intercoms used the same technology as the phone system. In the 1970s, the analog intercoms made it easy for the manager to talk to the accounting department or the manufacturing floor.

Today’s Apartment Intercoms provide so much more capability.

Digital IP intercoms that attach to the network were made available in the 1990s. It made it much easier to install intercoms around schools, offices, and hospitals. The latest intercom systems use smartphone apps and cloud servers to enable direct communication all over the world. This article provides the pros and cons of different intercom systems.

Technology Review 2019

Posted on December 30, 2019May 3, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

The New Technology of 2019

2019 was a year of evolution rather than revolution. Security technology evolved and became more powerful and easier to use.

IP camera manufacturers focused on enhancing their products. Access control systems became more user-friendly, added mobile capability, and made it easier to integrate with IP camera systems. Paging systems added intercoms with better full-duplex sound. Portable emergency buttons became more popular and effective.

Here are the highlights of the new products available in 2019

Technical Jokes and Cartoons – 59

Posted on December 13, 2019May 4, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

A man went to visit a friend and was amazed to find him playing chess with his dog. The man watched the game in astonishment for a while.

“I can hardly believe my eyes!” he said. “That’s the smartest dog I’ve ever seen.”

“He’s not so smart,” the friend replied. “I’ve beaten him three games out of five.”

I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.

My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran.

I finally got my head together; now my body is falling apart.

Funny, I don’t remember being absent minded…

All reports are in; life is now officially unfair.

How to Upgrade Your Access Control System

Posted on December 12, 2019May 4, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Upgrade Your Door Access Control System

The classic door access control systems have been around for many years. These access control systems include one or more central control panels that connect to all the door readers.

Usually, the door readers use a Wiegand connection for communication. The reader-to-controller cable includes the serial Wiegand wires, power, and electric lock control. It also can contain several door control signals such as Request to Exit and door contact sensors. These older systems don’t have the latest features provided by the new access control systems.

Your old controller can be replaced so you can get the latest features and functions available from the new access control system. The new systems connect to the network allowing them to be integrated with other security systems. They provide many new capabilities that will improve your safety and security.

Panic Buttons and Other Security Systems for Schools

Posted on December 5, 2019April 18, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Active Shooter Emergencies

Active shooter situations have become a significant security issue. Many articles have been written about this. Solutions range from increased technology, active shooter drills in schools, and of course, gun control. Ann Hampton Callaway even wrote a song, Thoughts and Prayers.

A recent article, Active Shooter Drills May Not Stop A School Shooting — But This Method Could, was published November 27, 2019, in NPR news. It discussed the issues with active shooter drills. The article suggested that it was much better to provide threat assessment as a proactive approach to safety in schools. The objective would be to “identify students who are doing concerning behavior or may be in distress and getting them the help they need before they even resort to violence as an option.”

As a technology company, all we can do is suggest technology that can be used to prevent, control, and manage active shooter situations.

Security devices such as IP cameras, paging systems, metal detectors, door access control, and panic buttons can be used to help control emergency situations. This article provides a summary of the safety and security systems.