What to Consider When Purchasing an Intercom

Intercoms enable two-way communications and are used for door control, apartment entry control, and communication in schools and offices. Some include video or integrate with access control and IP camera systems to increase security.

This article reviews what you should consider before purchasing your IP Intercom System.

Consider How the Intercom System Will be Used

Primary Functionality: Determine the principal use—two-way communication, visitor access control, emergency notifications, or a combination. There are several types of systems:

• Intercom systems can be many-to-one systems where individuals contact a central location. For example, teachers in a classroom can contact the administration office.
• IP Intercoms can be used to control door entry. These intercoms can be audio or audio and video. They include built-in relays to control the electric lock.
• Apartment intercoms connect to many tenants in a building. 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.

Environment: Assess whether the system will be used indoors, outdoors, or both, as this impacts equipment durability.

User Base: Understand the number and types of users (e.g., residents, employees, security personnel) interacting with the system.

Intercom Features and Capabilities

• The ability to Initiate a call from the communication center or the endpoint
• Listen-only capability allows the communication center to listen to a remote location.
• Access Control Integration: Choose systems that integrate with door locks, gates, or other access control mechanisms.
• Remote Access: Look for systems that allow remote communication via mobile apps or web platforms.
• Noise Cancellation: Ensure the system has noise-canceling features for clear communication in noisy environments.
• Emergency Features: Consider intercoms with panic buttons or emergency alerts for enhanced safety. The alert can cause the IP Paging System to broadcast a warning message.

Intercom User Management Software

The command control software is used to manage and talk to many intercoms. For example, the person at the computer can control door entry or speak to each classroom in a school. Some management software provides additional features and functions that can be very useful.

• Consider if the software allows you to talk to specific intercoms or a group of intercoms.
• Can you create automatic messages based on a calendar and time? Many schools use automated messages to notify students of class changes. Chimes, music, or customized sounds like chirping birds can now replace the familiar ring. 
• Consider if the software allows multiple command centers
• Does the software allow you to listen to an intercom station
• Determine how the user notifies the central station. Does the intercom have a call button?
• Can the intercom control an electric lock? Some intercoms have built-in relays, allowing you to control a magnetic or electric strike-type lock.
• Consider whether the software provides automation tools such as:
  • “If this…then that” capability
  • Trigger pre‐recorded audio files
  • Alerts for system interruption
  • Reads RSS/CAP: Atom Feeds
  • Scheduled Actions
  • Runs in the background
  • Integrate with IP Cameras
  • Support VoIP connections

Considerations for Specific Purpose Intercoms

Do you need a specialized Intercom for a multi-tenant building or apartment house? The latest apartment or multi-tenant intercoms work over a wireless connection, making them very easy to install. You can easily find and call a specific corporate department or person in an apartment building using the touchscreen. The person called can answer the IP intercom using the app on their mobile device. It’s easy to view, talk, and then release the door.

Would you like to include temperature-sensing panels to determine a person’s health when entering a building? There are several panels that include face recognition and mask detection available.

Is it Important to Integrate with Other Security Systems?

Integrating IP cameras, Door Access Control and IP Intercom Systems has benefited apartment houses, factories, schools, and government offices. Door access control systems keep unauthorized individuals out, while IP Cameras with AI enhancements can identify potential security threats. IP intercoms are used to talk to visitors to determine if they can gain entry. 

The addition of special audio filters and feedback control has made intercom technology more viable. Today, we see new opportunities created by adding intercoms to IP camera systems. Intercoms can also be integrated with IP door access control readers, providing a complete door control system.

To learn more, please read our article, IP Cameras, Access Control, and Paging System Enhance Security.

Consider special situations for the intercom system

The ability to monitor events from IP Endpoints and send audio or email messages in response to them.  For instance, you can connect a door switch to an IP Endpoint and play an automatic audio message when someone opens the door.

The ability to monitor RSS and CAP/Atom feeds and automatically convert the associated text messages to speech so they can be played on Digital Acoustics IP Endpoints.  For instance, this can be used to announce severe weather alerts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Or create your own RSS or CAP/Atom feed to create custom on-demand announcements.

Summary of Considerations for IP Intercom Systems

Several things should be considered before purchasing your IP Intercom System. One of the most important is determining your application objectives. Will the system be used in a school to allow the administration to talk to the classrooms, or do you want to control visitor entry? Integrating the IP intercoms with other security systems, such as IP Camera Systems or Door Access Control Systems, may be helpful. Once you determine your objectives, selecting the right IP Intercom System will be easier.

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If you would like help selecting the best Intercom system, please call us at 1-800-431-1658 in the USA or 914-944-3425 worldwide or use our contact form.