There is a good chance that if you have ever visited someone with an apartment in NYC, you’ve had to be buzzed in. For the most part, there are two experiences that you may have encountered: either you pushed a silver button next to an apartment number, audibly buzzing the receiving intercom, or you used a shiny touchscreen where you searched your friend’s name, calling their phone and allowing them to let you enter. While both systems ultimately achieve the same result, one is much more expensive. Are high-tech apartment intercoms worth the cost, or are they just another way for companies to integrate themselves into a pre-existing market?
For decades, the standard apartment intercom system has been simple and is typically a panel with a series of buttons, each corresponding to a specific apartment unit. When a visitor arrives, they press the button next to the resident's apartment number, triggering an audible buzz that alerts the resident to let the visitor in. This straightforward system has been a staple in apartment buildings, providing a basic level of access control and security.
However, the landscape of apartment access is evolving. Increasingly, we see traditional intercom systems being replaced by more advanced digital solutions. Companies like ButterflyMX have developed smart apartment intercoms that integrate with residents' smartphones. Founded in 2013, ButterflyMX has quickly emerged as a leading provider of smart apartment intercom systems. Since its inception, the company has raised over $100 million in funding from investors such as Insight Partners and Norwest Venture Partners. One of ButterflyMX's key innovations has been integrating its intercom systems with residents' smartphones. This feature, which allows residents to remotely grant access to visitors, has been a major selling point for property owners and managers. High-profile customers include Equity Residential, AvalonBay Communities, and Greystar, all of which have integrated ButterflyMX's technology into their apartment communities. Latch, another company in the building access space, takes this model one step further by implementing this smart technology in both entrances and individual apartments. Users can use the technology to access their buildings and use the same convenience to enter their homes.
Some companies have even blended identity verification within their building access management products. Swiftlane, a company based in San Francisco, offers an all-in-one access system that lets users gain entry via facial or voice recognition, adding another level of convenience. Swiftlane’s technology can also be implemented into elevator systems, allowing for secure building and floor entry.
Proponents of these smart intercom systems argue that they offer a range of benefits over the traditional setup. Firstly, the digital interface provides a more user-friendly experience for visitors, who can locate and contact the residents they're visiting. This can be particularly helpful for buildings with a large number of units or for visitors who are unsure of the resident’s apartment number. Additionally, the integration with residents' smartphones adds a layer of convenience. Residents no longer need to be physically present at the intercom to grant access; they can do so remotely, even if not at home. This can be especially useful for accepting deliveries, letting in guests, or providing temporary access to service providers.
However, implementing these smart intercom systems comes at a cost, both in terms of time and money. Retrofitting an existing building with a digital intercom system can be a significant investment, requiring the installation of new hardware and software. For hardware alone, ButterflyMX and Latch intercoms start at around $4,000, with each Latch door lock starting at $500. The Swiftlane intercom starts at $1,300, with additional features costing more. All these systems also include a monthly subscription fee, with plans starting at $20/unit. This expense may not be justified for all apartment buildings, particularly those with fewer units or a less tech-savvy resident population. Furthermore, some argue that the added convenience of smart intercoms may not be necessary for all residents, despite the cost of these systems being paid for by residents through monthly management fees or increased rest. The traditional intercom system, while less technologically advanced, still effectively serves its purpose of granting access to visitors. For some, the cost of upgrading to a digital system may not outweigh the perceived benefits.
As technology continues to shape how we interact with our homes, the debate around the value of smart apartment intercoms will likely continue. While these digital solutions offer enhanced convenience and user-friendliness, the decision to adopt them should be carefully weighed against the associated costs and the specific needs of the apartment building and its residents. Take other smart home devices, for example. How many people purchased Amazon Echo devices only for them to be used for just a few months? Are these devices actually making a difference in our lives, or are they just a marketing gimmick targeted at younger audiences who love tech? Tech startups promise that they will make our lives easier through innovative technologies, but are they trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist, and are they doing it in a way that is helpful — and is the value ultimately worth the cost?