This article examines the latest in intercom systems and looks at how they can suit the needs of different users, including those with disabilities.
Intercoms play an important role in commercial and residential properties. This article examines the latest in intercom systems and looks at how they can suit the needs of different users, including those with disabilities.
Intercoms are important security devices that establish initial connections between visitors and the people they’re visiting. Growth in this sector has also been quite noticeable. According to a Market Research Future, the global door intercom market was valued at US$2.2 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $3.7 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.92 percent.
Indeed intercoms have seen strong demand, driven by
COVID and other factors.
“There has been significant growth in the intercom market, and it is being driven by the need for enhanced communication tools. For example, COVID has put a bigger emphasis on access to buildings and how people can communicate with each other safely. In the past, places like doctors’ offices had open door policies where any number of people could be in a waiting room. Now a lot of these smaller offices are controlling the number of visitors in their building at any one time, and they’re using intercoms to do this,” said John Hemp, Director of Sales for Mid-Atlantic and New England at Aiphone.
“Even without COVID,” he added, “technology today has allowed for more freedom of communication. We can conduct business from anywhere using video conferencing and mobile connections. However, things still have to happen onsite. Intercoms allow security personnel who are located in a remote area to continue their work in an easily accessible and efficient manner. From workplace violence to theft, there have always been security concerns in these areas, so intercoms continue to see growth.”
Remote monitoring
Intercoms have evolved from simple audio devices to advanced systems providing HD visuals of who’s at the door. Now, they also allow remote monitoring so users have control of their doors no matter where they are.
“Most recently there has been a big push for integrating intercoms with other security platforms like access control and mobile applications. This push isn’t just driven by COVID, but with how we continue to operate our daily lives with devices like smartphones,” Hemp said. “With COVID, communication became an important issue with people unable to go into offices and certain buildings. However, with mobile applications that allow remote monitoring and management, intercoms have been able to provide a versatile work environment through touchless communication.”
Integration
Integration has also become a major intercom trend, which is here to stay. “In the future we are likely to see more total systems under one umbrella, such as more intercom manufacturers making
access control systems and access control manufacturers creating intercoms. There will likely be more software integrations as well, especially designed for markets like multi-tenant,” Hemp said. “For example, when a new tenant moves in and receives a key, property managers need to update their intercom system to include that individual’s information. When multi-tenant buildings have public facilities such as gyms or clubhouses, the access control systems for these areas also need to be updated. With software integration, building managers can enter those changes one time and that information is cross populated into the entire platform, saving time and energy during any tenant turnover.”
He adds that intercoms will keep evolving and become even more cutting-edge down the road. “At this point, most intercoms are still hardwired. There are many with Wi-Fi options and wireless features, but not many that are completely wireless. Right now, there are not a lot of intercoms with artificial intelligence either. However, the evolution of intercoms is taking place and we will continue to see more of these trends in coming years,” he said.
For the disabled
Needless to say, intercoms may not be as easy to use for those with disabilities. Making intercoms intuitive and accessible for the disabled, then, has become critical.
“Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance is a major focus for Aiphone and our intercom systems. As we see examples of accessibility growing in other markets, intercoms are advancing as well,” Hemp said. “For Aiphone, we provide LED lights and symbols in our IX and IP lines for the hearing impaired so that they can visually see when a call is placed or answered, as well as when a locked door is released. Our IX series door stations use touch screens and cameras that allow the use of visual communication, such as sign language, instead of just verbal communication. These cameras also provide wide view angles so that people in wheelchairs can still be seen by those working inside a building, as well as providing lower push buttons for easier access. Some of our systems also provide Braille for the visually impaired. Aiphone takes ADA compliance very seriously and as a global company, we understand that disabilities are universal. While another country might not have the same guidelines as the ADA, we still hold our products to that standard.”
Verticals suited
Intercoms can benefit users in various verticals. Most noticeably, the commercial, multi-tenant and healthcare markets have seen increased intercom growth and demand, according to Hemp.
“In the healthcare industry, assisted living facilities want to be able to have doctors and nurses check in with patients without having them be physically in the ward, especially during the pandemic. Video intercoms in patient rooms and nurses’ stations allow for increased monitoring of a greater number of patients, resulting in better care and more efficient work,” Hemp said. “We have also seen multi-tenant facilities move to more mobile applications and minimal onsite hardware. Less wiring means less labor, and less labor means cost savings for the building. For example, this market now sees cost-effectiveness in installing an intercom system in the main entrance and doing everything else through the internet and cloud-based applications. This means the building management takes on a lot less liability and enhances profits.”