Security Sales & Integration March 2023 - 53

automation, notes Josh Gerena, segment development
manager, multidwelling units, Axis
Communications.
" By implementing building automation
systems like Control4, Crestron and similar
systems, they can manage most aspects of the
buildings from one platform, " he says. " This allows
them to add more features like fire alarm
system health monitoring, paging, or SMS
messaging to individual tenants.
Kastle Systems works very closely with all
types of MDUs. Kyle McAdams, Kastle's vice
president of marketing, reports demand for fire
alarm systems is high, and directly related to
the requirements of local building codes.
" Most MDUs employ management software
to consolidate key operational administration
to a single platform that ties key elements like
leases, rent payments and maintenance requests
to the resident account, streamlining and simplifying
operations to maximize efficiency, " he
states. " The ability to communicate with people
in the building through paging and mass
notification has greatly increased in recent
years. This can be accomplished conveniently
through integrated smartphone apps. "
McAdams further advises that commercial
office buildings with multiple tenants are increasingly
interested in conference solutions
that enable them to plan, reserve and host
in-person, hybrid, and virtual conferences. In
terms of video surveillance, he says systems,
particularly those that employ AI-driven technology
with cameras that use predictive analytics,
are often used to alert administrators to
perceived risks and support security without
adding security guards.
Gerena adds that it is now a requirement for
most buildings to have video on their intercom
door stations. " Building owners and tenants no
longer want to rely on an audio call only, they
want to be able to see who is coming into their
building and possibly record that video footage
into an NVR or other similar solution, " he says.
" The built-in camera becomes an important
part of the surveillance system for these properties
and serves as a deterrent for crime, package
theft and other incidents. "
Video Intercoms Answer Call
There are many benefits to implementing video
intercom systems in MDUs, but the biggest,
says Brad Kamcheff, marketing manager, Aiphone
Corp., is better building control. " Mulsecuritysales.com
titenant
intercoms systems add value to the
building by not only enhancing building security,
but also because they allow tenants to have
some control, " he notes. Tenants can screen
visitors by seeing and talking to them from the
safety of their apartment by using either an intercom
system installed in their apartment or a
mobile application on their smartphone.
As McAdams points out, because lobby traffic
has shifted significantly during the transition
from people going to the office from 9-5 to work
from home and now with various hybrid work
schedules, building owners have had to reconsider
how to best utilize their concierge staff. Secure
video intercom systems facilitate authorized
access for guests, visitors, vendors and deliveries
without interrupting building staff.
For multitenant properties, amenities like
a video intercom system also help to attract
established renters who are looking for convenience,
ease of use and service, Kamcheff
adds. " These tenants are typically Millennials
who are not first-time renters, and they expect
high-tech amenities and services. On the other
hand, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are looking
for family-friendly communal areas, security
systems, high-tech home furnishings and
concierge services. Because of this, we are also
seeing increased demand for video intercom
systems in luxury senior housing. "
Mobile Access Becoming a Must
MDUs also represent a hotbed of opportunity for
integrators when it comes to implementing mobile
access solutions. Bates Security is testament to
this and reports seeing interest in mobile access on
some recently deployed projects. " Property managers
and building owners seem to be interested
in ways to make their buildings more modern,
and mobile access is often identified as a way to
accomplish this, " Goodpaster says.
Gerena echoes that trend: " We have seen more
and more buildings add access control to multitenant
buildings, specifically in the residential
market. As they install these systems, there has
been an increased demand for solutions with
a mobile component, because it is convenient,
cost-effective and well suited for today's mobile-enabled
society. These types of systems are
increasingly used for building main entrances
and in common areas like shared laundromats,
parking garages and rooftop patios. "
Since the onset of the pandemic, there has
been a noticeable increase in demand for touchMARCH
2023 Security Sales & Integration 53
MDU managers often want
video surveillance systems,
especially when there are
parking structures connected
to the buildings, and in
common use areas of the
buildings, perimeter and
grounds.
Intrusion
alarms are typically
requested for
offices areas
specifically, or in
cases where it is
multiple businesses,
the need to install
intrusion alarms in
each individual
business suite may
be present.
-Danny Goodpaster,
Bates Security
TETE_ESCAPE/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
http://www.securitysales.com
Security Sales & Integration March 2023

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