If your idea of an intercom is a wall-mounted box with a buzzer and a crackly voice on the other end, you’re not alone. For decades, that was the standard—just enough to verify a visitor’s presence, but not enough to truly secure access.
Fast forward to today, and intercom technology has transformed. What used to be a simple audio connection is now a versatile, cloud-connected tool used across campuses, clinics, offices, and warehouses to streamline access, improve visibility, and reduce risk at the door.
Yet many organizations still think of intercoms as “old tech.” That mindset leaves gaps in entry management and opens the door (literally) to risk.
Let’s take a look at what modern intercom systems can actually do and why they’re one of the most practical first steps toward smarter building security.
Today’s intercoms go well beyond basic audio. They’re engineered to work smarter, faster, and across more locations than ever before. The top systems on the market combine real-time video, mobile connectivity, cloud-based management, and open architecture for seamless integration with other tools you’re already using.
What that means in real-world terms:
See and speak with visitors in real time using high-definition video and audio. No more guessing who’s at the door.
Remotely unlock doors or gates via smartphone, tablet, or desktop, even when you're not on site.
Manage multiple locations from one dashboard instead of separate systems for each building.
Access historical logs of calls, video clips, and unlock events for auditing, investigations, or compliance.
Scale as needed from one entry point today to hundreds in the future.
Integrate with your existing access control or video surveillance platform, eliminating the need to rip and replace.
This shift isn’t just technical, it’s strategic. Intercoms are no longer stand-alone devices. They’re part of a modern, layered approach to building security that enhances the user experience while increasing control at every door.
Modern intercoms are adaptable across industries, but they shine especially bright in high-traffic, high-accountability environments where verifying who is at the door matters.
Here’s how they’re being used across different sectors:
With locked-door policies becoming the norm in schools, intercoms provide a way to maintain security without sacrificing accessibility. Office staff can visually verify visitors before granting access, and mobile management ensures someone can respond even if no one is at the desk.
From after-hours delivery access to vendor credentialing, intercoms are helping clinics, hospitals, and outpatient facilities manage access without compromising patient safety or HIPAA compliance.
At loading docks, employee entrances, and gate control points, intercoms allow teams to verify who’s coming and going, often without needing to station someone at the door.
For property managers overseeing multiple locations or multi-tenant buildings, cloud-connected intercoms offer a reliable way to standardize entry procedures and reduce pressure on front-desk staff.
Intercoms are often the easiest way to unify entry security across sites, especially for businesses that want a consistent experience without taking on the cost or complexity of a full access control overhaul.
Many organizations know their access control needs improvement—but hesitate due to perceived cost, disruption, or complexity.
Modern intercoms sidestep all of that. They’re fast to deploy, easy to manage, and often deliver an immediate upgrade in security posture without a full platform replacement.
Whether you're solving for visitor visibility, remote access, or multi-site standardization, intercoms are a smart entry point into better access control.
We’ve created a quick resource that walks through today’s intercom capabilities, use cases, and what to consider when planning your next steps.
👉 Visit our Intercom Solutions Page