Intercoms

Telephone access control systems has gone through numerous changes over the last 50 odd years or so. Its humble beginnings started with a need for the resident/employees of an installation to communicate verbally with the potential visitors to establish their identities and to open doors from a remote location or from a distance without the necessity of walking there and doing it manually.

Technological advances have added many new features and as such telephone based systems are used beyond their original purposes of verbal communication and opening of doors. Current designs have incorporated video transmission features, database features, network features as well as a host of add-ins has enable such systems to be integrated into building automation and access control security systems.

Tele-entry systems

Tele-entry systems are designed to enable a large number of users to control access to a building, secured facility or an installation via PSTN network. These systems are very reliable, cost effective to install and maintain. With proper system design and operation procedures properly implemented, tele-entry systems are used as an effective entry access control with the option of video streaming. These systems can be integrated with other security monitoring systems e.g. CCTV in lifts, exclusive floor lifts control, event logging of entry or visitors etc.

Unique feature of tele-entry systems

These systems are the obvious choice as a replacement of wired intercoms systems in older installations and residential complexes. Wired intercom systems which have been installed for a decade or so will become obsolescent due to lack of spare parts, faulty wirings which cannot to be rectified, lack of proper wiring documentation which makes maintenance very time consuming and expensive.

• The tele-entry systems do not require any hard wiring from each communication point to the main console. The system communicates with each individual user via the PSTN network using normal telephone handsets at their home or work place.
• There is no necessity to purchase specialized handsets to interface with the system. A normal telephone with basic functions is adequate to receive voice calls from the visitor and to open the access door to allow entry.
• There is practically no maintenance required on these systems. The users home telephone numbers are programmed into the system’s database and it needs to be updated as and when there are changes. All the components in these systems are very modular in nature and they can be replaced easily by trained technician easily.
• These systems are reliable. The 2 largest vendors of Tele-entry systems are Viscount Systems Inc. and Trigon Electronics Inc. and their systems has been used in various installations for more than 10 years without any significant maintenance or spare parts issues.
• These systems can be integrated with other security monitoring systems, thus enabling older buildings or residential complexes to implement security features comparable to the newer developments.